Prom Night Events – We love Q & A, especially about Sydney school formal packages and venues. There are many stakeholders involved in formal planning so we’ve compiled a page that covers things from every angle.
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Q & A for Security and Legal Compliance
Prom Night Events – Q & A on Sydney school formals
For Students and their Guests
The following are the top questions asked by Student Organisers (click for answers)…
Can we get venues with views? City & Harbour Locations? Sit Down or Stand Up menu options? Coloured Room Lighting??
Yep!
We have over 50 venues on offer and they have the biggest range of features, locations, price ranges and capacities imaginable.
Can we get a DJ with Awesome Light Show? Requests beforehand? PA System for Speeches?
Yep!
All of that is included at no extra cost with all of our packages. You don’t pay extra for lighting (like other lame packages) and our DJ’s are the best club DJ’s in the functions scene. They work with your crowd to take requests on the night for the best results.
You can even create your own Spotify playlist for the DJ to use as a reference.
Can we get Photos with a choice of either a photographer or a photo booth (or even BOTH for a few dollars more)? A Facebook gallery so we can download and tag everyone? A proper online purchasing site where we can buy prints or high-res shots?
Yep!
Again – All of that is included at no extra cost with all of our packages.
Can we get a secure online ticketing solution with floor plans and table selection? Food allergies section so people with special needs can get special meals? A customised ticket page that we can add our own logo or whatever artwork? Afterpay? A secure log in so we can check how sales are going and track the numbers?
Yep!
So I don’t have to chase money or personal data? – Nope! – I don’t really have to do anything? – Nope!
Once more – All of that is included at no extra cost with all of our packages. In fact we’re the ONLY ones doing anything even remotely like this.
Can we add optional decorations like Specialty lighting? Balloons? Chair Covers & Table Linen in whatever colours we want? Candelabra? Centrepieces?
Yep!
We offer the widest range of decorating options anywhere and colours will all match up perfectly.
How much will it cost per guest?
That’s going to vary, depending on the options you choose and the venue you select, however what we can tell you is that with us it will cost you around $35-$45 per ticket LESS than if you planned this all yourself without our help.
Prom Night Events – Q & A on Sydney school formals
For Schools and Parents
Worried about all of this?
You’re right to check!
Elliot Kleiner – (Director of Operations for Prom Night Events and Nationally recognised corporate specialist in Event Management and related Security) answers the most often asked questions posed by schools and parents concerning formals.
Biography for Elliot can be seen here
Elliot published a really interesting White-Paper on “School Formals – Myths, Facts and the Ostrich Mentality”.
The following are the Top Questions asked by School Staff and Concerned Parents (click for answers)…
Who is Prom Night Events and how long have they been around?
We’re the first and largest event management firm for school formals Australia-wide. We’ve been doing this exclusively since 1990 and we’re the national market leader.
Why has our school never done business with Prom Night Events before?
Well, the chances are that if you’re with a Sydney school you probably have but may not know it. We’ve conducted formals for over half of the registered secondary schools in greater Sydney. Most of them multiple years running. Not all schools “officials” knew about it. If the students or parents ran the events independently from the school, you would have enjoyed the liability coverage that we offer, but may not even have known it was happening.
My memory of school formals from 30 years ago is a drunken free-for all. What’s changed since then?
Quite a bit in fact. The School Formal Industry (yes industry) today turns over $3.4 Billion per-annum nation-wide, and with several specific acts of Parliament in most states (2007 and 2012 for NSW) it is now by far the most highly regulated and most closely monitored sector of the Events market.
The legislative compliance issues read like an encyclopedia of rules, permits, licenses, restrictions and checks. Most LAWYERS would need a month of reading to get up to speed with the latest updates. It is, and has been for the last 30 years, our specialty, and we’re recognised as the leading industry experts on this topic. Our procedures and methodology have been recognised as the best model yet written for running teen events, and we have a 100% success track record to back that up.
Our operating manual for legal compliance has been reviewed by top level officers in NSW, QLD and VIC State Government departments covering Liquor, Licensing, Security and Safety disciplines and has been given the double-thumbs-up as over-compliant with all three states’ regulations.
If we work with Prom Night Events to run a school formal, does this service cost the school anything?
No!
The school pays nothing at all. In most cases, if teachers are interested in attending, we can either include some for free, or in larger numbers cost price, so each can afford their own tickets.
How much does it cost students?
That depends upon the selections of venue, attendance and inclusions. Every package is custom-made. The most agreeable numbers are that with our events, it will cost them between $35 and $45 per head less than if they organised it all themselves.
What about deposits or Security Bonds?
We don’t take security bonds. They’re not legal. Any venue that demands one is scamming you and there’s a chance you’ll never see that money again. We cover every event with $90M worth of diverse insurances instead.
Where a booking deposit may be required (in very few cases), the school is free to pay that deposit and it’s fully refunded BEFORE the formal, so long as minimum ticket sales are covered. It’s our job to make all efforts to see that this is the case. We’ve never held a deposit back from a school – ever! Deposits, where required, are only for the booking fees for suppliers and are capped at $1500 total. If any more is required, we cover it. Usually $1000 is enough.
There are lots of “shonky” operators out there. How do we know Prom Night Events suppliers, staff and contractors are all trustworthy and reputable?
We guarantee legal compliance, in fact it’s what we’re most famous for. We’re the only event company conducting formals with the written authority to represent major internationally branded venues like Hilton, Sheraton, Sofitel, Four Seasons, Hyatt and so on. If you call and speak the Conference & Event Sales Manager of any venue in our programme, they will gladly verify that we’re their official representatives for this market. This is not something they hand out lightly.
To become a supplier to Prom Night Events, the criteria is extremely tough and standards are uncompromising. All goods and services in our programme must be approved by the tough standards of the venues, our insurers and us before acceptance.
We carry the highest levels of insurance (over $90M per event) of any company in the industry, and our methods for security and legal compliance are approved at the highest levels of government.
Every physical product must have corresponding hazard identification documentation, every power handling lead must have compliance tags, every person attending the event must be WWCC (Blue Card) cleared and every procedure applied at the event must have gone through rigorous testing measures before introduction. We take zero chances. That’s why we’re still here when the others come and go.
How much work does either a school staff member, or an organising committee of students, need to do to plan this event?
If you do it on your own – surveys have shown up to 200 hours. If you let us do it for you – averages are between 5 and 10 hours total. This is valuable time for both staff and students, specifically approaching exam times. Our streamlined systems and full time staff take all of the effort out of it for you. It’s all we do all the time.
Who handles collection and disbursement of ticket money?
We do. Well, that is to say our online systems do that for you. No physical cash changes hands at any point and you need no bank accounts to administer any of this. All costs are covered by ticket sales. Students and their guests buy tickets online and we disburse those funds electronically to all the relevant suppliers on your behalf automatically.
Who wears the public liability exposure?
Great question! The answer will surprise many. If you work with us, WE take ALL public liability exposure away from you. If not, YOU take that liability exposure upon either the school (in the case of non-government) or on the department (in the case of government) – EVEN if you aren’t running the formal. That’s right! If you say NO to the formal, and it goes ahead without your knowledge (as in 86% of cases), the school STILL attracts a potential liability exposure automatically.
This is a legal minefield and you really should take the assistance of professionals to navigate it.
Doesn’t the school have to maintain a “Duty of Care”?
No! – in fact this only applies to students when in either of two cases – 1/ On school premises or 2/ Outside when on a curriculum-based excursion with parental permission granted.
School formals on licensed third-party premises are exempt from these 2 conditions so the school, and any individuals on staff, have no “Duty of Care” at all. This is different from “Liability Exposure”.
School staff are actually forbidden (legally) from conducting any form of security or control over the behaviour of students at a school formal when outside the school premises. Those duties rest with the operators of the event and the venue.
Doesn’t the school have to have staff present at all formals?
No. In fact it’s not a requirement under the law at all. The venue and organisers are providing ample legal supervision to cover state requirements. School representatives don’t need to attend at all.
Didn’t I hear something about the DET or the BOS prohibiting schools from being involved with formals?
Well you may have heard some such chit-chat, however, it is, and always has been, a total MYTH.
We can assure you, after lengthy discussions between our legal department and the senior most policy representatives from both authorities, that there NEVER has been any such directive issued by either body. In fact quite the opposite, neither one has even the legislative authority to make such a ruling either way. Check with your District Superintendent if you want to clarify this. The choice is purely left to the Principal in every case.
What if our school has always had a policy of not supporting formals?
That’s up to the Principal, however this is extremely outdated thinking and you are in the vast minority. Most schools recognise that steering the plans in the right direction and offering advice and assistance is a far more intelligent way to avoid anything going wrong. If you don’t support formals, it’s time to review that thinking for your own sake. The formal will happen anyway, it’s just a matter of what’s going to come back and bite you later.
Prom Night Events – Q & A on Sydney school formals
Security & Legal Compliance
Security and Legal Compliance is a very controversial issue but well worth a few minutes to learn about.
This page will serve to dispel myths about what we do, how and why we do it. Most of all – it will demonstrate why a Prom Night Events formal is the safest place to accommodate teens while they enjoy their big night.
Information here has been provided by Elliot Kleiner – National Director of Operations for Prom Night Events. Elliot is a renowned expert in this area of Event Management.
Biography for Elliot can be seen here
Take the time to read this whole page!
Breath Testing, Metal Detectors & Drug Screening – It’s no joke and it’s no scare tactic. Why do we do it and what does it achieve?
Almost every week now we receive calls and e-mails from people asking about our security procedures. Some are school formal attendees, some are ordinary citizens but most are concerned parents asking the question “Why is it necessary?”
Let me start by saying that this is nothing new. Alcohol ingestion analysis, identification of symptoms associated with illicit drugs and searches for contraband, in one form or another, have all been a part of standard security procedures at school formals & socials, and most nightclubs & bars for decades. The fact that we now use electronic devices and sophisticated systems to assist with that process seems to be what’s attracted all the attention.
What electronic devices do is simply speed up the process, make it less obtrusive and eliminate any judgement or opinion. Microchips don’t lie and they don’t have opinions.
About Security Personnel
According to the various state laws, it is generally accepted that there be 1 security operative for each 100 guests attending a Minor’s function – like a formal. We believe this is far too simplistic a formula as there exist many security issues that could easily facilitate problems if insufficient security staffing is applied. This is why our policy is that on every event, we begin by assessing the layout and features of each individual venue, and the individual circumstances of the school and guests.
For instance – a typical formal at a Hilton Hotel of 200 guests would require 2 guards by (N.S.W. / QLD / VIC) law. Depending on the circumstances, we would begin with 4 and a supervisor. The same function for 200 guests at the Sheraton may require 8 guards because there might be more access points in and out of the function space.
tate Governments require that all Guards be appropriately licensed under the relevant Security Industry Acts. We require the same but also require that all Security Personnel also possess current First Aid Certification including Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation AND current Responsible Service of Alcohol accreditation (or equivalent), such as any venue employee would need to have. Further to that we also provide industry-specific training to guards in the areas of Teen Psychology, Crowd Control, Logistics, Emergency Evacuation and Passive Submission.
Our Security Personnel are all hand-picked professionals and are graded and accredited through our own training and induction programme so as to ensure that only the appropriate people conduct certain duties fitting their level of training, experience and skill.
To avoid any situation arising from female guests being addressed by Security, a policy of having at least one female Guard per event has been adopted.
Our senior event management staff must also complete the standard “Child Safety Awareness” modules and “Epipen & Anaphylaxis” certification, despite all of our catering being strictly nut-free. Of course all of our staff coming into contact with minors must be checked and cleared through the WWCC or Blue-Card system.
About Insurances
Each venue we hold formals in must have Public Liability Insurance (no less than $20M) and conduct all functions in total compliance with Workplace Health & Safety Regulations. Our procedures, covering everything from how to deliver the balloons – through to emergency evacuation in the event of a fire or other issue, is comprehensively documented with safety in mind. These procedures and safety compliance sheets are available for inspection at any time by any concerned party.
In addition, our Security teams also carry a further Public Liability Insurance Policy of $50M.
Further to that again, Prom Night Events also has Public Liability cover for $20M (including $250K of personal property damage). All of our own staff are insured with WorkCover.
Every event we conduct is covered for every conceivable scenario and has insurance not less than $90M.
About Alcohol and Intoxication
Each of the venues we hold formals in hold a license with particular conditions pertaining to the conduct of functions minors are likely to attend without their parents. This is also nothing new. These regulations and restrictions have been around since well before this year’s formal attendees were born but they’re constantly in flux and being reviewed & strengthened annually either by the state government, or by us within our own policies. Until recently, many of those restrictions and conditions had either not been clearly understood by those involved in the industry, or had been largely ignored, and therefore breached. The result has been precisely what the laws were written to avoid. That included such things as under age drinking, violence, damage, illness, and general disorderly conduct.
These sorts of incidents have been widespread and remain so even today at many formals around the nation (other than ours). It’s that sort of reputation that has prevented young people from being able to access the kinds of venues suited to a glamorous and elegant evening that a formal is supposed to be. For that reason alone, it’s a shame that otherwise responsible youngsters are denied that “dream” evening because of the unfortunate actions of an unruly minority.
As with any industry, there are those in the Event Industry who would capitalise on the immaturity of some young people and invite formal guests to attend venues where liquor is freely made available, even though it may not be legal or proper for that to happen. It has been our decision to date that we will endeavour to avoid such venues as we also avoid dealing the kinds of people that would seek to cash-in on the illegal or irresponsible sale of liquor to young people at formals.
I need to make this point very clear. We are not “anti-alcohol”. What we are most strongly against is the “illegal” or “irresponsible” service of alcohol, particularly where minors are concerned.
We have witnessed many incidents in past seasons where formals (not ours) have been raided by Licensing Police and found to be operating outside of the law. In some cases, people have been ejected from the venues and in other cases, the Police have sought to shut down the formals altogether.
In even more instances, we’ve seen people at other events refused admission to their formals for being intoxicated before arrival. These incidents are precisely what we are trying to avoid.
By making it very clear to everyone exactly what their responsibilities are well before the day of the event, we’re helping create an awareness of the laws and how they can affect formal guests.
We’re certainly not in the business of throwing people out and shutting formals down. To date we’ve never closed a function and our events (in the very early days) were frequently been visited by Licensing Police who have left completely satisfied that they have been well organised, that they are legally compliant, and that everyone was having a great time, safely and securely. The local area commands surrounding our venues are very much aware of who we are and how we operate, and as a result, Police have rarely visited any of our events in the last 30 years.
So to the question of breath testing. We must be absolutely certain that we are creating at our events an environment of legal compliance, complete security, and the execution of a duty of care where all concerned parents can feel comfortable leaving their teenagers for an enjoyable evening under the most vigilant, yet non-affronting supervision.
It is, in fact, due to the breath testing, that we are able to run these events with complete success. We introduced the breath-analysis equipment on a formal in September 2001. The message got through via the media and we saw an immediate and rapid decrease in the number of people coming to our events intoxicated. There’s nothing negative that can be said about that at all.
This is a terrific result for all concerned as it proves that nobody has to be intoxicated to enjoy a fun evening. It also shows that young people can be quite mature and responsible when they need to.
Each peak-season (Late Sep and Nov/Dec), we conduct thousands of breath tests and find less than 1% of guests under the influence of any alcohol at all. Of those 1%, less than one third are minors and we are very pleased to report that we rarely have to refuse admission. We believe this is the way formals should be conducted everywhere. For this reason, we actively campaign to have procedures tested and legislated in favour of, for the safety of teenagers.
Schools have been reluctant in the past to become officially involved with these events, often leaving youngsters to fend for themselves in a functions market that isn’t always easy to deal with. Now with the strictness of our adherence to the laws, and the ease of allowing our Event Management teams to put these formals together for them, we’re finding schools, Principals, Deputies, Year Advisors and even Parents are now more willing to become involved and that’s a good thing for everyone. We will always encourage that level of involvement.
About Civil Liberties
The issue of civil liberties has been examined. We want to maintain total transparency on this issue. Every guest at one of our events may refuse to submit to our screenings if they wish. We are allowed to conduct these screening activities but cannot force them. We maintain however, that any person that chooses to refuse a test may be viewed as suspicious, therefore may be refused entry to the event for that reason. This potential refusal of admission is equally our right to exercise with or without the result of breath analysis or any other screening process.
Further to that, the issue has been raised as to the accuracy of the breath testing equipment used. For this reason, comprehensive testing was conducted in controlled conditions with a number of subjects, of varying ages and physical compositions. The conclusion was reached that the devices are accurate and efficient to within 0.01% on the visual range of the device meter. When taking into consideration the fact that minors attending formals in our participating hotels are not legally permitted entry showing any trace of alcohol whatsoever, we concluded that the accuracy of the devices was far higher than was necessary for our purposes and we continue to utilise them at all events.
The devices we use for breath-analysis are those that were suggested to us by the Senior Policy Advisor of the N.S.W. Department of Gaming, Racing and Liquor. Although the design of the devices we use may appear antiquated, despite thorough testing of more sophisticated “looking” devices that we conduct each year when new ones become available, we’ve so far found that even the newest and most sophisticated devices are less accurate, less practical and overall less reliable than the ones we currently use. Even the models currently used by Police fall short of the reliability of our machines.
The issue of hygiene was also a concern. Our devices are now “passive”, which means that they don’t actually come into any physical contact with test subjects at all. The devices are cleaned and sanitised after each event.
To maintain a transparent and honest account of the testing done, we’ve implemented a procedure whereby testing officers must operate among groups of licensed security operatives and any tests returning a positive reading for alcohol must be verified by more than one person in the group. There is a further procedure in place that accommodates testing a second time for anyone desiring an additional reading to be taken for their own verification. All readings are displayed upon request. Any reading registered where a guest may need to be delayed from entering a formal will always be recorded accurately and records are maintained for inspection by relevant authorities if necessary.
Although the media has classed us as “Pioneers” when describing our introduction of the breath analysis devices to the formal market, we must take a slightly more humble posture. It was not our innovation, but we’re happy to take credit for developing the procedures more comprehensively. The idea is that we we assist venues and licensees to maintain strictest compliance with current liquor laws relating to minors. The Victorian and Queensland State Governments have also reviewed our security procedures, including our Breath Testing methods. They approved and permitted us access to their own state markets without any alteration to our methods, procedures or equipment.
About Contraband Screenings
Although it may be one problem when people have consumed liquor prior to their arrival at the formal, it is certainly another when they intend to bring it with them for consumption during the formal.
Of course, alcohol isn’t the only thing that people will always attempt to smuggle inside. Often there are other dangerous items, such as weapons, drugs and other serious things like pyrotechnics. These items pose threats to the safety of guests and the venue, to say nothing of the reputations of businesses and schools involved with the running of the event should anything go wrong.
Formal guests are not physically “touched” during our screening procedures, as most contraband can be easily detected by hand-held electronic devices that do not come into contact with people. Visual inspections of bags and receptacles are all conducted thoroughly according to State Government approved “Search & Seizure” methods. To safeguard against these potential problems, we have implemented a tough screening process involving checking of clothing, bags and receptacles, and even the search of the surrounding environment both inside and outside the function area, in case anything had been delivered and hidden earlier. We even now use the latest thermal imaging technology to see what may be undetectable by magnetic screening processes.
Confiscations of certain items will be carried out according to a thorough and complex “Contraband Withholding” system that has been successfully trailed over many years with great success. The picture inset displays just a few of the items found during a typical formal season using this process.
About Drug Screenings
This one has been a hot topic in the media.
Anyone who adopts the mentality of “not our kids, not our school” when it comes to Ecstasy, Ice and other recreational drugs is demonstrating extreme naivety. These things, as unsavoury as they may be, are very much a part of the teen culture, and should not be dismissed out of hand. Some of the most “well-to-do” schools have presented students to the doors of our formals in the past, where they have been found in possession of large quantities of these drugs, among other undesirable things.
Extensive research has been conducted within our Security Team to identify, test and implement the most practical systems, and introduce the appropriate equipment for screening this dangerous threat to formals.
For the sake of keeping the effectiveness of these particular procedures high, we would prefer not to elaborate on them on a web site. The procedures are safe, accurate, legal and effective. That should be sufficient information on the subject.
About Ticket Validation and Guest Attendance
All formals we conduct are required to be pre-ticketed, in most cases this is a state law. The tickets must contain certain information and be laid out a certain way. It is also required that a register of guests attending formals be kept and be made available at call for inspection.
Our ticketing and Validation system satisfies both requirements electronically. Each ticket contains the guests name, details of the event, venue, times and dates. A compendium of the rules of the event are printed clearly on every ticket, including warnings that our security procedures will be implemented at the door. This prevents any guest claiming that they were not informed of our procedures. By presenting a document that contains not only these warnings, but also has their name on it, deniability is eliminated.
Each ticket is also encoded with a bar code, which is easily scanned by our security personnel to both validate that this is a ticket pertinent to the appropriate event, and maintain a register of attendance simultaneously. It even keeps an accurate register of the time and date of entry of each guest by name so we can not only track who is in the formal, and what time they arrived, but who is missing.
The new Online Ticketing System also now contains contact details of individual guests such as mobile phone numbers so that we can account for their whereabouts should they be missing from the event, or in the unlikely event of an emergency like an evacuation of the venue.
For our Green clients, we also now have paperless ticketing using smartphone technology and photographic scanners at the door of every event.
About Communications
Each member of the Security Team is equipped with sophisticated 2-way radio communications with voice-activated headsets and microphones. The system is “closed frequency” which means that conversations are privately locked only between those members of the team that are present on the night. The headsets also make conversations private and passive, which means that only the Guards can hear what’s being said during transmissions.
What this system allows in terms of the security of guests, and the practical execution of procedures, is an ability for Guards to maintain a vigil even as far away as up the street and around the corner from the entrance to our venues. Often, the consumption, or concealment of contraband articles is conducted outside venues prior to entering. Now we can monitor these activities and report them passively and discreetly to the team awaiting the arrival of guests at the doors of the function space for the appropriate action to be taken.
This also allows the easy reporting of suspect activities of guests inside the function so they can be monitored by all Guards during the event.
About our profile in the community concerning these measures
Strangely, our electronic devices and procedures have caused no concerns to anyone at the door of formals. Breath testing seems to have some curiosity attached because it’s usually identified as being equipment used exclusively by Police, even though it’s available to anyone and there is no restriction on its use. A journalist was quoted as saying “that it’s easier to get a bomb onto an international flight than get contraband into one of our formals”. Humorous as that sounds, we rather enjoy the truth of it.
Since newspaper journalists and radio announcers began reporting on our strict security measures, we have received calls from other Event Managers in the industry, including those involved with the ever popular “Schoolies” events in Queensland, asking about our procedures in order that they may implement similar standards. We’re ever ready and willing to assist in making these sorts of events safe for our young people, no matter who is running the event. Our aim is to keep people safe and do our small part to keep the industry honest. If anyone ever ask for information we’ve developed for keeping teen events safe, we’re happy to share.
Some venues, who are not even participating in the Prom Night Programme, have called us to ask if we can lend them our security teams and equipment for their own formals because we have earned a reputation for the very finest security practises in the business.
In 2003 our security procedures were drawn into a 37 page legislative reform document that was presented at the N.S.W. Alcohol Summit at Parliament House by representatives from The Commission for Children & Young People. We have been acknowledged as the authors of the Formal Industry’s “Best Practice” for security and legal compliance.
In 2012 we were called to Parliament House to address the Legislative Assembly as expert advisors during a review of the NSW Liquor Act because of our extensive knowledge and experience administering these safe practices in the field. Several of our recommendations were accepted and written into legislation.
It has become obvious to us that from a short-term business viewpoint, the practices of this tight security measure cuts deeply into our profitability. It goes to follow that we’d be making far higher margins if we were going the way others in our industry have gone, and capitalising on the sale of liquor to formal guests, illegally or otherwise. We believe that our stance will have far greater rewards for both us and the industry at large in the long term, provided that we continue to receive the kind of support shown to our initiatives that we enjoy at this moment from so many areas of the community.
We welcome any and all inquiries on these issues and I make myself personally available, whenever convenient, to discuss them in greater detail with any interested party.
About Alcohol at formals – What’s the truth???
It really is worth taking a few minutes to read this section. It can mean the difference between a total success or a complete disaster at your Formal.
There are many laws concerning school formals and the way they’re conducted. At Prom Night Events, we make it our business to keep up to date with regulations and ensure that all of our venues comply with them fully. It’s our job.
We aren’t against alcohol. What we are against is the ILLEGAL or IRRESPONSIBLE supply of alcohol. We consulted the various departments of each of the State Governments in the areas we operate. Our procedures and rules are based on what we learned from them. We also consult with Church and various Parent and Community Groups to find out what the moral and social implications of our policies might involve.
We obviously aren’t against school formals. What we are against is the ILLEGAL or IRRESPONSIBLE hosting of school formals.
We pride ourselves on structuring the safest and most law-abiding events. It’s good for the venues, it’s good for us, it’s best for you!
Alcohol at home
There’s an old tradition of having a couple of drinks at home with Mum and Dad before heading off to the formal. The “Pre’s” have become a part of formal culture in Australia, and although this event has existed somewhat “under the radar” for years, there is legislation in place concerning how this is conducted.
Parents or Guardians who serve alcohol to their own minor in their own home (or someone else’s home) is quite legal. The extended circumstances are where people THINK they understand the law, and go horribly wrong.
According to the Liquor Act (NSW) for instance, it is abundantly clear that any service of alcohol to a minor that IS NOT your own son or daughter, is a crime with penalties involved. Further to that, although serving alcohol to your own minor at home is legal, the minor is then NOT permitted to go out in public.
There is one thing that remains absolutely Black & White, with no room for interpretation at all. Whether a minor has consumed alcohol supplied by parents or others at home, legally or illegally, or has consumed alcohol anywhere else, arriving at the door of licensed premises, school formal or not, is illegal and entry is not permitted under any laws no matter who says otherwise. Zero tolerance applies, just as with P-Plate drivers.
In the past, we’ve had 15 and 16 year olds turning up at the formal intoxicated but trying to use the excuse “It’s OK because Mum gave me the drinks”. Believe us when we tell you that this is not acceptable and not legal. Such people won’t be allowed in to the event under these circumstances, no matter what parents say.
What’s even worse than that is that in some cases, minors who get a drink from Mum and Dad think it’s OK to drink as much as they like elsewhere, and drink more on the way from home to the venue. That’s the worst thing. No matter where the liquor comes from, or who gives it to you, it’s not legal to turn up intoxicated, or with any alcohol in your system or possession whatsoever, if you’re a minor.
The “Pre’s” are often also a tradition and it’s pretty common to see 30 or 40 formal guests all meeting at one person’s home for a drink before going off to the formal. This is yet another situation where the Black & White exists so both formal guests and Mums & Dads – take note! If Mum & Dad want to serve alcohol at the Pre’s, they’re absolutely, 100%, undeniably NOT PERMITTED to make that alcohol available to any minor that is not their own child unless they have a written & signed note from that child’s own parent or legal guardian, or if that parent or guardian is present at the time and gives consent.
The whole excuse that someone else’s parents supplied you the alcohol at their home is not acceptable under the law.
Just try to keep in mind that Mum and Dad may rule at home, but they don’t Govern the State and they don’t write the policies of Venues and Event Managers. If they give their own son or daughter any alcohol, at home they may or may not be committing a crime. The moment they send them off to licensed premises, that’s where the offence is really being committed.
The easy answer is – If you’re under 18, Don’t Drink!
About Venue Licenses & Restrictions
All licensed venues have certain restrictions when considering formals. NONE are allowed to serve alcohol to minors.
In the vast majority of cases, the types of venues that host formals operate under one of 2 main types of liquor licenses.
These are… “Hotel” License or “On-Premises” License
In the case of Hotel or Public Entertainment Venue licenses (NSW), before a school formal can be booked, the venue needs to apply for, and be granted, a special permit known as a “Minor’s Functions Authorisation”. Put quite simply, if they don’t have one, they can’t host your formal, and if they do have one, they can’t sell any alcohol to anyone at that formal (regardless of age). Queensland and Victorian regulations are a little more relaxed but depending on the type of venue and type of event, certain permits may be required to be issued by government.
Pretty much ALL formals are mixed ages including Minors. In almost all cases, Minors who attend formals will not be escorted by their parent or legal guardian for the entire duration of the function. In these instances, it’s not legal for any alcohol to be available at all in those venues. Simple!
In the case of On Premises Licenses, the Minor’s Functions Authorisation is not compulsory but strict controls are recommended by the government.
Some of our venues (very few) are operating under different licenses that allow the service of alcohol to adults during formals. At these venues, extra rules apply so that they can ensure that “Legal” and “Responsible” service of alcohol is conducted. If we conduct a formal in these premises, regardless of what may be legal, we will not allow alcohol to be served to any minor and we go to extreme lengths to make certain that A/ Minors cannot access alcohol, and B/ That adults are heavily restricted on how much alcohol they consume, and where inside the venue they can drink. In most cases, alcohol would only be available to Teachers and Parents.
Basically, we want you to be aware that we’re on your side. We want to make sure that nothing ruins your big night.
About Dodgy Operators
There are plenty of people out there who will offer you venues, packages, prices, and all sorts of things. They may even be high-profile companies or well-known venues themselves. Be aware that not all of them are legally allowed to be selling you some of the things they offer. Some are not even legally permitted to host formals at all.
If you want peace of mind, rest assured that anyone who participates in our formal programme must be fully compliant with the laws of their state. Book through us and you have nothing to worry about.
For those interested in knowing more about this issue, feel free to contact our office and we can make available to you all sorts of information.
Prom Night Events is proud that we comply fully with all State legislation regarding the safe and legal hosting of school formals. Our reputation is exemplary and we continue to improve it every season.
Quick Reference Guide – See the most often asked questions about Formals with direct links to answers…
Q: Where can I find relevant information if I’m a student, parent or school official?
A: There are many stakeholders who look at formal planning from completely different perspectives. Most of the really common stuff can be found on our page called – Q & A. We also have a link page called – Research. If you’re interested in the industry overall, there’s a page dedicated to all the facts and figures called – Formal Statistics. For real nitty-gritty advice on a full range of issues, you can see our menu of Blog Posts.
Q: What’s the process of choosing venues, packages and getting prices?
A: It’s a simple 3-step process explained in detail at the page – How It Works. There’s a gallery of available venues with detailed pics and information at the page – Venues. To see what’s on offer in the way of package inclusions, see the page called – Inclusions.
Q: How does the money and data get collected for formal guests?
A: We use 2 fantastic secure online ticketing solutions. One called Humanitix for buying tickets and another called TikCover for selling your tickets if you can no longer attend. You can see all about both at the pages called – Tickets and Ticket Buy-Outs.
Q: After the formal is over, where can I see and download the photos?
A: Within a couple of days of your formal, you’ll get an email with a link but if you want to see all of our photos, check out the page called – Galleries.
Q: Who is Prom Night Events? How do they do what they do?
A: We’re the market leader in professional event management for the school formals industry. To know more about the company and its people, check out the page called – About Us. If you want to read from our customers, check out the page called – Testimonials. To see our position on environmental issues, see the page called – Planet Pledge. You may want to know how we handle your data, there’s a page called – Privacy Policies.
Q: Does Prom Night Events do after-parties?
A: Yes! Check out the page called – Afterz.
Q: How do I get in touch with Prom Night Events?
A: Lots of ways – see the page called – Connect. If you want to let us know how we’re doing – use the form on a page called – Feedback.
We’re proudly associated with the following organisations…
