Business Meeting & Event Planning For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4

Mixing Business with Pleasure: Events

IN THIS CHAPTER

Heading for a destination

Hosting the media at your facility

Planning tributes and honoring a special guest

Launching a new product

The dictionary definition of an event is “a significant occurrence or happening; a social gathering or activity.” In fact, an event is like a stage production. It has a cast of characters; often delivers messages and scripts in an entertaining medium; requires sets, scenery, lighting, and sound; and has a director, a producer, an audience, and critics.

There are two important components to running a successful event. First and foremost is the creative side, which includes themes, décor, food, and so on. Then there’s the planning and organization that includes budgets, programming, and logistics. Subsequent chapters, starting with Chapter 5, walk you through the fundamentals of creating a successful event.

In this chapter, I explore some of the special events you might find yourself organizing. I address the “need to knows” about planning a destination event, hosting a media visit, arranging ...