Marketing Blunder: When 500 Becomes 5K: A Coney Island New Year's Disaster

The podcast explores notable professional mistakes and what can be learned from them. B2B Marketing expert Tom Basgil shares his experience organising a New Year's Eve fireworks event at Coney Island, where instead of the expected 500 attendees, 5,000 people showed up, creating major logistical challenges with insufficient facilities.

• Event was planned at iconic Coney Island amusement park district
• Organizers competed with Macy's monopoly on New York fireworks
• Infrastructure (porta-potties, PA system, vendors) was only prepared for 500 people
• Police were upset about the unexpected crowd size and inadequate security preparations
• The event happened in freezing temperatures, adding to the challenges
• The experience taught Tom to "prepare for the best, just in case it happens"

Is your strategy still right for 2026? Book a free 15-min discovery call to get tailored insights to boost your brand’s growth. 👉 [Book your call with Chris now] 👈

Subscribe to our Newsletter
✒️Don't miss a hilarious mistake or free event by 👉 subscribing to our newsletter here. 👈

Follow Chris Norton:
X, TikTok, LinkedIn

Follow Will Ockenden:
LinkedIn

Follow The Show:
TikTok, YouTube