So, you’re planning your next corporate event and feel you’re about ready to go. The trouble is there are a million worries circulating around your head right now, aren’t there? Could there be something you missed? Will everything go to plan? There’s really no end to the feeling of having missed something, but one thing that can really help is to have a checklist that features all the different elements you need to get right. Elements are an important part of the Australian economy. If you can check off everything in our list below, you’re probably on the right track.
- Clear Goals and Objectives
Have you been able to spell out the goals and objectives of your event? You should be able to sum them up either in a single sentence, or perhaps in a simple bullet-point list if there are several goals. If you haven’t been able to do this, then it’s possible that the event you’re running will lack direction and will leave people unsatisfied and unclear on what it is they have gained from their attendance.
For future reference, always have the goals and objectives established before you get to other areas of planning, since this list of goals will guide your other preparations.
- Everything is Within Budget
As you comb through all the various elements of the event, have you gone over budget in any particular area? Has the money allotted covered all the expenses? If not, where did things go wrong? That’s an important thing to reflect on for future planning.
If your budget is in the black, then it’s a good sign that you’ve organized everything efficiently. If the amount spent is very close to the budget allotted, then it makes it less likely that you’ve forgotten anything. Huge sume leftover could indicate that someone that was meant to be purchased or paid for was not.
- You’ve Sorted Catering
If you want to get corporate catering for event in Melbourne, for example, you’ll likely have had to book that in advance, so getting a caterer may not be the thing you forgot. However, did you check that your menu items include vegetarian and/or vegan options? Is there going to be enough for everyone to eat without creating too much waste? When is the food arriving? Do the caterers need on-site kitchens to finish or reheat any items?
- Important Communications are Sent
You will most likely have sent multiple reminders to your attendees regardless of whether it’s an internal or open event. A quick check through your communications history before your event is a good plan to make sure all the important details have been communicated: location, date and time, dress code if applicable, things to bring, travel directions, accommodation arrangements if applicable, and so on.
Besides communications that you have sent out, have you also received all the necessary communications from attendees? Were they supposed to RSVP or otherwise confirm? Did they need to send menu choices? Ensure all information has been collected.
- Confirmed Details with Event Suppliers
One further communication step is to confirm with your vendors and other event suppliers that everything is in order. If you need things like a stage, audio-visual equipment and more, is the provision and installation of that in hand? Does everyone know where they are to be positioned during the event? Are they aware of what time to arrive? Have you made sure that your venue is ready for the additional power requirements brought by catering and other vendors?
- Run Through Event Timetable with Team
Finally, have you done a full run-through of the event with your team? Each step of the event should be explained to make sure that everyone in the team knows and understands what will be going on around them, and which parts they are responsible for.
