Working Remotely on Events: How to Build a Great Team Without Being in the Same Room

One of the biggest myths about event management is that everything has to happen face-to-face. But in my experience — working across events like the Jazz Festival, ECHO Walking Festival, and large brand launches — some of the best teams I’ve ever worked with have been built remotely.

“It’s Not About Being in the Same Room. It’s About Being on the Same Page.”

Whether it's coordinating photographers, videographers, security, social media teams, or workshop facilitators, success comes down to two things: clear communication and trust.

When everyone knows their role, feels supported, and stays connected to the big picture, it doesn’t matter if you’re five minutes or five hours apart. The right systems (hello, Trello!) make it seamless.

The Power of a Trusted Network

Over the years, I’ve built a network of incredibly talented people — photographers, videographers, printers, on-the-day event staff, and more — that I can call on depending on what a project needs. Having a trusted network means:

• I can scale a project up or down quickly

• I can bring in the perfect people for each event’s unique vibe

• I can offer clients a one-stop, no-stress solution

Lessons Learned from Remote Collaboration

• Briefing matters. A clear, thoughtful brief saves hours of back-and-forth.

• Check-ins keep momentum. Regular, simple updates keep everyone aligned.

• Trust your team. Micro-managing kills creativity and morale.

• Over-communicate (just a little). Clarity helps avoid unnecessary last-minute surprises.

Building a great team doesn’t mean you have to be standing side-by-side. It means building a foundation of trust, communication, and care.

Whether I’m working in person or remotely, my goal is always the same: to create events (and teams) that feel seamless, thoughtful, and full of heart.