Organizing an event isn’t always simple. You may face various challenges and things might not run according to plan. But there is no reason to panic because being organized is the key. Remember the old saying “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”?
Whether you are in charge of a trade show, an exhibition, a conference, or any other type of event, make sure you learn some basic tips and tricks that will guarantee your success. Here are a few suggestions.
Identify Your Goals
This is the first step in planning the event. It’s essential to establish goals and objectives. The most important question is what do you hope to achieve and determining the answer will help you focus and ensure every step leads to success. It makes a big difference whether you are trying to collect donations, raise awareness, or sell a product because the approach should be specific for every cause.
Make a plan on how many guests you are hoping to attract and set smart targets. Your social media should be visible to drive people toward your goal. Just make a strategy, and you will notice how everything comes into place.
Establish Your Budget
One of the most important parts of planning is to establish your budget. If you overlook it, many of your great ideas might not be possible in the end.
When planning your critical expenses the first thing you must take into consideration is the venue, since it can be very expensive. Look for a nice, stylish place, but don’t forget about the price. If you are planning a glamorous event consider ballrooms, or country clubs, since they are already decorated and may look more “high-end”. Renting a limo from airport limousine services for your important guests is a very chick move, so do your research to find renting companies you can afford. Experts at lavishlimousines.com.au are recommending a mix of luxury, comfort, and affordability, which will blow away your important clients and guests. Don’t forget about the food and drinks you’ll be serving. Make sure it’s high quality, even if it means you will sell fewer tickets. A DJ or a band is a must-have because most of your guests will remember the great entertainment at your event. If you plan to hire staff, make sure to fit it in your budget, as well as decorations and marketing.
Set The Date
If the date hasn’t already been set, be sure you consider some advice before firming up your date. First of all – be aware of religious or state holidays, as well as school holiday periods. Please give yourself enough time. Depending on the nature of the event, you will most likely need four to six months to prepare. Before setting a date check if your key participants are available. This includes presenters, speakers, VIP-guests, etc.
As soon as your date is set, start hiring caterers and other external staff. Trust us, this isn’t something you want to leave for the last minute.
Create A Master Plan
Now that you have a good idea about the timeline and all the costs, it’s time to start with the fun part of planning. Creating a master plan will allow you to remain on track and coordinate everything with ease. Here is a list of aspects that should be included:
- Presenters and speakers
- Venue and catering
- Entertainment and activities
- Registration (payments, sign-up online, or on-site, etc.)
- Promotion and publicity (online promotion, printed programs, events calendars, media, social media, etc.)
- Sponsor, partner, and volunteer management
When planning, it’s important to create a detailed timeline, including registration end-dates, or any permits that need to be submitted. This is also the part where you determine if tent rentals will be necessary to accommodate more crew members and guests. For outdoor events, booking a Portable Toilet Rental for Events may also be necessary. Keep everything written down, so you can stay on top of it.
Create A Publicity Plan
Maybe you have the best speaker, the most amazing entertainment, or the most beautiful venue, but, at the end of the day, publicity and event promotion are elements that will bring guests to your event. Start with a web page announcement and social media. Make a Facebook status, share some photos on Instagram, tweet about it, and try posting regularly to keep everybody excited. Send emails to potential guests and use your press and media connections for promotion. You can also include some printed materials. Don’t forget to send thank-you notes to all the guests after the event and to post a wrap-up social media or blog post.
Now that you know all the tricks, it shouldn’t be difficult or stressful to prepare an event. Exhibiting, attending, or presenting at the event is a great way for you to meet new people, expand your reach, and build your brand. Just stay organized and enjoy your time in the spotlight.