The Business of Event Planning

Practical tools and expert advice for professional event planners

Before planning an event, there is much that must be done behind the scenes to make the event successful. Before any thought is even given to timing or location of the event, before the menus are selected and the decor designed, there are proposals to be written, fees and contracts to be negotiated, and safety issues to be considered. This book takes you behind the scenes of event planning and explains every aspect of organizing and strategic planning. This book will be of value to both the professional event planner and to clients who are dealing with planners.

Its comprehensive coverage includes: how to prepare winning proposals, and how to understand them if you are the client; how to determine management fees; negotiating contracts; safety issues; designing events in multicultural settings; and new technology that makes operations more efficient (such as online registration and response management, database project management tools). The book also includes practical tools such as sample letters of agreement, sample layouts for client proposals, forms, and checklists. Professional event planner Judy Allen offers first-time or professional event planners all the top-class advice they need to make their special events come off without a hitch.

"The Business of Event Planning is a must-read for those in the event planning business. Strategic in through and design and user-friendly in presentation, it literally tells you the paths to follow and the pitfalls to avoid. Well told, with examples to follow and stories to relate to, it's the 'how-to' that's a 'must-do' for the meetings, incentive, and event planning industry." Peggy Whitman, President, Society of Incentive & Travel Executives; and Western Regional Sales Director, Marriott Incentive Awards "As more and more administrative professionals are assigned meeting planning responsibilities, there needs to be an easy-to-understand, fool-proof, quick read by someone who has been there and done it successfully. Written for anyone who has to prepare dynamite meetings and special events, The Business of Event Planning is your Bible and a must-have desktop reference. Thank, Judy Allen! You saved the day!" Susan Fenner Ph.D., Manager, Education and Professional Development, International Association of Administration Professionals (IAAP)

"Guidance for new planners, reminders for experienced ones, and useful tips for everyone. This book has it all! It's the key that unlocks the mystery behind event planning, and should be mandatory reading for planners everywhere." Leslie McNabb, Senior Manager Event Planning, Scotia Capital

PRAISE FOR JUDY ALLEN'S FIRST BOOK Event Planning

"Allen is a good teacher. Wise planners will add Event Planning to their personal reference library as a useful working guide." Meeting Professional Magazine

"A blueprint for executing events for 50 or 2,000, with budgets of a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands." Success Magazine

"Event Planning gives readers a blueprint for planning and executing special events with flair. Consider the book as preventative maintenance." Sales Promotion Magazine

"A guide to well planned events. Event Planning is a must for any PR maven." Marketing Magazine

Judy Allen is one of the world's leading authorities on staging, event and lifestyle design and the bestselling author of ten books for the professional, business and consumer markets. Allen, a master of creative design, has flawlessly executed successful special events-corporate, social, and celebrity-for up to 2,000 guests at a time in more than 30 countries around the world. She has designed and produced memorable events such as Disney's worldwide theatrical opening-night gala for Beauty and the Beast, and the orchestration of Oscar-winning director Norman Jewison's 25th anniversary celebration for Fiddler on the Roof.
Highly skilled in staging events that are strategically designed to be one-of-kind experiences and a master of transforming the energy of an event environment by engaging the senses with trademark primary design principles, Allen has worked closely with CEOs, CFOs, presidents and their executive staff around the globe to create, implement and oversee their corporate and social business events.
The many diverse events that Allen has designed and executed extend from complex one-day events to elaborate arrangements of theme productions taking place over the course of a week. These events ranged from very exclusive VIP events to multimillion-dollar, multimedia fantasy extravaganzas including seven new-car product launches and involved high-tech stage and show productions.
Allen, and her 2jproductions partner, Joe Shane, are now bringing their dynamic creative energy, innovative style and perceptive insight to home, life and lifestyle design and world class resorts around the world through Sensual Home Living^TM and other initiatives.

Event planning is like performing a high-wire act without a safety net. Once your event starts, there are no second chance. It is all done in one take, and there are no dress rehearsals. You cannot predict how your guests and suppliers will interact and react when you bring them together, but you can organize, plan, and be prepared for the unexpected. The Business of Event Planning covers all the behind-the-scenes aspects of special events, whether it's an event for thousands or a handful of guests. Before any thought is given to the timing or location of the event, before the menus are selected and the decor designed, there are strategic objectives to be determined, proposals to be written, fees and contracts to be negotiated, and saftey issues to be considered. The Business of Event Planning helps event planners and their clients produce outstanding events that meet and exceed both client and guest expectations, by going beyond the details of the event itself. This book explains every aspect of the business and the strategy behind successful events. Its comprehensive coverage includes: How to prepare winning proposals, and how to understand them if you're the client. How to determine management fees and negotiate contracts. The safety issues that every event planner needs to take into consideration. Designing events in multicultural settings. New technology that makes operations more efficient (such as online registration and response management, database project management tools, videoconferencing and virtual meetings, and more). Practical tools such as sample letters of agreement, sample layouts for client proposals, forms, tips, and checklists. A detailed case study that runs throughout the book-- one company that is organizing two very different events. Features a companion website with forms from the book, as well as additional material. _planning. The Business of Event Planning provides indispensable tools and strategies for anyone who has to plan an event: Professional event and meeting planners--seasoned veterans or beginners Clients who are dealing with planners, suppliers, and consultants Public relations and communications companies Marketing and corporate communications professionals Fundraisers and not-for-profit organizations Professionals and students in the hospitality and entertainment industries

Event planning is like performing a high-wire act without a safety net. Once your event starts, there are no second chance. It is all done in one take, and there are no dress rehearsals. You cannot predict how your guests and suppliers will interact and react when you bring them together, but you can organize, plan, and be prepared for the unexpected. The Business of Event Planning covers all the behind-the-scenes aspects of special events, whether its an event for thousands or a handful of guests. Before any thought is given to the timing or location of the event, before the menus are selected and the decor designed, there are strategic objectives to be determined, proposals to be written, fees and contracts to be negotiated, and saftey issues to be considered. The Business of Event Planning helps event planners and their clients produce outstanding events that meet and exceed both client and guest expectations, by going beyond the details of the event itself. This book explains every aspect of the business and the strategy behind successful events. Its comprehensive coverage includes: How to prepare winning proposals, and how to understand them if youre the client. How to determine management fees and negotiate contracts. The safety issues that every event planner needs to take into consideration. Designing events in multicultural settings. New technology that makes operations more efficient (such as online registration and response management, database project management tools, videoconferencing and virtual meetings, and more). Practical tools such as sample letters of agreement, sample layouts for client proposals, forms, tips, and checklists. A detailed case study that runs throughout the book-- one company that is organizing two very different events. Features a companion website with forms from the book, as well as additional material. The Business of Event Planning provides indispensable tools and strategies for anyone who has to plan an event: Professional event and meeting planners seasoned veterans or beginners Clients who are dealing with planners, suppliers, and consultants Public relations and communications companies Marketing and corporate communications professionals Fundraisers and not-for-profit organizations Professionals and students in the hospitality and entertainment industries

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