After more than four and a half decades in the events industry, Tanaz Basrur has launched her latest book, The Event Professional’s Playbook, in the presence of industry veteran Sabbas Joseph, Co-Founder, Wizcraft Group, and actor Javed Jaffrey, along with other guests from the events and entertainment fraternity.
Positioned as “Your Guide to Creating Unforgettable Experiences,” the book brings together Basrur’s experience across concerts, corporate productions, weddings, sponsorships, artist management and event execution. It looks beyond the glamour of events to explore the planning, strategy, creativity, commercial thinking and problem-solving required to deliver successful experiences.
The book opens with a simple reality of the live events business: “The lights dim…. Thousands wait. One mistake, one glitch, and the moment is gone.”
Drawing from more than 45 years in the industry, Basrur uses her experiences to offer readers practical insights into what it takes to manage the many moving parts of an event.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the book, Tanaz said, “For over 45 years, I’ve lived in those three seconds before the show begins. I’ve created weddings shaped by generations of expectations, built sponsorships into lasting partnerships, and managed artists who demanded magic – on impossible deadlines.”
Rather than being a book centred on décor trends or checklists, The Event Professional’s Playbook focuses on the larger business of creating and managing experiences. It explores the journey from concept to execution and from backstage operations to commercial success.
Speaking about what readers can expect from the book, Basrur said, “This isn’t a book about décor or checklists. It’s about owning the room – from vision to execution, backstage to balance sheets, creativity to commercial success. Whether you’re a planner, producer, event professional, or dreamer, you’ll learn how to:”
Among the key lessons covered in the book are creating unforgettable experiences rather than simply beautiful events, turning sponsors into storytellers and opportunities into impact, measuring success through real ROI, managing talent and timelines under pressure, and staying ahead in an industry shaped by AI, changing trends and constant evolution.
The book is also rooted in Basrur’s belief that experience and practical learning play an important role in developing the next generation of event professionals. Alongside her work in the industry, she has contributed as an educator and consultant and serves as Co-Chair of the EEMA National Education Taskforce, working towards strengthening professional education within the events ecosystem.
The book follows Basrur’s earlier work, The Art of Successful Event Management, and brings together decades of lessons from the ground. The second edition builds on that foundation with a wider focus on the realities of creating and managing live experiences.
The back cover describes the book as a resource for planners, producers, event professionals and those aspiring to enter the industry, particularly those who want to understand the business beyond its visible glamour.
Sharing her perspective on the realities of the live events business, Tanaz said, “If you’ve ever thought, ‘Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong,’ five minutes before doors open, this book is for you.”
With The Event Professional’s Playbook, Basrur aims to share the knowledge gathered through decades of working across the industry and provide both emerging and existing professionals with a practical reference for navigating the world of live events.
As the book puts it: “Welcome to the business of LIVE EVENTS.”
