Ah, the days of summer. But for this chamber summer is all about Fiesta Days. Sunshine, rock bands, children playing, smiles and butterflies. At least that was what I excitedly thought when I took the chamber’s helm in 2004.

When 2005 Fiesta Days peeked around the corner, I was nauseous in the park before the first amusement ride appeared. What I knew in 2005 that I didn’t in 2004 is that an event attended by thousands, with heavy equipment and 350 mobilized volunteers is beset by conflict, equipment failures, weather problems and safety issues, In other words, crises.

Fortunately now, long after the nausea has stopped, my crisis management has been tested multiple times. Thus, I have out of necessity developed a plan for handling hard issues which I share below.