Event planning can be one of the most stressful things a person can do. You want to make sure that you have the right people invited to the event, that the food available is enough for everyone, that you have enough space at your venue. The list is endless. Here are a few tips on how to ensure your planning and the actual event go off without a hitch.

First Thoughts
This stage of the event planning is where you want to take into consideration what the look and feel of the event will be. You should be thinking about what type of event you’re having, who’s going to be attending, and even what the reason for the event is. If this is a work event, it should generate excitement and enthusiasm for your company. You could even use the event to grow your business and network with potential clients or partnerships.

The Specifics
This stage of event planning is where most people find themselves overwhelmed. Start off by making a checklist of everything that you can think of in regards to the event. This will help keep everything organized.

You’ll want to develop a budget once you’ve gotten a checklist in place. The budget should be specific in terms of any revenue opportunities and expenses like printing, speakers, food, and supplies. It’s not a bad idea to make room for the unexpected in your budget as well.

With your budget set, you’ll want to begin finding the perfect location for the event. Keep in mind how many people you are planning on attending and if there are any special factors to consider such as handicap access, whether it’s indoor or outdoors, or if you need a stage for a speaker. Once you’ve selected the location, focus your attention on what type of food and drinks will be served. Make sure that you’ve secured enough food to serve all those attending.

Finally, you’ll want to publicize your event. The key to a successful event is great publicity and marketing. You’ll have to do a little bit of research to determine the best mediums to use but social media is always a great starting point for marketing.

After the event has finished, take some time to reflect on the event and how it went. Take into consideration the entire planning process and not just the event itself. This will help you find areas that you could potentially improve upon for the next event you plan and host.