Are you the manager who never has any free time on your hands? You’re hardly alone. When you’re in charge of your company’s employees, it can be a constant struggle to see that they have everything they need — from a new computer system to a fresh coat of paint. It’s a good thing that companies out there do all the dirty work for you. But that should not be the case when planning a company event.
If you’re getting ready to throw an event, it might be wise to hire an event organizer. Event organizing is a serious job that deals with business contracts, guest lists, and security, among other issues.
Finding the right one can be challenging, though. Listed below are some tips for making it easier.
Define Your Goals
When considering hiring an event-organizing agency, it’s important to define your goals before you begin the process.
- How many people will attend?
- What are your budget constraints?
- Do you have a theme in mind for the event?
- Are there any other services you would like included in your event package?
Once you’ve defined your goals, it’s time to start searching for an event planning agency with the expertise and experience necessary to meet them.
Also, consider whether or not this is an internal or external consultant. An internal consultant will be more familiar with your company’s culture and needs but may not have much experience working with other companies. External consultants are more likely to have experience working with other companies and can provide valuable perspectives on how they would handle similar situations.
Find Event Organizing Agencies Near You
Choosing an event organization close to where your event will take place is important. This will ensure that they can provide quality service at a reasonable price. There are several ways you can search for event agencies near you:
- Search on Google for “event agency” and the name of your city. For example, if you’re looking for an agency in New York City, search “New York City events agency.” You may also want to add a keyword like “events management” or “event planning” if relevant results aren’t appearing at first glance.
- Search online directories like Yelp and Yellow Pages for listings of event-organizing agencies in your area. You can also try searching for “event planning companies near me” or similar keywords on Google Maps or other maps apps like Apple Maps or Waze (if applicable).
Reach Out to Potential Agencies
You want to talk with as many potential agencies as possible before finalizing your decision. Ensure you get quotes from at least three different companies before deciding which one is right for you.
They must understand exactly what type of event you are planning and how much time they will have to plan it. They’ll estimate how long it will take them to plan the event and how much time will be required from them once the planning has been completed.
Narrow Down Your Options
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options available so start by narrowing down your list of candidates. If you’re holding a large event with hundreds of attendees, choosing an agency with experience in this situation is a good place to start. You don’t want to learn new tricks on the fly during such an important event!
Here are some other questions to ask yourself before making your final decision:
- Do they have to experience organizing conferences? If so, what kinds? Do they specialize in corporate events or weddings?
- How much experience do they have in booking speakers for conferences?
- Can they recommend some good speakers based on their experience?
- Do they offer other services, such as catering or transportation for guests?
Talk to References
One of the simplest solutions is to talk to conference attendees directly through references or testimonials — people who have already attended similar events with your company in the past. This is one of the most effective ways to learn about what worked well, what didn’t work well, and why people enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy) participating in your event.
If you follow up with these references shortly after the event ends, they’ll remember it better than if you wait three months when they’ve forgotten everything about it!
Look at Customer Reviews and Feedback
Customer reviews can be useful when choosing an event organizer. Check out their website and read through customer testimonials or feedback on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
If you notice multiple positive reviews from happy customers, it’s a good sign that the company has to provide quality services for other businesses. However, if there are only a few negative comments about the company’s service, it might not be as reliable as you think.
Ask Questions
When you talk to references or past clients, ask them questions about your specific needs. For example, if you’re looking for an event organizing agency specializing in corporate events, ask them if they have done this type of work before and whether they feel confident in their ability to do so successfully for your company conference.
Ask about how closely the event organizers worked with other team members and how smoothly things went during the planning process (and during the event itself). You’ll want to find out how quickly they responded when issues arose and whether this was something that could be improved upon in future events.
Takeaway!
The bottom line is that event-organizing agencies will enhance your business through their years of hands-on experience. This experience will help make your conference or convention an unqualified success, which will greatly boost your company’s image and bottom line. Hiring an event-organizing agency is the way to go if you need the best.