Producing an event has been getting more and more costly. The increased price of venues, Food and Beverage, hotel rooms, and transportation, among other factors, have all contribute to this reality. Yet, for many organizations, certain events are perceived as being essential, and thus organizations need to address how best to entice attendees to the event, while at same time maintaining the necessary functions and intents.
In addition to higher costs, it has become increasingly difficult to put on successful events because of the competition for potential attendees dollars and time. Many attendees today realize that they can pick and choose which event best meets their needs, in terms of time of event, location, program, intent and perceived value. Event organizers and planners, therefore have to pay heed to something that I refer to as "perceived value," or how attendees and potential attendees view the value they received for their time and money.
Event planners must begin by making their program interesting and enticing. Many organizations, especially those that hold conferences and/ or conventions on a national or international level, instead of merely as a local event, have come to realize that many potential attendees often like to combine "business with pleasure," so major conferences and expos are often held in areas that will attract wider audiences, and have auxiliary programs for family members that often include touring, shopping, and even activities for children. These organizers must also realize that they must offer extremely competitive hotel room rates, and have the events in areas that convenient for many to attend. They must consider factors like weather, food costs, etc.
The most successful event planners today are either excellent negotiators themselves, or work closely with professional negotiators, to secure the best possible overall "deal," which includes hotel room rates, concessions given by the venue, Food and Beverage flexibilities, Audio Visual discounts, etc. The schedule or Flow Sheet must not only be an informative piece of information, but must also be a marketing piece that can be used to demonstrate value or "bang for the buck." Organizers must learn to prioritize and understand the needs of the events as well as the attendees, and create "perceived value," by carefully crafting all aspects of the event.
Many organizations make the mistake of never changing how they do a repeat event, such as their annual conference or convention. They behave inflexibly and prioritize the wrong aspects during negotiations, and make often false assumptions as to what would best attract potential attendees. Those that coordinate these functions must adapt to change, to changing demographics, to changing needs, and to changing times. They must fully understand what they wish to accomplish, and not hold firm to "tradition" simply for "tradition's sake," or because their own personal bias would like to see something the way "it used to be." Every event is different, and every organization is different. However, if an organization wants their program to be a success, they must create something that people want to go to, a sort of "can't miss" atmosphere. This requires a combination of finesse, experience, hard work, and expertise!
Richard Brody has over 30 years consultative sales, marketing, training, managerial, and operations experience. He has trained sales and marketing people in numerous industries, given hundreds of seminars, appeared as a company spokesperson on over 200 radio and television programs, and regularly blogs on real estate, politics, economics, management, leadership, negotiations, conferences and conventions, etc. Richard has negotiated, arranged and/ or organized hundreds of conferences and conventions. Richard is a Senior Consultant with RGB Consultation Services, an Ecobroker, a Licensed Buyers Agent (LBA) and Licensed Salesperson in NYS, in real estate.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Brody
In addition to higher costs, it has become increasingly difficult to put on successful events because of the competition for potential attendees dollars and time. Many attendees today realize that they can pick and choose which event best meets their needs, in terms of time of event, location, program, intent and perceived value. Event organizers and planners, therefore have to pay heed to something that I refer to as "perceived value," or how attendees and potential attendees view the value they received for their time and money.
Event planners must begin by making their program interesting and enticing. Many organizations, especially those that hold conferences and/ or conventions on a national or international level, instead of merely as a local event, have come to realize that many potential attendees often like to combine "business with pleasure," so major conferences and expos are often held in areas that will attract wider audiences, and have auxiliary programs for family members that often include touring, shopping, and even activities for children. These organizers must also realize that they must offer extremely competitive hotel room rates, and have the events in areas that convenient for many to attend. They must consider factors like weather, food costs, etc.
The most successful event planners today are either excellent negotiators themselves, or work closely with professional negotiators, to secure the best possible overall "deal," which includes hotel room rates, concessions given by the venue, Food and Beverage flexibilities, Audio Visual discounts, etc. The schedule or Flow Sheet must not only be an informative piece of information, but must also be a marketing piece that can be used to demonstrate value or "bang for the buck." Organizers must learn to prioritize and understand the needs of the events as well as the attendees, and create "perceived value," by carefully crafting all aspects of the event.
Many organizations make the mistake of never changing how they do a repeat event, such as their annual conference or convention. They behave inflexibly and prioritize the wrong aspects during negotiations, and make often false assumptions as to what would best attract potential attendees. Those that coordinate these functions must adapt to change, to changing demographics, to changing needs, and to changing times. They must fully understand what they wish to accomplish, and not hold firm to "tradition" simply for "tradition's sake," or because their own personal bias would like to see something the way "it used to be." Every event is different, and every organization is different. However, if an organization wants their program to be a success, they must create something that people want to go to, a sort of "can't miss" atmosphere. This requires a combination of finesse, experience, hard work, and expertise!
Richard Brody has over 30 years consultative sales, marketing, training, managerial, and operations experience. He has trained sales and marketing people in numerous industries, given hundreds of seminars, appeared as a company spokesperson on over 200 radio and television programs, and regularly blogs on real estate, politics, economics, management, leadership, negotiations, conferences and conventions, etc. Richard has negotiated, arranged and/ or organized hundreds of conferences and conventions. Richard is a Senior Consultant with RGB Consultation Services, an Ecobroker, a Licensed Buyers Agent (LBA) and Licensed Salesperson in NYS, in real estate.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Brody
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