A Site Map Without Utilities? It’s Just a Poster
Let’s be honest—most site maps look great.
The zones are neatly marked, the pathways make sense, and the vendor spots are all in line.
But that’s the thing about a polished surface: it can hide some pretty crucial gaps underneath.
Because on event day, what really matters isn’t how tidy the map looks; it’s whether it works under pressure. Whether it saves you from a dozen frantic calls asking, “Where’s the power?” or “Do we even have water access here?”
This post is your reminder to create your site map as a tool, not just as a pretty picture. Make it the tool your team can actually rely on when things get hectic.
It might look slick: zones labelled, pathways clear, food vendors in all the right spots. But if it doesn’t show where the power is, you’re going to have problems.
We’ve all seen it.
The coffee van parked 20 metres from the generator, with a 10-metre cable. The food vendor unpacked and ready, only to ask, “Where’s the water access?”
Or the AV team chasing you down because no one marked where the three-phase was.
It’s the kind of detail you think is covered—until it’s not. And on event day, no one’s got time to scroll through emails or guess which patch of grass has power running under it.
That’s why your site map needs to go beyond visuals. It needs to be functional.
What should you include in an event site map?
Here’s what I always recommend including, especially for outdoor or large-scale events:
Power locations (include load capacity if you can)
Water access points
Greywater or wastewater disposal areas
Generator placement
Bin and recycling zones
Emergency vehicle routes and muster points
Gas bottle storage (if applicable)
Shelter, shade, or marquee access points
These details seem small until the pressure is on. Then they’re everything.
Because a good site map isn’t just a visual aid.
It’s a working document. A tool that saves your team from asking the same questions. Done right, it means fewer frantic messages, fewer walkie-talkie callouts, and a whole lot more confidence from your crew.
So consider this your friendly nudge: treat your site map like the ops plan it really is. Not just a layout, but a lifesaver.
And if you’ve got a site map trick or must-have I haven’t mentioned, I’d love to hear it. Always keen to swap notes with fellow planners.
Hi, I’m Rachella
Welcome to Event Kit. This is where I share what 26+ years in events have taught me about the industry, business and the work we do.
