In the fast‑paced world of weddings and events, your team is the heartbeat of your business but how you classify the people who support your brand can make or break your growth. Stop Guessing, Start Growing: The Truth About Contractors vs. Employees is a dynamic, eye‑opening session designed to demystify the rules, risks, and realities of hiring in the creative industry.
From second shooters and stylists to assistants, planners, and production crew, many event professionals unknowingly misclassify their team members leaving themselves exposed to legal penalties, tax issues, and operational headaches. This webinar breaks it all down in clear, industry‑specific language so you can confidently structure your business, protect your profits, and build a scalable, compliant team.
Whether you’re assembling your first support crew or preparing to expand your business, this session will give you the clarity to hire smarter and grow stronger.
Key Takeaways
Understand the Legal Difference
Get a clear explanation of what legally defines a contractor vs. an employee and why “industry norms” don’t override IRS and DOL guidelines.
Know the Risks of Misclassification
Learn how incorrect classification can lead to financial penalties, back taxes, and reputational damage and how to avoid it.
Identify the Right Role Type for Your Business
Discover which responsibilities align with contractors and which require true employee status in the events world.
Learn the Do’s & Don’ts of Managing Contractors
Understand what you can and cannot require from contractors to remain compliant.
Build a Sustainable Team Structure
Walk away with a framework to hire confidently, scale responsibly, and create a team that supports long‑term business growth.
Practical Tools & Next Steps
Receive actionable recommendations, questions to ask yourself, and to help you classify roles correctly moving forward.
Registration Fee:
NSBWEP Members: Complimentary | Non-Members = $35.00
Registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable to a future event/webinar.
About Our Speaker
Stefanie B. Lomax (M.S., PHR, SHRM‑CP) is the CEO and HR Strategist of HRPro4You, LLC, a human resources consulting firm dedicated to helping small businesses build legally compliant, scalable, and sustainable HR infrastructures. With 20 years of HR experience and dual HR certifications, Stefanie is widely recognized as a subject matter expert who empowers business owners to confidently understand and navigate the complexities of HR compliance, risk, and team management.
She has worked across diverse industries where she has overseen and managed all facets of HR, from employee relations and benefits to policy development, compensation, training, and staffing. Stefanie’s experience includes serving as a trusted strategic partner to executives and business owners, translating organizational goals into actionable HR strategies that support long‑term growth.
Stefanie is also the creator of the EmbraceHR® Signature Program, designed to help organizations establish or improve their HR foundation to meet organizational demands and future scalability. Her mission is to ensure that small businesses not only stay compliant but have the structure needed to thrive.
Beyond consulting, Stefanie has served as an adjunct professor and has been featured across radio, blogs, television, and various media outlets, where she provides expert HR insight and guidance. She is regarded not only as a skilled strategist but as a trusted advisor known for her ability to simplify complicated HR concepts and deliver them with a personalized, results‑driven approach.
Stefanie holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a master’s degree in human resources management from University of Maryland University College.
