The Business of Event Planning: Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Successful Special Events

by Judy Allen

Practical tools and expert advice for professional event planners

Before planning an event, there is much that must be done behind the scenes to make the event successful. Before any thought is even given to timing or location of the event, before the menus are selected and the decor designed, there are proposals to be written, fees and contracts to be negotiated, and safety issues to be considered. This book takes you behind the scenes of event planning and explains every aspect of organizing and strategic planning. This book will be of value to both the professional event planner and to clients who are dealing with planners.

Its comprehensive coverage includes: how to prepare winning proposals, and how to understand them if you are the client; how to determine management fees; negotiating contracts; safety issues; designing events in multicultural settings; and new technology that makes operations more efficient (such as online registration and response management, database project management tools). The book also includes practical tools such as sample letters of agreement, sample layouts for client proposals, forms, and checklists. Professional event planner Judy Allen offers first-time or professional event planners all the top-class advice they need to make their special events come off without a hitch.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2002

About the author

Judy Allen is one of the world's leading authorities on life energy investments that maximize personal and professional returns – heart, soul, body and mind - and a world class designer of innovative energy infusing life / lifestyle experiences that are artfully constructed in tactical layers to be enlightening, educational, evolving, elevating, engaging and entertaining as well as meaningful, memorable and magical.

Allen is also the international bestselling author of ten books for the Business/Corporate, Professional, Association and Academic/Higher Ed, Library and consumer markets that have sold over eight million in retail sales and have been translated into seven languages. Harvard recommended Allen’s book on business ethics and business etiquette a “must read” for business people and industry professionals.

Allen is highly skilled in designing, developing and directing one of a kind life experiences – used as corporate business marketing, sales, operation and development teaching and training tools -- that are strategically created to meet and exceed company, supplier, customer and individual objectives (internal and external) to maximize return investments of time, money and energy for all. Allen is known around the world for her creative and critical thinking talents and development of ground-breaking tools, tips and techniques that serve to fast forward businesses and individuals through personal and professional learning curves.

Allen is a master of transforming the energy and emotions of an environment and individuals by connecting their senses using her trademark design elements in original cutting edge (not cookie cutter or tired traditional) ways. Allen’s design principles – based on a solid foundation of practical knowledge, wisdom and insight not theory - deliver transformational results.

For over twenty years, using the diverse mediums available through corporate events and business entertaining, Allen worked closely with corporate CEO’s, CFO’s, presidents and their executive staff creating-producing-orchestrating their corporate training / reward programs in over 30 countries (for up to 2,000 attendees at a time) that were carefully crafted to increase company profits, maximize performance, grow brand awareness and recognition, create loyalty (inside and outside), advance employee learning, introduce Allen’s creative and critical thinking techniques that enabled all to work more effectively and efficiently together in addition to freeing up time for personal and professional pursuits and stimulate growth of both business and individuals. Allen’s international business experience includes the “for profit” and “non-profit” sectors and extensive understanding of the Financial, Automotive, Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Retail, Fashion, Telecommunications, Technology, Electronics, Entertainment, Public Relations, Publishing, Hospitality, Hotel, Restaurant, Event Management, Tourism and Travel industries and the media billed Disney’s A list worldwide theatrical gala premiere that Allen created- produced-orchestrated a “A Disney Whirl” and a “Beauty of A Bash” and Oscar winning director Norman Jewison’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of Fiddler on The Roof an outstanding success.

Allen is now bringing her dynamic creative energy, innovative style and perceptive insight to self discovery, self development, self investment and life experience and lifestyle design through her new series of life energy investment books -- Life 101: University of M.E.™ -- and companion journals, workbooks, calendars, flashcards, CD’s, DVD’s, online workshops and more.

Reviews

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Business of Event Planning is valuable to both current Event Managers and aspiring event profs, packed full of practical advice and tools for every aspect of planning an event.

Judy Allen shares ‘behind-the-scenes secrets’ to her success in event management, right from winning proposals to budgets and cost planning, negotiation and how to increase efficiency using new technologies.

This book just covers everything. Judy Allen really does have vast experience as an event planner so her advice and anecdotes on the subject are priceless. Understanding what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in events can be especially valuable for aspiring event managers and the information provided by Allen really does help you to get thinking about every small detail.