OKAY, NOW I'M DONE BEING NICE. LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE VENUES.
Some of y'all venue owners really need to understand something:
PROMOTERS ARE NOT YOUR PERSONAL ATM.
I had an event booked. I signed a contract. I paid my deposit. There were certain things in that contract that were NOT part of our verbal agreement, so I did NOT initial those sections.
The venue owner saw that I didn't initial them and decided to VOID THE CONTRACT AND REISSUE IT.
And let me say that again:
HE VOIDED IT.
He texted me and told me the contract was VOID.
So what exactly was I supposed to do? Sit around and hope everything worked itself out?
HELL NO.
I started looking for another venue because I had an event to produce, money invested, people involved, advertising to consider, and a date to protect.
Thankfully, I found another venue.
Then I asked for my deposit back.
AND THAT'S WHEN THE BULLSHIT STARTED.
Suddenly I'm being threatened with a lawsuit because I found another venue AFTER HE VOIDED MY CONTRACT.
Then suddenly I'm being told I owe the venue the FULL BALANCE.
Wait a damn minute.
YOU VOIDED THE CONTRACT.
YOU TOLD ME IT WAS VOID.
I FOUND ANOTHER VENUE.
NOW YOU WANT ME TO PAY YOU THE REST OF THE MONEY TOO?
Make that make sense.
So I went back to the contract and pointed out the language concerning cancellation and the venue voiding the agreement.
Funny enough...
THE THREATS STOPPED.
THE ARGUMENT STOPPED.
THE COMMUNICATION STOPPED.
Silence.
I gave him 10 business days to return my deposit.
Silence.
Then I recently followed up about MY MONEY and was told the deposit wasn't being returned because he couldn't book somebody else for that date and supposedly lost money.
THAT'S NOT MY PROBLEM.
You don't get to void somebody's contract, release them from the agreement, watch them find another venue, and then decide you're keeping their deposit because you couldn't replace their booking.
YOU DON'T GET TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
And this is exactly why I'm saying this publicly:
I am DONE with promoters being expected to just eat losses, accept shady business practices, and shut up because we're supposed to be "supporting local businesses."
NO.
BUSINESS GOES BOTH WAYS.
You expect us to respect your contracts?
Respect ours.
You expect us to pay on time?
Honor your obligations.
You expect promoters to follow your rules?
Then YOU follow the rules written in your own contract.
And to every promoter, event planner, and business owner reading this:
STOP SENDING MONEY JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS A NICE VENUE.
READ THAT CONTRACT.
Read every damn line.
If something was verbally promised, GET IT IN WRITING.
If something changes, GET IT IN WRITING.
If they say your contract is canceled or void, GET IT IN WRITING.
Keep every text.
Keep every email.
Keep every receipt.
Keep proof of every payment.
Keep screenshots.
Because when money gets involved, suddenly everybody's memory gets real damn short.
And let me be clear:
I'M NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK UP ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE.
I'm not telling anybody who to book. I'm telling you what happened to ME so you can protect yourself.
Because I've been putting events together for YEARS. I know what goes into producing an event. Deposits aren't pocket change. They're advertising, entertainment, vendors, staff, decorations, tickets, marketing, and HOURS of work.
So when somebody plays games with a promoter's money, don't expect that promoter to just smile and take it.
NOPE. NOT ME.
If you want to do business with promoters, DO BUSINESS THE RIGHT WAY.
Because we're not desperate for venues.
WE ARE THE ONES BRINGING PEOPLE, MONEY, EXPOSURE AND BUSINESS THROUGH YOUR DOORS.
Respect the people who help keep your venue booked.
And if you can't stand behind the contract you gave somebody...
DON'T ASK THEM TO SIGN IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
READ THE CONTRACT.
PROTECT YOUR MONEY.
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.
AND STOP BEING AFRAID TO SPEAK UP.
BECAUSE I'M NOT. read more
