Event Management For Dummies

Your straightforward guide for planning and running an event

Whether you want to break into this burgeoning industry, or you simply need to plan an event and don’t know where to start, there’s something for all would-be event planners in Event Management For Dummies. Packed with tips, hints and checklists, it covers all aspects of planning and running an event – from budgeting, scheduling and promotion, to finding the location, sorting security, health and safety, and much more.

Open the book and find:

• Planning, budgeting and strategy
• Guests and target audience
• Promoting and marketing events
• Location, venue and travel logistics
• Food, drink, entertainment and themes
• Security, health and safety, permissions, insurance and the like
• Tips for building a career in event management

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started 5

Chapter 1: Why Put on An Event? 7

Chapter 2: Knowing Your Audience 17

Chapter 3: Deciding on the Type of Event To Put On 27

Chapter 4: Managing Your Team to Manage Your Event 53

Chapter 5: Budget Planning and Management 75

Part II: Planning Your Event’s Look and Feel 101

Chapter 6: Crafting the Message 103

Chapter 7: Designing the Experience 115

Chapter 8: Making Sure People Know about Your Event 141

Part III: When, Where and Who: The Devil’s in the Detail 161

Chapter 9: Timings, Timings, Timings 163

Chapter 10: Deciding Where to Hold Your Event 185

Chapter 11: Who Does What: Front and Back of House 213

Part IV: Considering Potential Problems 225

Chapter 12: Keeping Healthy, Safe and Secure 227

Chapter 13: Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail! Contingency Planning 253

Part V: On the Day and Beyond 265

Chapter 14: Measuring the Success of Your Event 267

Chapter 15: Building on the Event 281

Part VI: The Part of Tens 287

Chapter 16: Ten Types of Suppliers You Need in Your Address Book 289

Chapter 17: Ten Online Resources For Event Planners 293

Chapter 18: Ten Things to Have in Your Event Kit during the Build and Show Day 297

Chapter 19: About Ten Tips for Building a Career in Event Management 301

Index 305

Laura Capell is Managing Director of Sledge Ltd, one of the most successful events companies in London. Her unique ability to understand brands and how people want to interact with them has seen Laura work with some of the biggest brands around, delivering award-winning service. Laura was voted one of the top young industry professionals by Conference & Incentive Travel magazine.

Learn to:

• Plan and run a successful event – from conferences and exhibitions to festivals
• Tackle everything from the creative brief to health and safety
• Get through 'show' day with your sanity intact
• Measure and build upon the success of your event

Your A-to-Z guide from a top industry professional

Whether you'd like to break into the booming event industry, or you've been tasked with organising an event for work or socially and don't have a clue where to start, this book has you covered. Written by the Managing Director of one of London's top event companies, it's packed with expert tips, hints and checklists, and covers all aspects of planning and running an event – from budgeting, scheduling and promotion, to finding a location, sorting security, health and safety and much more.

• Take your first steps – start out by deciding what kind of event you want to put on, researching your audience and putting together a realistic budget
• Design an experience – discover how to craft an event's 'message' and create a truly memorable occasion – with tips on selecting the right creative content and entertainment
• Manage the nitty-gritty – from location to deliveries, health and safety to paperwork, learn how to successfully handle the million-and-one details involved in an event
• Plan for the worst – get the lowdown on potential problems and how to avoid them, and what to do to stop them from ruining an event, should they occur
• Tackle event day and beyond – keep everything running smoothly on the day, learn to measure the success of your event and build on that success with post-event marketing

Open the book and find:

• Priceless tips, hints and checklists
• How to tailor the event to your audience
• Guidance on budgeting, scheduling, promotion and location
• Advice on technical production, catering and entertainment
• Important health, safety and security information
• The types of suppliers you need in your address book – and must-have items to keep in your 'event kit'
• Insider information on building a career in event management