Event Checklist Blog

Glamour, Thrill, High Rewards: Get them all in Event Management Profession

Guest Blogger — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:51 +0000

Do you have a passion and ability to conduct events at small and large scale? Are you ready to work for flexible and long hours? If yes, then a career in event management is the perfect option for you. This article focuses on providing more information about the profession, including job prospects, courses, skills required, and much more. Celebrating various occasions and events has become an intrinsic part of our lives. They cannot simply go untouched as they exist in almost every aspect of human life. For instance, social gathering, corporate parties, engagements, weddings, and birthday celebrations are some of the events that are celebrated by all. It is where the importance of event management comes in to existence. But, what is it all about?

Describing Event Management

It is all about managing and organizing an event or occasion for a particular client. It is one of the most profound ways of marketing and advertising, which is turning to be a thrilling, high rewarding and glamorous profession in India. It involves planning, organizing, executing and budgeting events as per the requirement of the client. As an event manager you get opportunity to manage several interesting occasions such as musical concerts, fashion shows, weddings, exhibitions, product launches, theme parties and corporate seminars. The future of professionals in the field is bright.

Event Management as a Career

In present scenario, whether it is a family or corporate house, every person wants to make their events memorable and well-organized. To conduct such occasions professional event manager are in great demand. It is a multifaceted process, which includes creativity, relationship management, marketing, advertising, and meticulous planning. It has become one of the most exciting and rewarding career options for students. This industry offers an opportunity to unleash one’s creative side of work. It is a career that demands a lot of efforts, hard work and dedication in return of a lucrative job. Corporate houses and other people do not hesitate in shelling out a huge sum of money to make their events grand. This makes the profession even more attractive to young students.

Nature of the Job

A professional in the field is responsible for everything from the start of the event to end. It involves designing the basic framework and flow of the event. Keeping in mind the marketing plans, location of the occasion, sponsors, invitation cards, deciding menu, and even arranging transport for guest can be a part of the job. Finalizing all the aspects of the event is a challenging task. A person can find different job roles while working as an event manager.

These may include:

Marketing and Promotion: It involves promoting any product, service or image of an organization by managing the event at a large scale. Designing: You may also take up a role of a person who is responsible for designing the layout for costumes or stage for the event. Public Relation: It involves managing artists, people, clients, and other participants of the occasion.

Institutes and Courses

The career in managing events has become a full-time profession of young professionals in India. However, to start a career in the field, you require proper planning. In order to learn various skills required in the profession, you need to seek a suitable event management course from one of the reputed universities or institutions. Nowadays, several reputed media and management colleges offer MBA programs in Event Management. Some of the elite institutions include: • National Institute of Event Management, Pune • Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad • Punjabi University, Patiala • EMDI Institute of Media and Communication, Bhopal • Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi These institutes offer several popular diploma, postgraduate, undergraduate and certificate courses offered in the field. Diploma in event management is a popular course among students in Delhi. The city has several colleges that offer diploma and degree courses on full-time as well as part-time basis. The minimum qualification required to seek admission in UG courses is 10+2, while for PG diploma program is graduation. The final selection is mainly on the basis of a written test followed by a personal interview.

Skills needed to become a Successful Event Manager

What it needs to become a successful event manager? Well, a formal education in the field is mandatory. However, apart from educational qualifications, this field also demands creative skills and a host of other skills. Take a look at them: o Problem Solving - Critical thinking, analytical skills and problem solving are the need of the job. It is crucial to be able to handle the event and a situation at any stage of the event. o Ability to Meet Deadlines - Time management is the key to success in the profession. o Customer Service Skills - The job is done to make the special occasion of your client a success. So, customer service should be your priority. o Team work - To manage a big event, you may need to work as a team. So, the job demands a good team spirit and creativity to present the event in an interesting manner. o Planning, Creative and Organizational Skills - It involves the ability to successfully plan and execute the occasion as per the need of the client. Budgeting is an integral part of planning in the job role. As the entertainment industry in India has started getting more recognition and coverage in international market, it has significantly enhanced the scope of the professionals engaged in the event management. So, get ready to put your best foot forward to make a successful career!

Author Bio

Swati Srivastava is a prolific writer who likes to write on topics related to education in different fields. Her articles on a wide range of professional courses like event management courses in Delhi, hotel management courses, various management courses, etc. gives useful information about them. Photo Credit: uberculture

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5 of The Most Active Event Planners on The Web

Arwin Adriano — Sun, 19 May 2013 07:12:04 +0000

I never taught I would become this active engaging and sharing event planning ideas on the web as I first started Event Checklist as a website focused on sharing current and upcoming events around the world. But as time goes by, I felt I have to do something more from that then I came up with the idea of revamping Event Checklist objective and turning the website into a blog focus on sharing Event Planning. I think the development of the blog marks as the start of becoming one of the trusted and go to site of event planners on the web. EventChecklist.net would not be a success without the help of other bloggers that have show interest of sharing their ideas through submitting their guest post, with that I would like to extend my Thank you to all. Event Planning is broad field and I believe there is more to that and that the industry will continue to grow and develop. More Event Planners will share their ideas and I am very proud that I was part of it. Before I start sharing my list, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following event planners that I have included in my list. They are my inspirations and I really appreciate their effort of keeping the event planning industry a lot better. I think that's enough for the introduction and let us start with the list.

Jenise Fryatt

First on my list is Jenise Fryatt. Jenise works as a Social Media Strategist, Blogger, and Content Marketer of smartershift.com. You can get in touch with her through her Twitter account @JeniseFryatt. What I love about Jenise is that she actively participates engaging with other event planners which I find very humble of her.

Liz King

My second one is the New York base Social Media and Event Blogger Liz King. Liz runs the blog lizkingevents.com and you could reach her through her Twitter account @lizkingevents. Liz has tons of Event Planning ideas that you could read through her blog.

Dave Lutz and Jeff Hurt

Third on my list is the duo from velvetchainsaw.com Dave Lutz @VelChain and Jeff Hurt @JeffHurt. What I love about these guys is that they love sharing great stuffs about event industry coming from various sources.

Adrian Segar

Fourth on the list is the US base blogger Adrian Segar. Adrian is the author of Conferences That Work (conferencesthatwork.com). He is one of the guys that I find religiously promoting event planning. You could follow his twitter account at @ASegar. I believe he is one of the first guys that built a community of event planners on Google Plus (eventprofs)

Julius Solaris

Last on my list is none other than the founder and editor of eventmanagerblog.com Julius Solaris @tojulius. I believe he’s one of the pioneers that introduce Event Planning industry on the web as I find him to be very successful in building communities just like when he started Event Planning and Management LinkedIn Group in 2008, to date the community has more than 100,000 members which is no doubt the largest event professionals group on the web. Aside from the community that he have started you could learn new stuffs and event planning development on his blog. That wraps up my list on who to follow in the event planning industry. I am sure that you won’t regret following these guys as you will surely learn a lot from them. By the way, if you are serious about event planning I also suggest that you visit event-planning.alltop.com. There are tons of event planning blogs listed there. Until next time. Follow me on Twitter @adrianoarwin. Photo Credit: plastAnka

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10 Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Next Conference

Guest Blogger — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:27:08 +0000

If you are planning to attend an upcoming conference to gain new skills, network with professionals in your industry, or learn about new trends, it is important to prepare yourself for the event. There are plenty of reasons to attend a conference, including the free refreshments and meals, but if you do not prepare in advance you are not going to get the most out of the event. Here are the 10 tips on how you can find time to do everything you planned at your conference, while still finding time to enjoy yourself:

1. Participate

Why just be an attendee when you can be a facilitator or a volunteer. One great way to maximize your experience and to gain visibility is to get involved with the organizer and volunteer your services. This is an excellent way to gain a good reputation and to stand out to those who matter.

2. Connect With The Experts

Organizers choose experts to represent the company at a conference. While you can learn a lot from just listening to what the speaker has to say, you can learn even more if you stick around and ask questions. Connect with the speaker, network with them, and do not forget to follow up after the conference is over.

3. Reconnect

You might take time building new relationships, but save some time to reconnect with professionals you already know. All too often, you get too busy to catch up with your vendors and colleagues. See the conference as a opportunity to meet up with long lost friends and business professionals who will be attending and make time for coffee.

4. Attend the Briefing

If this is your first time attending a conference, you might be intimidated by all of the scheduled sessions. You are not alone. The best organizers will make time for a briefing, where individuals can find out everything they need to know about future sessions. This is a great time to connect with other first-timers as well.

5. Go to the Sessions That Matter the Most

One thing you will quickly learn is that there are entirely too many sessions at a conference for you to attend. When you are scheduling what sessions you will go to, make sure you make time for the ones that matters most. After you pencil these in, fill in the rest of your time with sessions that will help you build skills or network.

6. Write Down Takeaways

It is easy to forget all of the information presented at a conference if you do not take the time to take notes. Your notes do not have to be pages in length, but make sure that you write down 3 to 5 takeaways of every session so that you can easily share it with your colleagues.

7. Socialize

Learning is important, but socializing is important too. There will be social sessions, where you can network and hold conversations with others in your industry. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting.

8. Download the Events App

All experienced conference organizers develop an events app for participants to use throughout each session. This app will help you stay engaged and will even give you access to speaker notes and content. Download this app, check-in at sessions, and stay engaged.

9. Follow-up with Your New Connections

When you have time, take out the business cards and contact information you gathered at the conference and follow up with each person. Send them a short message letting them know you enjoyed speaking with them and ask to setup a meeting if it is appropriate.

10. Share

If you were the lucky person in your office who got to attend the conference, make sure to pass on the information you learned. Use your app, show colleagues the content or the videos, and you can pay it forward. Plan ahead, stay visible, and build relationships while you build your skills. By staying engaged and sociable, you can take a lot away from the conference and have fun stories to tell.

Author Bio

Francis Miller is a traveling business man who has attended many conferences in his lifetime. Francis is always in search of ways to get more out of the conferences he attends. Citations: Event app information from http://doubledutch.me/ Additional information and tips on attending conferences from QuickSprout.com’s Beginners Guide To Attending Conferences. Photo Credit: JD Hancock

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How to Brief an Events Photographer to Get The Shots That You Need

Guest Blogger — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:46:31 +0000

When you run a big corporate event it’s always a good idea to hire a specialised events photographer to capture the day. It’s also great to give your staff a reminder of your successful event because these photos can help them to be motivated and build their team spirit. High quality photos are also good to use as promotional materials and brochures. Once you have chosen your events photographer you will need to brief them carefully to make sure that you get the shots that you want. The event only happen once so you don’t want to miss your chance to get things right. Here are 5 ideas to help you keep your photographer on brief:

1. Make Sure They Know Which People Count

If you are organising a large conference you are likely to have very senior officials there. You may also have guest speakers and even a celebrity attending so you want to make sure that you get some great shots of these people. Introduce your photographer to the people that they will need to capture so that they will recognise them in the crowd and know who they should be looking out for.

2. Give Them A Schedule Of The Days Events

It may sound obvious but if you want your photographer to get the shots you need then they will have to be in the right place at the right time. You will need to give them an up to date schedule of the day’s events and highlight any key note speeches, break-out sessions or team building games that you particularly want photographed. Remember they may need to get to a room early to set up their equipment so allow enough time between sessions for them to do this.

3. Show Them Examples Of The Shots You Want

Sometimes it’s hard to convey what you want out of a photograph in words so why not use a picture instead. Before the conference have a look at other corporate brochures and search the internet for styles of photography that you feel will suit your brand. Then you can easily show your event photographer how you want your shots to look and the type of images that you are expecting from them.

4. Tell Them What You Want In The Background

As discussed earlier in this article you will have briefed your photographer on who you want in your photos but you also need to tell them what you want in your photos. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a great shot of a speaker but having an object such as a chair or lectern blocking your company logo. Be clear that you want full logos in the background of any shots that they take. If you are having your conference in a stunning venue or fantastic location you may also want them to get shots of these in the background too.

5. Don’t Forget To Photograph The Evening Entertainment

After a hard days of work your staff would want a chance to unwind. Many large corporations organise a party with food, music and dancing in the evening. Whilst it’s great to have the formal shots from the conference it can also be fun to get some more relaxed pictures to capture everyone really enjoying themselves. Let your photographer know if you want them to take some evening shots – they will definitely make everyone smile.

Author Bio

Indigo Plum is an events photographer based in St Albans in the UK. Simon Lane has been a professional photographer since 1982 and specialises in corporate events photography and videography. Photo Credit: @EffStopp

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How to Create a Corporate Event That Everyone Will Remember

Guest Blogger — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:47:26 +0000

Does the thought of having to organise a ‘Team building day’ bring on cold sweat and palpitations? Do you need to organise a corporate day event which includes seminars, group exercises and a social afterward. and feel that it will be your neck on the line if the event isn’t a swinging success? If the only thing you know about events management so far is that Ferro Roche is also served at the ambassadors function then this is an understandably daunting prospect. The good news is you can put the paper bag down and resume breathing normally; this quick guide will help ensure that not only do you secure your reputation by ensuring a smoothly run event, but that it leaves an imprint on the minds of attendees for some time to come.

Step 1: And The Theme of The Event Shall Be…

Kept relevant and focused throughout the day. Clarifying your overall theme at the outset will smooth out the whole planning process. Regardless of the theme (whether it’s team building, communication skills or anything else) ensure the structure is consistent and reinforced throughout the day.

Step 2: You Won’t Burn a Hole on Your (Company) Wallet if You Budget.

You’ve chosen the theme and begun sourcing the suppliers; you’re so enthusiastic that no expense will be spared. Warning! You may need to slow down at this point, cancel the ice sculptures and fireworks display. Keep it simple, make a budget and stick to it. Make sure to prepare for some unexpected costs along the way. Having an idea of what you can afford to spend on the venue, catering, guest speakers and entertainment will ultimately make sure you get best value for money in the end. Of course, if there is any cash left over, that can certainly go towards impressive fireworks and ice sculptures!

Step 3: X Marks the Spot… of Your Event.

With both the theme and budget rooted firmly in your mind it’s time to locate a venue. After all, you can’t throw an event without a venue. Factors worth taking into consideration at this stage include; the amount of time you will you be able to access the venue for (if it’s during day hours only you may need to move onto a second venue for the social), whether you can bring in your own catering and entertainment (if not provided by the venue) and although it sounds simple consider the convenience for the attendees to get to the venue. The easier your chosen venue is to get to, the less resistance you will meet with RSVPs.

Step 4: ‘We’ve Got a Great Day Lined Up for You…’

Your opening words will ring true at the event if stage 4 comes together. It’s time to put that budget into use and start hiring the people who you need to make the day a success. As previously mentioned, this can include everything from guest speakers and facilitators at the day event (unless provided internally by your company), to catering staff and entertainment for the evening social event. In addition to who you are hiring, you will also need to agree on what will be provided; everything from team building exercises, lectures and the catering menu for the night. This is the most intense stage in the process and although it requires a lot of work, it’s the making of your event. The better the preparation in stage 4, the more seamless the event will be. Simple tips to follow here are shop around for providers; get the best price for your budget and don’t be shy to ask for references from their previous events.

Step 5: Plan it Well and They Will Come…

So long as you get the invitations go out. Your guests are the final ingredient. Ensure you give plenty of notice and that everyone sees the invite so there are no excuses for non attendance. It is also a good idea to send out reminders by email, just be careful not to bombard everybody. Pulling off the office event of the year won’t be easy but following these steps will ensure you are more than adequately prepared and that the event will run as smoothly as possible. Of course, if the thought of this is still too much for you, you can put your feet up, call in some experts on incorporate event management and let somebody worry about the Ferro Roche’s. As they say, ‘it’ll be alright on the night,’ regardless of whether you micro manage the project yourself or bring in some outside help, may your event be a swinging success!

Author Bio

Robert Dickson writes for Keele Conferences and knows a thing or two about throwing a good party. Photo Credit: TheArches

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Five Innovative Team-Building Activities to Try

Guest Blogger — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:07:56 +0000

Team-building activities are a tried and tested way to boost staff motivation by ensuring employees work together as a team to solve problems. However, some methods of team-building can become stale if employers continue to carry out the same exercises with their employees. Shaking things up by organising a unique team-building exercise for employees can really prove effective for bringing a team together. Below are just five of the most exciting and innovative team-building exercises that you might want to try for your next work bonding session.

1. Da Vinci Code

If you think your workers will be up for a bit of a brain workout, then definitely get them signed up to the Da Vinci Code. This mysterious activity will certainly get their brains working as they attempt to solve the murder trail relating to Dan Brown's famous novel. Participants will take part in a number of activities based both inside and outdoors, with each task demanding a different skill. Each task will take from 5 - 25 minutes, with only the strongest teams triumphing.

2. Thames Powerboat Adventure

If you are after something a bit more adventurous, then why not take your team on an adrenaline-pumping ride down the London Thames? Teams will be able to bond as they share the experience at cruising down this famous river at 40mph, whilst taking in well-known sights such as Tower Bridge and the London Eye. If you are based in or near the capital, this is definitely a London team building activity you won't want to miss.

3. Urban Circus

Looking for something fun? Then why not try the urban circus, where employees will be able to try their hand at skills such as low wire walking, extreme diabolo, juggling and stilt walking? This will take workers out of their comfort zone and really push them to their limits and show what they can do. They will also be treated to a routine by some professional entertainers.

4. Cooking Experiences

Why not find out in you have any Jamie Olivers or Delia Smiths in your workforce with a cooking experience? This is a great way to help workers bond, as they will have to help each other to make each dish. It can also be really fun and boost their creativity. Employees will no doubt be amazed what they can come up with when given the right ingredients... literally! You might all even get a tasty meal out of it too.

5. Team Work of Art

If you want to get really creative with your team then why not give them the task of creating a piece of artwork together? This task will ensure that all employees really listen to each other to determine the end result of the art and the concept that they are going for. Teams way want to re-create their company's brand, try to visually represent some of their firm's core values or even make their own version of a famous artwork. Whatever way, this activity will be sure to help employees see the 'big picture'!

Author Bio

Magnus Ward is a professional writer, blogger and also a globetrotter. Currently he lives in Brighton, UK. In the above post, he has come up with some great suggestions as to how to motivate staffs in office. To know more about team building activities, you may connect him via Google+. Photo Credit: philentropist

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Check it Twice: Use an Event Checklist to Get The Party Started

Arwin Adriano — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:55:40 +0000

Planning an event is a hard work. There are many different facets of party planning that are often overlooked when someone is putting an event together simply because there is so much to be done. The best way to prevent issues when it is time for the party is by making an event checklist. This hard and fast collection of party needs, scheduling and budget can help you to stay on track and have a smooth event. Whether you have planned several events in the past or are brand new in the world of party planning, with a few simple tips you can have your event going off without a hitch in no time at all.

Budget

The most important aspect of planning an event is the budget. This is your tightrope to walk, the number you will need to adhere to no matter what comes up. The best way to start a budget list is by writing your total budget at the top of the page, then make a list of all the party supplies you need. From there, you can do some research into pricing to give yourself a basic estimate of what each item will cost. In the case of budgeting, it is always a good idea to round up on your prices. If your price list comes up as a larger number than your budget, then you know it's time to start whittling down the supplies list. Often, it can be something as simple as changing patterned table cloths to a solid color, or choosing paper napkins over fabric ones to stay within your budget and still be satisfied. Another great idea is to take advantage of online coupons and deals from Save1.com where you can find money saving coupons on everything you need to make your party a success.

Guest List

Next to your budget, the most important item in your checklist arsenal is your guest list. This is a list that will need to be constantly updated, and is best kept in digital form rather than a physical hard copy. A guest list is always an approximate number, as guests will choose to come, or not to come without speaking to the event planner or anyone else. A good way to protect against the unknown when it comes to your guest list is to pad the number by at least ten. That way you are covered if guests bring more than their plus one, and will always have enough to go around. Making sure guests have a number to reach you at, or an email address is a good way to keep a finger on the pulse of your guest list. You could even suggest that guests can text you, as some people may feel embarrassed to call and tell you that they will not be attending or have to cancel, while being much more comfortable passing that information on via text message.

Important Numbers

This is one of those absolutely essential items that often gets overlooked in the rush of event planning. Having a list of numbers to reach all of the important parties is key when the day of the event comes around. Florists, caterers and event staff are all important numbers to have at the ready. But also numbers for important guests like the birthday boy or girl, or the man of the hour are good to have on hand as well. Communication is the key to having an event run smoothly.

Scheduling

The best way to keep an event on track is by having an itinerary. Timing is everything. That is why it is so important to have a list of when you can begin setting up in the venue, as well as what time you will need to have the venue cleaned out and ready for the next event. With smaller events such as birthday parties and baby showers, there may not be a need for much more scheduling than dealing with the venue. Larger and more complex affairs like wedding receptions and charity auctions will need to be more closely timed to make sure that everything can be accomplished in the allotted amount of time. No matter the event, a checklist can help you to keep from falling prey to the stresses of event planning. A solid checklist will help you to stay in touch with those you are working with, stay abreast of changes that need to be made, and to make sure that your event goes as smoothly as possible. Setting aside time to make a thorough checklist will help to save you headaches in the long run, allowing you to enjoy your event as it happens. Photo Credit: INPIVIC

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How to Choose the Right Conferences to Attend

Guest Blogger — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:08:37 +0000

Conferences are a great way to boost your business profile. Whether you make a speech and share your expertise, or just attend and pick up some tips; conferences are one of the best ways you can network with prospects, customers, and peers. But with so many conferences and exhibitions on the calendar, how can you choose the right event for your business? Here, we share four insider tips on how you can choose the right conference or event:

Know Your Aims

Before you even research potential conferences to attend, you should establish your aims. What do you want to achieve from the conference? A boost in sales or enquiries? Or are you just looking to raise your business profile? What will you be doing at the conference? What kind of budget are you working to? When you know your aims, and you know how you can achieve these, you can start searching for the right conferences to help you achieve these.

Learn From Experience

If you have attended conferences and events before, you are one step ahead when it comes to making the decision this time. You should have reviewed your past experiences in terms of leads generated, how cost effective it was, and whether you felt it was a worthwhile experience. Before signing up for another conference, sit down and learn from this experience. Look at what went well – and not so well – and how you can build on this at a different conference. By learning from and adapting on past experiences, you will be able to choose the right events and conferences in the future.

Review the Guest List

Remember those aims you outlined earlier? Well now it’s time to put them to good use. With these in mind, review the guest list of potential conferences to see what opportunities these will present to you and your business. If you’re giving a speech; who is your target audience? What will they want to learn, and what do they already know? What is it that you can offer them? If you’re going for the networking opportunities; what other businesses are going to be there on the day? What can you offer one another, and who is on your ‘hit list’? By this, are any of your prospects attending and how can you convert them into buyers?

What’s the Potential ROI?

The final, and perhaps most important thing to consider, is if the cost of attending the conference matches the potential benefits. We all know that marketing costs, and you won’t get something for nothing; but the ‘right’ conference will generate maximum ROI and make all your outgoings worthwhile. If you feel like you will need to spend a lot and won’t get anything in return, you might need to rethink. Connect with past attendees using social media and ask them how the conference went for them. Be sure to choose a company similar to you, so you can get a better idea of how things will pan out. And remember to follow your gut instinct. There is no quick or easy way to tell how successful a conference will be for your business; and choosing the right one to attend will be a lot of trial and error. Conferences are a great way to grow your business, and – when planned effectively – they can be a hugely powerful marketing tool.

Author Bio

Guest Post brought to you by RB Displays. A leading supplier of exhibition stands to high profile clients in the UK. Photo Credit: .Bala

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Your Essential Guide to Organising an Event

Guest Blogger — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:07:45 +0000

When organising an event there are plenty of things to consider to ensure you plan and execute a successful event. When you have defined the purpose of the event you can then set about creating a checklist to quantify all the aspects you want to consider.

What Do You Want to Achieve?

Firstly set goals for your event and decide what you want to accomplish. Put yourself in the position of someone attending and visualise what you would like them to learn or feel from your event. From this you can then establish the theme and tone of the event. If you’re getting married you may want your guests to feel at ease, so a more formal setting may be key. Or if you’re planning a festival you may want attendees to feel involved and excited. Consider these factors and this will help to underpin your event.

Budget

Establish a budget and stick to it. Consider the costs for venue hire, transportation costs, food, promotional materials etc. If you’re a charity how will the event be funded? Look to see if you can get sponsorship or donations to help fund the event.

Pick a Time and Place

Location and timing is key, as this can make or break your event. Choose a centralised location which is easily accessible. Make sure your site has enough parking for your attendants and good street access. When choosing a location have a contingency plan - if you’re event is outdoors, what will happen if it rains? When choosing a date ensure it doesn’t coincide with a major sporting event, holiday or even a popular TV show so that your event has the best chance of getting maximum attendance.

Public Safety

Managing a public event requires you to ensure the safety of event organisers, volunteers, event staff and the public. In doing so public liability insurance is mandatory, as well as seeking legal advice as part of their risk management strategy. Public safety is a priority and it’s important to establish a place of assembly if there was a fire or emergency. Exits need to be clearly marked and provided on a site plan for the day. Depending on the event, different types of security will be required. Festivals, concerts, corporate or V.I.P events will require different ranges of security whether this is police, private uniformed security or peer security.

Promote Your Event

Your event will only have attendees if it’s publicised. Invite people to your event at least 2 weeks before it’s due to commence and send out reminders. Use word of mouth, emails, and social media platforms such as Meetup. Contact local radio stations, create leaflets or try and get a local celebrity involved to help raise awareness. Send out a press release about your event detailing - what the event is, what it’s for, when and where it’s happening and contact details. If you’re organising a local event - community noticeboards and a community launch would be ideal.

Author Bio

This article was brought to you by Conference Care who are a conference venue and hotel booking agent. Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk

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Five Awesome Marketing Techniques for Small Businesses

Guest Blogger — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:13:37 +0000

It’s hard being a small fish in a big pond. But with the right marketing, small businesses CAN create an impact in a competitive market. Here are five awesome marketing techniques for small businesses that won’t break the bank.

Be Social

Social networking is free and can help generate new leads for your business. It also helps to support existing activity by allowing you to communicate with your customers/supporters in ‘real-time’ and in a relatively informal manner. If your business does not currently have Facebook and Twitter profiles, then create them straight away. They are free and can provide perfect platforms to advertise your events, products, offers and news. It also opens your business up to a different demographic. If you are more used to direct mailing, the target of which tends to be older audiences, then your business may benefit from reaching out to younger customers, which could in turn boost business. There is also potential for online business-to-business (B2B) networking opportunities.

Get Business Cards

It may sound old-school, but business cards are still as important as ever when it comes to building business. At busy trade shows and exhibitions, people do not always have the time or patience to stop and write down a number of names and contact details. Business cards – which should feature your company, name, telephone, website and email address – can be handed out in even the busiest of times, so get some printed!

Blog it

A business blog is a great way to boost your search engine rankings. Regularly updating your website blog with topical, relevant and informative content (news, special offers, events etc) keeps your website appealing in Google terms, and also gives current and potential customers a chance to ask questions, leave reviews and generally interact with you. Also, consider guest-blogging or writing for industry websites and trade magazines who often provide your contact details and a link to your website for free.

Reward the Loyal

In this ever competitive market, it is important to make sure you hold on to your existing customers. Your customers already know and trust you, and therefore it is easier to get business from them that targeting new leads. Reward your customers by creating deals just for your existing customers. Compliment them with special offers, invite them to exclusive events, offer a referrals scheme and even take them out to lunch for an informal business discussion; these can all help to keep them sweet and prevent them from taking their business elsewhere.

Be Bold with Multimedia

Support your company’s products and services with multimedia to get your message across to a range of customers. Uploading YouTube videos (these can be short, straight forward demonstrations – they do not have to be Hollywood blockbusters!), posting and sharing pictures on Pinterest/Flickr, creating downloadable podcasts; they can all help to reach a broader audience without having to invest in a costly marketing strategy. If you offer a service, it may be worth creating statistical infographics; highly-visual downloads which can be printed off and shared with clients that are much more appealing and modern than spreadsheets.

Author Bio

Rachel Stone is a main contributor to Project Print and there Digital Printing Service. Photo Credit: djwtwo

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Tips for Planning a Beach Wedding

Arwin Adriano — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:04:05 +0000

So many couples dream of getting married on the beach, and quite a number of them are making this dream become a reality. What are some tips to keep in mind when you're planning this type of nuptial celebration?

Near or Far

Depending upon where you live, you might have to travel a bit to have your beach wedding. Whenever you are throwing a destination wedding, it's smart to consider the guest list. For example, if one of your very close relatives is unable to fly on a plane, you'd be better suited to a beach wedding within the country. No matter where you wind up having your beach wedding, just be advised that fewer people tend to go to destination weddings than traditional weddings.

Ceremony Considerations

Some couples just want to have their reception on the beach, and others want to have their ceremonies as well. If you are having a religious ceremony, you need to find out what the requirements of your faith are. For example, a Roman Catholic ceremony is not allowed outside of the church. If having a member of the clergy is important to you, you need to find out if it's possible in your religion.

All The Vendors

Even if your wedding is more casual than most, you still want to have all of the vendors present. Hiring a Cabo wedding photographer (click here) ensures that beautiful pictures will be procured of your lovely wedding on the beach. You should also hire a DJ and a caterer as music and food are frequently considered to be the two most important elements of any wedding. Whether you are having both the ceremony and reception or only one of these events on the beach, you also need to find out if any permits need to be obtained, and other logistical arrangements.

Consider Attire

For a beach wedding, it is often difficult to wear a heavy gown. You will likely be quite warm and have some trouble dragging it across the sand. Furthermore, wearing heels, or asking the women in the bridal party to wear heels, is really not too reasonable for a beach wedding. At many beach weddings, the groom and men in the bridal party will actually wear lighter colored suits or suits made of more breathable fabric. You need to consider how the outside elements could have an effect on your wedding ceremony and reception.

The Weather

Speaking of the outside elements, it's also important to think about how the weather could change the wedding plans. When having a beach wedding, as much as the couple wants to think positively, it is so crucial to have a backup plan. A secondary location must be obtained. A tent on the beach is often not enough-- If a serious storm hits, the waves could cause the intended location to be flooded. Planning a beach wedding really gives the couple an opportunity to explore their unique interests and plan a party suited to their style. With the right planning and considerations, your wedding will be a beautiful, unique, and fun event that everyone will remember. Photo Credit: linh.ngan

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