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Oops, I Broke the Timeline: Lessons from 20+ Years of Events That Didn't Go As Planned

Date: Nov 09, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location(s):

Magnolia - DoubleTree by Hilton Austin Hotel

Category(s):

Educational Breakout

Every event professional has a moment when the plan breaks — a vendor disappears, a schedule collapses, a crisis lands in your lap with zero warning. This session pulls real stories from two decades of large-scale event production — including a World Cup Fan Fest, NFL/NBA/MLB championship parades, and a 20-year cultural festival — to show what actually happens when things go wrong, and more importantly, what to do next. Expect fast-paced case studies—sometimes funny, sometimes hard-earned—each paired with a practical takeaway you can apply to your own events.

Keli O’Neill Wenzel, CFEE is the President and CEO of O’Neill Events & Marketing, a Kansas City–based company with over 40 years of combined experience in event management, marketing, public relations, and social media optimization She is the third-generation owner of the firm, which has produced some of the city’s largest and most iconic events, including Boulevardia Festival, KC Irish Fest, FIFA World Cup 2026 and the four city championship parades for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

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Schedule

Oops, I Broke the Timeline: Lessons from 20+ Years of Events That Didn't Go As Planned

Nov 09, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM