Summertime outdoor events are the greatest. People can have fun and enjoy themselves, but that enjoyment only happens with strategic planning from the organizers. Every decision you make needs to have the guests in mind, and that includes the things that might trouble them. Look over these complaints you never want to hear about your outdoor event and avoid them at all costs.
It Was Too Hot
Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather. Mother Nature has plans of her own. However, that doesn’t mean you need to hear complaints from guests about the weather.
Make the experience as comfortable as possible for everyone. Keep a close eye on the weather leading up to the day of the event. If it will be warm, provide shade stations and supply your guests with paper fans. You can’t drop the temperature by 10 or 20 degrees, but you can give your guests moments of comfort when the heat gets unbearable.
There Weren’t Enough Bathrooms
Long lines at the bathroom are a clear indication that there aren’t enough restrooms. Fewer bathrooms could lead to uncomfortable bladders and even foul-smelling porta potties.
Your event needs multiple bathrooms, and more importantly, it needs more than two ADA-compliant porta potties. These units provide more than a space for people with disabilities to use the restroom. The benefits are worth the additional rentals, and your guests will thank you later.
The Food Was Terrible
Hearing that the food sucked might be the worst complaint by far. Food brings people together, and outdoor events like festivals, concerts, and block parties are for camaraderie. Avoid hearing any sort of complaints about the food by fully vetting every vendor first.
Visit their establishment, get a copy of their health code records, and taste what they make. Bring a team with you because testing more than one palate is safer. When in doubt, look for fan favorites. There are vendors that people in the community flock to for a reason, so consider trying them out.
I Couldn’t Hear the Entertainment
If they can’t hear or see the entertainment, what’s the point of attending? Place the entertainment in a central location where everyone has a chance to see what’s happening on stage.
Next, run through sound checks the week before and the day before the event. If any technical difficulties happen during the check, make sure you have some backup equipment that can go in place. Remember that the show must go on, and you need to have a contingency plan for every potential problem.
Keep the complaints at your outdoor event to a minimum by following the tips mentioned above. You never want to hear an objection.
