Front & Center - Information and Events from the Georgia International Convention Center

Why Planning Ahead is the Most Important Part of the Process

Event planning can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Make sure to establish the following two major points before moving forward with any more of the planning process.

Articulate the Objective

If you want your event to run smoothly, start by defining exactly what that means for you. What is the purpose of the event? A product launch event is very different from a networking event. Likewise, the goals used to measure success will be different. Before diving deep into the planning process take out a pen and paper and write down the 5 factors that will deem your event successful. Consider the audience, what are they looking for in an event? Once you can clearly articulate the markers of success, you can wrap them up into an overarching objective. When developing the event plan, everything should go back to the objective. When making decisions, ask yourself, is this helping me reach my goals?

Make a Backup Plan

One of the biggest mistakes in event planning is not planning for the potential mishaps. It is inevitable that things will go wrong and unforeseen circumstances will arise, but with a backup plan in place, you will be prepared for whatever comes your way. Take a moment and write down everything that could go wrong. Get creative here and consider every possibility. Now go back through your list and write down what you would do in response to each one. A well thought-out backup plan could save you tremendous headache on the day of the event.

There is a lot to consider when you get deep into the phases of event planning. If you start getting overwhelmed, just delegate the details and pass it off to the pros. The professionals at the Georgia International Convention Center have put on trade shows, corporate events, movie shoots, concerts, sporting events and more. Use their experience to your advantage and ensure your event falls perfectly into place.

Have questions about planning your event? Tweet them to @TheGICC and our professionals will give you their advice!