How Event Planners Can Handle Uncertainty (and Why Resilience Beats Control)

club ichi liz lathan speaking Aug 29, 2025

Being a keynote speaker, I get to work with incredible event planners all the time—the real superheroes behind the scenes. Recently, everyone kept telling me: “You need to meet Liz.”

And they were right. Liz Lathan is not only a gem of a human, she’s also a powerhouse in the events world. She’s led global event teams, and today she runs Club Ichi, a community for event pros. I sat down with her to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes—the uncertainty, the pressure, the leadership—and what she shared is pure gold.

The Myth of Control in Events

Event planners are Type A by nature. Spreadsheets, clipboards, color-coded schedules—we thrive on control. But as Liz told me:

“You can never control everything. You can plan, but you can’t control. The best you can do is prepare for a loss of control.”

From weather disruptions to late VIPs (she shared a story about Bill Clinton showing up an hour late!), planners constantly face curveballs. The real magic? Preparing multiple “Plan Bs” so chaos doesn’t derail the day.

Relationships Are the Secret Weapon

Liz emphasized that relationships are everything in event planning:

“You can’t just sit behind the spreadsheets. You have to understand why people are asking for things, what pressures they’re under, and how you can make their lives easier. If you build those relationships, people will go out of their way to support you.”

It’s not just vendor relationships—it’s also sales, marketing, and executive teams. When planners shift from “me vs. them” to “we’re on the same team, facing the problem together”—the whole event runs smoother.

Leading With Calm in Chaos

Another gem from Liz:

“We’re not saving babies here.”

That’s her reminder to her team when stress levels skyrocket. In other words, perspective matters. Great event leaders project calm—even when they’re freaking out inside. That calm builds trust and empowers teams to problem-solve instead of panic.

From rolling up her sleeves at the registration desk to modeling resilience when things go wrong, Liz proves that leadership is about presence. And that energy is contagious.

Lessons Beyond Events

What struck me most is how these lessons go far beyond event planning—they mirror what leaders, sales teams, and organizations face every day:

You can’t control everything. But you can prepare, adapt, and respond with resilience.
Relationships matter. Trust inside and outside your team makes the difference when things go sideways.
Your energy sets the tone. Panic spreads. Calm confidence spreads faster.

This is exactly why I speak on resilience, leadership, and thriving through uncertainty. Whether it’s in the chaos of an event, a sales kickoff, or a high-stakes business decision—resilience always wins.

Huge thank you to Liz for sharing her wisdom. If you’re in the events world, check out Club Ichi—a community built by event pros, for event pros.

As a 6x American Ninja Warrior, former biochemist, award-winning coach, and business owner of 10+ years, I bring a unique mix of athlete grit, science-backed strategy, and entrepreneurial know-how to every keynote. Your audience won’t just leave inspired—they’ll leave with tools they can actually use.

Book me to speak at your next event and let’s help your team turn uncertainty into their biggest advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What challenges do event planners face most often?
Event planners face constant uncertainty—from late speakers and tech failures to budget and audience acquisition challenges. The key is resilience and relationship-building.

Q: Why is resilience important in event planning?
Resilience allows planners and teams to adapt quickly, stay calm under pressure, and create solutions when things don’t go as planned. It’s the difference between panic and progress.