Have you heard the saying, "too many cooks in the kitchen"? Well, if you have a big team working on an event there can certainly be one to many good ideas from the leaders.
The key to planning a successful event with a big team (we have 10 folks) is that everyone needs to have a role and not step on each other's toes. It is uber important for people to do what they like to do and what they are good at doing- this is a great recipe for fabulous team work. Of course we all schlep but who doesn't.
Let's back up a bit. I am teaching an event planning class at Front Range Community College and my students are planning an event for one of the professors. No better way to understand something than to do it. I am lucky and so is our client, our folks have a lot of great experience and have taken the bull by the horns. I am so impressed.
A pretty great event if you ask me: computer science folks from around the country, 70-120 guests, not a huge budget but then again, what's new? There are challenges with the event- that's part of the fun. Registration #'s are iffy which affects seating, food, break out sessions etc. So we will plan for the most and make sure we have enough of everything. You don't invite folks for dinner and not serve them properly.
Not only do you have to be great with your client, you have to be great to each other- team work makes it go better, faster and sets you up to please your client in immeasurable ways.
Here is the check list for success:
* Communication: don't just talk, listen. Someone might just have a great addition to your idea or maybe a better way of doing things
* No ego necessary- leave your sh*t at the door
* Great attitude- take nothing personally and keep on moving
* Excellent, precision, anal admin- production schedules must be updated as anything changes and communicated to the group
* Be flexible: there is always something that will not go as planned. Have a back up!
* Keep the budget in mind, close at hand and follow it no matter what. If you have to change something make sure you get approval before you do it.
* Communicate, communicate, communicate
* High energy, be your best
* Customer service: bend over backwards without breaking your back
