Things You Should Have on Your Event Planning Checklist

While planning an event, whether it is for a wedding, a baby shower, or a corporate meet, the checklist should include: Identifying the date and venue of the event. Deciding the type of event. Defining the target audience. Determining how much the event will cost. Please note that this list is not meant to cover every aspect your event planning checklist may include. It is just meant to provide a general outline of things that should be on your agenda. Also, keep in mind that it is meant to help you prepare for your upcoming event and is not intended to replace things that are already on your list. Create An Event Budget. Creating a budget is the key element of planning any event. It doesn’t matter if you’re working with a huge corporation or a small non-profit, if you’re in charge of event planning, you’ll need a budget. It is highly recommended that you hire an event planner to help you with the planning and budget. You should know an approximate amount that would be spent before you even begin to plan. Most event planners will agree that having a budget is crucial. It helps planners control their costs and plan better. For example, if you need some Industrial Tents for your event, then you will need to shop around and see what is available. Whether you want new or used is an important thing to consider for your budget too. Recruit An Event Committee. Every event planning needs an event committee. An event committee is a group of people brought together with a common purpose. They serve as an essential leadership, support, and resource team. This committee is responsible for communications with event stakeholders, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors. Having a committee with many members who volunteer for various responsibilities can help ensure the success of any event. Committee members also assist the event planner by assigning specific duties to them. Brand Your Event. Branding your event is essential as you are attempting to make a lasting impression on potential attendees. You have probably heard this a million times, but it is important to show that you value your audience’s time and money. By running social media contests, requesting attendee feedback, and posting photos and videos on the event page, you can show potential speakers, sponsors, and attendees that their opinions matter. Also consider getting animated promotional videos made for the event, to keep your branding catchy and interesting to the full range of your audience. Establish Your Event Goals and Objectives. The first step to a successful event is establishing your event’s goals and objectives. Without these, you’ll have no basis for measuring the effectiveness of the event and determining if, when, and where you should make changes to the strategy. This is because every event has a different set of requirements and you need to plan accordingly. For instance, the prerequisites for planning your sister’s wedding would be completely different from the corporate event your company may ask you to organize. While the former would require you to book one of the best wedding venues Denver (if that is where you live), get wedding cards printed, and a lot of other stuff, the latter generally requires finding a professional meeting location and sending out invitation emails, among others. Since the requirements are so different from each other, only a detailed plan can help you get everything right. The next important step is planning your event checklist to achieve your event planning goals. Make sure that your checklist is comprehensive and well-thought-out. As a general rule of thumb, try to include everything that you think you may need for your event, as the last thing you want is to have to rush to pick up items that you may have forgotten. Select The Date. While planning an event, it is important to consider choosing a date first. Also, choosing a particular day of the week can have a major impact on the success of your event. More often than not, events held on a Sunday have a lower turnout compared to those held on a Monday. Due to the lack of people in attendance, it isn’t easy to fill tables with attendees. Therefore, it is always best to choose the day for your event wisely. You want your event to be on a day that works for the majority of your guests. Consider whether you house your guests’ schedules or have them work for you. A convenient date for your guests can make or break your event. Identify Venue and Negotiate Details. Look for affordable Party and Event Spaces and make sure the one you choose is a clean, comfortable place and has the capacity to accommodate all participants in attendance. It should also be secure and safe and should connect with your guests. Make sure that the location of the venue should be convenient for all your attendees. Not to forget, it should have an accommodating catering department. Most importantly, it should encourage socialization among guests, exude professionalism, and enhance the value of your brand. Develop An Event Master Plan. An event plan should include the venues available, the vendors required, and the overall budget. The event planner should then need to coordinate with all the vendors for the order and timing of services and setup. He should also communicate to the attendees the event’s details and what is expected of them. The final thing an event planner needs to do is check in with the vendors on the day of the event and make sure everything is on track for a smooth event. So, if you’re planning your next event, creating a detailed checklist is paramount. Start with your venue. If your budget allows, consider renting private event space. If you’re on a budget, consider a public event space or hiring a venue offsite. Next, develop your guest list. If your budget allows, consider inviting all of your clients and colleagues. If your budget doesn’t, consider inviting members of your industry or people you know personally. Next, think about an event planner. If your budget allows for it, consider hiring one. If not, then go with a coordinator. Finally, develop your event marketing plan. If your budget allows for it, consider advertising your event online. If not, consider sending emails to your network.