Feeling stuck in your event career right now? You are not alone. I have had so many conversations with event professionals over the last several months, and the same theme keeps coming up: people are applying, putting in real effort, and still not hearing back. Getting ghosted. Struggling just to get noticed. It is genuinely harder out there right now than it has been in a long time.

The good news is that being stuck doesn’t mean you have to stay there. After 30-plus years in this industry, I know that getting unstuck comes down to intentional, strategic steps, not luck. These are the same steps that have worked for me and for my students and mentees who have faced these exact challenges. Let’s walk through them together.

Know Where You’re Going

“Every move should be intentional in the direction of your vision.”

When you hop in your car, you know exactly where you’re headed. Your career should be no different. Before anything else, spend some real time with yourself and ask: Where am I now? Where do I want to go next?

When I was a Convention Services Manager at a hotel chain, I knew deep down I wanted explore the planner side of the industry. The moment I got clear on that and put my focus there, opportunities started aligning in ways they simply had not before.

Make your vision plain. Write it down, make it specific, and let it become your filter for every decision you make. Every project, every connection, every skill you develop should point toward that next step. No distractions. Clarity is not just motivating, it’s strategic.

Update Your Resume (and LinkedIn)

“Your resume and LinkedIn should tell the same story – one that says you’re ready for what’s next.”

If you have not been in the job market recently, hear this: it has changed. Employers want tangible outcomes, not just a list of responsibilities. And here is something many people do not realize: AI is now filtering applications before a recruiter ever sees them. A job posting can receive hundreds of resumes within 24 hours, which means your keywords, your contact info, and the consistency between your resume and LinkedIn all matter more than ever.

Even if you are not actively job hunting, refresh your resume regularly and stay active on LinkedIn. The best time to prepare for your next move is before you need to make it. So, if you are not yet familiar with AI tools –  start getting comfortable. Showing that you are adaptable and curious about technology is becoming a real differentiator. Employers love candidates who evolve with the times.

Make Meaningful Connections

“Your next opportunity probably lives in someone else’s contact list.”

Networking is not just showing up to an event and handing out business cards. It is about building real relationships with people who know your name and trust your work. Attend industry events when you can, and if travel is not always realistic, lean into virtual connections. A goal of five new LinkedIn connections a month is a solid starting point, and then take it a step further with a virtual coffee chat.

Most people stop at hitting accept on a connection request and never go any further. But opportunities tend to live in the second and third conversation, not the first click. The more intentional you are about staying in front of people, the more top of mind you become when something opens up. That’s how you go from invisible to in-demand.

Leverage LinkedIn (Yes, Even If You’re an Introvert)

“Visibility is credibility. If no one knows you exist, they can’t recommend you.”

Here’s a secret: I have a love-hate relationship with LinkedIn. I’m an introvert by nature and showing up consistently does not always come naturally to me. But I can’t argue with the results that I’ve seen, for my own business and for the event professionals I coach. You do not have to be on there every day. Even showing up once a month, sharing a photo from your last event or commenting on a peer’s post, keeps you visible and on top of people’s minds.

I recently spoke with a planner who got laid off completely out of nowhere. She had been in her role for years, her resume was outdated, and she had never really used LinkedIn. She was starting from scratch at the worst possible time. Do not let that be you. Being proactive now is so much easier than being reactive later.

Think of LinkedIn as your digital business card that never gets lost. In a world where so many connections are virtual, it’s one of the strongest tools for staying visible and relevant.

Provide Value

“The most in-demand professionals don’t just do their jobs – they make others better for knowing them.”

Employers today are more savvy than ever, and are paying attention to how you show up online before they ever meet you. That means your presence is either working for you or against you. Are you someone who contributes solutions, insights, or encouragement?

Providing value does not have to be complicated. It can be sharing a lesson from a challenging event, recommending a tool that improved your workflow, or simply being the person in your network who shows up with encouragement and insight.

An area worth leaning into right now is AI. Companies are genuinely excited about candidates who understand how to leverage these tools to work smarter. If you can speak to that, whether on your resume, in an interview, or in your content online, you are adding real value to your network.

One of my favorite ways to give value is through my weekly newsletter. It’s where I get personal about the lessons I’m learning and the tools I’m using to stay focused and purpose-driven. When you consistently give value, people begin to associate your name with growth, wisdom, and reliability – that’s the foundation of becoming in-demand.

Make the Ask

“You miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t ask for.”

This is the step most people skip, and it is one of the most powerful. Ask for the referral. Ask for the recommendation. Ask for the opportunity. People are busy and they are not always thinking about how to help you until you give them a reason to. A simple message like, “I am applying for a role I think would be a great fit. Is there any way you could connect me or serve as a reference?” is often all it takes to move the needle.

Advocating for yourself is not pushy. It’s proactive. The professionals I have watched rise the fastest are the ones who step up, make themselves visible, and make it easy for others to say yes. They advocate for themselves consistently and respectfully. That is how you go from waiting to be discovered to being the person everyone is recommending.

Bringing It All Together

Moving from stuck to in-demand is not about an overnight success. It is about showing up with clarity, confidence, and consistency. You do not have to tackle all six steps at once. Pick one, take action on it this week, and build from there.

• Maybe you update your resume

• Maybe you reach out to that one person you’ve been meaning to connect with

• Maybe you finally post that LinkedIn update

Because momentum – event small momentum –  beats stagnation every single time. Whatever it is, just move.

What’s one area of your event career where you feel “stuck”? And which of these six actions could help you move forward this month?

Take a few minutes to write it down, then take the first step. Stay on purpose!