Why do I enjoy the event industry?

If you love putting together events, then I know that I don't have to say anything for you to understand. However, I have often been asked by people who cannot stand putting together events, how do I have such a passion for creating events?

I almost find it hard to put in words because the reasons can be so varying.

From a marketing perspective I enjoy taking products and companies off a screen or piece of paper, and even off the internet.  Creating a real experience for consumers that is tangible is an incredible opportunity to create true loyalty in a time where there is very little.  People remember experiences, people share experiences and being able to create experiences for people that creates a call to action for them to bring that to others is exhilarating.

Then I consider all the events I have done for charitable or city organizations.  Being able to give back through an event that creates a difference in someone's life is something that I take great pride in.  Bringing people together and really seeing how much people care and want to make an impact in this world is life changing.  It is also a hard feeling to understand until you have been to such an event and taken a moment to soak it all in.

Now although this doesn't always apply to my clothes, I simply enjoy gathering and organizing all the different aspects of events.  Seeing all the pieces come together and building something from nothing is exciting.  It is even something I enjoy so much that any event I am involved with, if it is a recurring event, I ensure that the files I create, and the systems I put in place will allow for everything to stay organized into the future.

If you have the same passion for events as I do, I would love to hear what it is that drives your passion!

The small details add up

When creating an event there is always that moment where every single detail seems to be up in the air, half planned but not quite complete. Finding ways to maximize the details can be what makes a good event great and a great event extraordinary.  Now when I mention details, this encompasses a number of different areas.

In communication:

The need to consider details starts with each initial communication to any contact.  How are you presenting the event from the very beginning?  Are you ensuring your vision and purpose is clear?  Doing so can open up opportunities for your suppliers and vendors to make suggestions they feel will compliment this.  The truth of the matter is, you cannot be an expert in every single area of an event, so this feedback from suppliers can draw in ideas that you may not have been  able to generate on your own.

In decoration:

You never know when that one small extra item will be the perfect touch that pushes the event over the edge.  It is always ideal to have people saying things such as "Did you notice the napkin rings that went so perfectly?" or "The picture in the bathroom was a hilarious."  To make a theme or idea clear at an event consider how you can do so in ways that people would not expect.

In wording:

Now I separate this from communication as here I am referring to wording of any written material presented to those attending your event.  From invitations (which is the most obvious and usually taken care of) to signage, entertainment and menus, ensuring the theme or tone of the event is reflected here can make a great difference.

In supplier and venue selection:

When selecting any supplier or vendors for an event, it is important not to only compare your options based on cost.  The time I find most critical to do so is for charity or cause events.  This is because having suppliers and vendors that can align with your cause, I truly feel, drives them to bring even more to the event.  Now of course this needs to be weighed against creating the best return for your charity/cause as well and most  every situation is unique.

*Note, I do not suggest someone loses site of the big picture of an event, or stresses over trying to ensure every single last small detail is capitalized on, but rather to help ensure they simply take moments to delve a little deeper every now and then.

I'm sure I will be back at some point to reassess how I feel about these points as I often find as my experience in events grows so does my perspective on a number of topics.  Please feel free to let me know any thoughts you may have in the comments.  I'm always excited to hear and discuss events with others who have a passion for event planning. :)

Your Ambassadors Are Your Event

After a recent experience working an event as a brand ambassador it is clear to me that it can be easy even for experienced experiential marketing firms to miss the small details.

I truly feel that it is critical to ensure that you take care of your brand ambassadors to ensure that they are in turn creating the best experience for your consumers.  Key considerations include:

• various scheduling options should be considered, weighing the value and cost of long shifts with breaks or shorter shifts not requiring breaks 
• if breaks are required and the event is ongoing with no clear opportunities to take breaks, take the guess work out and schedule breaks to ensure appropriate breaks are taken, helping to ensure reps are at their best the entire time 
• develop clear check in-check out schedule, whether by text or simply a designated paper, allowing for management of hours worked and breaks taken
• determine clear sampling plan (if applicable) based on expected traffic and amount of product available
• provide what you promise your reps, don't want to be the one to make them uncomfortable or disappointed because you didn't follow through, for example promising hat or gloves when running an event outside 
• create opportunities for managers to follow up with reps and create coaching experience, reps should always be growing in their ability to interact with consumers 

Happy and satisfied reps create the most memorable experiences for consumers.