Since starting my professional career, the work I’ve done has always been adjacent to events—whether through weddings, local chamber‑of‑commerce events, automotive conferences, or, now, large‑scale event productions with Advanced Staging Productions. In each of these positions I learned valuable technical skills that have helped me grow, learn, and adapt. But outside of just technical skills and the varying event types I have been a part of, the one consistent thread I continue to experience, improve, and share is the soft‑skill set that comes with working in the event industry. While technical skills are important and allow us to produce successful events, it’s the soft skills that help you grow your network, retain partners and clients, and open more opportunities for you to advance and learn. These are the top soft skills I’ve learned in event production.
Communication
When it comes to live events, there are so many variables and moving pieces that it can be mind‑boggling for one person to try to manage. From pre‑production to post, there can be countless changes and many different people and companies all working together. Communication is key throughout the life of an event; every detail and every change can impact numerous elements. At every stage and level of production, communication is essential—whether you are the project manager explaining how the room is being staged, the show caller walking through the run of show, or the producer updating the client on new needs that have come up. Communication is a soft skill that no one can escape while working in events and is a lynchpin for success, whether for a single event or an entire career. I’ve found that making yourself the source of information, taking meticulous notes, and constantly sharing new information ensures the smoothest and strongest chance for success. But anyone who works in events knows there will always be problems or issues that need to be addressed.
Adaptability & Flexibility
No matter how much you plan and prepare, you need to accept that live events are fluid and can constantly change. Like Robert Burns stated, “The best‑laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry.” How we react to these changes can define the event’s success. You must always be ready to pivot—whether it’s a schedule change, a piece of gear that fails, or evolving client demands. Staying flexible and prepared to adapt gives you the greatest chance for success. In these moments of flexibility, we find opportunities for new ideas, creativity, and growth. By embracing this soft skill, we build a databank of solutions we carry throughout our careers and bring to the next production. And by communicating, we share the knowledge we’ve gained with others to help them adapt even faster. With all the constant changes in live events, stress levels can soar, and, if not managed well, morale across the production can suffer.
Empathy
Anyone who has worked a live event knows how stressful it can be at every level, whether you’re on stage, backstage, at front of house, or manning registration. Like our owner, Steve Wildemann, often says, “To work in live events, you really have to love it.” I believe that love is the core source of event stress—everyone involved simply wants their part to succeed. Remembering that truth makes it easier to empathize with another person’s stress. By understanding them, we create calm that can positively change that individual and, in turn, the entire production. I have seen stress spread like a cancer throughout a live event, and if it isn’t addressed, it can lead to larger issues. But when we pause to view a situation from another’s perspective, we can change a person’s mindset and the event’s mood overall. It can start with one interaction—like a steady smile while miking a nervous first‑time presenter—and lead to a memorable session for all attendees. We all love what we do, and remembering that can ground us in such a high‑stress field. When faced with these stressors, remember the opportunity to empathize with the problem, communicate a new solution, and remain flexible to evolving needs. During a live event, everything can happen in a flash, and you must accept that you cannot do it all yourself.
Trust
You need to acknowledge that you are just one person, and no matter how badly you want to hold on to every task, you must trust the team around you. At every event I’ve worked, I’ve been impressed by the trust we place in one another. As soon as the keynote hits the stage, we trust the audio engineer to bring up the correct mic, we trust our show caller to hit cues at the exact marks, and we trust the client to communicate any changes. Trust operates at every level of production—a soft skill sometimes overlooked because it happens so naturally. Yet acknowledging it sincerely can strengthen bonds, add confidence, and improve mindsets. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “I trust you.” You cannot produce an event without trust. I believe it is the most essential element of any production, no matter how big or small. When we communicate, remain adaptable, empathize, and trust, we give ourselves the best chance not only to put on a great event but also to build a memorable career.
The Advanced Way
At Advanced Staging Productions, we live by the core tenets of The Advanced Way. The Advanced Way ensures your event—big or small—goes off without a hitch. Grounded in professionalism and sprinkled with flexibility, it includes four pre‑event planning activities, and a comprehensive post‑event analysis that guarantees your event unfolds flawlessly from start to finish. But it’s more than a planning process—it’s a mindset and a way of working shared by every team member. The Advanced Way has helped me define and sharpen these soft skills and continues to encourage our growth in each area.
These are the skills that carry me from one show to the next—but I know every pro has their own playbook. What soft skill has made the biggest difference in your high‑pressure moments
