Risk Management for Event Planners

Legal rulings involving event planners and/or their companies should instill in those working in the industry that there is nothing they cannot be held accountable for when it comes to event planning. It is angering that people do not seem to want to take responsibility for their actions, personally or in business. Therefore, the onus in some instances has been moved to the event planner and his/her company. The law has not discriminated. It has targeted event planners who are sole-proprietors and entrepreneurs hoping to make it big to the large corporations that have been successful in the business for years.

It is imperative that event planners stay up to date on the laws of their business as well as the proceedings and outcome of any legal actions and rulings that may affect the industry. Clients may not be aware of rules and regulations that could influence the outcome of their event. Consequently, it is the responsibility of the event planner to advise their customers accordingly. These legalities need not deter a planner from doing a job. In fact, if knowledgeable about the rules and regulations, an event planner and their company can be more valuable through being prepared for any possible issues that may arise at the events they preside over.

The responsibility at an event usually rests on the shoulders of the person or company that has been hired to orchestrate the planning and bringing all of the areas together. Everyone from the stakeholder or host, the venue, the caterer and anyone else involved will go to the event planner for answers when something goes awry.

How do event planners protect themselves from the risks of the business? Due diligence on all aspects of an event will pay off in the long run. Every event is different and it is important to determine all of the risks possible. This should include everything from the thought that someone might jump into a pool from a second floor balcony right down to suppliers and even the weather. Utilize the 30/70 rule that is commonly used in the industry to determine the level of risk for possible problem areas.

Learn as much as you can about the stakeholders, the event itself and anyone else who may be involved. Hire other companies to look after specific areas. When hiring sub-contractors request and get a copy of their liability insurance. Reputable companies are more than willing to produce their insurance documents.

Consider having a sound and trustworthy law firm on retainer. Your reputation and business depends on it. There may never be a need to use a law firm for anything other than doing your corporate documents, but they are there to advise you in other matters as needed.

Make an appointment with your insurance broker to review your own business insurance policy. Take the time to make adjustments to cover any and all possibilities that might happen while planning and coordinating an event.

This all sounds scary and will make those thinking of going into the business of event planning think twice as to whether this is the career path to take. If this is the case, that is a good thing. The laws and legal rulings from court cases are in place to protect everyone and can be used to the advantage of a new company just by being aware of them. Starting any new business with the knowledge of all of the possible risk factors combined with the support of a supportive professional team as advisors will provide some of the stepping-stones to succeeding as an event planner and manager.

Add Glamour To Your Fleet With Limo Services

Every person yearns to lead a prestigious and luxurious life. People are always struggling to live a life that will display them as of a different social class from others. The car you drive determines how luxurious your life is and this yearning is always hindered by lack of enough money. Given an opportunity, people would drive their dream cars. A limousine is a dream car for many. A limousine will definitely add style to your fleet, regardless of where you are destined with your fleet. Since not many people can afford a limousine, limo services companies let people drive these dream cars affordably by hiring limousines out to them.

A limousine is prestigious car. The prestige in this car makes it relatively expensive and only a few people and organisations afford to buy them. This does not, however, mean that you cannot ride a limousine to that special event. Limo services companies ensure that everyone in the world can affordably ride a limousine. All you need to do is hire one from as low as $85 per hour. If you are planning to attend a special event and you want to get there in style, then you can simply hire a limousine and you can be sure of getting there in style and all eyes will be on you.

If you are planning to go for a business deal and want to create a good first impression to your business partner, you can hire a limousine. First impression is very important and a limousine will definitely display you as a person of a high social class. Going with a low-priced car to some of these business deals can make you feel inferior. This can lower your self-esteem and thus, undesirably interfere with your bargaining skills. You could be owning a limousine in your hometown or home country, but transporting it to another city or country just to use it for attending the business meeting would not only be expensive, but also ridiculous. The only wise thing to do is come and hire a limousine in the city or town, where the business deal will take place. Hiring limo services would be more economical and convenient as well.

When planning to go on a business trip as executives of a company, you need to have a good time and a good time should not necessarily be an expensive time. You can have a good time at very low costs. If you are visiting another country for the business trip, you can have a lavish time by hiring a limousine thanks to limo services companies. They will help you have a cheap, but luxurious tour throughout the country in the comfort of a limousine. With cost-effective limousine rental services available, a good life does not always to have to be expensive.

When going for an occasion, be it social or business, you can always add glamour to your fleet by hiring a limousine. It does not make sense to buy a limo for a one-day or one-week event and hiring is cheaper yet convenient.

Team Building - Employee Morale-Building Programs

Company Celebrations and anniversaries can have a dual purpose, where as you can get the most "Bang for the Buck".  I will elaborate.  For Decades Smart Companies have used the efforts of coordinating Company Events as a tool to promote Employee Morale.  A worker who feels good about themselves and about the company they work for will produce more...This is a known Fact...

Many Companies use in house methods to get Employees smiling among the work environment monthly.  Remember an angry employee is a Cancer among the rest of the work force!  Although small monthly programs with small budgets are effective,  Events twice a year creates memories, camaraderie's and laughter for months to come after a Successful Corporate or Company Outing, Special Event....Holiday Parties are okay but very commonplace among the business world without programs for morale building such as the holiday Xmas Party....However having a well organized company picnic with professionals who know what they have to achieve for the company is priceless...There are many Event Companies who are well aware of the impact a successful Company Picnic can have on a Company's employee work force....Most Companies make the mistake of just having a BBQ without Entertainment geared towards achieving Company Morale among Workers and their families....Having an event just catered is wasteful to a Company's betterment. 

These Events are a great place to subconsciously create good feelings among the work environment ...Not everyone who attends needs to be participating directly with the entertainment provided to have an impression ...Watching others enjoying themselves in a silly relay Potato Sack or Flipper race has lasting memories months and even years after an event....A successful picnic will have Employees talking about the happening during the work day therefore promoting good feelings in the work force along with their co-workers....A Unified workplace is a productive workplace!  T-E-A-M (Together Everyone Achieves More)  

It is important when planning a Company Event to choose an Events Company that has many years experience, references and one that "does it all" Catering, Entertainment and Party Rentals...Examples of these services are on site grilling, Relay Races or inflatable rides and Tents.  A One Stop Shopping Center makes the difference between a successful run event and a flop.  Also the Events Company you choose to create this yearly event makes the Human Resources Manager in charge of running the event, look like a star to their superiors!   Remember, Fun, Creates lasting memories about the company you work for...Have Fun with planning and attending your next Company Event!

Tips to Creating Effective and Memorable Team Building Events

In the late 1980's, when large companies began to feel the heat of fierce competition, they started looking for ways to increase productivity of their workforce. They soon found out that while individual excellence was the key to success in the past, team excellence was the way of the future. They began to organize time away from the workplace for teams to participate in events that were specially planned, designed and executed to promote team spirit. Thus, team building events were born.

Team building events are recreational and entertaining, but they are more than fun activities. They are held to meet certain fundamental objectives. In order to meet these objectives, team building events must be planned carefully and conducted professionally. That is why businesses often partner with successful team building and corporate event companies to meet and fulfill event requirements. However, if you are hosting a team building event, here are a few tips to help you make it effective and successful.

There are thousands of activities to choose from. Team building events could be held indoors or outdoors; they could be mental or physical; they could be simple or complex. The kind of activity you choose plays an important role in the success of the event. The right activity is one in which every member can contribute equally. No one should be reduced to the role of the spectator. You could take your team to the cinemas or you could all go river rafting. The activity must be chosen keeping the following in mind:

- Cost

- Goal of the event

- Physical condition of team members

- Location of the activity

- Size of the team.

Determine the budget allotted for the team building event. This is vital because everything - from the kind of activity to its location - depends on how much spending money you have. If you decide to take the team to a far away location, you have to factor in expenses such as food and accommodation too. This might be a costly proposition and your budget may not always allow such an event. That said, it must be remembered that great team building events are almost always held away from the workplace because employees feel more relaxed away from campus.

If possible, do not organize the team building event on the weekend or during holidays. It is essential that the company runs these events 'on the house', so to speak. Employees should not be forced to participate in team building events on their time off. Instead, try to involve team members. The best way to give teams the activity they love is to ask them what they want. A survey can help you pick the best activities, ideal location and games. When the members of the team contribute towards organizing the event, there is a greater sense of commitment and common purpose. Also, there is a palpable sense of excitement within the team.

Chosen activities must align themselves with the values and principles of the company because members need to come back and reinforce what they have learnt by putting it into practice at the workplace. Activities must not be too hard to too competitive. This could be counterproductive.

Mix people from different functional groups. The event should ideally offer an opportunity to mingle with and build relationships with everyone, even those outside the primary team. This introduces an element of diversity and prevents the formation of buddy gangs within the company. It also destroys prototypes and improves understanding between teams within the same organization.

Team building events typically consist of a number of activities and games, starting off with an ice-breaker and moving on to more complex activities. Examples of some activities you can include are quiz activities, mystery events, treasure hunting events, tour events and gourmet events.

Canadian Outback Adventures & Events provides successful and soon-to-be-successful companies with a unique suite of innovative corporate team building events, group activities, training and education programs, all designed to build camaraderie, boost morale, and enhance productivity. Our events are executed throughout Canada and North America and are designed and implemented with extraordinary attention to detail.

Corporate Event Management - An Insight

Corporate events are an important part of modern day business activities. There are various reasons for an event within a corporate organization and the significance of these make it imperative that there is careful and organized planning involved in the process.

Here are some of the reasons of a corporate event.

Press conference

Product launch

Deal and partnership tie-ups

Annual functions

Annual parties

These are some of the events among many others that are held from time to time. The reason behind events are all very important for a company. it is therefore very important that they are organized with utmost precision and meticulous planning. And when an event is held on a large scale it usually is complicated, with several aspects of its arrangements that need to be handled with care.

It is here that event management companies have become very popular in different countries of the world. There are professional event management companies which deal with the entire planning and execution of the details of an event for your company.

Event Management UK

There are several corporate event management service companies in UK who can professionally manage the organization, planning and execution of various types of events for your company.

Corporate event managers are trained in the essentials and importance of events for companies at all levels. There are events that are held within the company involving only the management and the staff and employees. These are always informal gatherings that are aimed to build team spirits and improve work environments within an organization.

Then there are those important events that involve clients and other companies and are crucial for the growth and well being of an organization. Naturally there are certain professional norms and patterns that are followed in such events and their planning.

Here are some of the aspects that need to be managed by these companies.

Venues - The venue of an event can be deciding factor in its success. Besides, an appropriate venue will have to be booked in advance and even prepared and decorated in accordance with an event.

Arrangements - This is related to the nature of an event that is planned by the event managers. There are times when they may plan a cricket match or any other popular sporting events within the organization as part of the annual day events. In case of a partnership deal with a different company this may be a conference followed by a cocktail party. All these will entail different kinds of arrangements with meticulous detailing of all aspects.

Food - A very important part of every type of event this is an aspect that plays a key role. In case of low quality food the event can be ruined of all its importance and purpose. The taste and quality of the food and drinks along with the service is also very important.

Gifts and Tokens - Event managers may also be given the responsibility to choose, buy and package gifts for the employees or the guests at an event. The nature of a gift will have to keep the position, age in mind along with the usefulness and beauty of the gift.

The hectic nature of work life may not make it possible for you to plan every event in your organization even if you wish to. That is why there are corporate event managers and event management services to make every occasion a success for your company.

Wedding Event Planning - Smooth Sailing

The first step of wedding event planning is to determine the exact wedding date. It is the first detail that should be taken care of before starting the wedding planning preparation. It is very important because it will determine the availability of the venue for the wedding ceremony, the wedding reception and the availability of your friends and family on the assigned date.

To maximize the return on your investment in money, you should search for venues that can provide a package deals. Ask them for price packages on times of the year when weddings are not typically held. Most weddings are hosted during the morning or afternoon because this leaves the evening available to host the reception at night. There are also certain months of the year when weddings can become significantly cheaper. These are typically a few days after the holidays. During the off peak periods, you can find a lot of cost savings.

Your wedding day is undeniably a special occasion for you and to your partner. Thus, it is a good idea that you hire a professional to capture this momentous occasion. Many of your friends can take good pictures and videos as well. But for this special occasion, you should opt for something special. You want to ensure that these memories are lasting and visually captured. In this way, you can share every moment of your dream wedding with your friends and family.

Another important detail to plan for is the cake. Before you select a cake for your wedding, try tasting several varieties first. You should invite some friends and family to try cake with you because something that you enjoy may not be something that your guests like. Cake tasting can be a fun event in itself.

Lastly, no wedding is complete without a beautiful wedding gown. You should start browsing for a wedding gown months before your actual wedding ceremony date. It is less difficult to find an outfit for the groom, but they should also start to plan what they will be wearing a few months before the actual ceremony date. Plan these crucial events in advance in case there is trouble with the fitting of your clothing. And if the and your spouse do not have enough time to plan your wedding, consider hiring a professional wedding planner to manage the details of this event.

Corporate Event Management for Business

For many organizations, events have been used for a long time as a vital communications tool to get their messages across. Be the message internal or external, the range and variety of mechanics used has been as broad as imagination itself.

Over time, delivery of events has moved to using specialists in corporate event management rather than the wing-and-a-prayer activities that used to be delegated to employees seconded to this role. Financial circumstances have sufficiently improved over recent years to allow much more professional presentations to become the norm, showing off the organization far better in their marketplace.

In the changing world of corporate event management, many businesses can readily be found who are able to deliver to meet the demanding needs of organizations who need their help. With a budget that can be large or small, there are experts who can provide solutions for a very tight niche (and for tiny events), to those who have the resources to put together the biggest corporate events - with enough finance to match!

Yet budgets are not the only thing that matter of course. Finding a provider for corporate events who can deliver on time and exactly what is required needs a great team. One that has the experience and organizational skills to meet the needs of their client

Whilst there are corporate event management companies who started from one entrepreneur working from a kitchen table, there are others who transitioned into this work from other related industries, such as public relations, for example. Yet there are only a limited number who have the skills and history to blend with their interpersonal skills that are such critical ingredients for success in this market. Having an ability to learn and grow when things don't go quite to plan is a standard to look for, ensuring that quality and consistent improvement is always at the forefront of their brand.

With great planning overlaying their experience in the field, the good event management teams are totally focused on getting the best event delivery possible. Of course, the client comes first and achieving the outcomes they expect must be the priority. Once this is clear and their satisfaction is identified as the top priority, the best event managers have but this one goal in mind.

The most important prerequisite of any good event management business is the great customer service they provide to their clients. Of course they have to be pretty technically savvy these days and as new innovative ideas come along thick and fast, it's important to be very up to date. Nothing, but nothing comes before creating an excellent level of performance and liaison with clients in corporate event management for a business to be successful and thrive.

It's the highest priority, when providing corporate event management services, to clearly appreciate that it is the responsibility of the provider to get the communication process clear. No client will be prepared to accept that they 'should have been clearer' about what their requirements are. Great advice for event management providers is to ask, ask and ask again, whilst ensuring that any contract they sign up to is as detailed as possible. Being pro-active in being clear is both a safety feature as well as demonstrating excellent customer service skills.

Organizations have come a long way from those times where events were put together by individuals who were employees of theirs. Nowadays it's vital to get it right and use the activity as a strategic weapon to develop brand awareness and image. Where professional event managers now have the specialist expertise to deliver this challenging product for their clients, they can deliver so much more on behalf of their clients, often saving more than the cost of the services they provide.

Become a Top Wedding Planner - 8 Tips for Presenting Your Wedding Business at Seminars and Workshops

A great way for you, as a wedding planner, to meet brides and give them an opportunity to learn about you and your expertise is to teach seminars or workshops on wedding planning. You can give a short, free presentation at a bridal show, sign up to teach a class at a community center, or host your own half or full day workshop in which you charge a fee.

Here are 8 tips for successful seminars:

1. Define your target audience

Before you can create your presentation, you need to think about the brides who will be attending. These are most likely the brides in your niche. Since you have already done research and know something about them, you should easily be able to identify their problems and select a topic for your presentation.

2. Start your presentation by establishing your credibility

Create an introduction that describes your business and establishes you as an expert. Ideally, someone else will give the introduction. However, if you are speaking to a small group, you might do it yourself. In this case, welcome everyone and tell them about your training, experience and qualifications as a wedding planner.

3. Structure your presentation to make a sale but don't give a sales pitch

Brides are not interested in attending a sales presentation, they want information. Select a problem to address or, if you are doing a half or full day workshop, you might want to address several problems. Some titles might be, "What Brides Need to Know About Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue and Vendors," "How to Choose Your Wedding Theme," "How to Create a Wedding Budget," or "How to Create a Wedding Timeline," each addresses a problem. As you address the problems in your presentations, share examples and successful solutions that you used with your brides. This way, brides will see how well your ideas work.

4. Present yourself in a professional manner

Make sure your presentation is well-organized and you know your material well, so you don't have to read it. If you have access to audio/visual equipment and know how to use it, you can have a presentation with photos from your events on your laptop and show them on a screen. If A/V is not available, you can print handouts of your presentation so the audience can follow along. Make sure your visuals and handouts are of professional quality and contain your contact information.

5. End by accepting questions

Ask your audience to hold questions until the end of your presentation or you might get bogged down and not get all of your information across. Don't spend too much time on any one question. Have the bride make an appointment with you for a consultation.

6. Plan to follow-up

Make sure you get the name and contact information of everyone who attends your event so you can thank them for attending and continue to market to them. You can do this by having an assistant help you register brides as they enter or you can have brides fill out forms and drop them in a box for a raffle at the end of your presentation. The raffle prize can be one of your consultation services.

7. Consider inviting other wedding professionals to join you

If you are willing to share your podium to get a larger audience with more potential clients, ask other wedding vendors to give presentations in their areas of expertise and invite the brides on their contact lists.

8. Spend time marketing

Even if your presentation is part of a larger event, such as a bridal show, you'll want to get the word out that you will be speaking. If you have collected address information from brides at other events, send out email and postcard invitations. And, of course, you'll want to announce it on your blog, website and ezine.

If you are hosting the event, check to see if you can get it listed in the events section of your local newspaper or the bulletin of your place of worship. Ask brides to call or email you to sign up or have a registration form on your website or blog and connect it to a shopping cart that can take payment information, if you are charging a fee.

Event Planning - Get Professional Help for Event Planning

Usually people are able to arrange small events but when it comes to large events like wedding or a business conference then it becomes really difficult for that single person to handle every task. Event planning may include; reservation of a place, event registration processes and systems, water, food, sanitary, electricity arrangements, choosing interior, tables chairs designs etc. All of this can only be carried out by a group of individuals who know very well how to handle these tasks. And if you are a person who is very busy in their daily schedules then it would be impossible for you to arrange such event. Therefore it becomes necessary that you attain help from a professional event planner so that your occasion becomes successful.

Professional event planners who have experience in this regard will arrange your event very appropriately. They are trained people who are multi tasking and it is no issue for them to takeover each and everything as their full attention is on that particular work. You can tell them your budget and they will cover each and everything within it. With the help of these professionals you will be relieved because you would not be taking stress about organizing your occasion.

The best thing about event planning is that experience is what counts that most. The more experience a planner has the better it will make the occasion. There is no requirement to getting a college degree even some certified courses will make you a good event planner if you have the interest and stamina it takes.????????

In America, there are a lot of business companies which have reputable event planners so you can hire one after you have read testimonials about them. You can search over the internet and find different event organizers, as internet is the most easily accessible research tool. There are a lot of organizers out there because this career is flourishing day by day. Also ask your friends or relatives if they know any event planner. There are a lot of chances that they would know or give you guidelines where you can find a good one.??

Occasions leave a remarkable impact on the minds of people, so it is every individual's dream to make his event memorable and ever-lasting. He wants people to appreciate his thoughts and encourage his feelings and do the same to keep the bonds stronger between them.

Where Are Non-Profit Fundraising Events Registrations Headed?

The last few years have been very challenging for the non-profit sector. There have been a lot of charity events hosted on the virtual platform, but the actual fundraising has not been worth mentioning. Almost midway through 2012, this trend seems to come to its trailing end. The non-profits however have learnt their lesson and are geared up to experiment with smarter strategies. The worldwide economy is beginning to offer newer opportunities to them by leveraging which they can create some lasting changes in our society. This has upped the pace of fundraising events registration processes as well.

Technology-friendly non-profits to see better days

Doing smart work is the best survival tactic for the withering non-profits in this challenging economy. Approaching donors online when they need to raise funds, and utilizing the power of social media interfaces on and off is certainly not the best way to do business. It is imperative to develop long-term relations with your contributors. Non-profits need to be more tech-friendly in their mode of daily activities and adopt online solutions such as the fundraising event registration software on a steady basis. These Cloud-based "SaaS" products help non-profits to achieve their goals of successful fundraiser management irrespective of all sizes or complexities.

The solution features a host of productivity tools that facilitate all start-to-end management endeavors of a fundraising event. The product lets the non-profit create its own registration page and publish the same online. The page can be accessed any time by donors from all around the world, promote its cause to a larger global audience, and make the process of collecting donations and tithes easier by serving it as a single integrated platform. The payment gateways supported by such fundraising event management packages are secure and authentic, which also go a long way in increasing credibility of a non-profit organization in front of its donors. Plus, there are no fraudulent activities or donation transit loss on the whole.

Some of the cutting-edge features of the fundraising events registration software are, PCI-compliant payment management solutions, comprehensive email marketing tools, social media connectors, online calendars, waitlist manager, fundraising tools, and online donor survey report generator facilitated by Smartphone apps. In addition to that, the transactions are convenient and swift for both the contributor and the non-profit in question.

Stats says it all

Following are the few observations made in the 2012 Online Marketing Non-profit Benchmark Index and the 2012 eNon-profit Benchmarks Study published by M+R and NTEN:

· Online giving and fundraising is set to grow fastest for smaller organizations. Last year, organizations with less than 10,000 email addresses grew by 26.7% in median revenue, similar to 2010's growth rate.

· On an average, non-profits increased their revenues generated online through fundraising by 19% from 2010 to 2011.

· The international sector experienced a huge 163% rise in total funds raised online between 2009 and 2010.

· For organizations having monthly fundraising events, revenue from month-over-month online giving has grown at a much higher rate over the past few years accounting for 8% of total revenue generated online in 2011.

· On average, 35% of total online revenue was sourced to direct email donor appeals.

So, if non-profits want to come out of their proclivity to beat around the bush, which they do most of the time, they should resort to the new age fundraising events registration solutions. It is the only way to solidify a potential donor base and make a visible change in the world of fundraising.

Calling All Christian Event Planners

Christian Events are big business and event planners who cater to this specific niche are today's trend setters and industry directors! These types of Conferences and Conventions are growing at an astounding rate with thousands in attendance. Lucrative careers in the Christian Meeting Planning and Event Management industry offers leadership positions and executive level rewards!

However, advancement in this market is not a random occurrence that happens by chance. This list of seven strategies combines years of experience and biblical principles blended with sound business techniques to create the perfect synergy for success!

1. Commit Your Plans -

The essential principles for successful meeting professionals include knowledge, skill and the desire to achieve. Meeting professionals that remain on top must understand the evolving needs of the Christian Event client to keep the collaborative efforts fresh and on target for a mutually beneficial relationship. Allow the LORD to help you create the "Wow" for your next event!

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3, NLT.

2. Check Your List -

Organization and attention to detail are crucial to the planning and execution of flawless meeting experiences. The checklist can be achieved through project management software for complex multi-faceted events and should be updated consistently throughout the planning process.

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40, NKJV.

3. Count The Cost -

Fine-tuning negotiation skills for attendee management, event site selection, marketing consulting, supplier preferences, technology strategies, trade show management and venue contract analysis, are fundamental. Compiling these factors will help develop a budget with the best pricing advantages. This will also minimize costly contract penalty errors when negotiating event amenities.

But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Luke 14:28, NLT.

4. Choose Your Team -

Think BIG and inspire others who work with you to embrace a philosophy of excellence by your example. Your team will consist of leaders who will have groups of people cooperating with them to achieve specific components of the overall event. Regular meetings and communication keeps these leaders in-sync with you and each other to pull it all together.

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Romans 12:10-11, NLT.

5. Consider Contingencies -

Recognize that the more you know about what it takes to be successful from a logistical perspective the better you can understands your executive role. Some include banquets, concerts, entertainment, exhibits, keynote speakers, luncheons on-site registration, prayer breakfasts, workshops and worship services. Therefore, it is important to expect the unexpected and plan for unlikely possibilities that might occur.

And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating--to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes. Jude 1:24, MSG.***

6. Create Your Time Line -

Know the time requirements for all aspects of your event. Nothing is worse than waiting until the last minute to order services that can result in failure to deliver and cost overruns. The successful Christian Event Planner must be on time, in time and without time delays.

TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1, AMP.

7. Confidently Complete Every Task -

The implementation of your event must be completed in excellence. Refer to your checklist to make sure that every person, every place and everything necessary happens as planned. The confidence you exude as you check off every completed task will assure a stellar event!

So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:24 & 26, NLT. Afterwards when you access the strengths and any mistakes made, use that knowledge as a stepping-stone for your next event. Remember, the resourceful and proactive professionals who take the responsibility for the success of their events are the ones who will garner the respect and the rewards in the Christian Events Marketplace.

Systematic Corporate Events Planning

Corporate events can be difficult if the planner is someone new or inexperienced. It is very important to learn all there is to learn about the techniques of planning any event, not just the corporate ones. The secret to have a hassle free time in planning is to have fun and to just take everything in stride. If the approach is tense from the very beginning, it could reflect on the whole outcome of the event.

Timing The Schedule

Although this is a corporate party, it is very important to look at all the important sporting events that are going on at different schedules. No one likes to miss on their favourite games because they have to go to an event. Choose a date and time that is not very busy and if it involves inviting people who have to travel miles, make sure they get enough time to plan out their schedules.

Planning The Venue

Always go for venues that are reliable and have the reputation of comfort and cleanliness. Before booking the venue, check out the powder rooms and male rest rooms. These should be clean and tidy. Avoid those venues where the powder and rest rooms can cause discomfort to the guests. Also, choose a venue that is easily accessible so everyone will have a fun time going there. Think of valet parking as well to accommodate those who bring in their own vehicles.

The Event Theme

Usually, the event is planned because there is a theme. Make the theme relevant to the reason why the event is to take place.

Whom To Invite

To make sure that there will be a high attendance, send out the invitation at least two or three weeks in advance. Invite those who are more likely to meet specific corporate individuals and corporations. Make a list of invitees and make sure to send all the invitations out at the same time. No one wants to receive their invitations after it has been the talk of the town for the past several weeks. Guests who receive all of their invitations at the same time would not feel left out.

The Invitations

Keep the wording simple. Although many think sending out email invitations as socially unacceptable, still the slow mail can cause some problems. When sending out all of the invitations together in slow mail, send out email invitations on the second or third day all at once also. This way, should the slow mail fail, the invited guests can still get their invitations.

Hosting The Event

If the event is planned by a certain company, the company should play host to the guests. It is important to assign several people to act as hosts and hostesses. This will guarantee that all guests will get the chance of meeting each other.

Planning The Food And Drinks To Be Served

Make sure the food is friendly. Yes, there are friendly and unfriendly food for these events. Plan for food that are small enough for just one bite. Provide wooden sticks so these bite-sized foods are easy to pick up and eat with finesse. Unfriendly foods are those with bones, without picks and worst of all, messily covered in sauces that can drip on the fronts of the guests when they least expect it. Delicious foods are also important and are the friendliest kinds. Avoid foods that have to be picked up by hand as well unless there are people going around with wash bowls and towels.

Take Home Gifts After The Event

Send off the invited guests with mementos like a marketing pack or kit that have been personalized. Include a guest list of the invited as well as a note on how to contact them in case of any follow-ups on conversations started.

Final Thoughts

It is very obvious that corporate events need a lot of very careful planning, and it must be done by an experienced planner to make a success out of it. This is a fact that everyone who has been to one will understand. Plan out for party venues that are recommended and are comfortable to use. If the planning is beyond the personal capacity, think of hiring a professional well experienced in event planning.

Caterers - Fine Dining and Event Planning to Make Your Social Occasion a Success

If you are planning an event but not sure of what to do with the food portion, a professional catering company can help you with the menu planning and can take all the worry out of preparing the food on your own. These caterers have the experience and resources to make your social event a success by customizing your occasion, whether large or small, to you desired tastes. Some of the ways this catering company can assist you with your event includes providing:

• Table setting
• Flowers
• Entertainment
• The site
• The theme
• Food
• Lighting
• Transportation for guests
• D矇cor

Another benefit of hiring caterers at a well-established and professional catering company is that they may also have chefs that can prepare just about any cuisine in any setting. Some of the food, beverage, and menu choices you may be able to receive at this type of catering company includes a brunch menu, boxed lunches, breakfast menu, buffet menu, gourmet deli, hot chafing dishes, classic carvings, hors oeuvres, themed buffets, side dishes, desserts, subs, sports menus, salad selections, and much more. The professional staff at this company will also be able to pull all the aspects of your event together with flair and can make your social occasion memorable and occasion for everyone attending.

If you are in need of off-premise catering, you can call the professional caterers to see if they offer this service. You may be able to get the food brought to your location, to include full service drop off and pick up options. You also have the benefit of receiving restaurant quality food and beverages to include adult-friendly beverages. These full service event specialists may even be able to arrange for any rental equipment you need for the presentation and meal. Services offered through this company like technology accommodations in the areas of screens and projectors, custom floral arrangement, valet parking, transportation, security, ad photography service, all work together to make your event a success.

You can receive flexible and comprehensive catering services from caterers that will not only supply you and your guests with delicious food, but can offer you full service catering. This means you will have all the details of your event taken care of in order to make it a success. You can visit the catering company's website for additional information about the catering services they offer or you can call and give a professional staff member a chance to answer all of your questions.

Boost Your Company Morale With an Events Organizer

If you are searching for a way to organize an event, especially a corporate event, it is necessary to have an expert around who has experience in the field. These types of services are essentially offered by expert event organizers.

A company should face a lot of unusual circumstances that help them to achieve their goals and uphold a high level of competition. If the company want to achieve its goals, then the company should think about one of its greatest assets 'employees'. The employees of a firm often signify the backbone or supporting crutch of a business and when they are strong the company can be a strong force.

The latter is also true since when workers are unhappy or do not have much belief the company frequently experiences in sales or productivity. This is why one of the objectives of any company, should contain taking care of the individuals they have selected to symbolize their company. This is most effectively achieved only when a company makes a decision to invest in an event rewarding and recognizing their employees.

In the past these types of events has been restricted to a small get together or a paid lunch with the staff members who are available at that time but this doesn't not make any impact. Events that go the extra mile and well planned out allow employees to escape the working surroundings and attain a genuine enjoyment of the company's efforts. When taking an event to this next level, it is essential to utilize an events planner. An events organizer represents an person who is well-known with event planning and can present an imminent into what a company needs to succeed in their events objectives.

A lot of companies try to stay away from the expense related to an events organizer by converting one of their workers into the events planner but this often results in costing them more money. This is because an inexperienced events planner will not have the buying power and best connections to give organization and savings for the company's events. A expert events planner has extensive event planning experience and has long term relations in the right industries.

The professional services of an events organizer will allow your company to set an correct plan immediately from the beginning which leads to limited financial shocks in the future. They will also plan your event delicately to make certain that your key objectives are achieved.

Event Planning is No More a Tedious Job - Just Sit Back and Relax

Every Year New York draws thousands of people from all over the world. It is among the most popular and important tourist destinations in the worlds. Being the world's center for trade and commerce, it is always filled with businessmen and other professionals. The New York City's glamour and sophistication makes it a big attraction for tourists. The New York City offers so much to the people. It has an electrifying night life, rich culture & heritage and some world famous restaurants.

New York is one of the most happening places in the world with social events, marriage functions and corporate events being organized almost daily in the New York City. So popular are these events that one can find an event planner any where in the New York City. Organizing an event requires detailed planning of every aspect associated with it.

Leniency on any aspect may result in a disastrous event. The biggest constraint associated with an event is the budget. Hence it is very important to plan the event efficiently to ensure that the event is organized within the budgets and is a success.

A lot of tension and frustration is associated with organizing on an event. Therefore event planners are the best people to go to in order to plan the event for you. The New York event planners offer the services of some of the world renowned experts in event planning and management. They take care of all the aspects including the site selecting, publicity, catering and seating. They have settings with the right people and hence get the work done at a much cheaper rate and without any disturbances. The right publicity of the event is very important to ensure that it leaves a mark on the social calendar of the city.

There are many event planners in the New York City. A person can easily find an event planner that would suite his budget. But these event planning organizations are not free and come with a fee. Hence be sure to choose the firm that you would be able to afford. Some of the most popular event planners in the New York City include: EMRG Media NYC, Bowlmor lanes, Steffan group, Catering Guy.com, Maven Events and Crème de la Crème events.

How To Come Up With Different Event Planner Logo Design For Different Events?

We are living in such a fast paced technological world that people don't get time to even think about themselves.

Certain celebrations provide them a relief from day to day hectic activity which is why there is a notable boom in the recent event management industries. Organized occasions are not only the source of entertainment but infotainment as well.

This industry is so lively, glamorous and exciting that every person want to be the part of it today and the increasing competition have increased the need of implementing various marketing strategies to help these companies stand out from the rest. One of such marketing techniques includes even planner logo.

There are tremendous benefits that one can reap from such brand mark identities provided that they should be designed in accordance with the nature of the business you are running. Most of the time companies also provide the services for arranging different kinds of events and occasions which forces them to create a separate business identity for each occasion as it will help them to differentiate one service from the rest.

There are certain factors that one has to keep in mind while designing such brand marks for different events because they all belong to the same company.

First of all they all should be simple enough to be memorized by the viewers because you are dealing with different types of logo which has to present the same company. So, the more they are simple to understand, the more it will fork up the desired results.

Secondly, they should all be different with respect to the nature of the event while also a bit same so as to reflect the business you are running because all these brand marks belong to a same company.

Possible problems that you may encounter...

Don't you think to incorporate everything in such small piece of graphical representation would be difficult for a graphic designer.

So, what could be the solution for this?

Better is that you head towards a professional graphic design service because he will handle your event planning logo more efficiently than the others and try to avoid doing it by yourself in order to save your hard won cash.

So, if you have your corporate identity along with all the secondary brand marks in your hands then you must give them some time to flourish as these brand marks are not created overnight. A single corporate identity takes so much time to establish the name of a company so who knows how much time your sub -corporate identities would take.

Hence, if you will follow the above told two ideas for creating a brand mark for your event management company then surely you will be able to effectively market your business to beat your competitors. Moreover, if you want to get the best results, you should opt for a professional graphic design company which is experienced, reputed and most of all affordable.

How to Plan a Corporate Party in 10 Simple Steps

Organising corporate events can be a time-consuming and occasionally stressful process. But the good news is that with the right planning and organisational skills, it doesn't need to be. Follow these straightforward steps to plan a successful corporate party.

1. It's important to think about why you're hosting the party and what your objectives are for doing so. This information will help you to determine the tone you want for the event as well as any specific themes that might be suitable. Remember, just because it's a corporate party doesn't mean it needs to be formal. If you want to give your guests a memorable experience, 'fun' will need to play a big part in the event.

2. Choosing the date for your party should come next. It's important to do your homework around what else is taking place that day before making your choice, as you don't want to send out invites only to then find it's the night of a big football match for the local team. While making a decision is important, a willingness to be flexible could serve you well.

3. Once you know what the event is for and the date, the next decision you'll need to make is regarding the budget. It's easy for costs to escalate during the planning process, so it's important you have a clear idea of costs in mind before you begin.

4. Your next step is to decide who you wish to invite. The number of people will be a crucial factor to consider - as the more people who attend, the more expensive it will be - so focus on planning your corporate party around the people you definitely want to invite and building up your list from there. Add all the names of your intended guest list to a spreadsheet that can be updated later on.

5. You now need to think about where you want the party to be held. The first element of this is about location, such as which town or city you would like the event to take place in. This may be determined by where your company is based or where most of your guests will be travelling from.

6. The second stage to choosing where to hold the party is the venue itself. Choosing party venues is a very subjective decision, based on what you like and what you think your guests will like. You may want to give some thought to what food can be provided by the party venues you are looking at, as well as the capacity and atmosphere.

7. Once you've found somewhere you like, checking availability and costs will be your next task. It's important that the venue fits within your budget and has enough room to accommodate your corporate party guests. If not, you'll need to look at alternative party venues.

8. However, if all boxes are ticked, confirm the booking and send out invites. It's important you choose the most appropriate method of communicating the details of the event to your guests, as this will be the strongest approach for getting responses.

9. Depending on the nature of the corporate party and where it is being held, you may wish to arrange 'carriages' to help people get home at the end of the event.

10. All you need to do now is monitor responses and update the spreadsheet. If you're not getting the number of responses you want, you may need to resend the invite or find an alternative method of sending it out. Equally, if you fear there are too many or too few guests agreeing to attend, you may need to rethink the venue or the date.

Start Your Own Event Planning Business

The event planning service business is a $500 billion business worldwide today, with lots of growth opportunities. The profit margin has gone up from 15% to 30 to 40%. People hire event planners because they don't have the time and expertise to organize events themselves. Some of the events for which event planners are hired are:

• Celebrations (fairs, parades, weddings, reunions, birthdays, anniversaries)


• Education (conferences, meetings, graduations)


• Promotions (product launches, political rallies, fashion shows)


• Commemorations (memorials, civic events)

Qualifications: The best way to set up an event planning service business is to start as an apprentice with an event management company. This gives you useful exposure to the industry, and you learn the tricks of the trade without investing anything. You may also acquire knowledge about the industry by getting an event planning or management degree or certificate from a local university and also become a CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) or CMP (Certified Meeting Planner).

Target Market: The target market for event planning service business is huge. Companies as well as charities and non-profit organizations host gala fundraisers, receptions and athletic competitions, among other events, to expand their public support base and raise funds. Companies also organize trade shows, conventions, company picnics, holiday parties and meetings for staff members, board members or stockholders. Besides this there is a large social market. This includes organizing of weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties, Sweet 16 parties, children's parties, reunions and so on.

Start-up Costs: The start up costs of an event planning service business depends upon your business profile. A low-end event management business can be started for $8,000 while a high-end may cost $30,000 to $50,000. The main expenditure is on three heads: equipment, number of employees and office space.

Tasks and operations: Social events generally involve more weekends and holidays than corporate events. Some events have "on" and "off" seasons. The main tasks of an individual running an event planning services business are:

• Research: Find out everything about vendors and suppliers, talk to other planners who have produced similar events, read about issues of custom and etiquette. Ask your client a lot of questions and write down the answers.


• Design: You need to sketch the overall "look" of the event. To get good ideas you should have brainstorming sessions, either by yourself or with your employees. Consult your notebook for client's answers to the questions you asked in the research phase. These responses will help you thoroughly check each idea for feasibility before suggesting it to the client.


• Proposal: The production of a proposal can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if you include photographs or sketches. You should receive a consultation fee, which can be applied toward a client's event if he or she hires you.


• Organization: During this phase, you'll rent the site, hire vendors and take care of many more details. Make sure to discuss all major decisions with your client or someone acting on client's behalf, but avoid consulting many people.


• Coordination: Ensure that everyone is on the same wavelength, that all vendors have a general idea of the overall event schedule, what's expected of them, and when. Make sure all your staff members know their roles.


• Evaluation: Ensure your customer satisfaction so that your client will provide a great word-of-mouth advertising for you. You may also hire an event planning consultant to evaluate your work.

Earnings: There is no fixed fee in the event planning service business. The fee varies from event to event, and is proportional to the volume and quality of work involved. Generally, you can expect to make 15 to 20 per cent on every event. Given the size of the industry, part-time event planners can gross around $20,000 annually while full-time event planners can hope to earn $100,000 or more.

Marketing: The best way to promote your business is by word-of-mouth publicity. Encourage your clients to refer their friends to you. However, this will happen only when your work is good. You can also consider advertising in yellow pages and trade journals. A website is another useful place to give details about your event planning service business.

Similarities and Differences in Film Production and Event Management

Film schools around the world are mainly focused at teaching the technical aspects of filmmaking. These areas include art direction, cinematography, digital media, editing, directing the actors, directing the camera, theater acting, and even critical studies in film. A very important aspect of filmmaking is managing the entire show which means putting everything together as every individual department takes care of its individual needs. Unfortunately, degrees in specifically production are very rare. It is interesting to not however that the management side of filmmaking before, during, and after a shoot is very similar to event planning.

Event planning schools teach skills that are in some ways very similar to skills needed to manage a big production. From the beginning of a project, the producer tries to gather together a crew just as an event planner picks out key players who will run their program. Similar types of phone calls, budget planning, and location scouting are needed in pre production stages for both fields. In the day of the actual event or the film shoot, the producer and the event planner are both making sure that all the individual departments are running smoothly for a shot to take place successfully or an event to run properly.

For example, just as a producer would make sure that the actors are well taken care of, the sound mixer is running smoothly, and the grip department has arrived on time, the event planner will have to make sure that the correct music is playing, the tent rentals have prepared the tents on time, and the correct cake is ordered. Both departments need to make sure that the important people are well taken care of- the producers will make sure their actors are pampered and happy as the event planner will make sure that the VIP guests are comfortable and treated luxuriously in there designated areas.

Because of these similarities, I believe that it will not be too difficult for someone who previous experience or has taken event planning courses to step into the production and management side of the film industry as they do share similar backgrounds. Of course, as they advance in their field, they will need to learn the industry specifics that only apply to filmmaking and not just general management. Such skills include knowing the right industry contacts as filmmaking is more so based on networking than event planning and also having a general idea of the technicality of filmmaking because although the producer does not need to get involved in any department very specifically, a general idea is required so they can guide and keep the team together through example.

Corporate Party Planning With the Party Planner Software

To plan a corporate party is completely different from organizing a private party. Whether you are a professional event planner or you are hosting an event for your own business, to map out a corporate affair can be a really tricky endeavor as you have to cover even the minutest of details. There isn't any scope for mistakes here. From registration and payment collection to setting up the perfect atmosphere, hosting a successful business party requires lengthy preparations and execution for the event to come off in a seamless manner. If you are assigned with the duty to plan a similar party, find in the party planner software the perfect aide to streamline all your back-office operations.

The following procedures are automated by the party planner software:

1. Creation of the online party registration form:

Corporate parties are meant to strengthen relationship between existing customers and stakeholders and build camaraderie amongst co-workers. Establishing new collaborations is also on the minds of the top officials. For that, one needs to ensure that each step of party planning from the very start is made hassle-free for all the invited guests. Creating an online registration platform is a step towards achieving that objective.

The software application helps you to create and upload an online party registration form that can be accessed by your valued guests at anytime, from any web enabled device. There is already a pre-built template in the solution; you just need to customize it as per your organizational requirements and your form is created within a few minutes. The process is that fast.

2. Enabling of online payment

Online payment processing is surely the most viable option when it comes to party registration fee collection from your corporate guests. The online payment management solution of the software application supports a number of online and offline, PCI-secure payment gateways such as PayPal, Cybersource, and Authorize.net. Your guests can either pay through one of these means or avail of the wire transfer method to send in their registration fees. Either ways, the funds transferred are received almost in real-time under heavy weight security supervision and monitoring.

3. Sending email invitations

Sending a well-designed and composed email invitation is a must before any official party. To do that well in advance, you can use the bulk email messaging service that comes embed with the party planner software and can be accessed free of charge. The feature requires you to simply set the list of email addresses to which you need to send the emails to and schedule them in a timely fashion. Hence, as per the devised calendar, they are sent out in an automated manner.

It always helps if you are a user of a premiere third party customer relationship management (CRM) service. Then, you do not need to import the email addresses of your intended guests for the corporate party from any external sources. The contact details of all your customers are stored there in a centralized database.

4. Online promotion

No event today is entirely successful without proper marketing and campaign strategies. You need to promote it well across a wider platform to grab maximum attention. The best way to do this is by promoting the event on various social networking sites. A focused social media promotional approach can get you more attendees for the party and help uphold the brand image of your company in front of a larger audience.

On availing of the party planning software, you can also manage the party on site in a much more systematic way. It provides you with a number of productivity tools that can be used to facilitate easy check-ins, onsite registrations, and feedback gathering after the party. You can also generate a report on the event's overall performance by using the custom reporting tool.

Soccer Party Decoration Ideas For Creating The Perfect Playful Atmosphere

A soccer birthday party is great fun time for both kids as well as adults. Such parties demand a festive atmosphere that will stir up the guests for some kickin' fun. With some creative preparations, you can conveniently incorporate playfulness into your party decoration. Here are some ideas that are sure to help you set the stage for an exciting soccer party.

• A scoreboard at your front door would be a perfect welcome for your guests. Make a scoreboard that resembles to that of Soccer. Personalize it as per your requirement. For example; for time, you can mention the time of birth of your child or the actual time of the day. The other pointers at the scoreboard could be 'invitee count', 'arrived', and 'awaited'. Allocate one person for updating the scoreboard as and when required. The little ones are sure to jump out of excitement when they see this sporty decoration at your entry door.


• Buy the artificial grass carpets available at most stores that sell Soccer Birthday party Supplies and spread it out across your party area to transform your house into a soccer field. If buying the carpets is an expensive option, you can rent them.


• Make some soccer cutouts and hang them from the ceiling across the party area. Hang some soccer ball whistles as well. Later, you can give away these whistles as party favors.


• Inflate some themed Mylar balloons and tie one to each of the guest's chair. These balloons can also double up as party favors and therefore, are a must have for your child's birthday.


• For incorporating the theme to your party table, purchase the required Soccer Birthday party Supplies such as plates, cups, napkins, cake decorations, and much more.


• Instead of place mats, use grass-style mats to make your guests feel as if they are dining on a soccer field.


• Hang a Soccer themed pi簽ata above your party table or at a location where you think it will get the required attention. Fill it with irresistible treats and use it as a party decoration till you ask your guests to break it open.


• For some informative wall decorations, stick posters of your child's favorite soccer team and mention some surprising information about the players so that the kids can update themselves along with having a lot of fun time at your soccer birthday party. After your party is over, you can move these posters to your child's room and let them be there till your child wants them.

These tips are sure to help you kick off a great sports theme birthday for your little champion.

Corporate Catering - Ideas for Your Next Company Gathering

Corporate catering can be a big influence in the success of your company's regular meeting or lavish annual event. To make it a sure success is no easy feat. If you keep in mind, though, certain elements of the event before deciding on the menu and the overall setting, it will make your planning a lot easier. You can simply remind yourself about the what, who, when, where, how and why of the event.

What the gathering is all about - Of course, you need to know the occasion for the meeting or the event. You need to know what will happen in the event. For a conference or a sit-down meeting that entails a lot of presentation and discussion, you might want to serve sandwiches and other finger foods that are definitely not messy, so there will be no danger of having sauces on the spreadsheets or notebooks.

Who will attend the meeting or event - Let us face it. All meetings and events in a company have something to do with ranks and responsibilities. Your corporate catering should address this, too. Pizzas and burgers can perk up regular team meetings, but a directors' conference would usually call for gourmet sandwiches or a whole lineup of lunch courses from appetizer to dessert. You might also have to consider the nationalities or cultures of the attendees for their diet limitations and preferences. Some guests might require vegetarian dishes.

When will the gathering take place - The season, the day, the time and the length of meeting should all be considered in the planning. Summer company get-togethers can be a barbecue on the rooftop of your building or a nearby marina. If it is a monthly wrap-up on a Friday, you can plan a short and smart cocktail. Breakfast meetings would have coffee and breads, most probably. A one-hour marketing update would be okay with biscuits and a refreshing drink.

Where the event will be held - A small board room meeting will be fine with a couple of drink choices and platters of sandwiches or crackers, depending on the length and time of meeting. Of course, banquet halls and other such huge venues can have the options of buffet, sit-down or cocktails.

Why will you hold the event - The reason for holding the event can give you an idea where you could anchor your theme or menu. If it is an awarding ceremony or a fete for someone special to the company, maybe you can have a cake that honors the awardee or the guest. Mini celebrations for closing monthly sales and hitting customer service targets are good reasons for you to have some sparkling drinks, not necessarily champagnes, and fun food like mini tacos, chicken fingers and/or cheese puffs.

How will the event be organized - This involves the budget and logistics of the event. Will you be hiring a full-service caterer or will you just be ordering cater pans from restaurants? How much budget are you working on for food? How much is your company willing to spend on other services for the event? Many corporate catering companies these days, though, are more flexible with their packages.

These are just some of the basic tips that can come in handy when you plan your company's event. Keep them in mind and you will surely have an easier start to your event planning.

What is Meant by Corporate Event Planning?

These events might take place in a quiet, plush dinner atmosphere, at a dinner theatre venue or even in a meeting or conference room in your building. The details can range from very elaborate to quite simple, depending on the purpose of the event, the type of business planning the event and the budget allowed for it. The guests can range from trainees to long time customers or clients.

Some corporate events might take the form of award banquets and ceremonies, others perhaps VIP customer events, while still others could be to bring motivational speakers. Corporate events don't have to be gala parties to qualify; they could be training events or meetings or conventions or even trade shows. Travel could be involved in the planning or participation as well.

The organizations that plan these corporate events will customize it for you. Some call them "Bespoke Corporate Events" to confer the made-to-order meaning to their customers. They will meet with you to ascertain the intended goals and then will work a plan to meet your needs. They will go over every minute detail to ensure that your corporate event will be a memorable one for all who attend. Some companies will allow you to peruse the activities and programs they offer; choose, cafeteria style, the things you like best from each and then they will meld them together in a workable format to use for your special event.

Corporate event planning is essential to those companies who are trying to utilize team building concepts to improve working relationships and environments to revitalize their business. Team building a concept that is not new in the business world but it is re-emerging in these days of sagging economy as a method of infusing new life into organizations and businesses that need it. Many companies are experiencing decreased business and are looking for ways to regenerate profits. Building better relationships and communication between employers and employees, between departments within the company and between companies and their customers through corporate event planning is being viewed as increasingly more acceptable in the business world.

Does your business need an infusion of new life?

Beach Balls Offer Multifaceted Value

Summer events are opportunities for businesses and organizations to break out of their usual corporate mold and have fun with their promotions. Livening up a trade show, corporate event, awareness walk or fundraiser with a lighthearted giveaway can make the difference between attendees feeling tired or inspired. Beach balls are a promotional product that can provide a kernel of an idea that planning, budgeting and outreach can all be revolved around. These inflatable giveaways represent a thematic concept of casual water sports and vacation time, budget friendly pricing and an ability to deliver messages in a number of ways.

Thematic Inspiration - Corporate events and organizational fundraisers are always looking for ways to inspire their attendees. Whether the goal of the event is to raise funds or morale, the theme will play a big part in how successful it is. Organizers who have the idea to use beach balls as a giveaway at their event can roll out the beach or pool party theme to decorations, music, signage and promotional materials. Beach balls can be used during team building exercises, group activities or provide a way to blow off steam during recess or after the obligations of the day.

Keep Costs Down - Budgets are always a concern for organizers. Making sure an event delivers in content, location and schwag is the measure of how successful an event planner is. Maximizing all of these elements while staying within budget is a challenge even for the most experienced planners. A promotional beach ball provides a low cost giveaway that can easily be handed out in a welcome bag or at a registration desk. After receiving this item, attendees can inflate it to its full size, giving it the aura of being a more expensive and valuable giveaway.

Promotional Options - The beach ball can be used to promote an event. Its form while deflated allows it to be included in mail packages, delivering a fun incentive to attend the upcoming fundraiser or corporate retreat. As an alternative, a mini beach ball can serve as an invitation in itself, offering a hint as to what the event will deliver. The theme that is implied by the invitation can increase attendance and interest in the event, meaning more support for fundraisers and awareness events. Increasing conversion rate on invitations can have a huge effect on the success of the event.

Inspiration, cost and flexibility all make beach balls a useful tool for event planners during spring and summer events. The custom imprint delivered on them will live on as the giveaway migrates from event to home, increasing the return on the promotional investment.

Fun Corporate Team Building Activities - 3 Games and Activities for The Next Corporate Event

Fun corporate team building activities promote employee unity and strengthen their interpersonal relationships.

While seminars and discussions on team building may be fresh for the length of the respective event, a practical experience tends to deliver an unforgettable impact.

Several organizations conduct training programs for their employees regularly to inculcate team skills. These programs need not be strictly formal. With little creativity, you can make them an entertaining corporate event. Here are some fun team-building activities that amuse and teach as well:

Team versus Helium Stick

A whole team works to bring down a helium stick. Seems pretty simple on the surface, but do not underestimate this activity.

Team members stand in two rows with each member facing the other. The helium stick is placed on their index fingers. Together, they need to place the stick on the ground.

This is difficult because the helium stick shows a propensity to move up than down. To succeed, teams need to put in collaborative efforts and plan smart.

Spin a Story

Give each team member a picture. The content of the picture of one member should not be revealed to the other beforehand. As each member takes turn to reveal his/her picture, he/she creates a story around the picture.

The overall story should be compatible with all the pictures held by the whole team. Team members need to listen to their partners, let their creativity flow, exchange ideas, decide on the best plot, respect others' ideas, and accept a singular decision, to win.

The Unbreakable Egg Contest

Get teams to develop a package consisting of a single egg such that it survives a drop (decide the height of drop beforehand). Include an advertising slot for the team to sell its make.

This activity highlights team efforts, good decision-making skills, creative talent, fine analyzing, team support, and promotional skills. It also promotes healthy competition between teams.

A workforce that understands and believes in the concept of a team is essential for the success of any organization. Such fun activities offer employees great insight into the power of teamwork.

Recommended Software for Arena Management

When there is a little over a month left to enter the data for a thousand plus cattle penning teams into a fickle spread sheet software program that was built by good intentioned volunteers; the last thing anyone should be doing is looking for replacement software. However, as any event/entry secretary or producer knows this is sometimes the lifeline that is needed to get the job done.

The preparation of all of the necessary data combined with balancing a three-quarter of a million dollar show in the six weeks prior to its start should have been enough to do. Throwing in a new piece of software to learn and master would be considered ludicrous to say the least. The producers deemed it to be a necessity in view of the history of inconsistencies in the program currently in use.

With a three-year old recommendation in hand and very little back ground checking, Arena Management Software became the chosen lifeline. The software was purchased, loaded onto the computers, played with for a day or so and then our team went to work. The KCI support group was there, day and night, to help with the learning curve and any snags that presented themselves. Our team quickly realized that the new user-friendly software program we had taken a chance on was going to be our ongoing choice for future events. The show was a success. The producers and contestants were happy. All was good in our world!

There have been a lot of years pass by since those short six weeks when our group became acquainted with the Arena Management Software. The program still provides a user-friendly format that has the talent to produce minimal data to realms of reports. From rodeo to cattle penning events the product continues to amaze our team with its ability to perform in and out of the arena.

Disaster Recovery Planning - Mitigating Data Loss in Small and Medium Sized Businesses

Disaster recovery planning; also commonly referred to as 'business continuity planning' involves planning for the possibility of an event that causes the loss or destruction of data. It also involves ensuring that a recovery plan is in place so that the business can recover and continue should the disastrous event occur. When it comes to disaster recovery planning more than half of all small and medium-sized businesses lack a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. While almost everyone understands the need to have insurance policies to protect their assets there is often a certain disconnect when it comes to planning for the protection of the data that resides on their computer systems. After all, what good is having the insurance company buy you a new computer if the data that you need to run your business is gone? Many also focus on the word 'disaster' and assume that it refers to an act of god or some other rare occurrence and count themselves safe; after all, what are the chances that the earth is going to open up and swallow their computer systems, right? This however is badly misguided in that the 'disaster' we are referring to in the disaster recovery plan can be any of the following occurrences:

• Hard drive failure


• Operator error leading to the corruption or deletion of data


• Theft


• Sabotage by current or former employees


• Software errors leading to the corruption of data


• Flood or Fire


• Electrical damage

Now that we have established some of the many different ways that data loss events can occur we need to cover the steps that can be taken to ensure that the data can be recovered so that business operations can continue in the event that data is damaged, deleted or otherwise destroyed. One also needs to be careful not to assume that simply subscribing to one of the many online backup solutions (Carbonite, Dr. Backup, etc) amounts to a disaster recovery plan. It's worth noting that doing something is better than nothing so if you are not committed or otherwise able to develop a disaster recovery plan then an online backup system is still going to be better than nothing, but one should be careful not to develop a false sense of security since an online backup program is by no means a full disaster recovery plan. Creating a comprehensive disaster recovery plan involves the following:

1. Documenting business processes. It is important to fully document all important business processes and determine where and how the data for each is stored.


2. Planning the right backup solution. Simply running backups is often not enough- are databases involved? Most databases can't be recovered from the simple copy of files that is included in a normal backup procedure so databases need to be looked at separately and individually to ensure the backup system that is implemented is actually going to be able to recover them.


3. Implementing the backup solution. Once a backup plan is created the hardware and/or software involved needs to be acquired and set up accordingly.


4. Testing. Tests will need to be done to ensure that the backups being made work and are able to restore the data.


5. Monitoring of the backup solution. Monitoring essentially a never-ending process since there is near 100% certainty that the something will cause the backups to fail at some point and require a human intervention to get them running again.

Whether a disaster recovery plan is developed in-house or by a consultant every business needs to implement a disaster recovery plan in order to ensure their continued existence should an event occur that damages or destroys their critical data. In many cases a small or medium-sized business will not have the staff or specialization to develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan on their own and will need to contact in an I.T. consultant to help develop one. It is important to remember that an experienced disaster recovery planning expert is just a phone call away.

Special Event Planning - Party Planning

Event Planning - Party Planning needs special efforts and creativity to organize the best. All the arrangements about any event or party depends on the specialty of event. All depends on the importance you attach to the special event and the results you expect as the out put.

Before making any arrangements you need to know the type of event. What is the theme of party? A party or event may have any type like a birthday party, Anniversary party, theme parties, star nights, kitty parties, music events, fashion shows, ramp shows, DJ nights, Rock show Disco parties, Orchestra bands, laser shows, magical shows, get-together parties, corporate parties, personal parties, annual days functions, new year parties, any concert or seminar etc. All arrangements should be carried forward by keeping in mind the kind of event.

You will need to look into the matters of fixing a proper date, arranging the entertainment that suits the theme of your party, inviting special guests, preparing invitations to invite all the guests, catering matters, transporting your guests, decorations, the logistics of rentals and equipments etc. You will also need to arrange the parking facilities for your guests and cleaning up of the venue.

These days there are number of event planning companies that can help you in organizing your special event. Party planners can make all the arrangements as per your taste, requirement and budget. They will listen to the purpose of your special event. They can give you a complete evaluation of you're your event like its budget, venue fixing and arrangement of rentals and catering affairs. They will keep in mind the purpose of your event and can make all the arrangements accordingly.

Budget for event plays an important part in organizing any event. So, to start anything first set up budget. How much you want to spend on your special party or event? An event planner makes all the arrangements within your decided budget. Always explore all your ideas and themes in front of the event management company you are going to hire and also discuss about budget so that the event planner can provide you best services as per your taste, requirement and budget.

Event Planning - Oops! 5 Pitfalls!

Event planning can be difficult. You have to consider the major decisions and every little detail. In event planning, every problem contains its own solution - a lesson you can apply when planning the next event. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid during your event planning efforts:

1. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - Keep your Head above Water

Getting too deeply involved in minute details can completely derail your event planning process. The bigger the event, the more vulnerable you are to getting overwhelmed with tiny details, wasting valuable time you should have invested in the major planning issues. During the event planning process, focus on the theme and colors, not the individual decorations. Sketch out the menu rather than planning each dish. Develop a general budget without creating a line item for every supply. Develop a schedule with milestones (caterer contract signed, facility rented, invitations sent, etc.). Don't plan the timing of every activity necessary or you'll spend all your time on your schedule! Consider bringing on someone to help you manage the process - a volunteer from your organization, a friend or family member, or a temporary worker.

Remember that you can't operate effectively if you are under severe stress. Having an emotional breakdown can ruin your event. An important aspect to event planning is keeping your cool. Keep your priorities in order. Use others to fetch, fix, and decorate. You're the planning guru. You're responsible for the smooth, successful accomplishment of major decisions, not the table decorations.

2. Invest Time in Planning the Food and Bar - Keep your Guests Happy

Big events, unless they're staffed by a big group of volunteers, should be catered. Catering includes both the food and the bar. When you select your caterer, be sure to have a detailed written contract that specifically identifies the menu, the bar setup, itemized costs, a clear schedule, and specific performance standards that could influence the amount you finally pay. If the caterer lets you down, you shouldn't be obligated to pay the amount you agreed to in the contract.

Remember that the caterer will be "invisible" to your guests. If the menu isn't delicious, the setting isn't attractive and appetizing, and the bar doesn't function well, it will reflect on you, not the caterer. If you're planning an event for charity or fund-raising, these things may be critical to success. Be sure your caterer is responsible and that you've checked out their recommendations before signing the contract. Your reputation depends on it.

3. Don't Rely on a Handshake - Get it in Writing

Almost every aspect of event planning should be documented in a contract. No matter what it is - Whether the tablecloths and napkins, the entertainment, the clean-up, the facility, or seating - make sure you have a written agreement with your provider that clearly identifies what you're paying for, what you expect from them, and the precise time they will provide their goods or services. This documents your providers' commitments to you and gives you a clear base from which to assess their performance.

Settling for a friendly handshake will set up you for disappointment and added expense. Without a written agreement, you may that your provider has overbooked his service or changed his price on you at the last minute. You can avoid this crisis by having written, formal contracts that cover your needs. If the worst should happen, a contract also gives you a strong argument in court proceedings over payments (or lack thereof).

4. Don't Go Bankrupt - Successful Event Planning Involves a Budget

Be sure that you have a clear budget for your event. If you're doing it for hire or for an employer, they'll give you a number to use as your planning base. Of course, they'll respect you if you save some money. If you're depending on donations or paying for the event out of your own pocket, you should have in mind a minimum and maximum amount that you're able to spend. Do enough research to have a realistic idea of what different event planning elements will cost (caterer, entertainment, facility rent, decorations, etc.). Some of these costs will be more flexible than others. You may not be able to do much about the price of the facility, but you can make menu choices that will influence the cost of catering. And you have a lot of room to negotiate for affordable entertainment - anywhere from an orchestra to a one-man band. Decide which parts of your budget are most important and fund those first. Try to buy decorations and other supplies from a discount outlet or in bulk. Do your homework during event planning, and you're more likely to get the most out of your money.

5. Don't Get Over-stressed OR Over-Relaxed

In successful event planning, much work is done far in advance. This helps reduce the organizer's stress level. It also assures that the best goods and services are available at a reasonable cost. But sometimes, when things are going great well in advance of the event, it's a temptation to sit back and take it easy for a while. But take care - just the time you think it's safe to sit down, the roof falls in. Keep up on event planning progress by checking in on others, offering to help resolve problems, or making a few important phone calls during those "down times" when things seem really quiet. Don't let things slide until tomorrow, or they may become much bigger problems that demand more time or money to fix than if you had been there to cut it off at the pass.

If you're event planning is thorough, and your schedule and budget are well thought-out, you should have some planned times for relaxation. Use them as scheduled, not as they seem to come. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a crisis with limited resources and few options. The time to slow down and relax is usually the day of the event. Everything's set up and in gear. You've done your job, and the event is coming off without a hitch. You can afford to relax and enjoy the event because you were on top of things in the earlier event planning stages.

Corporate Events That Do Double Duty

Recently, a teacher whose class regularly scores top marks shared her secret for team building success with me. "It's easy," she told me. "Each week, we set a goal as a class. If we've reached the goal at the end of the week, I treat the class to pizza and a game and then we sit down and plan next week's goal."

There in a nutshell is a tried and true strategy for building and maintaining successful teamwork that any corporate event planner should take to heart. My teacher friend's Friday afternoon 'pizza party' serves a triple function - it recognizes the work achieved, rewards the team for their work, and serves as a springboard for the next goal. To be successful, a corporate event should do three things - recognize, reward and motivate.

Granted, when you're dealing with high-powered executives, programmers or salespeople, a Friday afternoon pizza party may not be quite the ticket. Higher goals merit higher rewards - but the principle remains the same. If you're planning a corporate event weekend, then your plans should include all three arms of the success formula.

This isn't as difficult to do as it may seem. Any corporate event that's meant to recognize and reward contributions to the team can serve as a springboard for planning further successful activities and include team building activities to cement the bonds of the work group. An event that's planned as a team building weekend could easily include a recognition dinner to reward those members of the team who've made outstanding contributions.

The key to making sure that your corporate event accomplishes all of your goals is careful planning right from the start. Before you decide on the activities for your corporate event, take the time to work out your goals. Is it your aim to reward your employees? Recognize achievement? Motivate your teams? Hammer a group into a team? Once you know what it is that you want to accomplish, it's time to call in the professionals.

A corporate event planner with expertise and experience in team building activities, corporate event planning, outdoor team building and corporate hospitality events can show you a wide range of fun corporate events and activities that will serve any corporate event strategy you have in mind. Even more importantly, they'll bring their own experience to the planning table - and the execution of the event. Using a professional corporate event service means you needn't worry that someone will forget to meet the keynote speaker's plane, and your own key people aren't tying up their time running around to find matching napkins for the company reward dinner.

In the end, choosing to use a corporate event planning service is no different than any other business decision. You hand the work to those that have the best resources to accomplish the task. When it comes to fitting a corporate event to its purpose, a professional event planner can turn your company recognition dinner into a motivating, rewarding and inspiring team building event that will kick your next quarter into high gear.

Meeting and Event Planning - Preparing Your Budget - An Event Template to Cut Your Hassle Factor

What are the plans for your meeting or convention this year? Does it start with a budget or did you even do one last year? If you did one, did you do it the easy way with a Budget Spreadsheet for Meetings?

Let us discuss your needs and see what forms and budgets can be facilitated the easy way. If approached correctly, you can cut your "Hassle Factor" by more than half with the right event template.

First - History/Budget - what kind of a history do you have from your last convention? Did you fill out forms that showed all the results of your meeting? You started with a contract that specified sleeping rooms and scheduled functions, but did you update those numbers at the conclusion of your convention? This is important! You really do need to know what happened last year including your exact sleeping room pick-up, registration numbers with total income generated, specific meeting expenses and the number of attendees that attended each function. Without these numbers you are just guessing.

Second - Planning your Budget - is this easy or are you going to start over from scratch? If you kept good records and have accurate figures, then you have a great start for you next meeting. It is easy to modify last year's information and make changes for this year. That will be necessary for a variety of reasons. You will need it to tell your hotel contact what you want and you will also need it to prepare this year's budget.

Third - Budgeting Spreadsheet for Meetings - take the easy way out. Use a spreadsheet that will make your job easy. There are excel spreadsheets that can do it for you. Do not waste your time trying to design something that already exists and is proven to save you effort and stress.

Most planners are good at multi-tasking and have no problems designing a simple spreadsheet to handle a basic budget or designing a form to handle registration. So, you spend your time designing and stressing out. You end up with a variety of forms that each handle a specific need like registration, exhibits, food expenses and budget. The forms are not connected and do not work together. Hence, you end up having to do additional work merging the information from the various forms into your budget. Why do this when there is a Budget Spreadsheet for Meetings on the market that will tie your history, individual forms and budget together? It is so easy that all you have to do is enter the information. The spreadsheet does the rest.