🚀 The Event Playbook:

Proven strategies to level up your next event!

Download the Event Playbook,

proven strategy to level up your next event!

Event planning guidelines.

Event Planning Guidelines for Smooth Event Management

Masterfully orchestrate wow-worthy events that strategically align programming, promotion, and production elements behind-the-scenes to create an unforgettable experience for attendees.

Hosting a flawless, wow-worthy event requires both artistry and strategy – the creative vision to design an unforgettable experience paired with the meticulous planning to pull off those designs without a hitch.

While exhilarating, event planning also carries an intimidating reputation.

It seems to demand superhuman project management talents hidden behind a curtain of industry lingo.

In reality though, the path to event success simply involves intentionally applying organization and communication every step of the way.

This guide breaks down that mystical process into straightforward building blocks.

By covering key concepts, best practices, and potential pitfalls, it equips you to confidently navigate event planning with increased clarity and capability.

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One Event. Two Experiences.

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Demystifying the Complex Process of Event Planning

At its core, event planning involves multi-layered coordination between various stakeholders to bring a concept to life. It’s far more complex than just picking a venue and choosing décor.
Success means aligning every aspect of your event with its purpose and desired participant experience.You’ll need to oversee details like:

  1. Defining event goals, target audience and key messages
  2. Establishing a budget and managing contracts
  3. Selecting and securing an appropriate venue
  4. Arranging tech, equipment, transportation and parking
  5. Coordinating schedule, programming and activities
  6. Overseeing catering, décor, signage and rentals
  7. Developing a promotion strategy and managing registration
  8. Creating contingency plans for emergencies

While the laundry list of tasks seems utterly daunting, take heart.

We’ll soon discover techniques to maintain perspective amidst the demands.

But first, we must dismantle inaccurate assumptions about event planning that set the wrong expectations going in.

Exposing Common Myths

If you’re dipping your toes into planning corporate events for the first time, you may have encountered some prevalent myths that don’t quite match reality. Let’s unpack three of the most common ones:

#1 Rainbows and Butterflies Await

The Myth: Event planning is sunshine and roses!

The Reality: It’s strategic, high-stress work. Expect long, unpredictable hours leading up to the big day. Last-minute fires can flare up too, so patience and problem-solving are key.

#2 No Technical Skills Needed

The Myth: You don’t need any technical abilities.

The Reality: Leveraging event software and digital tools is crucial for success. You’ll also need marketing savvy to promote it and data skills to evaluate outcomes.

#3 Décor and Catering Break the Bank

The Myth: Most funds go to fancy decorations and cuisine.

The Reality: The venue and necessary equipment actually eat up the largest chunk of budget. Skimping here can undermine other plans.

As you can see, nearly every part of corporate event planning requires far more effort, expertise, and money than many anticipate. But now that you have clear-eyed understanding of the journey ahead, let’s look at constructing a sturdy foundation for event success.

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Laying the Groundwork for Event Planning Excellence

Before wading into the nitty gritty of event planning, it’s vital to clearly define your vision, goals, and desired participant experience upfront.

This initial step serves as a strategic guidepost that will steer all choices during the planning process. 

It also enables better collaboration among stakeholders since they grasp the purpose and priorities propelling the event.

Once you’ve established unified intent, you can start choreographing the execution thoughtfully and precisely.

Define Your Event Goals and Desired Outcomes

Long before visiting potential venues or sampling catering options, it is crucial to outline your event goals in detail.

These specific objectives will serve as guiding principles to keep your efforts aligned even when faced with unexpected challenges during the planning phase.

Ask yourself:

  • What type of experience do you want attendees to depart with?
  • What key messages do you want them to recall after the event?
  • How will this event strengthen relationships or advance important causes?

In addition to these qualitative intentions, it’s vital to set measurable targets such as:

The most successful events completely align every facet with a central vision that sparks excitement starting from the very first interaction with potential attendees.

Clearly defining your desired experience, key messages, and measurable goals at the outset will steer difficult later decisions regarding decor, catering, or entertainment.

It’s essential to revisit this vision often and share it with vendors so they can fully immerse themselves in your objectives.

When challenges emerge while planning, referring back to these overarching purposes beyond profits or preferences can motivate teams through tough times while maintaining a collaborative spirit.

Crafting Your Master Event Timeline

With goals defined, chart milestones on a backwards calendar counting down to showtime using project software like Asana.

This blueprint sequences all required undertakings to actualize your vision without dropping balls.

  • Build buffers into your schedule, particularly for complex undertakings like designing event marketing assets or securing permits. Late stage additions are also common like finalizing room layouts, AV needs, staffing schedules and day-of run-of-show rundowns.
  • Block out date placeholders for vital checkpoints like vendor selection, contract signing, early promotion launch, and registration deadlines. Set calendar reminders to help your days flow productively.
  • Monitoring Spending via Budget Trackers. Finance management is imperative, but doesn’t need to induce headaches. Before spending a dime, build a master budget estimating all foreseeable expenses from major costs like venue, catering and rentals to incidentals like printing, transportation and décor accents.

Leverage free templates and build sufficient buffers into budgets for surprise expenses…because something always arises last minute!

Continue updating actuals vs. plans in accounting systems or sheets.
Add at least 5% contingency buffers because surprise costs always crop up last minute!If swelling budgets jeopardize other elements, quickly identify areas to scale back while retaining event vision integrity and quality.

With financial guardrails in place, focus shifts to curating WOW!

As you pay deposits and track purchases, regularly update budgets to detect swelling numbers before overspending.

If costs exceed original plans, reassess elements to scale back while retaining event integrity.

Managing Vendor Negotiations with Finesse

Securing quality vendors at reasonable rates involves strategically leveraging your negotiating power.

Comb through portfolios to identify providers that suit your event brand and goals.

Then politely convey your vision while highlighting attractive elements that benefit partners like:

  • Mentions in your event promotion
  • Signage featuring their logos
  • Booths for vendor display areas
  • Introductions to influential attendees
  • Social media features

Discuss capabilities to meet your attendee headcount, climate control needs, power access, parking availability, layout accommodations, necessary equipment, and more.

Be frank about budget constraints but open exploring options creatively.

With pricing, avoid anchoring talks to initial proposals.

Research reasonable rates beforehand and offer lower counteroffers. But welcome custom packages or add-on suggestions if budgets stretch.

Meeting halfway keeps positive rapport so you become a loyal future customer…and may even gain preferential treatment!

Post-event, thank partners publicly with reviews.

Cultivating Win-Win Vendor Relationships

Driving the point home: The caliber of your programmers, caterers, rental vendors and technicians directly impacts event success.

But procuring partners at reasonable rates isn’t always easy. Apply these universal relationship-building strategies when negotiating.

  • Do Your Homework. Anchor discussions in researched regional average vendor rates, not initial proposals likely padding margins. This allows you to counteroffer from realistic ballparks.
  • Discuss Creative Solutions. If standard packages stretch beyond your budget, flexibly explore alternative options together vs. rigidly expecting discounts. Things like simplified menus, non-peak days, or promoting vendor brands onsite.
  • Spotlight Your Vision. Convey your event purpose and how you’ll spotlight their talents before captive crowds of ideal new clients for them. High perceived value in non-monetary perks also persuades rates down.
  • Identify Shared Passions. Look for alignments between their brand ethos and your underlying event purpose. Mutually vested beyond transactions unlocks creative compromises and good faith flexibility.

Fostering genuine partner chemistry sustains beyond one-off events allowing programming to ambitiously progress.

Exploring Event Insurance Options

While pouring focus into perfect event production, also protect your organization against unforeseen incidents.

Review insurance options like:

  • General liability – Covers 3rd party bodily injury or property damage claims
  • Cancellation – Reimburses certain costs if unexpectedly canceling
  • Liquor liability – Handles alcohol-related claims
  • Weather insurance – Offsets losses for outdoor event weather issues

Ensure venue, vendors, performers, and suppliers carry adequate coverage too.

For high risk events, specialized brokers like EventHelper.com educate on tailored policies.

Optimizing Venue Selection and Contracts

The venue largely shapes the event experience while consuming hefty budget shares.

Visit spaces balancing ideal aesthetics, capacity, amenities, accessibility, ambiance, operational functionality and technology provisions.

Thoroughly vet options to answer:

  • Does their insurance protect you sufficiently or require supplements?
  • What’s all included vs. added fees like power access or extra bathroom rentals?
  • What personnel handles our event from planning through day-of needs?

Negotiate contracts locking mutually agreeable terms like unique room layouts, discounted rates for off-peak timing, or bundled packages across their event spaces and affiliated hotels.

With a thoughtfully selected venue under contract, event construction truly commences!

 

Easy starting packages • Advanced options • Proven results

 

Streamlining Event Execution with Bulletproof Checklists

When hosting events, the devil is in the details.

Without structured systems tracking the intricate moving parts, things slip through the cracks unleashing last-minute fires.

Save your sanity and avoid careless mistakes by creating master checklists guiding your journey to event day.

I’ll walk through constructing comprehensive planner checklists covering all bases – so you can then divert focus towards delighting attendees!

Defining Your Event Vision and Goals Upfront

Before tactical logistics, clearly define your event vision including:

  • Quantifiable Attendance and Engagement Targets – Set measurable goals for registrations, social media impressions, attendee participation rates, etc. This also helps guide budget and venue size planning.
  • Audience Personas and Preferences – Outline your target participant demographics and psychographics. Brainstorm exactly what experience resonates most with these groups based on prior events or market research. Cater all elements to intrigue your crowd!
  • Key Messages and Takeaways – What core memories, emotions and knowledge should attendees walk away with? Let this guide your content development, signage, decor and takeaway collateral.

Revisiting this vision regularly steers all suppliers, committees and teams towards a unified purpose during potential planning detours.

Inventorying All Equipment, Furnishings and Décor

While venues typically provide basics like tables and chairs, also account for event-specific amenities like:

  • Audiovisual – Sound systems, lighting, projection, video recording needs
  • Staging and Drapes – Mixing risers, podiums, backdrop décor
  • Wi-Fi Provisions – Event network seperate from public venue signal
  • Registration Technology – Check-in devices, badge printers, scanners
  • Furnishings – Linens, bars, dance floors, lounge seating

Build budgets including rental fees.

Handle logistics like drop-off timing, storage space, load-in access, testing schedule and insurance requirements.

Orchestrating Vendor Catering and Entertainment

Culinary and entertainment anchors uniquely flavor events. Select specialists suiting your audience and venue infrastructure early to lock availability.

  • Outline Catering Menus – Balance delicious options with dietary preferences like vegetarian, kosher, halal or gluten free selections. Discuss presentation style and service timing logistics.
  • Book Entertainment Act(s) –Ask technical requirements on equipment, power, space and existing lighting or sound provisions.
  • Request References – Vet new vendors through referrals and reviews ensuring quality standards and reliability.

Build run-of-show schedules around these cornerstone elements.

Allow ample load-in time for teams to setup and strike equipment post event.

Delegating Day-Of Event Roles

As show date nears, handpick staff and volunteers as trusted deputies managing zones like guest reception, AV troubleshooting, vendor oversight and photograph/video capture.

Conduct run-throughs clearly outlining responsibilities to each player.

Equip them with annotated venue layout maps, itineraries, supplier contacts and toolkits like first aid kits or wireless device chargers to handle attendee needs.

Empowering your crew lets you focus on big picture oversight…and actually relax enjoying showtime after months of event construction!

Rallying Your Troops for Smooth Event Execution

Even with attentive planning, effectively coordinating numerous stakeholders during active events is challenging.

Avoid dropping balls by designating player roles and communicating protocols ahead of time.

Create an event management org chart visually mapping team members and vendors to zones of responsibility. Ensure appropriate points of contact for issues arising with:

  • Registration, Check-In and Credentialing
  • Guest Reception and Hospitality
  • Session Moderators/Emcees
  • A/V, Lighting andstaging
  • Catering and Menu Timing
  • Exhibit Hall and Vendor Relations
  • Sponsor Fulfillment
  • Social Media and Crowd Engagement

Build this chain of command into a printed day-of contact sheet. Distribute to all leaders and produce wallet cards for quick reference onsite.

Stage walkthroughs at the venue to acquaint groups with layout specifics like entry points, equipment locations or backstage routes for talent.

Set the expectation that all own resolving issues quickly within their realm without heavily involving you.

Finally, huddle on event eve to hype up teams and reminisce on months of planning.

Foster camaraderie through personalized notes to each helper noting their unique event contributions.

This intentional culture and communications rigging allows you to entirely focus on high-level oversight during events by trusting in your crew’s capability.

Architecting Post-Show Evaluations

Following an event, conduct methodical assessments compiling feedback from attendees, vendors, staff and stakeholders on what soared and what missed the mark.

Survey data coupled with budgetary analyses presents improvement areas for future iterations.

Some key elements to evaluate include:

  • Event Format and Schedule Flow
  • Content, Speakers and Entertainment Reviews
  • Food and Beverage Scores
  • Venue Operations Critiques
  • Registration Efficiency
  • Staff/Volunteer Communication
  • Budget Performance

Build reports and presentations to share constructive findings with internal teams and partners.

For privately held events without public surveys, appoint select senior leaders or clients to anonymously gather guest commentary onsite through casual interactions.

Celebrate event accomplishments collectively before diving into future planning!

With consistent evaluations and tweaks, your events will only get bigger, better and more buzzworthy over time.

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Mastering Corporate Event Planning through Proven Strategies

Corporate gatherings build brand affinity when skillfully executed.

However, next-level events require much more than reserving a venue and ordering catering.

Meticulous planning and creative vision separate truly captivating functions from one-note company parties.

This guide outlines tips helping corporate teams consistently wow clients and employees through events supporting company goals with flair. Let’s explore best practices!

Curating Distinctive Event Experiences Aligned to Your Brand Ethos

Infuse events with your company’s distinct essence through themed décor, catering and entertainment choices that wow attendees while underscoring what your brand represents.

Dig deeper than logos and slogans when shaping experiences though.

  • What core values and passions drove your founders?
  • How do you uniquely empower your clients or community?

Keep reiterating programming back to your ethos when teams get sidetracked on what VIPs prefer or lavish extras that impress.
Distill your soul into the event vision and let that original essence steer decisions.

Designing Creative Agendas Catered to Your Audience

Appeal to attendee psychographics and demographics when developing agendas.

Survey past event feedback or directly ask VIPs about ideal programming timing, session lengths, presentation styles and overall pacing preferred.

Brainstorm creative ways to foster relationship building between company leadership, employees and external influencers through your schedule planning.

Facilitate exchanges that spark mutually beneficial collaborations beyond immediate sales prospects.

Measuring Event Impacts Through Key Performance Indicators

Before event promotion begins, devise quantifiable KPIs aligning Programming to corporate goals like:

  • Increases in customer spend post-event
  • Uplift in brand awareness after campaigns
  • Employee productivity scores
  • Leads or partnership deals generated

Gather data like sales activity by attendee, web traffic during/after promotion, or event app usage rates.

Conduct post-event surveys to gauge impact on brand perception, satisfaction with programming details and areas to improve.

Monitoring budgets vigilantly remains imperative but avoid appearing cheap by over-scrutinizing reasonable expenses bettering experiences like reception décor or speaker gifts especially with external attendees.

Building spaces that elevate your company ethos requires reasonable investments.

Set mid-tier budget targets, then focus resources on event elements visible to audiences. Prioritize their delight!

With benchmarks set around key success metrics and budgets established, efficiently executing your corporate event vision is next! Let’s continue exploring best practices.

Streamlining Your Event Planning Process Through Systems

Smoothly orchestrating corporate events requires systemizing key processes leveraging technology so you avoid scramble mode each time.

Leverage online event management software centralizing tasks like registrations, payments, scheduling and reporting saving administrative headaches.

Systems like We & Goliath allow custom branding and automation for email invitations, name badges, feedback surveys and more.

Develop master project plan checklists outlining all critical milestones from contracting to event wrap ensuring no balls get dropped amidst the orchestration scramble.

Digitize vendor contracts, quotes, invoices, insurance certificates and other key documents on cloud platforms for easy searchability when repeat planning future events.

Conduct post-event debriefs surveying your team on wins, areas of improvement and process changes to implement moving forwards.

Record learnings in process documentation guides for new planners inheriting events.

Equipped with standardized practices and documentation, corporate event execution progresses smoothly despite inevitable employee transitions.

Now you can handle more ambitious event programming!

Presenting Creative, Engaging Virtual Event Offerings

Blending virtual event offerings with traditional in-person gatherings expands reach to remote attendees. But compelling digital experiences demand creative forethought.

  • Offer both live and post-event on-demand access allowing flexible participation across time zones.
  • Structure programming into bite-sized microsessions under 20 minutes combatting online fatigue.
  • Explore modern engagement tools like embedded quizzes, live polls, group chats and participant Q&A functions integrated into your online platform.
  • Guide presenters on optimal pacing, content volume and multimedia usage for shortened sessions to maintain consistency.
  • Test technology, internet connectivity and backup audiovisual elements ensuring glitch-free experiences attendees expect online today.
  • Supplement with concierge-level online host assistance handling attendee questions behind the scenes providing white-glove treatment.
  • Following up through personalized email recaps and exclusive content downloads sustains event impacts beyond just a single day!

With core components firing on all cylinders supplemented by digital offerings, your corporate events will consistently impress across metrics and participant satisfaction long-term.

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Join the Virtual Event Revolution!

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Harnessing Technology to Elevate Event Execution

In today’s digital era, technology plays a pivotal role enriching event planning and production. Integrating solutions like management software, engaging social platforms and dynamic registration systems takes gatherings to the next level.

Let’s explore tips leveraging tech to simplify coordination logistics and wow attendees!

Streamlining Planning with Specialized Event Software

Specialized platforms like Hubilo centralize cumbersome tasks spanning budget spreadsheets, vendor/speaker communications, website and registration page building, email promotion scheduling and post-event surveying.

Customizable dashboards enable real-time visibility into attendee engagement levels, payments processed, website traffic generated and other KPIs indicating campaign success.

Data integrations with entertainment and lodging partners also simplify room block negotiating and commission tracking.

Software adoption enables scaling event portfolio ambition and complexity with the same team.

Promoting Events Through Targeted Social Media Campaigns

Strategically harness platforms like Instagram or Linkedin to market events among relevant demographics.

Outline the ideal attendee persona. Analyze their interests and the types of content or influencers resonating in those circles.

Craft social posts and engagement tactics around what specifically compels your targets to register, not just generic event logistics.

Invite speakers or celebrity guests to co-promote through their own channels expanding reach.
Curate share-worthy posts attendees feel motivated posting organically themselves.This ignites viral word-of-mouth excitement doubling your marketing dollars.

Offering Seamless Digital Registration and Payments

Streamline attendee signups with user-friendly online portals for ticket purchases or information submissions handling common needs like:

  • Multi-package discounts and add-on bundling
  • Coupon code creation for partner groups
  • Custom registration confirmation messaging
  • badging automation syncing event apps

Integrate payment processing managing various billing cadences like single date vs installment options. Reduce cash handling onsite through prepaid model availability.

Gauging Satisfaction via Technology-Enhanced Surveys

Finally, deploy post-event survey tools emailing evaluation questions while the experience remains top of mind for attendees.

Collect feedback assessing satisfaction with programming, speakers, venue operations or ancillary elements.

Data analytics dashboards help pinpoint improvement areas for future iterations regarding agenda timing, catering refs or desired add-ons to enhance experiences.

With administrative burdens alleviated through technology, focus shifts to curating creative visions through venue design, catering and entertainment riches immersing attendees in wondrous events.

Book your Corporate Event Strategy Session

After exploring indispensable insights on streamlining and elevating your next corporate event, it’s time to transform that imaginative vision into an enthralling experiential reality.

Schedule an exclusive strategy session with our team of industry experts to start choreographing an unforgettable event aligned to your company’s unique essence.

We’ll collaboratively ideate outside-the-box programming, discuss leveraging state-of-the-art event tech, and outline an end-to-end production plan equipping you to wow employees and clients alike.

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We & Goliath

We & Goliath is an award-winning, top 100 worldwide event agency known for increasing conference attendance by 7X and profits by 3X through beautifully designed virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Since 1999, their team of innovative strategists and creative designers has worked with global enterprises, SMBs, non-profits, and other organizations to engage audiences and exceed expectations.

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