Tuesday, August 16, 2011

10 Tips For Bringing Your Event To Life


Your job as an event planner doesn�t stop with the meeting in the company boardroom. You may be call upon to organize an employee appreciation event, an awards dinner, a product launch, the celebration of a company milestone, a gala recognizing a longtime employee�s retirement, an incentive event for the company�s sales force, a fundraising event, a holiday celebration�the list goes on and on.


These types of affairs differ from your typical corporate business meeting, and you face unique issues and pitfalls when planning them. Rave program reviews are generally the result of the blood, sweat, and tears you devote to the project. A well-designed and well-orchestrated event is analogous to a good stage production. It�s all about getting your act together and performing the right show for the right audience.The program plan you choose stems from the purpose and participants. Your four main considerations include:
  1. What is the main emphasis of the program � educational, business or social?
  2. What are your financial criteria � generate revenue, break even, or be a company expense?
  3. What are your participants� expectations?
  4. What is the optimum ration of educational, business, and social programming?
They had married two weeks earlier in Mumbai, India in a lavish Hindu ceremony that was attended by relatives and close friends. Anni was to move in with Shrien when they returned back to the United Kingdom from a four-day safari in the Kruger National Park and a relaxing stay in the five-star comforts of the Cape Grace hotel in Cape Town.What chances will a husband take to validate his suspicion that his wife is cheating on him? Hecule Poirot, the master of psychology and human behavior, is almost killed in his quest to solve the murder of the suspecting husband. The center of the wife's attention and her suspected lover is obviously implicated and arrested for the crime.The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor - 3 Stars (Good)Timing is everything. The decision about when to hold your event is determined in large part by what type of event it is. Ask yourself, is the event better suited for the day or evening? Do you want to hold it during the week or on a weekend? If your event doesn�t have a deadline, would it be best to hold it during a specific season or time of year? Make sure to check that your event doesn�t overlap with any religious holidays, and it�s probably best to avoid scheduling during major sporting events.Visit:Because he is long on theory and short on evidence, Poirot concocts a really scary scene wherein the victim returns from death to confront his executioner.http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41710.htmlTip #10: Hire The Right TalentEven more upset is Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) whose job is on the line since there have been three recent thefts of precious jewelry and the thief is still at large. Japp is given only a couple of days to solve the case; he sees his livelihood slipping away as Poirot idles away his time with the Countess.Tip #4: Set The StageSee how Poirot finds and returns the stolen goods only to have the thief escape into the night.These and other questions are put to rest when Hercule Poirot realizes the elder Maltravers did not succumb due to a recent operation, but rather from a cold-blooded execution. Poirot, however, does not have sufficient evidence to convict the murderer.Don�t consider a theme unless you are prepared to follow it through your entire event. Don�t limit it to a few posters on the walls, which just add lip service rather than real ambiance. For the most impact, integrate it before, during and after the event. Reflect your theme in your invitations and in any party favors that guests take home. Your theme should complement the tone and content of your event. Advise speakers and discuss with them how they can incorporate, but not overuse it in their remarks. A few extras to consider when integrating your theme:
  • Make sure the theme is general enough that it is unlikely to offend anyone, and that it is meaningful to your group.
  • Develop a meaningful slogan or message to go along with the theme to add a little extra when you promote the event.
  • Consider having a special logo designed to enhance the theme and its possible message.
The first order of business is to decide whether to hold your event indoors or outdoors. However, outdoor events have several major considerations, the elements being number one on the list. Think tents, portable flooring, electric generators, and space heaters, in addition to a well thought out contingency plan. Also, be aware that speeches and audiovisual presentations are notoriously difficult to stage outdoors.The brutal murder of Anni Hindocha shocked South Africa and as the news spread abroad, everyone expressed sympathy for Shrien at the tragic loss of his wife.The taxi driver arrested for the murder, in his Court testimony, alleged that Shrien Dewani was the mastermind behind Anni�s murder and had paid him money to arrange it to look like a robbery gone horribly wrong.Creating a theme for your event helps make it easier to organize food, d�cor, and other accessories, such as giveaway items. Select a theme that fits your participants. Consider choosing from the following categories:
  • Fashion: The Roaring Twenties or An Evening at Ascot
  • History: The Garden of Eden or A Renaissance Fair
  • Politics: Fourth of July Celebrations or Women�s Lib (political and historical)
  • Popular culture: Wizard of Ox or An Evening with Dr. Seuss
  • The arts: An Italian Affair or A Night at the Oscars
It remains to be seen if the Court extradites Shrien to South Africa and help the local authorities solve the murder mystery of Anni and deliver justice to her shocked and grieving family and friends.Tip #6: Create A Memorable Theme

As you think about hiring your entertainment talent, find out where and for whom they�ve previously performed. Make certain that you view a demo video. Watch for the quality of their performance and the audience reaction. Check out their references and ask some pertinent questions:

  • Would you hire them again?
  • How flexible, reliable, and easy to work with were they?
  • How would you rate their act?
  • What do they do well?
  • What part of their act could use improvement?
  • What were the demographics of your audience? (You want to make sure that this act would be a good fit for your participants.)




Author: Susan Friedmann, CSP


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