It’s 10 minutes after the start of the event. I take a sigh of relief because all my vendors have promptly been in place for a while, ready to serve and entertain the audience. I can see that each vendor is fresh, smiling and ready to go. That’s one of the wonderful moments for me during the management of my events – it’s the “success-so-far” moment.

My own successes have been within the context of team efforts. When my team of vendors and I have worked to our best abilities, it clearly helps the client reach their ROI and goals of the event.

When do events go south?

Most of us have all seen a vendor who’s inappropriately “grandstanding”, acting in a way to just get attention for themselves, and showboating only for their own gain. That’s typically not the vendor we choose on a regular basis. We should steer away from them because they are not the team player.

Working in the event business for many years myself, I have learned which event coordinators naturally support the vendors to work at their potential. I’ve also experienced the other troop of planners that are too busy, absent or unable to even accommodate the team and vendors with enough water, shade, refreshments or breaks.

Communication, event technology, and event management software should be depended on to inform vendors at all stages of the event. Lack of communication can spell disaster quickly. I’m convinced that early and prompt communication of event details can cure many ails!

You’re as Good as your Team

The resourcefulness of the event planner brings the measure of success for special events. An event manager Chris C. told me a few years ago that in essence, his biggest value as an event planner is the resources he brings to the event. Though we can strive to reach our own fullest potential as much as possible, the strength of a special event will come from unlocking the potential of others. As Senator Bill Bradley acknowledged, leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better”.

Your Client is the Star

The glory of a special event should go to the client and to the hard working vendors. If the vendors are working at their potential, your client will be happy and hopefully stress free. Your client will become the star of the party.

Many of us have that WIIFM, “What’s In It For Me” and WMNG. (Ok I just made that one up – “Where’s My Next Gig?”) As freelancers, we are often angling for the next job – and that becomes very real when our personal bills start stacking up. Be mindful when this mindset emerges when at on-site events. You could be naturally asked to do repeat work for your client when they become the star.

Lessons from Education

My good friend Lisa C. has been a high school educator spanning two decades. She has had to overcome her own learning disabilities to be able to teach and unlock potential abilities and strengths from her groups of students that come from every level. Don’t miss the lessons and personal stories that she shares with this strong focus of unleashing potential within others in this TEDx speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpfxVRBddNQ

Take Homes:

— be wary of the WIIFM attitudes within us

— the client should become the star of the party

— vendors should be enabled to do the best of their abilities

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”

Winston Churchill

Our Booking Solution
GigBase Pro is a booking system that assists greatly in last-minute bookings. Speeding up the contract creation process and the information gathering will help out incredibly during the rush. Our event app makes the critical information available when you and your team need it the most to give your last-minute bookings the best you can.

Check out this free Guide to Booking Gigs Online:
https://www.eventlightning.com/booking-gigs-made-easy