Novices’ Guide to Event Management: Part One

So…are you just starting out as an event planner? If there’s one thing more daunting than the profession itself, it’s being a novice in the profession. Nobody knows who you are – or particularly cares. You’re competing with big names; men, women and organizations with more connections, better reputations, and more clients than you could ever dream of. And what do you have? You may become the greatest event planner, but you don’t have any sort of portfolio to show for it. Without one, you’re going to find landing clients a herculean task. What’s a rookie management professional to do?…

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Novices’ Guide to Event Management: Part Four

So, you’ve gotten some experience in event management, and you’ve decided that working exclusively for one company really isn’t for you. You want to run your own event management firm, be your own boss, and run events on your own terms. Today’s installment of The Novice’s Guide To Event Management looks at what’s involved when establishing your own event planning company.  For our purposes, we’re going to assume you’ve already got the necessary experience as an event manager and it’s not totally crazy to take the plunge on your own. Of course experience isn’t all you need, there’s a bit…

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The Top 8 Event Planning Trends

A new year is upon us. Everybody’s putting together New Years’ Resolutions (which they’ll probably break after a month or so), all the while looking forward to new beginnings. With 2013 still fresh in our minds, it seems like the ideal time to have a look back. By examining the chief event planning trends from 2013, we can formulate a good idea of what to expect in 2014.

How will the life of an event manager change as we move into the New Year? What sort of new technology, skills, and challenges might one face in the profession? Most importantly, how can we best turn this to our advantage?

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Bad Weather Event Planning: Essential Steps for Event Organizers

When it comes to event planning, anticipating bad weather can be one of the most crucial steps you take to safeguard your event. Bad weather event planning isn’t just a backup idea—it’s an essential part of ensuring your event runs smoothly no matter what. Without the right preparation, a sudden downpour or an unexpected snowstorm can derail your event, leaving attendees frustrated and your team scrambling. Here’s how you can ensure your event is prepared for any weather conditions by addressing five key areas. 1. Can Your Event Be Rescheduled? Start your bad weather event planning by assessing whether your…

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Six Event Metrics Every Management Professional Should Understand

Metrics and analytics are terms so overused in the business world that they risk becoming empty buzzwords, right up there with “Gamification” and “The Cloud.”  That’s rather unfortunate, given their clear value to any business professional savvy enough to understand how they should be used. That includes event planners, by the way. I’ve touched a bit on metrics in the past, but I’ve never really examined them in too much depth.  Today, I’d like to change that. I’ll be looking at a few vital metrics that any event manager worth their salt should know and understand, both for their own…

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The Ten Biggest Event Marketing Fails Of 2013

Well folks, we can finally bid farewell to 2013. Before we really kick off the New Year, let’s first take a look back at some of the biggest event marketing fails of 2013. In the world of marketing and event management (which are rapidly converging on one another), there were some positively titanic botches, many of which will be remembered for years to come. The fiascos we’re going to look at today represent mistakes that no event management professional in their right mind should make.

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Venue Booking: More than Just About Money

Are you in the process of booking a venue for your next event? As you compare your options there should be several key questions rolling through your head. Like many, the first factor you are likely to focus on is money. While you need to secure a venue that fits your budget, if you don’t consider other details you may find yourself making a poor decision. Here are four key factors, other than cost, to consider. Size There are venues of all sizes, ranging from small hotel conference rooms to large convention centers. Obviously, the more square footage a venue…

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Budget-Saving Tips for your Next Event

As an event management professional, one of your jobs involves juggling your event budget with the needs of your client. Unfortunately, running an event isn’t cheap, and a lot of clients will be looking to cut corners and save money wherever possible. Your clients might not necessarily understand what goes into getting an event up and running, and often end up trying to trim the fat from inadvisable components of your event, such as security costs, guest speaker budgeting, or equipment. Your job is to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with trying to save money.…

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The Aftermath of a Failed Event, and what to do next?

A while back, I talked a bit about what an event manager—and the brand they’re working with—should do if one of their events goes south. That piece focused primarily on what an event management professional should do to avoid and mitigate trouble. Today, we’re going to focus on how to manage a failed event after the fact.  We’re going to assume that, despite your best efforts, you were unable to salvage your event.

What should be done after an event has gone off the deep end?

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Ten Steps to Avoid Event Planner Burnout

Event planning can be exhilarating but also exhausting. From coordinating details to juggling schedules, the stress can become overwhelming. However, top event planners have mastered the art of staying balanced. Here’s a roadmap to help you avoid burnout, maintain productivity, and thrive as an event planner.

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5 Tips for Planning a Successful Event

There is a fine line between a successful event and one that blows up in your face. It goes without saying that you want to be planning a successful event. And you’re in luck! Here are five simple tips of advice to follow that can lead to a more successful event.

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Resolving Event Team Conflicts: Strategies for a Stronger Team

Interpersonal conflicts are inevitable in event management teams, where high-pressure environments and tight deadlines can create tension. Resolving event team conflicts effectively is essential to maintaining productivity and morale. When left unaddressed, conflicts can escalate, causing disruptions that impact the success of your event. Here’s how you can handle conflicts and foster a more cohesive team. Recognize and Address Conflicts Early The first step in resolving event team conflicts is identifying the problem before it escalates. Pay attention to signs like tension, passive-aggressive behavior, or a drop in team collaboration. A proactive approach prevents minor disagreements from becoming major issues.…

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Big Data Plays A Role In Event Management

What’s the big deal about big data?

We’ll assume every event planner knows they should be collecting hard data on their events and analyzing this information, looking at their metrics and working to improve performance, drive down costs, etc.  We’ll also assume you’ve heard the term.

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Prevent Event Burnout- Stay Energetic And Passionate

It’s Friday afternoon, and your anxiety levels are through the roof! Tell me if this sounds too familiar. You’re stressed. You’re tired. Nothing really seems as exciting as it used to because it all feels like a grind, a slog, and too much for one person to manage.

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5 Traits of a Successful Event Management Platform

For event professionals, the right event management platform can be a game-changer, providing the tools necessary to streamline planning, enhance attendee engagement, and simplify complex logistics. Let’s explore the essential traits of a successful event management platform that make it a must-have for any event planner. 1. Robust Information Management Effective information management is the backbone of any successful event management platform. From tracking registrations and attendee demographics to organizing schedules and budgets, the platform should offer seamless data handling and storage. A strong information management system lets event planners focus on the event rather than toggling between disjointed spreadsheets…

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How to create a Tweet Suite

We’ve all been to conferences that had comfy couches, we may have even been to conferences that had Tweetwalls (We hope so!), but have you ever been to a conference that had a Tweet Suite? Well today, we’re going to go over some of the basics on how to create one to increase engagement and socialization at your events. Just to clarify exactly what a Tweet Suite is—essentially, a Tweet Suite is an area at your event dedicated for your attendees to lounge, relax, socialize and maybe get some work done if they desire. Seating The first thing you need while creating…

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Unique Event Planning: How to Make Your Events Stand Out

In the bustling world of event planning, standing out is essential. The industry is crowded, and with the advent of mass communication, nearly every field is overflowing with hopefuls.

Distinguishing yourself as an event planner requires true creativity and a willingness to step outside the comfort zone. Unique event planning can be your key to success.

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The Real Cost Of Event Management Blunders

Today, we’re telling you a story about a young entrepreneur by the name of Suresh Doss. He is – or rather, was – an amateur event planner and freelance food writer. Today, he owes the City of Toronto $36,000. His is a cautionary tale, a story that drives home the importance of knowing who you’re working with and what you’re doing. See, Doss was part of a 2013 experiment to put food trucks in parks all across the city. Armed with an array of different meals, the trucks would keep hungry park-goers fed and content – and make a bit…

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Twenty Components Every Event Management Website Needs

Most event management professionals understand the importance of having a website – or at least some sort of online presence.  While it’s certainly possible to get by without a website, it’s not the wisest choice in today’s competitive marketplace. Yet, not all websites are created equal. There are certain elements, components that make up a site, which make one website more successful than another; attracting traffic, retaining visitors, and bringing people back to look again. If you really want to see a return on the effort you put into your site, here are twenty components every event management website should…

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Cold Calling 101 – Cold Calling for Event Sponsorships

Cold calling for event sponsorships is a task most event organizers face. Cold calling is vital to securing partnerships and boosting your event’s budget. But cold calling isn’t just about dialing numbers—it’s about strategy. Mastering the art of cold calling can make a huge difference in your success as an event manager or organizer. Here’s how you can do it effectively.

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