“The Show Must Go On!” Mental Wellbeing Demands of the Event Industry

“Is the lighting bright enough for people to see, yet dim right to set the mood? Is the food being served at the right temperature? Did everyone here sign the release form to be photographed and published?” These are only a few of the vast details event managers are occupied with when their events are in progress. If perfectionism had an occupation, it would most certainly hold down the fort of event management.  

Event managers are the supervisors of countless intricate features of an event, from the amount of tissue paper found on each table to the performers shimmering on the big stage. When accounting for all the tasks the professionals of the industry have to govern, it’s not a surprise that event management ranks high in many internet-produced lists of “most stressful jobs”.  

The Northstar Travel Group hosted “The Meetings Show Asia Pacific (TMS APAC)” in Singapore, on April 23 and 24, to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of the event scene. Industry leaders got together to share best practices, training the future of event management to be more glamorous, lucrative, and innovative. Amid conversations between visionary leaders leveraging futuristic strategies, our own CEO, Ferron Gray, highlights the importance of incorporating employee mental health initiatives for companies to thrive with mentally healthy and motivated personnel. “In the bustling world of event management, where every detail is meticulously planned, you often forget to prioritise the mental well-being of those orchestrating the magic. Mental health standards are not just necessary; they are vital for safeguarding the emotional resilience of event managers”, said Ferron Gray, Founder & CEO, Grae Matta Foundation.  

Distinctive Event Planner Stressors 

Every occupation has its distinct set of hurdles that have the capacity to elicit stress and burnout in the jobholder’s life. So what are the peculiar aspects of event management that make it a stressful career? 

• Abstract Vision: While most of our jobs allow us the opportunity to send drafts of reports or practice our presentations, event managers can only see samples and snippets of how an event will materialise. Considering that events are built with the efforts of numerous suppliers, event planners can only conceptualise the layout of an event. However, the full and real picture is only revealed on the days of set-up, and imperfections are not acceptable by then.  

• No Room For Errors: Event managers have an essential need to deliver the event up to the client’s standards and requirements. They only have a select time period where their work comes into play; one day to either make it or break it! More commonly than not, the clients have a significant weight placed on the success of the event, whether it’s a concert hosting thousands of people or a couple’s wedding day which they will cherish for a lifetime; Event planners simply have one shot to succeed! 

• Work/Life Balance: A case worse than a 9 to 5, is a job that occupies leisure hours. While most of society runs on a synchronised schedule, event planners have a sporadic timetable to abide by. The majority of events requested occur after hours and on weekends, forcing event planners to miss out on a portion of gatherings with friends and family, which is a recognised source of well-being. 

• Physical Demands: Event planners are sometimes compelled to work long consecutive hours from the early phases of event build-up and late into the event breakdown. These hours can vary from half a day constantly on the go, to a full week working 12-hour shifts. All the time demands certainly affect the planner’s well-being!  

• Last-Minute Changes: Life can be unpredictable… and honestly so can people. Whether weather conditions arise or clients savour new trends at the last minute, event planners are expected to be of the highest adaptability grade and deliver up to standards. With tight amendment deadlines comes greater stress and unexpected workloads. 

Event industry best practices that support mental wellness 

As Ferrnon quotes in his speech “The event industry thrives on passion, creativity, and relentless dedication, but amidst the chaos, the mental health of event managers can easily be overlooked.  Establishing mental health standards provides a framework for support, acknowledging the human element behind every successful event”. Therefore, a step in the right direction consists of companies identifying which human resource strategies and practices to embrace, in hopes of creating a healthier and happier workforce.  

1. Establish policies that encourage Work/Life Balance 

Considering that event planners’ schedules consume leisure hours, having policies that endorse taking time away from work to rest and re-energize is imperative. Such policies would include a generous amount of vacation days, sick days, and mental health days, which in return communicate to employees the company’s care for mental well-being. Companies should also stress that employees make up their long shifts by receiving time off in lieu during the same week or month of their overtime, to be proactive in preventing the dreadful consequences of burnout. Finally, hybrid working models would provide significant relief for event planners, so that they can relax and cut down on commute time when they’re not building events on-site.  

2. Come well staffed  

A major stressor in any workplace establishment involves being overworked and understaffed.  Shrinking teams in the pursuit of cutting costs only leads to the employee suffering the consequences. Professionals face anxiety, burnout, low-performance records, and overall reduced quality of work when burned out. Hiring enough personnel to cover the job is fundamental for positive working conditions. Additionally, having teams that are aware of the various assignments of a project, creates ease for staff to take time off in case of emergencies they need to attend to; They won’t have to stress about work if another life stressor has risen.  

3. Invest in the right technologies 

Event technology designates any tool, software, or app that axes down the event planner’s tasks while managing, evaluating, or supporting the engagement of an event. Depending on the event goal and the means of profit generation, event companies should invest in the right technology that would boost the event planner’s success and desired KPIs. Event intelligence tools such as built-in networking and registration software, cross-event analytics, and 3D modelling of event space are the most trending tools of 2024.  

4. Offer well-being benefits  

Leading companies in employee happiness, award employees a range of health and well-being benefits on top of the mainstream offerings. Organisations that care for the health of their staff have supplied their workforce with healthy snacks, gym memberships, and cycling-to-work schemes. Concerning mental health, many initiatives include organisational subscriptions to mental health care and meditation apps, as well as organising wellness events such as yoga classes or art sessions. Otherwise, numerous employers have also devoted a lump sum allocated to each team member that they can use to fund any restorative activity, whether it may be pottery or a family vacation.  

In short, a company’s success is built on the collaborative effort of its employees; having a happy and motivated staff force is key to maintaining prosperity. Ferron summarises it perfectly while addressing fellow event managers in the event: “As you craft unforgettable experiences for others, let us not forget to prioritise your own well-being. Mental health standards serve as a beacon of hope in the event industry, reminding us that our greatest asset is not just our talent, but our ability to nurture our mental resilience amidst the chaos.”