| Be clear on your objectives | | | | the type of people who will be attending and what |
| First thing is first, be clear on why you are holding | | | | they will expect to achieve from the event. |
| the event, and what the objectives are. When you | | | | Planning and allowing enough time |
| think about it in business terms, your event is a | | | | Planning an event is a very time consuming process. |
| means to an end result - make sure you know what | | | | A well received and successful event is a result of a |
| that result should be before you start planning, | | | | great deal of devoted time, thought and attention to |
| otherwise it is easy to get caught up in the logistics | | | | detail. Many people don't realise just how much of |
| of planning and forget what you are aiming to | | | | their time it will take up until they are well into the |
| achieve! | | | | planning stages. If you are one of the many who's |
| Cost implications | | | | time is extremely precious, you might want to |
| Now that you have set clear objectives on what you | | | | consider the use of an event management company |
| want your event to achieve, the next thing to do is | | | | to deal with all or certain elements of the event, to |
| set a budget. Even if it is only an estimation, it will | | | | allow you to get on with doing your job. |
| give you a good indication of the type of event you | | | | Choosing suppliers |
| will be able to plan. This is essential for suppliers so | | | | Choosing suppliers for an event can sometimes be a |
| that they can pitch suggestions within your budget. It | | | | bit of a minefield. You never really know what they |
| will also make your life easier when you come to | | | | are going to be like until the event - and by then it's |
| present the proposed event to the management of | | | | too late! Take the time to research different |
| your company - you don't want to over or under | | | | suppliers, finding our their track record. Ask them for |
| estimate the importance of the event, especially as | | | | testimonials from other clients to ensure that they |
| the event will reflect on the organisation. | | | | will delivery the quality that you expect. The choice |
| Choose a venue | | | | of suppliers in the events industry is extensive, but |
| Choosing a venue for your event could be the | | | | remember, as with anything you buy, if it appears |
| easiest or hardest decision of the whole event | | | | cheap, the chances are you will be sacrificing either |
| management process! The number of guests you | | | | quality, service or choice - sometimes all three! |
| intend to invite will have the biggest impact on your | | | | Schedule |
| venue decision. If you have large numbers there will | | | | Be organised and put together a detailed running |
| be a limited amount of places that can accommodate | | | | order of how the event will run and brief everyone |
| you. Equally if it is a small event, you will have to | | | | involved in the production of the event. This involves |
| seek out more intimate venues. Either way, book a | | | | everyone from your venue, caterers, AV technicians |
| venue well in advance of the event to ensure | | | | to members of your company who have an active |
| availability, and always think about its location - is it | | | | role in the event for example, keynote speakers, |
| easy for your guest to get to? Are there reliable | | | | presenters etc. |
| transport links and accommodation close by? You will | | | | Results |
| find more advice on choosing the right venue for | | | | One of the most frequent questions that event |
| your event here. | | | | planners are asked when pitching an event to their |
| Style for your target audience | | | | superiors is, 'what is the benefit of having this event?' |
| Choose a style and format for the event that meets | | | | In order to justify the spend on your event, you |
| your objectives and appeals to those who will be | | | | must be able to answer this question with |
| attending. For example if the event is an opportunity | | | | confidence! Go back to your initial objectives and look |
| for staff to let down their hair and celebrate a | | | | at how you can measure their success. Was it to |
| successful year of business, then you'll want | | | | increase awareness of the company? Promote a |
| something fun for them to enjoy. Perhaps a theme | | | | particular brand? To reward employees? If you can |
| with lively entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere. | | | | measure the fulfillment of the objectives then you |
| Or on the other hand if you are organising a | | | | have proof of the success of the event. Give an |
| conference, your delegates might require a simply | | | | indication of what you expect the results to be |
| and clean style which has a comfortable working | | | | considering the budget etc that you have been given. |
| environment with available refreshments. Think about | | | | |