What do you do if your Live Events professional is unable to handle a crisis situation?

2 Assess Quickly

Once you're calm, quickly assess the nature and extent of the crisis. Is it a technical glitch that can be resolved with backup equipment? Is it a security threat that requires immediate evacuation? Understanding the situation is crucial for determining the next steps. Communicate with your team to gather information from different areas of the event. This will give you a comprehensive view of the issue and help you decide on the most effective course of action. If your live events professional is unable to contribute, delegate tasks to other capable team members.

3 Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is paramount during a crisis. If your live events professional is unable to communicate clearly, it's up to you to take charge of the messaging. Inform your team, performers, and attendees of the situation as appropriate and give clear instructions on what needs to be done. Use all available channels—public address systems, social media, event apps—to keep everyone informed. Be honest about the situation but also reassure people that it's being handled. Avoid spreading panic with speculative or incomplete information.

4 Implement Plan B

Having a contingency plan (Plan B) is essential for live events. If your lead professional falters, refer to your Plan B. This should include backup systems for technical failures, alternative schedules for delays, and emergency procedures for safety threats. Activate the relevant parts of your contingency plan based on the crisis at hand. If necessary, take command and direct your team to execute the alternative strategies you've prepared. This could mean switching to backup power, rearranging the event lineup, or coordinating with emergency services.

5 Team Empowerment

In a crisis, empowering your team can be the difference between chaos and control. If your main professional is out of commission, identify other team members who can step up. These individuals should have a clear understanding of their roles and the autonomy to make decisions on the spot. Encourage them to use their expertise and judgment to solve problems as they arise. A team that feels empowered is more likely to handle unexpected challenges efficiently and effectively.

6 Learn and Adapt

Finally, every crisis is a learning opportunity. Once the immediate situation is under control, take note of what went wrong and why your live events professional wasn't able to handle it. Gather feedback from your team and evaluate the effectiveness of your response. Use these insights to improve your crisis management plan and training for future events. Ensuring that your team is better prepared next time will help prevent a similar situation from occurring, and if it does, you'll be ready to handle it with even greater proficiency.

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?