After calling for input from parents in the events industry, we were surprised—and thrilled—by how many dads stepped forward to share their experiences. While the events sector is widely recognized as female-led, with women making up over 70% of the workforce in many event roles, we often overlook the crucial perspective of dads balancing family with demanding industry careers. Hearing from them provided refreshing insights and underscored the shared challenges of parenting within this fast-paced field.
For most parents, a work trip means a few days away, maybe a stack of reports waiting at the office upon return. But for the dads in the events industry, work trips are a lifestyle and involve constant client care, unpredictable schedules, and the intricate planning of conferences, gala dinners, and trade shows—events that keep the world connected. Yet these event dads, including Keynote Speaker Dallin Cooper , Event Manager Evan Babins , and Event Marketing Manager Michael Alexandre , are no strangers to the world of bedtime stories, school pickups, and on-the-fly snack breaks. Here, they share their insights on how they keep the show running—at home and on the road.
It’s Not About Balance; It’s About “Presence”
Dallin Cooper, dad to two boys, doesn’t sugarcoat the reality: “Balance” is a myth. When you’re deep in fall conference season, balance is less about perfect time management and more about how well you can show up, wherever you are. “When I am working, I am focused on doing the work that I need to do,” Dallin explains. “When I am at home, I need to be focusing on home and my family.” His approach? Harmony over balance, and being present, whether onstage for a keynote or building block towers with his sons. “I try to not let the phone control my life,” he says, making a conscious effort to unplug from Slack and LinkedIn when he’s off duty (even if just for a few minutes of couch time with his kids).
While many parents get a consistent nine-to-five work rhythm, event dads like Dallin are working weekends, juggling months of back-to-back events, and then suddenly experiencing “home months” with fewer client obligations. For Dallin, it’s about embracing this rhythm: “I don’t think I would call it balance…that’s not how the world works,” he explains. Instead, he tries to find “stability or some element of harmony” between the wildly different demands of work and family.
The Art of Coordinating Schedules (and Coordinating Tantrums)
Event managers are well-acquainted with unpredictable schedules, and for Evan Babins, who works at Intuit and has two young kids, the juggle is real. “As a working parent, you want to be your best self at home with your family, and you want to be your best self at the office. Sometimes those worlds work in tandem together. Sometimes they work in competition with each other.” Luckily, Evan has built a solid support system both at work and home, with an understanding team and a wife who supports him even during his busiest seasons. “I’m really fortunate that my wife is home with the kids…when I need to travel for work, she’s able to step up in an amazing way.”
But Evan’s experiences as a parent, particularly the pandemic-era reality of balancing work and family from home, have given him a fresh perspective. During deep COVID, Evan and his wife were both home with their first child, who became accustomed to their constant presence. Now, Evan’s travel has resumed, and it’s an adjustment, especially for his four-year-old. “We always tell him…we’re leaving, but we always will come back.” The key to this type of balance? Communication. “Going into becoming parents, my wife and I had to really have a good idea of what we were getting into,” Evan says. Whether it’s coordinating logistics or keeping expectations realistic, his strategy is to approach parenting with the same open communication he brings to his work.
Teaching Patience Through Parenting (and Pivoting)
Michael Alexandre, an Event Marketing Manager, is used to working at high velocity. With a six-year-old in tow, his weeks often involve shuttling his son to swimming, baseball, and soccer practice—while juggling work events, deadlines, and long-haul flights. Parenting has taught Michael one key skill that he applies both at home and on the job: patience. “Naturally, I’m not a patient person,” he admits, “but over the years, I’ve grown to be a little more patient, and I like to think my son has had a tremendous influence on that.”
In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of events, patience and quick thinking are essential. From last-minute itinerary changes to surprise tech issues, event professionals have to pivot constantly—skills that parenting reinforces on a daily basis. “As an event manager, you’ve got to learn how to pivot and make quick decisions. It’s the same in parenting,” Michael says. And when burnout creeps in, Michael turns to self-care as a way to reset. “Getting in the gym, listening to podcasts, eating well, and trying to get as much sleep as possible,” he lists, are all tools to keep him grounded, no matter how chaotic his schedule may be.
Parenting Isn’t a Role You Can Delegate
For these dads, one common truth remains: in an industry where people depend on them to make events seamless, their irreplaceable roles are as dads, not just as event professionals. Evan’s perspective is especially clear: “You are replaceable at the office; you are not replaceable at home.” He emphasizes the need to set boundaries and maintain perspective. “Our kids…they’re going to remember when you’re there, when you’re present. If you’re sitting on your phone, on Slack, after hours, they’re going to remember that.”
While event managers can’t always choose their hours or workload, they can choose how they show up. “Sometimes that means you have to turn down events, turn down projects, or not go on that trip,” Evan explains, sharing his decision to skip IMEX this year in favor of family time.
Building a Legacy in the Events Industry and at Home
These dads aren’t just building careers—they’re building memories and legacies for their families. From teaching patience and resilience to being present, they’re proving that an events career doesn’t have to compete with family—it can complement it. And they know they’re not alone in their journey. “To all the working parents out there, you’re doing a great job,” Evan says. “It’s about showing up, doing your best, and remembering that while the events industry will always be there, these moments with our kids are fleeting.”
For dads in events, success isn’t just a full event calendar. It’s the mix of conference calls and school pickups, hotel stays and home-cooked dinners. It’s making time, showing up, and knowing that while they might not always achieve balance, they’re making memories—and that’s what really counts.
Special thanks to Dallin, Evan, and Michael for sharing these authentic glimpses into the life of dads in the events industry. Each of their experiences brings out the unique balance between managing family life and the vibrant, demanding world of events. At virsitour , we’re dedicated to making event professionals’ lives easier by cutting down on travel for site visits, helping to create more quality time at home with loved ones. Here’s to all the parents navigating the challenges of both career and family—one event, and one precious moment, at a time.