Saturday, March 9, 2013

Wedding DJs As Event Planners - Can They Fill Both Roles?


With money being tight these days, a popular question that often comes up is whether or not an event planner is necessary when a wedding DJ can often provide the same services and advice. Before the technological revolution, brides were not able to obtain the information necessary to plan a wedding without requesting advice from someone with experience. Today, internet search engines can solve most of the problems that brides and grooms faced in the past. By reviewing prices and customer feedback from the comfort of your own home, it seems like more of a hassle to hire a wedding planner than a luxury. Ultimately, the remaining tasks that wedding planners perform can easily be performed by a wedding disc jockey, which opens the question, is hiring a wedding DJ enough?

Arguably the most important job at a wedding is the wedding DJ. The DJ runs the music for the reception, and if the music or announcements were to stop, the reception would come to an awkward halt. The DJ guides the mood of the event and works with the schedules of all other vendors and staff at the event. He or she has ample experience working with reception hall managers and hosts as well as caterers and party supply vendors. With this experience, the DJ can guide you in the right direction when booking your reception hall, choosing a caterer, and purchasing party supplies. By looking to your disc jockey for advice instead of hiring a party planner, you'll save yourself a lot of money and receive genuine recommendations for your wedding reception.

In addition, mobile DJs may have special connections with vendors. In today's market, many DJ companies have partnered with photographers and video professionals. In fact, many DJ companies have expanded and become "entertainment and wedding service" companies, which means they can provide all-inclusive wedding packages, ultimately saving you money. If your DJ does not own and operate a business that can provide all inclusive services, it can still be very helpful to speak with the DJ about who and what he knows about the other services. Again, DJs hold connections with many different vendors they have worked with in the past. Asking for recommendations could still score you a significant discount on services for your wedding.

In the end, it is quite apparent that wedding event planners are on the road to becoming obsolete. The internet, along with your wedding DJ, can provide the same services that a wedding event planning normally provides without having to cough up extra money to get information. In addition to saving money by not having to hire a wedding planner, you can also save a significant amount of money by using your wedding DJ's connections and saving a significant amount of money on other services you may desire for your wedding. Ultimately, the importance and necessity of wedding event planners is nearly obsolete. In this economy, it isn't worth spending a significant amount of extra money on event planners. Plan your resources wisely and get the quality services you expect without paying for someone to find them for you.

Fast Growing Event Management Industry


The term Event Management refers to the application of the management science for the development of festivals and events. At this particular point of time Event management industry is one of the fastest growing industries in all over the world. Planning and executing an event can be a very difficult.

Event Management is a million-core industry that includes hosting of events of various stature and semantics. Personal functions or parties like marriages and birthday parties have become important social matters, which need to be professionally managed. These days all kind of events like meetings, seminars, exhibitions, conferences, product launches everything is organized in a well mannered plan which is recognized as an event. Event management is comprised with different event like personal events, leisure events, cultural events, religious events, corporate events etc.

Then comes the number of celebrity shows, international artists shows, shows for a cause, road shows, competitions, ramp shows, fashion shows, wedding arrangements, personal or corporate parties, magical shows, birthday parties, anniversary party, kitty party, new year party, Christmas party, annual day functions, school or college events and many more. Every industry, charity, society and group will hold events of some type or size in order to market themselves, raise money or celebrate.

Behind all the events there is the role of event mangers who usually plan and execute the event. Event planning is not an easy task even it is an art and an event planner that manage and organize it. Event planning includes number of activities like decision of proper venue which should be comfortable to all to find and enter in. Entrance should be wide and attracted. Decoration is also very important part while organizing an event. It should be as per the theme of event. Food arrangements and other preparations should also be kept in mind.

Corporate Christmas Party Themes


This year for your corporate Christmas party why not try something a little different and host a themed event? A fun and exciting way to end the great year, your staff and clients are sure to feel appreciated.

Below are some ideas you may wish to try;

1. Grease inspired Corporate Picnic

A Corporate picnic is a traditional Christmas Party event, but you can change it up by turning it into a carnival. Remember the end of year break - up party in the movie Grease, let this inspire your theme. You could have carnival rides such as the Ferris wheel, house of mirrors, carousels, roller coasters, teacups, dodgem cars and more.

A great event for the whole family, this grease inspired carnival is sure to be a hit.

Just don't forget the fairy floss and candy popcorn!

2. Circus

The big top has come to town. With clowns, jugglers, acrobats, trapeze, and lion tamer you could make you event a circus extravaganza.

A great family day and another good one to do as a corporate picnic.

3. Winter Wonderland

Add cool, seasonal style to your holiday soiree.

It can be simple and chic. Keep your scheme silver and white.

A snow man set in front of a backdrop of an enchanted every green forest and winter castle can add to the magic of your winter wonderland. Remember Santa Claus does come from the north pole!

4. Santa's Workshop

Creating an event with hired elves and Santa can set the scene for Santa's workshop. Explore your imagination as this event can be as elaborate as you like it. You could have stations for all the different types of toys. Of course you'll be able to sit on Santa's knee to tell him want you want for Christmas. Maybe you'll be lucky and get an early Christmas present from Santa.

A favourite for young and old alike. Santa's workshop would make a create theme for your next Christmas Party event.

5. Beach Party

A tropical atmosphere of surf, sun and sand is sure to get the Beach Christmas party started. Complete with beach games like beach volleyball, soccer or cricket, there will be something to do for everyone. Hire a couple of Jet boats and make a huge splash on the day.

Catering for this event could be a simple as a BBQ or a fruit buffet.

6. Horse Riding day

Get out of the office and do something physical. A horse riding trek is the perfect start to your corporate Christmas Party. Start the day early with the ride and then for lunch take your staff to a beach side restaurant where you can appreciate beautiful surrounding. After lunch enjoy a social drink under the mistletoe.

7. Corporate Christmas Games

Games a great outlet and fun way to end the year with a bang. A treasure hunt will keep them entertained for hours.

You could also create some internal competition with a staff football, touch football or volleyball game.

8. Casino Night

With the simple roll of the dice or turn of the card, you could have the ultimate Christmas Party to remember.

Play a game of black jack or Texas Hold'em as you slowly sip you martini - shaken not stirred.

So whether you decide to go with Vegas vibe or Monte Carlo chic, lady luck is sure to be on your side.

So don't restrict your corporate Christmas party event to the office or a restaurant, be creative and let your staff know that you appreciate them by throwing them a great Christmas Party.

Merry Christmas!

Hire an Event Management Service - For an Unforgettable Party


Corporate events are not like any other event. They have to be meticulously planned, and everything, including the minute details to be taken care of. This is usually very difficult for the employees alone to manage as they have their regular work to do as well. It requires a lot of expertise to be able to pull it off. The most important part is that nothing can be left to chance, since the corporate event also reflects the brand status of the organisation. If it has been badly organised, there will be no end of the embarrassment that it will generate. It will reflect very badly on the status of the organisation as well. At the same time, everything has to be budgeted very carefully, since the costs have to be allocated to the respective departments with great detail.

Hiring services

With an event management service, you will be able to take care of all these needs very well. These companies specialise in organising various events for various occasions. They will be able to ensure that all your needs are met, and at the same time, help you save on your costs. They have some very good connections with various musicians and lighting companies so that these needs will be fulfilled as well. These companies ensure that your brand value increases with these events, and also help you to get some excellent media coverage.

Event managers

The corporate event managers who will help you manage your event are highly skilled and professional people. They will be able to co-ordinate with the managers of your organisation very well to thoroughly understand both your budgetary as well as brand image requirements. They will be able to serve as a single point of contact, and will help you take care of all the small details so that your event becomes a rocking success. They will also be able to assist the employees who may be performing in some of the programmes to get the right kind of costumes, jewellery, stage accessories, makeup, and so on.

Advantages

Event management UK thus has become a highly proficient and organised industry. It helps thousands of companies all across the UK organise various events. Whether you are organising a formal black tie dinner, or a large disco party for all your employees, these companies will ensure that your party will be the most talked about within corporate circles and beyond for weeks. It is with their expertise that your event can serve its purpose of providing a breather to the employees, and a chance to interact. They will also help you with the arrangements for food, and decorations of the location. If you require, they will also provide you with a talented main coordinator or host who will keep up the event's spirit as a very lively affair.

A Complete Plan for an Event Management Business for Startup Individuals


Event management is seen as a new career now-a-days with companies making it large, and the huge returns that are making it a lucrative profession. Even though managing events is not a new arena, and right from the beginning, we all are experts in planning, organizing and executing events in our personal lives. Just remember how exciting was your mom's surprise party you gave on her birthday, or the outing your family organized for your cousins. Normally we do it with such an ease, that it is hard to think with the same ease when it comes to the business. This may be because in business it is seen as a success and failure or money is involved, rather than seeing it as just another party.

Let us take this as an option for our start-up and check whether it will suit you or not. As Valentine's day is approaching and people are going gaga about celebrating love, it is the right time to venture and check your possibility as an entrepreneur. All you need for organizing a Valentine's day party is a place to gather all the couples, food, drinks, decoration, and some exciting and romantic games.

First imagine and note down on paper of how you want to organize this party. Let me help you in designing the theme. Valentines day represents Love and Love is symbolized by roses and flowers. A theme must be selected which represents the Love, usually Red and White. The decoration should be made with heart-shaped red and white balloons, Roses and candles (as you know the scented candles create the aroma of love among people). The seating should be in a way that should give the guests the view of the stage and also provide them with the necessary privacy. The next important thing is to select few good games that keep the evening exciting and at the same time romantic. Games such as Propose your spouse, How much you know about your partner, Tell your story, Best romantic dance, Best couple, etc will help the evening go with the ride.

Apart from the games and decoration, you will need Flowers, cakes, food, drinks and prizes. A personal menu which includes cake, wine/champagne, dinner that can be selected by the guests while booking will give it a personal touch. Find a local florist where you can find the flowers and bouquets at a wholesale price, and the bakers who can make personalized heart-shaped cakes with the guests' names on them. A good chef or a caterer who can make a specialist menu that keeps the romantic mood on will be a best choice. Find one from your contacts or talk to your mom. As a start-up getting help from our own people will help cutting costs and get more support. Apart from this try for some small sponsorships that can cover your costs.

Once you are confident about the list and the costs you worked out, it is the turn to design the event and print it. Use your own PhotoShop skills or get it from a DTP operator who will help in designing the poster with the title, event, ticket price and the contact details on it. Create an online form for registration (create a blog with a registration form in it). Include the personal details, Dinner menu options, names of the guests, their preferred choice of songs, and wine, in the form so that you will have a clear idea of the guests and can make the event more personalized for every couple. Make few copies of it and distribute as many as possible. Use community sites like Facebook, orkut and email options to make use of the electronic media apart from the physical distribution. Tell your relatives and friends, market your event to as many people as possible.

Once you get enough response and get the details of the guests, it is the time to gather all the information and get in to real work. First you need to confirm the venue and make arrangements for the decoration and designing of the seating. Then order the cakes at your selected bakers and provide the names to be imprinted on the cakes. Next order the bouquets and flowers at the florist and buy the wine, drinks and other items for the caterers. Make a list of everything and check the list from time to time.

Just before the day of the event, call all the guests and confirm their arrival. The allot the decoration people at the venue and then confirm the caterers with the preferred choices of the guests, and finally, the gifts need to be personalized with the names of the guests, and the prizes need to be packed.

Sit with your anchor who is to conduct the evening, and design the evening with the most powerful quotes on love and relationship, and selecting the songs that add to the mood of the valentine. Select games and concepts that keeps the evening enjoyable. Make a minute to minute action plan and distribute copies of it to your team members.

Once everything is done, allocate each task to your team carefully and monitor them from time to time. Now its the time for action and it all depends on how efficiently you carry on this event. Make your mind, Think positively and Go ahead. You will find an entrepreneur in you.

Attending PTO Today Expo Events With Your School PTO Group


PTO Today offers publications and resources for PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) groups a public and parochial schools across the Unites States. One of PTO Today's most popular resources is their annual PTO Today Expo events that are held at select cities every spring.

The PTO Today Expos provide PTO officers, members, and fund raising committees and assembly/ enrichment planners and opportunity to network with businesses that provide products and services specifically for PTO groups. The PTO Today Expos are designed to be both fun and informative, but for the first time attendee, the experience can be a little overwhelming if you are not prepared. This article offers tips and planning advice to help first time PTO Today Expo attendees (as well as Expo regulars) get the most out of their visit to the PTO Today Expo.

The PTO Today Expos are usually held in the same cities every year. 2011 cities and dates include Philadelphia (March 2nd), Atlanta (March 10th), Houston (April 6th), and Chicago (May 3rd). Additionally, in 2011, the PTO Today Expo is expanding to reach PTO planners in Michigan with a new event on April 26th in Novi, Michigan.

Register Early and Save Money

There is a nominal charge for PTO members to attend the PTO Today Expo. Attendees who register early at the PTO Today website can often take advantage of "early bird" registration discounts. The Expo also often offer 2 for 1 registrations and discounts for multiple PTO members that attend from the same school and register at the same time. Therefore, your PTO group should begin promoting the Expo at meetings early in the school year to judge interest and compile a list of members who are interested in registering.

Typically, PTO groups ask general members to pay for the registration for the event out of pocket, but often Expo registrations for school PTO president, vice president, etc are paid for by the groups PTO general funds.

Planning Before The Expo

There are usually 60-100 vendors at a PTO Today Expo. Vendors include providers of school assemblies, companies that offer classroom supplies, spirit wear, parenting magazines, and fundraising companies that offer everything from tie-dyed shoelaces to homemade cookies.

You can get the most out of your PTO Today Expo experience, by planning ahead and decide what types of information your PTO group would like to collect. If you need fundraising ideas, then you will want to make the fund raising booths your priority. But, if you already have your fundraising ideas for this year, you may want to concentrate on some of the other vendors.

A good strategy is to assign different attendees from your PTO group with gathering information from different types of vendors. One group could collect school fund raising ideas, one group could information on school assemblies, and one group could collect classroom and spirit wear ideas. You can then all meet up and discuss what interested you, and revisit select vendor booths as a group.

Sometime Being Late Is Good

Unlike in school, it is okay to be "tardy" to the PTO Today Expo. A majority of the attendees arrive when the Expo opens and the first hour of the vendor hall is packed with people. During this time, it can be hard to get an opportunity to really talk with the

The last 2-3 hours of the Expo are usually the slowest. Arriving during this time will give you an opportunity to browse the vendors more leisurely and talk with the representatives one on one. You will also not have to fight your way through crowds in the trade show aisles.

As a bonus for arriving towards the end of the Expo, many vendors have extra product samples that they do not want to take home with them. This means that instead of getting a sample of a cookie, you might just get a whole box of cookies to take home, or instead of just a wrapping paper brochure, you may get a full roll of wrapping paper.

If you arrive too late, however, many vendors begin packing up during the last half hour of the event because the attendance is so slow. If you are going to arrive late, be sure to arrive a minimum of 2 hours before the scheduled close of the vendor hall.

It is Okay To Say "No Thank You"

Every vendor booth you stop at will want to give you their sales pitch and brochure. They are there for the sole purpose of generating sales leads and making connections with schools. If a vendor has a product or service that you know your school would not be interested in, it is okay to tell the representative you are not interested.

Taking brochures from companies that you have no interest in will make sorting information after the Expo more difficult and will waste your time.

Sign Up For Mailing Lists

When you pick up your registration badge the day of the Expo, you will be given a sheet of pre-printed stickers with your address and email contact information. This allows you to quickly provide your contact information to vendors that interest you.

Signing up for information is also a good way to limit the number of brochures that you have to carry around, as you can ask the vendor to mail you information.

A word of caution! Only sign up with the companies that you are truly interested in, because each vendor you sign up with will be following up with you by mail and email after the Expo. If you sign-up with every booth you stop at, you will soon become overwhelmed with emails and mail. This will quickly become frustrating, and may cause you to overlook an email or information that you were truly interested in.

Have a Follow-up Meeting

Shortly after the Expo, you should plan to meet with everyone in your PTO who attended the event. This will allow you to share notes and discuss products and services that you found interesting. It is at this meeting that you can also decide if you would like to request more detailed information from any of the companies. The sooner you schedule the meeting, the fresher the information will be in everyone's minds.

You can then decide which vendors you want to follow up to get quotes, and other planning information.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Sports Event Planning - Why It Can Be Beneficial


When was the last time you attended a sporting event? You can probably remember excitement from the crowd, having curiosity about what'll happen next in the game, and having anticipation. Those are the things that make these trips so worthwhile. Sure you can view sports on TV, but you'd probably agree that at least the atmosphere feels different when you watch it in person. You might even feel more urgent for a certain team to win while watching a game in person.

Why would a person favor one particular sports team over another? Seems like a fair question. The preference can most certainly be based upon how close the state is to the state the person lives in (it can likely be the same state). With more regards to this, the city can matter also (preferring the same city the person lives in or lives closer to). Whatever reason(s) there are for certain people favoring certain sports teams over other ones, they seem to be enough for those who actually TRAVEL to different states to watch the teams in action and cheer them on in person.

One of the things that can make viewing sports even MORE interesting is seeing whether or not a certain prediction you could've made is coming true. It might be interesting to try to make assumptions about what will happen based on the teams' history, coaches, and possibly EVEN the team mates' lifestyles OUTSIDE of sports.

Among the sports you might want to consider watching are basketball, baseball, football, tennis, golf, boxing, racing, hockey and soccer. Watching sports in general can give you inspiration to play the ones you're interested in and can give you motivation to improve on them. You might even pick up on strategies you may want to use yourself.

One of the great things about sports in general is that you can always look forward to watching them. If there's a day you're bored and don't know what to do, you're likely to find at least one fairly recent sporting event on TV. Sports obviously are a big part of today's world; certain cups, shirts, shoes and commentaries on TV pertain to certain sports teams.

Read a biography of a sports player you've acknowledged (or still do). You may very likely find yourself inspired by this person to go in a similar route. Obviously, lots of people who have accomplished great things have had role models of their own.

Throughout the United States, national sports teams as well as college and high school sports teams are continuously planned to play. These games can be very entertaining to watch. Obviously, think about and appreciate the LARGE amount of variety you have to choose from. Maybe you ought to do a lot of pondering to see if there's a particular sport that draws you. It could be more about the fun of the sport than competition. For example, volleyball requires less physical strain than football, so perhaps that'd be a more ideal sport for you. Or maybe you weight lift and think that football might play a role in enhancing your strength.

Basically, regardless of where you live, you should be within reasonable driving distance from a stadium, field or elsewhere where sports events are planned to take place, be they national or not. You could be benefiting your community in some way merely by attending a sport event. Think about what sports you like the most and why, and see if you might get some or more inspiration from watching others such as professionals play them. You eventually may be very glad you did.

Party Themes - Smart Solutions to Host a Party


Are you looking for Party Themes? If you are planning to host a party, then its time to learn about the various themes that you can use to entertain the guests. Learning the various party ideas will help you host the best party in the town.

There are certain aspects you have to think about before getting things ready for the party. Determine the number of guests. Decide on the guest of honor. Figure out the nature of the party and the type of attendees.

If you are going to organize a birthday party, then you have to understand the likes of the person who is celebrating the birthday and choose a theme accordingly. You should also consider about the food that is served. Make sure the food is liked by the person and the guests. It is important to serve food with less food allergies. You can also include the ingredients list with each food item so that people who are allergic to certain food items will keep away from it.

It is important to know the likes of the guests before you host the party. Choosing an appropriate theme for the party involves time and effort. The most commonly used themes for parties are pirate theme, movie theme, decade theme, century theme and holiday theme. Choose party themes according to the likes of the guests. If you choose a theme, make sure to arrange the party hall based on the theme. For instance, if you are going to have a pirate theme, include crew ship, boats and sharks in your party hall. Inform your guests to dress according to the theme. It is important to inform your guests well ahead of time so that they can arrange for dresses according to the theme.

If you are planning to have a party during a holiday season, then you can have a holiday theme. If your party falls during Christmas, you can adapt a Christmas theme. However, if you are going to organize a business event, then you have to choose a professional theme according to the likes of the guests.

A bachelorette party is the most common party that is organized for the bride. If you are going to host a bachelorette party, then you have to choose a theme based on the likes of the bride. If the bride likes sports, then you can host a party where the sports event take place or have the game played during the party. You can even choose to have an adventurous party by hosting a camp in the night. You can also choose to have a tropical party and set a theme which involves all the attendees to wear Hawaii type of dresses.

Parties serve as great memories. If you want to make the best out of the party, you have to plan for it well ahead of time. If you don't have enough time to organize a party, you can take the help of an event planning company who can organize the party for you. There are many event management companies that choose party themes based on your likes and make all the necessary arrangements for the party at a nominal cost.

Summer Internships For College Students


When a student finishes a long year of college classes, the last thing they want is to look for summer internships that will occupy their months of freedom. However, an internship is an important part of many academic programs and they may not have a choice. Just because a student has to do an internship for the summer, however, does not mean that they cannot have a great time. Check out a few of the best internships around for a summer of fun and education.

If a student wants to have a great summer while completing their internship, why not do it at the happiest place on Earth? Disney offers a variety of internships, most notably their program working with the Disney Imagineers, who design and construct all of the Disney theme parks and attractions. The perks of this internship include free admission to the parks, discounts on Disney merchandise and sneak peeks at new Disney parks and rides.

The student who would rather spend their summer playing sports might consider applying for an internship with Major League Soccer. These interns get a close look at the soccer league as they assist with tasks such as updating the scouting video library and the end of season technical report. They may even get to spend some time outdoors playing soccer since they will be expected to assist with youth development projects.

The social butterfly who cannot stand the thought of working instead of partying all summer might have a great time interning with an event planning company. There are many event planning companies that offer internships to college students, such as Backstage Creations in Los Angeles or Butterfield 8 in New York. Interns get to assist in all aspects of planning events like parties, conventions and competitions and usually get to enjoy the fruits of their labors by attending the events.

Students who are interested in photography could spend the summer shooting outside by themselves, or they could learn from a professional with a photography internship. While interning with a photographer, a student will be exposed to various photographs, stylists and models. They may even get to shoot a bit themselves and start building their portfolio.

Just because a student needs to look for summer internships does not mean that they cannot have a great summer. If they had any high school internships, they could even consider going back to that location and spending the summer with old friends. If they think outside of the box a little bit, any student will be able to find an internship that will be educational and a lot of fun.

Choosing the Right Events Management Company


Are you or your company organizing a party? Or maybe an offsite live music event? You must be worrying about a hundred things that have to be arranged. The invitations have to be sent out on time, a venue has to be selected, food and music have to be arranged, and the list has no end. And then, you would also have to think about situations like rain and traffic. The numbers of things that can go wrong on the D-day are so many that you can never be sure that you can make the event successful. This is why it is always better to take the help of a professional events management company.
Hiring a team of professionals to take care of your event will not only make sure that your event goes through without a glitch, but also give you that extra time and peace of mind to network for the event and otherwise concentrate on your work. You can relax in the understanding that able group of people is taking care of every little detail for the event. However, before you take the decision to calm down about the event you need to choose an events management company and to be able to choose the right company whose services would be right for you, you need to be aware of a few things. You should keep the following things on your mind before you approach an event management company: so that you're able to evaluate the company's services and also tell them about your requirements.

- You should understand the exact purpose of your event, so that the company is able to personalize it accordingly. Are you planning on team building exercises? Are you planning to do some fundraising through the event? Also, look at how much experience the particular company has in organizing your type of events.

- You should decide on a venue or at least the type of venue you would be using for your event and find out if the company you're trusting with the work has experience in handling the type of venue you have in mind. You might also like to find out if the company has local contacts in the city you would be organizing your event in.

- Find out in detail about the prices of materials and how much you would save. One of the advantages of hiring an events management company is you get decoration items for cheap.

- Be sure to ask your event management company just how much they will cover and what all you will have to do on your own. Ask them if they will take care of guests' travel plans and accommodations and whether they are capable of making special arrangements for guests.

There are companies that organize events according to previously established formulas, you should not go for these companies because you would want to make your event unique. You should try to evaluate the enthusiasm the company is able to bring to your event and find out if they have range of services to cover all your requirements.

Five Things to Consider Before Starting Up a Party Planning Business


So you adore planning parties and your friends have been telling you for ages that you should start up your own party or event planning business. It's something you're seriously considering but aren't sure exactly what will be involved. Here are a few things to think about before accepting that first job.

1. Start Small. If the thought of planning a large event overwhelms you, start with a small get-together. Offer to plan your friend's bridal shower or a niece's baby shower at no charge, to get a feel for just what is involved with planning a party for someone else.

Another option is to volunteer at a couple of large social events or shadow an established party planner for an evening. Write down your questions to ask when the party winds down so you're not interrupting during the whirl of activity.

2. The Name Game. Creating a clever and catchy name for your business is essential. Sue's Party Planning Business simply won't cut it. Ask for opinions, brainstorm, even do some research to come up with a name that not only encompasses your business, but is easy to remember, particularly when you create a website for people to check out.

3. Costs involved. This really depends on the size of the parties you intend on planning. In most cases, the supplies will be paid for by the client, not by you. If anything, you may need to pay for the items and get reimbursed for them later. For birthday parties, showers, and small gatherings, these supplies will mainly consist of items purchased at a party store, florist, or grocery store. For larger events, you may need to hire outside vendors and services.

You may also choose to invest in specific party props, equipment and decorations that your clients will be able to use. Whether or not you charge for each one individually or include your items in the overall fee is up to you. Another option is for you to rent specific items as needed.

The nice thing about party planning is you are providing a service, not a product. Besides a computer and a good organizing system or planner, your costs are minimal.

4. How much to charge. Again, this will vary, depending on the amount of work involved. You may want to set a standard flat fee per event type (such as bridal shower, kids birthday party, etc.) and add the necessary additional costs. The client will be responsible for all of the party supplies and items, and will pay you to ensure that everything is set up, arranged, and runs smoothly. If you choose to charge by the hour, be sure your rates are competitive. While you don't want to be the most expensive in town, your time and expertise is valuable. It's great to offer deals from time to time but don't regularly undercharge so that when all is said and done, you end up earning a mere $4 an hour. This sets you up for word getting around that you are willing to do a lot of work at an extremely low cost. Burn-out, not to mention disappointment, are inevitable.

5. Do your homework. There is no such thing as too much research. Cover all of your bases when it comes to technical things like taxes and contracts. Call around to local vendors you may need to call at some point. Inquire about prices and the exact products and services each company offers. Have all of this information available to show potential clients. The more you have to present, the more professional you will appear and the more appealing your service will be.

The party planning business can be fun and lucrative. And starting a successful business will give you an excellent reason to celebrate!

In-House Team Building Events Vs External Team Building Providers


When businesses consider organising a team building event, this task typically becomes the responsibility of the Human Resources Department. There are exceptions of course. For instance, it is possible that the scheduling of an event will be done by a member of an administrative team but this is usually decided by the size of the business. In most instances, we have found that the larger organisations make use of their HR Departments to schedule such an event and the smaller businesses rely on a designated member of the administrative team to organise the event. There are also instances where businesses draw up a team, consisting of different members from different departments, that will be responsible for the organisation of a team building event.

Every business is unique and as such has their own approach to the organisation of a team event for the company but whichever department, team or individual responsible for the booking, there is regularly a question that arises, which is: "Should we just organise an event ourselves and make it an in-house team event?" This question may vary in form but the emphasis is always the same, that businesses imagine they will save money by organising an event themselves rather than calling in the professionals. In our considerable experience, businesses will not save money by organising the event in-house, in fact we have found that in the long run, it costs more money to organise an event in-house. There are very good reasons why professional event management providers are in business and also very good reasons why business should always make use of an outside provider.

To illustrate this point, there are a variety of considerations to be made. When engaging an event management company, a client benefits from the considerable experience and professionalism of the company they have chosen to organise and oversee their team event. The team building company will be able to select a suitable venue and make the necessary arrangements based on their experience of the venue, its quality and suitability. The event supplier takes almost all of the stress out of organising a team building event, they are there to do the job effectively and efficiently. However, it is important to note that the credit for a successful event will also come to the person from the business who has contacted and engaged the event management company. This could be beneficial to a career. It should also be considered that if a department, team or individual is selected by a business to organise an in-house event, if the event does not go well there will be a degree of blame attached to the individuals responsible for organising the event. This would be an unfortunate situation. So by engaging a professional company, the benefits are not only that a business will profit from the experience and professionalism available to them but also they will profit from the professional objectivity of the team building supplier. The distance and perspective provided by a team building company can make all the difference between a successful event that reflects positively on the corporate organiser and an unsuccessful in-house event that reflects poorly on the corporate organiser.

Most team building events, in their broadest sense, are organised with similar objectives in mind. The objective is to develop the team members and assist them in becoming more effective in working together as a cohesive unit. This is what every good team building company is there to achieve for businesses. Team building companies are qualified and experienced professionals. There are very good reasons why they are in business, so that the organization of an event can be left to them while businesses are free to continue running their business as they do best.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Event Planners - Reasons You Need One


When an event of some sort is being planned, you will realize that there will be quite some work that you have to get done. A lot of planning has to be done and quite some work is done as well. You have to ensure that you can handle all the work that you have to get done. If you think you may not be able to complete everything, it is best you hire a person for this job.

Deciding on whether you need an event planner can be done just by looking at the size of the event. Huge events will have loads of work attached to it and surely will require more than two hands. If the event is going to be on a smaller scale, you could pretty much get everything done by yourself.

If you choose to hire a person to help out, you will have to start looking for one. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of people out there who do this kind of work. They do it for a living. The event planner can plan and organize your social event to perfection. They are professionals and very organized people and will get your job done efficiently.

You might know a person who has got an event planner sometime before and you could get the right person through them. The right references will help you on making a choice on hiring a person for your event. Other previous employers of the event planner will give a good account of his services. Once you are satisfied with the person, you should go ahead and quickly make a booking for the person. Ensure that they are free to work on your event on those dates.

You have to maintain constant contact with your event planner. You will spend countless meetings with them and even lunch hours to get the plan for the perfect event in place. You should involve yourself in activities like final decisions on the event and even selecting certain features. You will be the man in control but will have a person below you running all the errands.

The event planner works for you, so do not be afraid to speak your mind out on what you think. Be clear and communicate well with the planner to get things done in the right manner. Else you could have communication mix ups which could ruin the whole party. You will have an amazingly well planned party if you stick to these guidelines. Your guests will surely be impressed and have a fun filled evening. You will surely be proud of the events success and fell good about yourself.

Do remember that the event planner comes under your payroll. They will not be cheap at all and so do clarify on price before you employ them. You should query them and ensure that they fit the kind of person required for the job. You should ensure that their services are within affordable limits for you. You should have a written contract on the job details with the person regarding the job details. In case of any issue at a later stage, the written agreement will protect you. You will not have to make any payments if they do not complete their job as per the contract.

If you find an event planner to be way beyond your budget, then you could go ahead and just try getting all the work done by your self. You can get friends and relatives to assist you with preparations so that the load gets even split. When you are totally confident about your event planner, you will have a good idea on what can be expected and will surely have an amazing party that will be remembered by many for a long time.

Secrets to Successful Corporate Gift Giving


Ideas for corporate gifts are sought year after year, especially in anticipation of the holiday season. The right gifts will capture repeat business, establish or strengthen professional relationships, and show your customers, service providers, and employees how much you value them. Although corporate gift giving sounds simple, there are a few secrets you should know in order to be successful.

The first secret is the promotional product given as a corporate gift. Giving merchandise that will promote your brand is an excellent way to show your appreciation to business associates. Carefully chosen items will be kept and used, leading to repeated exposure to your brand, name, and logo. The promotional gift you offer with respect and appreciation, and how you present it, says a great deal about you and your firm.

A well chosen branded gift will not simply collect dust - it will help build a business relationship. A functional, eye-catching gift, when given with respect, will be valued and remembered. A promotional product will continue to remind the recipient of your firm and its products and services for years to come.

The second secret is the personal touch. Attaching a note of appreciation to your corporate gift will be well worth the extra effort. Personal delivery will make the gift even more meaningful to the recipient. Personal associations are critical to the success of your business, so take the opportunity to build positive professional relationships with carefully chosen promotional corporate gifts.

The personal touch may be the most valuable secret of all. Delivered by you with a personal note, your gift will show your associates how much you appreciate their business. It will strengthen your professional relationships. Offered as an expression of respect and goodwill, quality promo items will help ensure repeat business for years to come.

You may be surprised to learn that the third secret is simply a well-organized gift list. Start your registry with the names of clients, employees, and service providers. Make notes by those names that will help you choose the right gift for each person. Notations should include gift ideas, appropriateness, and each recipient's tastes.

The third secret will be especially helpful to you, as chief executive, business owner, and gift giver. The organized gift list will assist you in choosing an item that will reflect the interests and tastes of each recipient, and gathering information for your notes will require personal contact. In the process, you will get to know your business associates For a large company with many clients, suppliers, and employees, it won't be feasible to make contact with each and every individual recipient. You may have to task the people within your organization who have the most personal contact with certain clients - such as your sales team - to send corporate gifts on behalf of your firm.

Don't forget employee recognition. Your company is only as good as the people who work for you. Make it meaningful when giving to your employees. Holidays, birthdays, and corporate events are opportunities to show your appreciation for a job well done.

Is a corporate gift always appropriate? Unfortunately not. For example, you will want to be sure to remove from your list anyone involved in a bidding process with your firm. It's important to avoid the perception of trying to exert undue influence.

The company you choose to produce your gifts of branded merchandise should also offer item suggestions and design advice. Working with you, a reputable firm will provide expertise to help create unique promotional items to fit your specific gift-giving needs.

Tips for Successful Corporate Event Planning


Have you been selected to plan your company's next conference? Have you just volunteered to organise the next party? It is understandable if you are a bundle of nerves. Relax! Corporate event planning need not be the tortuous ordeal you think it is. Here are some tips for making the event smooth and successful.

Initial Considerations for Corporate Event Planning

Corporate event planning begins with a consideration of the look and feel you wish the event to have. Think about what kind of event are you holding, what the reason for the event or celebration is and what you wish to accomplish. Is it just conference management, or do you have to deal with arranging business accommodation as well? Keep in mind that a relaxed state of mind can help you make better decisions and plan more effectively.

Planning Your Event

The actual process of corporate event planning becomes easier once you have defined the basic parameters.

Make a checklist - Create a checklist to provide a step-by-step guide to organising and executing a special event.

Make a budget - If you are organising a corporate event, you may have already been given the budget for it. Ensure that the budget is specific, and include revenue opportunities (sponsorship, ticket sales, donations, etc.) as well as expenses (printing, permits, insurance, speakers, food, supplies, security, etc.).

Maintain a Record - This is important not only for the expenses, but for each activity you have undertaken. This will help you keep track of all the various elements you need to consider and the progress you are making with them.

Conference facilities - The location and site of the event are critical to its success. Selecting a site is more than just finding out available rooms. The factors that you may need to consider are room capacity, purpose of event, need for ramps, podium and stage, special equipment and furniture.

Have plenty of food and drinks - A critical factor for corporate event planning is the catering. The kind of food you will serve and careful decisions of whether it will be lunch, snack foods, dinner, buffet or a sit down, make a huge difference in conference management. If you intend to serve alcohol, you will have to ensure that there are designated drivers to transport those who may be drinking during the event.

Plan publicity and marketing - Great publicity and marketing are critical in successful corporate event planning. There are many different methods you can use. You can consider supplementing paid advertising with inexpensive fliers, handouts, email messages and word of mouth.

Speaker or Entertainer - Booking a speaker or entertainer can be tricky and add to the cost. However, this can also make your event extremely successful. Weigh the pros and cons of having a speaker or entertainer.

Arrange for Parking - All major events require ample parking space that is easily accessible from the event site. Ensure that the parking is convenient and that people do not have to walk too far to the venue site. If you have delivery trucks, caterers or special equipment being brought to the event, you will need to make sure everyone knows the best location for unloading.

Evaluate the Event - An often ignored but important element of corporate event planning is evaluation. Create an evaluation form to hand out at the end of the event. Make it anonymous and short. You may even ask for direct verbal feedback.

Finally, once your event is over, take time to reflect back on it. Consider the entire corporate event planning process and the feedback you received. Were the guests provided with business accommodation comfortable? Did your conference management ensure a truly successful business event? Retrospection can help you continuously improve your planning and organising skills.

Creating A Marketing Calendar: Your Essential Business Planning Tool


One thing that kept cropping up for me when I was teaching at a recent event was the fact that so many of you are getting overwhelmed with your marketing; not so much with the list building or connecting with potential clients, but your actual marketing planning.

The busier you get in your business the harder it becomes to keep a handle on things. Just some of the issues that cropped up at the event I was at were:

  • You're being asked to speak at events or telesummits and don't know how this fits into your overall marketing plan.

  • You want to launch a new product or program but are not sure how all the different moving pieces fit together.

  • You want to create a series of list building events, but are not sure how to map all of these out so that they don't conflict with one another.

For all of these scenarios there's one very easy solution... create a marketing calendar.

A marketing calendar is a very powerful business planning tool, and an essential one for your business if it's to grow and flourish. With a marketing calendar, you can see at a glance:

  • Upcoming promotions that you need to prepare for.

  • If any of your promotions conflict or overlap with one another.

  • If you can accept that offer to speak at a telesummit or event (and be able to promote it too).

  • Whether you need to move things around a little to allow for an unexpected opportunity.

  • What you need to be doing and by when.

Today I thought I'd share with you a really simple way to create your own marketing calendar.

The Simple Marketing Calendar

You just need a calendar, solely for marketing, to lay it all out on. And one of my favorite tools for doing this is to use Google calendars. It's easy to set up; it's easy to move things around; and it's easy to overlay it with your regular business calendar. Also, as Google calendars sync with your smart phone (and iPhone too, I believe), you always have instant, up-to-date access.

If a Google calendar's not your thing, you can also use a dry-wipe planner from your local office supplies store, and hang it in your office. The dry wipe feature means that it's easy for you to move things around without it becoming too messy. Post-It notes also work well too!

Whichever method you choose (and you might have your own preference) creating a marketing calendar is essential to the success of your business... and your sanity!

(c) 2012 Tracey Lawton

Corporate Events That Do Double Duty


Recently, a teacher whose class regularly scores top marks shared her secret for team building success with me. "It's easy," she told me. "Each week, we set a goal as a class. If we've reached the goal at the end of the week, I treat the class to pizza and a game and then we sit down and plan next week's goal."

There in a nutshell is a tried and true strategy for building and maintaining successful teamwork that any corporate event planner should take to heart. My teacher friend's Friday afternoon 'pizza party' serves a triple function - it recognizes the work achieved, rewards the team for their work, and serves as a springboard for the next goal. To be successful, a corporate event should do three things - recognize, reward and motivate.

Granted, when you're dealing with high-powered executives, programmers or salespeople, a Friday afternoon pizza party may not be quite the ticket. Higher goals merit higher rewards - but the principle remains the same. If you're planning a corporate event weekend, then your plans should include all three arms of the success formula.

This isn't as difficult to do as it may seem. Any corporate event that's meant to recognize and reward contributions to the team can serve as a springboard for planning further successful activities and include team building activities to cement the bonds of the work group. An event that's planned as a team building weekend could easily include a recognition dinner to reward those members of the team who've made outstanding contributions.

The key to making sure that your corporate event accomplishes all of your goals is careful planning right from the start. Before you decide on the activities for your corporate event, take the time to work out your goals. Is it your aim to reward your employees? Recognize achievement? Motivate your teams? Hammer a group into a team? Once you know what it is that you want to accomplish, it's time to call in the professionals.

A corporate event planner with expertise and experience in team building activities, corporate event planning, outdoor team building and corporate hospitality events can show you a wide range of fun corporate events and activities that will serve any corporate event strategy you have in mind. Even more importantly, they'll bring their own experience to the planning table - and the execution of the event. Using a professional corporate event service means you needn't worry that someone will forget to meet the keynote speaker's plane, and your own key people aren't tying up their time running around to find matching napkins for the company reward dinner.

In the end, choosing to use a corporate event planning service is no different than any other business decision. You hand the work to those that have the best resources to accomplish the task. When it comes to fitting a corporate event to its purpose, a professional event planner can turn your company recognition dinner into a motivating, rewarding and inspiring team building event that will kick your next quarter into high gear.

Fun Corporate Team Building Activities - 3 Games and Activities for The Next Corporate Event


Fun corporate team building activities promote employee unity and strengthen their interpersonal relationships.

While seminars and discussions on team building may be fresh for the length of the respective event, a practical experience tends to deliver an unforgettable impact.

Several organizations conduct training programs for their employees regularly to inculcate team skills. These programs need not be strictly formal. With little creativity, you can make them an entertaining corporate event. Here are some fun team-building activities that amuse and teach as well:

Team versus Helium Stick

A whole team works to bring down a helium stick. Seems pretty simple on the surface, but do not underestimate this activity.

Team members stand in two rows with each member facing the other. The helium stick is placed on their index fingers. Together, they need to place the stick on the ground.

This is difficult because the helium stick shows a propensity to move up than down. To succeed, teams need to put in collaborative efforts and plan smart.

Spin a Story

Give each team member a picture. The content of the picture of one member should not be revealed to the other beforehand. As each member takes turn to reveal his/her picture, he/she creates a story around the picture.

The overall story should be compatible with all the pictures held by the whole team. Team members need to listen to their partners, let their creativity flow, exchange ideas, decide on the best plot, respect others' ideas, and accept a singular decision, to win.

The Unbreakable Egg Contest

Get teams to develop a package consisting of a single egg such that it survives a drop (decide the height of drop beforehand). Include an advertising slot for the team to sell its make.

This activity highlights team efforts, good decision-making skills, creative talent, fine analyzing, team support, and promotional skills. It also promotes healthy competition between teams.

A workforce that understands and believes in the concept of a team is essential for the success of any organization. Such fun activities offer employees great insight into the power of teamwork.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

How to Plan Successful Corporate Events


A corporate event could be any of a number of activities. Some of the common activities are seminars, exhibitions, conventions, conferences, seasonal parties, dances, annual dinners, celebrations for shareholders, or client entertainment.

The purpose of the event could be to celebrate a significant client acquisition, to thank employees for achieving milestones, to improve client achievement, improve business image, form new business relationships, increase public knowledge about the business or even to launch a new service or a product.

No matter what the activity or the reason is, planning corporate events takes considerable effort. After all, you would not want to cut a sorry figure in front of clients, nor would you want the event to turn out to be a failure. Therefore, when the role of corporate event planner has been cast upon your shoulders, use the following steps to ensure that it is a success.

1. After you get all approvals for the event, share information to other departments within your organization. Publicity is what drives the success of most corporate events, and you should therefore try to get as much publicity as possible. Publicity also helps out with the costs involved in an event.

2. Ensure that you have enough time to plan the event. The best events are those which are planned at least six months in advance. While this might seem a very long time line, you will find that when it comes down to making actual arrangements such as confirming venues, placing orders and issuing invitations, six months tend to fly by.

3. Follow an organized sequence of steps to plan the event. Start off by identifying objectives and identify costs. If there is a budget, you will need to consider it. Consider your target audience and client base, and fix up a theme. Once the theme is chosen, think about whether you require an internal sponsor, entertainment or any extra resources from an event management company. If you are going in for external resources, shortlist a few of these based upon their past performance. Plan for additional attendees, which could include competitors and clients. Once you have this planned, document your plan and get it approved.

4. Once you get the approval for you plan, put it into action. You can also run a direct mail campaign for corporate events in order to get more publicity. You can even get ideas from colleagues as publicity increases, and you could implement these ideas if they do not deviate from the objectives.

5. Hire the services of a good and reputed caterer. If alcohol is served, ensure that there is a way to keep a check on over-indulgence and drunken brawling.

6. Once everything that you have planned has been done, go over the list again to ensure that nothing is missing. On the big day, ensure that all AV equipment is set up and is working without hassles. If there are handouts, make sure that these are printed and ready to be distributed.

Once all your plans have been put into action, you can sit back and watch as the event that you have planned unfolds to perfection. Planning successful corporate events is not easy, but it is not impossible, either.

How to Plan a Party - Wristbands & Other Tips


From parties at exclusive clubs to office parties, planning needs to begin way before the event. Planning a party can be very hectic for any party or event planner, and keeping a few simple tips in mind should have your event going off without a hitch!

Invitations & Crowd Control

The first thing any party planner needs to get in order is the guest list. After that is settled upon, invitations should be printed up and decorated. Additionally, consider sending out wristbands with your party invitations. Identification wristbands are an easy and efficient way to get a large amount of people inside an event quickly. Crowd control is a huge issue when throwing any party. Instead of making guests carry the initial invitation to gain entry or having the door man check off a never ending guest list, wristbands are a great alternative. Additionally, wristbands can be customized with slogans and logos or even bar codes, so party planners can be sure only invited guests are allowed in.

Decorations

After all the guests have been properly invited to the event, you'll want to make sure they enjoy themselves when they're there. Decorations are a must for any party. However, try to think of unique ways to decorate your venue instead of using traditional decor.

Entertainment

In tandem with decorating, event planners should also be organizing and booking the entertainment. Whether you're opting for live music, guest speakers, or even a comedian, book the acts well in advance. Also, think about your guests, are they young, old, or mixed ages? That will easily help determine the type of entertainment you think will be pleasing to a majority of the party goers. After deciding on the entertainment, the dinner and alcohol served will also be a high priority. If you're going to have a bar at your event or alcohol served, wristbands add the extra value of easily signaling who is above the legal drinking age. With wristbands, bar tenders and wait staff won't have to spend time individually checking I.D.s throughout the night.

While these are just a few tips for any event, they should be of benefit to any party planner in the beginning stages of planning. No matter what the clientele, these tips will surely lessen the stress of the day!

Beach Balls Offer Multifaceted Value


Summer events are opportunities for businesses and organizations to break out of their usual corporate mold and have fun with their promotions. Livening up a trade show, corporate event, awareness walk or fundraiser with a lighthearted giveaway can make the difference between attendees feeling tired or inspired. Beach balls are a promotional product that can provide a kernel of an idea that planning, budgeting and outreach can all be revolved around. These inflatable giveaways represent a thematic concept of casual water sports and vacation time, budget friendly pricing and an ability to deliver messages in a number of ways.

Thematic Inspiration - Corporate events and organizational fundraisers are always looking for ways to inspire their attendees. Whether the goal of the event is to raise funds or morale, the theme will play a big part in how successful it is. Organizers who have the idea to use beach balls as a giveaway at their event can roll out the beach or pool party theme to decorations, music, signage and promotional materials. Beach balls can be used during team building exercises, group activities or provide a way to blow off steam during recess or after the obligations of the day.

Keep Costs Down - Budgets are always a concern for organizers. Making sure an event delivers in content, location and schwag is the measure of how successful an event planner is. Maximizing all of these elements while staying within budget is a challenge even for the most experienced planners. A promotional beach ball provides a low cost giveaway that can easily be handed out in a welcome bag or at a registration desk. After receiving this item, attendees can inflate it to its full size, giving it the aura of being a more expensive and valuable giveaway.

Promotional Options - The beach ball can be used to promote an event. Its form while deflated allows it to be included in mail packages, delivering a fun incentive to attend the upcoming fundraiser or corporate retreat. As an alternative, a mini beach ball can serve as an invitation in itself, offering a hint as to what the event will deliver. The theme that is implied by the invitation can increase attendance and interest in the event, meaning more support for fundraisers and awareness events. Increasing conversion rate on invitations can have a huge effect on the success of the event.

Inspiration, cost and flexibility all make beach balls a useful tool for event planners during spring and summer events. The custom imprint delivered on them will live on as the giveaway migrates from event to home, increasing the return on the promotional investment.

A Growing Demand for Professional Event Management Services


The Event Project Management Body of Knowledge has been developed using the years of experience of event managers around the world. The tasks and techniques have been quantified and measured to produce guidelines that are becoming standards for practitioners in the field. Just as managers in any other project-based business, the event manager must control all areas of the event from the initial idea to the final shut-down and wrap-up. Gone are the days of plans on napkins and lists on loose papers. A loss of focus or a misstep in any area can create serious problems not to mention associated costs.

There is also a growing requirement for accountability and transparency. Therefore, the project management process enables the event manager to provide the business, government or charitable organization with documentation for financial and logistical processes. These processes include work breakdown structures including risk analysis, scheduling, and costing plans. A systematic approach is now required as events have now become an integral part of business for organizations of all types. Everyone must know what they have to do, when they have to do it and the organization must know how much it will cost.

Planning and implementation must be independent of an individual. The use of common terminology throughout the event with all involved enables effective communication and a clear basis for decision-making. The project management documentation provides full accountability to the stakeholders in any event. It also enables a clear vision of the process for the client. Having a methodology such as that used by the leaders in the industry provides the staff and volunteers a clear understanding of their responsibilities and a view of how they fit into the big picture. A bonus for those working with an organization using a systematic project management process means that they can transfer the skills learned to other endeavors.

Various organizations such as Meeting Planners International, the Canadian Tourism Council, and the International Special Events Society are involved in certification of event practitioners.

An event has a life cycle that begins with an idea or concept and quickly moves to planning and implementation. As it evolves, the management will change and the focus will shift. No matter what changes occur, the event will be required to adhere to the constraints set by the client or stakeholders. Some of these constraints include a return on investment, achieving a marketing, fundraising or communication objective.

A written plan aids in structuring an event. It can be as short as a page or can fill a 3-ring binder. It is not carved in stone but rather an evergreen document that changes as the life cycle evolves. Keeping it current is critical to accurate communication with clients, vendors and attendees.

The project management process used for IT is not directly transferable but there are many tools which can enable en event manager to identify and manage the key elements. The process can be molded to fit the event, the client, and the event management team. Companies today are reorganizing into more nimble work group structures and must do more with less as well as be better able to respond to change.

Guideline documentation and templates can help the event manager determine elements such as the goals, vision, scope, timeline, budget, stakeholders, and signature authority.

The following are some of the key elements in project managing events:

1. Event Breakdown Structure: it is a method for establishing the client's goals and objectives, organizational structure and provides a clear view of the event requirements.

2. Work Breakdown Structure: This is a process of decomposing the complex project into smaller units of work that can be easily managed.

3. Scope Creep: Events can gradually expand beyond the original plan. Event Managers must constantly monitor the activities and expenses against plan and communicate with the client regarding feasibility and impacts of changes.

4. Work Package: This term refers to the grouping of associated tasks. A work package document can be provided to a sub-group or vendor and provides only the information necessary to complete the associated tasks. This enables clear communication and more efficient work processes.

5. A timeline: a timeline for each task must be estimated and a Gantt chart or Bar Chart can be constructed to monitor the progress of the activities. A critical path with critical tasks and milestones must be established to ensure a successful execution of the event.

An advantage to using the project management process is that it can be used for the whole event and for individual areas. It also demonstrates professionalism and helps to ensure success.

How to Make the Most of Corporate Events


In the business world, corporate events take place every other day. Whether it is the annual day, a product launch, the New Year party or the celebration of record-breaking sales, corporate events are important because of the exposure and publicity that your company gets. They can be expensive but the resultant profit that it brings for your company in the long run more than makes up for it. If you think that a corporate party is just like any other party, then you are wrong because the unspoken words and gestures add up to more than what is visible. Professional relationships are made and broken and new possibilities of future ventures are decided upon in these events. If you are organizing such an event, then taking care of a few points can turn your event into a real success.

Usually a corporate event takes place after a period of hectic work. So your employees and the other delegates also see the event as an opportunity to relax. In addition, unlike other activity days and parties where the event can afford some little lapses in the organization, the corporate events demand maximum precision and all of your concentration. After all, your hospitality and cordiality to your clients and delegates will help in the growth of your business. And if you allow media coverage, then the publicity also adds to it. The goal of any corporate event is to flaunt the potential and the success of any company and if you let minor glitches ruin the mood then chances are you would end up getting less than what you had wished.

You can of course win the hearts of all those who are present with three simple things. Good Food, Good Entertainment and Stylish Corporate Gifts to end it. Almost all the five star hotels in the world have special arrangements to suit the taste buds and match the standard of high profile events. This would look more endearing if you take the trouble to find out about the personal likes and dislikes of the important guests in respect to wine and food. Some good performers and great music sets the mood for the evening after the main event- like the presentation or a product launch. Round it off with gifting some unique and stylish corporate gifts, boldly imprinted with your brand name and logo. If you can take care of these three elements, then you do not have to worry about the evening any more.

There are of courses chances of certain last minute glitches. The sound system might break down or the performers may have not arrived due to a delay in flight schedule. For all of this, hire an event manager well in advance and make a list of all the things that can go wrong and keep a back up. If still the unforeseen happens, then try to take care of it subtly and calmly.

Top 8 Social Media Marketing Tips for Your Events


Small businesses to large MNC's try to plan and execute effective marketing strategies to attract more customers toward their products and services. Taking up the proper ways of marketing your products and services can help you enhance your sales and thus, increase profit margin.

Use Facebook to Let the World Know about Your Event

With over 800 million users to its credit, Facebook has emerged as one of the most popular social networking sites of today. Open an events page on this site and start online promotion of your software and solutions. Add people to your list of friends and post your events data and pictures on your Facebook page. You can get new ideas about how to promote your event by checking the pages of your competitors and improve your ways of marketing.

Twitter about Your Event to the World

You can Tweet to update individuals about your present and future occasions. As Twitter allows only a maximum of 140 characters in a single tweet, you should frame your content in such a way that it attracts maximum readers' attention. You should try to post at least five tweets a day and don't forget to provide your event website link with each new tweet. You must tweet and re-tweet to all like-minded people to lure them to attend your event.

Make Use of Google+ to the Greatest Extent

Google+ is the latest networking application from Google. Event organizers can use it to create an event buzz on the online social world. You can create an events page on Google+ to share your program-related news and information with the target audience. You can use 'Circles' to interact and share the news and information of the occasion within your group. Google Hangouts can be used to start a video chat with your existing as well as potential attendees.

Create a Company Blog

You must create a company blog alongside your own business website to add photos and interesting articles on your approaching festivals and activities. You should hyperlink relevant keywords in your blog post to direct the readers toward your company website and its products.

Use Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is a very popular business networking site with a good number of active users and visitor base. You can use this platform to encourage your potential attendees to give recommendations on your profile. This platform is ideal for connecting with people of specific interests and industry type. You can also join various event groups and participate in their discussions. You can even submit links in these groups for other members to see and share.

Comment on Other's Blog

In addition to maintaining your own blog, you must comment on others' blogs in order to increase the impact of your programs and make yourself acceptable to the online audience. Read what others have to say about an article and try to comment on the same with a link to any of your recent blog post.

Use Mobile Phones to Spread the Word

Many online event management solution providers offer an in-built mobile phone application to send event-related news to their target audience's Smartphone. You can also send text messages to your customers in no time and inform them about your event's date and time.

Upload Videos Related to Your Event on YouTube

Upload videos of your past and live events on YouTube. People searching for events will come across your event videos and watch it. You can also link your video with the event registration or ticketing pages to boost your ticket sales.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Event Planning Courses To Bolster Your Existing Career


If you work for an organization of any kind, then chances are that you have attended an event hosted by your employer. You may have even been called upon to organize such events. This can be a daunting prospect even for those of us to whom party planning comes easily. This is not your child's first birthday. There are a number of legal and budgetary issues to consider when organizing an event for your work. Should you serve alcohol? Can you? How will you handle food allergies? How much food should you order? Should you phone guests in person, robo call them, email them? There are a number of questions to answer, and returning to community college to take some event planner courses may make you more effective at your workplace. Whether you work in Administration or Information Technology, if your job sometimes requires you to host events, then some additional training at the college level could serve you very well.

Your employer will certainly support you in your decision to take event organisation courses!

What kind of event planning courses should you take?

Start with the introductory event planner courses at your community college. This will give you a sense of what you would like to get out of the program. Unlike many of the other students, you won't be there to pursue a career in event planning, but to better equip yourself to organize events at your existing workplace.

Examples of event planner courses that may interest you:

  • venue management

  • designing banners, invitations

  • how to budget for your event

  • risk management (safe crowd control, allergies, alcohol, etc.)

Unlike for the other students in your event planning courses, it won't likely matter very much to you whether the school you are choosing offers a work placement or co-op program, because you - unlike many of them - already have a job in another industry.

Once you complete your basic event planning courses, you may want to specialize further. For example, if your workplace has a sustainable development policy, then it may be in its best interest to have you pursue a sustainable events accreditation. This gives added value to your workplace events, by showcasing your values as an organization, and making your guests feel good about their involvement in the activity.

But, if you don't feel that you have time for event planner courses, you may simply want to read up on event planning.

Perhaps you could find out which textbooks are on the reading list in the event planning courses at your local colleges, and invest in one or two. Who knows, your supplier may even pick up the tab for you.

Reading on your own may tide you over until you have more time to register for event planning courses.

Reasons to Choose Office Party Catering


There are a lot of corporate entities that will choose to reward their clients or their workers with an office party. Throwing an office party for a large group of people can be fairly costly, but there are a lot of options that can help you save time, money, and not interrupt the daily workflow of your office. By hiring an office party catering service, you will be able to serve your employees beverages and food throughout the day, without having to disrupt their productivity.

There are many different reasons why you should consider hiring an office party catering service to cater your corporate events. A few of the top three reasons why it is a good idea to hire a professional catering service for the event is because they can provide peace of mind, competitive pricing, and present the event in a professional manner.

Presentation - When hiring a professional office catering service, the first thing that you will notice when hiring a company is their level of professionalism that they take while performing their job. The food that the company will bring to your office will come ready to serve, and if you choose to rent tables for the event, the catering company will set up the tables in a professional manner to suit the venue that the party is being conducted in.

Pricing - Instead of taking all of your employees to an expensive restaurant or purchasing large quantities of food from a nearby eatery, you can choose to have an office catering service come to your office and provide you with a wide variety of options to choose from, for a relatively low cost. You will be able to feed every employee within your office, and still have enough food leftover for the employees to take home with them, if they desire to do so.

Peace of Mind - Instead of spending your valuable time coordinating different pieces of your party together, office party services can take care of every aspect of your party for you. You will be able to call one company and get your food, drinks, and desserts delivered to your office without having to stress out about the event plans. You will not have to take any of your employees away from their work to help you plan the occasion, because all of the planning can be done by one person, when you have a team of caterers to help you with the rest.

Presentation, pricing, and peace of mind are just three ways that office catering services can help make your office party an eventful and stress free event. Office catering services can be used for a lot more events than office parties. You can utilize the services at wedding receptions, birthday parties, and other special occasions as well. The office party catering service will be able to adhere to your needs, whatever they may be.

Instead of having to burden yourself with the stresses that come from feeding a large group of people, let someone else do the work for you. An office party catering company will prepare all of the food, drinks, and d矇cor for the party that you are hosting. They will bring all of the items to your office for you.

Trade Show Event Management


Having dealt with clients that are in and out of  McCormick Place and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center there is a flow of trade show and convention traffic any given day of the week near or around the Chicago land area. Harnessing the value of trade show marketing & management has become an increasingly tougher task for trade show managers and coordinators. Their budgets have been cut; members of their marketing teams have been laid off. Now even more they need a successful solution for their event management.

In the world of marketing, we have to remember that we are all a "line-item" when it comes to corporate strategy. Showing the value in our positions is getting tougher with budgets being crunched, jobs being re-defined and strategies changing. 

Trade Show Managers carry the weight of the entire event, streamlining this process and being able to report budget vs. actual and refining your strategy can be accomplished easily with the support of online event management. Being able to show upper management the return on investment for their trade shows will only help in future decision making. Having access to your trade show program from any where in the world, there is no down time when it comes to scheduling, itineraries, inventory & shipping and tracking your exhibit properties.

Outsourcing your trade show event management to an educated and knowledgeable firm adds extra benefit to your entire trade show program. Managers may be reluctant to turn over this responsibility, in fear they may be replaceable, this is not the case. Using a management software tool will allow you to eliminate the details and the headaches of research and information gathering and free up valuable time that can be better spent on refining your marketing strategies. 

Putting in place a service team that will care for your properties like they were theirs, you'll no longer have the wrong graphics, late shipments, broken components or lost schedules. By teaming up with an outsource partner for trade show management, you have a virtual safety net, where all the detailed tasks are collected and can be customized to best refine your companies trade show marketing campaigns for a better ROI and evaluation. 

Oracle AERS - Automating the Modern Drug's Adverse Event and Risk Management System


The pharmaceutical industry has made drug manufacturing even safer with the Oracle AERS, or Adverse Effect Reporting System. This aims to help pharmaceutical companies in managing the adverse events and reducing the risks associated with pharmaceutical drug use. The AERS has become the standard in monitoring and managing adverse drug reactions, helping the entire pharmaceutical business become more vigilant about drug safety.

While it is true that safety is the primary concern for all drug manufacturers, it must be noted that not all patients react the same way to the same drugs. Some patients may have little to no adverse reactions to a drug, but others may have mild to extreme adverse reactions to the same drug. Before these adverse drug reactions become a critical issue, something must be done about them, and the best way to keep them under control is by promptly documenting or reporting them using a standardized system such as the AERS.

Oracle's Adverse Effect Reporting System provides pharmaceutical companies the much needed control that they need in managing adverse drug reactions. It is a powerful and highly automated solution that provides clear data visibility to drug manufacturers, allowing them to efficiently monitor adverse events with precise data and easy to use features.

Drug manufacturers can benefit greatly with this very powerful and flexible drug safety monitoring and adverse event management system from Oracle. Above all, with the Oracle AERS implemented in every pharmaceutical company's system, consumers and patients can be assured that today's medicines are made even safer, without compromising their effectiveness.

The 3 Most Common Headaches for Brides Planning Their Own Weddings


Weddings are a time to experience beauty, flawless memories, and most importantly- witness two people's undying love for each other as they unite. While all of this sounds like a fairytale waiting to come true for each of us, in all reality, 99% of brides spend most of their lives dreaming of their wedding day to come, only to realize how much work it actually is to prepare, especially if they are embarking upon planning their own wedding. We all hear the horror stories of "Bridezillas" and at times, even encounter a few, but until you are a bride-to-be, it is hard to understand the amount of pressure they are under with having to plan their own wedding day.

The first headache brides fall upon is vendors, especially if they are not using a wedding planner. Weddings are expensive and become an investment, when all is said and done. From start to finish, you are expensing something in every direction. Flowers, table decorations, bridal party gifts, entertainment, catering, cake, beverages, photographers, and the venue (just a few to start with) all add up in the end and can become very frustrating if you are not aware of what is considered reasonable pricing in the wedding industry. The best thing to do is to conduct research. Ask friends and family for personal referrals and make a list. Visit vendors and get a feel for their style and estimated pricing. After you have done your footwork, sit down and look at all of your options and only then, decide, based on which vendors will best fit the style you have for your theme, while keeping your budget in perspective.

Grooms can also contribute to occasional headaches. While this might not be an intentional act on their behalf, it is well known that men take a backseat when it comes to planning events, especially weddings. This can be frustrating to several brides because they cannot interact with their soon-to-be husbands in the manner they would with a specialist, who understands their planning needs. Grooms take part in minor details, but nine out of ten times, they leave the major decisions up to their brides. Do not hesitate, brides, to reach out for additional help from friends, family members, and even some of your vendors. They are all there to help make this event as memorable as possible and you may be super woman, but even she needs a power booster at times to get through it all.

Last but not least, the day of coordination can lead to additional headaches, if not anxiety or a total meltdown. The best thing to do in the event that you do not have a wedding planner is to reach out to your venue. Venues take great pride in hosting your wedding day and they want to make sure it is as flawless as possible. It is okay to have family and friends help with minor details; however, you want to avoid taking away from their experience on your wedding day as well. Take the time to talk to your venue from the very start about the day of coordination and pricing to make sure your event goes as smoothly as possible, without additional stresses on you or your loved ones.

As you can see, planning can be a full-time job for those who are new to the experience. If you take the time to research, sympathize, and ask for help when needed, your special day will less likely result in headaches or anxiety-filled moments. If you do not plan on using a wedding planner, at the very least, reach out to your venue to see what they offer to help your dreams come true. Remember: your wedding day is solely about you and your groom. Enjoy the moments creating it.

Move Forward in Your Career With Event Planning Courses


Looking for an exciting and rewarding career in a field that offers higher than average job growth? If you have great organisational skills, can communicate effectively on a professional level and enjoy the challenge of working to deadlines then you may want to consider a career in event planning. Event planners work for a variety of corporations or individuals to plan, coordinate and manage special events such as training seminars, trade shows, conventions, weddings and parties. While no formal qualifications are necessary to become an event planner, those employing such professionals are looking for people who have either experience or training in this field and event planning courses can certainly prove beneficial if you are looking to enter into this industry or advance your career in this field.

There are a variety of options available for anyone wishing to undertake formal training in event planning. Many institutes and colleges offer certificates, diplomas, degrees and post graduate courses in various aspects of event planning and management and through different modes of study. Choosing the right course options for you will depend on your individual circumstances and your career aspirations.

Event planning courses can be undertaken through a number of different methods and deciding on which approach you want to take will be influenced by your own situation. You can choose between a full time or part time study workload, either on campus or through correspondence or online methods. Obviously the advantage of full time study is that you can complete the course in a shorter timeframe but this may not be possible for some people, particularly for those who need to work while studying, in which case part time courses are a much more viable option and offer the same qualification. Studying on campus is a good option as it provides you with greater access to resources and other people moving in the same professional circle that you will be, however, if time or demographics then correspondence or online courses may be more suitable. Correspondence and online courses are good in the fact that they allow you the flexibility to study at your own pace and in your own home. These courses provide students with all study material and resources required to complete the course and access to online tutors, study groups and forums.

Before undertaking any training you may wish to first consider the area of event management you would like to be involved in. Many event planning courses specialise in different areas of event management and if there is a certain aspect of this career that interests you then a specialist course may be a better option for you. Other courses offer a more rounded curriculum, training students in many different facets of this industry and if you are looking for the flexibility to between different areas of event planning then you should be looking into these kinds of qualifications.

While the type of course you undertake is an important decision, so too is the institution through which the course is offered. Choosing a reputable college that is well recognised in the industry and offers you the resources and support needed to succeed in your studies will ensure a positive result and set you up for a great future in the area of event planning.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Consulting With an Event Planner to Make the Most of Corporate Events


Because a company sometimes has well over a hundred employees, it's really difficult to get them all together in one place at a certain time. Different schedules and shifting priorities make it hard to organize a general assembly that can be attended by everyone, although there are corporate events that require every employee to be present.

Some might think that corporate events are dull, lifeless functions that force employees to mingle with people they don't even know and would care less about. The thing is, event planners and facilitators who specialize in these types of gatherings are slowly changing the way a corporate event is held and perceived by a lot of people.

Corporate events can be acquaintance parties for new and regular employees who haven't had the chance of meeting each other due to conflicting schedules. This type of party may include some activities that would allow people to mingle with each other and in the process be familiar and comfortable with the people they are working with. A good guessing game might be in order to promote teamwork and cooperation among employees as well.

A family day on the other hand allows the employee's family to meet and greet the people of the company their parent or spouse works for. Corporate events planners in this case will want to include a number of activities and food variations for all age groups to promote participation of all the families who attended the event. This projects a family-friendly atmosphere in the working place, therefore encouraging better job performance.

Unusual though it may seem to some, corporate events can actually include either a concert or theme day. Concerts will allow employees to showcase their talents in singing, dancing, and performing as a band. Moreover, this will boost self confidence in employees, making them more productive in the work area. Theme days on the other hand will have the employees' creativity challenged since they would have to come to the office dressed appropriately to the theme that was given beforehand.

There are a lot of event planners that can certainly make short work of bringing employees and top executives together in one venue. They pride themselves in paying attention to each detail and having a network of contacts to rely on. Caterers, coordinators, even security is well-thought of before the actual event takes place. Everything is continuously checked and double-checked to make sure that everything goes off smoothly and any untoward incident prevented.

In corporate events, it is always the event planner who works the hardest in making it a memorable experience for the participants. No matter what type of occasion and regardless of the number of guests, a good event planner will always be ready with the necessities and other things that may contribute to the success of any given gathering. If you are planning of hosting corporate events that can bring people together, you may want to consider getting in touch with an event planner or facilitator to make things easier and more fun for everybody attending the function.