Event Development (continued)

“The following is a continuation of my Event Development Series. Several months 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

You’ve determined that you “financially” want to proceed with your festival or event and you and your committee have completed plenty of “research”. Now it’s time to start your “Preliminary Planning”.

Preliminary Planning – Considerations (Continued)

5. Is This Event In Keeping With Why You Are Holding It? – Why are you holding this event? Is it because you want to promote your community? Is it because you want to promote your organization or cause? Or, is it because your want to raise money, celebrate a special occasion, etc? Whatever your “why” is, it really doesn’t matter as long as it fits with your group or your community. However, once you have set your “why”, it is important that you stay true to it! Too many festivals and events forget why they are holding their event when they start planning the minute details. They lose sight of their original purpose. This can lead to all kinds of challenges, especially if it’s a new event! Both event visitors and volunteers will become confused. They won’t understand why you are holding the event. They will not understand its purpose. Because of this confusion your event will likely start to fall apart! You may get past the first year, but future years will be doubtful! Make sure when you are planning your event that you keep your focus on the “why” and stay true to it! It may be after a few years of holding the event that the “why” will need to be changed. It is always a good policy to review your purpose at the beginning of each year. Confirm or redefine that “purpose” and then start your planning process and then make sure all your “stakeholders” are aware of what your “purpose” is. With this knowledge everyone involved will be able to help you and your committee reach your goals and objectives. (To be continued)