Monday, April 25, 2011

An Event Planner (NJ) Can Help You Focus On The Big Picture

By Edward Lewis


The date for the big event is now decided (it could, obviously, be a wedding but it certainly doesn't have to be) and it looks as though most of the organizing is going to be your responsibility. there's a lot at stake and a large number of people will be involved and invested in the success of the evening. You don't want to wind up so anxious that you don't appreciate the evening yourself, but by the same token you do not want to take too informal a stance and leave too much to chance. Fair or not, you are primarily responsible for this event and you have never handled anything this big before. It sounds like you ought to consider hiring an event planner. NJ has a great deal of talented event planners to choose from so there is no need to settle for second rate. Here are a few basic expectations you should have of a professional event planner.

## Friendly and personable

This may seem like a pretty fuzzy inconsequential requirement but it absolutely is not. Your event planner is an individual with whom you're going to be working closely. It is imperative you have a warm working relationship. Additionally so much of what is required of an event planner depends on her ongoing working relationships that a cold or impersonal planner should honestly be considered to be in some ways handicapped.

## Organized and extremely communicative

The essential component to any dynamic working relationship, especially in a challenging, time-sensitive atmosphere such as the planning of a big event, is good communication. Your planner ought to be clear and easily understood. She (there are of course male event planners but for this article let's just assume she's a she) should also be an attentive listener. Finally, she should be communicating with you regularly and reliably. You ought never be forced to wonder what's going on and trying to track her down for answers.

## Creative and accommodating

The reason you hire an event planner is that they have experience handling events like yours. They are aware of what works and what does not. It's also a near certainty that they got into event planning in the first place because they're creative and energetic. That being said, a planner should not completely take over an event. It is crucial that even the most ambitious creative planner listen to your ideas and your feedback.

## Knowledgeable and able to get things done

Event planning is a tricky job. You want to make sure that the planner you hire is able to cope with an event of your size. A good event planner will be a shrewd negotiator, will have lots of useful professional contacts, and ought to be able to handle herself under pressure.

In the end, if you decide to go with an event planner, your final choice of planner will in all likelihood be the most crucial decision you end up making. While it is impossible to know for sure that a planner possesses the attributes outlined above, it is often possible to get some sense for who she is via the interview process. If you're contemplating an event planner take the time to sit down in person and get a sense for her credentials and qualifications. Don't have any good recommendations from family or friends? Simply go online and Google "event planner NJ" or "new jersey wedding planning" (if you're getting married) flip through the wedding photo galleries, read any testimonials and see what they are about online. Once you hire a good committed event planner that big event will be well on its way to being a huge success.




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