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Tips for Successful Event Planning By: Kate Smalley   Event planning can turn even the most capable person into a ball of nerves. But if you've been selected to plan your company's next holiday party, awards banquet or open house, relax. Our helpful tips can make the process go more smoothly and successfully. Initial Considerations First, consider how you want your event to look and feel. Think about: What kind of event are you holding? Who will attend? What is the reason for the event or celebration? What do you hope to accomplish? Do you have specific goals or outcomes that you expect? Keep in mind that your event should generate goodwill, excitement and enthusiasm about your company. You should use it to grow your business and as an opportunity to strengthen relationships with employees and your clients and customers. Planning Your Event Once you've defined the basic parameters, then you're ready to proceed with planning. • Make a checklist - Create a checklist to provide a step-by-step guide to organizing and executing a special event. • Develop a budget - This will provide you with a financial "blueprint" for the event. The budget should be specific, and include revenue opportunities (sponsorship, ticket sales, donations, etc.) as well as expenses such as printing, permits, insurance, speakers, food, supplies and security. Maintain good records, keeping track of all income and expenses. Also, expect the unexpected, extra expenses will come up -- so plan ahead. • Schedule facilities - The location and site of your event is critical for success. Selecting a site is more than just finding out what rooms are available. There are many factors to consider, including room capacity, whether you're having an in/outdoor event, if there are special needs for ramps/elevators, if you'll need a podium, stage or special equipment, and how many tables and chairs will be necessary for guests. • Have plenty of food and drinks - What kind of food will you serve? Lunch? Snack foods? Dinner? Buffet? Sit down? What kind of beverages will be available? Will they be served in a can, punch bowl, or some other way? If you intend to serve alcohol, ensure plenty of designated drivers are available to transport those who may be unable to drive home. • Plan publicity/marketing - Great publicity and marketing are the key to a successful event. There are many different methods you can use to get the word out about your program. Determine who you want to attend and then target your advertising accordingly. Consider supplementing paid advertising with inexpensive fliers, handouts, email messages and word-of-mouth. • Book a speaker/entertainer - Consider the following factors if you are planning a speaker, entertainment, or facilitator for an event: Who is the agent/manager for the speaker/entertainment? Does the speaker/entertainment appeal to a broad audience? How many people are expected to attend? Does the speaker/entertainment have special technical requirements for their presentation? Does the artist/entertainment require hotel or transportation arrangements? • Arrange for parking - If you're expecting a large number of guests, ensure there is ample parking. The parking you select should be easily accessible to the location of the event. If you have delivery trucks, caterers or special equipment being brought to the event, you will need to make sure everyone knows the best location for unloading. • Evaluate the event - One of the most ignored, yet important, elements of project planning is evaluation. If you want to determine how successful an event is, you'll need to collect feedback from participants. Create an evaluation form to hand out (and, if possible, collect) at the end of the event. To encourage participation, your evaluation form should be anonymous and short. • Make reflections - Once your event is over, take time to reflect back on it. Also consider the entire planning process and the feedback provided on the evaluation forms. Reflecting back will help you improve the event for the next time. Regardless of the type of event you're planning, make sure it's meaningful and celebrates your company in a uniquely positive way. This will make your event an affair that is truly a successful business bash! Kate Smalley, Connecticut Secretary Transcription Services kms@connecticutsecretary.com http://www.connecticutsecretary.com Party Planning: Getting Started By: Maria Romain   Party planning is no easy task. There are several ingredients involved in planning the perfect event. Whether you are inviting 5 guests or 500, every detail must be taken into consideration in order to host a successful party. Professional event planners have a knack for taking other people's dreams and turning them into a reality through successful party planning. However, everyone is not in a position to hire a party planner. The purpose of this article is to help you begin the party planning process. It is by no means a complete set of instructions to get you through the task of planning a party. The following information is based on the assumption that you have taken your budget into consideration. Phase 1: When planning any event you must determine the purpose of the event (occasion), set the date, select the time of day, decide on how many guests will be invited, and choose a location. Phase 2: After you have determined the occasion of the party and have set a date, time, estimated the number of guests to invite, and have chosen a location you are then ready to move on to Phase 2 of planning your party. In this step you will select a theme, choose invitations, settle on decorations and decide on a suitable menu. Your invitation, decorations, and menu should fit the theme of your event. For example, if you are planning a party with a tropical theme, you should consider using tropical themed invitations, tropical decorations and serve exotic foods. If you're inviting hundreds of guests, you may consider a buffet style menu. Just remember, that the details of your party should be dictated by the theme of the occasion as well as the number of guests you are inviting. Now you are ready to move on to Phase 3. Phase 3: Having some form of entertainment is essential to any event. Whether you plan on using canned music or a live band, your guests will enjoy some form of entertainment. When deciding on what type of entertainment to use, consider your theme and the location in which you are hosting your event. Phase 4: You should always thank your guests for attending your affair. {a href= http://www.hqweddingfavors.com/}Party favors are the perfect touch to an occasion. They are also essential to making your event memorable. Whether you are throwing a bridle shower or a bon voyage party, event favors are a practical way to show appreciation to your guests. Phase 5: Now, you are ready for implementation. If you apply the steps that have been discussed in this article along with taking care of the smaller details that are essential to hosting a party, you are well on your way to planning a successful event. Hopefully, this article will aid you in getting started on planning a fun and memorable occasion. Remember, the key to planning a successful event is to stay organized, stick to your budget, and thank your guests for attending. Don't be afraid to ask someone for help if you need it. Happy party planning! Maria Romain, president of Academic Success Management, Inc. is a writer for HQ Wedding Favors, a company that offers the most unique wedding and party favors that will compliment any occasion. Read more articles on wonderful wedding and party favor ideas by visiting today. Have a big (or small) event coming up? Not even sure where to begin? No problem! Hire a Hybrid Coach today!  Where Details Don't Bother Us!