Event Coordinators have one of the most stressful jobs in America - file that fact under “Things I Wish I Had Known.” While we have become experts at hiding our stresses from colleagues and attendees, we can be real with each other and admit that sometimes we are just overwhelmed - especially when there are a million things going on onsite.
Lucky for you, I’m willing to share my tried and true ways to deal with stress onsite at your next event:
Find A Quiet Place To Yourself - Top choices include empty staff room, bathroom stall, random seating area, empty session room, any padded room you can find.
Go For a Walk - Isn’t it time to go check on how the lunchroom set-up is doing anyway?
Go Outside And Get Some Fresh Air - Because hotel ballrooms can be depressing and you probably haven’t been outside all day.
Lean on your Venue Contact - They want you to be happy (and fill out their survey post-event), so they are going to do everything they can to help you - and sometimes they suggest sending you to get a massage at the spa.
Have a Reality Check - Remember, you aren’t saving lives - unless you are running a meeting for medical professionals, then I’d argue you’re at least helping.
Smile - As long as you are looking like everything is fine, it’s fine.
Have a Cup of Meeting Planner Tea - This is just wine in a coffee cup. Or sometimes it’s a bloody mary in a coffee cup - banquet staff will put anything in a coffee cup for you.
Have a Quick Cry - Let it out, put your hair up, and get back out there.
Brush It Off and Laugh - There is way more to laugh about than to worry about onsite.