Event planners goals are to design and execute memorable events that fulfill their clients and attendees wishes. Top-performing organizations constantly focus on the future and train or hire to ensure they have the right people to execute the strategy of tomorrow. , including surveys, social media, and good old-fashioned conversations as well as numbers and metrics. Talented event organizers are data-driven and analytical by nature. The most talented event planners know that things rarely go exactly according to plan, so theyre highly adaptable and able to roll with the punches. Doing this can give you inspiration for the likes of newly popular, and innovative health and safety measures like . Anticipate what your manager will need to know and provide that information. For managers: Keep team members informed of each others actions.. S: This goal is specific: to increase breaks between various activities from 10 to 15 minutes to encourage more networking, relaxation, and socialization time. Encourage team creativity by listening to new ideas. Performance Goals for Event Planners Here are a few examples of the types of areas you could build your performance goals around. An informal coffee break with your team is a great way not just to keep track of whats going on, but to re-focus and maintain motivation levels (doughnuts optional). Dont forget to leavea little bit of wiggle room in case you need it. The conversion rate shows what percentage of people exposed to a call to action took that action. By making sure VIPs are included in the event planning strategy early, you can set milestones prior to the event to make sure they have the information they need in order to be a part of your event. Use: I want my next event to generate 30% more revenue than the previous one from virtual and in-person ticket sales in the next six months. Growth-driven event planners rise to the challenge by pursuing event planning certifications, such as the Virtual Event & Meeting Management Certificate offered by the Event Leadership Institute or the Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification with PCMA. Some employees struggle with having an appropriate attitude at work. The objective follows the SMART framework, meaning the organiser has a clear guiding objective they can use to plan their event and then measure its success. My goal is to inform people about a local community action initiative. The supervisor can help an employee to acquire and develop soft skills by challenging them to accomplish specific goals. Its all about setting specific goals relevant to an end goal. The terms goals and objectives are often used interchangeably. Why are SMART goals important in event planning? MANAGING REMOTE EMPLOYEES LEGALLY & EFFECTIVELY: The tips you need to manage your team successfully, Performance Review Examples: Examples and tips on writing employee reviews, performance evaluation, sample performance review and employee evaluation forms, Best Practices Leadership: Team management tips and fun team-building activities to boost team performance, collaboration and morale, The Essential Employee Handbook: Sample policies, employment law issues, self-audit tips, Performance Review Documents: Checklists and forms to help employers conduct effective performance appraisals, 200+ Customizable Job Descriptions & Sample Interview Questions, 12 Ways to Optimize Your Employee Benefits Program. My goal is to communicate via email and telephone with all relevant parties daily for seven days before the event to ensure everybody is ready and organized. Were these things in your control or out of our control? KPI: % of key jobs filled And when all else fails, start your goal-setting process with joy. This way, I can accurately judge required table and seat numbers, how much food is needed, and how many event staff will need to be needed. Collecting event data will help you to devise an effective strategy and work towards consistently improved results. Just as a company or a corporation has a vision and mission, so shouldnt your events have them, too? To achieve that aim, they have set a SMART objective that is: With a set of SMART goals in place, youll have a well-formed strategy for assessing how close you are to achieving the overall aims of your event. Many employees lack the initiative to take on new tasks or complete assignments without the need for micromanaging. My SMART objective is for my next event to generate 30% more revenue than the previous one from virtual and in-person ticket sales in the next six months. Would you be happy with a broad range of guests at your educational seminar? Keep things on schedule to increase your chance of success. And they succeeded. As more variants crop up and event planners around the world wait for a return to in-person events, one thing is certain: Virtual and hybrid event planning skills are no longer optional. Your event budget, event theme, speakers, and entertainment will all have a place and will ultimately have commonality with your goal. Whether youre selling physical products, info products or software, youre probably engaged in ongoing product development. And how many of those leads your team followed up with in the months after. Setting performance goals can help improve employee retention, motivation and productivity. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. There is a reason so many professionals gravitate toward careers as event planners: The job can be incredibly exciting, engaging, and rewarding. These performance goals for event planners can help to show whether or not the project was a success. Remember that if all else fails, technology often has your back. Product Development Goal Example: Conduct 50 user interviews before the end of Q3.. Similarly for outdoor events, creating a backup plan to point to in the case of inclement weather is never a bad idea. Whether they need to pull up contracts or get in touch with a vendor, the top event planners dont waste time tracking down information because they know exactly where it is. Get the FREE documents now. Developing solid communication is a good habit in general. What do you hope to accomplish in hosting an event? You need to know when youve achieved your goal and, just as importantly, how close you are to doing so at different stages throughout the event planning process. Please try again later. This plan can be an outline, a project plan, or another document. Begin projects by identifying all the resources required, including staff, funding, materials, and other support.. More specific goals could include increasing the company's event attendance rate. a boss, the board chairs, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, audience and online community). Example: Participate actively by sharing one point at every weekly meeting. Were pre-determined measurements of success achieved? SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. , from preparing and conducting the appraisal to following up after its completed. Another important metric is engagement rate, the percentage of your followers interacting with a piece of content (e.g., liked, commented, shared, etc.). They measure and represent the success of an event in key figures. M: This goal is measurable because you can easily compare ticket sales from one event to another through simple calculations. Because the agency had done a similar event the year before, they knew how many conversions they previously achieved and decided to choose a modest (but realistic) goal. Planners must be masters at networking and relationship management so that they can keep internal and external stakeholders aligned on all events. Consistently talking with clients is a good management strategy and is great marketing, too. For event planners, remembering the big picture can be really helpful since their minds are normally focused on a million little tasks and deadlines. M: This goal is measurable because you can easily list all relevant parties you must communicate with and track who you have and have not yet contacted. It's common for business owners or managers to set performance goals for employees, or for employees to set their own. As part of their performance measurement, great event planners ask for feedback from their attendees, participants, and stakeholders utilising specialist tools. Having a list of people involved with the event and their contact information can help direct issues that arise to the right person. Have one clear goal for your business and make it visible daily to everyone on your team.. Goals refer to a particular aim that clarifies your event purpose. Take 30 minutes each morning to browse the web, so you can start your day informed and prepared. My SMART objective is for my next event to generate 30% more revenue than the previous one from virtual and in-person ticket sales in the next six months. Example 1: Plan an end-of-year gala for all employees and their families to celebrate company . Register my business . Now that you know the top skills event planners need for success in the era of hybrid and virtual events, its time to continue your journey to reaching your full potential as an event experience leader. Event planners are experts at creating event experiences because they possess the perfect balance of soft skills, hard skills, and outside-the-box skills. M: Although this goal may not be measurable, it enables you to measure how many people will attend the event, thus contributing to the overall goal of better organization. Proactively research new work techniques or tools. Did the event strategy serve stakeholders as intended? However, they each have distinct meanings: When determining the goals behind the event, you are simply documenting the purpose of the event. Regularly reaching out to past clients for a catch-up will show that youre still interested in their business and will keep you front of mind when they next require an event partner after all, this business is all about relationships. Its also important you learn how to replicate success, grow from challenges, and innovate for future events on the back ofthe goals youve defined. But determining clear objectives for your event isnt always straightforward. Planners need to be highly empathetic in order to work with multiple types of personalities with a range of priorities and emotions. Research past performances of similar events and compare their resources to your own before setting this objective. Prepare in advance for meetings.. Eliminate personal bias so discussions are not misinterpreted. M: This goal is measurable because you need good time-keeping skills. There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. My SMART objective is to secure 40% of local adult residents (i.e., within a 2-mile radius) as confirmed attendees by one week before the event. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Gamify all your event planning goals. Not only are todays event planners experts at planning for a number of different scenarios, theyre also solution-focused and immediately shift to problem-solving mode when things go awry. Also, try these performance review phrases during an evaluation with an employee who struggles with punctuality: Some employees struggle with having an appropriate attitude at work. To boost customer service: When we lose a customer, follow up to discover what we could have done differently.. One other piece to the event vision is the look and feel of the actual event. Event planners book venues, communicate with vendors and manage budgets and logistics to host successful events. In addition, another common issue faced is having enough staff to properly service the event. He has built multiple online businesses and helps startups and enterprises scale their content marketing operations. Copyright 2023 Business Management Daily. How to Define Event Goals and Objectives That Make an Impact. 3. This communication will regard the responsibilities which all relevant parties have. Why are you inviting attendees to your event? Refrain from violating company policies when communicating with customers. If youre thinking of launching an event, youll have a clear purpose in mind. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. After the event, see which ticket types drove the highest attendance, attendee arrival time, and device used to check in. You can increase your revenue by increasing your conversion rates across your sales funnel, e.g., ad clicks, email opt-ins, sales, etc. Use: I want my next event to generate more revenue than the previous one. Through an enhanced design and strategically placed conversion tools, they ended up with a total of 6.84% more conversions. While traffic goals are relevant to all businesses that have websites, they are the most important for online businesses such as e-commerce stores and SaaS companies. One method I will use is to host a raffle with prizes that entrants can win. Theyre also keenly aware of schedules and ensure that crucial communications are never delayed. Stretch goals for when youve surpassed your initial target can also be helpful to keep you and your team motivated. The goals will help guide the appraisal and give you specific employee responsibilities and metrics to evaluate during the performance meeting. Instead of: I want my next event to generate 30% more revenue from virtual and in-person ticket sales than the previous one. Start by answering the questions created at the front-end of the project during the pre-event strategy phase: The answers to the above questions should be gathered throughout the lifecycle of the event. will give you the tools you need to focus on every aspect of the. While running events can be fun and rewarding, it can be challenging, too, especially since the onset of COVID-19. Conversely, if its a smaller, more intimate event, finding a venue appropriate for the audience size is a good idea. Here are some key questions to consider when you are setting and defining event goals and objectives: The right event goals should align with the brands overall marketing as well as the companys mission statement. My goal is to increase the ticket sales for my next event, one month from now, by at least 25% compared to the last event I coordinated. Cooperate with others to foster team spirit. You might also want to invest some money into your event marketing efforts if its an especially large event. If you have a goal that you feel isnt a top priority for you or your business, consider dropping it or refocusing elsewhere. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. To spur creativity: Build relationships among peers that foster collaboration and discussion of new ideas.. Show by asking open-ended questions that you are engaged in conversations.. Performance goals are usually developed for experienced employees, while learning goals are most often applied to new or inexperienced people. Setting SMART event goals. One defining trait of a successful event planner is that they leave nothing to chance everything is measured and analysed. You must clearly have in mind what you want. 5. The more organized you are, the more . Take 30 minutes each morning to browse the web, so you can start your day informed and prepared. There are lots of. An unrealistic goal will have the opposite effect. Finally, make sure that your goals are transparent to your attendees so that they are assisting you with accomplishing your vision along the way. Here are some performance review phrases to use if communication is a weakness for the employee: Some employees just arent creative or struggle to come up with innovative ideas. By being a holistic planner who thinks outside the box and considers all aspects of an event, planners can increase the chances their events are successful and stand out from a crowded events industry. 2023 Oldtown Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 N Objectives are specific targets you set to help you achieve those goals. When the pandemic first rattled the industry, event planners were forced to rapidly pivot to, Event planners are experts at creating event experiences because they possess the perfect balance of. In it, Doran articulated five essential criteria for setting clear and measurable goals using the S.M.A.R.T acronym: The framework has been around for a while because it works. found that the average marketer says theres just a 50-50 chance theyll attend an in-person event during the first half of 2022. Thats why you should also set a conversion rate performance goal to balance the incentives. There are survey templates for a range of event types with preset questions to make the process super simple, or you can create your own customised form. Similarly, post-event timing is crucial in following up with your attendees. M: This goal is measurable because you can compare the number of staff you had on hand at the last event to the number of people who attended. We can start with the one weve already introduced above: 1. Using SMART goals helps you cover all of the bases. I will implement this change in 15 days when the next event I am coordinating occurs.. Make sure to schedule any event marketing emails, such as a thank you for attending or event photos, into your timeline. With these answers, you can start to build out the essential items like speakers and content. My goal is to inform people about a local community action initiative. Event professionals must be knowledgeable and experienced in the following: Additionally, todays event planners need to know how to deliver TV-quality video content, whether thats sourcing the right partner, employee, or software to make it happen. Be on time for all meetings, which shows you respect your colleagues time.. Appreciate the unique perspective, skills, and experience that each person brings to the team.. What educational measures (i.e. The answer? You want to set performance goals based on relevant deliverables with clear deadlines while keeping in mind Hofstadters Law. Was the budget or budget range met? What entertainment is needed to reach the social satisfaction you require for this event? Your basic budget should include costs to cover the venue, staffing, service fees, catering, AV, event production, entertainment, furniture, decor, and technology. R: This goal is relevant because you cant have a coordinated event if you dont have adequate staffing to execute all necessary functions and aspects. 2. N.B. Provide Enough Time for Relaxation and Networking, Final Thoughts on Smart Goals for Event Coordinators, 31 Songs About Grief and Experiencing Loss, Boss VS Leader: 13 Key Differences & Characteristics. Discover the problems that prevent team members from performing at the highest possible levels.. A: This goal is attainable because many people are looking for jobs. Is it a large business conference, where youll be launching a brand new product? When determining KPIs, your goals and desired outcomes are the best places to start. For example, you cant really control how many of your attendees choose to return for next years conference. . Rather than make decisions based on gut alone, planners use data to challenge instinct and inform their next moves. Creative Thinking To foster a better attitude: Ensure that your tone, body language, and other nonverbal cues convey the proper respect and attitude toward others.. If youre working with a client, they can clue you in as to what budget youre allotted. However, just like traffic, the number of email subscribers in and of itself is a vanity metric. $39-plus per month, depending on company size and needs. Revenue goals work well as the companys primary goal. Hofstadters Law: It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadters Law. "Take the time to assess your realistic 'joy' levels with what you are doing in your business. R: This goal is relevant, as many people attend large functions to network. With so many different responsibilities to juggle, event planners must be able to tackle the smallest of details while never losing sight of the big picture or the budget. SMART performance goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. Every team has at least one member who is frequently late or flaky. These additional performance goal phrases might help: To improve communication: Anticipate what your manager will need to know and provide that information. For managers: Keep team members informed of each others actions.. Organization can be a key to improving the skills and performance of any event planner. It may seem obvious, but when decision-makers look to measure the success of the event, they may suggest things that are simply out of your control. Measurable: This goal is easy to measure as you can easily calculate how much of your overall profit came from this raffle. When you figure out event objectives and goals for your event, all other planning seems to just be pieces to the puzzle. Attend training to develop necessary planning skills. Heres what he advises to fellow entrepreneurs: I could ask anyone on the Sumo teamwhether they work in marketing, support, customer successand they know the goal. Find a solution that helps attendees network with one another while also measuring event effectiveness. Complete projects without ongoing direction. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Planners should be skilled at vendor management in order to build strategic partnerships and maximize outcomes and impact. By looping back to the event goal of why youre hosting an event in the first place, youll have a good starting point to build your vision. Which is why they came up with smart event badges that allowed users to scan each others badges to acquire virtual business cards along with a number of other cool features. Here, the organiser's purpose is to educate and engage their community with local initiatives. When it comes to events, there is always thepotential for something to go wrong.
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