The events industry has always run on energy. We thrive on the buzz of build days, the magic of showtime, and the shared adrenaline rush of bringing ideas to life. That fast-paced culture is part of what makes this industry so special, but it’s also what quietly drains the people who make it happen.
For too long, exhaustion has been mistaken for excellence.
We’ve celebrated “powering through” as commitment, worn burnout like a badge of honour, and built an identity around being the people who just get it done. But adrenaline isn’t a sustainable business model, and it’s time we started seeing wellbeing not as a nice-to-have, but as the foundation for everything we do.
The adrenaline culture of “go-go-go”
The pace of events is addictive; tight deadlines, constant problem-solving, and high stakes create an ongoing state of high alert. That’s the sympathetic nervous system in action, your body’s fight-or-flight mode keeping you sharp and ready.
But when that mode becomes your default, the body and brain never truly recover. The result? Fatigue, short tempers, brain fog, and a gradual loss of joy in the very work we love.
Adrenaline gets the event open, but awareness keeps the people behind it well enough to do it again tomorrow.
What’s changed post-pandemic
The world of events has evolved. We’ve rebuilt from uncertainty, adapted to hybrid models, and navigated digital fatigue. But with that has come sensory overload; constant noise, screens, and stimulation.
We’ve also seen the rise of neurodiversity awareness, as more professionals and attendees speak openly about how environments impact their ability to focus, regulate, and participate.
The message is clear: wellbeing isn’t about beanbags and slogans anymore. It’s about designing experiences, and workplaces, that recognise the human nervous system.
Why wellbeing is an operational necessity, not an HR perk
A thriving event doesn’t happen despite wellbeing, it happens because of it.
When people are nourished, rested, and psychologically safe, they perform better, problem-solve faster, and support one another more compassionately. That directly affects quality, safety, and reputation.
In short: wellbeing isn’t “soft”, it’s smart business.
Operational wellbeing means:
- realistic schedules and turnaround times
- food and hydration planned as part of logistics
- clear rest breaks built into the day
- quiet, sensory-safe spaces available for decompression
- leadership that models boundaries and recovery, not just resilience
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness, and designing systems that protect the people who deliver the work.
Practical ways to start
You don’t need a big budget or new job title to embed wellbeing, you need intention.
Start with these small, practical steps:
🥤 Hydration: Water stations at crew points, refillable bottles, reminders to sip regularly.
🍎 Nutrition: Plan for real meals and snacks, not just caffeine and adrenaline.
😴 Rest: Protect turnaround times between shifts and normalise recovery days.
🧘 Boundaries: Encourage people to switch off after hours, even during show week.
🌿 Sensory-safe spaces: Create calm, low-stimulation areas onsite where anyone can pause, reset, and breathe.
These aren’t luxuries, they’re the building blocks of sustainable work.
Let’s stop celebrating burnout as commitment
Our industry is built on passion, creativity, and community, but passion doesn’t have to come at the cost of our health.
The next evolution of events isn’t just technological, it’s human. It’s moving from adrenaline to awareness, from endurance to empathy, from “go-go-go” to “pause, breathe, reset.”
Let’s stop celebrating burnout as commitment, let’s celebrate calm as capability, and rest as the ultimate act of professionalism. Because when our people thrive, our events do too.
Event Wellbeing Matters 