Steal Everything! Nothing is Original! - Your Event ideas are nothing new. . .

Every event you’ve ever attended? It’s been done before.

The grand entrances, the immersive activations, the jaw-dropping stage designs—none of it is truly original. Almost every concept we see in the world of events is a remix of something that came before. Apart from the rare moments when ground-breaking technology shifts what’s possible (think VR, holograms, or AI-driven experiences), most of what we create is a reimagination, not a reinvention.

And that’s completely fine.

As Austin Kleon put it in Steal Like an Artist:

"What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before.”

So why are so many event professionals still trying to come up with ideas in isolation?

The Art of Stealing (Inspiration, Not Credit!)

When I say steal everything, I don’t mean plagiarize someone else’s work. I mean actively seek inspiration from everywhere—other industries, past decades, unexpected sources—and use it to fuel your own creative process.

The best event designers aren’t waiting for some divine moment of inspiration. They’re out there, collecting, curating, and remixing ideas to create something fresh. And the easiest way to do that? Use the right tools.

Where to Find Event Ideas

1. Pinterest – The ultimate search engine for visual ideas. A quick search for "conference" will return thousands of examples—not just stages, but entrances, tickets, merchandise, networking setups, and Instagrammable moments. It’s a goldmine for those willing to explore.

2. Behance – A platform showcasing high-end creative work. It’s particularly great for 3D renders, branding concepts, and event identity design.

3. Instagram – Follow industry leaders, agencies, and event design pages. Hashtags like #EventDesign, #ConferenceExperience, and #StageDesign can uncover trends before they go mainstream.

4. Fashion, Architecture & Art – Some of the best event concepts come from outside the events industry. A striking museum exhibit, a futuristic runway show, or an unconventional retail display could be the spark for your next event design.

5.  AI - One of AI's best current use cases is its ability to quickly prototype and create images based on prompt words. head over to ChatGPT and write "Create me an image of an event with [Theme 1] , [Theme 2] and [Theme 3] and see what you get. 

6. Everywhere else - Add your own sources to the comments! - so I can steal them.

Using Inspiration in Client Conversations

One of the biggest challenges in event planning is aligning with a client’s vision. How do you get inside their head and figure out what excites them? Mood boards.

Instead of vague discussions about “modern” or “immersive” concepts, show them curated visuals of what’s possible. Let them point to what they love (or hate), and use that to refine your ideas. The more references you have in your back pocket, the better.

The ‘Why’ Behind Your Inspiration

A huge shoutout to Ashley Pollak who recently wrote a post asking “WHAT ARE YOU BASING YOUR CREATIVE DECISIONS ON?” It’s a crucial reminder that stealing inspiration is only half the equation—the real magic happens when we ask ‘why.’

Why have you saved a picture of a festival flag? Is it just because it looks cool, or is it because your event is about celebration, community, and shared experiences? Why are you drawn to a sleek, minimalist stage design? Is it just aesthetically pleasing, or does it reinforce the clarity and focus of your event’s message?

Mood boards and idea curation aren’t just about throwing together pretty pictures—they’re about intentionality. Every choice should have a reason, every visual should serve a purpose, and every piece of ‘stolen’ inspiration should be reworked to create something meaningful and unique to your event.

Take Action: Steal Some Ideas Today

If you don’t already have a Pinterest or Behance account, get one now. Start saving, organizing, and building a vault of inspiration that you can pull from whenever creativity feels dry.

Need a starting point? Check out my Pinterest Events Board where I regularly share fresh finds on what’s possible in live events.

Because in the world of events, originality isn’t about creating from nothing—it’s about knowing where to steal from. 😉