5 Common Mistakes Companies Make When Planning Team Events
(And How To Avoid Them)
Hosting a great company event should bring your team closer, boost morale, and leave a lasting impression. But too often, even well-intentioned events fall flat—or worse, turn into logistical nightmares.
At Vanta, we’ve worked with hundreds of companies to clean up messy plans, rescue last-minute requests, and fix the headaches that come from DIY event planning. Here are the most common mistakes we see—and how to avoid them:
1. Waiting Too Long to Start Planning
The best venues, vendors, and time slots book up fast—especially in cities like Chicago. Waiting until the last minute usually means you’ll either overpay or settle for a second-choice location.
Vanta Tip: We help you get ahead of the rush and secure top-tier venues (even on a tight timeline).
2. Not Having a Clear Goal for the Event
Is it meant to reward the team? Strengthen connections? Entertain clients? Without a clear purpose, the event often ends up being just… okay.
Vanta Tip: We ask the right questions upfront and design an experience around your team’s actual needs—not just what sounds cool on paper.
3. Overcomplicating the Logistics
Multiple vendors, RSVPs, dietary restrictions, schedules, budgets—it’s a lot to juggle. Small details can easily slip through the cracks and derail the experience.
Vanta Tip: We handle all the moving parts—vendor coordination, guest lists, timelines—so you can focus on your team, not logistics.
4. Forgetting About Team Preferences
It’s easy to book a fancy dinner or bar, but will your team actually enjoy it? One-size-fits-all events can feel forced or unengaging.
Vanta Tip: We work with you to create events tailored to your team’s vibe, size, and culture—from casual outings to full-day retreats.
5. Trying to Do Everything In-House
Planning an event takes time, industry knowledge, and relationships that most teams just don’t have internally. The result? Burnout, stress, and often a mediocre outcome.
Vanta Tip: Our service is free for companies. We’re paid by the venues and vendors, not you. So there’s no reason to do it alone.
Don’t Make These Mistakes. Let Vanta Handle It.
We exist to take the pressure off your team while delivering better events—faster, cheaper, and more thoughtfully planned.
