In an ideal world, event planning would be a straightforward journey from inception to execution. However, reality often presents expected and unexpected challenges along the way. To ensure a
successful event, proactive preparation is key. Here are the top three challenges that today’s event
planners face, along with effective solutions:
#1: Budgeting in Today’s Economy
Since 2020, prices have seen a substantial increase of over 17%, with a cumulative rise of more than 30% over the past decade. If your event marketing budget hasn’t kept pace with inflation, recent costs may catch you off guard. Here are some strategies to stay within your budget:
- Event Consolidation: Consider combining two or more events into a single experience, as
exemplified by our client, Bollore. - Unconventional Venues: Think outside the box and explore non-traditional venues. For
instance, RASPBERRY identified a vast aviation museum in Central Florida as a unique event location
for McDonald’s. - Partner with Experienced Teams: Collaborate with a reputable, well-established event marketing team like RASPBERRY. With over 18 years of industry experience, our strong vendor relationships enable us to secure the best possible pricing while staying within your budget.
#2: Vendor Turnover
The event industry endured severe setbacks due to the pandemic, leading to the closure of many businesses. Consequently, there are fewer vendors in the marketplace, and those that remain are often fully booked for weeks or even months in advance. This situation may also result in the loss of previously relied-upon contacts and relationships. Here’s how to address this challenge:
- Advance Planning: Allocate extra time for vendor research and vetting, allowing you to adapt to the evolving vendor landscape.
- Experienced Partnerships: Engage with experienced partners like RASPBERRY, who maintain a diverse network of vendors in various cities and locations, ensuring access to reliable event services.
#3: Last-Minute Planning and Changes
While it’s common to conceive of additional event details during the planning phase, the constraints of Challenges #1 and #2 can make accommodating last-minute elements expensive or logistically challenging. To mitigate this issue, planning is your best ally:
- Advance Planning: Leaving several weeks or months for comprehensive planning enables ample time for feedback, input, and coordination before key deadlines.
- Experienced Event Partners: Rely on a trusted partner like RASPBERRY for streamlined execution. Our team handles multiple facets of event planning, from content creation to logistics support and travel coordination, ensuring that tasks are efficiently completed without compromising quality.
While not all event challenges can be predicted, having a proactive strategy to address these top three pitfalls will save you both time and money. At RASPBERRY, we live by this principle, providing our clients with peace of mind knowing that every aspect has been expertly managed. If you value this level of white-glove service, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help make your next event as flawless as possible.
