Event Planning Basics

Searching for a unique venue for that next board meeting or corporate retreat? Consider a corporate yacht charter - Disney style.

Interested in planning a wine event in a cave or cellar? Clos Pegase Winery turns events into wine theatre.

Many online event registration software options have been created and are now available to help event planners. We have reviewed some of the popular online event registration systems out there.

This article outlines many ways to creatively save money while planning a big, beautiful wedding. Read this article to learn cost-cutting measures for cheap catering, dresses, photography, invitations and more. Weddings don't have to be expensive to be beautiful.

Event management is the work performed by those who plan events, meetings, conferences, and other special events. Learn more about this profession.

An events calendar of holidays and major events will help event and meeting planners know the important dates to schedule their programs and the important dates to avoid scheduling their events. This comprehensive list includes holidays and major events around the world.

Employee appreciation events are a great morale boosters to thank employees. One possible event may be to organize a family skate night at the local ice rink. That's what Delta Hotels chose for its summer employee event. Learn how Delta approached its employee family night behind the scenes.

Federal agencies have been accused of banning Las Vegas, Orlando and other destinations from government meetings. Learn more about the issues.

If you're searching for invitation wording ideas or a sample invitation letter / sample formal invitation, the best approach is to first understand how invitation wording should be structured. Learn more about invitations and invitation wording for formal events.

Looking for ways to incorporate team building ideas and activities into your next event. Consider these 15 corporate team building activities. Learn more.

Looking for a new activity to incorporate into your next special event? Consider adding salon services for your guests. Learn more about how this was successful for one company.

For those who are critical of business events, adopt a simple solution: please, kindly decline the invite if you think it’s for a boondoggle or junket. Commentary.

On February 8, 2009, Wells Fargo responded to criticism of its employee recognition event with a letter signed by Wells Fargo President & CEO John Stumpf, and published it as an advertisement in national newspapers. Here's a copy of that letter.

In response to potential legislation and congressional oversight of the meetings and events, eight industry associations issued best practice guidelines for potential adoption by recipients of emergency government assistance.

Corporate events have become increasingly the subject of criticism by lawmakers and others for its inappropriate choice of hosting luxury retreats to support business development. This commentary was written to address those criticisms.

Trying to think of new sponsorship category ideas for your next event? Perhaps some inspiration from other successful events will help. Learn more about how to find great sponsorship ideas for your event by checking out what others have done.

Meeting and event planners should incorporate creative ways to promote and launch new products to key audiences. MGM CityCenter Vegas promoted itself to MPI WEC 2008 attendees by creating a sand castle replica of the project while it is in development.

Letitia Baldridge's New Complete Guide to Executive Manners is a book that should be on every meeting and event planner's book shelf.

Event and meeting planners may use the information made public by the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to learn more about contracting with hotels and what improvements may be helpful for the future. Learn more.

Searching for a way to add a new dimension to your next convention or congress? Consider a celebrity book signing to add a new dimension to your program.

Many nonprofit and association event planners are expected to identify some creative ways to generate and mobilize local enthusiasm for their cause. And regardless of the message, many creative tactics may be used to reinforce those objectives and gain visibility. Learn more about how the World Health Organization promoted its first Global Handwashing Day for October 2008.

The calendar and holidays impact when event and meeting planners organize various special events. Keep in mind these important holidays and other calendar dates when determining potential conflicts with any programs.

The MPI WEC 2008 offers an excellent opportunity for meeting and event planners to gain professional development, and the Congress can also be viewed as a source of inspiration for event and meeting planning tips.

Searching for a fun event planning idea to incorporate into your next conference, convention or special event? Consider a red carpet line to welcome attendees and guests.

Seminars are the most popular meeting organized by meeting and event planners. Learn how to put a seminar together in a few easy steps.

More than 120,000 weddings are planned and held in Las Vegas each year and event planners – particularly wedding planners – need to know all of the elements that go into planning and executing a destination wedding, whether it’s in Vegas or elsewhere. Read more about how Mandalay Bay’s THEwedding chapel event planners organize roughly 1,800 ceremonies each year.

Can’t bring your guests to the actual event in person because it’s held out of town or out of the country? Recreate the atmosphere or theme of the major event itself, and invite attendees to celebrate the occasion in your own city.

When it comes to the planning and executing event logistics, meeting and event planners typically know their event processes cold. But meeting and event planners are increasingly expected to measure and demonstrate the value of their programs. Here's what you should know.

There are many common business etiquette blunders that happen every day. Share these event scenarios with your colleagues and clients so that they don't make a habit of these bad manners.

Most people want to present a positive impression of themselves at corporate and social events. These rules for good manners at meetings and social events will help anyone navigate the world of business etiquette for events. Of course, not everyone is completely at ease with knowing whether they are conveying proper business…

International event and meeting planners may familiarize themselves with a variety of destinations around the world by attending hosted tours that are tied to international trade shows.

Event planners should keep in mind important holidays and other calendar dates that may potentially conflict with the programs they are creating.

Have you ever been interested in reading fun and practical ideas that other event planners have collected over the years. Check out these ideas and more.

Several steps can be taken to increase attendance for business meetings and events. To increase the RSVPs, some tips include creating great agendas, maintain sensitivity to the calendar and clock, Tips include: create a great agenda, choose convenient locations, target the right guests, send numerous invitations, and establish a reputation for having the best events in town.

In my experience, event planners spend a lot of time Every event and meeting planner should have an office supplies kit in storage containers that they can bring with them for event set-up. These items will help prepare any planner to address a range of last minute complications that require business supplies.

Corporate and association event planners are often called upon to manage a trade show booth and portions of an exhibit floor. In this capacity, it's important for event planners to advise trade show booth staff about trade show etiquette on the exhibit floor.

APEX is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council that is bringing together all stakeholders in the development and implementation of industry-wide accepted practices to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Check out the tools designed to help event planners.

Building a basic event budget doesn't have to seem overwhelming. This "how to" will help event planners stay organized with documenting and categorizing expenses.

With more than $120 billion being spent annually on meetings, learn more about the most common types of business events that organizations hold.

Numerous educational programs are hosted throughout the year by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Notably, they host a series of meetings known as "HSMAI Affordable Meetings" across the country. These events are free to attend.

Marriott has developed its "step-by-step" guide to the event planning process. Information includes pre-planning, budgeting, food & beverage, meeting room setup/configurations, A/V, negotiating, contracting, and more. Keep in mind that these suggestions are written from a supplier's perspective.

What you should know about oxygen bars for your next meeting or special event.

Attempting to shield his White House staff from media scrutiny about how party crashers Michaele and Tareq Salahi made it past security at a state dinner - Crashergate, press secretary Robert Gibbs chastised veteran correspondent Apryl Ryan when she pushed for answers that he did not want to provide. See the video.

Although party crashers attended the first state dinner of the Obama White House, Secret Service officer suspensions, House committee hearings and Presidential review of situation should end before any other actions are taken. Focus should be on administrative processes of White House Social Secretary and event management.

General sessions set the tone of conferences and conventions. Share your story about how you became an event planner, and read stories about how others became event planners.

With increasing pressure on increasing attendance at business meetings and conventions, event services supplier Daniel Fortin of DNL Logistique in Montreal, Canada, offers 10 tips that event and meeting professions should know.

Whether you're looking to hire someone to plan a a family event or to handle your meetings and seminars, keep these steps in mind when hiring an event planner.

Share your suggestions about how to keep the media and others from prying into your private events.

An events calendar of holidays and major events will help event and meeting planners know the important dates to schedule their programs and the...

Event planners create programs throughout the year based on holidays and special events that are part of the annual calendar. Event planners should submit their suggestions for our annual calendar of programs here.

What top tips do you suggest event planners should use to increase attendance and RSVPs at business events and meetings?

Learn how a Washington, DC hotel wedding was transformed into a winter wonderland for New Year's Eve. This article describes the wedding decorations, including flowers, linens and lighting, that made this wedding theme beautiful and unique.

Wedding Day Emergency Kit for Wedding Planners

8 steps for small and mid-sized organizations to create successful, and strategic meetings and events programs.

With busy schedules and fluctuating travel costs, it's a smart idea to notify your intended wedding guests about your big day as far in advance as possible. Out-of-town guests will especially appreciate this thoughtful gesture. Wedding save-the-dates are a stylish way to let your family and friends know which day you'll be saying "I do." Here...

The best websites for finding wedding invitation wording for all wedding situations. See the royal wedding invitation used for the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton.

Considering a beach party for your upcoming convention or event? Check out how the Fairmont Hawaii transforms its oceanfront into opening night receptions.