By Jen Brignall-Strong, Manager of Events, WEtech Alliance

If there’s one similarly between event planning and entrepreneurship, it’s that neither rarely go exactly as planned.

You can intricately map out the tiniest details, create countless checklists, and plan for every speed bump and roadblock…but sometimes the universe, and Mother Nature, have other plans.

Never has that been more evident to me than during one of WEtech’s most recent events, Tech Connect: Haunted Piston Edition. What began as a fun concept celebrating the collision of local art, tech, and innovation quickly became a lesson in flexibility, resilience, and community; three traits every entrepreneur (and event planner) knows well.

The concept for Tech Connect: Haunted Piston Edition actually took root this past July at our previous Tech Connect Meetup, Tech Connect: Runeborn Edition. At the event, local artists and longtime WEtech collaborators Jeff and Christie Denomme of The Haunted Zoo were introduced to Ali Al-Asam, cofounder of Red Piston, a Windsor-based digital agency (and WEtech client) known for their creativity and innovation.

That single introduction lit the spark for what would become a truly unique collaboration; a tech-themed mural on the side of Red Piston’s downtown Windsor headquarters that pays homage to Canadian and regional innovation.

This is exactly why we host events like Tech Connect Meetups. It’s about building density, and creating opportunities for collisions. Because we know that sometimes, all it takes is one conversation, one chance encounter, for something incredible to begin. These meetings can lead to meaningful partnerships, creative projects, and new opportunities that strengthen our entire innovation ecosystem.

Jeff’s (l) and Ali’s “meet cute” at Tech Connect Meetup: Runeborn Edition in July

As plans for the mural took shape, so too did the idea of hosting a grand unveiling; an opportunity to celebrate this collision of art and innovation with our tech community, ecosystem partners, local artists, and elected officials.

The plan was simple; or so we thought. Build a networking event around a mural unveiling…what could go wrong?

Excitement was high. The RSVPs rolled in. The food truck was booked. The tents were up. We even had a rain date, just in case.

And then…rain.

Not just a light sprinkle, either. But a last minute torrential downpour with dangerous wind gusts followed by a bone-chilling cold front. Out of an abundance of caution, we made the tough decision to postpone the event, sending out an email to attendees just an hour before the event.

The first postponement stung, but we knew the weather was out of our control. We regrouped, rebooked, and tried again the next day, which turned out to be even rainier and even colder. When the skies opened up that second time, it became clear: this event wasn’t going to unfold the way we’d planned.

In that moment, I was reminded how much event planning mirrors entrepreneurship. Founders face the same challenge all the time: pivots forced by factors outside their control. The real test isn’t whether things go as planned, but how quickly you can adapt when they don’t.

So, our team did what entrepreneurs do best: we pivoted.

Rather than waiting for perfect conditions, we decided to reimagine the event entirely. Tech Connect: Haunted Piston Edition transformed into a morning unveiling, a press-style event celebrating the creative collaboration between Red Piston and Haunted Zoo.

And what happened next perfectly captured the spirit of our community.

Local media, artists, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem partners all rallied behind us. They showed up early, ready to support the unveiling and share the story behind this local innovation. The energy was different from what we’d first envisioned, but it was every bit as meaningful, if not more so.

It wasn’t just an event anymore; it was a story about community perseverance and creative problem-solving.

As the sun rose over downtown Windsor, we set up for the unveiling. The air was crisp, the excitement was genuine, and the aroma of fresh coffee filled the air (thanks to the Tim Hortons on Wyandotte and Crawford, who generously supplied coffee and donuts to fuel our morning gathering.)

What had started as a nighttime networking celebration became a warm, community-driven morning of connection and creativity. The Haunted Zoo/Red Piston project took center stage, and in the process, we were reminded that success isn’t always about sticking to the script.

If Tech Connect: Haunted Piston Edition taught us anything, it’s that event planning is a lot like running a startup.

• You have to pivot when things change.
• You have to think on your feet and find opportunity in chaos.
• You have to collaborate with others to bring ideas to life.
• And above all, you must be resilient.

The best events, like the best startups, aren’t defined by perfect execution. They’re defined by persistence, adaptability, and the people who show up to make them happen.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our partners at Red Piston and Haunted Zoo, to our local media and ecosystem partners who supported the pivot, and to everyone who showed up (twice, err…three times?) with patience and enthusiasm. And of course, to the Tim Hortons on Wyandotte and Crawford, for helping us start the day with coffee, donuts, and smiles.

Windsor-Essex continues to prove that when plans change, our community shows up stronger than ever.

Sometimes, the best version of an event is the one you didn’t plan for. Tech Connect: Haunted Piston Edition may not have gone on as scheduled, but it turned into something even better; a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and resilience.

Because in the end, whether you’re building an event or a startup, it’s not about what goes wrong. It’s about what you make happen anyway.

Check out the photo gallery for highlights from the morning: Haunted Piston mural photos 

Better yet, see the mural for yourself in person at Red Piston’s HQ (568 Chatham St. East, in downtown Windsor) and keep an eye out for nods to Canadian made innovations like the Robertson screwdriver, the pacemaker, the zipper, peanut butter, basketball, and the walkie talkie.