Event Planners: The #3 Most Stressful Job

As April marks National Stress Awareness Month, I feel it is relevant to highlight one of the most demanding professions… and my own: event planning. 

Event planner stress levels are hitting a new high — the third-most stressful job in the world for 2023 (World Scholarship Vault). And no, that is not something to be proud of! This statistic only emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of its challenges and the implementation of effective stress management strategies.

At Coast to Coast Conferences & Events , we understand the high pressure and resulting stress of our day-to-day operations. I have been working with my team for the past 2 years to take proactive steps to allow for greater balance in our work lives. It is a journey - and one that is ever evolving - but we feel that balance in work life is essential for a happy and driven employee. 

I hope to share a few suggestions today that you can apply to your profession, regardless of your industry or position. 

Why is event planning so stressful?

Event planning involves meticulous attention to detail, tight deadlines, and managing multiple stakeholders simultaneously. From coordinating vendors and managing budgets to handling last-minute changes, event planners face constant pressure to deliver flawless experiences. The unpredictable nature of events, coupled with high client expectations, adds another layer of complexity to the job.

Mitigating Stress: Actions for Event Planners

While stress is inherent in the profession, there are proactive steps event planners can take to alleviate its impact:

Effective Time Management: Prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and utilize project management tools to streamline workflows and reduce overwhelm.

• For each event, our Project Managers set aside time at the beginning of each project to outline the entire scope of work and tasks. This helps mitigate last-minute requests and rushed processes!

Clear Communication: Establish open lines of communication with clients, vendors, and team members to ensure everyone is on the same page, minimizing misunderstandings and unnecessary stress.

• At CTC, we hold “All-Hands Meetings” with our clients, vendors, and planning team members a few weeks before the event to sort out any confusion and review onsite expectations and specifics. 

Self-Care Practices: Encourage regular breaks, exercise, and mindfulness techniques to recharge and maintain mental well-being amidst hectic schedules.

• Honestly - we are still working on this one! Currently, we dedicate time during our staff retreats to discuss how team members practice this in their personal lives. I am curious how other small businesses encourage this in their day-to-day… please share in the comments! 

Flexibility and Adaptability: Embrace change and remain flexible in the face of unexpected challenges, focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems.

• I listen to my staff, and try to work with them to give them schedules and workloads that are manageable - and this can look different depending on the employee, working style and experience. 

I encourage everyone to join in the conversation regarding stress. It is important to reduce the stigma associated with it! 

Event planning is important and plays a vital role in bringing people together, fostering connections, and creating memorable experiences.

Together, let’s shift the focus from “This is so stressful!” to “How can we alleviate some stress?”

About the Author

Michelle Manire, CMM, VEMM, PMED, HMCC, is a high-achieving professional with extensive experience in the event and hotel industries. Following her success as the first woman hired. as the General Manager for 2 major hotel chains she launched Coast to Coast Conferences & Events in 1994. For 3 decades, Michelle has provided time and cost-saving solutions, comprehensive conference and event management, and consulting services for a wide range of clients across the nation.

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