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Wet Vs Dry Hire Explained
If you’re planning a conference or event, it involves many decisions. One of these decisions is whether to opt for wet hire or dry hire. If this is your first time hearing these terms, it can get confusing, but they actually refer to two primary methods of acquiring event equipment and services. In this blog, we’ll look at the key differences between wet hire and dry hire.
What is Wet Hire?
Wet hire stands as the complete package, encompassing not just the rental of equipment or services, but also the full support and expertise of the provider. It’s essentially a complete package deal where you are supplied with the equipment, the setup, the designers etc.
When you wet hire a venue space, you don’t just get the use of the room or hall you’re hiring, but a whole host of other services alongside it whether that’s catering or the design team. This means you get assistance with the running of your event, so you can be confident that your event will run more smoothly as the event team will be more prepared to deal with any issues that arise.
Benefits of Wet Hire
- You get a full service. With wet hire, you’re essentially outsourcing the responsibility of managing the equipment and services to the provider. They take care of everything from installation to dismantling, and everything in between.
- Venue hirers are experts in their field and have experienced personnel who know how to handle the equipment effectively, ensuring it works seamlessly throughout your event.
- Peace of mind. Choosing wet hire can give you peace of mind during your event as you won’t need to worry about technical glitches or equipment failures. The venue provider is responsible for any troubleshooting and maintenance.
Although there are many benefits to wet hire, it also comes with a higher cost due to the comprehensive service package and expertise that you get.
What is Dry Hire?
Dry hire adheres to a more hands-on approach. It entails renting equipment or services without any additional support from the venue provider. In a dry hire arrangement, you are solely responsible for setting up, operating, and dismantling the rented equipment.
Benefits of Dry Hire
- DIY approach. Dry hire is ideal for those who want more control over their event setup. It means you can customise everything to your preferences.
- Cost-effective. Dry hire is typically more budget-friendly than wet hire. This is because you’re not paying for the service provider’s expertise and support.
- Dry hire allows you to have more flexibility in terms of equipment selection as you can outsource to suit your needs and budget.
It’s important to note that dry hire means that you take on more responsibility if things go awry. You must be aware that you are responsible for the setup, operation, and troubleshooting so you must have a good understanding of how to use the equipment effectively.
How to Choose the Right Option
Choosing whether to opt for wet hire or dry hire largely depends on the nature of your event, your level of expertise, and your budget. Here are some considerations to help you make the right choice.
Complexity of the Event
If your event needs complex equipment setup and operation, then wet hire might be the safest choice to ensure everything runs smoothly. On the other hand, if your company is outsourcing equipment or bringing your own, then dry hire means you have full control over the equipment.
Budget
Budgets play a huge role in deciding whether or not to choose wet hire or dry hire. Wet hire is more expensive, so if you’re working with a tight budget, you may want to consider dry hire. However, you may also choose to spend your budget on wet hire to give you peace of mind.
Time and Resources
Consider the time and resources you have available. Wet hire can save you a lot of time and effort, whilst dry hire demands more hands-on involvement. If you have plenty of staff available to help with set-up and troubleshooting, then dry hire is always an option.
In conclusion, choosing between wet hire and dry hire for your conference or event is a massive decision that can impact your event’s success and your budget. Carefully assess your needs, expertise, and budget constraints before making a choice. Regardless of your decision, the key to a successful event lies in the preparation and planning.
At Chelmsford Race Course, we offer flexibility, superior facilities, and amenities like Wifi, in-house AV hire, and excellent food. Get in touch with us if you’re in the process of planning an exhibition, tradeshow, or other event to hear about our wet hire options.
