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Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events
For event planners, there's no such thing as a dress rehearsal
Any event you plan and stage is a reflection of your company's image -- from the initial invitation to onsite operations. Whether you're planning a product launch, conference, sales meeting, an incentive event, or a gala fund-raiser, remember that the magic of a truly memorable event is in the details, but so is the devil. Special events are fraught with thousands of details, and have to come off without a hitch. Whether your event is for 50 or 2,000 people, whether it has a budget of a few thousand dollars, or hundreds of thousands, planning and executing the project is like a high-wire act without the safety nets. Event Planning gives you a blueprint for planning and executing special events with flair and without any unexpected surprises and expenses. This unique book is loaded with practical advice on every aspect of organizing and managing special events: Choosing the best venuePreparing and managing the budgetScheduling and staffingCoordinating food and beverage, decor, entertainment, and themesWorking with professionals, such as public relations firms and creative directors.
Any event you plan and stage is a reflection of your company's image -- from the initial invitation to onsite operations. Whether you're planning a product launch, conference, sales meeting, an incentive event, or a gala fund-raiser, remember that the magic of a truly memorable event is in the details, but so is the devil. Special events are fraught with thousands of details, and have to come off without a hitch. Whether your event is for 50 or 2,000 people, whether it has a budget of a few thousand dollars, or hundreds of thousands, planning and executing the project is like a high-wire act without the safety nets. Event Planning gives you a blueprint for planning and executing special events with flair and without any unexpected surprises and expenses. This unique book is loaded with practical advice on every aspect of organizing and managing special events: Choosing the best venuePreparing and managing the budgetScheduling and staffingCoordinating food and beverage, decor, entertainment, and themesWorking with professionals, such as public relations firms and creative directors.
What you don't know or know to ask can have a major effect on the success of your event and on your budget. Event Planning takes you through every aspect of organizing and executing a successful event: the planning stages, timing and logistics, budget preparation, operations, and on-site management. Event Planning: Includes sample costing forms to help you generate a detailed project plan and budget.Explains what you need to ask before you contract with suppliers.Is loaded with practical tips and examples that will help you avoid expensive mistakes.Features a companion website with forms from the book, additional forms, author Q&A, and more.
Event Planning takes you behind the scenes, and provides practical tools for anyone who has to plan and execute a truly special event: Corporate in-house event plannersPublic relations and communications companies, and their clientsMarketing and corporate communications professionalsFundraisers and not-for-profit organizationsProfessionals in the hospitality and entertainment industries
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2000
51 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Judy Allen
11 books10 followersJudy Allen is one of the world's leading authorities on life energy investments that maximize personal and professional returns – heart, soul, body and mind - and a world class designer of innovative energy infusing life / lifestyle experiences that are artfully constructed in tactical layers to be enlightening, educational, evolving, elevating, engaging and entertaining as well as meaningful, memorable and magical.
Allen is also the international bestselling author of ten books for the Business/Corporate, Professional, Association and Academic/Higher Ed, Library and consumer markets that have sold over eight million in retail sales and have been translated into seven languages. Harvard recommended Allen’s book on business ethics and business etiquette a “must read” for business people and industry professionals.
Allen is highly skilled in designing, developing and directing one of a kind life experiences – used as corporate business marketing, sales, operation and development teaching and training tools -- that are strategically created to meet and exceed company, supplier, customer and individual objectives (internal and external) to maximize return investments of time, money and energy for all. Allen is known around the world for her creative and critical thinking talents and development of ground-breaking tools, tips and techniques that serve to fast forward businesses and individuals through personal and professional learning curves.
Allen is a master of transforming the energy and emotions of an environment and individuals by connecting their senses using her trademark design elements in original cutting edge (not cookie cutter or tired traditional) ways. Allen’s design principles – based on a solid foundation of practical knowledge, wisdom and insight not theory - deliver transformational results.
For over twenty years, using the diverse mediums available through corporate events and business entertaining, Allen worked closely with corporate CEO’s, CFO’s, presidents and their executive staff creating-producing-orchestrating their corporate training / reward programs in over 30 countries (for up to 2,000 attendees at a time) that were carefully crafted to increase company profits, maximize performance, grow brand awareness and recognition, create loyalty (inside and outside), advance employee learning, introduce Allen’s creative and critical thinking techniques that enabled all to work more effectively and efficiently together in addition to freeing up time for personal and professional pursuits and stimulate growth of both business and individuals. Allen’s international business experience includes the “for profit” and “non-profit” sectors and extensive understanding of the Financial, Automotive, Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Retail, Fashion, Telecommunications, Technology, Electronics, Entertainment, Public Relations, Publishing, Hospitality, Hotel, Restaurant, Event Management, Tourism and Travel industries and the media billed Disney’s A list worldwide theatrical gala premiere that Allen created- produced-orchestrated a “A Disney Whirl” and a “Beauty of A Bash” and Oscar winning director Norman Jewison’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of Fiddler on The Roof an outstanding success.
Allen is now bringing her dynamic creative energy, innovative style and perceptive insight to self discovery, self development, self investment and life experience and lifestyle design through her new series of life energy investment books -- Life 101: University of M.E.™ -- and companion journals, workbooks, calendars, flashcards, CD’s, DVD’s, online workshops and more.
Allen is also the international bestselling author of ten books for the Business/Corporate, Professional, Association and Academic/Higher Ed, Library and consumer markets that have sold over eight million in retail sales and have been translated into seven languages. Harvard recommended Allen’s book on business ethics and business etiquette a “must read” for business people and industry professionals.
Allen is highly skilled in designing, developing and directing one of a kind life experiences – used as corporate business marketing, sales, operation and development teaching and training tools -- that are strategically created to meet and exceed company, supplier, customer and individual objectives (internal and external) to maximize return investments of time, money and energy for all. Allen is known around the world for her creative and critical thinking talents and development of ground-breaking tools, tips and techniques that serve to fast forward businesses and individuals through personal and professional learning curves.
Allen is a master of transforming the energy and emotions of an environment and individuals by connecting their senses using her trademark design elements in original cutting edge (not cookie cutter or tired traditional) ways. Allen’s design principles – based on a solid foundation of practical knowledge, wisdom and insight not theory - deliver transformational results.
For over twenty years, using the diverse mediums available through corporate events and business entertaining, Allen worked closely with corporate CEO’s, CFO’s, presidents and their executive staff creating-producing-orchestrating their corporate training / reward programs in over 30 countries (for up to 2,000 attendees at a time) that were carefully crafted to increase company profits, maximize performance, grow brand awareness and recognition, create loyalty (inside and outside), advance employee learning, introduce Allen’s creative and critical thinking techniques that enabled all to work more effectively and efficiently together in addition to freeing up time for personal and professional pursuits and stimulate growth of both business and individuals. Allen’s international business experience includes the “for profit” and “non-profit” sectors and extensive understanding of the Financial, Automotive, Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Retail, Fashion, Telecommunications, Technology, Electronics, Entertainment, Public Relations, Publishing, Hospitality, Hotel, Restaurant, Event Management, Tourism and Travel industries and the media billed Disney’s A list worldwide theatrical gala premiere that Allen created- produced-orchestrated a “A Disney Whirl” and a “Beauty of A Bash” and Oscar winning director Norman Jewison’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of Fiddler on The Roof an outstanding success.
Allen is now bringing her dynamic creative energy, innovative style and perceptive insight to self discovery, self development, self investment and life experience and lifestyle design through her new series of life energy investment books -- Life 101: University of M.E.™ -- and companion journals, workbooks, calendars, flashcards, CD’s, DVD’s, online workshops and more.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2018
Solid book covering the basics of Event Planning, focusing mainly on producing corporate and business events.
However, due to the surge in digital marketing and the focus on technology in events, this book definitely has a lot of content that is sadly no longer relevant. Would love to see an updated edition eliminating dated suggestions like "sending CD-ROM invitations" and instead focusing on things like social media as it relates to events, ways to incorporate technology, etc.
Depending on where you are in your event planning educational process or career this could be a very helpful resource. Lots of great information on the importance of planning, the attendee experience and basics such as food and beverage. As a CMP, I found this to be somewhat redundant to other industry books, although it was a good refresher.
However, due to the surge in digital marketing and the focus on technology in events, this book definitely has a lot of content that is sadly no longer relevant. Would love to see an updated edition eliminating dated suggestions like "sending CD-ROM invitations" and instead focusing on things like social media as it relates to events, ways to incorporate technology, etc.
Depending on where you are in your event planning educational process or career this could be a very helpful resource. Lots of great information on the importance of planning, the attendee experience and basics such as food and beverage. As a CMP, I found this to be somewhat redundant to other industry books, although it was a good refresher.
July 18, 2019
Practical, educational. Great for those starting Event Planning.
January 22, 2020
If you have anything to do with events this should be required reading!
April 18, 2022
I read this during our class in Events Management. Due to numerous projects and exams, I had no time to write a review. This book is really useful in my course.
February 3, 2020
This book is good at covering the basics of event planning (invitations, venue, budget, etc) - but it's a bit outdated now in the digital age.
December 17, 2011
I found this book to be informative and entertaining. There were many examples of actual events and what or what didn't work for the organizers. The author has done a great job of advising her readers about various details regarding planning a wide variety of event; anyone planning an event will hopefully be satisfied with the final outcome as a result of reading this guide book.
May 13, 2014
A bit too much of pushing other books by same author in first few chapters (she has written at least a dozen and spends time trying to convince you to buy/read those as well)...but get past that it this book has a lot of solid information in it. Good book for someone new to event planning.
July 27, 2011
I LOVE event planning, and was surprised this book was not very enjoyable. It was very heavy writing. It was informative and slow.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews