The Birth of A New

I'm more of a freelance artist. I dream of an idea, navigate my planning path, determine my MNE's (motivations, needs and expectations) and if it seems appropriate I start designing my planning framework.

There is no one set way for planning an event. Your steps or processes can differ depending on whether you are in a group, more structured, or individual, less time constraints. My most recent endeavors have been with a partner, however, regardless of how few or little the group is for planning, there will always be a secondary group involved, for instance linen company, print company etc.

My process always starts with brainstorming between my partner and myself. After we have determined our event idea, theme, estimated budget, time frame and assumed time line, we approach three to five people who would be a potential "guest" at the event, pitch our idea and take all the constructive criticism we can get. When I first put this plan into effect, the "Ask outsiders Effect" I wasn't very impressed by being critiqued but over time I've learned to put the personal defense system aside and learn to love it and respect it. I still don't like it but it definitely does help!

When creating a new event, it is important to find a pull for your audience. Establishing a "unique" idea for the event will prove to bring in the numbers and put those "bums in the seats". This "pull" does not need to be so spectacular as to bring in a celebrity or fireworks, it simply needs to pull a common interest that all your guests can and will appreciate. Cultural music, special giveaways, unique food; these are all great selling points when implemented correctly. For my most recent event, "Noc Medu Svojima", translating to "A Night Amoung Our People", my partner and myself took an ordinary idea, common, plain, basic and simple, and transformed it with a "pull". Most standard Croatian dances incorporate one to two Croatian bands, with an estimated 200-350 people in attendance. My partner and I had booked four of the top Croatian bands in the city, who are also very popular across Canada and the United States, and brought them in for a fantastic night of mixed music styles and talent. With upwards of 550 people in attendance and great reviews for entertainment the simple idea, Croatian dance, turned out to be a benchmark for future youth dances in and around the Golden Horseshoe.

Some events require a pull to draw in your target crowd, other events require nothing of that sort. Each event is different and must be treated as such. Understanding your target market, your type of guests and the over all selling points will help you establish whether of not you need a pull. In regards to "The Birth of a New", when choosing the theme or type of event I will plan next, I make sure that I believe in the event, I understand the event and I have every possible positive notion that it will go on perfectly. Any sort of doubt leaves room for error, which in essence means I don't believe in it's success. There will always be hesitant moments, chance for failure and errors made, but you just have to believe.

-T

How it All Began

The industry of events is this new world I've grown to love. It has all sorts of varying areas that any person could get involved in; advertising to promo, logistics and PR. The biggest challenge is the reason I do what I do. You never really know what to expect, no matter how much you plan for that day, but as I've been told "everything that could go wrong, will"!

I wait months, weeks and days and the adrenaline builds and the hype grows. and the phone is ringing and people need answers and you get stress induced everything. You barely sleep, you can't avoid the "last minute", entertainment cancels, venue policy's, under budget, and "didn't see that coming"; eat, sleep, plan, plan, eat, plan, plan, nap, plan, coordinate, plan, eat, sleep all in only one week. Licenses and errands, print and design, so many questions, no solid answers, noise, meetings, confused and clueless on occaision and above all else you're nervous, anxious and excited. The day arrives and you wake up. Brew a pot of extra strong coffee. I get 10 minutes of quiet time to calm the nerves. I drag myself to the mirror and and take a long look. I ask myself one question, the same question each and every time. "Why do you do it?"

FAST FORWARD
Breakfast on the go, forgot the linens, meet up for brochures, ring ring ring, brochures still not ready. Fill up on gas, Timmies run, check messages, check texts, check emails, check self, still okay. Meet up with my partner, share a smile, drive and park, moving boxes, heavy lifting, stairs, running, sprinting, set-up, moving tables, checking lists, last minute, open the doors. Ready.

6pm First 2 guests
6:15 10 guests
6:17 unzip sweater
6:30 36 guests
6:31 take off sweater
6:40 55 guests
6:41 deep breaths and fresh air
6:47 67 guests
6:55 89 guest
7:00 121 guests
7:03 139 guests
7:10 168 guests
7:20 192 guests
7:30 241...257...296...313...355...4 something
8:00 pm share a smile with my partner

FAST FORWARD
speech, thank-yous, dinner, speech, dinner, announcement, dinner, cheers with wine. Technical music difficulties, unexpected food allergies, guest seating plan confusion, turn up heat, turn on air conditioning, sip wine, spilled wine, bite to eat, announcement, check on bar, check on kitchen, check on dessert, prepare coffee, check on partner, partner checks on me, forgot coffee stir stick, run out for coffee stir sticks. etc., etc., etc..

FAST FORWARD
Tear down (tables, chairs, linens, bar, signage, paperwork, displays, entertainment, platters, boxes, bags etc.). Load into the car, Timmies run, drive home. Pull into driveway, slow motion, get outta car, slam car door, can't find keys, found keys, open door, drop everything, sip coffee. Drag myself to the mirror, wash my face and ask myself one question, the same question each and every time, "Why do you do it?"

"Because it's the best feeling in the world!"

I stare at myself, make-up worn out, a few extra wrinkles, blood shot eyes, and a ringing phone.

I hop in my car, meet at Tims, sit across from my partner with a pad and paper. Share a smile and ask "What's next?