ABSTRACT
Positive job experiences lead to higher job satisfaction, healthier and more positive employees. Yet, our understanding of job satisfaction in the event domain is limited. This chapter discusses the underlying intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to work at an event. We synthesise the existing literature and respond to the question ‘What constitutes job satisfaction for the event workforce?’ As a result, we argue: (1) job satisfaction for permanent employees is shaped by positive experiences – mastering the challenge of the fast-paced work, the incentive of attending the event and importantly career progress. (2) In contrast, casual event employees are often motivated by earning money, being flexible and being curious about their task and work environment. (3) Unpaid volunteers’ job satisfaction is the most complex – they are less likely to be motivated by money, but rather by intrinsic factors such as autonomous work and curiosity, important drivers of job satisfaction.
