So What is Event Planning Really?

Well, event planning is the entire process from start to finish that is necessary in order to have an event. If looked at a certain way, an event could be a puzzle, with various problems to solve, or a work of art, something beautifully created. It all depends on how you see your event.  Any event whether large, (your favorite bands concert, the MTV music awards, the Macy's day parade) or small (your schools car wash, a graduation party, an ultimate Frisbee tournament)  all have pretty much the same stages despite the differences in the details.  This means that pretty much anyone and everyone has planned an event, or will at some point in their lives. 

Now I just said that it involves the entire "process", and that's true enough.  An event is a process.  Some people seem to think that an event exists only on the day that it's scheduled for.  Those of you have planned something before know just how silly this is, and those of you who haven't, you'll find our very quickly. 

Any event first involves brainstorming; that messy period in which you throw all your ideas out on a piece of paper and try to figure out what the hell your doing.  Then you have to figure out how to make your scribbled out, diagram covered crumpled notepad paper turn into an event to go down in your friends (or bosses) history books.  This can be annoyingly difficult and fantastically confusing.  It can also be exciting, challenging, and fun.  There are people that you're supposed to work with, even though you'd rather do it all yourself, so communication skills are huge when doing this type of stuff.  Which means no, you can't throw that stapler at your assistant (or best friends) forehead.  I promise, it won't fix any problems.  Then there is the day of the event itself.  If you've done your job well, you shouldn't be too stressed, but you always need to be ready for a last minute catastrophe.  If you've planned for all the possibilities you should be fine though. Easy right? And people wonder why event managers are head cases...  Anyway, even after the event the work isn't done.  There's always cleanup and thank you notes to send, and if you planned this for an organization then there is likely to be some paperwork and reflection necessary.  And always remember to celebrate a successful event. 

So like I said, theres a lot more to it then people realize.  One of the often heard lines that new people in my office get is "You'll find out quick that it's not just party planning in here..."  But even if it was just party planning, doesn't that sound like a lot of work to you?  That's what I thought too.  Well, now that I've given you the run down I hope your not scared away, its really alot of fun once you get through the idea of it all.  Believe me when I say its worth it in the end.  Well ttfn and see you soon!