KENT STATE UNIVERSITY PRSSA
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Bylaws
    • Awards
  • Members
    • Officers/Advisers
    • NMGZ
    • Points & Recognition
    • Mentorship & Alumni
    • Committees
  • Events
    • Schedule
    • Conferences
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Resources
    • On-campus Opportunities
    • Scholarships
    • Internships >
      • Student Experiences
      • Internship Experiences
    • Reimbursement
    • What Is PR: High School Outreach Initiative
  • Diversity
  • News
    • Newsletters
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Speaking Opportunities
  • Join

Event Planning: The details of the event

12/5/2018

0 Comments

 
By: Vanessa Gresley
One of the most important responsibilities of my position on the board for PRSSA is planning Communications Connection. CommConn is our yearly networking event hosted by PRSSA Kent and Franklin Advertising. I was intimidated because I had never planned an event before, let alone if any professionals were going to attend.
 
So the time came for us to head to National Conference and I was super excited; scared because the plane ride but super excited for the trip. When viewing the brochure I saw that one of the sessions was focused on strategic event planning and new this was the perfect fit for my new position.
 
The session was done by Gary McCormick. Gary is the owner and principal of GMc Communications. He’s worked with HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel and Great American Country. The session was all about creating an event with impact. Gary said that the one thing events do is bind people together with the same memories, it aligns them along the same train of thought. Most of the time events are happy occasions; there is joy in celebrating. Gary said companies use events to build engagement.
 
Engagement with an audience creates an affinity with the brand and helps the consumers stay loyal. Sometimes it’ll be a brand delivering on their promise or executing a strategic goal.  Gary gave six reasons for why we really do events.
  • Strategic alignment
  • Training
  • Achieving business goals
  • Product/company promotion
  • Branding
  • Consumer engagement

When you are hosting an event the first question to ask is why. Always know what the outcome needs to be before you even start designing the event. Sometimes when you see what you want the outcome to be from throwing this event, you will realize that an event may not be the tactic that will get you the best outcome.
 
Once you know you want to host an event, Gary said the first thing you have to do is build a plain.
  • Who is your target audience?
  • What are your clients expectations?
  • Where are you going to have it?
  • How long is it?
​
Gary said the hardest part can be sticking to your budget. Your plan needs to align with your budget. Things to keep in mind: Speakers, cost, food, vendors, visuals, support services, security, logistics and creative needs.

“When you become an event person you become a multitasker with great communication skills.”
 
It takes strategic skills to bring the party to plan. Use SMART objectives said Gary. Through the whole process make sure to keep asking yourself questions and going back to the whole reason you are throwing the event.

Partnerships with the local community and businesses that drive your target audience is a great way to make your event successful. Develop the plan, meet the objectives and follow through and you’ll start planning events with the successful outcomes you want.
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2012


    Categories

    All
    Bateman
    Brands
    Career Development
    Communications Connection
    Crisis
    Entertainment
    Ethics
    Fashion
    Global Issues
    Guest Blog
    Homecoming
    Integrated Marketing Communications
    Leadership Rally
    Media Relations
    National Assembly
    National Conference
    On Campus
    Opinion
    PR In The News
    PRKent Alumni
    PR Sequence
    PRSSANC 2018
    Public Affairs
    Recaps
    Student Experiences
    YouToo Social Media Conference

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Bylaws
    • Awards
  • Members
    • Officers/Advisers
    • NMGZ
    • Points & Recognition
    • Mentorship & Alumni
    • Committees
  • Events
    • Schedule
    • Conferences
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Resources
    • On-campus Opportunities
    • Scholarships
    • Internships >
      • Student Experiences
      • Internship Experiences
    • Reimbursement
    • What Is PR: High School Outreach Initiative
  • Diversity
  • News
    • Newsletters
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Speaking Opportunities
  • Join