As I’m wrapping up the year—pulling reports, finalizing invoices, and gearing up for what’s next—I’ve naturally been looking back on 2025. And like most event professionals, I’m baffled by how fast it all went. This year was filled with the usual battle scars: quick turnarounds, last-minute requests, shows that ran well into the night, and call times that made us question our life choices. Working in this industry puts us in high-pressure situations that wear on us not just physically, but mentally too.
So, as I reflect on the whirlwind behind us and the one ahead, I wanted to share a few things that have helped me keep a clear head through all the chaos that defines the live events world
Proper Scheduling
Anyone in live events—technicians, planners, producers, and everyone in between—knows we rarely get the luxury of focusing on one show at a time. We juggle multiple events all sitting at different stages of planning and production. We wrap a general session and immediately hop into a planning meeting for another show. We build production schedules at night from a makeshift hotel-room desk.
It can feel overwhelming, but proper scheduling really does help keep you grounded. When you’re managing several projects, you have to accept that not everything is a priority for right this second. Ranking tasks by importance and deadline is essential.
For me, time-blocking has been a lifesaver. I use my calendar not just for meetings, but to carve out focused work time for specific events or tasks. Your calendar is yours—use it as a tool to stay on track, not just a place people drop meetings into.
Communicate
This is a skill I’m always trying to improve. When stress hits or the workload piles up, many of us tend to put our heads down and try to power through everything ourselves. But as I’ve heard more times than I can count: no one can save you if they don’t know you’re drowning.
We need to remind ourselves that it’s okay to communicate when we need help, clarification, or even just a little more time. Proper communication keeps things from slipping and ensures tasks get done correctly the first time.
And just like on show site—when someone asks for help and half the room volunteers—we have to remember that same support exists during pre-production, planning, and post-production, too. Help doesn’t stop at the ballroom door.
Education
No matter what role you’re in, there will always be stretches where the work feels repetitive. One of the biggest things that helps me fight that monotony is simply continuing to learn.
Whether it’s a new software, a new piece of gear, or even a book that helps professionally (shoutout to Jesse Cole’s Find Your Yellow Tux, which is proudly dog-eared and cracked on my desk), learning something new keeps you engaged. It’s a reminder of why you fell in love with this industry in the first place.
As our owner, Steve Wildemann, always says: “You really gotta love what you do to work in live events.”
Education is a great way to stay excited about your role and to grow within it.
Enjoy the Downtime
When you’re constantly traveling or jumping from show to show, it becomes hard to mentally step away—even on your days off. It’s easy to convince yourself you should play catch-up or peek at your email “just to make sure nothing’s on fire.”
But downtime is ours, and it matters more than we think. When I truly disconnect, I come back more refreshed, more creative, and more present. Some of my best ideas have shown up during a break, not during a grind.
I’m grateful for the chances to step back, recharge, and reconnect with the people I love. Those moments have helped me professionally and personally. And honestly, spending time with people who matter is a really good reminder of what all this work is for.
As 2026 approaches, I’m going to try my best to follow my own advice—schedule time properly for upcoming events, communicate when I need help, keep learning, and enjoy the holidays with friends and family.
I hope this helps in some small way, and I’d love to hear from others:
What has helped you avoid burnout and support your mental health in this industry?
