The 7 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planning an Event (And How to Avoid Them)
When your keynote has to compete with a dented ice machine in a tired hallway, you know you booked the wrong venue. This is exactly what Tower Event & Conference Center was built to avoid.
Planning an event sounds simple. Book a place, set up some chairs, order a tray of meatballs, and call it done. Right? Wrong.
Even seasoned planners fall into the same traps, and those mistakes can turn a “can’t miss” event into a long night guests can’t wait to forget. At Tower Event & Conference Center in Marietta, Ohio, we’ve seen the headaches and we built our venue to take them out of the equation.
Here are seven of the biggest mistakes, and how to avoid them.
1. Picking the Wrong Venue
Tower Event & Convention Center Grand Hall round table set up.
That “free” banquet room at the hotel may sound like a bargain, but nothing kills the mood faster than bad carpet, buzzing fluorescent lights, and the sound of the ice machine roaring mid-speech. Events need space designed for events. That’s why Tower Event & Conference Center exists - wide-open layouts, pro-level sound, and rooms built to fit banquets, conferences, or parties without feeling like you’re borrowing someone else’s lobby.
2. Forgetting About Parking
You told everyone to “dress their best,” but then they step out into mud, gravel, or worse - a half-lit field. High heels and wet grass do not mix. At Tower, guests park on paved blacktop - clean, level, and safe. Add in plenty of well-marked spaces, shuttle options for larger groups, and a covered carport for VIP or handicap drop-offs, and the stress stops at the entrance.
3. Skimping on Sound and Lighting
“Can everyone in the back hear me?” should never be the first line of a keynote. Skipping proper sound and lighting is a fast track to a forgettable event. At Tower, our Grand Hall comes with QSC-powered sound, zoned audio, and a 15-foot video wall that makes every seat feel like the front row. And the lighting? Flexible enough to go from boardroom serious to dance-floor ready without missing a beat.
4. Ignoring Accessibility
Not everyone at your event is 25 years old in comfortable shoes. Grandma shouldn’t need to navigate stairs, and your keynote speaker shouldn’t be trying to find a side door through the kitchen. At Tower, accessibility is built in: ADA ramps, a covered carport for smooth drop-offs, wide entries, and straightforward layouts. Your guests deserve to walk in without a map, a rope ladder, or a sherpa.
5. Waiting Too Long to Book
Here’s a hard truth: the best dates go fast. December holiday parties? Gone by summer. Spring weddings? Booked before the snow melts. Even corporate retreats and conventions need lead time. Waiting too long means you’ll be stuck with Tuesday at 3 p.m. or, worse, a venue that wasn’t your first choice. At Tower, our calendar fills quickly, and early planners get the best pick.
6. Forgetting the “In-Between” Spaces
Tower Evnet & Conference Center Conference Room seats up to 250.
The main hall might be perfect for the big show, but where do you hold breakout sessions, media interviews, or a VIP cocktail hour? Shoving a networking mixer into the coat closet doesn’t cut it. That’s why Tower has options: a Conference Room that seats up to 250 for focused sessions and a Mezzanine that gives you a stylish, elevated space for photos, small receptions, or just a quiet break from the crowd.
7. Trying to Do It All Yourself
You’re not supposed to be the caterer, bartender, decorator, and IT guy all at once. Yet we’ve seen plenty of hosts burn themselves out trying. At Tower Event & Conference Center, we partner with local caterers, provide in-house bar service, and have staff who know how to make an event run smooth. You get to focus on your people while we keep things on track.
Plan Smarter. Celebrate Better.
Events should be memorable for the right reasons. Skip these seven mistakes and your guests will thank you, in applause, in photos, and maybe even in standing ovations.
Ready to plan your next conference, holiday party, wedding, or corporate retreat? Book Tower Event & Conference Center - Marietta’s premier event venue today.
