Scheduling a live event crew isn’t just hard; it’s one of the most demanding, high-pressure responsibilities in the entire production process. One misstep in crew selection can impact the quality of the event, delay timelines, or overload your top technicians.

That reality is exactly why Mertzcrew launched Gofer.

Gofer: Built for the Realities of Live Event Scheduling

We didn’t develop Gofer because AI is trendy; we developed it because the live events industry had specific needs for a smarter, faster, more reliable way to match the right technicians to the right roles.

We aimed to solve common issues our clients have, like: 

• Schedulers are burning out.
• Constant phone calls.
• Spreadsheets that are beyond overwhelming.

And with a razor-thin margin of error, Gofer was built to solve all of that.

“Working on and developing Gofer made me realize how efficient someone can be if given the right tools. Our clients can expect to see Gofer further implemented across our software to make their day-to-day easier.” - Carlo Favis, CTO 

What Is Gofer?

Gofer is an AI-powered scheduling assistant built directly into Mertzcrew’s crew page. It’s designed to overcome challenges by reducing the time, stress, and guesswork involved in matching freelance techs and contractors to roles.

But here’s what it doesn’t do: it doesn’t replace your expertise.

Instead, Gofer works with schedulers, quietly in the background, delivering data-driven recommendations based on:

• Role requirements
• Technician availability
• Certifications and qualifications
• Ratings and performance history
• Past project matches and crew patterns

No more second-guessing. No more digging through email threads or trying to recall who worked what last year. With a single click, Gofer turns hours of work into seconds of clarity.

Why the Events Industry Needed This

The live events industry isn’t a typical 9–5 operation, and the tech crews behind the scenes aren’t your average contractors. Schedulers are constantly navigating shifting details, tight timelines, and managing a dynamic pool of freelance contractors and crew members.

To put this into perspective: the average event planner spends around 25–30 hours planning a single event, with only a small fraction of that time left for creative and strategic tasks. This means that for many, scheduling isn’t just a task; it is their work week. No wonder our partners tell us things like:

“I’m spending more time scheduling than actually managing the event.”

“Every time I get close to finalizing the crew, something changes.”

“I wish I had a tool that knew who I liked to work with.”

Gofer is that tool. Built from the ground up by Mertzcrew, Gofer addresses the real-world challenges of live event production, helping schedulers gain back their time, reduce stress, and elevate decision-making.

What Makes Gofer Different?

Gofer isn’t just smart; it gets smarter over time.

Every time a scheduler uses it, Gofer learns. It remembers preferences. It adapts to your style. And it sharpens its recommendations based on what actually works for your teams and events.

Here’s how it delivers long-term impact:

• It reduces stress – You’re not racing the clock or scrambling to fill gaps.
• It saves time – Real-time recommendations replace hours of back-and-forth.
• It increases confidence – You’re making choices backed by clean, contextual data.
• It puts you in control – Gofer suggests, you decide.

“Gofer will be introduced through a phased approach, allowing us to thoughtfully implement its capabilities across different areas of our software and maximize efficiency at every stage. Gofer is not just about speed; it’s about making complex work simplified”. - Carlo Favis, CTO 

Real Results From Gofer

A typical scheduler might spend 8–10 hours per event managing crew communications, availability checks, and revisions. With Gofer, many of our clients are reclaiming half that time or more.

Multiply that across multiple events per month, and the time savings are enormous, not to mention the reduced stress and smoother project execution. 

VP of Mertzcrew Erika Kimbrough shares her thoughts about the benefits of Gofer, “When I started in labor and scheduling, I was constantly challenged to be more efficient and plan further ahead. But I never wanted efficiency to replace real relationships with the freelancers who made it all possible. That’s what makes Gofer so powerful—it doesn’t just plug names into a calendar. It automatically matches technicians to your exact needs—skills, certifications, budget, location—freeing schedulers to do what matters most: connect with people. If I’d had Gofer, I would have booked projects months out and built even stronger relationships with my contractors, setting every gig up for success.” 

Part of a Bigger Solution: The Mertzcrew Platform

Gofer is just one way Mertzcrew streamlines live event operations for production companies and labor coordinators. Beyond AI-powered scheduling, our platform gives you a centralized system to manage every critical aspect of your workforce logistics with ease and accountability:

• Compliance and Protection – Ensure all documentation, certifications, and legal requirements are up to date and accessible in one place.
• A Single Source of Truth for Labor – Gain visibility and control across every project with a centralized, real-time labor management solution.
• Crew Performance History & Robust Reporting – Make informed crewing decisions with detailed performance insights and historical data.
• Streamlined Project Close-Out & Contractor Payment – Simplify post-show workflows with secure, timely payments and automated tracking.

Now, with Gofer integrated directly into the crew scheduling page, you’re not just simplifying admin; you’re elevating every aspect of the crewing process.

Designed for Decision Makers Who Need Results

Gofer was built to support your existing scheduling team, not replace them. For operational and financial leaders, that means fewer costly errors, reduced need for additional hires, and more efficient use of your team’s time. By acting as a digital assistant, Gofer helps your current schedulers manage complex project demands more effectively while capturing and retaining their institutional knowledge for the next generation. The result? Smarter resource allocation, stronger project oversight, and a system that scales with your team.

Suppose your live event operations team is still stuck in spreadsheets or struggling to scale scheduling across multiple projects. In that case, Gofer delivers a competitive advantage you can see on the calendar and the balance sheet.

Ready to See Gofer in Action?

Scheduling doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress. With Gofer, you can streamline the process, elevate your events, and give your teams their time back. With the transformative potential Gofer adds to your business operations, this AI tool is causing a stir as a game-changer in the industry.

Let us show you how Gofer can fit into your workflow. Reach out to our team to find out more, because Gofer is ready for you!