Event planning lessons from Christmas

15 December 2011

Event planning lessons from Christmas?

As events go, Christmas is a big deal – its appeal verging on global. Nevertheless, it often divides opinion:it is not every ones cup of tea! Some of us love it, others well just accept it ( (it is what it is) and then there are those who really don’t like anything about it. Me…I like it.

So are there any lessons the event planner can learn from all that is Christmas. Here are a few thoughts:

Not all that glistens is gold. Be careful what you promise. Do make sure your promotional activities – words, stats, pictures: accurately represents what your audience are attending. Expectation does need to match audience reality.

Arrhhh….. That’s really interesting…thank you I will enjoy….. We have all been there: your granny still thinks you are a teenager. The message: get to know your audience and make sure you don’t provide anything that is ‘so last year’.

The Christmas dinner:  a veritable feast.  Often, a little too much of everything. In my experience and particularly at larger events, there can be a tendency to offer delegates a little too much choice. Less is more. Concentrate on delivering a high quality focussed event programme. Experience shows us that if there is too much choice then the sessions with the ‘best titles’ (not always the best presenters) often get the biggest audiences. Think quality,  think what are audience actually going to learn.

The afternoon snooze. While we are up and around doing presents, chatting, eating and generally enjoying ourselves our energy levels will be up. Sit us down to watch the big movie and then the desire to rest the eye lips becomes unstoppable. No amount of caffeine will stop this happening. The event planner needs to be aware of their audiences’ natural lows and plan activities that will lift the mood and energy levels.

Don’t you just love those decorations?  Don’t get me wrong I like decorations but I do verge on the quality rather than quality side of things. Event planners when decorating your events consider that less is again more. Perhaps concentrate on providing themed areas or parts of your event that have a touch of quality about them. Clearly there are occasions when completely ‘over the top’ is the order of the day. But it comes at a price.    

The Brussel Sprout! I actually like them. While I am all for challenging audiences’ thought processes there are times when event planners push them a too far. A little too left field. The point is, do understand what will work for them (not you – a mistake event planners often make) and challenge their thinking in a good way and that still leaves them on your side.

Christmas ‘party games’. We have all had a little too much to drink and then they cry ‘let’s play a game’. Alas, games can turn sour, particularly when our competitive spirit is allowed to kick in. If you are planning any party games at your events - think fun, think games where there is a high level of luck or chance involved. Then, we’ll play nicely together 

It’s so stressful! Christmas takes a bit of planning, there is a lot to get done and the pressure to deliver is ever present. Feels like an event. So event planners – this is where those organisational skills come into their own. Make lists, double-check everything, do not leave things to the last minute, check your timings and write down what needs to happen when and where. And then it should be all right on the night!

What to give, the all-important present. Now you don’t need my help in deciding what to give a loved one but when it comes to events, organisers often like to give a gift, a freebie. Now my only advice is that - useful is good, something to eat always welcome but even better,(if you can afford it) give the gift of your time! Now that has genuine value. I do realise you cannot do that for everyone but if you create a bit of urgency you could do it for the first three who give you their business card or use a prize draw.     

Hot mince pies and brandy butter – wonderful! There’s nothing else to say.

So if you need a little help planning your next event give me a call, drop an email. Why not, check out my web site, e-book, training and coaching courses. If I can help, I will.      

Have a wonderful Christmas and a not too eventful new year. I will see you all in 2012

So are there any lessons the event planner can learn from all that is Christmas. Here are a few thoughts:

Not all that glistens is gold. Be careful what you promise. Do make sure your promotional activities – words, stats, pictures: accurately represents what your audience are attending. Expectation does need to match audience reality.

Arrhhh….. That’s really interesting…thank you I will enjoy….. We have all been there: your granny still thinks you are a teenager. The message: get to know your audience and make sure you don’t provide anything that is ‘so last year’.

The Christmas dinner:  a veritable feast.  Often, a little too much of everything. In my experience and particularly at larger events, there can be a tendency to offer delegates a little too much choice. Less is more. Concentrate on delivering a high quality focussed event programme. Experience shows us that if there is too much choice then the sessions with the ‘best titles’ (not always the best presenters) often get the biggest audiences. Think quality,  think what are audience actually going to learn.

The afternoon snooze. While we are up and around doing presents, chatting, eating and generally enjoying ourselves our energy levels will be up. Sit us down to watch the big movie and then the desire to rest the eye lips becomes unstoppable. No amount of caffeine will stop this happening. The event planner needs to be aware of their audiences’ natural lows and plan activities that will lift the mood and energy levels.

Don’t you just love those decorations?  Don’t get me wrong I like decorations but I do verge on the quality rather than quality side of things. Event planners when decorating your events consider that less is again more. Perhaps concentrate on providing themed areas or parts of your event that have a touch of quality about them. Clearly there are occasions when completely ‘over the top’ is the order of the day. But it comes at a price.    

The Brussel Sprout! I actually like them. While I am all for challenging audiences’ thought processes there are times when event planners push them a too far. A little too left field. The point is, do understand what will work for them (not you – a mistake event planners often make) and challenge their thinking in a good way and that still leaves them on your side.

Christmas ‘party games’. We have all had a little too much to drink and then they cry ‘let’s play a game’. Alas, games can turn sour, particularly when our competitive spirit is allowed to kick in. If you are planning any party games at your events - think fun, think games where there is a high level of luck or chance involved. Then, we’ll play nicely together 

It’s so stressful! Christmas takes a bit of planning, there is a lot to get done and the pressure to deliver is ever present. Feels like an event. So event planners – this is where those organisational skills come into their own. Make lists, double-check everything, do not leave things to the last minute, check your timings and write down what needs to happen when and where. And then it should be all right on the night!

What to give, the all-important present. Now you don’t need my help in deciding what to give a loved one but when it comes to events, organisers often like to give a gift, a freebie. Now my only advice is that - useful is good, something to eat always welcome but even better,(if you can afford it) give the gift of your time! Now that has genuine value. I do realise you cannot do that for everyone but if you create a bit of urgency you could do it for the first three who give you their business card or use a prize draw.     

Hot mince pies and brandy butter – wonderful! There’s nothing else to say.

So if you need a little help planning your next event give me a call, drop an email. Why not, check out my web site, e-book, training and coaching courses. If I can help, I will.      

Have a wonderful Christmas and a not too eventful new year. I will see you all in 2012