Crisis Management Lessons Every Event Planner Should Know | Jennifer Woods, CMP

Jennifer Woods, CMP shares practical crisis management strategies for events, including emergency planning, communication, delegation, and risk response. In this episode of the "From Small Towns to Global Stages" podcast, Dru Daniels speaks with Jennifer Woods, CMP about crisis management in international event planning and the systems organizations need before problems arise. Drawing from experiences that include emergency evacuations, geopolitical tensions, and large-scale event disruptions, Jennifer explains how event teams prepare for uncertainty through emergency action plans, communication structures, and cross-functional coordination. She discusses the importance of calm leadership, consistent attendee communication, vendor relationships, and documenting lessons learned through internal case study libraries. The conversation also highlights practical considerations around international logistics, venue security, insurance, and delegation. For students and event professionals, the episode offers a grounded look at how preparedness, adaptability, and cultural awareness shape successful global events.