Pittsblurgh

I contemplated not writing this post because even two days after the event, I really wanted to love Hothouse. But I didn’t.

Being a former event planner myself, I know that there are many variables that make an event a success. Some you can control and some you can’t. I think the mark of success is when you have a solid Plan B to control the uncontrollable. Know what I mean? In other words, there wasn’t much Hothouse event planners could do about Saturday’s torrential downpour, but they could have had a good contingency plan for rain.

Some aspects of the event were tented, but some weren’t (beer stations and will call for example). Moving from one part of the event set-up to another, you were pretty much guaranteed to get completely soaked. The tents that were put up to house drink stations and appetizers were packed and at a balmy 85 degrees, hundreds of people sweating, drinking and eating were not a pleasant combo.

My husband and I opted for the general admission tickets, which meant we couldn’t even go inside for a break from the unrelenting rain. VIP ticket holders stood at the windows and looked pitifully down on those of us getting dumped on as we jockeyed for a dry position.

I read the press release for the Hothouse event before we went and the idea behind the event design was cool and creative. I just don’t know that having a large event in Pittsburgh in August outside is ever a good idea.