9 Occasion Planner Clichés That Are No Longer True

The occasion planning business has come a great distance from its binder-toting days. 

And similar to every other artistic place, there appears to be a disconnect between what occasion planning seems to be like from the skin, and what it truly requires.

Due to this, there are numerous occasion planner clichés which have graduated to full-on myths. 

Assume huge ballrooms, countless budgets, and planners sipping champagne whereas flawless occasions unfold. (Ha!)

However the actuality? Attendees don’t simply need huge or flashy anymore. They need occasions that really feel private, artistic, and (most significantly) price their time. And as occasion professionals, we’ve needed to let go of some long-standing assumptions to maintain up.

What are the High Occasion Planner Clichés?

Let’s break down the largest occasion planning myths, giggle at how far we’ve come, and speak about what truly works in the present day.

1. “Larger Is At all times Higher”

In case your occasion isn’t HUGE, is it even price it? Larger venues, extra company, taller centerpieces—it’s all about going huge, proper?

Nope. Larger doesn’t all the time imply higher. Typically it simply means extra stress, extra prices, and far more logistics. The reality is, in the present day’s occasions are all about creating significant, customized experiences, not simply overwhelming company with measurement or scale.

It’s about intentional design, and getting the suitable individuals to assemble in the suitable setting.

Concentrate on the individuals, the vibe, and the main points that make the occasion particular. Assume VIP dinners, intimate workshops, or area of interest micro-events that really feel tailor-made to your attendees. 

Not solely do these sorts of gatherings enable for deeper connections, however additionally they are likely to have larger engagement charges. In any case, who doesn’t love being a part of an unique membership?

2. “Occasion Planning Is Glamorous”

“Oh, so that you’re an occasion planner? That’s like…selecting serviette colours and flowers, proper?”

Bless whoever began this fantasy, however occasion planners do a lot extra than choose fairly issues. 

You already know, dressing to the nines, sipping champagne, and gracefully orchestrating awe-inspiring occasions prefer it’s no huge deal.

Besides…that’s not the way it works. Like, in any respect.

Positive, there are moments of pleasure, like when the stage lights lastly come on, and every thing goes off and not using a hitch. However, the glamor is shortly overshadowed by the sheer chaos of making the magic occur.

• Behind the scenes? You’re most likely working on caffeine, coping with last-minute adjustments, and wrestling with a printer that refuses to cooperate.
• Glamorous duties? Assume hauling heavy crates of swag, unclogging a fog machine, or realizing your rigorously curated seating chart has gone rogue.

The reality is being an occasion skilled isn’t all glitz and glam, it’s about problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, and resilience. And truthfully? That’s way more rewarding. Concentrate on organizing the absolute best expertise on your attendees, and the glamor will comply with.

3. “Conventional Sit-Down Dinners Are Necessary”

You have to have a sit-down dinner with fancy place settings and a inflexible schedule, in any other case, it’s not a correct occasion.

Guess what? 

Formal dinners aren’t for everybody. Not each occasion wants white tablecloths, programs served on a timer, and assigned seating that retains you caught subsequent to somebody who solely talks about their fantasy soccer workforce.

Ditch the “guidelines” and do what works on your crowd.

Company in the present day are all about flexibility. Interactive meals stations, tapas-style eating, and even bringing in meals vehicles could make your occasion really feel contemporary and enjoyable whereas nonetheless preserving everybody fed and blissful.

The purpose is to make eating a part of the expertise, not only a field to verify.

4. “Themes Must Be Apparent”

When you’re having a theme, it must scream “I’m a theme!” (Assume over-the-top decor, costumes, and matching every thing.)

Immediately’s occasion themes are far more delicate and intentional—they’re about making a feeling reasonably than slapping pineapples on each flat floor and calling it “tropical.”

Concentrate on cohesive vibes reasonably than heavy-handed motifs. 

For instance, a “Nice Gatsby” occasion may imply moody lighting, jazz music, and champagne towers—not sticking feather boas in each centerpiece. A well-executed theme is one your company really feel while not having a large neon signal to spell it out.

5. “All Distributors Are the Identical”

“Eh, simply rent the most affordable one. All DJs/caterers/photographers are principally the identical.”

Let’s put this to relaxation: distributors are not interchangeable. 

The fallacious vendor can tank your occasion quicker than you possibly can say “soggy hors d’oeuvres.” That DJ who “completely will get your vibe” however reveals up blasting ‘90s boy bands? Or the photographer who someway misses each candid second? Yeah, not all distributors are equal.

Avoid this occasion planner cliché and take the time to vet your distributors. Ask questions, learn critiques, and verify their portfolio. It’s not nearly staying inside finances but in addition discovering individuals who share your imaginative and prescient and know the best way to ship.

6. “Company Keynotes Should At all times Be Formal”

Company keynotes = boring displays, stiff fits, and awkward small speak.

The times of cookie-cutter company keynotes are over. Firms are realizing that creativity and engagement go loads additional than monotone speeches and PowerPoint slides. 

Workers and purchasers wish to be impressed, entertained, and — dare I say it? — truly get pleasure from themselves.

Shake issues up with interactive workshops, team-building actions, and even informal cocktail hours with reside leisure. Consider it much less as a “company keynote” and extra as a possibility to attach on a human degree.

7. “You Need to Please Everybody”

“Let’s make everybody blissful!” On the floor, this looks like a terrific concept. In any case, who doesn’t wish to please as many individuals as potential?

However the reality is, occasions that attempt to please everybody can find yourself feeling generic. 

And, let’s face it, nobody remembers these. Attendees need one thing that speaks on to their wants and pursuits. What if, as a substitute of spreading your focus too skinny, you concentrate on delighting particular teams inside your viewers? 

Possibly you’ve a tech occasion, however you break it down into smaller periods: one for builders to dive deep into coding, and one other for enterprise leaders to debate high-level methods. This manner, you’re providing one thing invaluable to each teams with out making an attempt to drive everybody into the identical mildew.

You don’t have to please everybody—you want to discover other ways of partaking individuals in the way in which they like.

Personalization is without doubt one of the fashionable occasion tendencies that helps attendees really feel extra valued and engaged.

8. “Company Simply Wish to Have Enjoyable”

“So long as you’ve bought nice music and meals, the remaining doesn’t matter.” – One other occasion planner cliché noticed!

Immediately’s company care in regards to the total expertise, together with the occasion’s influence on individuals and the planet. 

Individuals discover when occasions really feel considerate vs wasteful. How is the occasion impacting the local people? Are the flowers regionally sourced? Is the catering sustainable? What occurs to all of the leftover meals or decorations?

Sustainability and social accountability matter now greater than ever.

Interact with native communities and make them a part of the occasion. Swap single-use plastics for compostable choices and select distributors who prioritize eco-friendly practices. Take into account donating unused meals or supplies.

Company admire occasions that really feel good and do good, displaying that you just’re not simply in regards to the occasion, but in addition about making a constructive influence.

9. “The Occasion Ends When Individuals Depart”

For years, occasion planning was seen as a one-and-done deal: the occasion ends, the company depart, and that’s it. However now? That mindset is lengthy gone.

In in the present day’s related world, occasions don’t finish when the final individual walks out the door, they’re simply a part of a a lot greater image. Publish-event engagement is simply as vital because the occasion itself.

How do you retain the momentum going after the occasion ends?

You can ship out a follow-up e-mail thanking attendees, share key takeaways from periods, or present entry to unique content material. 

Possibly you create a neighborhood on-line the place attendees can preserve the dialog going. It’s all about preserving your viewers engaged, in order that they bear in mind the expertise lengthy after it’s over.

Constructing a long-lasting connection together with your viewers extends the influence of the occasion and creates a stronger model presence.

Let Go of the Myths and Embrace Significant Occasions

Occasion planning has come a great distance. Because of shifting tendencies, smarter instruments, and sky-high visitor expectations, the business is extra artistic and modern than ever. 

By letting go of those drained clichés, you possibly can create occasions that really feel contemporary, private, and completely in sync with in the present day’s tendencies. Ultimately, occasion planning isn’t simply in regards to the logistics or the aesthetics—it’s in regards to the tales we create and the reminiscences we supply ahead. 

So, which of those occasion planner clichés are you continue to seeing in motion? Or higher but, which of them are you responsible of holding onto? Let’s work collectively to create even higher occasions shifting ahead.

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