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Want to Ensure Your Corporate Event is Successful? Hire a Professional Event Planner

There are many reasons to host a corporate event, whether it’s to roll out a new product, celebrate a milestone achievement, say thank you to clients or simply reinforce brand loyalty.

Whatever reason, hosting a corporate event can be a challenge. If it’s ultimately successful, it can make a positive impact on your key constituents for years to come. But if not executed well, it can be a giant waste of time and money, let alone an embarrassment to those you had hoped to impress.

So … if you’ve decided to host a corporate event, consider the value of hiring an expert. A seasoned Event Planner – better yet, a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) – will be well worth the investment. Here’s why:

Get started on the right foot

An experienced Event Planner can help you establish your goals and determine your budget. He/she will walk you through important questions up front, including:

  • How do I establish a theme for our event that will reinforce our goals?
  • Where is a unique venue to hold the event?
  • How can I find a reliable caterer?
  • Should I have entertainment, and – if so – what type complements our goals?
  • Will I need tables, chairs or even a tent?
  • What about flowers, décor and lighting?
  • How about a stage and/or audio-visual equipment?
  • How do I create an impressive invitation to encourage attendance?

Have an expert by your side

An Event Planner can help you answer all of these questions … and more. Think of hiring a seasoned Event Planner like having the advice of an expert – such as a lawyer, accountant, architect or electrician – by your side.

Plus, the professional event team will do all the work, allowing you and your staff to enjoy the event. And besides saving you time and money, they will almost certainly do it faster and more efficiently, while making your event the talk of the town!

Event Planners are not unlike building contractors. They (and their teams) not only know who to use, more importantly they know who NOT to use. In fact, a good Event Planner will know each vendor’s reputation, level of service and even their financial stability. After all, the last thing you want is to count on a vendor for your big event, then find out just days before that they’ve declared bankruptcy and will be a no-show!

Be prepared for what can go wrong

Remember that – just as in everyday life — challenging situations can pop up and catch you unprepared. If you don’t know what to expect, it can really throw you off guard. A seasoned Event Planner … someone who has produced dozens, if not hundreds, of events in the past … can likely help you resolve the issue quickly, and in a way that ensures your attendees will never know the difference.

Things to consider when choosing an Event Planner

  • What is his or her reputation? Choose an individual or firm that has received kudos from previous events. And ensure they are known for their creativity. An experienced Event Planner can help you dream up the impossible, then execute what you’ve imagined. Don’t get stuck with someone who can’t finish the job. Ask for references.
  • Check their credentials. An Event Planner who is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) means he or she is accredited through the Events Industry Council. The CMP credential is recognized globally as a “badge of honor” in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam.
  • Do they know the city? It takes more than just knowing the major venues in a city; it’s also knowing the unique venues that best fit your needs. Make sure the Event Planner you hire knows the city well.
  • Do they know the right vendors for the job? The key to a successful event is selecting and then directing the best vendors (florists, caterers, entertainers, etc.) for each component of the production. Lots of details go into an event and if one of the suppliers falls through, it can affect the entire celebration.
  • Are they in-the-know on the necessary regulations and permits? Ask your Event Planner about the requirements needed to obtain a permit. You don’t want the embarrassment or cost of paying a fine for lack of a permit, on top of the other event costs.

The bottom line? When it comes to corporate event planning, it pays to hire a professional!

Even though you may think outsourcing the production of your corporate event isn’t the most economical option, in the long run hiring a professional Event Planner … ideally someone with a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation … will save valuable time and money, let alone headaches.