When a snowstorm stops the plan: what event organizing taught us about control and trust
An event held in Kaunas on January 9th coincided with one of the strongest snowstorms of the winter in Lithuania. Delays, a shifting plan, and real-time decisions became a reminder that true professionalism in events is born not from control, but from the ability to adapt.
On January 9th, we had an event in Kaunas. On that same day, Lithuania was paralyzed by one of the strongest snowstorms of this winter. In events, we are used to speed, precision, and plans arranged down to the second. But days like this are a clear reminder that not everything can be planned or controlled.
This time, the plan was thought through in advance — to leave earlier, warn suppliers, and prepare for possible disruptions. In reality, everyone was still late: guests, performers, the technical team, and the media. At that moment, it became clear that the most important thing was no longer to follow the original plan, but to adapt to the situation, to see it as it is, and to be present in the here and now.
When one person is late — the plan collapses. When everyone is late — we begin creating the plan together, in real time. There is more trust, more humanity, and a shared understanding that each of us will do the best we can in that moment. It is not a loss of control, but a conscious decision to accept the situation as it is. And that requires a great deal of courage and professionalism.
The Lavrinovičiai brothers also arrived late that day — their journey from Vilnius took a record four hours. But through active communication and keeping a good spirit, we managed to rearrange everything so that guests hardly noticed the changes to the original plan.
Driving back at night, the city was practically at a standstill. But a simple question arises — did anyone, besides ourselves, really notice those delays? Most likely not. Sometimes letting go of the plan and surrendering to the moment requires just as much courage and maturity as trying to execute everything according to the script down to the second.
