Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Reach new markets with consulting meeting planning

As you begin your newest venture, it can behoove you to find a conference planning consultant to perform the market research, find a location and suggest the kind of program that you'll need to be successful. While you may have a good idea of the type of exhibitors and attendees you intend to reach, a conference planning consultant can validate your methods and ensure that you reach those customers with the right message.

I recommend: Find resources that can help you put together an event as well as consulting when necessary at American Express. Get informative articles and help locating a qualified consultant at Professional Meeting Planners.

Step up your offerings with event planning consulting

Instead of pounding on a dead horse when your parties and conferences begin to wane, consider changing your image to evoke a new image and draw a new customer base. While you may have a great program planned, sometimes a third party can interject fresh ideas that could increase excitement and participation.

I recommend: If it’s weddings you are planning, consult the hoards of information found at the Wedding Zone. Use the extensive list of venues that have been checked out by Eventective.

Expand your programs with corporate event consultants

Everyone can use new customers. While you may be doing very well with your current clientele, if you spend a little time and money on reshaping your image, you could be attracting other vendors and registrants who may not have realized how much they can benefit from attending your convention.

I recommend: All Events Adviser is a great site for meeting planners and party givers to find ideas for everything from themes to menus. Cvent is another inclusive site that offers information and resources for party planning consultants and event planners.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask for and call referrals when you are thinking of working with event planning consultants. You need use your resources with proven techniques and services because events are usually once a year and your efforts need to pay off right away.

Action Steps
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Look for experience and reputation in a local event planning business

Start with an online search in your area for party planning consultants or event planning consultants.

I recommend: Start at All Time Favorites to find event planning consulting firms. I’m a wedding photographer as a side profession, so I have come to know one of Evansville’s local event planning consultants. Planning... forever events is at the top of my list for corporate event planners because of the experience that owner Saundra Hadley has and the creativity that she gives you. You can see the style that she exudes come through on her website. And not only does she give you a daily blog, but she also gives you weekly tips on our local Fox station morning show. Look for experience like that! Don’t settle for a beginner.

Give your event planning consultant the third degree

When you meet your planner for the first time, don't be afraid to ask questions about their company and their services. Event planning consulting is not for the faint of heart, and you want to make sure that the person or company that you are dealing with is the right fit for you and your organization.

I recommend: Consider asking: What kind of events do they coordinate for? How many events do they coordinate annually? Will the person you are meeting with be at the event? What areas do they work in? Is your organization going to pay less by using them than if you planned the event yourself? Can I see a list of your clients and references? Check out The PartySpot for a full list of appropriate questions.

Set goals for your gathering

Are you looking to drive customer loyalty, provide a measurable ROI, create stronger partnerships or motivate employees? Whatever the reason, your event planning consultant should help you meet that goal by the overall continuity of the event.

I recommend: Check out UCLA's site on defining your event or conference goals. Have a clear understanding of what you are trying to accomplish before you meet with your planner.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find out if your consultant offers a no-cost initial consultation. If so, take them up on the meeting and determine if the conference planning consultant is the right fit for you and your organization.
• •  Quality corporate event consultants should help you review contracts and honor quoted prices.
• •  Consider going green for an eco-friendly event. It's socially conscious and it's trendy.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share information with other party planning consultants

Blogs and online newsletters are replacing print magazines in droves and they can be a very efficient means of communication. Find an Internet blog or website that provides trust-worthy information and attracts reliable posting participants.

I recommend: Check out the articles submitted by party planning consultants at Invitation Consultants. Keep up with the news and trends affecting the consultants in the event planning industry at Hospitality Net.

Read up on changes in event staging planning

Browse the news affecting your industry, or an industry with which you'd like to business. You'll be better served by knowing about any big changes when you go onto client meetings or bid on contracts than if you are in the dark because you were too busy to check the latest news and trends sources you've set up.

I recommend: Keep up with consulting news through the growing event involvement of the Green Meetings Industry Council. Find useful links to event production press releases and the most current news about the industry at Meetings Net.

Receive event planning consulting email alerts

While most business owners are trying to clear out their in-boxes to save time, you should allow at least one information provider to get into your email with alerts about new event planning consultant ideas. You shouldn't miss out on vital conference planning consultant alerts.

I recommend: Professional meeting planners keep up with industry news through the news alerts sent out by the Association for Exhibit and Events Professionals. You’ll find important information that affects the planning consultant industry at the Travel Industry Association.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask each of your employees to read or subscribe to at least one magazine or newsletter and share event planning consultants news and trends they've uncovered at staff meetings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Full service event planning

With full service event planning, everything from the concept of the special event to the final weeks after the event will be taken care of, including event promotion, catering, decor, and guest lists.

I recommend: Find a sample list of all the aspects included in full service event planning from a place like Event Experience.

Day-of-event services

A day-of-event planning service starts with an initial meeting, prior to the event, and provides services on the day of the event. These services include set-up, transactions with vendors, clean up after the event and making sure that everything runs smoothly.

I recommend: Read more about day-of-event services at Arriva Event Planning.

A-la-carte event services

A-la-carte services are offered by some event planners to provide only one element of an event, such as promotion, decor, rentals or catering.

I recommend: See some examples of possible a-la-carte services offered by event planning companies like Outsource Events.

Certified Meeting Professional

The Certified Meeting Professional, also referred to in the industry as simply CMP, has a certification that gives credentials to event planners. A CMP certification provides experience and knowledge in event planning.

I recommend: Learn more about the Certified Meeting Professional certification from the Convention Industry Council.

Free consultation

Some event planners go the extra mile by offering a free consultation. This gives the consumer a chance to see whether or not the event planner is the right one for overseeing a special event and to get a price quote.

I recommend: Learn more about what a free consultation might entail by visiting Limelite360Events.

Certified Special Events Professional

The Certified Special Events Professional certificate might be abbreviated to CSEP in the event planning world. It is certification that represents the best in event planning standards awarded from the International Special Events Society for professional and educational achievements.

I recommend: The International Special Events Society gives a description and other pertinent information about getting certified as a special events professional.