3 Things Smart Event Planners Still Forget in September

(And Why They Matter More Than Ever)

September hits hard. After a quiet summer, the event calendar explodes—galas, fundraisers, weddings, campus events, brand launches, all overlapping in the same tight window.

You’ve done this before. But even experienced planners can overlook the small things that quietly derail an otherwise flawless event.

Here are three reminders worth keeping top of mind as fall kicks into gear.

1. Transitions Are the First Thing to Fray

The run of show looks great on paper—but between cocktail hour and dinner, or speeches and dancing, things start to drift.

Why it matters:
Guests lose momentum fast. Staff go missing. AV lags. What seemed smooth becomes awkward. Guests won’t blame the schedule—they’ll just feel like something was “off.”

How to stay ahead:
Assign a transition captain. Someone whose only job is to float, manage the flow, and keep the event moving without constant instruction.

2. The “Briefing” Everyone Thinks Already Happened

You assume your team knows the tone. They assume someone else told them. Meanwhile, a staffer enters through the wrong door, misses a VIP cue, or interrupts a quiet moment because no one shared the flow.

Why it matters:
Even the best teams need context. Without it, they’re just warm bodies in branded black. With it, they elevate the whole experience.

How to stay ahead:
Hold a 3-minute pre-event huddle. What’s the tone? Who’s in the room? What’s one thing that absolutely needs to go right? You’ll be surprised how much smoother things run.

3. Overstaffing Small Moments Saves Big Ones

You’ve got servers, bartenders, a lead—you’re good, right? Until the line at coat check backs up, no one’s restocking water, and a guest wanders into a restricted area.

Why it matters:
It’s the invisible stuff that derails the visible stuff. The small gaps cause friction guests feel, even if they can’t name it.

How to stay ahead:
Add one extra person whose job is “where needed most.” Floaters are your silent heroes.

One Last Thought...

This isn’t groundbreaking—it’s just the stuff that slips when you’re juggling a dozen things. A few small adjustments now can save major headaches later.

If you need a backup plan, a few extra hands, or just someone who speaks fluent event chaos—we’re here when you need us. Let’s talk.