Use Your Creativity in Event Organising from Conference Venues to Logistics

One-time special events need thorough preparation to make them perfect and unforgettable. Even regular social or corporate events can be made memorable, unique and interesting with careful planning. You have to think of strategies to keep your events fun, meaningful and successful even if you've been celebrating these events annually. You can do this with the help of an event checklist - a step-by-step guide to organising an event.

Designate a committee

If you're tasked to plan an event, it doesn't mean that you're the only one who should be doing everything. Whether it's a family affair or a corporate programme, you can form a committee to help you throughout your event preparation. You can ask colleagues, volunteers or relatives to be members of your committee or to spearhead certain tasks in your event planning. It is important to have everyone working towards common goals and to ensure everyone is on the same page in their respective task preparation.

Basic Key Tasks in Your Checklist

In order for you to know which tasks are to be assigned, begin by completing the initial checklist and timeline yourself. Once you've listed down the tasks, you can start to assign committees who each have different responsibilities. From here you can set action plans and deadlines for each committee so it's easier for you to follow up and check progress. Make sure you're clear and specific in your instructions so your committee can deliver what you expect of them. Depending on what event you're planning, here are some basic tasks you can include in your checklist:

繚 Event theme

繚 Event schedules and inclusive dates

繚 Conference venues

繚 Entertainment

繚 Decorations and design

繚 Invitations and confirmation

繚 Photographers and videographers

繚 Audio-visual or multi-media equipment

繚 Participants and guest list

繚 Speakers

繚 Catering or food service and beverages

繚 Stage and platform

繚 Tables and chairs, physical and seating arrangement

繚 Transportation and parking

繚 Accommodations for guest speakers and invited participants

繚 Payments

繚 Programme

繚 Lights and sound systems

繚 Awards, games and certificates

繚 Publicity

繚 Registration booth

Your checklist will differ on the kind of event you're planning and the preparation time you have. Whatever the purpose of your event, whether it's for celebrations, education, promotions or commemorations, you can successfully bring everything together when you follow the timeline of your to-do checklist. If you want to make your planning even less stressful, you can seek the help of a professional venue finder for conference room hire in Melbourne, Sydney and all over Australia. They can source different event packages that include food services, audio-visual equipment and other services.

Even if you don't have any party planning experience you will surprise yourself after preparing and executing your first event. Whether it be it a small social dinner party or a large corporate event, by putting to good use your collective skills of creativity, management, organisation, negotiations and leadership your event can be a huge success.

Bedfordshire Asian Wedding Venues That Are Unique and Spectacular

The scenic countryside of Bedfordshire embraces people of varied culture and therefore is noted for its rich cultural heritage. Asian marriages and weddings are very common in this region as there is a significant percentage of Asian descendents. Because of this reason, Bedfordshire has many spectacular Asian and Indian wedding venues, which cater to the requirements of different religions and customs. These venues with romantic and picturesque setting for wedding ceremonies also provide many beautiful and unique photographic opportunities.

Asian and Indian weddings are often very lavish and have a lot of post and pre wedding functions. Most couples prefer to choose Bedfordshire Asian wedding venues, which are quite spacious and adorned with world class facilities. The magnificent lush green landscape of The Conservatory at the Luton Hoo Walled Garden is an idyllic setting and creates a great deal of experience for the couples and their guests. Another preferred venue is ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, one of the country's biggest zoo which proudly caters the entire needs of the guests. Most of these venues have effectively coordinated Asian and other specialist functions in the past, and in due course has developed a thorough acquaintance and deep understanding of the significant requirements of the various sections of the Asian communities.

Couples can also organise their memorable wedding event in any of the century old mansions or castles in Bedfordshire, which add amazing value to the function. Some of the top hotels in Bedfordshire also arrange excellent facilities for Asian wedding functions. Whatever be the need or budget, couples can surely find suitable venues. Wedding and event planners are ready to help with any wedding celebration you have in mind. Wrest Park House and Gardens, Hilton Milton Keynes Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Luton North, Park Inn by Radisson Bedford Hotel and Woburn Abbey Estate are some of the popular venues for Asian weddings.

Excellent facilities with unsurpassed services make Bedfordshire Asian wedding venues truly unique and exclusive. Almost all the venues have friendly staffs that create matchless setting for the function. Most commonly, the venues have arrangements for mandaps, floral decoration, dancing floors, live bands, bridal bouquets, light arrangements, and canopy champagne. A sumptuous feast is another highlight of Asian and Indian weddings. Based on the culture and tradition of the function, specialised range of cuisines and dishes are prepared upon request. Couples can also opt for outdoor catering and wedding planning services. Some of the venues have preferred specialist Asian caterers with a wealth of experience in organising and catering for such special occasions. A range of catering services, from buffets to full meals can also be provided by caterers.

To celebrate your wedding in style, couples need to book any of the Asian wedding venues in Bedfordshire in advance.

Using Wii For Corporate Events and Team Building

With so many options available for your corporate event or dinner entertainment it's no wonder the task of getting it right on the night can be an arduous one.   It's also not easy trying to please a group of corporate guests who have already done everything from race nights to fun casinos and game shows. So where do you go now for the next new corporate entertainment idea?  

Well how about introducing some activities that are current in peoples minds and have a good level of usage across both male and female audiences. The Wii for instance is a fantastic form of entertainment as many people all ready know from their home use and can provide hours of highly interactive and amusing team game play.   The Wii is very versatile with the availability of so many different games, you could even theme your corporate dinner with the addition of the games into an Olympics themed night.  

Your guests could either play the Wii's on a team rotational format or play at their leisure during or after the event. Try and improve the evening by theming the Wii area with atmospheric lighting and backdrops to enhance the effect and create a real focal point for your guests as they enter their conference or dinning suite.  

The great thing about this event is that both males and females of all ages can interact with each other in an activity that is both fun and energising and a bit different from the normal corporate entertainment that is provided at most dinners and event.

But don't stop there! you could even use the Wii as a competitive team building event during your conference or away day. There are not many physical indoor  team exercises that provide this much competitiveness and flexibility and if your not sure on whether or not to provide an indoor or outdoor event due to the weather at the time of year then this could be a safe option.

Special Event Planning Tip: Cupcakes

When you think of cupcakes, you might envision what I do. Cheap frosting piled upon dry cake that was placed on your table during the holidays while the adults got pumpkin pie and delicious desserts. Who would even bother serving them? They just wind up in the garbage can along with your wasted money. Not anymore!

In the past few years, cupcakes have earned their place at the adult table, making the transition from child's birthday parties to weddings and corporate events. Why you ask? Simply put: they allow freedom of choice and they are less inexpensive than their towering counterparts. Plus, who doesn't look good eating a cupcake?

These days, more and more brides are opting for cupcake displays instead of the traditional wedding cake. They allow the guests easier access to the sweet treats while providing more variety. It's hard for a cake to house six different flavors, but cupcakes can pack a wallop of flavors, especially if done right. Gone are the days of waxy frosting and sandy cake creations and in are the gourmet cupcake: premium ingredients (such as Madagascar Vanilla and high quality dark chocolate), fresh baked and portable. Cupcakes also allow you to cater to individuals who have food allergies or preferences; many bakeries offer dairy free, vegan options. Brides are even using them as party favors, placing them in inexpensive gift boxes to send home with guests.

Cupcakes are really simple and cheap to make. If you are cost conscious, like many people are these days, cupcakes offer pint size sugar fixes without sacrificing. On average, cupcakes can cost up to 50% less than a cake. Some other benefits that are often overlooked? They are much easier to transport, making delivery costs less in some places and they are great on short notice. Friends dropping by for dessert or coffee tonight? No problem. Everyone loves a great cupcake!

So the next time you are planning a get together, try looking up a local bakery that offers these treats in foodie pleasing flavors. In Orange County, my personal favorites are the ever-popular Sprinkles in Newport Beach, Casey's Cupcakes in Laguna Beach and Riverside (inside The Mission Inn), and The Perfect Circle Cupcakery in Old Towne Orange. Each one even has seasonal flavors, including pumpkin and candy cane, plus a few unexpected ones like banana and orange flavors. Perfect for those last minute holiday get-togethers!!

New York Event Planners For a Rocking Party

New York is a major tourist destination and major center for world trade and commerce. Every year it draws thousands of visitors, businessmen and corporate professionals from all over the world. Social events, corporate parties, product launches, trade shows, wedding parties and fashion shows are a constant part of the New York culture. Accordingly it has several world class hotels and restaurant offering great service and all the modern amenities to the visitors. These hotels also provide great event spaces to host successful and fabulous events.

Event planning has been a very popular business over the years with several event planners located throughout the New York. Event planning can be very frustrating and tedious with lots of thinking given to every aspect involved in organizing an event. Negligence on any part of the event planning may result the event to fall flat on its face. It is always better to leave the task of event planning at the hands of some New York event planner. There are several New York event planners offering the service of some highly experienced professionals to look after your planning needs. Some of the most popular New York event planners include: Creme de la Creme events, Catering Guy.com, EMRG media NYC, and Maven Events. One can easily find some New York event planner that suits his needs and budget.

The event planner is required to be very creative and must have a clear understanding of the requirement of the client. These professionals look after every detail to ensure that the event is very successful. The biggest constraint in organizing any event is the budget. Most of the times, the requirements are not met within the set budget. The New York event planners ensure that the budget doesn't shoot up beyond expectations and all the things are taken care of within the budget. They have contacts with decorators, vendors and caterers and are able to get the best deals for their clients.

New York event planners come at a fee but they ensure that every minute detail had been taken care of to ensure a memorable event. The event planner professionals look after all the operations until the event is over. They are much better prepared to handle any crisis that may arise at the last minute rather than having the client to deal with it. They wouldn't compromise on the event thereby guarantying its success.

An Award Winning Location For Your Next Corporate Retreat

Whenever you receive an invitation for an event, one of the first things that comes to mind is location. While you need to know where you are going, your expectations for the event are immediately altered by the knowledge of the destination of said event. This is especially true for retreats that are lasting more than a couple days. You want your guests to be excited by the location and excited to be apart of a wonderful and unique experience.

One sure fire way to ensure that all guests have a great time is by holding the event in a location where they'll be mesmerized by the environment and services. Few places on Earth are as beautiful as the Bella Coola Valley in British Columbia, as this area in the Central Coast is a section of the planet that has not been altered by human evolution. This means that nature flourishes undisturbed all around you in the majestic Rocky Mountains, a place where the air is mountain fresh and Grizzlies still pick off salmon during the annual run. A place where you can enjoy the finer things in life.

When you combine an environment like this with warm, friendly hospitality and gourmet home cooked meals, you are offering a good location for any kind of event. When all of this is combined with a number of daily activities and the means of comfortably housing a large group of people, you have an excellent location for a group or corporate event, and Tweedsmuir Park Lodge is a prime example. In the heart of the Bella Coola Valley, Tweedsmuir can make planning your next corporate event as easy as a mountain breeze.

Simply put, Tweedsmuir offers everything that you would need for a corporate getaway including team building excursions and activities in the majestic Rocky Mountains. The common activity area and dining hall ensure that the group will spend ample time together, while lodges are private enough to provide an intimate log cabin setting for the evenings. This stunning lodge can accommodate a broad and diverse range of groups, teams, and organizations, meeting the needs of businesses large and small, not-for-profits, boards of directors and government bodies alike.

Critics and past guests seem to agree. Tweedsmuir recently has been included in the very prestigious 'Signature Experiences Collection' by the Canadian Tourism Commission. The Canadian Tourism Commission described Signature Experiences Collection members as "the best attractions that Canada has to offer and help show the world why our country is such an authentic and engaging place to visit". Making this list is a distinguished honour in the tourism industry and demonstrates Tweedsmuir's dedication to hospitality and nature conservation.

While praise from critics is always welcomed, knowing that past guests have enjoyed their experience is arguably just as important when researching locations for group gatherings.

Trip Advisor offers the "Certificate of Excellence" award to resorts that consistently receive 5 out of 5 ratings, and this award was also recently bestowed upon the lodge. When hospitality and picturesque settings are combined, the result can be extremely memorable for guests of any type of getaway, especially corporate and team building retreats. Tweedsmuir can make planning your next retreat a breeze while offering guests the experience of a lifetime.

How To Find Great Local Magicians for Kids Birthday Parties, Corporate Events, or Special Events

How to find a great local magician for your party or event:

If you are planning a birthday, a company picnic, a wedding, or really any kind of local event or party for adults or children, here are some tips from an expert (that's me) on how to find the right magician. This article also applies to finding any kind of local entertainers such as clowns, bands, jugglers, face painters - you name it.

Obviously, first you have to find some magicians in your area to choose from. You could get a recommendation from a friend, and that can be a good start. Keep in mind that almost every magician out there (even the lousy boring undependable ones) have some people that will recommend them. Why would they suggest someone bad? Well, it may be because they don't know any better - they may not have seen a good local magician to compare with. Also, just because someone is good doesn't mean they are the right magician for your party. In any case, don't stop with just a recommendation, check the guy out carefully and make sure he specializes in the type of magic that is right for your event (more on that later).

OK, then after recommendations, you have 2 options. You can find and hire a magician directly, or you can go through some type of entertainment agency. There are usually local agencies in your area (unless you are in a small town) that book magicians as well as a big variety of entertainers for any occasion (I used to own a business like that back in Ohio). There are also national online agencies that have thousands of entertainers available for parties anywhere in the country, even for children's birthday parties.

If you find a good local agency, they tend to be very familiar with most of the local entertainers and can give you more personalized help and suggestions than you could get from a national online agency. Not all local agents are good, though. Some are just out to make a quick buck and are not very picky about who they send out. Sometimes local agents book great people, but sometimes they have a hard time finding good people who are available when they need them. Sometimes the better local entertainers don't want to work for agents because the agents may not be able to pay them enough and still make a decent commission. Sometimes the local people get plenty of work on their own so why bother with an agent. Therefore, agents can work out well, but check out the agency carefully.

Now, for online agencies: some are just a listing service and don't get involved in the booking process at all. All of them let you sort out entertainers by city so you can find someone close. They may simply provide some names and contact info, but some show pictures, demo videos, links to the performer website, and have room for several paragraphs of info provided by the entertainer. Some even show ratings and comments from clients who got the entertainer through their service. With most of these national sites, the performers are not screened for quality - anyone can be listed. A few do screen for quality magicians as best they can considering they have not seen most of the performers in person. Generally there is no personalized help from the agency; they serve more like an online phone book. You will find these agencies without effort - just search for magicians on a search engine - these agency listings will be mixed in with your local results. A few examples are Gigmasters, Gigsalad and Partypop.

Speaking of phone books (yellow pages), they can be an excellent way to find entertainers directly as well as find local entertainment booking agencies. There are the old school paper phone books and the online kind. In most cities there are at least 2 or 3 paper phone book companies - and some are much more complete than others so use the ones that are bigger or look through a few of them. Nowadays (2011), many entertainers don't get listings or ads in paper phone books due to the expense and because people don't use them nearly as much as they used to. However, there may be many good entertainers and agents listed in them. There should be at least 2 or 3 good online "phone books" that have somewhat complete local listings. Dexknows and Yellowbook are a few examples, but the selection of online directories varies based on your location. Again, some of these are much better and more complete with local listings. Often the one that is considered the "official" one for the main phone company is the best - but not always. Just do a Google search for online phone books. Categories to look under include Magicians, Entertainers-family and business, Party Planners, Entertainment agencies, etc. Google itself does something like an online phone book, and you will often see those results when you do a local search for a business.

And of course the sources that a ton of people go to first are Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. To use these and find the biggest selection of local magicians, do several searches, each search with a different set of words or phrases. Be very specific with some of the search phrases for better results. For example, don't just type in magicians, try "birthday magicians Portland" or "close-up magicians for corporate events Atlanta" etc. You'll get different results based on how you search. You'll find individual sites for magicians as well as some of those online and local agencies I talked about. Not all good magicians have websites, hard to believe I know. And some websites don't show up unless you dig through several pages of search results. There are also those paid ads put up by the magicians - they have ads for very good people sometimes (on Google they appear on the right side and sometimes the top).

Anyway, once you find some people, then you can first narrow it down based on their specialty. For example, some magicians (such as myself) specialize in local children's parties and events, so make sure you read their websites carefully so you don't waste your time contacting magicians that are not right for your event. Some specialize in expensive illusion shows for big events, some only do close-up walk-around style magic, some don't do kids birthdays. Some do a mix of everything, but may not admit that they are not good at everything (though some are good at everything). Some are expensive and worth it, some are expensive and not worth it. Some will charge a very reasonable rate and give you a better show than you expected. Most importantly, get the magician that seems to specialize in what you want if possible. Some magicians, such as myself, also do balloon twisting, face painting, game leading, juggling, etc. Multi-talented people can be a great choice because they can keep the party going by doing multiple things (if you want).

Make sure you know exactly what they will do for you, make them be specific so you can make the right decision. Also, if you pay $125 for a birthday show, don't expect some big elaborate show. Know what to expect and be realistic. See their demo videos if they have them. See reviews and comments on online phone books, etc. Get a contract if possible, with details of the show listed on it. Make sure the entertainer knows the details of your party, make sure they have good lighting, enough space, shaded area, a contact number for the day of the event, etc. Oh, and book as far in advance as possible - let me say this again - book as far in advance as possible (several months or even a year in advance if you can). Don't procrastinate or your favorite person is likely not going to be available.

10 Pointers to Good Event Management

Life is a culmination of events which are either planned or unplanned. My main focus is on events that you know about and where you have control over what happens. Having attended several events in my life, ranging from parties, weddings, corporate launches, dance competitions etc, I have made several observations of things to look at to make your event excellent. I have also noted things that people focus on which end in an overall rating of below average. People generally get tired of events that are mediocre in their flow, when movement from one stage to the next seems to be a pain or something that was never planned at all. We are not all event management specialists but after this you will be able to critique an event objectively

In summary

1. Detailed Planning - Pay close attention to detail - Events do not just happen when you set a date. Things will not just begin to take place because you simply desire them to. It calls for hours to be spent planning, critiquing, revising, modifying etc. The failure of any event is usually tied closely to the lack of detail in the planning. A simple pin for a wedding gown has potential to delay the wedding by 2 hours. Nothing must be left to chance. It must make sense on paper first before you can actually have it happening. If the planning team cannot visualize in their minds how the event will happen then there is a high likelihood of important issues being relegated or forgotten. Follow a checklist and tick as you go.

2. Budgeting - If it is not budgeted for, why spend on it? - This is best do you have the funds to meet the overall goal? Channel you funds to critical areas first. It is unwise to spend money on the first thing you think is necessary for the event. A budget must be carefully crafted with a holistic picture in mind. Start with the crucial matters first. A function needs the following critical pillars: A venue, Food, Entertainment, Excellent Master of Ceremony. The issue of budgeting ties well with paying attention to detail. Budget even for things that seem to be silly items. Where possible, ask for sponsors to cover some of the items. When a sponsor brings in their products, discuss and agree up front in terms of what the sponsor's expectations are.

3. Human Resources - Get the correct people on the bus - Do you have the skilled people to execute the key issues e.g. food, entertainment, master of ceremony (free, jovial, hilarious) etc. You need people with event management experience on your planning team. You also need to compliment the team's efforts by way of excellent service providers who have the right portfolio and experience. You cannot expect miracles if you are not willing to hire the competent service providers. Enter a service provision agreement where it is clear what each organization or individual is expected to do and what you are also expected to do as the owner or vision carrier of the event. Both sides of the bargain have to be met for excellence to really come out. If you can't organize an event, hire a competent event planner and organizer. Sometimes you can plan your event and then call in an event organizer to execute your plan on the day.

4. Create a Guest List - Send out the Invitation - Sometimes invitation of guests is left until a week before the event which is a total disrespect for people's time. You need to realize very quickly that you are dealing with people who also plan their lives, some a year in advance. Target your audience and invite them. Events which are just open for all to come usually have surprises, either you find too many people coming and scrambling for few resources or you spend thousands of dollars and a fraction of the people come. What a waste? Your invitation card or advertisement must spell out the critical detail concerning the event; date, time, venue, cost (if any), dress code, directions (map where possible) and possible RSVP details which could be by email or calling whichever the invited guest decides to use. Sometimes you may need to call the guests as some are not as organized enough to confirm their participation without further probing. Be the organized one.

5. Communication is important - especially with service providers - Call them every now and again to check on their progress. See if you cannot help them in any way possible. Some of them may be struggling to fuel their car in order to get their job done excellently. They may be too shy to mention hence you take the initiative and ask "What are those things that can hinder or stop you from performing your duties excellently at this event?". If you are the event coordinator and planner then you need to keep communication lines open with all stakeholders (guests, event owner, service providers). Over communication is usually better than assumption.

6. The programme - Determines the flow of events- Check to see if everyone has the same version of it. A programme will determine how much is spent on what. It seeks to remove boring gaps in the event which could lead to people leaving before the event has even achieved its objective. Without a programme you will drive invited guests into boredom. You programme must have a clear indication of the progression of events up to climax of event and wind down. General observation is that guests should not have the detail but a general flow. The detail should be in the hands of the committee, service providers, master of ceremony and events manager. Work towards eliminating gaps on the actual day. The master of ceremony is important in creating an atmosphere of continual enjoyment even though certain things may go off the rail. He is the cover-up person for any mishaps that may occur on equipment etc.

7. Choice of venue - Make sure it is suitable - Is the venue suitable for the kind of event you are doing? Have you booked and paid a deposit? Do you have the contract of hire of this venue in writing spelling out what aspects of venue you have access to and what you cannot? Are you bringing your own tent or there are components covered in the venue cost. Your venue has a way of telling the audience or invited guests about the quality and seriousness of the meeting. Venue is one of the most critical elements of an event otherwise you will not have an event at all. Once this is secured, you almost have a guarantee that everything else will fit in and around that variable. Get the authorization in writing (Contract), Get to understand the venue restrictions e.g. you cannot hold a music festival in a residential neighborhood that has decibel restrictions.

8. Food and Refreshments - Do u have enough food for the invited guests? If you know the food will not be enough you just have to be upfront about it in your invitation e.g. "please bring card in order to be allowed in. Strictly no children" etc. Always ensure that the food is prepared on the day of the event, a few hours before the event starts. I have personally had enough experiences of food poisoning at big events such that I no have developed enough skepticism about food.

9. Overall Purpose must be clear - Is purpose to entertain, to teach, to motivate, to bring awareness? What exactly do you want to gather people? Until this point is clear, you will not know what to prioritize. Everything will seem to be crucial hence you may major on minors. The overall goal is what every team or service provider will work towards. It is this goal that we measure how successful an event was. There is need to ensure every critical element of the event is fully aware of the vision and purpose lest the teams pull in different directions.

10. How much publicity has been done to promote? - This is dependent on the number of guests needed or expected. You cannot use the media like radio and TV for a private function for invited guest. It would be unnecessary wastage of resources. However you can mobilize people faster and quicker and across geographical locations spanning thousands of kilometers using new ways of publicity such as e-marketing. It is the publicity stance and steps you take that will raise the much needed awareness. It is definitely a waste to have a world-class event that people never get to know about.

Ways Of Having Successful Event Planning

Event planning is defined as the process of planning any event. It may include marriage, birthday, competition, reception, annual school ceremony and any party events, while keeping the budgeting in mind. Event planning is emerging as the latest business and people start preferring to hire event planners for their parties instead of self-working. So we can say that the demand of event planners are increasing day by day and so the demand of its educational degree too. This business is more profitable for those who have desired degree, experience and training in this specific field. If you are an event planner but can't be able to get the desired number of events to plan, then it means that you are lacking in your desired education, training or experience in this field. And if the answer is yes then you need not to worry because you can get all these required things by simply clicking on website link. You can even get the online diploma and training too, regarding event management, in this way. So your success is not far now.

Although event planning is a profitable business but it requires information of each and every thing regarding that specific event, which you are going to manage. This includes budgeting, location and venue of the event, number of guests coming, lighting, transportation, motives, decorations, permission of getting that event done at that specific place, food, arrangements of electricity, chairs, tables, carpets and proper stage decorations etc. Event management is not as easy as it looks like. It needs the availability of event manager, at the site, all the time. The basic thing for event manager is that he/she should be innovative so that he can originate the new and better ideas all the time. The most important task in event planning is to plan everything in a way that the customers become fully satisfied and the profit margins should also be left for the event managing crew. The event planner can be successful if everything becomes available to the customers on time and flawless.

Although event planning is a good business but it's also taken as a toughest business in the world. This work is taken as most stressful work because there is no fixed worked time in it. Event planner has to work from early morning till late night to get his work done in a specific time limit. At the same time he has to meet the strict deadlines that might, sometimes, become difficult to fulfill. Too much communication is required in this business because event planner has to communicate with the whole line of employees, who are directly or indirectly, found involved in arranging the whole event. Apart from all these things some physical activities are also involved in it like holding certain things and moving boxes from one place to another. Although it is taken as a difficult business but the person who has aim, talent and training in this field can be a good planner.

Event Management Tips - Keep the Success Going Through the Night

Planning an event is so much harder than it's portrayed to be. You'd think that making a few calls and setting the time, place and date is not so hard, then you have to think about the food, decorations, the people being invited, the drinks, the waiters and waitresses, uniforms, flowers, settings, music, DJ, songs and lots more. Still seem easy to you?

Whether you're planning your first event or it's something you've been doing for some time here are some event management tips to making sure that the event you plan is a success:

Event Management Tip 1: Always have the Budget settled before doing anything else. Knowing the budget is what you have to base everything on, otherwise you could end up overspending and having to cut costs here and there and all that could be messy. For just-in-case situations, you should also have a little amount kept aside or a small backup fee you could use.

Event Management Tip 2: Count the number of people. You can't know how much of what to buy without knowing the number of people expected, and when you know that number, add some more. It's better to have more available seats than to not have enough.

Event Management Tip 3: Give the service people the information they require. The people you hire are going to be leading the event; they should know who they're serving, history of the company or information of the party hosts/celebrant. They should also know what they can and can't do and if there will be special guests at the party choose who will be serving them.

Event Management Tip 4: Have a backup plan for EVERYTHING. Think about what if this happens, that happens, lights go out, it starts raining, the speakers/projector/mic stop working etc. Having a plan B is what can save the party.

Event Management Tip 5: Practice once the day before and then relax. Stressing yourself out and over thinking doesn't necessarily help, it's more likely to cause problems.

It's not going to be easy, but it can be fun and challenging. Just keep in mind that mistakes can happen and all you need is a solution, with proper planning that should be quick and easy.

Catering - Food Preparation, Delivery, and More for a Successful Event

Events that use a caterer and staff can range from full-service to lunch drop-off. This type of business includes caterers and staff that supply individuals companies, or organizations with services to include cooking, delivery, and sometimes even serving food and beverages to guests. Full-service catering may involve services to include:

• Decorating an off-premise site
• Flower and plant arrangement at the site
• Food preparation
• Providing service staff
• Prep and cleanup services
• Valet parking
• Telecommunications
• Tenting
• Security
• Entertainment
• Satellite connections
• And much more

A caterer and staff prepare food and beverages for events such as anniversary parties, weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, and much more. This company has a staff that has the skill and experience to make your event a success. They relieve much of the stress and worry from having to deal with specific details of your event such as food delivery, preparation, decorating and more, and allow you and your guests to show up and have a good time.

If you are interesting in catering services for your next event, you should call and schedule a consultation with the company to discuss the services they offer, costs, and your expectations. You need to take this time to also discuss any considerations you may have for your event such as certain religious or dietary preferences for menus that need to be kosher, vegan, vegetarian, Halal, in addition to food allergy requests. If you want hors d'oeuvres at your event, you and the caterer need to discuss if they will be stationary or passed. Many caterers will agree that 3 or 4 passed items is proper for a 1 hour period before the meal.

During your consultation, you should also discuss if you have a need for meal rentals for your event. The rentals can include a flatware, linens, china, serving equipment, chairs, tables, and more. You should be specific on whether you need chair and table set-up and take down, and if this service is included in the price. During your consultation, you can inquire if the company offers partial catering service, which can include the cooking and delivering of your food and beverages, cooking, delivering, the meal without service, or having pre-cooked meals ready for pickup at the caterer's location. This service can be a great and economical option to the full service.

If you are interested in catering services for your next event, just call and set up an appointment to learn of the services they offer. Visit the site website of the caterers to receive a detailed account of all the services they offer.

Enroll in an Event and Venue Management Diploma Program and Become Part of the Magic

Behind every event, whether it is a small party or the Olympics, are the people who make it happen: the event managers. These individuals take care of all aspects of the experience to make sure everything runs smoothly, and the show is a success for all participants. It's a challenging and exciting field with a lot of responsibility - and a great way to break into the industry is to enroll in an Event and Venue Management Diploma Program.

Designed to teach students everything they need to know about developing, launching, managing, and closing events, Event and Venue Management Diploma Programs are comprehensive. They typically require full-time study, and last 48 weeks. Upon graduation, alumni will have acquired all the skills and knowledge required to manage events in any field, from rock concerts to corporate events to wedding planning.

Instruction is provided by event management industry veterans with years of experience, and covers a range of topics, including:

繚 Developing a marketing campaign to promote an event

繚 Creating an event budget and working with that budget

繚 Negotiating contracts

繚 Executing an effective advertising campaign

繚 Managing the event, and the people involved with the event

繚 The "Vivian" event management software

The above topics are covered over a range of courses designed to give students a strong understanding of all aspects of the job. A typical course load for Event and Venue Management Diploma Programs would include the following:

繚 Co-ordination of events

繚 Exhibit marketing

繚 Managing tours

繚 Career development

繚 Graphic design for events

繚 Event industry software

繚 Multimedia stage production

繚 Theatrical staging and design

繚 Risk management

繚 Communication skills

繚 Corporate presentations

繚 Stage presence and public speaking

The diversity of the courses above clearly illustrates the fact that event and venue managers must have a broad skill set. They must have a mastery of creative skills, technical skills, and numbers skills. Indeed, it's that mix of proficiencies that makes the field so exciting. Graduates of Event and Venue Management Diploma Programs can be sure that they will be using different "sides of their brain" every day. They may be required to help convince a venue to host a show one day, work with designers to create posters and a web presence the next, negotiate performance fees on another day, etc. Many event planners find the role challenging and intensely rewarding: apparently there's nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that you played a critical role in the latest event of that big act, wedding, or corporate event.

If the idea of using your abilities to the fullest and creating events that will have an impact on people's lives interests you, consider enrolling in an Event and Venue Management Diploma Program and becoming an event manager. It just could be the exciting career you're looking for.

Event Planning - Tips to Select the Right Venue

Event planning can be confusing, no matter what the occasion. But of course once it is done you can be sure it was worth it. If you are an event planner, to make the whole process easier, it is vital to keep a few things in perspective.

You need to prioritize. The best way to do this is by making a list of all the things that you need to get done for the event in the order of how important they are. And then each of those categories needs a guideline to follow. For example, as the first step is a venue, you need to make a list of all the things that you are looking for in the venue. And to help you further I have created a list below of the more important things that you need to consider when deciding on the venue. But remember that you need to list them according to your own priorities. This is because all venues might not fit exactly what you are looking for and you might have to make an exception in one or more of your preferences.

This list is a compilation of important aspects any Event Planner should utilize for selecting a venue:

1. Price Range - The price range that you are looking for must be decided upon at the very beginning. This will not only eliminate any extra time spent looking at venues that are over your budget but it will also help bring the other points in perspective.

2. Type of Venue - You need to decide whether you want an Indoor Venue, an Outdoor Venue or an Outdoor Accessible Venue. Each of these choices has their benefits and drawbacks and the decision would affect the following points as well.

3. Views - The choices would include Ocean view, a Cityscape view or a Nature view.

4. Proximity to your location - This is another important factor to consider as a location that is too far could prove inconvenient for everyone and at the same time it might not be possible to get a venue very close to your location. This is one of the more important things to consider in event planning as it will affect your decision for all the other points.

5. Catering - You as a professional Event Planner, must decide whether you want the venue to provide catering or if you would rather bring in outside catering. Getting estimates in the prices before making the final decision is advisable as it could vary from place to place and also depends on the type of food that you would prefer and whether you would want alcohol to be served. Some venues allow outside catering, but make you choose from their preferred vendors.

6. Time they give you the venue for: Some venues charge hundreds of dollars (and some thousands) per hour for extra time. Figure you if you are having time sensitive elements at your event, such as lighting which takes a long time to set up, and make sure the venue gives you at least 4 to 6 hours set up and 2 hours break down, + the time of your event.

7. Ceiling Height - This might seem like a trivial point to consider but it is still quite important. Depending on other things that you might have planned, such as entertainment, the height of the ceiling would play an important role.

8. Venue Amenities - This could include a bar, dance floor, valet parking, stage and kitchen facilities, and party rentals. Some venues offer tables and chairs, and even set them up for you. This can save you hundreds in rentals.

Apart from the above, the following must also be thought out carefully to get the right atmosphere that will suite the event that you want.

1. Lighting - Light can transform a venue completely to create a magical wonderland. You have many options in this area such as gobos, follow spots, projectors, screens, ambient lighting, atmospheric lighting, live video projection, front and rear projections, stage lightings and more.
2. Sound - This is another important part of the ambiance of the venue.
3. Music - You need to also make a choice on whether you would prefer a live band or a DJ for the event. This will of course depend on the event itself.
4. Décor - Apart from lighting and sound, the décor of the place is also important.
5. Rentals - Depending on the event you might need interactive games, tents, props, espresso machines, etc.
6. Performers - For any event, whether it is a child's birthday party or a corporate event, entertainment can really put everyone in a partying mood.
7. Gifts and favors - Customized gifts or favors and also promotional products can be made to order and are a great way to help make the event more memorable.
8. Transport - You could hire a transport from a limo to a tour bus for your special VIP guests and others. But this again will depend on the type of Event Planning you do.

The above lists will help to give a general idea of how to go about prioritizing all the other factors. This list can prove useful to any Event Planner. I hope it does the same for you. If you have any queries or need any further advice please feel free to leave a comment. Also any suggestions are welcome. Good luck with all your Event Planning ventures.

What to Wear in Your Hen Night?

If you are planning grand hen nights, it is worthwhile selecting the proper theme for your celebration. Thinking about the theme needs a lot of thought as it will affect the whole event!

You and your group of friends can choose the appropriate costumes about your much hyped hen party. Most likely you'll find costumes to fit in with the theme, otherwise what's the point of having a theme in the first place?

Worrying about getting the right kind of costumes for your hen party? If your answer is yes, there are so many ways that may help you to get the most affordable and good looking clothing catering your needs. Actually there are more places than ever selling hen night supplies and outfits.

Hen night themes are popular because the fashion of celebrating hen nights is in vogue. Many women love to party out with their friends and share those girly wits. If you have decided about your theme, you can easily get the costumes that will enhance your fun and pleasure. There are many event planning companies which collaborate with costume making companies to provide the right kind of costumes to needy ones.

Search the Internet
Getting the right kind of hen night outfit is always desirable for women who have set a particular theme for their fun. Although there are many sources to get the hen night costumes, however, internet is increasingly becoming a full-fledged source that has a lot to offer. You can find thousands of different outfits, most of which are suitable for hen nights. Make sure you set up a budget to match your requirements.

If you can't find what you're looking for then the best thing to do is ask other people who are going to the party. Hopefully they will be able to put you in the right direction.

The Advantages of Working With Conference Event Organisers

Conference Event Organisers are specialists in the field of event management. Taking into consideration the great amount of events that are being organised in the public and corporate sector, this field has become a very competitive market today. Most companies working with event management offer a unique range of services, supported by quality, efficiency, knowledge and client service.

Given below are some advantages in working with these service providers:

- You will receive significant and extensive support to organise an event: Most of these renowned organisations are committed to offer a quality service with the full assurance of delivering a successful event.

- Minimum Risk: Considering the experience of Conference Event Organisers, they are capable of forecasting probable difficulties and are capable of offering alternative suggestions, thus minimising the levels of risk.

- Capable of offering unique and novel ideas: It is up to the client to decide if you would like to have a change, a novel idea or a new feel for your event. You can even suggest a new approach - these organisations are capable of offering such features as well.

- Flexibility: They are open to suggestions for change and are capable of adapting to new methods.

- Work together as a Team: The organisation offers a personal approach and works together as a team with the client or the organising committee. They effectively reduce the client's workload, are always willing to share responsibilities and delivers successful results.

- Reduces stress: Conference Event Organisers will always support you with every step, providing solutions to difficult situations.

- Endeavour and Effort: These organisations make special effort with their high standard of service to make the event a tremendous success.

- Adding value to the event: Based on their wide experience and creativity these organisations will provide a service in order to obtain measurable results.

These organisers are also known as event managers and they can be easily found on the Internet at detailed and informative websites. All required information is found at these sites, which will easily help you to read through, or even have an online chat and decide the best service provider for your event. These Conference Event Organisers are very flexible and are always willing to accommodate their client's requests. Their services are clearly outlined on their websites; however, they are also flexible with changes and are willing to take on suggestions and additional activities in accordance to the conference and event.

You can ensure an excellent product when your event is handed over to these competent service-providers. The relief of stress is of immense value to the client, as it enables them to be relaxed to participate at the event, leaving them with ample free time to mingle around with their invitees and other delegates. Interaction with existing business partners and potential clients is vital in a marketing-mix, especially when it is organised by your company. Handing over an event to competent Conference Event Organisers will release you from the stress and give you the time and opportunity to liaise with your business colleagues.

How to Get a Liquor Sponsor

Getting a liquor sponsor doesn't mean finding someone to keep you from taking another swig of vodka. That's a different kind of sponsor. For event planners, securing a liquor sponsor for an event can be a great way to keep costs down, and drive attendance up. But landing one of these deals definitely isn't easy (unless you have a close connection; close like your brother owns Ketel One). Liquor companies won't just sponsor any random event so for most party-throwers, securing free alcohol will require creativity and persistence.

Who to Target
First, carefully think about your event and what your target audience / attendee demographic will be. The main reason any company will agree to sponsor an event is for publicity and exposure. If the event you're throwing is for a budget consumer brand, high-end dealers like Grey Goose and Patron aren't likely to sign on board. The most important thing to highlight is why the audience that is attracted to your event is a perfect fit for the liquor company's target market. Understand what the potential sponsor is looking to do brand-wise and market-wise and think about what's in it for them, not you. If there is some way to demonstrate (or beg and convince) that promoting at the event will allow the sponsor to reach either new or more potential customers than they could on their own, you have a compelling case that stands a chance.

Lesser-known companies that are looking for a chance to build their brand can be great targets. There are tons of new alcohol companies that spring up every year, but few of them become household names at the bar. If you're throwing an event for an up-and-coming, trendsetter crowd, why try for an established brand that's old hat? An unknown, emerging liquor may not only be easier to secure, but a better fit for your event's image. Similarly, urban brands like Alize are usually trying to get their name out, and therefore more prone to consider event sponsorship. As a final technique, do some good ole' fashioned research - are there alcohol companies that are coming out with a new product, trying to expand to different customer markets, or hurting for sales and looking to revamp their image? Any of these scenarios indicate the company could be open to a potential sponsorship opportunity if presented in the right way.

How to Go About It
Once you have the pitch strategy down, it's time to act on it. The most direct way is to directly reach out to liquor companies and have them connect you with the rep that covers your market. Restaurant, bar, and club managers are also good sources for finding out the names and contact info of liquor and distributor reps. If there are liquor brands these establishments are currently doing promotions for, even better - it gives you a starting point for identifying receptive targets. If the rep actually agrees to a meeting, being creative in how exactly the sponsor will gain exposure is often critical to sealing the deal. Promotional tie-ins like co-branding the event on all marketing materials, putting the sponsor's logo on the event / host company's website, meeting halfway and having the sponsor pass around free samples but not host the entire event, are all ways to create a win-win for both parties. Keep in mind who, why, and think innovatively about the how, and you might just have a shot (pun intended).

Does Social Media Add Value to Your Trade Show Promotion?

Today, social media is an exceptional communication channel. However, for event planners, it has a special significance; it helps them to execute their marketing plans to reach out to prospects in the shortest possible time. If you are planning to organize a trade show shortly, consider including social networking platforms for promotions in your marketing toolkit.

Trade shows offer a great platform for face-to-face marketing, networking, and selling, thus helps in building relationships. Integrating social media in your marketing strategy can definitely give your trade shows a significant boost in terms of attendee participation. Work on pre-show promotions and post-show follow-up strategies, to make your trade show the success story of the year.

Here are a few tips that can help you to explore social network at its best during your trade show promotions.

1. Create an interesting message on Social Media

Do you know what sets your company apart from the lot? What is going to be the theme of your show? Focus on these points while posting any update on the social media sites. Let people know the 'x' factor of your trade show. In this way, you can engage and connect with prospective clients.

A great way is to participate in a BoothTag at your next trade show or provide a QR code that links to a landing page of a contest. You can spread your message before the show, through popular social media channels like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube. Thus, encourage your followers to participate in your show through innovative marketing tactics. Keep it simple, interesting, and have a little fun with it.

2. Try to be relevant

The message you create for the social media campaign should be relevant to your brand, theme and other trade show initiatives. It is likely to convert your attendees into qualified leads. For example, a software integration firm mostly offers people a free assessment of their systems software. However, it is difficult to entice people by this activity as it is a common industry practice. So what can you do instead? Create a persuasive message and offer a free assessment via a fun contest. To engage people you can even offer a favorable chance to win an iPad. Thus, a perfect promotion in social networks can help you get more sign-ups for your event in a limited time period.

3. Maintain your individuality

Maintaining your individuality is a great way to make the most of your social media promotions. Being informal in your communication with your social media followers can be of great help. Keep in mind, social media is actually not a promotional platform; instead, it offers people an opportunity to connect with lucrative prospects. Social networking helps you share news and updates, which are exclusively your own. Thus, you need to learn how to maintain it, if you want to attract the right crowd.

Social media is a communication channel and a tool for marketing. Once you know how to use sit, it can add a positive value to your trade show promotions.

Meeting and Event Planning - What's the Secret to Getting Your Message Across?

When it comes to Meeting and Event Planning, any successful event planning checklist might appear long - plus the time involved in putting together an event is considerable. One area that can be more time consuming and is crucial to any events success is getting the right speakers and presenters. This article will help you understand what needs to happen before you start looking for "speakers". The topic of speakers and presenters is a huge area and I couldn't possibly cover everything in a short article.

To help you get going, with your meeting and event planning, here are some things to consider:

The first question you should ask yourself when deciding on the content of your event is "Why would people want or need to hear what we have to say?" It is all too easy to attract key note speakers without first considering what the key message is that you need to get across. For most people time is money and your event will need to 'hit the spot' before delegates sign up to attend.

The other increasingly important part of any event is the question, "What's next?"

The way companies now market and promote, as an event planner you need to know what the companies upsell at this event might be. What would the next logical, step be for the delegates.

Maybe it is another event with more detailed content. Surprise surprise one that you could also be involved in setting up and running. This is where being that one step ahead of the company who hired you will help in establishing your event planning company as their trusted advisor when it come to professional event planning.

Once you are clear on your key messages and themes, and you know you have an audience for your event, the next step is to consider who is going to deliver the message for you?

For example, would having a professional presenter to hold your event together and engage with your audience be helpful....like a host? This could either be a celebrity such as a TV Presenter or newsreader, or a professional presenter or conference host.

On to the speakers:

Who will be speaking at your event? Will it be internal people from within your organisation, industry specialists, or key note speakers?

Speaker fees and expenses vary massively. Remember, just because a speaker attracts a high fee does not mean they are right for your event. Plus if someone demands first class travel from another country, this could hike up your budget. A good event production company may have experience of different speakers and could be useful for feedback.

Finally, consider how the information will be presented. Many people have heard the term 'death by PowerPoint' so consider the energy levels of your audience when planning your event. There are many ways to deliver your key messages including:

Panel discussions, Videos, Case studies, Interviews, Presentations - varying in length/ style and activities.The best events use a combination. What could be yours? In summary, invest the time to research the speakers who will do a good job of getting your message across and not just their own!

Outdoor Movie Events Are Used by Business For Customer Appreciation Marketing

Customer Appreciation events are a great way for business owners to show current customers their patronage is valued, and to attract new customers. If you are interested in hosting a Customer Appreciation event that is sure to be a hit, consider an outdoor movie event.

A top fast food chain, located throughout the country, show appreciation for their customers each year by hosting a Customer Appreciation event featuring free food and fun family friendly events. Recently, many of the stores have added an outdoor movie to the activities. The restaurant's parking lot is transformed into an outdoor movie theatre with a huge inflatable movie screen. Customers of all ages can come together with family and friends, eat, and enjoy a movie. The restaurant's customers enjoy chicken nuggets as a movie snack rather than popcorn, of course.

Restaurants are not the only business type that can use an outdoor movie to make their Customer Appreciation event special. Childcare Centers often host yearly festivals to thank enrolled families for their business and market the Center to potential new families in the community. A family friendly outdoor movie makes a great addition to this type of event.

A Daycare Center can transform the parking lot or playground into a movie theatre with an inflatable movie screen. Inflatable movie screens come in a variety of sizes to match any space and accommodate a variety of groups. A daycare center can partner with local family and child oriented business like dance studios and Martial Arts schools to help lower the cost of production for the event. Local family friendly business can set up a booth to help promote their business; the Childcare center as well as partnering businesses all benefit by sharing the cost and marketing opportunity. Opening the event to the community is a great way to bring new families in to tour the facility.

Any type of business can benefit from hosting a Customer Appreciation event to thank existing patrons and attract new customers. In addition to offering great products and services throughout the year, it is important to take occasional opportunities to thank loyal customers. Offering something new and special at your event is a good way to show current customers you value their business, and to grow your customer base.

Family outdoor movie events are perfect for private schools, children's dance studios and any other type of business that serves kids or families. If your business serves a different customer base; adults, teenagers or senior citizens, for example, an outdoor movie event can be an equally good choice. An outdoor movie makes a great addition to a Customer Appreciation event for almost any demographic because of the varied nature of movies themselves. From cute kids and family movies, classic older films and popular new releases; there is a movie that will appeal to any crowd.

Tips On Corporate Events

When it comes to planning corporate events it can be painful and tedious, when it comes to planning corporate events it's big, hairy, and audacious. Corporate event planning is not for the faint of heart, it requires much planning, and the details can make it or break it. Save yourself some time and jot down some tips to make your event planning smooth sailing.

The first step in preparation for the corporate event is the planning and vision behind it. If you have not planned out every meticulous detail, you could run into problems, and you don't want that with an event of this size. Jot down all of your ideas on paper and begin the brain storming process there, as you slowly get closer to the event you can transform the notes into an outline.

While in the planning stages of the event the second tip is to secure your venue as soon as possible. Some venues will allow a year in advance reservation, so it's important to get that done early on. Expect a deposit for the reservation. The best venues will go fast so make this your top priority.

Budgeting in the beginning stages of the planning will save you lots of money, but give yourself some cushion for the unexpected expenses. Budgeting will also give you a structured process, which will help keep the event on schedule.

The fourth tip is to make sure you have all the odds and ends covered. You will most likely have disabled attendees which means you need to have special accommodations with parking and seating. This will directly affect where they sit which means you will need to have a seating chart. These details if not addressed early on could cause major problems. Don't forget the music, lighting, and other miscellaneous details that could bit you in the butt if you forget about them.

Corporate Party Ideas

It is not easy to organize a successful party. Food, drinks and recorded music are fun, but since there are quite a lot of occasions to celebrate throughout the year, thrown repeatedly such parties soon get boring.

Why not - at least once or twice in the year, as, for example, on the occasion of Christmas, New Year Day or corporate anniversary - have a party a bit different from an ordinary drinking spree, a party to be original and remembered long afterwards.

So what makes a party successful? Is it possible to organize an unforgettable, smooth-running event on your own?

The most important thing is the theme, the idea. But it is not always easy to invent a theme. And it is even more complicated to realize it. Usually, it requires much effort. When choosing a theme, it is advisable to pay attention to several criteria.

First of all, you should have in mind that the aim of a corporate party is not only relaxation, but also getting to know one another better through interaction, revealing personal qualities, etc. That is, the point of a party is team building. Therefore, it is especially important that all the staff members could participate. Here "participate" means far more than remaining passive watchers because active participation is one of the keys of a successful party. The role of a watcher (if it can be called a role at all) is simply boring. Let your employees feel that they are important and strong as personalities by giving them a chance to express themselves or accomplish certain tasks. A theme party is an ideal time to do it.

An inseparable part of a holiday party is humor. A light or sharper touch of humor should dominate in every theme.

It is also very important that the theme should be chosen considering the company's sphere of activity and the specialties of the people involved - the theme should be something out of the ordinary, maybe something exotic or lightly shocking.
Unrealized childhood dreams may be a good idea when choosing a theme. Maybe your boss wanted to become a fireman as a child? Why not put a fire-fighter costume on him and make him sit into a fire truck on boss day or his birthday? Or why not get serious gentlemen immersed in a pool of coloured balls? It's so nice when people free their true selves, stepping over the line of everyday routine.

It is also important to take into account the occasion on which the party is organized. Surely, if it is a or New Year party, you won't do without the usual attributes such as Santa Claus, Christmas tree, gifts and fire-works, and somehow or other the theme of the party will have to match the occasion. In case of many other events, the freedom of choice is greater, there is space for infinite interpretations.

If it is a corporate outing, the theme should allow time for activity: tasks to be carried out, games and so on.

Still lacking ideas? Here are several themes:

- Cowboy party (country music and dance, rodeo, whiskey, cigars);

- Knightly tournaments (show fights with thorny knob-sticks (fake ones) followed by the same sort of fights involving the participants, horses, ladies);

- Japanese samurai (fighting with kendo swards, calligraphy, tea ceremony);

- Fire-fighters (fire-engines, helmets, staged fire scene);

- Travel in time;

- UFO (flying saucer, aliens, other planets);

- Beer festival (beer pavilion, the German ,,Oktober Fest" mood);

- alternative sport championship (paintball, electronic basketball, curling, quad-bike race, running with five-man skis (a pair of skis for five persons), sumo, pillow battle);

- tracing classical literature (The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Don Quixote, etc.)

Once the theme is selected, it needs proper implementation. The costumes are not enough. The success of the party also depends on the choice of decorations, music, shows, tasks prepared for the participants, food and drinks.

Moreover, a party must have a culmination point. Be it travel in time or a medieval knight tournament, there has to be something to surprise or amaze the participants. It may be a flying saucer landing, an enemy attack or whatever: it depends on your imagination and possibilities.

Meanwhile fire-works, hot-air balloons, a ball-pool, trampoline, soap bubbles and the like may serve to create a festive atmosphere and complement the theme.
An inseparable attribute of a fun party is photos.

Now, should companies organize corporate parties on their own, or maybe it is better to ask for professional help?
Choosing the people to entrust your event to depends not only on the budget but also on your expectations, the time foreseen for preparation, the needed equipment and many other factors.

Organising a corporate party yourself is cheaper. But there is some risk in doing so since even the smallest details may spoil a seemingly successful event; thus, lack of professionalism may be a spoke in the wheel. Besides, it may cost a lot of time and nerves for the staff members responsible for such events as they may lack experience. Let alone the responsibility which will not let you relax and fully enjoy the celebration. Even if you have decided to organize a party yourself, you can still ask for professional assistance. Currently there is a wide range of such services in Lithuania, from party ideas to equipment rent. Among them, there are indeed original things for parties: the biggest grill in Lithuania, a submarine towed on the snow, hot-air balloons, bubble machines, etc.
In the global context, event planning professionals in Lithuania can offer high-level services. Choosing professional help in planning an event is a way to avoid repetition. It may happen that some of your guests have already taken part in a similar party, so a good event planning company will never organize the same event a second time. Moreover, experienced event planners will always find a way out when unforeseen difficulties arise.
However, it is also important to remember that an event starts from the dialogue. Clients are welcome with their thoughts, ideas and wishes so that professionals could offer the most suitable solution.

Discussing all the details and nuances before the event is just vital.
Some more tips when planning an event

To ensure a smooth and truly memorable party, it is advisable to start preparing at least before 2 months, even though it would actually take shorter.

It is also advisable to hold corporate parties on weekdays rather then on weekends, so you will have a greater choice of venues and entertainments.

Selling to Corporate Clients

Selling to corporate clients requires a different approach to standard small to medium sized business to business sales. Corporates often have set procedures managed by purchasing teams who have an approved supplier list. It is very difficult to get onto an approved supplier list - you can work at it for years while a chance opportunity can get someone else onto the list quickly. Often suppliers fail to understand the opportunity when they find themselves on a large corporate's system and they don't follow it through to get the most out of it.

It can be difficult to get a contact in a large corporate. Most have receptionists answering the telephones who are often referred to as gatekeepers. One of their main roles is to screen calls and it is very difficult for someone selling a service to get past this gatekeeper.

Emails are also unlikely to link a sales person to a buyer. Lists can be purchased, but often the email addresses on the lists have been used so many times that the recipient is no longer open to approaches. Even the best lists can be over-harvested.

One way is to have a product that can be bought at short notice over the internet. This can be considered more of a discretionary spend than a planned one. Make best use of the contact you make at this stage to try to get onto that corporate's supplier roster. One example is team building events for small teams, which are often booked with one or two weeks' notice. The booker of these events is often a PA or a member of the team who will be attending, but there is an opportunity at a time of goodwill to ask to be introduced to someone in the buying department.

One of the problems you will need to address is that purchasing departments will be approached many times by potential suppliers. They will be much more prone to saying no than offering an opportunity. So, it is important to have some sort of advantage that lifts you above the usual approach. Give it some thought, particularly thinking about your service from the user's perspective, and come up with a clever strategy.

Another effective way to gain attention is to organise an event on a subject of relevance to your target corporates and have good guest speakers. It is easier to gain attention if you have a valuable message, rather than just trying to sell something. Promoting your service at the event is more subtle and this is the point. Do not think about how to sell to corporates, think instead how to get their attention.

Selling goods and services to large corporates is not easy, but it can be achieved if you understand the issues and look at the situation from their perspective. If you do get an opportunity it is important that your team builds it as far as you can and try to find your way into that crucial approved suppliers list.

Event Planning - 10 Commandments For An Event Planner

To be among the best event planners, there are many hints and ideas that one can use. However, it is essential that a really good event planner pays attention to all the finer aspects of the event process and is able to offer the best possible event setup that the client could expect. This could cause a lot of disruption to your regular activity schedule, but as a good event planner it is essential that such sacrifices are made.

1. The first and foremost thing that an event planner should do is getting to know the best local suppliers. It is good to keep good contact with as many suppliers as possible so as to offer several options to your clients. Note that, when you have suppliers who are the best, it will give an edge to your reputation.

2. Always give many options to your clients. They should be able to choose from at least a dozen vendors whom you work with regularly so that your clients can choose based on their needs. Giving clients some options makes them feel more involved.

3. You have to give some thought about the kind of events that will be planning for. They can range from small dinner parties to extravagant wedding affairs and you have to develop creative ideas so as to bring some life into the event. There are many trends and specific signature styles coming up each day, but continuous research will keep you with terms on what is the latest.

4. In the event of a multicultural wedding, you should understand both the cultures that shall be presented at the wedding. You will be able to better understand the traditions to be honored.

5. The location of your office is a major issue. It has to give the impression of good business and also enhance the comfort of your clients. Good office space is a sure shot way to improve your clientele.

6. Effective communication is of utmost importance for an event planner. You have to understand the acceptable standards with regular review with your clients. Keep in mind that the party is about the client and that his needs are more important than your thought.

7. A good way of enhancing your reputation is by keeping ties with satisfied previous clients. Refer them to your benefit but always ask before doing so. This way will give your clients a much better idea of your services.

8. You may request your client if you could capture some snap shots of the event so that you could give future clients a better idea of your capabilities. This will surely enhance the chance of you getting hired on the spot.

9. Discuss with your client on the details of a suitable budget before contacting suppliers. This will lead to more effective communication between you and you suppliers and clients. It is possible to offer the best solutions to suit any budget. If you can plan an event to very good standards within a really small budget, you will surely be recommended to many other people. In an event, the most important factors are cost and design.

10. Finally, create a personality that is comfortable to everyone. They should be able to interact freely with you and tell you exactly what they want. You should be able to handle things collectively and make the whole process fun filled for your clients. The way you handle the process and your overall attitude will make a huge difference in your growth as a successful event planner.

Why Green Is A Critical Color For Corporate Event Planners

How important is sustainability in the world of corporate event planners these days? According to an annual survey of global meeting and event professionals, increasingly so. The platform Future Watch indicates that more than 40% of these event planners say they are totally committed to weaving that shade of green into the body of their events.

Environmental responsibility has been cited as a significant challenge by top corporate CEOs around the world in other recent surveys. While there may not be such a strong push toward the regulation of carbon emissions in our delicate economy these days, organizations nevertheless see the benefit - both from an internal and an external perspective - of going green.

Corporate event planners who work for very environmentally conscious clients need to be able to go the extra distance and make sure that they apply stringent standards throughout their own supply chain. In other words this means that they have to reach out to venue providers, such as hotels to see just how environmentally responsible they are, in turn. The planners need to be able to incorporate the use of elements that recognize the value of sustainability. They need to be able to use renewable fuel sources where at all possible.

Many events use high levels of disposables and recycling simply must be a top priority. Organic foods should be selected for banquet functions and waste should be avoided at all costs. For example, bottles of water should not be set out for participants as a matter of course, but should be available as and when needed.

Many forward reaching venues are going out of their way to ensure that they are sustainable. They realize that their clients in turn demand this and make sure that they trumpet the availability of energy saving initiatives and other sustainable practices.

Corporate event planners have to tread a very delicate line between the greenback and the green meeting. Budgets are under a lot of pressure and financial conformity does not always, automatically, walk in lockstep with the need to be sustainable.

It's certainly a good idea for event planners to familiarize themselves with all current and emerging trends in this area and to be ready and willing to incorporate environmentally responsible elements. Its no longer gimmicky or "cool" but an integral part of the industry. Ignore at your peril, but tread cautiously to make sure that you don't make any hasty declarations or assumptions!

'Clues Name Hunt' Game For Picnics Or Corporate Events

Are you thinking about how to break the ice and to keep group's energy levels high during the travel? Your options for activities in this set-up are very limited to some age-old games. This article presents the first in the series of three innovative on-the-move clues hunt games, great for school picnics or corporate team building events.

Situation

You have a school picnic or corporate team building event and all are planning to go for a four hours trip on bus. Are you thinking about how to break the ice and keep group's energy levels high during the travel? A number of 'We have played this game before' kind of games can be played in this set-up. Now if you must design a brand new game then continue reading...

Preparation

Pre-boarding

1. Create a list of names of few folks who are either onboard or known to the group


2. Choose the Clues hunt game duration. Assume about 3 to 4 minutes per clue and 10 minutes for game instructions and set-up. To play the game for one hour, you would need to create about 12 to 15 clues


3. Shortlist names for creating clues


4. Create and Print Clue cards

How to Play

Game Set-up

Divide the group in teams of 4 to 5 members each. Use fun criterion to select the team leads, like latest joinee in the group, most funny dress-up, one who is wearing white socks, one who loves most his family (Ask to prove that). Use your imagination to come up with more creative & fun ideas. Ask the team-leads to name their teams.

Instructions for teams

Each team gets one clue and maximum three chances to solve that clue. The team will get 100, 50 or 25 points if they solve it in 1st, 2nd or 3rd guess. If any team is not able to crack the clue then it is passed to next teams. If any other team solves it then they are awarded 30 points.

Begin Fun

Now say you have four teams and you had created 16 clues. Hand over the first clue to the team leader and give them three chances to identify the name of the person from the clue. They must solve the clue with-in three minutes. Follow this for other teams. Keep awarding the points and maintain the record. When all the clues are solved announce the winning team.

Tips

1. Create more than one clue for the same name, it is generally not expected by the group.


2. Handover the list of names present on the bus to all teams and inform clue can be for any one on that list and outside the list also just to build-up the fun and interest.


3. Mix some simple and some complex clues to keep the interest levels high for each team.


4. Create a sequel of games for the whole outing event and use Poker chips or Monopoly coins to make the teams collect the points for each game. In the end of complete event, winner team is announced and rewarded.

Training Management System - Every Organization Needs One

Organizations spend significant amount of money on training and development of their employees. Training is done in different areas, for different employees, in different ways at different times. In order to appreciate the benefits of the effort and investment in training, it is imperative that the training is managed in a systematic manner and not treated as a sporadic set of activities or events.

A good training management system can address the different factors needed to make training effective.

Development is continuous process

Development of employees is not just a one time event. It is a continuous process with many activities carried over a period of time. This in turn means that proper tracking of the same should be done. Organization would need to know the development activities that an employee participated in. This is one key element of a good training management system. It helps track the various activities that an employee goes through during a period of time. At the end of say a year, we are able to look at the various trainings that an employee has gone through, judge whether they have indeed made an impact on the employee's performance at work.

Training involves varied events

Training methodologies have evolved over the years due to improvement in the knowledge in the behavioral sciences including adult learning and proliferation of internet technologies. Training is no more just a classroom activity. There are many methodologies which are adopted for imparting knowledge and skills including instructor classroom training, instructor led training over the web, self paced individual learning, and so on. Organizations would very much want to track all such learning activities to make a proper analysis of which of them is working best. A training management system enables organizations to track several training activities which may be happening across the organization.

Operational and strategic inputs

A good training management system can make the operational part of the training and development function very effective. It also provides strategic inputs for decision making on human capital enhancement for the organization. Administrative activities can be automated, collaboration can be enabled, data generation can be democratized, project or event management can become more systematic and inclusive - all of these making the execution of training management easier, efficient and productive. From a strategic perspective, a training management system will be able to provide vital information on cost break down from different view points (such as department, location, business unit and so on), feedback on the effectiveness of the training programs, quality of the training vendors, participation levels and so on.

Any organization which is serious about developing the knowledge and skills of its employees and invests in training their employees to enhance the human capital of the organization should be seriously considering deploying a good training management system for their organization.

How to Acquire Corporate Sponsorship for Non-Profit Events

Acquiring corporate sponsorship is the key to organizing a successful non-profit event. However, many a times, this can be challenging and downright frustrating. According to the experts, effective marketing campaigns can help non-profits to connect with the right people. This article discusses how non-profits can promote their event to attract potential corporate sponsors and donors.

Set up a Purpose for Fundraising

To reach out to the right people in right time, you should set up a strong goal well in advance. With it, you will find it easier to determine your plan of action for the next stages. Besides, you should invest enough time to appoint experienced volunteers, who will be responsible for seeking sponsorships from the corporate.

Plan Your Actions Beforehand

You must have a strong plan of action before you start making requests for corporate sponsorships. Keep in mind that you have to provide equal benefits to all the sponsors who are donating for supporting your cause. You can even invite them to speak at your event, which can help you spread awareness about your cause in a more extensive manner.

In addition, you must have a well-decided plan about how to use the accumulated funds and communicate about that to the potential corporate sponsors and donors. In this situation, if you can show a detailed plan to your sponsors, you might even be able to attract long-term funding for your cause.

Define Your Target Audience

A fair idea about your target audience can help you approach like-minded people who will be interested in making significant donations to support your cause. Keep in mind that your sponsorship strategy should focus on acquiring corporate sponsors, who are willing to communicate with your target market. To do this, you must conduct a thorough market research and approach potential sponsors directly. Direct appeals are likely to have better impact on your potential donors and sponsors.

Research on Potential Sponsors

You must have a good idea about your potential donors before seeking sponsorships. You can do a bit of research about your sponsors through business magazines, websites, annual reports, and so on. It helps if you have a fair idea about the company's current marketing objectives, the products they are selling and which have been recently launched, and most importantly, their competitors. You may also get to know about their current sponsorship policy, which is likely to help you while seeking their support for your organization.

Try out these steps before you seek Corporate Sponsorship for your next non-profit event.

The Components of a Good Corporate Entertainment Event

When you are putting on a corporate event, it is important that you ensure the corporate entertainment event follows a similar structure as other events. This is because those events have been built on success and that success of the past will ensure you have success in the future. That all being said, what are the important components of a corporate entertainment event?

1. Food: If you are going to have an business event, then one of the most important things to do is ensure that you have food. This means catering the event so that everyone who comes to the event can get all the food that they want. It is important you know about any allergies and alert anyone about the contents of the food though.

2. Entertainment: Naturally, a business entertainment event needs to have entertainment in it. This can be anything from stand up comedians and magicians to bands and DJs. Just make sure whatever you pick is something that everyone will enjoy.

3. Seminars: Any entertainment event that is in a conference setting should have plenty of things in it to help improve the skill set of the employees. This does not mean you overload the event with corporate entertainment, but you should at least make sure there is plenty for everyone to learn.

4. Fun: Probably the most important part of any corporate entertainment event is the fun. You want everyone to have a good time and you can do that with prizes, dances, banquets and more. You want to let everyone unwind because it will bring those within the company closer together and when that happens, productivity increases.

These four components are important to any corporate entertainment event, and while you can include more, these four should always be the core of any event you organize.

Ten Tips for Planning the Perfect Event

Whether your event is a stall at a trade fair, or to launch a supercar, planning, preparation and good management will help to ensure your event goes smoothly and is a success.

1. If possible, try and visit the venue before hand, ideally when there is a similar event on, and gain an understanding of how the venue can work for you. If you need power to your stand, make sure you are situated close to plug sockets. If you need a computer, a big screen, running water or a cooker, then make sure your location is suitable for this. It is not going to be convenient to have long cables or pipes running across the main thoroughfares. Consider where the high volumes of traffic will be - is that near the entrance, near the refreshments, near the exit? Try and make sure you are in a high traffic area, as it's no good having the most exiting stall, with the best products if nobody can find you.

2. Rather than organise the event yourself, you may wish to leave the exhibition design and build to professionals and employ an Event Agency. An experienced Event Agency will be able to help you with everything from designing banners to hiring additional staff. For a product launch, Event Management is recommended, as the event agency can manage all aspects of the event, from inviting VIPs to sourcing balloons.

3. The type of event, and the type of product or service being promoted will help to determine the type of exhibition display stands required, For some events, a table and a few brochures will suffice, whereas for other events and products a much more specialised stand might be more appropriate.

4. Your product or service may benefit from being shown on an exhibition stand made to look just like a kitchen, or child's bedroom. A mock up of part of a hospital ward, or a cruise ship or other ambitious design can also be created if required. Products become more appealing if they are "in situ" as visitors can see what they look like and how they can be used. Products, such as windows, decorating supplies, curtains, and door handles, can be displayed using several "walls" or "doors", allowing different examples to be shown. Consider using grass, artificial snow, carpet, or wood as an unusual flooring, to make it more realistic.

Rather than try to design and manufacture your own exhibition stands, employing a specialist exhibition stand contractor will allow you to ensure that the stand is suitable, and meets your exact requirements.

5. Consider providing chairs or stools if visitors are expected to watch a demonstration, or the product takes a while to make or explain. If visitors are able to sit down whilst drinking a cup of your coffee, or watching a presentation on a large screen TV without feeling rushed, they will appreciate it more.

6. There is plenty of opportunity to utilise the company logo and contact details, on everything from mousemats to carrier bags, from serviettes to banners. With a bit of imagination, your logo and message could be seen by every visitor to the exhibition.

7. Having bins and separate recycling facilities for paper, cardboard and plastic will ensure that the stand looks tidy at all time. Ensuring that food and drink is tidied up after use, wrappers and cups disposed of, as well as keeping surfaces and floor clean will help keep your stand looking professional. Regularly fill up brochure racks, and ensure that there are sufficient product samples and company information available. People may walk past your stand, thinking that you've given out all your brochures, and there is nothing left for them to see.

8. Knowing your product, the market and your competition inside out can give you an advantage. Visitors may not be familiar with your brand, product, or your industry. Some visitors are naturally very inquisitive and will want to know more. You might just turn one of these visitors into a customer.

9. Even insignificant gestures like a bowl of sweets, or a tray of drinks can help make your stand more popular. Useful complementary gifts such as key rings, pens, mousemats, umbrellas and coasters are likely to be used, and will help to keep your brand and product fresh in people's minds long after the exhibition.

10. Depending on the type of event, a free prize draw, and a mailing list are additional methods to obtain prospective new customers. Special "show only" offers can help boost sales and make sure your brand is well publicised.

Visitors will be able to quickly get an impression of your company from the graphics, the event staff, and the stand itself. Using a dedicated Exhibition Stand Contractor and Event Agency can make your company literally stand out from the crowd!

Importance of Promotional Conference Folders in Corporate Events

Importance of products is increasing day-by-day and nobody can deny this fact. Companies are looking for new and unique gifts to impress the people they usually deal with. There are many different types of items that can be given, like printed pens, yearly calendars, wallets, mouse pads, table clock, etc. Among them promotional conference folders are making its market higher in a rapid manner. While promotional products are given to the people on perfect occasion, then it becomes perfect giveaway on demand.

Promotional conference folders should be such that it can impress the recipient by its look. It should be given in neat and assembled way, so that the recipient can easily access files and papers. If these printed conference folders have company name or logo embossed on the cover then they leave a deeper impact in the mind of the viewer while exhibiting them in any trade show or any corporate event. This requirement can be fulfilled by online stores, as this one-stop shop for items design each folder as per company needs and budget. The importance of promotional folders really works at the time of seminars; it should carry the effective message to the targeted dealers.

When these items are distributed during corporate events or in seminars and conferences, a strong relation is created between the firm and the treasured customer or prospective client. These products are the most useful item for the person who attends conferences very often. These promotional gifts help to take your business to a new height and strengthen your relations with the prospective customers or valued business partners. Conference folders have many pockets to hold important papers, business card, CDs for presentation, and other stationary items like pen and pads.

Promotional conference folders [out] while distributed in corporate events, with company name and logo, they solve the purpose of advertisement and subsequently, company name stays in the mind of the event attendees. Promotional gifts [out] should be such that they fulfill all the maximum requirements of the customers. Online stores serve the whole range of such printed conference folders. If your business has small budget, then you can have plastic folders. If you have higher budget then you can take leather folders with booklet and other stationary items. For more information about folders and other products, just get online.