A well-financed team can avoid running out of money for critical marketing initiatives or payment of speaker fees. According to an IBIS World report, the event management industry is valued at $3.2 billion in 2022. After shrinking by 9% in 2021, it is now growing by 4% per annum.
Successful event planning is a complex process that requires careful planning, meticulous execution, and thoughtful evaluation. From defining the event to wrapping up after it’s over, each stage plays a crucial role in the success of the event. Each scene, or in this case, each activity, needs to be carefully planned and timed.
You should take your time in selecting the right venue and considering every possible aspect. The location, the spaciousness you require, the number of rooms and parking spots, and the price point are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a venue. You are hoping for the best possible scenario due to rigorous event planning efforts, but you also need to make sure you are prepared for the worst. This is true for all types of events, but handling a problem at an in-person event might be the most complicated. Therefore, it is important to always have a plan B and think of every possible solution well in the early stages of event planning. Thinking on your feet and improvising are important to transform a complete disaster into a minor hiccup. Event organizers also need to move past the woes of the pandemic and think of virtual events as an option rather than the only possible one.
Now that you know why you’re planning the event, it’s time to figure out who needs to come. That’s usually a question of 1) who’s going to benefit from the purpose of the event or 2) who needs to be present to work towards a goal. When you’re planning your event budget, make sure that you’re including each of these pieces in your estimates to avoid going over budget. Our software also offers a variety of views, from a list to a calendar and even a kanban board that helps you visualize the workflow to keep on task.
Ensure every attendee has everything they need in the palm of their hands to have a stellar event experience. Eventbrite and other online platforms make it possible to start selling tickets in minutes. You’ll want to select your platform early so you can promote registration and send your audience to the registration website. This person leads agenda development, works with speakers, and makes sure the schedule is up-to-date and communicated to the right parties. Your scheduling guy coordinates meetings at the event, and he lives to make attendees into successful networkers. If you are building a team from the ground up, it’s important to designate roles early on to ensure accountability. All members of the team should report into a project manager who has visibility across all of the moving pieces.
By distilling the core purpose of your event, you can craft experiences that resonate, engage, and convert. No matter the event, I’ve always found myself wishing for more time to prepare. But good event managers understand the importance of the time they have and work to use it in the most efficient manner possible. Below is a general timeline of some common event tasks that may help you plan your next event.
However, if you are planning an event that you want to make more accessible for all, things can get tricky. There is a lot of information there and you can easily find the right solution for your company and event. But most importantly, once you have shortlisted some options, book a demo to get clarity on what the solution offers. As the event is completely online, you should think about the complete journey that your attendees will take once they register. This includes logging in, entering the virtual environment, watching the webinars, visiting virtual booths, etc.
If you have a great, financially viable idea, why not produce it yourself in your community? A great event experience is bound to attract the attention of potential clients and future event attendees.
However, if costs are high and you aren’t able to book big-ticket events, your event planning business is likely to be less lucrative. Now that you know the types of events you want to plan, the clients you want to work with, and how you’re going to accept payments, it’s time to start bringing in some business!
