Event Planners’ Superpowers
Event planners may not have a secret identity or the gift of flight or laser vision, but they are still superheroes! Or as we like to call them at M&IW, Hospitality Heroes. They have special skills all their own, and most attendees have no idea just how much event management teams do. That’s why today, on National Meeting Planners Appreciation Day, we’re celebrating event planners’ secret (and not-so-secret) superpowers.
Top Six Superpowers
Event planners possess many skills like organization, communication, budgeting, and more. But what about the talents that take them to superhero status? Here are just a few that come to mind. What would you add to the list?
Speed
The planning lifecycle may take time, but once the big day arrives, it goes by fast! The lead planner or program manager ensures everything happens according to schedule, and if any unforeseen issues arise, they act faster than seems humanly possible to find the perfect solution. Most of the time, attendees don’t even realize something went wrong!
Stamina
Most events involve working long hours. Not only during the months spent planning, with seemingly endless phone calls and emails after hours and across time zones, but also during the event itself. Planners are among the first to arrive and the last to leave. For multi-day events, they then have to wake up and do it all over again the next day. Thanks to their super stamina, they’re able to push through and keep exhaustion at bay.
Teamwork
Teamwork is a superpower in its own right—just look at the Avengers or Justice League. Event planners are fearless leaders of their own teams. Sourcing, event technology, attendee registration, on-site support, and more all are required for a successful event, and the lead planner brings them all together and inspires excellence.
Morality
Like any superhero, event planners have a strong moral compass and fall on the side of good, not evil. Duty of care applies to all aspects of event planning, and emergency preparedness plans are required to keep everyone safe. From venue fires to severe weather and more, program managers are always ready to enact their plan to keep everyone safe from danger.
Discipline
This may be a less obvious superpower, but it’s a superpower nonetheless. After all, you wouldn’t see Superman lounging around when there are people to save. Similarly, event planners don’t quit, even when the going gets tough. Rising costs due to inflation? Bring on the negotiations. Room block is oversold? There’s a backup hotel on speed dial. Disastrous weather strikes overnight? Just follow their emergency preparedness plan.
Courage
All of the above superpowers boil down to one key trait: courage. Event planners don’t fear change but embrace it. They face challenges head on and turn them into opportunities to expand their skills and elevate their events even further. If that’s not the sign of a true superhero, we don’t know what is.
Event Planner Appreciation
The next time you attend a meeting or event, take a moment to appreciate all the hard work that went into it. Thank the planners, program managers, and on-site staff if you get the chance—we promise it will make their day.
To our own Hospitality Heroes here at M&IW, thank you for everything you do. We appreciate you today and every day!
Join Our Team
We’re hiring! Explore our open positions and apply today to join our talented team of Hospitality Heroes.
