Top 10 Craziest Things We've Seen in the Events Industry
The events industry is full of surprises, and Stagedge’s seasoned production team has seen it all—from last-minute saves to completely unpredictable scenarios. These stories highlight the creativity, quick thinking, and occasional hilarity that come with the job. Buckle up for our top 10 wildest tales from behind the scenes!
1.) The Polo Field Save
At a polo ground in Connecticut, we had to protect the pristine grass by hand-loading plywood into a truck to create a temporary roadway for loading in and out. Then we learned that rigging to the tent wasn’t an option because the poles had been airbrushed to look like wood grain. Instead, we built a self-rising truss square. To top it off, a sudden microburst storm swept through—but the ballast from the truss kept the tent from blowing over.
2.) The Ballroom Flood
The venue's rigger accidentally sheared off a sprinkler head in Boston, unleashing 10,000 gallons of water into the ballroom. Despite the deluge, our team rallied and managed to get the show-up and running on time.
The venue's rigger accidentally sheared off a sprinkler head in Boston, unleashing 10,000 gallons of water into the ballroom.
3.) Parking Lot Power Hack
During an important event for a giant tech brand, the hotel lost power just as a packed ballroom event was starting. Our quick-thinking technical director ran extension cords out to his truck in the parking lot, using its DC/AC converter to power the projector. The show went on, thanks to his ingenious improvisation.
4.) Mic Mishaps
Two unforgettable microphone stories: First, a speaker was upset his mic was not working—only to return sheepishly with the batteries he’d removed himself before going onstage. Then there was the presenter who was warned that his mic was live as soon as he hit the stage. While introducing his boss, he mumbled something inappropriate into the mic—loud enough for 2,000 attendees to hear.
5.) Popcorn Saves the Day
At a trade show in NYC, a sewage leak in the carpeted event space left a less-than-pleasant aroma. Industrial cleaners and air fresheners made the smell worse, but free popcorn saved the day. Our strategically placed popcorn poppers masked the smell, and attendees loved the unexpected snack (even if the hotel tried to charge the client for the popcorn machines!).
6.) Rocking the Casbah
In Marrakesh, Morocco, we ran a dinner event in the ruins of an ancient casbah with the band America. The generator was a farm model with a barrel of fuel serving as the tank. To ensure safety, we grounded it using a tent stake, water, and two boxes of salt. Everything worked perfectly—but not before we tested every single guitar and mic to ensure no one in the band got an unpleasant shock.
7.) A Hurricane Pivot
One of our trucks, full of key equipment, bound for an Orlando event, encountered a hurricane en route. With no gear arriving on time, we managed to pull off the event remotely, proving the power of ingenuity and resourcefulness under pressure.
8.) Coffee Shop Chaos
During the pandemic, one presenter rehearsed for us in a perfect environment—great lighting, crystal-clear audio, and no distractions. But, on the day of the event, she logged in from a noisy coffee shop and even walked outside during rush hour to present. Turns out, she had forgotten to mention she’d be on vacation on show day!
9.) The Groundhog Hunt
At our client’s request, we booked Punxsutawney Phil for an event—but a senior executive worried about public reaction to a real animal and canceled the live animal appearance. Instead, they sent our production assistant on a frantic hunt around Chicago for groundhog stuffed animals—and we still had to pay Phil's fee. Groundhogs are hard bargainers!
10.) Gillette Stadium Weather Woes
Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, has brought its share of weather challenges. Once, we used dry ice and fans to keep equipment cool during a 98-degree heatwave under a tent on the field. Another time, a monsoon forced a corporate event indoors. One team member had to sprint onto the field to stop the audio tent from becoming a reverse parachute in the storm.
At Gillette Stadium, we used dry ice and fans to keep equipment cool during a 98-degree heatwave under a tent on the field.
These stories are a reminder that in the events world, no two days are ever the same—and adaptability is key. For tips on preventing the most common A/V technical fails, read our related blog, 3 Tips for Handling Those ‘Oh S***’ A/V Moments. Or reach out to our team to learn more about how we can ensure your next event goes off without a hitch.
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Stagedge: Creating Immersive Experiences for nearly 50 years is proud to be one of Boston's premier full-service event production companies dedicated to conceiving, creating, and executing immersive brand experiences through live, virtual & hybrid events, domestically, and worldwide.