Getting your Event off the Ground

The first step in hosting a successful event is thorough and careful planning. There are many elements to consider when planning events of any size or scope, including creating an event business plan and an event marketing plan. An event business plan takes into consideration the type of event, the goals of the event, and the critical elements that comprise the plan. A good marketing plan includes firm objectives and goals, budgets, and tactics.

The first course in the series lays the foundation for the six other courses. Getting Your Event Off the Ground helps you understand and apply the content in each subsequent course. More importantly, each course refers you back to the Business Plan Template that is provided as part of Getting Your Event Off the Ground.

 

Marketing & Promoting your Event

In order to put on a successful event, organizers must have a target market, and must promote the event appropriately to attract the right number and type of attendees.
There are many things to consider when navigating today's complex marketing environment, including:

• Situational analysis
• Marketing objectives
• Advertising strategies
• Managing online reviews and ratings
• Media alternatives
• and much more

The second course in the series is focused on marketing and promoting your event using a marketing plan template.

 

Fundraising

Fundraising means any kind of support you are bringing for your event and is not limited to monetary donations. Fundraising really means resource-raising, and it can happen in multiple ways and come from many sources. Fundraising is an essential part of building support for your event.
Some key elements to consider when planning the funding of your event including:

• Fundraising goals and your event's key values
• Best practices
• Developing a revenue plan
• Sponsorship
• and much more

The third course in the series is focused on fundraising and includes customizable forms and templates to guide your fundraising planning.

 

Event Logistics

Logistics are the backbone of an event and can mean the difference between success and failure. 
Creating a successful event means juggling a lot of separate responsibilities, many of which fall under the umbrella term logistics. Event logistics are the foundation of your event; they are the first thing you need to have in place when you start planning and the base upon which you can create whatever you need your event to be.
There are many logistical elements to consider when planning and executing your event, including:

• Logistical needs
• Event space
• Transportation
• Insurance and liability requirements
• and much more

The fourth course in the series is focused on event logistics and includes customizable forms and templates to guide your logistics planning.

 

HR Management for your Event

The success of an event depends on many different factors, but if you don't have the right people in place, the road to success will be an uphill battle. Developing and implementing a successful event depends on having the right staff and volunteers behind the scenes.
There are many elements to consider when planning staff and volunteer recruitment for your event, including:

• Position descriptions and application forms
• Determining staff and volunteer requirements
• Orientation and training
• Performance evaluation
• and much more

The fifth course in the series is focused on event HR and includes customizable forms and templates to guide your logistics planning.

 

Financial Management of your Event

Organizing and delivering an event in your community is no easy task. Careful planning and adequate resources are essential to your success. An effective budget and sound financial plan help you achieve your goals. Financial management can seem like a huge task, made even more complex by unfamiliar terminology.
There are many elements to consider when planning the financing of your event, including:

• Key strategies and pitfalls in budget development
• Principals of budget and cash flow management
• Policies, procedures and contracting
• and much more

The sixth course in the series is focused on event financing and includes customizable forms and templates to guide your logistics planning.

 

Risk Management for your Event

Risk management is an essential part of planning and holding an event. The safety of staff, volunteers and attendees must be at the forefront. Creating a successful event means ensuring that patrons, vendors, volunteers and event staff are protected from various hazards. This course helps event planners develop a risk management plan.
There are many elements to consider when planning the risk management of your event, including:

• Due diligence and duty of care
• The risk management process and objectives
• Action plans and controls
• Incident response plan
• and much more

The seventh course in the series is focused on event risk management and includes customizable forms and templates to guide your logistics planning.

 

Links

Click here to learn more about the Organizing Special Events Series.
Click here to learn more about Tourism Saskatchewan funding programs that help assist event planning.