Event Development (continued)

 “The following is a continuation of my Event Development Series. Several years ago I started the series with the first section, “Initial Development”. The second section is entitled “Research and Preliminary Planning”. Now that you and your team have decided to proceed with the event, it’s time to get serious! As suggested previously, any thoughts and idea are more then welcome!”

Research and Preliminary Planning

Research (Continued)

All of the above and more will have to be considered and researched! But, where do you obtain this information? Here are a few suggestions on places where you can find answers to your questions.

1. INTERNET – The internet is one of the best research tools ever developed. You can obtain information about every imaginable topic! The key to a successful search is how you use the available search engines. There are hundreds search engines, but the three main ones are Google, Yahoo and Bing (MSN). Yahoo and Bing will be combined next year (2010), but for now they are separate. Personally I prefer Google, but they all work. The best way of using a search engine is to be specific about your request. For example, if you are going to hold an art festival and want to find out more, be specific about the information you want. If you just type in “Art Festivals” you get millions of possibilities. You may think that this is positive except that it’s only giving you very general information. If you are going to have a nature art festival, you might search for “Wildlife” or “Nature” art festivals. Now you will get far fewer site possibilities, but most will be about the type of event you are holding. Similarly, if you search for “Wildlife Art Festivals, Your region” the search will become much more specific. Words are the key to a good and successful internet search. Pre-determine what information you want to research and then try different “words or phrases” until you find the information you want. You can even try various other search engines with these words and phrases for different responses.
2. TOWN HALL – Approaching your town’s administrator is a must. They can tell you the things you will need to know before you start any planning! They can tell you such things as the rules and regulations that pertain to local festivals and events. They will have information on what licenses you might need. They can tell you if the town council might help your event financially or with town manpower and services. Your town will be the best source of information for any local festival or event. Some towns and municipalities have event coordinators. These people are a wonderful resource to any organizing committee! They know what is happening, where it is happening and who is organizing what! They also know the “do’s and don’t” of holding local events. Most also know where the grant money is located and can advise how to apply for it.