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Planning a Corporate Event
With the right preparation, you can pull off a memorable event that will increase your company’s profile and reel in new business.
Whether your event is a groundbreaking for a new store, an
The sooner you get started the better, and no event planner would dream of plunging into anything without a detailed timeline.
Model your scheduling after this month-by-month countdown to make sure you’ve got everything covered.
Six Months Before
- After assessing what type of event you’re orchestrating and setting a budget, establish the specific location, date, and time, including associated details such as making deposits to secure the venue or signing contracts.
- Break down the event into core components, such as logistics and public relations, and assign tasks to individuals.
- Book catering or entertainment and consider your guest list and how guests will be invited.
Five Months Before
- As your event begins to gel, determine the specific program. If you need a master of ceremonies, obtain one.
- Hire a video and sound team and a photographer to record the event.
- Get public relations material to use for promoting subsequent events, particularly annual ones.
Three Months Before
- Plan your media relations campaign. This is also the time to weigh advertising options and to design collateral such as printed invitations, programs, posters, or fliers.
- Tease the event with a save-the-date postcard so invitees can put it on their calendars.
- Set a news release strategy.
- If a meal or hors d’oeuvres are involved, firm up the menu.
- If you have an MC, determine the script content.
Two Months Before
- Have your collateral and news release in hand and ready to go.
- Shop your event by preparing calendar announcements or radio spots.
- Update your Web site with information about the event, including the time, place, and cost of attending.
One Month Before
- If your event requires decorations and props, make sure you have what you need.
- This is prime time for sending out invitations so have a plan for keeping track of responses and for following up with those who have not responded.
- Target news release distribution at this time.
One Week Before
- Prepare and distribute a media reminder or media alert and consider an e-mail blast to customers to encourage attendance.
- Nail down all the outstanding applicable logistics, such as decorations, props, catering, and entertainment.
- Verify and coordinate the program with the MC or main speaker (including the script), volunteers, employees, and dignitaries.
- Check in with all service providers.
Day Before
- Organization is the key to success, so keep a checklist of tasks.
- Institute systems, such as an alphabetical guest list or a designated spot to distribute outstanding pay to service providers, for a well-run event.
- Get decorations, signs, or props onsite.
- Test the audio and visual equipment for glitches.
- Have a written timeline and agenda for how the special event will unfold and share it with participants.
Day of Event
- Set up the area early and do a dry run from start to finish, tweaking problem areas.
- Be ready to roll a full 45 minutes before the event is scheduled and have participants ready 20 minutes before they’re on.
- Designate a point person to handle any unforeseen problems.
- Follow your agenda to stay on track.
- Being flexible can help ward off surprises, so be ready to improvise.
- Ultimately, your planning pays off now, so enjoy yourself.
After the Event
- You can learn from a post mortem. Sit down with your staff and discuss what worked and what didn’t. Take notes and keep them handy for the next event.
- File press clippings, video, sound, and photos as well as information on any contractors and organize it for future reference.
- Thank those who helped work on the event and your attendees. If the event was a fund-raiser, make sure people know how much money was raised and that their help was instrumental in reaching that goal.
