Eric Regan
As a meeting professional, you know there’s a great deal of careful planning and preparation that goes in to a successful corporate event. From the event location and venue, to the agenda and keynote speaker, there are a lot of important decisions that have to be made. Here are four key things to consider when planning events.
Before you can book the event venue or keynote speaker, you need to clearly define your event’s goals and objectives. Consider the purpose of your event and what you intend to achieve. By clearly defining your goals and objectives, you can develop a strategy for how you will satisfy them, and lay the groundwork for a successful event.
Identifying and understanding your audience is of the utmost importance when planning an event. Is your event private or open to the public? What are your audience’s demographic and interests? By understanding your target audience, you can cater the event to their unique needs and wants, as well as target them directly with your marketing efforts. Once you’ve identified the purpose and target audience for your event, you can start making arrangements for the venue, agenda, and speakers.
Choose an event venue that sets the right tone for your event. The venue provides the foundation for the event, and it should complement your event’s mission and theme. Consider a location and venue that’s easily accessible for your guests. For multi-day and late-night events, you should pick a venue that offers lodging accommodations or has a hotel located nearby. Many venues offer event planning packages that can include the venue, technology, catering, and lodging.
Booking a keynote speaker can help increase interest and attendance for your event. Like with the venue, the keynote speakers should complement the purpose and theme. Because there are so many different speakers to choose from, many event planners decide to work with a speakers’ bureau to simplify the process. A speakers’ bureau will recommend speakers based on your purpose/theme, target audience, and budget, and help with booking the speaker and arranging their transportation and hotel.
