On any scale, an upcoming event is often the result of weeks (or even months) of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Planning an event can be incredibly rewarding, but it often comes with unwanted stress, anxiety, and problems. The event planning industry is continuously rising forward and upward, as more individuals and businesses invest in the time and skills of a paid professional, to take the weight off their own shoulders. The event planning industry functions around the concept of individuals’ dependency on organisation and competence of a professional. It takes a very specific kind of person to be able to execute the perfect event, and an even more specific individual to create an event that caters to what each attendee wants to a tee. Even in the most difficult circumstances, for every kind of person, there is an event style that will work perfectly to cater to their needs. As realisation of the amount of effort and work that goes into planning such events becomes more obvious, the demand for the industry also continues to increase.
The aim of any big party or event is to bring a vision to life that leaves the attendees buzzing about it for long after the event has finished. As warning signs continue to pop up, it can be difficult to let go of the vision when so much hard work and dedication has gone into planning the event. The ideal scenario is one in which both organisers and attendees leave with a positive impact and overall feeling of content (if not ecstatic joy), but it is also important to be aware of when it is time to pull the plug.
Most recently, music festival newbie Fyre Festival was set to rock an island into a kaleidoscope of music, colour, happiness, and future annual returns of the event. After securing healthy investments, and procuring various celebrities and public figures to promote the event – and show up, it appeared as though all was going to go well. As festival-goers arrived on the island, however, it was a dusty wasteland. There were no luxury tent accommodations and no monumental stage constructions in sight. Individuals had paid a ridiculous sum of money for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and were left angry, shocked, and upset. The organisers behind the failed event (including star J Rule) were – rightfully – held accountable. As one of the most highly publicised, most recent examples of event planning going horribly wrong, Fyre Festival is a testament to the importance of knowing when to pull the plug on an idea – regardless of how incredible the organisers may find it to be. Organising a big event can be remarkably stressful, and considerations should be made. That includes considerations and actions in the event that the occasion does not go according to plan.
Hosting an event can be the perfect way to further establish a brand, to gain credibility in the circle (or, if in a professional setting, in the industry), and to bring individuals together. While the appeal of bringing the vision to life is quite often half the fun, there are things that must be considered prior to the commencement of any planning. For individuals that choose to do the painstaking work of initial brainstorming, organisation, and implementation, there is much to be said about the individual themselves – it takes a certain kind of (extremely well organised) person to be able to single handedly concoct and execute a seamless party. The importance of planning processes and procedures is no doubt vital to the success of any event, but there are also basic fundamentals that serve as the basis for successful development.
While it is an endearing concept to believe that one can execute the perfect event, it is also known to be quite difficult to network and connect with other leaders in the industry – and having connections in the event planning industry can mean the difference between a mediocre (at best) event and an event that is raved about right up until the next annual follow up occurs. Attending networking events like The Event Planner Expo not only provides individuals in the industry with the opportunity to connect with others in the business, but it provides event planners with the chance to grow their ROI, expand their client base, and forge connections with others in the industry that will benefit all parties in the long term.
It is a commonly known fact that the effort and time required to ensure the success of any planned event is not always something people are willing to give. When stress, time, or any other amount of issues arise during the process, it can be easy for some individuals to throw in the towel. However, the value of investing in a professional event planner cannot be understated. As important events come and go, so does the impact that said events have on the individuals that participate in them. Opting to invest in a hired professional that has the time, patience, and connections to get the job done (and done well) is key to ensuring not only that the event itself goes off without a hitch, but that the event is the topic of buzz long after the occasion comes to a close.
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