Event Planning Skills for a Good Event Planner
Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.
Event planning is nothing but just organizing an event. When we think of an event a glamorous image strike in our minds but planning an event and making an event successful is not an easy task.
An event is live multimedia package with a preconceived concept to achieve the objective. Event planning starts from the early stage of concept and continues all the way until the event takes place and it’s not the end yet after the event the wrap up and follow up also is a part of event.
The process involves working with the client to design an event that reflects the client and meets the objective. Event planning process also includes budgeting, scheduling venue selection, selection and negotiation with vendors, decoration and lighting, invitation; it is everything that goes into putting together an event.
Event planner is the one who organize the event and coordinate with the client and vendors. The successful event planners have a toolbox filled with an impressive skill. Some of the important skills that a good planner should have are:
• Highly Organized: In event planning there are many of the things to keep in mind. Keeping track of numerous tasks, vendors, and constantly changing to-do lists while keeping your client happy. Being highly organized is a must for successful event planning. An event planning checklist that is customized for an event is one of the most valuable event planning tools.
• Good Communicator: Good communication skills are essential in many professions. In event planning, miscommunication can result in numerous problems for both the event planner and the client, and a simple misunderstanding can have drastic result. Being able to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas is a very practical skill that is used on a day-to-day basis by event planners. The planner should also be good listener.
• Creative: Successful event planners should have creativity in idea. And with that creativity the planner can transform the simple idea into a creative event. Creativity also comes when the problem arise during event and get solved with the creative ideas without troubling the event. In this scenario, creativity takes shape in the form of problem-solving. Being able to think creatively to develop solutions to problems can positively impact the success of your event.
• Multitasker: At various stages of the event planning process, there are numerous tasks being managed. Successful event planners need to know how to effectively multitask and keep many aspects of the event moving along simultaneously without any of those tasks falling by the wayside. Staying focused and flexible are attributes of the successful multitasker.
Mistakes to avoid while planning:
• Not Having a “Plan B”: Having a “Plan B” is a must for any event, weather conditions are unpredictable and if a hurricane, heavy wind, rain, threaten to cancel your event, have a backup plan.
• Not Confirming Vendors: You always want to get a verbal or email confirmation from all vendors before setup time. The one should keep a track on the orders.
• Not double-checking ahead of the event: One of the most important things you need to do as an event planner is to always check, double-check, and even triple-check . It may sound like paranoia, but when you’re coordinating so many vendors, there is no harm in double confirming.