SHORTWORKS compiles The Top 10 Challenges Facing Event Organisers

1. Be MemorableIn this modern age of distraction it is important to make events memorable and to make sure that guests of the event are remembering, and even talking about, the event days and weeks after it is over. Simple solutions like having photographers at the event can help people source out the events social networking accounts to find the photos and provide another opportunity to repeat the message of the event and be aware of additional events through the social network’s future news releases.

2. Shrinking BudgetsEvent planners need to provide their clients with creative solutions to combat shrinking budgets. While the economic downturn continues event managers are having to continuing offering unique, inspirational events on tighter and tighter budgets.

3. Short Lead TimesShorter lead times have become prominent over the past twelve months. Event organisers will continue to face the challenge of short lead times but if they can push for budgets to be signed off earlier, this additional time can be used effectively to source the most cost effective and suitable venue and suppliers will help you deliver more memorable and unique events ensuring you see a better return on investment.

4. Rise In CostsAdapting to the inevitable rise in cost or finding other ways of keeping costs down has been a concern that is as relevant today as it has been for many years now. Event organisers have become accustomed to venues and suppliers offering clever and creative incentives and discounts to keep their spending down and must adapt to these continuing policies.

5. Environmental IssuesAn increased sustainability and environmental focus is more essential in today’s corporate environment than ever before, and the continuing demands of an ever more expressive population means that companies need to address their green initiatives in an open transparent manner, reduce their carbon footprint and engage in corporate social responsibility in a manner that will satisfy the communities effected.

6. TechnologyKeeping up-to-date with new developments, products and services through social media, newsletters, relevant marketing materials at exhibitions. The demand on event organisers to deliver something new and fresh will be a further challenge throughout the years that come and will enforce event organisers to think outside the box.

SHORTWORKS compiles The Top 10 Challenges Facing Event OrganisersTechnological advancements can be at the heart of remaining sustainable and cost-efficient. Implementing effective digital solutions can help to streamline administration, communication and other internal processes, whilst simultaneously acting as a key marketing tool, enhancing overall brand awareness and brand reach.

7. Having The Right PeopleAllocating the right resources with the right skills is an everyday challenge for most businesses, but in the ever changing world of event management this challenge require constant supervision and updating. Not having the right people managing an event can be a recipe for disaster. Event managers need full visibility into the skills and workloads of all their resources, vendors, contractors and outsourcers. Once event planners know everyone’s capabilities and their tasks it becomes far easier to work out who’s doing what and how to allocate the resources at their disposal.

8. Staying On TrackFailure to keep track of the changing scope of the event. Anyone who has worked in event management for any length of time realise that most events will have changes in plans before the big day. Failure to keep track of these changes can mean an out of control budget or an impossible time frame. The key here is to ensure that their is a formal tracking process that will document any changes and that these changes are analysed and communicated effectively to all the stakeholders and kept under control.

9. It's All In The PlanningFailing to plan is planning to fail. The mantra behind the old cliche is certainly essential to overcoming the challenges met in today’s event management environment. A lack of an agreed upon plan increases the risk that tasks related to the event will fall through the cracks and ultimately miss a major objective of the event. a well defined and agreed upon plan will help planners tackle every task effectively and raises the awareness of all the activities involved in the execution of the event.

10. Anything That Can Go Wrong, Will go WrongUltimately within event management “anything that can go wrong will go wrong”. Surprising and frustrating last minute changes that have the potential to throw the event into a tailspin are common place in the changing world of event management. Performing event risk assessments can help with identifying where possible changes can occur, or where issues that could possibly derail the event or prevent you from delivering the expected results are likely. Event risk assessments can help mitigate these possible challenges and understanding where the weak links of an event plan are.

Sourced from: Institute of Event Management