18 Jul Event Management Tips For Great Events

Did you find time to read my previous post  on why an event manager should be a pessimist first and then an optimist second? This time, I am going to summarize event management in four points. I intend to discuss each point in more details in subsequent posts. Happy readingJ.

1. Understand the “Why”: There is always a reason for each event. It could be a celebration of life or love, birthday, business, research, community development, charity, etc. It is very important to understand clearly what the client’s objectives are. This is the very first step if you are going to be adding value. What is the reason for the conference? What tone does the client want the charity event to carry? Does the client want a flamboyant birthday? Have an extensive conversation with clients to understand clearly what they need and what messages they will like to pass.
2. Define the “How”: This is the “drawing table” stage. My older article emphasized how important it is to create an elaborate work plan. My work plan usually includes even the little things with strict timelines and reminders. This is the stage where you contact your vendors and create your back-up plans. I advise that you use reputable vendors whom you have relationships with. It will be a good idea to conclude with vendors at least a week before the event, if possible. This is to give them time to prepare for you and avoid last minute rushes. Even though I use professional vendors, I still call them weeks, days, hours and minutes until they deliver. I’m always polite but I make double sure they are thinking of me.
3. Action Time!: From vendor and staff briefings through to dry-runs; this is where the fun begins! See some of my fun tips on event management in my previous article. An elaborate work plan goes a long way at this stage. Also, stay on the lookout for anything that could possibly go wrong and talk to the guests. This is why you provided a back up plan.
4. Evaluation and Post-event reports: So the event happened and the guests had an amazing time. Now you have to go through the details to create a comprehensive report on what went down. I advise you create two reports. One for the client and one for your team! Let me mention here that you have to be creative when listing what went wrong (if any) for the client but should bare it all in your report for the team. Also get an appraisal of your performance or a testimonial from your clients. Great appraisals are great marketing tools and should be placed on the company website.

Conclusively, event management to me is like creating choreography. You first of all define the reason for the dance, create the dance structure, keep rehearsing and modifying until the grand performance. And like every good performance, you expect applause at the end.

ALSO SEE:  WHY AN EVENT MANAGER SHOULD BE A PESSIMIST AND AN OPTIMIST

credit: Ijeoma Okoli, emc3Nigeria.