Your Event Planner Survival Guide: Real Wellness for Real Stress

Happy April Fools from the Eventeny team! Jokes aside, our April Fools take is based on a very real truth: stress in the events industry can be overwhelming. Sometimes a meditation app and a deep breath aren’t enough, we get it. Throughout our years in business we’ve built relationships with event organizers across every genre and learned so much from those conversations. In this blog we’re going to pass that knowledge on by putting together a short list of actionable ways to reduce stress in the festival event landscape.

Tips from the pros

This isn’t your average 9-to-5. You’re the octopus, the MacGyver, the COO, and sometimes the designated therapist when things get bumpy. Here are the strategies long-haulers in this industry swear by to keep the overwhelm from getting the best of you:

Pre-Event

• Master Your Pre-Event Routines: Set the tone early with detailed meetings and AV run-throughs. Review all signage, contingency plans, and have extra materials ready.
• Get Comfortable with Contingency: Plan for shifting deadlines and last-minute changes. Have Plans A through ZZZ ready to go.
• Embrace Tools and Templates: Use project management tools, checklists, and templates for emails or reports to streamline your workflow.
• Build a Team that Works: Ensure you have enough staff for key roles and delegate responsibilities effectively.
• Work Smarter With Tools & Templates: Lean on tools to stay organized and save time by reusing templates for repetitive tasks.

On-Site

• Anticipate Imperfection and Recover Gracefully: No event is flawless. Focus on staying calm, communicating clearly, and recovering quickly when challenges arise.
• Have a Command Center: Set up a well-organized “war room” stocked with essentials like chargers, snacks, and supplies for quick problem-solving.
• Take Care of the Basics: Schedule meal breaks, stay hydrated, and keep healthy snacks on hand to maintain energy and focus.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Step Away: Take a few minutes to reset and recharge when needed, stepping away briefly can make a big difference.
• Expect Curveballs, Focus on Your Reaction: Issues will happen. Your ability to stay calm and get things back on track is what matters most.
• Don’t Try to Be Everywhere: Delegate tasks, ensure key posts are staffed, and schedule breaks for yourself and your team.
• Establish a Reliable Base: Use your command center as a regrouping zone for team meetings and solving issues privately.
• Wear All Hats, But Ask for Help: Juggling roles is part of the job, but asking for help when needed shows strength and ensures smoother operations.

Bonus tip: Find support systems in the industry

One of the best aspects of the festivals and events industry is the amount of professional groups there are nationwide. Eventeny attends 30+ event industry conferences annually and our team finds really supportive, collaborative environments everywhere we go. These spaces are so helpful for meeting other professionals who share your same challenges and understand. Many associations also have online forums and groups where you can communicate virtually with other event professionals. If you haven’t joined a professional organization yet, check out the resources below.

See our association partners

If there’s one message we want to leave you with, it’s this:

You don’t have to have all the answers on day one. Even the most experienced event professionals lean on each other, ask for backup, and learn from setbacks. Don’t let tough moments shake your confidence, use them to build resilience and refine your process. The best organizers are resourceful, adaptable, and open to support. Keep showing up, keep reaching out, and remember that every event (with all its twists and triumphs) will grow your skills (and your love of the job).