The holiday season is upon us and you know what that means - party time! The most festive time of the year is filled with banquets, gala, holiday parties, conferences, seminars, client appreciation gatherings and grand openings. Hosting an event can be a grand and memorable way to showcase your company and its services to the right audience. It is also an opportunity for your company representatives to solidify relationships with clients and potential clients in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. A well-executed event will highlight your company's professionalism and creativity, while leaving a lasting and favorable impression on those attending.

 

 

Too much time is never enough time - One of the biggest, yet most avoidable, mistakes in event planning is not allowing enough time for planning. There is no such thing as too much time! Many items need to be taken into account including invitation creation and distribution; creation of PR and advertising materials; availability of venue, support staff, vendors and special guests; and the possibility of competing events. Remember, the holidays is the busiest time of year for venues, so confirm the location as soon as possible. Essentially, the amount of time needed for planning will depend on the size and scope of the event, but generally four to six months prior to the event date should suffice.

 

Get (and stay) organized - Organization and attention to detail from start to finish is key to making the event planning process run as smoothly as possible. Assign tasks to the appropriate personnel and make sure everyone is held accountable for their part. Set a timeline for deadlines and follow accordingly, and keep a running tally of expenses to help your team stay in budget. Consider hiring a professional event planning company, like The Ferraro Group, to oversee the event planning.

 

Involve PR & Marketing from the get-go - The most important part of your event is letting everyone know that you are having one! Your event should be a vehicle in which to publicize the merits of your company and its products. Work to develop creative angles to make the soiree newsworthy, thus enticing clients, prospective clients and media to your event.