Planning a party or special event? Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself to make certain that your party delivers the results you desire!

1. What type of event are you planning?

• Is it a party for friends?
• Is it a party for employees?
  (Recognition, Longevity, Holiday, Appreciation, Family picnic?)
• Is it a party for clients/customers/club members?
• Trade Show?
• Sales promotion event?
• Public relations event?
• Fund raiser?

3. What kind of impression do you want to make?

• How important are these guests to you?
• How special do you want to make them feel?
• Does it matter to you whether you convey a professional vs. amateur image to them?

4. What goals would you like to accomplish?

• Attendance- what percent of those invited will you get to attend?
• How long would you like your guests to stay?
• Do you want everyone to mix, mingle, laugh, have fun and go home with fond memories?
• Open house- people show up and leave in a short while?
• Develop camaraderie and esprit de corps?
• Have those who don't attend wish they had when they hear what they missed?

5. What is your budget range?

6. What are you going to provide?

• Food?
• Beverages? (Water, soda, coffee, tea, beer, wine, alcohol?) If so..
• Complimentary or cash bar?
• Flowers?
• Decorations?
• Entertainment?
• Rooms overnight?
• Transportation?

After answering these questions on your own, we suggest the following steps:

• Contact people you know who have done something like you are planning. Ask what worked well for them and got results (and what to avoid that didn't).
  
• Make a list of referrals they give and check them out.
  
• Call those who you think may be useful. Explain in detail everything you've decided on and ask if they can help. If so, how much help can they be? Partial service or one-stop shopping?
  
• Make a detailed list of their services, pricing, and referrals.
  
• Check out their referrals.
  
• Narrow your list of candidates.
  
• AUDITION the top three personally. SEE them in action for yourself.
  
• Remember- It's too late to save the event if you find yourself asking the dreaded question, "Where did everyone go?" well before you want your event to end! A little party planning goes a long way.