12 Things to Expect From an Event Planner

While consulting our clients, we've learned that many of them don't know what to ask or what to expect when vetting an event planner. Below is a list of 12 things that are critical when searching for an event planner.

Leadership

Planning and coordinating a successful event requires a quality planner who is assertive. This planner will lead the way in delegating duties and following up to assure that each task has been carried out in a manner cohesive to your event.

Organized

The big one! Event planning requires stellar organizational skills. If these skills aren't present, know for sure that an event will fall apart at the seams. A good event planner has properly documented all necessary items, and put your event in order from start to finish. If an event planner is late to meetings, loses notes and is forgetful, it may be in your best interest to cut your losses early on. Remember, event planners usually don't work alone. There is a team behind them. If they aren't up to snuff, imagine how unorganized this team will be on event day.

Resourceful

Event planning requires resourcefulness in many different aspects. An event planner should be capable of fulfilling many aspects of an event with reasonable solutions. Take budget for instance. A planner should be able to draw up a budget and maximize its use. Another example would be thinking on your feet when unexpected situations occur and having supplies to back up those thoughts. A good planner will have an arsenal of supplies to fill in the gaps.

Creative

This is where making a mountain out of a molehill gets its shine! With some brainstorming and collaborating, a good planner will take your vision and bring it to fruition. You will see how their creativity can translate your event goals to a successful launch, wedding or conference. If you are having a hard time coming up with ideas, a creative planner will be able to come up with a few suggestions and help you visualize them or even construct micro mock-ups for you.

Prepared

The success of any event is in the details. The best event planner has created a system within their structure that accounts for everything. They have also planned for contingencies. By the end of your experience, you should walk away knowing that you had a prepared, qualified, sharp and savvy event planner on your team.

Approachable

A good event planner will make you feel comfortable and make it known to you that their door is always open. You should feel comfortable asking questions, making changes, and reaching out to your planner as many times as necessary. After all, a planners job is to make sure your event goals are fulfilled.

Detail Oriented

A key skill in event planning is paying attention to detail. Accuracy, one of the primary functions in event planning, is the ability to build upon an idea and execute with precision. Wedding planning is one of the more detailed social events that clients request services for. The intricacies involved require a clear understanding of how all of the little pieces work together.

Reasonable

A graceful planner knows that everyone is looking to them for guidance and will smile through adversity. While we are all human, the last person you want to see lose their cool at your event is your planner. A planner should always remain calm and keep their composure. Keeping a level head while working to keep things together is what makes planners event heroes.

Flexible

Let's face it. Things change. A good planner must be able to build an amazing experience, even on shifting grounds.

Vision Driven

Having a vision doesn't only apply to event design. It applies to the entire event. The planner must have foresight and envision the impact the event will have on its audience, with a focus on attendee experience, prior to putting the plan into action.

Good Listener

Good listening skills is a necessary quality to have in an event planner. Without them, it would be very difficult to get your event off the ground. Furthermore, the expected outcome

can get lost if there are gaps in commutation. A good planner will listen, take notes an repeat so that everyone is on the same page.

Dignity & Humility

A good planner checks their ego at the door and realizes that your event isn't about them. It's all about you, the client, and delivering the best experience possible. Your event should be delivered with honesty and sincerity.

Contact Natty Event Planners to get started with planning your next event.