Planning for Surprises

Roll with the punches at meetings and events.

1. Be human
People need warm beds and hot showers, especially when traveling. If an attendee or presenter is lacking one or both, try to compensate.

2. Be flexible
Flights get cancelled and lives get messy. Thankfully, agendas can be adjusted.

3. Back up your important information
When the speaker loses his PowerPoint, it helps if you have it on file too.

4. Stay in control of the message
Gossip can spread through an event like it’s a sleepaway camp.

5. Have a network
It helps to know the locals.

6. Ask for help
Never underestimate the power of a hotel concierge. When strapped for time, outsource the errands.

7. Be a smooth talker
“Oh, hello Mr. Fire Marshal. The banquet site has how many violations? Let us fix that right now, sir. Would you like a popover while you wait?”

8. Improvise
When things don’t go as planned, turn mishaps into opportunities. Where one person sees “lost booth graphics,” try to see “a clean canvas for your edgy new booth projections.”

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