Kickballs Headlines Articles What To Consider When Planning For An Event? |
What To Consider When Planning For An Event? - adapted by KickBalls Pte Ltd Before you attempt to manage an event, especially a big one, there are a number of questions that need to be addressed. Each of these is a valuable lesson that provides an introduction to the event planning process and will enable anyone to manage and plan events of all sizes - from the very first steps, to the actual event itself.
Lesson 1 - What are you doing this for?One of the keys to working on any event is to ask the fundamental question, 'What is this event for? Now this may seem like a stupid question - isn't it obvious what the event is for? The fact is, it is not always so. Now some events are organised 'in-house' (where the people who want and need the event are the same ones organising it) and others are organized by external event planners or managers, from an event management agency. No matter who the event is for, it is critical that all of those involved, from the management executives to the receptionist, know what the event is for. Lesson 2 - Why is this important? It is important to understand the reason for the event so that everyone knows what the needs of the event are going to be. The needs of the event will include all elements of the event planning process, both the internal and external elements, such as marketing, finance, technology human resources, and availability of facilities and equipment. It is also important that the event needs are written down and kept as guidelines and parameters for decision making process by all those involved. Many event projects take place over several months, and it can often be the case where the original need for the event is as the project gains momentum. By establishing your desired outcome, you will help yourself to identify and answer some of the most important factors and questions relating to the event. For example, the desired outcome of a music event (such as the world famous Glastonbury Festival) will be very different to that of a charity ball, or a sales conference, or a sports event. Once you know what you want from your event, it will help you to decide the focus of the event. This will again, help to focus the team whilst the planning is undertaken. For example, when planning a fundraising event, the focus might be to raise funds then and there on the night of the event - but if you also want to raise awareness of the charity - you may wish to consider ways of persuading the guests to make donations in the days and weeks that follow. The focus of your event must be the key driver in everything that you do for the event, the choice of venue, content and guest speaker (to name but a very few) should reflect this - even your choice of menu, use of technology and theme should be focused in this way. Lesson 3 - What can you do? To establish a focus, brainstorm the event with your colleagues, clients - anyone who can give an insight into the need for the event. A sales conference might have a need to communicate a new product - and at the same time, be needed to enthuse and motivate a sales team. Look at the event from all aspects - including those of the attendees, managers, planners, venue and suppliers and try to get an overall understanding of the needs of each of these groups. To get the most from this focus - print it onto a piece of paper and stick it to the wall beside your desk - in fact - stick it to the wall by the desk of each person who is working on the event. Why not make this focus the screensaver on your computer - the old adage is true - an aim is worthless unless it is written down. Let this focus your mind, your ideas and your event so that everyone receives the same message - the most important message - from the event. If you are working in an external event planning agency, and the event is on behalf of a client - then it is even more important that the event planning team have a deep understanding of the needs of the event - in order that the client gets the event that they want. This is a two way responsibility - the client should tell you their requirements - but it is a key responsibility of yours - to ask. It is more important because you are removed from the focus of the client organisation - your focus might be to offer an excellent service to the client, or to bring the event in on budget - but remember, this is NOT the focus of the event. And if you are still trying to find that elusive job in event planning or management, then YOUR focus is to get the job that you want.; You should talk about your own personal focus in your CV and covering letter - this will make sure that YOU get ahead.
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