How a Catering Disaster Turned Our Tailgate Event Into the Ultimate Client Experience—Here’s How We Pulled It Off!

When unexpected changes hit your event plan, keeping your team calm, flexible, and focused is essential to success. As Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the face." I experienced this firsthand during a football game event we hosted for 50 clients. The caterer didn’t show up, wasn’t answering calls, and time was running out. It could have easily turned into a disaster, but instead of letting panic set in, I pulled the team together and quickly pivoted.

Drawing from my Marine training, where we’re taught to "improvise, adapt, and overcome," we took matters into our own hands. A few of us ran to local fast-food spots and returned with a variety of food—Chick-fil-A sandwiches, Big Macs, Whoppers, Krispy Kremes, and more—along with beer and drinks we already had. Not only did the clients love the spread, but it ended up becoming a fun, memorable tailgate that exceeded their expectations. In fact, nearby tailgaters even envied our impromptu feast!

What could have been a complete failure turned into a hit because we remained adaptable. This experience highlights a key lesson I’ve carried throughout my career: success isn’t just about sticking to the original plan, but how well you adapt when things go wrong. Whether in event planning, business, or life, resilience is one of the most valuable skills a team can have. You have to remain calm, think quickly, and be willing to turn setbacks into opportunities.

This philosophy extends beyond just events. As marketing professionals, we’re often working with tight budgets and evolving expectations. Being resourceful—finding ways to do more with less—can make all the difference. In the Marines, we were often operating with fewer resources than other branches, which taught me the importance of maximizing what we had to get the job done. That same mindset has been invaluable in business, where budgets shrink and demands grow.

Ultimately, this event was a reminder that the ability to adapt is one of the most powerful tools a leader can bring to any situation. It’s not just about the perfect plan but how well you can pivot when the unexpected happens. Whether it’s rallying a team to find fast food in a crisis or navigating changes in a marketing campaign, staying flexible and focused is the key to turning challenges into successes.