We have all managed established events in which we have been involved since the start. We have our records on file from previous years, we’ve formed relationships with the committees and have experience working with the venue. We feel like we could plan the event with our eyes closed. [...]
“At most conferences, information flows from the top down in a numbing series of discursive, disconnected PowerPoints and sessions address topics relevant only to some of the people in the room. Participants leave slightly better informed than when they arrived.”[1] Your events do not have to be like “most [...]
One of the primary reasons delegates choose to attend a conference is the quality of the educational content that is being offered, and educational content comes from the professional speakers that you or your planning committee have selected. Speakers are one of the keys to the success of your [...]
Event managers are typically highly organized, which is crucial to managing complex events. Organization is important, but how you deal with issues as they arise is just as, if not more, vital. As event managers, we are familiar with Murphy’s Law: “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” [...]
As event managers we often get stuck in a rut of using the same venues year after year committed to the saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Many of the events we plan are annual events where the same people attend year after year. The program changes [...]
Our previous article Boost Attendance with Exceptional Conference Promotion provided a great introduction to the attendance marketing discussion but since there is so much you can do to customize your marketing efforts and increase your attendance we’re continuing that discussion here. Let’s start by making sure you take the [...]
In the event management world we all utilize a Critical Path filled with details, deadlines and delegations. You create the critical path to keep you on track and distribute it to your team, but then what? It is your job, as the event manager to manage the deadlines and have [...]
Contacting and confirming sponsorships for your event can be one of the most nerve-racking steps in the event planning process, but being well prepared, will alleviate a lot of the stress. The Sponsorship Package (or Sponsor & Exhibitor Package) is your “pitch” to potential supporters. Don’t send this out [...]
Many of our clients rely on the work of volunteers to make their events a success. Volunteers are just as important as your attendees, exhibitors or speakers, yet they are often an afterthought. Here are some things to consider when recruiting, interacting and managing your volunteers. Create High Impact [...]
If the banquet menu price of a cup of coffee is $3, what does it really cost? In a downtown Toronto hotel with an 18% service charge (often referred to as a gratuity) it will end-up costing $4. How does that happen? In the case of Ontario, HST is [...]
