That’s right, you really are an event planner

That’s right, you are an event planner, and you didn’t even know it. Businesses have been hiring professional event planners to manage the organizational aspects of important functions for a very long time. However, as a mom or dad or husband or wife, you generally do not have the luxury to do that for anything other than a fair-sized wedding. Whether it’s a simple dinner party for a few friends or family, or a birthday party for your child, it is up to you to coordinate all the details that go into making that party a success. Think about it. Here are just a few of the things that you have to manage: • Set deadlines • Manage the budget • Select the venue (even if you’re just having the party at home!) • Preparing the guest list • Preparing and sending the invitations • Setting the menu • Selecting and liaising with suppliers • Creating the atmosphere or décor • Ensuring the smooth progress of the event And there’s a whole lot more, depending of course, on the size and scope of the event. If it’s a birthday party for your child, then in all likelihood, you are the event planner (whether you like it or not) and your child is the client! And as in every supplier-client relationship, you have to listen to the client’s wishes. As a mom or dad, you have to manage those wishes, guide and perhaps limit the choices and teach some economic realities, all while delivering a memorable and enjoyable experience. As a supplier to the event industry, I sometimes have to do the very same thing. Client expectations are sometimes unrealistic, timing and logistics are not feasible, venue restrictions make some types of performances challenging or nigh impossible. As the event planner your job is to juggle and manage these conflicts in such a way that in the end everything works out. It’s enough to make you tear your hair out and cry, “Never again!” Or you can remain flexible and look for suggestions and solutions that are available. I’ll be sharing some of these ideas in future articles. For now, understand that you are the event planner and that it’s up to you to manage the process.

You are an Event Planner

Ron Guttman

Ron Guttman

That’s right, you really are an

event planner

That’s right, you are an event planner, and you didn’t even know it. Businesses have been hiring professional event planners to manage the organizational aspects of important functions for a very long time. However, as a mom or dad or husband or wife, you generally do not have the luxury to do that for anything other than a fair- sized wedding. Whether it’s a simple dinner party for a few friends or family, or a birthday party for your child, it is up to you to coordinate all the details that go into making that party a success. Think about it. Here are just a few of the things that you have to manage: • Set deadlines • Manage the budget • Select the venue (even if you’re just having the party at home!) • Preparing the guest list • Preparing and sending the invitations • Setting the menu • Selecting and liaising with suppliers • Creating the atmosphere or décor • Ensuring the smooth progress of the event And there’s a whole lot more, depending of course, on the size and scope of the event. If it’s a birthday party for your child, then in all likelihood, you are the event planner (whether you like it or not) and your child is the client! And as in every supplier- client relationship, you have to listen to the client’s wishes. As a mom or dad, you have to manage those wishes, guide and perhaps limit the choices and teach some economic realities, all while delivering a memorable and enjoyable experience. As a supplier to the event industry, I sometimes have to do the very same thing. Client expectations are sometimes unrealistic, timing and logistics are not feasible, venue restrictions make some types of performances challenging or nigh impossible. As the event planner your job is to juggle and manage these conflicts in such a way that in the end everything works out. It’s enough to make you tear your hair out and cry, “Never again!” Or you can remain flexible and look for suggestions and solutions that are available. I’ll be sharing some of these ideas in future articles. For now, understand that you are the event planner and that it’s up to you to manage the process.