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

Research

Have you researched your event thoroughly? Just like the Boy Scout’s motto says, “Be Prepared”! Before you develop a working plan and budget, you need to know exactly what you are in for! To do this you should investigate all aspects of what is necessary to hold a successful event. This is the “Research Phase” of the “Event Development” process.To begin the research process you need to ask yourselves a number of probing questions. Questions such as:

1. What will our costs be?
2. When will we hold our event?
3. What will the theme of our event be and will it be relevant to our area?
4. What can we expect in revenue?
5. Will we be able to find donors and sponsors in our area to support the event?
6. Where can we hold the event?
7. Will the location accommodate all we want to do?
8. What type of people will come to our event and from where?
9. Can we count on any government assistance and what form will it take if it is available?
10. How much manpower will we need during the event and where will they come from?
11. Are there enough core volunteers to plan and execute the event?
12. Will there be community support for the event?
13. What materials do we need to rent, borrow or purchase to make our event happen?
14. Where will the materials come from – locally or out of region?
15. What special requirements will we need to consider – licenses, road closures, fencing, washrooms, electricity, security, garbage disposal, etc?
(To be continued)