Smaller venues can assume that certain rules, standards, or hazards apply only to larger events. In reality, many of the same risks are present at smaller scale and are more likely to be overlooked, minimised, or managed informally. Sometimes, those challenges are not recognised as risks at all. In this session, we'll examine issues that are commonly misunderstood or under-examined in small-venue settings, and how these factors can influence safety outcomes. Drawing on real-world examples, the discussion will explore how gaps in awareness can become liabilities and why this matters.