When something actually goes wrong

The On-Site Crisis Playbook

What has to exist before delegates arrive, so that a bad hour does not become a bad event.

The timeline

Milestones, working backwards.

Dates are relative to the event. Anything that has slipped past its marker here is not automatically lost, but it is no longer free — and the honest conversation is better had now than in the final fortnight.

The On-Site Crisis Playbook — milestones
When something actually goes wrong6 milestones
Before travelEscalation matrix with names and live numbers, decision rights written, insurance confirmedMilestone
Before travelMedical routes and nearest suitable hospital identified; local security and embassy contacts listedMilestone
Before travelCommunications tree agreed and a single spokesperson namedMilestone
On arrivalOn-site team briefed; venue evacuation and reunification point walkedMilestone
DailyMorning briefing, evening handover, incident log currentMilestone
AfterIncident review, supplier follow-up, plan updated for the next programmeMilestone

The principles

What this format rewards.

01

Decision rights or delay

What the floor lead may spend and change without asking, and who decides the things they may not. Written before travel, because looking for permission is how the window is missed.

02

One spokesperson

Media, delegates and staff hear one version from one named person. Multiple well-meaning updates are how a manageable incident becomes a story.

03

Assume travel disruption, not just venue failure

Cancelled flights, closed airports and missed connections are the most common real crises. Rebooking authority, hotel contingency and re-sequenced transfers agreed in advance.

04

Write it down as it happens

The incident log is what the close-out report is built from, and what settles a supplier dispute six weeks later.

One working day · hello@voyacircle.com

That is the plan. We can also be the ones running it.

Every milestone above has an owner, a date and a consequence for missing it. If you would rather that owner was us, send the format, the dates and the headcount.