Event Planning: Most Popular Articles

Corporate Event Jobs
Event jobs can be found throughout most corporate organizations if you . This list will provide you with information about various departments within businesses that include jobs with event planning responsibilities.

Event Planner Salary
What is the national average salary for an event planner, including base pay, bonus and other benefits? What responsibilities are expected of an event planner?

Event Career Resources
If you're searching for a career in event planning, check out this listing of job boards on industry web sites.

What is an Event Planner
An event planner identifies venues for potential programs, reviewing proposals, negotiates discounts, determines food and beverage needs, incorporates transportation needs, and makes overall recommendations for their event programs.

Start an Event Business
Some people are interested in taking their event and meeting planning experience to the next level by starting their own event planning business. This is an exciting idea, but it takes more than the desire to plan weddings, seminars or golf outings. Learn more about how to approach creating your event planning business and some of the practicalities you should keep in mind.

Basic Event Budget
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.

Event Job Search
For those who are interested in pursuing an event planning career, there are thousands of listed event planning jobs. Check out htese postings from a variety of job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages.

Popular Corporate Events
With more than $122 billion being spent annually on meetings, learn more about the most common types of business events that organizations hold.

Y-ME Breast Cancer Walk
Looking for a way to create even more Mother’s Day memories this year? Consider joining the Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization at one of its “Walk to Empower” events in 15 cities. More than 50,000 people are expected to make this a family event before heading to their yearly favorite brunch.

2008 Event Planners' Calendar
Event planners should keep in mind important holidays and other calendar dates that may potentially conflict with the programs they are creating.

Event Planning Fees
Whether you've been working in the business for a while or just starting out, some consider it a dream job to start their own event planning business. But how do many event planners structure tehir fees for services? Check out these five ways to collect fees as an event planner.

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

What is APEX?
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.

Golf Meeting
Event planners will find themselves organizing one or more golf meetings each year, so it's helpful to follow some helpful guidelines to ensure a great outing every time.

Basic Supply Kit
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.

Event Planning Employers
Anyone interested in working in event planning should understand the various types of potential employers in this field. Opportunities exist corporations, associations/non-profit organizations, government agencies, event planning suppliers, and event planning firms.

Meeting Space Floor Plans
Hotels and other conference facilities typically present meeting room space based on seven of the most popular floor plans. Understand how these numbers impact your event space.

Business Etiquette
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.

Horse Betting
Event planners should be familiar with horse betting and horse racing terms if they are holding an event at an thoroughbred race track. For some guests, this could be the first time they have ever been to the track.

Caribbean Menu
Caribbean chefs worked together and formed Team Bahamas at the American Culinary Competition. Event planners should check out their three-course menu when creating an event with a Caribbean island theme.

Public Event Guidelines
Nneighborhood organizations host special events in cities at all times throughout the year, such as outdoor festivals, street fairs or carnivals. These require use of public spaces and typically must receive permission from public officials. The Mayor's Office of Special Events in Chicago has created two guides to streamline the process for its community organizations, and these ideas may be adopted to other towns and cities.

Event Planning - HowTos
An index of HowTos for the Event Planning guide site.

Negotiate Hotel Pricing
As hotel sales continues to increase costs for guest rooms, meeting space and catering services, how can event planners negotiate the best deal?

2008 Airline Quality Rating
Airline quality ratings are important to event planners because the high cost of airline travel accounts for a sizable portion of the total cost to produce incentive and other destination events. Unfortunately, the airline industry satisfaction rates continue to decline. Learn more about how your preferred airlines ranked in 2007.

Breakfast Menus
A closer look at the various breakfast menu options for your meeting or event, when it makes more sense to select a continental breakfast vs. a plated breakfast, and what unique touches will make your meal memorable.

BEO
Event planning glossary of terms, "BEO."

Quick Tips from Planners
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.

Summer Events
Having trouble with generating ideas for summer events, consider these suggestions such as baseball game bleacher parties, golf school, horse racing and more.

Choosing Catering
Event planners must consider several items before selecting catering services for their events, including menu selection, buffet vs. plated arrangements, special needs considerations, and budget items.

Catering Menu
Menu selection involves more than simply selecting from a list of items that your catering manager offers or just calculating which items fit in your budget. Keep these suggestions in mind to plan a great event.

Event Planner Services
Event planners should create a network of suppliers such as destination management companies, event photographers, stationery shops, chocolatiers and more. The right team will create incredible events and make the event planner look great in the eyes of the client.

Canada Food
Canadian chefs worked together and formed Team Canada at the American Culinary Competition. Event planners should check out their three-course menu when creating an event with a Canadian theme.

Business Meeting Attendance
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.

Holiday Party Expenses
Many organizations already account for expenses associated with the annual party by allocating a fixed dollar amount per employee within budgets. Given this, many planners are often challenged with finding ways to save money planning this year's employee holiday party with the same or less than last year's money. Try some of these tips.

Catering Lunch
A closer look at the various lunch menu options for your meeting or event, and what unique touches will make your meal memorable.

Horse Tracks
If you're considering a unique venue in your town or elsewhere, this listing of thoroughbred horse tracks throughout the U.S. will help streamline some of your research.

Festival Sponsorships
Event organizers should create corporate sponsorship categories to generate revenue and expand programming options. Organizers of the Taste of Chicago share their approach to securing corporate support.

Promotional Products Pricing
Logo Mall is an industry database that includes more than 300,000 different promotional products from nearly 4,200. Research the options and pricing available to you.

Events at a Baseball Game
One of the best ways to build relationships with customers and employees is to bring them to a baseball game. The key to successful event planning for a baseball event is to plan early.

Evaluate a Venue
A basic site selection checklist will help event planners make sure that a venue in consideration is both appropriate and capable of meeting your needs. Keep this list and your priorities nearby for site visits: amenities, facilities, equipment, technology, catering, other services.

Event Sponsorships
Nonprofit event planners are always looking for ways to raise money for their cause while keeping the operating costs low. That's where event sponsorship plays an important role. Find out more about what benefits you may wish to offer event sponsors for your next special event.

Events Industry Trends
The 2007 EIBTM Industry Trends report identifies several business event industry challenges, especially for international planners. Budget is the biggest consideration. However, expanded destination options may provide some financial relief.

Sports Marketers
Sports marketing firms provide upscale hospitality and access to premium tickets to major sporting events throughout the year, including the PGA Tour, Super Bowl, Final Four, World Series and more. Sports marketing sales reps are mostly commission-based, so they rely on a hard sell tactics and name dropping as an attempt to pressure an event planner for attention. How can you determine if you're working with a reputable firm?

Trade Shows for Event Planners
trade shows

Italian Menu
Event planners who are interested in creating an Italian theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Corporate Gifts
What companies are the top suppliers of trinkets, tchotchkes or promotional products? Businesses invest significant money on corporate merchandising programs. Event planning budgets incorporate corporate gifts, so it's important to source from reputable promotional distributors.

2007 Airline Quality Rating
Event planners who coordinate programs that must incorporate airline travel should be familiar with airline performance. An industry study indicates airline performance declined in 2006.

Sample Speaker Evaluations
Event and meeting planners are sometimes challenged with creating a speaker evaluation form to use with professional development programs. This article highlights what's included an an evaluation form and provides samples.

Festival Tips
If you are planning a food festival for the first time or wanting to expand an existing festival, the event planners behind the Taste of Chicago 2007 offer some quick tips for general planning, operations management, sponsorships, talent management and marketing/public relations.

Fundraising Walks
Looking for a new fundraising idea to raise awareness and money for your cause? Consider a fundraising walk. The y-ME Mother's Day Events can serve as a best practice to help guide your planning.

Trade Show Etiquette
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.

Community Festivals
Event planners interested in planning neighborhood food festivals must consider several elements, including operations, vendors, programming, marketing and more. Learn how event planners approach the Taste of Chicago.

Golf Gifts
If you're getting ready to plan this year's golf tournament and searching for great golf gifts, consider these top ideas.

Spanish Food for a Reception
For anyone interested in hosting a cocktail reception with a Spanish food theme, perhaps they should consider some of these traditional Spanish menu items.

British Menu
Event planners who are interested in creating a British theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

May 19-22 2007 Restaurant Show
The 89th annual National Restaurant Assocation, Hotel-Motel Sho will be held in Chicago. The 2007 show featured more than 2,142 exhibitors showcasing products and services in more than 890 product categories. Nearly 74,000 people attended from all 50 states and 110 countries.

German Food
Event planners who are interested in creating a German theme or atmosphere for an event may look to this menu for inspiration.

Group Air Fares
With air fares accounting for a higher portion of events that require group travel, it's important for event and meeting planners to secure airline discounts for group event air fares. Many airlines offer group travel and event options for planners.

Healthy Breakfast Buffet
Sometimes you just want to go off the menu and create your own healthy breakfast buffet for your morning business meeting or event. And while most hotels and caterers offer great packaged and a la carte menu options for clients, sometimes it helps to go that extra mile and ask for very specific ingredients. Check out this menu which was designed for a 100 attendee breakfast meeting with an agenda that was focused on health and wellness.

Break Out Session
Event planning glossary of terms, "break out session"

Motivation Show
The Motivation Show is scheduled for September 25-27, 2007.

Choosing Venue
Considerations for choosing the right venue for a successful event include timing, location, facilities, catering, service, budget and management preference. And unless logistics and time absolutely prevent it, every event planner should conduct a site inspection before contracting any venue.

Speakers Bureaus with Goodman
Part 1. A conversation with speakers bureau industry leader Diane Goodman about the process of hiring professional speakers - entertainers, industry experts, business leaders, athletes and others - to serve as keynote speakers, emcees, present general sessions, etc.

Destination Management Company
Event planning glossary of terms, "destination management company."

Czech Republic Menu
Czech Republic chefs worked together and formed Team Czech Repbulic at the American Culinary Competition. Event planners should check out their three-course menu when creating an event with an Eastern European theme.

Horse Track Dress Code
Event planners should notify guests of required dress code attire for a day at the races.

Holiday Parties Build Morale
On average, 80-90% of corporate employers host an annual employee holiday party to help build morale. Each year, Battallia Winston surveys corporations about their holiday party trends, and event planners continue to implement a variety of approaches for those celebrations.

Holiday Gifts Under \$25
More and more organizations are putting a ceiling on how much money can be spent on client gifts at the holidays. Although I will leave it up to you to decide your budget, these top ideas will be appreciated by your clients and keep the boss happy at the same time.

Event Planning Notebook
Event planning requires strong organizational, communication and documentation skills. An event binder is one event planning basic that will help you create a successful business event.

Speakers Bureau Trends with Go
Part 2. My conversation with speakers bureau industry leader Diane Goodman continues with detailed information about her personal experiences and perspective on trends in hiring professional speakers - entertainers, industry experts, business leaders, athletes and others - to serve as keynote speakers, emcees, present general sessions, etc.

Band and Musicians
Numerous band adn musician options may be considered when putting together an event, and the following styles are highlighted: blues, bluegrass, classical, country, pop and rock, jazz, singers, solo musicians, soul, world music and more.

Sponsor ROI
U.S. Cellular and Eli's Cheesecake explain how awareness and driving revenue are keys to sponsorship decisions for community festivals.

Barcelona Business Events
Barcelona, Spain is one of the most popular destinations for association conferences and international congresses. Find out more about why this destination is on the radar for business events.

2/24-28/08 Idea Factory
Event Solutions hosts Idea Factory on an annual basis, and includes an educational program and expo for event planners.

Spa Treatments
If you're getting ready to plan an incentive trip or large conference that includes a variety of attendee activities, you will need to know what are the most popular spa treatments that attendees and guests prefer.

What is CIC?
The Convention Industry Council's 32 member organizations represent more than 103,500 individuals, as well as, 17,300 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industries. The CIC offers its members many tools and programs designed to support the industry and meet its challenges, facilitate the exchange of information and ideas, and ensure its credibility and high standards of quality.

FITUR Congresos
FITUR is an annual conference specific to Spain's meetings and incentive travel industry, bringing together international event planners with hotels and other venues throughout the country.

Holiday Party Etiquette
Even though most holiday parties of today aren't the same as many were in the 1990s, that doesn't mean that managers and colleagues aren't observing your behavior patterns at the event. Avoid these potentially career impacting mistakes.

Hosted Tours
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 Planning - Articles
An index of Articles for the Event Planning guide site.

8/9-12/08 MPI World Cogress
Meeting Professionals International is holding the 2008 MPI World Education Congress in Las Vegas. August 9-12, 2008.

Food and Wine Study
Food and wine events are increasing in popularity in the U.S. leisure travel market, with 27 million travelers engaged in culinary or wine-related activities while traveling within the past three years, according to a report from the Travel Industry Association. These are important statistics for event planners because it means that this is the type of activity guests will enjoy. And the focus on food and wine allows planners to create spectacular business events.

Event Operations - Service
Whether the staff works directly for the venue or your own organization, it's important to remind them about the importance of a service-oriented attitude to the event.

Fam Trip
Event planning glossary of terms, "fam trip."

Horse Track Event Itinerary
Many opportunities exist to host meetings and other events at a thoroughbred race track. Consider this sample itinerary to help spark your own ideas.

Types of Speakers
What are the more popular speaker categories today and who are some of the professional speakers hired by event planners for corporate and association events?

Imex
IMEX is a leading meetings and events exhibition show in Germany and serves the global meetings exhibition for event planners and meeting professionals worldwide.

August 21-23, 2008 ISES Show
The International Special Events Society (ISES) is holding the ISES Eventworld® 2008 - An Institute for Professional Development this summer in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. August 21-23, 2008.

Firm Offer
Event planning glossary of terms, "firm offer."

Baseball Stadiums
A profile of some of the various corporate and social entertainment options at baseball stadiums.

Convention Industry Council
Event planning glossary of terms, "Convention Industry Council."

Chef Survey
A national survey of chefs by the Restaurant Association identifies the hottest trends in catering and menus. Bite-size desserts tops the list.

Evaluating Restaurants
Event planners often rely on private spaces at restaurants to host a vaiety of special events. Learn more about how to evaluate a restaurant before contracting your event somewhere.

Baseball Teams
Event planners will organize employee, client and other special events at baseball fields throughout the U.S. This quick listing provides you with information about Major League Baseball teams, websites and phone numbers for group events.

Holiday Party Event Profile
Different organizations work hard at trying to define a great employee holiday party theme each year. This profile highlights a Spanish Christmas party with an Arab/Morocco theme.

Thoroughbred Race Track Events
A profile of some of the various corporate and social entertainment options at a thoroughbred race track.

Airline Tips
The Airline Transportation Association provides airline travel tips that will help travelers to better navigate the airport security requirements: before you head to the airport, at the airport and on the plane.

Las Vegas Meetings
Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations for conferences, meetings, incentive programs and destination weddings in the U.S. Find out more about why these events have contributed to its success.

Feb 12-14, 2008 Confex
International Confex, the United Kingdom's leading exhibition show for events, will be held February 12-14, 2008 in London.

Gifts for Food and Wine Event
Event planners have many gift options to consider when hosting a food and wine event. Check out our list of top picks.

Basketball Arena Events
A profile of some of the various corporate and social entertainment options at basketball arenas.

Keynote Speaker
Before selecting a keynote speaker, follow some basic steps that will help assure internal executive support.

Testing GCC Docs
Testing GCC Docs

EIBTM
EIBTM is an global events conference with a focus on European destinations, held in the fall.

June 3-8, 2008 NACE Conference
The National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) is holding its 2008 NACE Educational Conference in June 3-8. Check back for more details.

Ground Transportation Vendors
When faced with coordinating ground transportation logistics, many event planners turn to DMCs to handle transportation manifests, manage meet and greets at airports, and event transfers.

Event Planning - FAQs
An index of FAQs for the Event Planning guide site.

Registration Desk
Event planning glossary of terms, "registration desk."

Event Planning - Profiles
An index of Profiles for the Event Planning guide site.

Event Planning - Before You Buy
An index of Before You Buy Articles for the Event Planning guide site.

ADME
Event planning glossary of terms, "ADME."

Dimmer Board
Event planning glossary of terms, "dimmer board."

Advance Deposit
Common event planning glossary of terms, "advance deposit."

Facility Manager
Event planning glossary of terms, "facility manager."

About - Event Planning Buyer's Guide
Find Guide reviews, top picks, and advice you can use before you buy.

Congress
Event Definition for Congress

Canopy
event planning glossary, definition of canopy, canpoy

Event Planning - TopPicks
An index of TopPicks for the Event Planning guide site.

Advance Rate
Common event planning glossary of terms, "advance rate."

Conference
Event Definition for Conference