Power Half Hour: Sustainability in Events: It’s Not Just About the Planet—It’s About You
“Sustainability isn’t just about the planet—it’s about sustaining yourself too.”
If you’re an event professional, you already know the grind. You’re on your feet for 12+ hours a day, living off of coffee and the occasional banquet meal, pulling off logistical miracles while running what feels like a half-marathon on-site. But here’s the question no one seems to ask: Who’s making sure you don’t burn out?
In the latest episode of Event Logistics Lab, we sat down with Marley to discuss how sustainability in events isn’t just about reducing waste and offsetting carbon footprints—it’s about taking care of the people running the show. Spoiler alert: that means you.
Why Event Pros Are at Risk for Burnout
Event planning is a high-stress industry. Between tight deadlines, demanding stakeholders, and long hours on-site, event professionals push themselves to the limit—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Greg put it best:
“We do some miles. There is a step count on site. On average, for most programs that I am doing, I am averaging a half marathon per day.”
And yet, corporate wellness initiatives often fall flat. Companies love to promote "wellness rooms" or bring in puppies for a photo op, but let’s be honest—most event pros are too busy putting out fires to step away for a meditation session.
So what does real well-being look like in the event industry?
Hydration, Nutrition, and the Basics of Staying Functional
Rocio shared a personal hydration hack that was a game-changer during an intense Vegas show:
“You go in and you are like a raisin. 24 hours in, you cannot drink enough water. If I actually start my day with a liquid IV, carry my water bottle around, and hydrate the entire day, I survive.”
Small changes—like starting your day with electrolytes or swapping that afternoon sugar crash for a protein-packed snack—can make a huge difference. No one’s expecting event planners to eat perfectly balanced meals on-site, but fueling your body smartly can help prevent that end-of-show crash.
Emotional Wellness: Understanding Stress in Your Body
Beyond physical health, Marley introduced the concept of somatic awareness—how stress, trauma, and emotions can get physically stuck in the body. They shared an eye-opening experience with fascia bodywork:
“I had a scenario where [the practitioner] touched a specific part on my back, and it literally took me exactly back to this moment in time in college. It was a very traumatic experience. And it was just proof to me that even though I had done a lot of conscious work around it, it still lived in my body.”
For event professionals constantly dealing with high-stress situations, this raises an important question: Are you storing stress without realizing it?
The "Full-Body Yes/No" Exercise: A Simple Way to Listen to Your Body
One of the simplest ways to check in with yourself is the "full-body yes/no" technique:
Think of the happiest moment of your life. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Notice where you feel that joy in your body. That’s your ‘yes.’
Now think of a moment of stress or discomfort. Where does that feeling sit? That’s your ‘no.’
By tuning into these physical cues, you can start recognizing stress before it becomes overwhelming. This is especially helpful when making decisions under pressure on-site.
Setting Boundaries in an Industry That Demands Everything
One of the hardest things for event professionals to do is set boundaries—because, let’s be real, saying “no” isn’t exactly encouraged in this industry. Greg summed it up perfectly:
“Your job is NOT your identity. Your worth isn’t tied to a stakeholder’s approval. No matter how cool the letters behind your name are, you are more than that.”
But how do you enforce boundaries when your job is on the line? Marley suggests starting small:
Recognize where your energy is going. Are you spending time on things that drain you unnecessarily?
Set limits on accessibility. Just because you can be available 24/7 doesn’t mean you should be.
Detach from toxic validation. Your success isn’t measured by how much you sacrifice for an event.
A Perspective Shift: Write a Letter from Your 100-Year-Old Self
Marley shared a powerful mindset exercise that can help event pros reframe their priorities:
“Literally, you’re on your deathbed. What do you have to say to yourself in this moment? What really mattered? Write it down.”
This exercise is a reminder that while our careers are important, they aren’t everything. If the only thing your 100-year-old self remembers is how exhausted you were at every event, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Final Takeaways: Sustainability Means Taking Care of You
The bottom line? Sustainability isn’t just about eco-conscious events—it’s about ensuring the people running them don’t burn out.
So as you head into your next big event, ask yourself:
Am I prioritizing hydration and fueling my body?
Am I listening to how stress is showing up physically?
Am I setting boundaries that protect my well-being?
Because at the end of the day, you can’t execute a great event if you’re running on empty.
🎧 Want more insights? Listen to the full episode of Event Logistics Lab here!
