Preliminary considerations in planning an event

Answering the following questions should help disclose whether you really want to host a meeting or event:
1) What’s the purpose? Why are you hosting this meeting or event? Is there another way to accomplish this objective? Do key players in your organization understand and support this activity?
2) Who is the audience for this event? How many people do you expect to attend? If the targeted audience includes non-staff people, who are they? Developing categories of participants allows you to decipher who your guests should be.
3) What does your audience want or expect? Addressing this issue assists in defining content based on needs and expectations. How do you identify audience expectations? Ask. Identify key prospects in each category, then talk to them.
4) What resources – staff and budget – are you willing to pledge to this project? Remember, you get what you pay for. Are you willing to spend the money necessary to effectively host this event?
5) Location. Location. Location. Are you looking for Flagstaff event venues with access to public transportation? Do you need a distraction-free environment? Are children welcome at your chosen venue? Will the event be casual or elegant. Formal or informal?
Source: Linda Jackson Cocroft, I Am Events Planning, Shorewood
July 1998 Small Business Times, Milwaukee