The Production and Design of the 2024 Oscars

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
5 Main Elements of Successful Corporate Event Management

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
Event Services Explained: Your Guide to Seamless Execution

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
Maximize Impact with Top Trade Show Display

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
Your Guide to Plan a Successful Corporate Event

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
Behind the Scenes: Live Event Production Strategies Revealed

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
Decibel Events: Top Event Planning Company in DC

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
WEATHERING THE STORM: ENSURING SAFETY IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE UNCERTAINTY

The recent events at Burning Man 2023 have served as a stark reminder that even with the best intentions and thorough planning, nature can still throw curveballs at event organizers. The devastation that ensued following an unexpected rainstorm in Nevada left tens of thousands stranded and at least one casualty, signaling an alarm for event planners everywhere.
News stories like the ones emerging from Black Rock City the temporary venue built annually for Burning Man showcase why event planning can be considered one of the most stressful professions. Ensuring safety, managing logistics, and handling unexpected challenges are par for the course, especially when dealing with large-scale events.
LESSONS FROM BURNING MAN 2023
The sheer unpredictability of the weather is no longer something event planners can afford to sideline. As Jake Perez pointed out in his article on LinkedIn News, this year’s adverse weather conditions at Burning Man has reignited discussions among professionals about the critical importance of contingency planning, especially for outdoor events.
We as event professionals need to draw valuable lessons from this calamity to ensure a safer future for all attendees. Here are some suggestions to help keep your attendees safe and your event production running even during adverse weather:
- Revisit Your Emergency Plans Regularly: The climate crisis is real, and patterns are changing faster than most contingency plans can keep up with. A plan that might have worked two years ago could be rendered obsolete today. It’s crucial to review and update emergency plans regularly. Investing in training that focuses on severe weather management for outdoor events could also be invaluable.
- Educate and Communicate with Attendees: A knowledgeable crowd is a safe crowd. Clearly communicate potential risks and emergency protocols before and during the event. Use multiple communication channels, including social media, email, and onsite announcements.
- Engage Experts: Weather is unpredictable, but with a professional meteorologist on board, you can make better-informed decisions and possibly foresee problematic weather patterns in advance. This investment can make a difference in attendee safety and can help in creating a more weather-proof contingency plan.
- Resource Allocation: Ensure you have extra resources on hand, like water, food, shelter, and first aid. In the case of extreme events like Burning Man 2023, these resources can be the difference between life and death.
- Stress Test Your Plans: It’s one thing to have a plan, but another to know it works. Conduct regular drills and simulations to ensure that everyone involved, from security personnel to event staff, knows their roles during an emergency.
The jarring images and stories from Burning Man serve as a grim reminder of the challenges outdoor events face in our current climate reality. The fact that jokes were made about the ordeal, drawing comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, underscores the importance of taking these challenges seriously. For event professionals, the safety of attendees should always be paramount.
As we move forward, let’s use the lessons from Burning Man 2023 as a catalyst for change. Embracing the principles of contingency planning, communication, and continual learning will ensure a brighter and safer future for all events, regardless of their scale or location.
EMERGENCY EVENT ACTION PLANNING: SHOOTINGS/BOMBINGS

We need to have the talk. Our kids are doing shooting drills like we used to do tornado and fire drills. This is something that needs to be in your event plan just like weather, wind, fire and crowd crush plans and we can not ignore it.
We have had plans altered before- I remember being in a hotel lobby before a load in of a 100,000 person festival watching the events of the Boston Marathon Bombing. No one knew if it was a localized attack or not at the time, and we had some sobering and serious security discussions into the night to ensure we were ready to keep our attendees safe that weekend.
Many of our events have high-profile speakers and when it is Presidential level, we have secret service, working K9 units, and metal detectors. While that type of security is usually only deployed for the top-tier protectees, it really does secure a venue. The question remains what to consider in the mid-tier events and how much safety and security to plan for at your own event.
First, it is important to remember that our team at Decibel is not a security, legal or law enforcement team. These are just recommendations we have learned along the way, so the number one recommendation we have is to partner with a trusted security partner. These teams are usually staffed by ex-law enforcement and are invaluable in the planning phase. Having this trusted partner helps with conversations and a plan of action from the start.
From here we start our security plannings with a team approach including the client, Venue staff, security vendor, production team, PR team, as well as any local resources (Police, Fire, EMS, Department of Transportation and any Federal Agencies that may be required based on your location and speaker mix). We evaluate the threat assessment in regards to the content of the event, the public profile of the speakers AS WELL AS the potential attendees. This is not only for political speakers- many high profile speakers, influencers, athletes, etc have stalkers and crazies that follow them around. We also look at the type of event and setup- is this free and open to the public, is there registration, is this ticketed, and what are the costs of ticketing? There is additional scrutiny if there is alcohol sales or expected drug use among attendees.
From here we work to formalize a plan of action. Will there be a bag check, metal detectors, when will alcohol be served, etc. We evaluate security staffing, ingress and egress as well as attendee access at all points. We look to see what the coverage is across the event- from the official security vendor, their staff, contract local guards, off duty and on duty hired police. Our team typically staffs at least one member in the security command to be able to view all the venue security cams and have direct communication to our production team.
Most important of all of these elements is an open line of communication between all the parties. It is imperative that everyone works together in a coordinated and collaborative fashion and prioritizes the safety of the team, the attendees, and the stage participants to ensure a safe event.