Event planning can be a fun, exciting and engaging way to promote your business. However, having an event planner who can take your event ideas from concept to completion is crucial. As much as you may love organizing events, they can also be stressful and time-consuming. Finding the right person to take on this role will help you focus on other aspects of your business and ensure that the event goes off without a hitch. To help you find the right event planner for your company, here are some factors you should consider when looking for an event planner.
Define your event goals
Before hiring an event planner, take a moment to think about your event goals. Your event goals will play an important role in determining who you hire. If you are searching for an event planner because your business needs more events, a different type, or something specific, this will determine your hiring decision. If your goal is to grow your customer base, then a different type of event might be right for your business. For example, a trade show is a great way to build a customer base, whereas a customer appreciation event is more aimed at maintaining existing customers. The event’s goal will also determine what type of planner you should hire.
Determine your preferred events types
Some event planners specialize in specific event types. If certain types of events are more common for your business, it can be beneficial to hire an event planner who specializes in those event types. For example, if your business mainly focuses on retail, a trade show may be a good fit for your event. However, a food-tasting event might be better if your business mostly deals with restaurants. As you narrow down your event types, another important factor to consider is the target audience for the event. For example, if the event is for current customers or other industry players, it may be advantageous to have a planner specializing in those events.
Ask for a sample portfolio.
One of the best ways to determine if the event planner is right for your company is by looking at their portfolio. A good event planner will have a portfolio of events on their website that reflects their style and expertise. Start by looking at the planner’s portfolio website to get an idea of what they are like as an event planner. A portfolio website visually represents the planner’s skills and experience. You can also use the portfolio website to ask questions and get more information about the planner. For example, if you are looking for an event planner specializing in trade shows or expos, you can ask them about their experiences with trade shows.
Ask about their experience.
An event that goes off without a hitch results from well-trained staff. That is why it’s important to ensure the event planner you hire has to experience in the events industry. You can also ask about the event planner’s educational background and relevant experience in the events industry. For example, an event organizer may have an undergraduate degree in marketing, but with event planning or marketing experience, this experience may translate to a successful event.
Ask about their pricing strategy.
Event planners are helping you reach your event goals, so it’s important to know how much they cost. Ask them how they determine their pricing to get a good idea of the event planner’s pricing strategy. The best way to determine to price is by considering both the event types and the size of the event. For example, a trade show may be cheaper than a food-tasting event, but it’s usually also a bit smaller. In this case, you can use the event planner’s experience and expertise to determine the price. If you are still determining how much to budget for an event, or you want to make sure you have enough budget for an event, then you can use this information to help you decide on an event’s budget.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when looking for an event planner. However, the most important is defining your event goals. After that, you can determine your preferred event types, your target audience, and the experience and expertise of the event planner. After all, you can also price-check the event planner’s pricing strategy to ensure you are getting a fair deal. We hope these tips help you find the right event planner for your company.