The key aspects of an event checklist are the essential components of your event so get those squared away first: date, location, type of event, goals, and budget. Are there opportunities for VIP upgrades, fringe events, sales, merchandise, selling access to content after the event, etc. Event apps, live streaming, and social media walls are changing how attendees experience events. Be active and share interesting and relevant content leading up to the event. As you think about these, consider the specific tasks you need to add to your event checklist. Load/arrange transportation of all event items and equipment. Post live updates to social media channels. Consider and confirm the events food and beverage needs. With a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, its not that complicated. How to Create a Customized Event Planning Checklist. Organize, manage, and review content production. Build out processes, including communication, reporting, and meetings. Do you need to find additional funds? Have meetings and site visits as required to finalize the specifics of the event. For example: In addition to speakers and entertainers, youll also need to coordinate interim entertainment, such as: Your checklist acts as a blueprint, helping you to see the big picture, while you are planting micro-experiences for your guests. What budget is available for the event? Manage and distribute assets, and see how they perform. Try Smartsheet for free, today. As you think about how to craft an event that will meet your objectives, here are a few things to keep in mind and include in your plan: Once an event ends, the purpose of event management is to collect and evaluate key metrics. Items to check include fees, venue capacity, parking, audiovisual options, and more. Start with the major categories, such as catering, dcor, and rentals. Organize all of the details about your speakers or event entertainment, including audiovisual and other equipment requirements for presentations or performances. Think about ways to maximize learning and goals. Collect written confirmation from entertainment or MC, Submit deposit for their services if needed, Deliver sponsorship packages and follow up within 1 week, Use sponsor testimonials and always acknowledge sponsors, Design promotional material, basic text, logo, Build a website and optimise it for search engines, Distribution of flyers/posters/email/brochures to community, Submit event information to local events calendars and Your budget is a living, breathing document, and this format encourages you to keep revisiting all aspects of the event until it is as cost-effective as possible. Learn why customers choose Smartsheet to empower teams to rapidly build no-code solutions, align across the entire enterprise, and move with agility to launch everyones best ideas at scale. The checklist for planning event food includes a lot. Ensure any final messages and contact details are added to the website.

Ensure staff members are in place to meet VIPs and escort them to the relevant person and place. Simply adjust the column labels to include the information you are seeking. What will success look like? Specific timings, roles, and responsibilities should be agreed upon in advance. Dont think of your event planning checklist as just a to-do list. Check final invoices from vendors as received against budget projections. A checklist for your event can make a huge difference! You can also add rules and regulations that each vendor must agree to in order to participate in the event. Great stuff, sent occasionally! If last-minute items are required from the venue or purchased off-site, who will authorize this and how will it be paid for? Move faster with templates, integrations, and more. Has the policy been clearly communicated to attendees? Identify that you are on track in terms of sales targets or if extra efforts and focus are needed. Promote the date and venue for next years event. If you promised attendees follow-up resources, presentations, images, etc., make these available online or on the mobile app. Joe Weller, October 4, 2017 Is there a theme for the event? Interested in adding technology to your event? Be prepared to be flexible and responsive to their needs. In the case of extras, such as additional bottles of wine being requested, agree on who has authorization for these items and the procedure. In this article, weve sorted through all event planning templates and checklists to provide you with the best, most comprehensive listing, so you can effectively plan a product launch, conference, wedding, or other milestone event. Find answers, learn best practices, or ask a question. Will there be a single session, a full day with a single track, or multiple tracks running at the same time? Tick off speakers and performers as they arrive. Coordinate with the photographer any specific images you need to be turned around as a priority, to issue alongside the press release. Since no two events are the same, youll undoubtedly want to remove or add items. Sell tickets and recruit volunteers with a sign up. The program tells the story of the event goal and objectives. By creating a timeline for each task within a campaign, you can gauge how actions overlap, plan for significant dates, and see a visual representation of the time required for each item. Ensure adequate insurance cover is in place for the event. Even if you are not sure of the precise equipment required you can explain to your AV supplier the effect that you want to create and share examples from other events. Country? Ensure sponsors and key partners are met and greeted appropriately. Will there be parking? What are the arrangements in terms of security, bag checks, and so forth? Some customisation may be needed to meet the needs of your unique conference, race, charity event or any other type of activity you organise. Create a master running order and variations of this such as specific supplier, staff, and Chair notes, including load in and load out. A user-friendly tool like Social Tables Diagram can help you map it out and easily share your layout with clients and vendors. Are you handling it alone or will you have a team? Talk through the timings and all details with the catering manager on the morning of the event, including any last-minute changes to final numbers and dietary requirements. Create collateral and suggested tweets to make it easy for partners to share content. to your online registration form, Request for approval to erect promotional signage, Road closures send applications early, Order equipment e.g. This is an opportunity to reinforce the event message and get feedback, as well as prompt guests to take action to meet event objectives. Gather logos from all key stakeholders, including partners and sponsors. Its okay to estimate in the beginning and update with final numbers as you go. Take these steps for successful adoption. Develop branding and identity guidelines. Has the photographer and videographer been briefed in terms of key shots and footage required and turnaround times? Managing events is stressful. What are specific unloading, load in/load out, parking, and goods lift information that should be shared with staff, exhibitors, and vendors. Get expert help to deliver end-to-end business solutions. Agree on specifics such as cues, signals, who will collect from the green room, and so forth. Ensure the stage is large enough to accommodate podiums, tables, chairs, and sofas, as required and safely. On your checklist for event planning, the program comes to life by: How youre using your space all the way down to the seating arrangments can make all the difference. And were not just talking about the seating chart: Consider the placement of electrical cords and bussing stations, for instance. How will your space be used? Sell tickets and camping permits for a weekend music festival. Keeping a plan short may be especially useful if you are creating an event template that other members of your organization will use to arrange future events. Does the venue have machinery available to aid with the setup? Will there be signs to direct guests around the venue. If there are any hold-ups/absences in terms of staff re-allocate responsibilities as necessary. This budget planner separates wedding costs into categories including apparel, decorations, reception, and photography. Set up the website and add details as they become available. Its the little details that make a big difference. All Rights Reserved Smartsheet Inc. Provide speakers with details and guidelines on the specifics of their session. Refer to our Privacy Policy or contact us at privacy@cvent.com for more details. A festival is a great way to bring people together, raise money for a cause or just have a good time. Event design is the heart of your checklist. Broken up into three buckets: Use this checklist to kickstart your event planning. Once the dust settles, youll be ready to start planning for next years festival! Ensure that you have the relevant permits and licenses in place. Set a date for an event to debrief the meeting. You can use this event evaluation for any type of event, and can customize it for internal team members or event attendees. Comparing your projections with actual costs can help to create more accurate estimations for future conferences. This template provides a calendar format with an adjacent column for listing events. Choosing an event theme isnt just for fun. Will a press release be sent out before the event? Book travel and accommodation as required. Next up is to determine some of the key elements of your event: Make each of these things a to-do item on your checklist to make sure you dont skip these steps. This will include items such as blue tack, screwdriver, post-it notes, spare pens, extension leads, gaffa tape, and much more. At the same time, no two events are the same, so theres no such thing as a one-size-fits-all event planning checklist. Its a fluid document. Get event planning emails you actually want to read! Can event technology support the meeting objectives? After your guests leave the event feeling all warm and fuzzy, touch base with them. Keep ticket sales open for as long as possible online. Ask staff to record their observations, good and bad, and any suggestions for ways to do things differently at future events. Depending on the scope of the event and the management services youre providing, you can keep the contents of the contract brief or expand the template to include more details. It is what you want your guests to remember the most. Well go over some of the broad elements of event design. From the pre-planning stage to the day-of-event logistics, theres a lot to keep track of. Seamlessly manage and optimize group sales performance across your entire portfolio. Learn how the Smartsheet platform for dynamic work offers a robust set of capabilities to empower everyone to manage projects, automate workflows, and rapidly build solutions at scale. On the template, these categories are broken down into more detailed lists of expenses - this allows you to account for both large and small items, determine which categories are most costly, and ensure that the wedding stays within budget. Food & beverage can be the most important components of an event because sharing a meal is a true community experience. Check sound, lighting, presentations, video, cues, and technology during the rehearsal/ briefing. Will you have paid speakers, performers, or special guests? Being concise - perhaps even limiting your event plan to one page - can encourage clarity and make you more likely to follow it. Whether youre planning a company party or team building outing, a sign-up sheet can give you an idea of how many people will attend. Are you offering discount tickets like early bird pricing or student discounts? Use this to-do list template to plan, prioritize, and carry out all the necessary tasks for your event. If you dont have the day-of-event details outlined to a tee, you will miss something, which will show up later as a big problem. An event planner contract should clearly outline the expectations of the client, the responsibilities of the event planner, the terms of the agreement, and any pertinent project details. Find tutorials, help articles & webinars. event? Notify attendees of the post-event survey and where to access the resources as promised at the event. Then, breakdown all the expenses under each category and let Excel do the work for you. Event marketing creates buzz, builds anticipation, and guarantees a good turnout. The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. 50 low-cost volunteer appreciation ideas and gifts. Report back on learnings and improvements you noted for future improvements. What are the contingency plans for technical issues?

nl checklist calendar festival You dont want branded items to be crooked or show wrinkles on all the pictures. Thats why youll want to keep track of every minute thing that can affect the guest experience.

Download Wedding Budget Template - Excel. For example, you might discover that certain costs, such as event programming, food service, advertising, and venue rentals are the biggest expenses. Access eLearning, Instructor-led training, and certification. Congrats, your event went off without a hitch! Condsider this sample checklist a starting point for planning your own event. A budget is an important conference management tool that planners use to identify expenses and resource requirements, inform event decisions, and support an overall plan. Meet or exceed your security and governance needs. Just follow these steps to create a checklist that will keep you on track and executing flawlessly. Consider how effectiveness and outcomes will be measured. Catering fees can add up quickly, so its important to request detailed estimates for accurate budgeting. Create layouts and room allocations for your event. We suggest tailoring your checklist to fit your event. Decide on the event name, even if it is a working title, to begin with. See how our customers are building and benefiting. Check-in with all suppliers to make sure they are ready on time and there are no issues to report. Check risk assessments, method statements, and insurance documents from vendors, exhibitors, performers, etc. Who are the core team that will make the event happen? Diagram events, wow attendees, and win clients with free planning tools. Once you have a template, you can fill it in with specific to-dos as you think of them. Does the venue provide florals in key areas? Coordinate your post-event emails and communications.

volunteers, Review chain of command in case of emergency, Thank you letters to staff, volunteers, performers, Evaluation / debrief with key stakeholders, Hold a de-brief session to look at ways of improving the event. Notify the local authorities and agencies that the event is taking place as required and for large events establish multi-agency planning meetings. If there is a surplus of food in any area, make arrangements to donate it to those in need. Discuss next years event and their future involvement. Send out a survey to gain feedback from all staff and stakeholders while it is still fresh in everyones minds. Manage campaigns, resources, and creative at scale. Continually update your event budget headings, figures, and ticket sales. With countless moving pieces, keeping track of all of the little details can be challenging. Provide support and encouragement to maximize ROI on the technology. For another look at planning an event, take a look at our 10 Step Guide to Event Planning. While some venues may include catering with their services, you will still need to provide the vendor with event details and make sure you understand their policies. And since it runs the gamut from rentals and florals to tablecloths and accent pieces, it can be a lot making sure that youre covering all your bases. How can you create impact, wow factor, and photo opportunities within the event?

Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. Theres no need for that added stress when you can use your checklist to create a thorough day-of-event schedule. Are additional revenue streams required? Pro tip: You can create a visual layout of your event using space planning softwareand share it with catering staff and other collaborators before the event to cut down on potential mishaps. After the event, package, label, transport, and store-branded items that can be reused. What about guest access to Wi-Fi and electrical outlets? Communicate and promote tech to attendees. Update the website and registration page with details for the event next year. This not only keeps you on target, but it will also provide essential information to the event team, who can work with you to execute an amazing event. Define your event structure and agenda. Get actionable news, articles, reports, and release notes. Check all information has been returned, presentations from speakers, risk assessments, and proof of insurance from all suppliers. You can modify this basic form and use it to collect attendance details at any type of event. The following checklist is meant to get you thinking about everything on your plate. See how you can align global teams, build and scale business-driven solutions, and enable IT to manage risk and maintain compliance on the platform for dynamic work. Instead, we suggest creating a customized event planning checklist. Create a logistics checklist of all items, who is responsible for each, and where it needs to go on site. Shortly after the event, you will want to sit down with your team, talk about what went right, and what can be improved. Notify the venue/catering ASAP of any changes. To ensure that all attendees are present at a conference or training event, have them add their signatures to this sign-in sheet. Each month is also color-coded with alternating hues for easy viewing. From picking a venue and speakers to ensuring youve sent out thank you notes and running a post-event debrief, theres a lot to think about. Wedding planners can use this template to keep track of all the vendors they plan to work with or are supplying bids. City? Thank you and gather feedback from all suppliers. Outline precisely what they get (space only, exhibition shell scheme, furniture, power, WiFi) and instructions including set up times, unloading, arrangements for passes, health and safety requirements/guidance, etc. Confirm final catering numbers and dietary requirements. Consider delivery, engagement, and room layout. To say the least, thats counterproductive. A post-conference evaluation can provide critical data about which elements of your event were successful and help identify areas for improvement. Coordinate event vendor registration with an online sign up, 35 Fun Facts to Share About Yourself in Any Setting, 20 Campfire Games for Kids and Adults to Play. websites, Host your online registration form on your website, Determine what is included in the cost of registration (event Copyright 2022 Cvent Inc.All rights reserved. Check toilets are clean, fully operable, and stocked with soap, toilet rolls, and hand towels. What opportunities are there for branding and signage across the event? Enter into agreements and contracts as vendor specifics are confirmed as required throughout the process. Let people know through all channels when tickets are on sale and post-event collateral has been added. Have demos and get quotes from potential providers. Plan projects, automate workflows, and align teams. Start creating a budget, adding in income and costs. Set your event objectives. Download Event Proposal Template - Word. Finalize arrangements for staff, crew, and VIP catering? You can also use this template for a single- or multi-day event, or for a conference featuring multiple speakers who will be presenting in various venue rooms. Provide final staff briefings and instructions. Ensure you have all possible cell phone numbers and contacts listed on your master contact sheet and that everyone that might need it has copies. In a few minutes we can create a simple clean and easy-to-use sign up sheet for our clients. An event checklist helps layout the story by breaking down the timeline of the event. Even if it is a free event it is useful to have a system to manage RSVPs and attendance. This template includes columns for setup and cleanup so that volunteers can plan ahead for these duties. Check in with sponsors to ensure they are happy and gain their feedback on the event. Deliver results faster with Smartsheet Gov. Region? Check venue availability and pricing. If youre recruiting volunteers for an event, you may find a printable sign-up sheet, such as this one, instrumental in gathering info. Keep in mind that, while its important to cover all your bases and not overlook important details, there is something to be said for brevity. Consider opening early ticket sales right away for next year. Where will the event take place? Do final tests and checks, including run-throughs with facilitators and presenters who will be using it. Research event tech to incorporate into your event. Talk through key timings, such as sponsor exhibition opening and refreshments being available. 2022. Quickly automate repetitive tasks and processes.

Work backward from the event and create a timeline of tasks and a schedule of deadlines, which assures that every minute detail gets covered. No-code required. It includes a summary of expenses and total costs, and a pie chart that both divides costs into categories and provides a detailed breakdown of expenses for each. There are many moving parts on event day, and inevitably, unexpected situations will arise. Find a partner or join our award-winning program.

If so how will this flow through the event? Research potential venues to come up with a shortlist. Get expert coaching, deep technical support and guidance. Connect everyone on one collaborative platform. Check that glasses and water are available for presenters and performers on stage and backstage. Once you determine the information you want to collect, including which aspects of the event or planning process you want to review, simply customize the form to meet your needs. required), Check with your local Visitor Information Centre to see if there Collate goodie bags, delegate folders, handouts, and giveaways as appropriate. On an event planning checklist, you can list criteria to consider that will map back to your event goals. Planning an event involves layers upon layers of details. Heres just a sample: Your checklist helps you chart those nuances so that you pick the perfect caterer, keep your menu on-trend, protect the planet, and, most importantly, leave your guests feeling nurtured and nourished.