You are the event manager at a well-regarded company. You hold all the cards to give employees an extraordinary event, and you are the one who makes people happy by rewarding them for their work. Which is a good position to be in — except for all the complications you did not think about when you chose this line of work. You are not alone: everyone who organises seminars goes through this sooner or later. You used to complain about it; now is the moment to laugh about it.
1. You planned a trip to Tokyo and the flight is cancelled at the last minute
You spent months planning. You fought to get everyone on the same aircraft with a meal matching their dietary requirements, vegetarian through to gluten-free, and you were proud of it, because your persistence meant passengers would get a proper meal. You even studied each airline’s departure slots to be sure of an ideal outbound and return, and to top it off you secured the flights at the best price. Everything ran smoothly until the day itself, when you arrive at the airport, all smiles, and learn that the flight has been cancelled. Fortunately you had a plan B. What would we do without you?
2. You realise you have lost a member of the group
On that Tokyo trip, which you eventually landed after some difficulty, you decide to organise a treasure hunt in the historic Asakusa district, to show the staff something of Tokyo’s history and grandeur and give colleagues an enjoyable outing that strengthens team cohesion. Then you get a call from Théodore, the guide, in a panic at having lost Marie, one of the employees. You keep your composure, more or less, and tell him you will try her mobile. You do not have time to finish the sentence before Théodore cuts in: “No, it’s fine, she was just taking a selfie with a man dressed as Pikachu.” More fright than harm — and you find yourself thinking you would also like a selfie with Pikachu.
3. You had ALMOST thought of everything
The forecast promised 30 degrees and blinding sunshine all week, so naturally you planned every activity for the beach — diving and parasailing on request, designed to take your guests’ breath away. Karma decided otherwise: rain and thunder set the tone for your days. After ten minutes spent complaining about the weather, you take matters in hand, having noticed that complaining has not produced a single ray of sunshine. You have learned to be quick and inventive, and you find other absorbing activities — a photo activity, for instance.
4. The accommodation falls short
You were promised the finest hotel, a three-star in the town centre that visitors only ever praise. Of course you did not think twice when you saw the photographs online, and you decided to put your attendees there, certain they would love it. On arrival you realise it is nothing like what you expected. You think you have the wrong address, but no, you are in the right place. Stunned, you ask reception why the photographs online bear no resemblance to the property, and you understand, from the silence of the staff, that you have been had.
5. The local food does not suit everyone
You saw this one coming. Traditional food rarely suits everyone, and many people are reluctant to try it. The difficulty is that in some countries there is nothing else. So how do you make your guests forget Italian pizza or the kebab shop round the corner? You cannot, whatever you do. You resign yourself to it, and tell yourself that apart from the food they do not care for, they will approve of the accommo— the activi— your smile? That last one is essential, surely.
Whatever happens, these problems are moments you will remember, and in their way they give your events some charm. And never forget: “All the happiness in the world lies in the unexpected” (Jean d’Ormesson).