Top 10 expensive wedding destinations in India

New Delhi: Wedding is a once in a lifetime affair and in India weddings are larger than life sagas. Most couples unwind their hands when it comes to their wedding and to create their special day as an epic ,many people opt for exotic locales like royal palaces, beaches and exquisite venues.

India is a hub for extravagant weddings as several such grand and glorious venue options and various wonderful exotic locations are available.

Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan are a few places that couples choose for their wedding and subsequently can plan their honeymoon here.

In India for people whom budget is not a constraint, couples seek the most expensive wedding venues to tie the knot.




1. The Leela resorts, Goa - The Beach Wedding Destination



Goa, the land of beaches is the dream location for weddings.

It is famous for the picturesque beaches and the serene atmosphere and is not just ideal for planning a catholic wedding, but Hindu weddings can also be brightened up here.

There are provisions for luxurious hotels, beach weddings are mostly preferred.

The Leela resorts in Goa is considered as one of the ideal destinations to tie the knot. It is located on the picturesque and secluded Morbor beach, in south Goa.

2. Raj Palace, Rambagh Palace and Jai Mahal Palaces, Jaipur - The Royal Wedding Destinations



Jaipur, The Pink City is a land offering various grand and royal wedding destinations which is a choice for many couples.

Its a dream of every girl or rather a fantasy to tie the knot as a princess against a regal backdrop, then the Raj Mahal, Jai Mahal Palace or Rambagh Palace will be ideal venue.

These palaces are preference of the elite section of the society. These are ornate and royal palaces, which now have been transformed into wedding destinations.

In recent years the Samode Palace is also gaining popularity.


3. Taj Falaknuma palace wedding - Hyderabad



Hyderabad – the city of the Nizams works best for a couple who wants to imbibe some of the Nawabi culture for a very unique experience.

In recent years The Taj Faluknama Palace has become something of a landmark in Hyderabad apart from the infamous Charminar and Fort of Golconda.

It has become one of the beautiful and attracting wedding destinations of India. It attracts tourist from all over the nation and abroad.

This beautiful palace offers large Venetian style chandeliers, grand statues and fountains which will give you fairy-tale experience.


4. Udaipur Palace - The History Wedding Location



The city of lakes and palaces, Udaipur is another ideal wedding destination in the country.

The Udaipur Palace (hotel) is a romantic destination that offers one of the most expensive and grand locations for a wedding.

If at all one plan to have your dream like wedding like like the Royalty of Rajputna what could be better than that. The royal family of Mewar organises and plans the event.

They have successfully managed to complete a decade of organizing such weddings in India.

Jag Mandir situated amidst the lake called Pichola is another sought after wedding destinations in the city. The beautiful lake and the exquisite sculptures add to the romantic mood and goes off well for the couples.


5. Umaid Bhavan, Jodhpur - The Palace Wedding Destinations


The second largest city in Rajasthan, Jodhpur shelters the latest built palace in the Indian history - the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Till 1944 the construction of the palace was extended.

In the recent pasts the Umaid Bhawan Palace has seen some lavish and grand weddings.

Other palaces like Ranbanka and Ajit Bhawan also remains packed for marriages. The Mehrangarh fort is famous for wedding receptions.


6. Sainik Farms, New Delhi - Extravagant Wedding



Sainik Farms is known for hosting grand and high gala weddings for higher classes of society in Delhi. This farm is 50 years old and is located in the southernmost part of the city.

The affluent class society of Delhi prefer Sainik farm for weddings and several other functions.


7. Zuri Kumarakom, Alleppey (Kerala) - The Exotic Hotspot for Wedding



Kerala is preferred for quiet and picturesque wedding. Backwater wedding is also quite popular and it is an ideal destination for the beach wedding too.

Zuri Kumarakom near Alleppey in Kerala is not just luxurious and flamboyant with its wedding arrangements, but offers a spectacular view of a tropical setting along the banks of a lake, fringed with coconut palms. It provides couples with serenity during the wedding.



8. Alibaug Beach, Mumbai - The Cleanest Wedding destination



Located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Alibaug is a coastal town which is famous for beach weddings. One can enjoy a private and amusing wedding night.

Alibaug Beach is very clean and beautiful beach which is situated at a four hour drive from Mumbai. There is also a beautiful resort at a five minutes walk for the beach.


9. Jaisalmer - A Wedding Venue In the Forts



Jaisalmer fort is one of the oldest forts in existence and was found in 1156.

One can enjoy camel safari in this desert city and also famous for the sand dunes and the folk entertainment of the local people.

Wedding planned here will be a life long affair to cherish

You can reach Jaisalmer from Delhi and Jodhpur through a train route whereas Bikaner and Jodhpur are connected to Jaisalmer through roads. Hence transportation is not a problem at all.


10. Palace Grounds, Bangalore



Palace Grounds, a palace located in Bangalore, was built by Rev. Garrett, who was the first Principal of the Central High School in Bangalore, now known as Central College.

It is the poshest place in Bangalore to get married. The open grounds bang in the center of the city offer the best venue for a large gathering.

Increase Registrations: Unlock the Power of Data

It seems like every blog post, whitepaper, and webinar for event professionals is focused on one thing: data. But in most cases, “data” is little more than a buzzword accompanied by little to no actionable insights. So we decided it was time to get real about event data and give event professionals some tips they could sink their teeth into.

Want to know how can you use data to hit your registration goals? Read on…


Step 1: Set Goals

This one may seem like a no brainier, but every great strategy starts with a goal. Once you have a clear goal set for your event – this might be bringing in new business or increasing registration numbers from last year – it’s easy to work backwards and set benchmarks that align with your promotion strategy. Based on your overall event goal, you can set sales and registration goals by channel (online advertising, social media, email, etc.).
When setting these incremental goals by channel, you will want to plan your strategy accordingly. For example, if your primary goal is acquiring net new leads for this event, it may be important to put more emphasis on paid media than email nurture programs.
Once you have your registration goals in place, create a calendar in which you set specific milestones for your event. By doing this, you’ll be able to track progress as you near event day to determine whether you need to ramp and accelerate, or if you are on track to meet your goals.
For first-time planners this may seem difficult, but it’s really worthwhile to set some type of goal so that you can measure event success.

Step 2: Plan Accordingly
Now that you have clear goals in place, align your promotional calendar to help you meet your milestones. Perhaps you want to kick things off with a bang so you launch email, paid, and organic programs all in week one. Or, maybe by week eight you realize you’re below the target goal and need to supplement your efforts with some kind of social sharing or referral program.
We put so much time into organizing an amazing experience for our attendees, this promotional calendar will really help ensure that you are hitting your goals and able to execute on that strategy. Depending on your goal for total attendees and registrants, it’s all about monitoring channel effectiveness. Optimize each channel for peak performance by looking at what is actually driving engagement and registrations, not just impressions and clicks.

Step 3: Track & Measure
It’s now time to start tracking and measuring your channels’ effectiveness across three key areas: awareness, sales, and quality.
Awareness shows what channels are driving visitors to your registration pages.
Sales shows which channels are actually driving registrations and ticket sales.
Quality is sales divided by awareness, which will indicate how each channel is performing on its own and relative to other channels.
By calculating the ROI from each channel, you can start to identify which channels are performing better than others and reallocate your budget if necessary.

Step 4: Evaluate
As you start evaluating ROI metrics by channel, it’s also important to begin evaluating the performance of specific initiatives to better optimize for the future. Use benchmarking data across the different channels to evaluate how well your initiatives are doing, and optimize where appropriate.
For example, you probably have an email nurture program in place to promote your event. Compare email to email performance to see what subject lines are getting people to open, and what calls to action are driving registrations. Take what you learn here and implement that across future campaigns.
What you learn from an email campaign shouldn't be kept in isolation. Take these insights and apply them across your paid and organic initiatives as well.

Step 5: Reallocate
Using all of this data, you can start to figure out where you’ll need to reallocate budgets to increase marketing effectiveness. If you identify that one particular channel is dramatically outperforming another, it doesn't make sense to keep funneling dollars into that strategy.
Being a better marketer starts with creating a comprehensive strategy, benchmarking your performance across that strategy, and taking action when necessary. The data is yours for the taking. Leverage it.

by Justin Gonzalez, Marketing Communications Manager at DoubleDutch.

SECURE YOUR INDIAN WEDDING VENUE

Your life is the most exciting day soon. You have to get your site with your caterer, DJ, photographer, florist, decoration, and bakeries contraction. Your beautiful invitations have been printed and mailed to your guests. Because all of the details have been arranged, you decide it's time for you to relax and look forward to your wedding. Then, a few days you receive an unexpected phone, your event coordinators who shared some shocking news and the front of your big day: After your activities no longer exists, because the location was confiscated, and business eviction! Unfortunately, this is a lot of couples are in a depressed economy is facing foreclosures are on the rise where a very common phenomenon. People can no longer be sure that they have with the contracting business will still exist on their wedding day, but there are also times when you contract for the venue can take a number of important considerations.

When looking for a venue there is something you should ask the representative to reduce your venue deprived of the possibility of your wedding day, the important issue. At the venue of the event coordinators meeting your initial request is acceptable, if the company has a good reputation. You should also ask if the property is in foreclosure. If you were told that the property is in foreclosure, then you should move forward with your search, because there is a positive business case for the possibility of your day is risky. If the coordinator refused to answer your question, then you should be skeptical, and contact the venue, will be open for you to provide honest answers.

In addition to asking these important questions, you can go online or to the county recorder's office to check public records to see if there are foreclosure properties only pay arrears. You can also check the property tax records, if you find the boss owe taxes, then they are likely to be in arrears of their mortgages as well.

If you eventually will be considered before your event, venue foreclosure victims, then you may be able to pursue a breach of the site owner. In your pursuit of this statement, you should cut your losses and celebrations safe alternative sites. Your compensation will include any additional charges, you will bear the results in order to ensure an alternate site, such as printing new invitations or make last-minute travel plans costs. You may also need to pay additional sums suppliers, if they have to make arrangements for more services in different venues. You may have to pay your suppliers can be included in any additional payments you make a claim for compensation venues.

On the other hand, if you choose a venue to be notified, they sign a contract after the foreclosure, then your legal remedies may be because you choose to enter the full knowledge of the property in foreclosure and contractual restrictions accept the risk of property foreclosure activity in your day, you can stop. Whether it is available to you that is not a better choice for the venue, in foreclosure, and find a place to enjoy a good reputation contraction.

If the venue is not foreclosure is still essential that you check your contract carefully to make sure it is specified under deposit and you have to pay business is closed for any reason, the case of what happens.

Also, if you have or you know in foreclosure it is strongly recommended that you consult with a lawyer, and you should be advertising business, and signed a contract, you may not be able to make informed decisions about site work honors. Finally, you will eventually be responsible for the payment of damages in the lawsuit and who can not have their own activities, individuals in your location.

Planning a wedding can be a tension and a lot of work. The last thing you want is to add to your stress Find your activities no longer operating. Remember, one of the most important parts of your wedding is the location, so do some detective work, and asking the right questions, so you do not lock their wedding. By taking these extra steps, you can reduce your special day will be ruined or worse, the possibility of cancellation.

Mission Marriage: The transition from Genda Phool to fresh Gladiolas!

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” With the planning and design of the way the passage of time, and all related wedding ceremony, which is an eternal happiness is not just for those who are married but for close relatives and friends. Grand celebration provides the rationale and storage treasure a person smile. All along, the United States has been inseparable elements of ancient times Indian wedding. Esteem held in Indian wedding celebration is not only a brilliant appeal, but there is a change in a rich and passionate. Witness the wedding fraternity target audience tastes change, requiring more and more precise, and to create demand personalized products sold. No wonder the planned wedding in the country and overseas this year has enabled us busy and colorful wedding season. It's almost a surprise, from the customer specific requirements, planning a wedding today is like a dream offer, provided that people will always cherish the experience.


Looking back, when we conceived the wedding to come from headquarters in Delhi this morning, our sales team trade trader inquiry has begun, many have changed in the organization of the wedding fraternity. Many factors may have contributed to it; it's the impact of globalization can not be ignored. Cocoa colonial and economic prosperity in the world, we have witnessed the monotony of the wedding is an out of date. Everyone wants to be able to provide a unique experience for their guests, and with rising disposable income, every bride and groom want to make your own wedding event.


In the past decade or so, the wedding has suddenly become a "larger than life" thing. Preparations begin months in advance with the traditional "phoolwala" and "always" has given the international fashion and culinary artists florist flight from different corners of the world to meet their family and friends discerning platter. With the wedding has become the occasion to show their social status, hiring a wedding planner and wedding designer prevalent. Nothing unnatural fact, the traditional "phoolwala" has been replaced by a florist who will not only add to the perfect-at your wedding and floral decoration, but it will get the bride and bridesmaid smile and charming floral jewelry. From theme wedding destination weddings, whether decorative or PATAYA Sufi night beach event, the wedding ceremony is suddenly about, well put it frankly, "a one-upmanship."




Speaking brick and mortar industry, India has been a national trend, e-commerce followed. If the Internet boom in recent years than the wedding industry supply chain is the essence of the essence of overcrowding in the past decade. Multiple players in the market led to the product, which is unheard of, the availability of the 1980s. From the invitation to the entertainment options, this is a choice for consumers and reputation wedding planning competition. Young influential clearly show the red card the traditional 'band, baaja and baraat ", informed, traveled, they do not want to spend eternity Genda vide, or a lehenga from a local boutique, for them, it's all about living a dream by dream .. Swarovski crystal ornaments, and vintage Chardonnay, welcome their guests in luxury hotels, magnificent dowry.





This ongoing wedding season has been phenomenal for my dynamic unsung wedding heroes and we hope to welcome a few more brides and their special ones not with genda phool but with Gladiolas, of course.


Originally published on: http://www.fnpweddings.com/mission-marriage-the-transition-from-genda-phool-to-fresh-gladiolas/

PREPARING for YOUR EVENT or CONFERENCE

Whether you’re running a business meeting, a party or a major conference in Delhi NCR, do not start planning any event until you are thoroughly prepared. Before you book venues or invite speakers, you’ll need a comprehensive blueprint and water-tight strategy for the event.

Define what you hope to achieve from your event

It’s important to work out what you want to achieve from your event and to stick to it. Develop an event outline and checklist to help you to work out your objectives and refer to it continually throughout the event process. In the event outline, detail the primary and secondary objectives of the event and how you are going to achieve and measure them.

Be prepared - event and conference checklist

One of the most frequent mistakes made by new event and conference planners is to launch into the ‘planning’ before they've done the ‘preparation’, leaving themselves vulnerable to budget blowouts, double-booking, lost tasks and mixed messages.

Are your conference or event ideas practical?

The problem is that if you are not thoroughly and strategically prepared, as your event develops and evolves, you are likely to find you have already locked in dates, places, venues and people that later become inappropriate or impractical.

Event and conference timeline

Creating a timeline will force you to work backwards from your proposed event date and build in all the necessary lead-times for each activity. Knowing that it will take printers three weeks to deliver your invitations will dictate how early you need to confirm the design, and how much time you are able to give your guests to RSVP.

Flexible event budgets

Developing an accurate budget - and allowing flexibility for unexpected expenses - will enable you to priorities how and where you will spend your money. Knowing just how much the venue and catering cost will govern your decision on the type of entertainment to engage.

How to Conduct a Beneficial Waste Audit for Your Event

The last thing most event planners think about when it comes to an event is waste management. Usually it is a mere afterthought in the cleanup process, however, proper and deliberate management of waste before, during, and after an event can save money and decrease your carbon footprint. We live in a day and age where people value companies and businesses that do their part to be gentler to the planet by creating and implementing “green initiatives”. Today’s article will cover just how you can manage the waste from your event effectively and efficiently with a Waste Audit.

Waste Audits will not only help Mother Earth, but will save you some dollars in the end too. Use the following step-by-step guide to learn just how you can do so.

Step #1: Set Your Waste Management Goals

By conducting Waste Audits for your events, you can look at excessive and unnecessary materials and eradicate costs. Identify what you can learn, what you want to accomplish, and set your goals.

Step #2: What is the Scope of Your Audit

Be concise and transparent about what you will be auditing. Will the waste audit entail the entire event or will it just be for one facet of the event? Clarify where your greatest benefits lie in comparison to your available resources.

Step #3: Keep Your Waste Separate

By this I mean avoid mixing waste from other events with yours (if possible). This will allow you to have the most accurate results. You can do this by setting up a dedicated area for the waste from your event.

Step #4: Designated Waste Managers

Your normal event staff will probably have their hands full with their duties. If resources allow, hire Waste Managers to take on the task of handling waste management for your event. Educate and inform Waste Managers of your goals and procedures for audits.

Step #5: Make Sure You Have the Proper Equipment

If your waste management goals includes recycling, make sure you obtain to right receptacles for collection. This will make your Waste Audit flow smoothly and effectively. Other equipment you may need will include:

Gloves

Signage

Waste Containers (of various colors or markings)

Aprons

Tables

Hand Washing/Sanitizing Station

Large Garbage Bags

Scales (to weigh waste)

Step #6: Have Fun While Auditing

Handling waste is no one’s idea of a good time, however, you can make your Waste Audit a fun little competition. Create Waste Audit Teams and hang a dry-erase board to keep up with tallies. Play music if allowed to keep morale and spirits up and even more so, offer prizes or gifts. Show you appreciate your team for their hard work.

Step #7: Tally Up

By the end of your event, you should be able to easily collect and calculate your waste numbers. The best way to do this is to use a scale to weigh what has been collected. After collecting your results you will know if you hit or missed your Waste Management goals and what you need to do to improve for the next event.

Waste Management can be quite rewarding for the pocket and business. You’ll save money by knowing what resources to reduce or eliminate and your clients will love that you are doing your part to help out the planet.

As always we would like to wish you the best in all that you do! If you have questions or comments please feel free to post them below or shoot me an email.

Originally Published on: http://www.thewynningexperience.com/waste-not-want-not-how-to-conduct-a-beneficial-waste-audit-for-your-event/

Top 5 Things To Keep In Mind To Manage An Event Successfully

Event management is not a piece of cake. There are hundreds of things that could go wrong. Learning the nuances of managing an event is crucial if you are looking to host a successful event. Effective event planning is essential. Be it social events like Parties and weddings or corporate events like Annual General Meetings and Product launch parties, a proper event management system has to be in place. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when you are hosting an event:


1. Not all events are the same!

A classic mistake by event managers would be to think the same way for all events. Each event is different and requires different and innovative thinking. You cannot actually manage to perform the same things for two different types of events. Hosting a corporate event requires you to have a complete know how of protocols and procedures. On the other hand, managing a concert requires you to have knowledge about sound systems and various other resources.


2. Estimate correctly

If you are holding a real time event, you need to figure out the number of guests correctly. Ensuring that proper seating arrangements are there and guests get ample space to move around is essential. If starters are being served you need to ensure that food reaches to all. Remember, what might be right for a few people might not be right for a hundred other people.


3. Prepare and arrange correctly

Hosting an event requires you to understand your responsibilities. All organizers should know their duties perfectly so that nothing is missed out. More, you need to be careful about the arrangements, especially proper technical equipment's. You do not want the mike to go off in the middle of a performance, do you?


4. Adhere to the rules

Before you organize an event, you might need to take permissions from the authorities or follow a certain procedure. Remember to complete all the formalities and adhere to all legal rules so as to avoid any complications.


5. Don’t panic!

One of the worst things that could happen is that you panic if something goes wrong. Things do not always go right even if you do meticulous event planning. Event management requires a good amount of planning and an ability to shred off the most difficult of situations with a smile on your face. Even if anything goes wrong during the event, instead of fretting over it, try to make sure everything else goes right!

Event Floor-Plans and Seating Arrangements - A Guide

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5 TIPS FOR HAVING YOUR DREAM WEDDING ON ANY BUDGET

1. Choose a Budget Bloom With High Impact


One of my favorite affordable flowers is the carnation. It looks lavish and elegant when used en masse on its own in a centerpiece. Carnations can also take on a sculptural element when used correctly.


I also love mixing different materials in my arrangements. Consider augmenting your décor or creating an entire look based on non-floral elements, such as fruit. The color and size of the fruits you select need to work in harmony with your overall theme. You can also paint them gold or silver leaf and sprinkle them with some sparkle to add dimension.

--Colin Miller


2. Incorporate DIY projects that are meaningful


Featuring handmade items close to your heart is one of the best ways to create a truly personal event on a budget. Design your own gorgeous centerpiece with items from a craft store, taking inspiration from a glamorous wedding and tailoring it to the theme of your event. Create your own invitation and find a creative way to reduce the cost, such as making it into a postcard. Print menus for each place setting that is personalized with the name of your guests, so that each one doubles as a place card.


3. Pick three wedding elements and do them well

Focus your energy (and budget) where you think it will matter most, rather than attempting five things on the skinny. Spend your money on the parts of the wedding that guests will notice and appreciate: offer a better cut of meat and top-notch wine instead of party favors; serve a delicious three-course meal (including dessert) instead of an elaborate multi-course menu; rather than hiring a band, book a DJ who understands how to work the energy in the room, so when it's time to party, everyone is on the dance floor!
--Christion Oth Studio


4. Prevent Beverages From Sucking down your money — literally (and quickly!)

You've invited friends and family, and part of being a host is to provide excellent food and drink. Instead of a full bar, offer a signature drink — alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Delicious sangria, bellinis made with Prosecco, trays of pre-poured martinis, wine spritzers: It's your call. Make a selection ahead of time and negotiate the price with the caterer or banquet hall. No need for them to stock the bar with every type of alcohol ready to satisfy every whim.
Colin Miller


5. Don't Forget The Golden Rule of Wedding Style

True style isn't about what you wear or how much money you spend—it’s about how you treat your guests. Your wedding is your first joint statement as a couple and an opportunity for you and your fiancé to function as the quintessential host and hostess. How you treat your guests and make them welcome is more important than any other element of your wedding!
--Colin Cowie


Originally published on : http://www.colincowieweddings.com/articles/wedding-basics-etiquette/5-tips-for-having-your-dream-wedding-on-any-budget

What Experience Are You Giving Your Guests?

Whether your goal is to raise money, bring employees together, or it’s to boost traffic at your conference / tradeshow, planning an event that offers an incredible experience is the ultimate goal of hosting any event. What experience are you giving your guests or potential clients?


Building excitement is only half the battle of planning a successful event. After you have gathered a team of trusted pros, targeted a specific audience, created a solid marketing plan (need event marketing ideas? Here is a great article by BizBash), it’s time to determine the type of entertainment you want to offer your guests. The location, décor, entertainment, food, and drinks will be the main focus, no matter what type of event you are planning.


About five years ago I attended a large, extravagant gathering that is still talked about today among my circle of friends. The party was centered on an upscale circus /carnival theme, which featured fire dancers, a fortune teller, card reader, a live show, music, free drinks, and amazing food. Great entertainment goes a very long way in creating a memorable event. You don’t have to have a large budget in order to create an amazing event that will be talked about for years to come. When planning your event, it’s smart to stick to the five senses.


Visual Appeal – This can easily be created through vibrant colors, and lighting.


Sound – This can be achieve through music. Hiring a band, DJ, or playing music centered on your theme is a great idea.


Smells – Smell seems to be a strange focus, but smell is very important, and often overlooked. Create the right aroma through scented candles, delicious food, or aromatherapy.


Taste- Taste is achieved by serving up delicious flavors all can enjoy.


Feeling – This sense does not have to be touch, but an internal emotion based on feeling. This is built on the lively entertainment and unique theme of an event to create a feeling of fun, happiness, and excitement.


Originally found on : http://www.bizbash.com/event-marketing#.VSUaKV2UcdQ

42 Tips For Producing A Memorable Small Business Event

Memorable events don’t just happen. Organizing and holding an event takes planning. Whether it’s a conference, seminar or a customer appreciation day, and whether you have three weeks to plan or an entire year, your event’s success is in the details. We’ve collected 42 small business event planning tips from the experts, including some of the organizers of the annual Small Business Influencer Awards.

Small Business Event Planning: What to Do First


1. Decide upon your target audience before anything else. The first step — before you do anything else — should be to clearly define who your target audience is. From this all the other decisions will fall into place in terms of format, content, prices, location etc. This structured approach will also help you to stay focused on achieving specific goals and not allowing the scope to become too broad or watered down.


2. Make a list of details — everything including lighting and public transportation, to content and refreshments. When you decide to have an event, everything matters. From program content and lighting to transportation and parking — everything counts. And your audience will attribute everything to you and…your brand. Making a list will ensure you don’t overlook things.


3. Have a clear business purpose for holding the event. Before you can begin planning a successful event, be clear on why you are doing it in the first place, because every decision after that should support your main goal. Is it lead generation? Is it to create awareness of your company or a particular product? Is is to develop customer loyalty? Or do you simply want to make money (which is okay too)? And make sure the team is aware of the purpose, so that you don’t have “scope creep.”


4. Watch out for other industry events when scheduling. Check the calendar. Make sure you don’t schedule your event on or too close to holidays or popular vacation times. It’s just as important to check for other events that your target attendees might be going to.


5. Be flexible with changes in size, location and other details. As you get into the event planning process, you may find that your event changes in size, location, and many other ways than you originally envisioned. This is natural and perfectly fine as long as you don’t lose sight of the reason you’re doing all this work in the first place. Some flexibility is necessary.


6. Know your limitations. We all know the goal is to throw a great live event. To that end, we also have to be aware of what we can or cannot realistically do — be it budget … or time-wise. If you decide to throw a live event in a week’s time, plan for a more intimate affair. If it’s a big event, prepare several months ahead. If the budget is small, you may have to counterbalance with creativity and a lot of do-it-yourself work.


7. Create SMART goals. Always start with strategy. Just like building any business, great events start with a strong, thoughtful and measurable strategy. Live events are an amazing way to share your brand, connect with your target market, get feedback on your product (and more!), but you need to know what you are trying to achieve. Stick with SMART goals and outline what you are aiming for. Then make sure that you proceed in line with reaching these goals.



Budget: How to Pay For Your Event


8. Develop a “financing plan” for your event, and estimate the numbers. Know how you are going to pay for the event. Most events are funded by sponsorships, ticket sales, internal marketing budgets — or a combination of all three. When you create your budget for the event, you’ll need to estimate how much money you can realistically raise from each area. Before you book your venue or sign any contracts, it’s a good idea to start signing sponsors first, or selling advance tickets to make sure there is enough interest in your idea to fund it.


9. Create an expense budget – and save money through “in-kind” sponsor donations. Events tend to cost more than the average small business owner thinks — primarily in regards to the venue and food and beverage. Remember to price out all the permits and licenses you will need as well. (This is where an event planner can help you avoid headaches.) Make a comprehensive list of all the expenses and then highlight areas where you think sponsors can play a role to offer something “in kind.” The more you work with other brands and partners to host your events, the more you can save.


10. Consider crowdfunding as a new option to raise money for an event. If this is your first time running events, use crowdfunding platforms to ease the risk. By publishing your events on these platforms attendees will need to pledge for tickets for the event to take place. If the minimum number of attendees required is not met the event does not take place.



Marketing: Getting People to Attend


11. You’ll need a DETAILED marketing plan. Create a marketing plan for the event. The more organized you are, the more professional your event will be.


12. Be tireless in your efforts or your event will fail. If you don’t want to be at your event alone … then market, market, market, market … and market some more.


13. Define good reason(s) for people to show up. What’s the draw for attendees? You need to define WHAT you’re doing at the event that will bring those target attendees in the door. For a consumer product it might be a party with entertainment and product demos and freebies. For a business crowd it might be educational content or an exciting, well-known expert speaker. Whatever it is, don’t lose the connection with why you want this particular audience clamoring to get in.


14. Lay out in writing why your target market should attend – don’t assume the benefits are obvious. When promoting an event be sure to tell your target market what they will learn, who they will meet and why they should be there. Don’t assume your friends will tell their friends. If you are using speakers, give them advertising copy so that they can promote the event to their audiences.


15. Learn how to talk to the media. Journalists are very busy and always on deadline … they don’t have time to hear a sales pitch. Let them know that the information exists and — for future stories — that you are an expert in that field. Include that information when you reach out.


16. Use Twitter hashtags. Twitter is terrific for promoting events and for creating a sense of online community around an event. Set up a unique hashtag early on. Search Twitter first to make sure it’s not already in use. Put the hashtag right on the event website, and if you use the Tweet button for sharing on the site, work the hashtag right into the premade verbiage. When people tweet, it promotes the event automatically on Twitter.


17. Use online social pre-events to promote the main event. To build interest in your event, trying holding a Google Hangout or a Twitter chat a few weeks before the main event. Invite a few of your speakers to participate in the online social event. Give a preview of what’s to come at the main event, by doing some discussion of what speakers will cover, or highlight the activities. It generates anticipation.


18. Buy advertising on social media networks. Buying advertising on social networks is often overlooked by small events. Social advertising platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter above all) offer in depth targeting options that can significantly help to reach our target audience in our geographical location. The good news is that no large budgets are required and ticket sales can be easily measured.


19. Use YouTube to promote your event. YouTube is the second search engine worldwide after Google. Uploading videos from our previous events or interviews with our speakers/performers is a great way to convince prospective attendees to click on buy. Video provides significant visual cues thus impacting heavily on our decision making process. With events we always feel the risk of not knowing what will happen, video eases that tension.


20. Create an awesome low-budget promotional video. A little creativity with some poster board, a royalty-free music clip, and a good smartphone video camera will create a fun video to help publicize what’s to come. Here’s a good video example, that did just that on a shoestring budget, to promote a small business event.


21. Get local bloggers involved. Be smart with bloggers. Involving local bloggers to participate at the event is usually a great strategy to gain audience before, during and after the event. Bloggers usually count on a wide reach and do not usually follow traditional media rules.


22. Leverage event registration platforms like Meetup. Use existing platforms. If this is your first attempt at running an event and you lack the skills to promote it, have a look at Meetup.com. Other than offering a suite to manage events online, Meetup is a great referrer for relevant audience in your area. It also features registration and RSVP management capabilities that are particularly handy if you are inexperienced.


23. Use online registration. The easier way to scare people away is by having analog registration (faxes, bank draft or at the door only). Offer online registration to secure as many attendees as soon as possible, that will help to forecast numbers and release budget soon.


24. Get listed on sites catering to your group. Once you know who you want to attend, the next step is to put yourself in front of them. There are websites that specialize in listing events nationally (e.g. Meetup, Lanyrd) and locally so start there and research which are the most appropriate to get listed on.


25. Offer local partners incentives to promote you. Press releases sent to the relevant media outlets will help generate news buzz and you could look at getting media (online and offline) involved as partners. They get exposure at your event in return for publicizing it. If they don’t want to get involved at that level, approach them with the idea of running a competition for their readers to win tickets.


26. Make it easy on your speakers to publicize to their followers. If you have any experts/speakers attending, encourage them to publicize their attendance to their social media followers/email subscribers.


27. Give early bird incentives. Early bird tickets at a cheaper rate are a great way to get early sign ups by giving people an incentive to act now rather than wait and forget.



Team: Who Is Going to Help?


28. Delegate responsibilities. No matter the size of your business, always try to delegate responsibilities. Having one person in charge of every detail typically doesn’t work out well. Whenever possible, let people take control of the areas they most enjoy. For example, let the foodie in your company handle the catering details. The more someone enjoys their responsibilities, the more likely they will carry them out with success.


29. Follow up – and follow up again. Check in early and often. Though no one wants to be micromanaged, make sure that employees and vendors are on track with their event duties. As long as people know you expect updates from time to time, they are less likely to become frustrated when you call or email for one.


30. Sponsors are royalty – make sure they feel like it. If you have sponsors —treat them like kings. They fund your event and enable you to do it (if that’s your business model). Be very clear before the event what they will get as sponsors.


31. Always underestimate turnout, for sponsors. If you think you can get 100 attendees, base your sponsorship pitch on a lower estimate — especially if this is your first event. It’s better to give sponsors a pleasant surprise than a disappointing one.


32. Ask people what they think, and be ready for feedback good or bad. Ask for critiques. If you’ve done half a decent job, you’ll get lots of kudos. Say thanks, but then ask for the CRITIQUE and be ready for it.


33. Have a skilled social media team cover your event. Don’t forget a social media team. While not imperative for every event or industry, more and more events are focusing on harnessing the viral power of their audience. If your audience is tweeting, Facebooking and taking pictures on Instagram — you should be doing the same and you will need a trained team to execute.


34. Look for vendors who serve your niche and are willing to get involved. The best vendors you can work with are those who are familiar with small business culture. Look for vendors who work with small businesses frequently or who would get involved on a bigger level than their role.



Event Day: Pulling It Off


35. Set expectations carefully – then deliver. Ensure that the audience has a GREAT (not good) experience; and that you give them what they expected from attending.


36. Attitude is contagious. Your guests in large part will play off your attitude and dynamics during the event. Lead by example and have a good time.


37. Let crowd reaction be your barometer. Read the audience during the event. Ask people how they are doing. If things are going great, and if they are not, you’ll know.


38. Always ask yourself: How is this relevant to attendees? Make sure you are offering content that is relevant to over 80% of the audience. The audience must walk away with tangible tactics to improve their business and career … and they must feel the speaker’s energy. Speaking about your business and what you do — without offering the audience what THEY need — is a waste of time and money for all.


39. As the master of ceremonies or a speaker – practice. You know your business, but do not assume that you know how to put on a presentation. Practice giving your presentation, answering questions and handling difficult and confrontational members of the audience. The more prepared you are the better.


40. Look your best. Look the part… be comfortable but fashion forward. Even if you are an accountant or lawyer, choose your most distinctive suit or tie. People remember how comfortable you are in your own skin.



Contingency Plan: What to Do When Things Go Wrong


41. Imagine the event, step by step, and make a 2-column list: what could go wrong in one column, and your contingency plan in the second. Be prepared for the unexpected. Maybe the sound system fails. Maybe your keynote presenter bails. Can you cope and move on?


42. Be ready to lend a hand to fill any gaps. Although planning ahead is a great formula for success, it is never enough. Something unexpected always comes up. Thus, it pays to put in a little extra elbow grease for extenuating circumstances. This applies to catering arrangements, printing requirements, guest accommodations, weather forecasts, entertainment and more.


A big thanks to the experts contributing to the above small business event planning tips:


— Matt Telfer, Marketing Manager for Heart Internet and blogger at Marketing Nerd Tips 1, 24, 25, 26, 27


— Beth Silver, Managing Director, Doubet Consulting Tips 2, 11, 14, 15, 38, 39, 40


— Laura Leites, Event Planner and Owner, L2 Event Production Tips 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 31


— Joy Go, Internet Marketing and Affiliate Program Manager, Day 2 Day Printing Tips 6, 28, 29, 36, 42


— Liz King, CEO, Chief Event Specialist, Liz King Events Tips 7, 9, 33, 34


— Julius Solaris, event industry speaker and editor of Event Manager Blog Tips 10, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23


— Ramon Ray, Technology Evangelist and Editor of Small Biz Technology Tips 12, 30, 32, 35, 37, 41


— Anita Campbell, Founder and CEO of Small Business Trends Tips 16, 17, 20


Shutterstock: Plan, Budget, Empty, Banquet, Team, Embarrassed






Resource : http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/06/small-business-event-planning-tips.html