Confessions of an Event Planner
Case Studies from the Real World of Events--How to Handle the Unexpected and How to Be a Master of Discretion
1st Edition
Published on 26. August 2009
288 pages
978-0-470-73755-2 (ISBN)
Description
For anyone planning events--student, novice, or experiencedprofessional--Confessions of an Event Planner is an"apprenticeship in a book." This insider's guidetakes you on a narrative journey, following a fictional eventplanning company that stages various types of events around theworld for many different clients.
While other books, college courses, and training programs giveyou the theory and how-to of the profession, Confessions of anEvent Planner reveals the real world of event planning and whatcan happen--usually the unexpected--on an event programwhen actual participants are added to the event planning design andexecution mix. In a climate of media scrutiny and corporatescandals, event planners must be masters of discretion, knowing howto avoid and deal with everything from sexual romps to financialshenanigans, to chainsaw wielding salesmen dead set on"re-landscaping" the grounds of the resortthey're staying at. From an event planner who's seen itall and knows how to deal with it all, comes practical first-handadvice delivered in an entertaining and accessible format.
Each chapter is set in a unique location, with a cast ofcharacters, and a host of challenges and problems toovercome--from the boardroom to the resort guest bedrooms.Readers learn what they can come up against, how to problem solvecreatively on the fly, get ideas for staging spectacular events,and see the principles of event planning in action. The scenario ineach chapter is introduced by an outline of what will be covered inthe chapter, and each chapter concludes with a series of reviewquestions to explore key issues and stimulate reflection ordiscussion for individuals or groups. Ideal as a companion to JudyAllen's six other event planning books, as a textbook inevent planning courses, or as a professional training toolConfessions of an Event Planner prepares planners for whatthey can expect once they start working in the world of corporateand social event planning, and will help decision-makers setcompany policies, procedures and protocol andpromote discussion about codes of conduct in the office andoffsite.
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Judy Allen
Confessions of an Event Planner
Case Studies from the Real World of Events--How to Handle the Unexpected and How to Be a Master of Discretion
Book
03/2011
1st Edition
Wiley
€42.50
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Person
Judy Allen is one of the world's leading authoritieson staging, event and lifestyle design and the bestselling authorof ten books for the professional, business and consumer markets.Allen, a master of creative design, has flawlessly executedsuccessful special events--corporate, social, andcelebrity--for up to 2,000 guests at a time in more than 30countries around the world. She has designed and produced memorableevents such as Disney's worldwide theatrical opening-nightgala for Beauty and the Beast, and the orchestration ofOscar-winning director Norman Jewison's 25th anniversarycelebration for Fiddler on the Roof.
Highly skilled in staging events that are strategically designed tobe one-of-kind experiences and a master of transforming the energyof an event environment by engaging the senses with trademarkprimary design principles, Allen has worked closely with CEOs,CFOs, presidents and their executive staff around the globe tocreate, implement and oversee their corporate and social businessevents.
The many diverse events that Allen has designed and executed extendfrom complex one-day events to elaborate arrangements of themeproductions taking place over the course of a week. These eventsranged from very exclusive VIP events to multimillion-dollar,multimedia fantasy extravaganzas including seven new-car productlaunches and involved high-tech stage and show productions.
Allen, and her 2jproductions (www.2jproductions.com)partner, Joe Shane, are now bringing their dynamic creative energy,innovative style and perceptive insight to home, life and lifestyledesign and world class resorts around the world through SensualHome Living(TM) (www.sensualhomeliving.com)and other initiatives.
Content
Preface ix
Acknowledgements xix
1 Meetings, Mayhem and Margaritaville 1
Em finds herself in a distressing real-life situation that testsher ability to walk the fine event planning line of giving herclients what they want and keeping the guests safe.
Q&A and Assignments 34
2 Sun Jammin' 49
Em and her staff fall into a delicate situation when theirclient's mistress--who is also his executiveassistant--decides that she wants to go on the company trip.The situation is serious, as the client's wife and childrenare on the program as well.
Q&A and Assignments 72
3 You Want Me To Try Alligator, Rattlesnake and What???91
Em experiences the difficulties of managing a client'sdemanding wants and whims during a site inspection and findsherself in a sticky situation.
Q&A and Assignments 111
4 Wedding Daze 121
Em saves the day--or rather the cake--when attending apersonal, not professional event, and takes her creativity to newlevels.
Q&A and Assignments 124
5 From City Lights to Desert Nights 127
Em and her team are faced with handling their first death on aprogram, on top of handling the ongoing hijinks of some well-knownattendees during their event.
Q&A and Assignments 148
6 Inventive Incentives 161
Em's innovative design creativity helps one company with limitedfunds meet their company objectives by developing a multi-tierprogram that has three events taking place at once in threedifferent parts of the world.
Q&A and Assignment 164
7 All Hail (or Oh, Hell) to the Man Who Would Be King167
Em and her team handle a difficult client on top of an intricateevent program. They must devise ways to manage both successfullymaking this a true test of their talents.
Q&A and Assignments 184
8 Long Commute to Work 189
Em sets out on her own to do a site inspection for a client andthen heads to a nearby destination to check it out as a possibleincentive destination for other groups.
Q&A and Assignments 197
9 Guests Gone Wild 205
Em and her team have to deal with an abusive guest who goes out ofcontrol, is fired on the spot and is sent back home but not beforecausing more havoc and added drama.
Q&A and Assignments 215
10 Taking an Ethical Stand 221
Em has to make the decision whether to keep or "fire" a client. Shehas her personal and company's reputation at stake and knowsthat sometimes it is best to walk away.
Q&A and Assignments 227
11 Social Agenda 231
Em and her team take on their first nonprofit event and experiencefirsthand the challenges nonprofits face when creating events withlimited funds.
Q&A and Assignments 248
12 Rocking the Casbah 255
Em has another encounter with DiamondDiva but this time around sheis going in knowing exactly what to expect and how to handle herclient demands in a way that causes her no stress and protects herclient, her company and her own composure.
Assignment 257
Conclusion 259
Final Assignment 261
