Has anyone ever organized an event? If we answered yes, then we know how stressful the planning process can become. It is so stressful that it leaves many organizers feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. This is why many businesses prefer to use professional event planners to make sure everything is planned to perfection. Most event planners can plan in-person events or virtual events, so all businesses should be able to use their services. Regardless of what sort of event the business is hosting, event planners can make everything a lot easier. If you’re planning the event yourself, we have listed crucial event planning and management tips that will ensure everything runs smoothly.
Begin Early
As they say, “the early bird catches the worm,” we have to seize an opportunity as soon as we see one. Likewise, it’s best to begin planning our event as soon as we can. If we plan to do a huge event, we should start planning it four to six months in advance.
Even smaller events need at least a month of advanced planning. It’s also wise to secure contracts for entertainers, caterers, and other vendors several weeks before the event. Such a contingency will ensure everything runs seamlessly and within budget.
Remain Flexible
Even the best-laid plans are subject to unexpected changes. In planning our event, aspects like the location, time, or the theme of the occasion can change. We will need to be flexible to meet these shifting dynamics and demands. This could mean moving an in-person event online to a hybrid platform (click this link for example), especially with the current state of the pandemic, meaning you may have to change the platform of your event and turn a talk into a webinar. This can prove difficult to manage and cause some chaos for those who did not anticipate this kind of shift. If this was the case, you can be more prepared by knowing what is a webinar platform and how you can adjust your event to fit this structure.
Negotiate
Nearly everything under the sun indeed has a price tag. But do people know that the price is also always negotiable? Don’t back away from seeking a bargain from vendors no matter what they say.
Negotiating costs can help us navigate unforeseen costs. We can develop an estimate before meeting a vendor and make an offer that’s up to 10% lower than the estimated price. Most vendors will put up a resistance, but the alluring pull of potential business will win them over.
Assign Responsibilities
Micromanaging every aspect of an event can leave us stressed and worn-out. Breaking down aspects like catering and entertainment is the way to go. Then, we can assign each member of our team with responsibility for a specific element.
Delegating duties to other team members will relieve some of the work and stress from our shoulders. It will also make things run more smoothly as each member will keep up with even the smallest detail. So assign one team to the decorations and designing – what is the colour scheme, what kind of look are they going for? Another set of tasks to the food and beverage team, how will the food be transported and stored to keep fresh, do they need to contact a company like https://coolsys.com/industrial-co2-refrigeration-systems-the-new-natural-refrigerant-for-large-scale-refrigeration-projects/ to help them out? These are things that can be managed by separate groups of people who work together. It also takes some weight off your shoulders as well.
Create a Shared Document
Cloud-based technologies have made it easier for members of teams to collaborate. We can use such technologies to ensure everyone is on the same page. Start by creating a central document with all the event details. These details can include anything from vendor contact information to sitting arrangements.
Any member of our team with access to the shared document can always refer to it when in doubt. This shared document also allows team members to spot any problems and correct them on the fly.
Have a Backup Plan
Events, just like any other human endeavor, are prone to at least one or two mishaps. A performer might cancel, or an item might go missing. Therefore, we need to assess the most vital elements of our event and have a backup plan.
When we want to come up with a backup plan, flexibility is critical. If we foresee several issues in the future, we can look for a suitable alternative. If we find a viable option, strike them from the itinerary.
Do a Run Through
When the event is about 15 days away, do a run-through of all the event aspects. Have a sit down with the entire team and mentally go through everything. Walk through the initial phases to the follow-up process.
In doing so, we’ll anticipate any complications that may arise and apply a suitable fix. When the event is a few days away, we can do a live run through at the venue.
Photograph Everything
Pictures are an effective way of capturing the mood, energy, and colors of the event. Posting the best snaps online is a sure way of showing how successful the function was. We can look for a professional photographer if we have the budget for one.
Pros always know what shots to take and have an artistic approach to achieving spectacular results. Ensure to ask for plenty of shots that will cover the entire event. We can also ask the photographer for additional shots that include our branding and guests having fun.
Organizing successful events can be challenging, especially when we don’t know where to start. Therefore, it’s wise to start all the preparations as soon as possible. We also have better odds of conducting a successful event if we work with a team than when we work alone. Form a committee of our most trusted friends and associates before we start.