Coordinating suppliers on event day takes tight alignment. Step 1: call all suppliers 48 hours before the event. Confirm arrival time, point of contact, where they should park, and who will receive them. Step 2: build a reception checklist. The first person on site gets a clear protocol. For example: 'Tech arrives at 10:30 via the left-hand entrance. Reserve a parking spot and connect them with contact Janine.' Step 3: set up a command centre. A spot where the project lead sits and monitors everything. Via walkie-talkie or a group chat. Step 4: have an escalation protocol. Something goes wrong — who do you call first? This must be clear. Step 5: communicate in real time. Don't say after 1 hour 'fault detected'. Say after 5 minutes: 'supplier X is here, setup is starting'. That gives everyone an overview. Step 6: celebrate small wins. Catering on time? Brilliant. Say it to your team — it lowers the stress. Step 7: set the tone. You're calm, the team is calm. You're chaotic, the team is chaotic.