When crisis strikes in event production, most people immediately think about logistics, backup plans, or technical solutions. But after interviewing Brooksie Hughes about the legendary launch of Bryant Park’s Holiday Market, I discovered something far more valuable: the ability to find joy in chaos.
The Birth of a Crisis
Picture this: It’s 2002, and you’ve just been handed an impossible task. Launch New York City’s first Bryant Park Holiday Market in six weeks. Oh, and those European-style chalets the client wants? They’d take months to manufacture. As if that weren’t enough, Mother Nature decides to throw a monsoon at your load-in day, followed by a snowstorm for opening.
Most producers would crumble under this pressure. But Brooksie’s response? She laughed.
“If somebody was watching this on TV, they would be laughing their butts off,” she told me during our interview. “So I would say just be in that mindset because somewhere, someday, this story is going to be really funny.”
The Underrated Superpower
While technical expertise and crisis management skills are crucial in event production, what truly sets exceptional producers apart is their ability to maintain joy under pressure. This isn’t just about having a positive attitude – it’s about creating an environment where creativity can flourish even in chaos.
Here’s why joy is the secret weapon:
1. It Enables Better Problem-Solving
When Brooksie needed 100 Christmas trees four days before Thanksgiving, panic wasn’t an option. Instead, her team’s light-hearted approach helped them think creatively and find solutions others might have missed.
2. It’s Contagious
“If I’m not having fun,” Brooksie explained, “then how can I expect what radiates from what I’m creating to be fun for the guests?” Your team’s energy directly impacts the event’s success.
3. It Builds Resilience
That monsoon during load-in? It became part of the story, not the end of it. Joy helps teams weather literal and metaphorical storms.
Turning Theory into Practice
So how do you cultivate this underrated skill? Here are three practical strategies from Brooksie’s playbook:
1. Embrace the Sitcom Mindset
When things go wrong (and they will), imagine it as a scene in a sitcom. This mental shift helps maintain perspective and reduces stress.
2. Collect “Never Again” Stories
Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, treat them as valuable additions to your “list of things not to do again.” This transforms setbacks into assets.
3. Focus on the Story You’ll Tell Later
Remember that today’s crisis is tomorrow’s great story. This future-focused perspective helps maintain composure in the moment.
The Legacy of Joy
Twenty years later, Bryant Park’s Holiday Market stands as one of New York’s beloved traditions. What started in a monsoon has become a testament to the power of maintaining joy under pressure.
The market’s success wasn’t just about logistics, budgets, or even weather contingencies. It was about a team that could laugh in the rain, find solutions in the chaos, and turn crisis into opportunity.
Why This Matters Now
In today’s event production landscape, where timelines are shorter and expectations are higher than ever, technical skills alone aren’t enough. The ability to maintain joy under pressure isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential for survival and success.
The Next Steps
If you’re in event production, I challenge you to reflect on your approach to crisis. Are you solely focused on technical solutions? Or are you cultivating the underrated skill of finding joy in chaos?
Remember, as Brooksie showed us, sometimes the best response to a monsoon isn’t a better umbrella – it’s a better mindset.
The next time you face an “impossible” deadline or an unexpected crisis, try channeling this approach. You might just find that joy isn’t just an emotional state – it’s your most powerful tool for turning chaos into magic.
#EventProfs #CrisisManagement #LeadershipLessons #EventPlanning #EventInnovator
Connect with Brooksie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooksiehughes/
https://bahproductionsinc.com/
About The Author
