You’re planning a live event. What are the most common conflicts you need to anticipate?

1 Venue issues

One of the most important aspects of any live event is the venue. You want to choose a place that suits your budget, audience, theme, and goals. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned. You might face problems such as overbooking, cancellation, damage, or technical difficulties. To avoid these conflicts, you should always have a written contract with the venue owner or manager that specifies the terms and conditions of your agreement. You should also have a backup plan in case you need to switch venues at the last minute or make adjustments on site.

2 Speaker issues

Another key element of a live event is the speakers. You want to invite experts, influencers, or entertainers who can deliver valuable and engaging content to your attendees. However, sometimes speakers can be unreliable, unprofessional, or unprepared. They might cancel, show up late, go over time, or deviate from the topic. To avoid these conflicts, you should communicate clearly and frequently with your speakers before the event. You should also have a contingency plan in case you need to replace or reschedule a speaker or fill in the gaps with other activities.

3 Attendee issues

The success of your live event largely depends on your attendees. You want to attract and retain a loyal and satisfied audience who can benefit from your event and spread the word. However, sometimes attendees can be demanding, disruptive, or dissatisfied. They might complain, request refunds, leave negative feedback, or cause trouble. To avoid these conflicts, you should provide clear and accurate information about your event, set realistic expectations, offer flexible options, and collect feedback. You should also have a code of conduct and a crisis management plan in case you need to handle any serious incidents.

4 Sponsor issues

Sponsors can be a great source of support and revenue for your live event. You want to partner with reputable and relevant organizations who can provide value and exposure to your event and your audience. However, sometimes sponsors can be difficult, demanding, or dishonest. They might breach the contract, fail to deliver, interfere with your agenda, or tarnish your reputation. To avoid these conflicts, you should carefully vet and select your sponsors, negotiate fair and mutually beneficial terms, and monitor their performance and compliance. You should also have a backup plan in case you need to terminate or replace a sponsor.

5 Team issues

Your team is your backbone when it comes to planning and executing a live event. You want to work with competent and committed people who can share your vision and responsibilities. However, sometimes team members can be uncooperative, unproductive, or unprofessional. They might clash, slack off, make mistakes, or quit. To avoid these conflicts, you should hire or recruit the right people, delegate tasks and roles effectively, provide training and feedback, and foster a positive and collaborative culture. You should also have a contingency plan in case you need to reassign or replace a team member.

6 Technical issues

Technology can be a blessing and a curse for your live event. You want to use the latest and best tools and platforms to enhance your event and your audience’s experience. However, sometimes technology can be unreliable, incompatible, or insecure. You might encounter glitches, crashes, hacks, or breaches. To avoid these conflicts, you should test and troubleshoot your technology before and during the event, choose reliable and reputable providers and vendors, and secure your data and systems. You should also have a backup plan in case you need to switch or fix your technology.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?