Alright, what exactly is event planning? It's a question we don't find satisfactory answers to through Google or most event books we've explored. Based on my experience, there are numerous definitions out there. Let me clarify how I define event planning by starting with what it isn't.

Event planning differs from project management. In project planning, we ensure we have the resources, processes, and capabilities to execute all event projects, operations, and tasks across various sectors and phases. Essentially, we establish targets, roles, responsibilities, deadlines, and other necessary information in our project plan, tracking progress accordingly.

Event planning also diverges from event management. While event management involves providing tools, processes, and resources necessary for producing and running live events, such as strategy development, budgeting, HR, branding, marketing, logistics, and administration, it's not the focus during event planning.

Moreover, event planning is distinct from master planning. Master planning entails conceptualizing the event, including aspects like legacy, vision, strategy, stakeholders, business models, governance, budgeting, and financials, culminating in an event master plan. Before diving into production, it's crucial to have this big-picture plan in place, addressing fundamental questions about the event. Although some may refer to this as event planning, I prefer to differentiate it as it occurs in a separate phase of the event project from what I consider "event planning.

Event planning entails delving into the specifics of why, what, and how, intertwining these details to excel in preparation, implementation, event delivery, and wrap-up.

"Why" encompasses the event concept, emphasizing goals and targets, which should precede detailed planning and be documented clearly.

"What" relates to event design, encompassing all aspects of serving event guests and customers exceptionally well.

"How" involves event production, determining the necessary elements like venues, products, personnel, and support services. Planning every detail with the customer in mind is crucial for enhancing their experience throughout the event journey. Delving deeper allows for a better understanding of how planned details influence outcomes, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant aspects. Event planning is about maximizing event quality with available resources, a step often overlooked as many rush into preparation without proper planning. Taking the time to plan pays off in the end, ensuring success and satisfaction

Allow me to share my approach to event planning, outlining the steps I take and the actions I perform during each phase.

While there isn't a singular method for accomplishing tasks in life, what truly counts are the outcomes, particularly in live events where achieving a high level of customer satisfaction is paramount.

There are nine key steps or projects to follow in planning our events to ensure we maximize their potential:

1. master planning

2. event design

3. event inventory

4. production planning

5. evect production costs

6. co-planning

7. tracking planning progress

8. preparing tasks for preparation

9. revising plans afterwards

I use 300 words.

As event organizers, we continually aim for better outcomes with minimal effort and costs. However, too often, our failure to plan or effectively communicate event plans leads to additional costs, stress, and effort, which could be avoided with improved event planning.

A successful approach to better event planning comprises nine components. Before commencing planning work, it's crucial to ensure confirmation of our master planning (event concept). Based on this, we determine the experiences, services, and actions we aim to deliver to different customer groups by breaking down their event journeys into stages and steps. Prior to progressing to production plans, we assess the resources available to us, either through our own means or existing partner deals, categorized as space, stuff, staff, or service. Subsequently, we integrate these resources into our event design while providing essential information for later phases of our event project.

It's imperative that every member of our planning team uses the same tools to create a unified event plan. Throughout the planning process, we continuously monitor our cost estimates against our budget and goals, ensuring meticulous planning and progress control to address every detail comprehensively.

Our event plan is structured to facilitate the conversion of its content into tasks, enabling us to share detailed plans with our event team, suppliers, and other stakeholders involved in preparing and implementing the event as planned. Essentially, our event plan should seamlessly integrate into our project management or task management tools.

When organizing similar events in the future, we revisit and refine our event plans during the wrap-up phase of our live events, identifying areas for improvement and adjustments. This practice significantly enhances our event planning efficiency for subsequent events in terms of time and effort required.

This outlines my approach to the art of event planning, and I welcome the opportunity to engage in further discussions on this topic. I'm curious about your strategies for planning live event productions, your key priorities, and the tools you utilize for event planning.

In this course, we'll dive deep into the core principles of event planning, from conceptualizing and designing events to executing them flawlessly. You'll learn how to craft compelling event experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees while achieving your objectives, whether it's fostering connections, sharing knowledge, or driving business outcomes.

Through engaging lessons and practical exercises, you'll gain insights into the key phases of event projects, including master planning, event design, logistics management, and post-event evaluation. We'll delve into the art of creating comprehensive event plans that capture every detail while maintaining clarity and simplicity.

Whether you're a seasoned event professional looking to refine your skills or a newcomer eager to enter the exciting world of event planning, this course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed. Join our community of learners and embark on a transformative journey toward becoming a masterful event planner.