Unit 1

Introduction to Event Management

An event is a unique moment in time that is commemorated / observed to satisfy
specific needs. It is something noteworthy that happens according to a set plan
involving networking of a multi media package to achieve an objective. Events are
synonymous with occurrences, happenings, incidents, occasions and experiences.
While sometimes events occur on their own, events may also occur as planned
activities directed towards attainment of a defined goal or objective.
Definition of Event:
According to Philip Kotler, “events are defined as occurrences to communicate
particular messages to target audience.”
A comprehensive multimedia definition states that an event is a multimedia package
carried out with a preconceived concept, customized or modified to achieve the
client’s objective of reaching out and suitably influencing the sharply defined and
specially gathered target audience by providing a complete sensual experience and
an avenue for two way interaction.
Characteristics of Events:
1. Events offer a unique, once in a life experience.
2. Events are aimed at fulfilment of certain aims and objectives.
3. Events are specific occurrences with a shorter life span when compared to
projects.
4. Events involve a substantial and huge requirement of funds and management
of scarce resources.
5. Events require judicious planning and involve all important managerial
functions.
6. Events involve facing an environment of risks and uncertainties.

Type / Categories / Scope of Events:

1. Religious Events
These are such events which satiate the religious sentiments of the people
and reinforce the belief systems and mark solidarity towards ones very own
religion and religious practices. Example: Kumbha mela, The Haj pilgrimage,
Bengaluru Karaga etc.

2. Social Events
Social gatherings symbolize a sense of togetherness and bonding. These are
usually organised to celebrate major life events and religious ceremonies.
Weddings, anniversaries, gala dinners etc., qualify to be social events. Festive

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 celebrations such as - Navarathri celebrations, Ganesh Chaturthi etc., are a
combination of both religious and social events.

3. Political Events
They include any function/gathering initiated and organised by a political
organization or candidate exclusively to advance and promote political purposes.
These are gatherings at which people of similar political beliefs assemble to
listen to speakers or express their support, raise morale. Example: Political
rallies, political padayatras etc.

4. Networking Events
Networking is the process of intentionally meeting people, making contacts and
forming relationships in the hope of gaining access to such business related
benefits as referrals, ideas, business leads, career advice and so on. These events
may be formal or informal and are usually organized by professional
organizations or community centres. Example: Business networking event
organized by the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce (FKCCI)

5. Entertainment Events
Entertainment events are of many types and generate the maximum publicity
and viewership among target audiences. These can include live programmes like
musical concerts, dance / drama performances or recorded and televised events
like the Oscar Awards, Golden Globe or the Filmfare awards.

6. Awareness building Events

These are the events which intend to create awareness among the general public
with regards to certain causes or social responsibilities meant for the common
good of the people. These events can include rallies, candle light marches,
marathons etc. Charitable events meant for fund raising towards any cause are
also an example of such events.

7. Sports Events
All events conducted to promote sports activities, be it indoor or outdoor maybe
called a sports event. Sports events today are being collaborated with
entertainment industry thus gaining more acceptance and popularity than ever
before. Example: Indian Premiere League, FIFA world cup etc.

8. Education/Academic Events
Academic events are those where students, academicians and industry
representatives meet and discuss topics related to education. The goal is to
approach the positions of the three stake holders in education through the
exchange of opinions and experience. Seminars, workshops and conferences are
examples of such events.

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9. Business Events
Corporates/companies host a variety of events in the form of meetings,
conventions, workshops, presentations etc. Hence while some events in this
category are formal and involve a small gathering, example - board meeting of
directors, some other events may involve a large gathering and be formal or
informal, example - business dinners, banquets.

10. Crafts and Creativity Events

Exhibitions, fairs and expo’s are sometimes organized for the purpose of
exhibiting arts and crafts and other creative products and handicrafts. Such
events help one discover unique, one of a kind talents, merchandise that can be
marketed for a business or a social cause. Examples - flea markets, the arts and
crafts fair at chithrakala parishath etc.

11. International Events

International Events are those which draw a big audience and serve to improve
relationships among nations at strategic, business and political levels. Examples
- International cultural festivals, trade shows, conferences etc.

12. Promotional Events

Promotional events are those which help elevate ones business above that of the
competitors. Introduction of a new product in the market, creative uses of a
product and so on would require promotional campaigns.

13. Competitive Events

Competitive events are any such events which involve competition between two
or more individuals or teams. They may serve to test the physical, mental
strength and endurance of the participants as also their talent. These may be
sports events, cultural events or even academic events.

The above listed events may also occur in combination and not necessarily by
themselves in isolation. Example - the IPL is a sports event, competitive event as
well as a promotional event.

Meaning and Definition of Event Management

Event management is an application of project management to the creation

development and execution of events. It is the planning and management of an
event or activity. It involves studying the intricacies of the brand, identifying the
target audience, devising the event concept, planning the logistics and co-
ordinating the technical aspects before actually executing the moralities of the
proposed event. Event management requires strong organizational
communication, negotiation, budgeting and creative skills.

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Business Event Management is the practice of incorporating business logic into
labelling events, communicating events and managing events. It requires a
profound interaction and cooperation among business stake holders, customers,
as well as IT and management professionals when designing, implementing and
maintaining processes.

Five C’s of Event Management

1. Conceptualizing
This is the first “C” involved in event management. The event manager
understands from the client the specific reason for which an event is being
planned. This enables the team to come up with a suitable theme or concept
around which the event is to be centred. The theme should be conceptualized
keeping in mind the event objective, target audience, the tentative venue,
media to be used etc.

2. Costing
Costing involves the preparation of budgets, cost estimates and the sources of
acquiring funds. Creating a provision for risk coverage and managing
uncertainties is also done.

3. Canvassing
Canvassing activities involve networking and advertising to generate the
required mileage for the success of the event, with the ultimate objective of
raising funds and obtaining sponsorships for the conducting of the event.

4. Customising
Customisation of an event focuses on client satisfaction. Reinforcing client
requirements towards objective fulfilment and ensuring that it has a blend of
creativity and suitability to match changing trends and tastes of clients.
Involves a customised approach, tailor made specifically for an event to be
successful in engaging the target audience and satisfying the client
requirement.

5. Carrying Out, Culmination and Control

This phase involves the actual execution of plans. It includes all those set of
activities and operations that lead to event execution and fulfilment of the
event objective.
In practice, each of the C’s may not adhere to the sequence in which they have
been presented above. There is a complex interaction between the various C’s
before the Carry out stage, depending on client requirements, budget
constraints etc. The original concept undergoes modifications and revisions
on the basis of the inputs obtained from the other C’s.

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 Why event management / Need for Event Management
1. Provides career opportunities
Event management provides multiple career opportunities, including that of event
planners, event managers, operations and logistics manager, entertainment
managers, security managers and so on.

2. Professional growth opportunities

Event planners have a lot of growth opportunities given to them provided they
further their abilities by continuing education and working on different projects to
gain all round experience. Over time and with experience, event
planners/managers can become entrepreneurs with their own event management
firms or become independent consultants.

3. Opportunity to switch careers

Event management is one of the few professions that provides a tremendous
amount of opportunity to break into the profession relatively easily. It does not
require a formal degree or requisite educational qualification. Professionals
working in other careers can easily switch careers to event management if they so
desire.

4. Availability of more jobs

Event management is a profession that is growing exponentially and is providing a
greater number of jobs to individuals than before.

5. Better pay packages

The income opportunities in event management are amongst the best, relative to
many other professions. With time and experience the pay packages get better.

6. Global reach

Event management is a profession that can take individuals across the globe. The
kind of experiences event management provides in planning and executing events
of a global scale is immense. Be it the managing of an event catering to international
audiences or executing an event in a foreign location, the reach is global in nature.

Analysis of Events
Step 1: Select events for analysis
The event manager must select the desired set of events and come up with a decision as to
which event he wants to analyse first. If there have been multiple events, he must prioritise
them in their degree of importance. The event manager can also club up the events if they are
of similar type, however if the event is very serious, a special team must be appointed by the
event manager to make a complete analysis of that particular event.

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Step 2: Collect and collate information
After the event manager decides upon which event to analyse he must completely gather all
the information related to that particular event and collate it to start planning for the
particul;ar event.
Step 3: Organise the Analysis Meeting
The event manager must also make sure that he organises regular meetings before the
occurrence of the event. He can also invite external participants who might be having
additional information about the event for the meeting. These participants can also suggest
specific proposals for improvement of the event.
Step 4: Set frameworks and rules for the analysis
When the meeting is conducted for the purpose of analysis, the event manager must make
sure that he sets certain rules for his meeting. The rules which are set by him must coincide
with the main objective of the event. Further, the discussion in the meeting must be to mainly
focus in achieving of these objectives.
Step 5: Conduct the Analysis
The analysis is then conducted by the event manager to find out if any problems are there and
what kinds of measures can be taken to avoid them.
Step 6: Implement Changes and Follow Up
During the course of the meeting, if the event manager finds out that if necessary changes are
to be made he can implement those changes and follow up the same.
SWOT Analysis in Event Management
SWOT is a strategic planning tool used to identify and analyse the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats involved in events. SWOT analysis can also be done on any
organisation.
Internal Environment External Environment
Strengths Opportunities

Highly motivated staff Growing demand

Customer New markets
Execute plans within budgets New acquisitions
Interactive activities New products and services
Support from local authorities
Weaknesses Threats

Tax Structure Rising cost of raw material

Brand portfolio Poor infrastructure
Future profitability No derived license / special permits

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Strengths: These are the attributes of the project / organisation which are helpful in
achieving the project objectives. For ex.: Experienced event team, high motivation levels,
excellent PR, good market share etc.
Weaknesses: These are the attributes of the project / organisation which are harmful in
achieving the project objectives. For ex.: Social loafing, lack of funds, inexperienced event
team, low energy levels , lack of media and corporate contacts etc.
Opportunities: These are those external factors which are helpful in achieving the project
objectives. For ex.: Little competition, favorable economic conditions, support from the local
authorities, availability of the state of the art infrastructure etc.
Threats: These are those external factors which are harmful in achieving the project
objectives. For ex.: high competition, little or no support from the local authorities, bad
weather, poor infrastructure, high labour rate, inavailability of raw material.
It is very important that we conduct SWOT analysis before developing an event plan to
develop a strategy which maximises the potential of strengths and opportunities of the project
and at the same time minimises the impact of the weaknesses and threats.
Key Decision Makers
1. Event manager: the event manager is entrusted with the task of successful conduct of
the event. His decision making ability lies in the fact that he discusses the aims and
objectives and other essentials of the event with the client and plans the activities
accordingly.
2. Client: the client approaches the event manager for hosting the event of his choice.
The client has preset ideas in mind. The client shares his ideas with the event manager
who converts ideas into activities. The client shares his expectations to be met through
the event.
3. Venue manager: a venue manager is the person who is in charge of the venue, which
may be hall, theater, conference center or hotel. Their main job is to oversee activities
and use of the facilities, which involve ensuring the venue is clean and all equipment is
working. Bookings to view the stage, bump in and bump out all have to be made through
the venue management team.
4. Catering manager: catering managers plan, organize and are responsible for the food
and beverage services of the organizations and businesses, while meeting customer
expectations, food and hygiene standards and financial targets.
5. Logistics manager: logistics managers oversee the movement, distribution and
storage of goods, instruments and equipment in an event venue. Managers hire, train
and evaluate employees. They prepare worker schedules and ensure that the workers
follow safety rules.
6. Government: obtaining permission from government for certain events such as
international events or religious events is essential. International events generate
income for the nation. The government permission and facilitation for events is an
important aspect of event performance.

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7. Security managers: the security managers maintain law and order at the venue site.
Important decisions with relation to the turmoil experienced at the previous events can
be an essential consideration for making security arrangements.
8. Hospitality Manager: the main task employees will be to succeed in communicating
with the customers and satisfying their requirements. The hospitality staff uses their
public relation skills and facilitate customers at events.
9. Media managers: the generation of media is the bundling of internally and externally
generated content and its transformation into a medium. Media plays an important role
at events. Developing content for media is an important responsibility.
Managing Technical Staff
Technical staff include all the administrators, planners, sound and light engineers,
technicians, electricians, decorators, and all other such employees who undertake the
responsibility of overseeing and arranging the technical aspects of executing an event.
The management of technical staff involves the development of such systems as to
o Recruit the right team
o Create job descriptions and specifications
o Training
o Control Systems
o Meeting Mechanisms

The recruitment of the team has to be well taken care of, because hiring the wrong people
can lead to damaging consequences to the entire firm.
The creating of job descriptions and job specifications will help in the process of
recruitment and also clearly define the roles of the employees and the skillsets required.
Training has to be provide to the employees hired by the firm in order to ensure that the
work of the employees is upto the standards and manner expected. Training may be given to
the employees either on the job that is in practical terms, example: apprenticeship,
assistanceship etc. or off the job, example: classroom lectures.
The various aspects in which training can be given to technical staff are:
✓ Communication: Event staff should be instructed in how to contact the Event Director or
other event staff prior to and during the event. Event staffs need to know who to contact
if they have a problem. Training will also require the sharing of telephone and mobile
telephone numbers, and may require instruction in how to use a two-way radio.

✓ Emergencies: Event staff should be instructed in the range of emergencies that may be
encountered and what they must do if there is an occurrence. They should also be
counseled to expect the unexpected. Event staff may receive training in first aid, use of
fire extinguishers, how to raise the alarm, evacuation procedures and who to contact in
an emergency.

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✓ Equipment: The use of equipment is often problematic. For example, electronic
scoreboards and public address systems are often moved from venue to venue and may
be damaged in the process. Problems may arise as a result of faulty electrical
connections and detached components. Event staff should receive training in how to set
u, position, test, repair, service, dismantle and transport equipment. There may also be
circumstances where equipment may cause injury as a result of incorrect lifting
technique, electric shock, sharp edges and hear (to name a few hazards)

✓ Expenses: Ground rules need to be set in the matter of claims for reimbursement of
expenses by event staff. Arguments and misunderstandings between Event Director and
staff over what expenses can be claimed should be avoided. Out-of-pocket expenses of
event staff should be anticipated in the event budget. Expenses may include travel costs,
clothing costs, telephone and postage costs, accommodation costs and meal costs. If all
event staff receive a job description (recommended), then this would be a suitable place
to convey information about what expenses can and cannot be claimed.

✓ Location: Event staff need to be fully informed of the location(s) to which they should
report. In large events, there may be multiple events running concurrently and confusion
may reign if people do not know where they are supposed to be.

✓ Handling Money: The handling of money is a considerable risk at events. Money may be
collected at the ticket office, entry barrier, food or merchandising stalls. Risks include
failure of staff to properly account for money taken as advance, collected at different
counters, incorrect / inconsistent charging of customers etc. It is vital that event staff
receive appropriate training if their responsibility includes handling money.

✓ Safety & Security: Training should be given in checking for obstructions and hazards
and in ensuring that people behave in a manner that does not endanger anyone‟s safety.
Aspects of security include maintaining crowd control, restricting access to certain areas,
keeping a watchful eye over equipment and keeping close control over cash on the
premises.

✓ Service Delivery: Training of event staff should include aspects of service delivery such
as courtesy, listening to and resolving complaints, provision of hospitality, hygiene and
ensuring people are assisted.

✓ Time Management: Events are highly time bound and employees need to adhere to strict
timelines/deadlines. Training of the staff should include the essentials of time
management, prioritizing of tasks. Event staff should receive training about the factors
that may cause delays in the event programme.

Meetings are crucial part of managing an event team. The number and frequency of meetings
depends on the scale of the event, the mix of paid or voluntary personnel in the event team,
the geographic distribution of the event team and the time duration before the event
commences. In the early planning and organization phase, the frequency of meetings might
be monthly. As the event nears, meetings may become weekly and in the final few days
before the event, meetings may occur several times during a week.

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Control systems can be established as per the requirements of individual event management
firms. However task checklists are highly recommended as an essential control measure to
prevent the forgetting of any vital task to be planned, organised and completed or equipment
moved etc.
Establishing policies and procedures of an event
Event management policies to be followed in conducting of events
Every event management company must have a framework comprising of certain policies
which enables the firm to perform better, provides hassle free environment & smooth flow of
the business.
1) Vision policy- every firm must have a vision which is the ultimate goal along with
mission which acts as a bridge or path to reach the goals
2) Legal policy- it is the legal framework within which the company is bound to work
comprising of various rules, regulations, permission, licenses, clearances, clauses wtc
that gives legal security to both business and the client
3) Service level agreement policy- it represent the guidelines usually having both general
& customized to suit various requirement of the clients ultimately resulting in client
relationship management. Certain factors of service level agreement are food, facility,
media and time frame
4) Reservation policy- certain events have to be registered well in advance due to time,
space, funds & people constraints. It will require some funds deposited as advance or
part payment as a guarantee of the execution of the event.
5) Cancellation policy- certain circumstances results in either cancellation or
postponement of the event. In such situation, the policy should give scope for win-win
situation to ensure cordial customer relationship like waiving of the advance or
providing discounts on further events or postponed events
6) Escalation policy- there must be one point of contact accessible to the client who can
address the grievances as a representative of the company
7) Work flow policy- work flow reflects the organized path in which the work is
planned and executed to achieve the desired goals.
8) Human resource policy- it is most vital policy which must be carefully designed that
designs guidelines about the qualification, dress code, wages, compensation,
appraisal, etc for the employers and employees.
9) Marketing policy- it is the most creative in itself that advertises, promotes various
events organized by the company creating awareness to the public. It consists of
factors like timing of marketing, demand & supply, competition, market share,
innovative methods of marketing using technology
10) Billing policy- this is the mode of payment which must be framed at the convenience
of both company and client to ensure there is enough time given for the settlements
from the clients aspect and to ensure there is free working capital management for the
company
11) Compliance policy- it rep[resents a set of prohibitions for the employees which is
mandatory to ensure there is no confidential, critical details, company future plans,

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 strategies, model of work flow etc being shared by the employees either to
competitors or clients
12) Security policy- it is the safety measures & security team deployed by the company to
ensure safety to the clients, company properties, invites etc
13) Environment & pet policy- it is the efforts the company must consider to safeguards
the environment, society, public properties etc. some of the events might have clauses
restricting the pets being brought into the premises of the event
14) Transportation policy- mode of transportation, cost of transportation, destination,
arrival & departure timings, etc will be channelized for efficiency
15) Technical policy- the factors that are to be considered under this are like audio-
visuals, communication system, software, hardware, cost of procuring technology
based instruments, support system etc which give an edge to the company over others

Procedures to be followed in conducting of events

Event management company is expected to follow certain step which lays down the path to
reach the vision or mission based on the policies being framed. The procedures in general to
be borne in mind are as below:
1) Identification of objectives- the objectives of the event is crucial which must be
understood at both the ends to ensure there is sync in the event organized and to also
avoid any pitfall.
2) Planning of events- planning is the baby step to design the work flow model of the
company that helps in analyzing the various events to be organized sequentially.
3) Service requirements- facility requirements, catering, rooms, transportation , road
closures, traffic management, floral arrangements etc are decided as per the
requirements of the event5s and clients
4) Tapping of skilled employees- employees are the assets of the company and hence
they must be carefully recruited based on the job profiles, job description, skills
required by the company on whom the company can delegate the responsibilities for
smooth flow of work
5) Forming teams- groups or teams comprising of various combination of employees
have be formed to decentralize the assigned responsibilities, faster progress in work
flow model, successful achievement of vision of the company
6) Assignment of roles & responsibilities-delegation of the work must be assigned to
various teams consisting of managers, directors, coordinators, support, staff, technical
staff etc who are expected to work as a team for common goal.
7) Checklist for events- list of the things which are going to happen in the event have to
be noted and the event managers must cross check if everything is included in the
event.
8) Risk analysis- a complete analysis of uncertain situations have to be evaluated to
avoid all types of risk related to shortage of employees, excess or deficit of funds,
mismanagement of resources to face all the challenges and to overcome the same

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 9) Crisis management- it refers to the challenges faced by the company with respect to
unforeseen situations which can result in disaster and hence the firm has to be
prepared to face such scenarios‟
10) Coordinating teams- assigned roles & responsibilities have to be integrated in such a
way that there is mutual understating between various teams to achieve the final goals
for which co-operation& co-ordination is expected
11) Monitoring- the efforts of the company can be fruitful only when there is periodical
controlling of various activities of work flow model
12) Outcome analysis- the company has to analyze the end results or outcome after
successful completion of the events to look forward for betterment
13) Reporting and evaluation- periodic reporting to the higher manager projects overall
performance and future estimation, scope of development
14) Self assessment- assessments help in working on SWOT for improvement,
development of the company as whole, employees and to build strong customer
relationship
15) Revision of procedures- analysis and improvement gives scope of re-organizing,
inclusion, deletion of any policies, procedures to accommodate changing
requirements of client, government policies and cultures

Developing record keeping systems

Good record keeping can help you protect your business, measure your performance and
maximize profits. Records are the source documents, both physical and electronic, that
specify transaction dates and amounts, legal agreements, and private customer and business
details.
Benefits of record keeping system:-
1. Plan and work more efficiently

2. Meet legal and tax requirements

3. Measure profit and performance

4. Generate meaningful reports

5. Protect your rights

6. Manage potential risks

7. Prepare budget

8. Face risks and uncertainities

9. Innovate and expand activities

Types of record keeping system:-

1. Electronic record keeping:- most businesses use accounting software programs to
simplify electronic record keeping, and produce meaningful reports.

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Advantages of using electronic record keeping
• Helps you record business transactions, including income and expenses, payments to
workers, and stock and asset details

• Efficient way to keep financial records and require less storage space

• Provides the option of recording a sale when you raise an invoice, not when you receive
a cash payment from a client

• Easy to generate orders, invoices, debtor reports, financial statements, employee pay
records and inventory reports

• Automatically tallies amounts and provides reporting functions

• Allows you to back up records and keep them in a safe place in case of fire or theft.

• Keep up with the latest tax rates , tax laws and rulings.

• Many accounting programs have facilities to email invoices to clients, orders to supplies

2. Manual record keeping:- some business owners may want to use a simple, paper-based
record keeping system.

There are certain advantages to using manual record keeping as listed below:-
• Less expensive to set up

• Correcting entries may be easier with manual systems, as opposed to computerized ones
that can leave complicated audit trails

• The risk of corrupted data is much less

• Data loss is less of a risk, particularly if records are stored in a fire-proof environment

• Problems with duplicate copies ofthe same records are generally avoided

• The process is simplified as you don‟t need to be familiar with how accounting software
calculates and treats your information

Developing record keeping systems

The steps to be followed for developing a record keeping system are as mentioned below:-
Step 1: preliminary investigation
This is an opportunity to look at the organisation broadly to see its goals, how business is
performed who performs it and the reason why it is performed. In this step risk, stakeholders
and other factots that impact on the way business is performed are also examined

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Step 2: analysis of business activity
In doing step two you will learn more about the specific business processes that your
system will be required to support. You will also identify the records that are currently
generated in the transaction of this business.
Step 3: identification of recordkeeping requirements
Under this step, the event organiser should look at the record keeping requirements that
apply to the area of business you are assessing, that is, the area of business your new system
will support.
Step 4: assessment of existing systems
If you are developing a system to replace an existing solution, be sure to study the
existing system and identify all the positive and negative aspects of its operation. This
assessment will provide important context for the development of your new system.
Step 5: identification of strategies for recordkeeping
You may have a range of requirement you need to meet-in this step you can identify a
combination of strategies, from the development of a policy, to the degree of technical
components, through to the implementation of training program, to ensure your system is
Step 6: design of a record keeping system
Based on the knowledge of organisational requirement and previous mistakes that you
learned about through the course of your analysis, you will begin to develop all aspects of
your system and incorporate any recordkeeping tools you have developed in the course of
your event.
Step 7: implementation of a record keeping system
The promotional strategies recommended in step 7 may contain useful suggestions to
assist in your implementation. You will need to consider conversion strategies to move from
the old to the new system, and what effect this will have on operation.
Step 8: post implementation review
Step 8 is an opportunity to measure how the implementation of new business system
changes has fared and whether the system meets the expectations that were outlined in project
planning. Post implementation review also provides the opportunity to take corrective action
regarding faults detected in the system, which will help to protect your investment of
resources.

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 Questions
Section A (2M)
1. What is the meaning of event?

2. What are the characteristics of events?

3. What is event management?

4. What is record keeping?

5. What are the methods of record keeping?

Section B (6M)
1. What is the need for event management?

2. Explain analysis of event.

3. Write a note on managing technical staff.

4. What are the steps in developing a record keeping system?

5. What are the benefits of maintaining records? What are the key features of a good
record keeping system?

Section C (14 M)
1. Elaborate on the scope of events.

2. Who are the key decision makers in event management. Explain.

3. Explain the different policies and procedures to be established in an event

management firm.

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 Unit 2
Event Management Procedure
Event management plan
Event planning is the process of planning a festival, ceremony, competition, party, concert or
convention. Event planning includes budgeting establishing dates and alternative dates,
selecting and reserving the event site/venue, acquiring the permits (alcohol, insurance,
licenses etc) and coordinating transportation and parking, event planning also includes some
or all the following depending on the event
1. Developing a event motif for the event
2. Arranging for speakers and alternative speakers
3. Coordinating location support (location, water, electricity and other utilities)
4. Arranging decor, tables, chair, tents
5. Event support and security
6. Catering, police, fire, portable toilets, parking
7. Emergency plans- health care professionals, first aids stations and cleanup

Principles for holding an event

1. Principles of Clarity of Purpose (Clear objectives)
Principle of clarity of purpose states that the company should clearly mention their
objectives. These objectives may be financial or operational. Financial objective may be to
achieve desired return on investment (ROI). Once the event management team is clear about
objectives, the event can be planned on these lines. Challenge for an event management
company is that every event is a different project for the company. Purpose should clearly
state measurable outcomes before the event plan begins. Different events require different
objective and specific goals. Based on various events company should modify the objectives
and hit the ground running.

2. Principle of Focus (Target Audience)

Without customers there is no company. Every company‟s greatest assets are its customers.
Therefore, customers focus is the second principle of event management. Any event
conducted by the company should keep customers at the center. Company can plan events
and then invite the audience to match the event or they can design an event to suit a particular
audience group. It is ideal to begin with the customer in the mind and design the event. It is
said “you don‟t have anything to sell unless you create something people want to buy” in
order to understand customer needs the company should be constantly conducting market
research. Conducting market research, and knowing what the competitors are doing, the
company can decide their target audience and the services needed by them.

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3. Principle of Communication (Media Contacts)
Objectives and goals of the organisation should be made known to all in the organisation. It is
equally essential to communicate to the external world about what the company is doing and
why it is doing them. Company should make all efforts to reach the external world and
communicate their existence and the worth of their existence in the market. The company
should communicate to the external world the value they are adding to the society by offering
various services. Maintaining a good public relation is an essential requirement for an event
management company. Event management companies can make use of social media to make
their existence felt in the market. They can effectively use these media to promote their ideas
to the public at large.

4. Principle of Connectivity (Logistics)

Events of the company may be held indoor or outdoor. The venue is decided based on the
type of activities the company has planned for. If the events are conducted outdoors, it is
really essential for the company to ensure proper logistic facilities for the audience. There
should not be any confusion regarding the mode of commuting to the venue. At the time of
registration itself, the participants should be made clear about the logistics aspects. The
participants should know the pickup and drop points. Company should also ensure that the
required men and materials are moved to the location well in advance to facilitate desired
preparations.

5. Principle of Facilitation (Engaging the Audience)

Company generates revenue because of the audience. It is the prime duty and concern of the
company to engage the audience to offer them joyful experience. This is possible only if the
company has arranged high-profile speaker, good organising team. These team members
engage the audience with their abilities. Entertainment activities, games and competition will
keep the audience engaged. These are the activities which remain in the memory of the
audience and influence them to come back to the different other events of the company.
While conducting these activities, the basic objective should not be forgotten.

6. Principle of Promotion (Giveaways)

The principle of promotion says company should strive to promote their company in every
activity they do. It is a good practice that the company gives some gifts to the participants.
This is done to thank them for supporting the event. The quality of gifts should not tarnish the
image of the company. Depending on what company is, company might be able to give away
an existing product. Using the existing product as a gift directly promotes the product. If the
own products of the company are used, there is no need to spend extra on purchase of some
other gifts for obedience. While gifting, nothing should be gifted which contradicts the very
basic purpose of the event.

7. Principle of Confidence (Ready to take challenging questions)

People are curious listeners & learners. They would want to explore all possibilities to gain
more information about the event or the company. Therefore, the company should be

17
prepared in advance for possible questions from the audience or any of the participants. The
person should not only give convincing answers, he should also give correct answers.

8. Principle of People Management (providing proper staff)

The success of any event is largely dependent on how good the event was organised and
coordinated. Therefore, it is necessary for the company to provide right people for the right
activity. The event management team should delegate different activities to a responsible
team head. The team members must be flexible enough to handle the event. They should be
in a position to sacrifice their personal life. This is true if an event is conducted on a week
end. An unsatisfied employee cannot deliver happiness to his customer.

9. Principle of Documentation (Recording the event)

Company should design & develop a proper documentation mechanism in the organisation.
The system should be capable of capturing all the activities in detail. The company must be in
a position to maintain all the records very systematically. The system should be very robust
i.e., it should be capable of generating any report in any format. The company can make use
of available technology for this purpose. Various counting & record keeping software are
available to do this job with great ease & perfection. These records can be used to evaluate
various aspects. Records help company in knowing number of participants enrolled against
number of participants expected. Actual amount spent and the budgeted expenditure,
budgeted revenue & actual revenue collected & so on, can be known from the records. These
records will help the company in planning of the future events.

10. Principle of Evaluation (Review)

The process of any activity will complete with evaluation. According to the dictum, “if you
cannot measure it, you cannot manage it”. Therefore, it is necessary for an event manager to
evaluate every event after completion. As stated earlier, it is the responsibility of event
management team to set the evaluation goal for every activity. Actual outcome should be
compared with the pre-determined standards. Evaluation should highlight both positive and
negative points. Positives should be appreciated and the company should work towards the
elimination of the weaknesses. Event management should consider evaluation as an on-going
process. Evaluation done on a regular basis will improve the effectiveness of the operations
of the company. Objective evaluation of all activities should be done at regular intervals,
ensures smooth functioning of the entire event.

11. Principle of Customer Convenience (Easy registration and access to event place)
Providing convenience to customers should be the prime concern of any organisation.
Customers would like to enjoy good experience with the company. The success of the
organisation is largely dependent on how the customers are treated by the company.
Customer comforts and convenience will add to the customer satisfaction. Therefore, the
company should make all possible efforts to keep their customer happy and delighted. This
should happen right from the registration stage itself. Customers should be provided with
easy access to registration, follow-up and payments. In this direction, the company can take
advantage of technology. Online registration, online confirmation of registration and online

18
payment for registration confirms customer convenience. While taking registration,
participants should be made available with all the necessary information about the entire
process.

12. Principle of Acknowledgement (Culture of saying thanks)

Like inviting participants to attend the event, it is equally important for the company to
acknowledge and thank the participants for their time and valuable presence. Thanking notes
should be sent to all the participants, including the speakers and others who were part of the
event. Thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude. Acknowledging people builds strong customer
relationship for the company.

13. Principle of Commitment (Owning the event)

The principle of commitment demands full involvement of all the individuals involved in the
process of event completion. Everybody should own his activity and internalise the process.
Persons involved in various activities should internalise the expected outcome of their
respective activity. With clarity of the outcome, individuals can contribute to their fullest
potential. Owning the event helps individuals to work effectively and contribute for the good
of the organisation.

14. Principle of Technology Integration (Use of Technology)

The principle of technology integration emphasises the use of technology in integrating all
the related event management activities. Integrating all the activities will reduce duplication
of work and reduces workload. Event managers can devote their valuable time on major
operational decisions. Technology adoptions and integration brings competitive advantage to
the company.

15. Principle of Continuous Learning (Continuous Improvement)

An important key for any organisation is continuous growth. This can happen only when the
people in the organisation learn new things continuously. Constantly learning new things is a
basic requirement in this dynamic business world. In today‟s work environment only the
learners who are constantly improving their abilities will be employable. Constantly learning
will keep our brain from going dull and dead. Constant learning will make an individual
confident and creative. Therefore, the company should support the employees to learn new
things and apply them in workplace.

16. Principle of Optimum Utilisation of Resources

Every organisation, big or small, will have limited resources. The success of an organisation
is dependent on how effectively these resources are put to use. Elimination of wastage brings
more profit to the organisation. Every team involved in the execution of the event should
think of alternative ways of accomplishing each activity. The alternative selected should be
economical but effective. This requires constant observation, learning and innovation.

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17. Principle of Maximum Care
Customer care is closely associated with Customer Satisfaction. Superior ideas and wonderful
products will bring image to the organisation only if customers are satisfied. A customer is an
organisation‟s most valuable advertising tool. If the customer is satisfied, he will advertise
the company beyond words. The word of mouth advertising is a powerful tool to take the
company to greater heights.

GUIDELINES TO BE FOLLOWED WHILE CONDUCTING AN EVENT.

General details:

Guideline 1: Venue Suitability

The following issues need to be considered when selecting a venue:
1. Acceptance of the proposed event by neighboring properties and tenants.
2. Proximity to suitable public transport.
3. Off-road parking for patrons.
4. Off-road parking for set up and take down personnel
5. Provision for policing, first aid and command facilities.
6. Facility able to meet the needs of the proposed numbers.
7. Buffer zones between noise sources and noise-sensitive neighboring properties.
8. Absence of toxic industries in close proximity to the event.
9. Pleasant environment for patrons, shade in summer, rain protection in winter.
10. Adequate toilet facilities.
11. Storm protection for patrons.
12. On-site emergency muster points.
13. Multiple emergency service routes.
14. Close proximity to emergency responders.

Guideline 2: Creating An Accessible Event

1. Promotional material.
2. For outdoor events establish viewing areas for mobility impaired people close to the
mixer desk as this is usually the only structure front of house and it usually has reasonable
access via the restricted viewing at the rear of the mixer.

Guideline 3: Preliminary Event Rating

Events are rated according to risk to assist approving authorities and emergency responders to
allocate appropriate resources. High-risk events require more thorough planning and
surveillance whilst low-risk events will need far less security and resources.
The risk matrix found in tools section is intended to provide a quick rating to assist organizers
and approving authorities to quickly identify the type of event that is proposed. It does not
remove the requirement for risk management.

Guideline 4: Risk Management

Is about

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1. Ensuring safety
2. Balancing benefits and risks, with a focus on reducing real risks
3. Enabling innovation and learning
4. Ensuring that those who create risks manage them responsibly
5. Enabling individuals to understand that as well as the right to protection, they also
have to exercise responsibility.

Is not about
1. Creating a totally risk free society
2. Generating useless piles of paperwork
3. Scaring people by exaggerating or publicizing trivial risks.
4. Stopping important recreational and learning activities where the risks are managed.
5. Reducing protection of people from risks that cause real harm and suffering.

The risk management plan should include:

1. Event details.
2. Stakeholders.
3. Consequence and likelihood descriptors.
4. The risk matrix analysis.
5. Risk register.
6. Action response plans, which should include the initial and treated risk description.

Guideline 5: Emergency Management

An emergency is any unplanned event that can cause deaths or significant injuries, disrupt
operations, cause physical or environmental damage, threaten the reputation of the event, or
decrease the revenue from the event.
Example:
1. Crowd crush
2. Fire
3. Flood or flash flood
4. Severe weather
5. Earthquake.

PERMITS AND LICENSE FOR EVENTS

It is likely that, the venue, concessionaries and subcontractors, etc will need to have certain
license or permissions in place before the event can be held. Many licenses are issued by
local authorities, so it‟s best to take their advice early in the planning stages of event.

Appropriate licenses may include:

a) PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) License
PPL is a license for playing recorded music in public, the license for public performance of
music recordings. It allows to use other artiste‟s musical creation at event with freedom.

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Suppose, planning to organize a musical event in India, and includes playing recorded music
or musical videos at the event “in public”, then the event will require to have a PPL license.
Generally, it seeks to collect and distribute money on behalf of the music recording
companies and performers.

License for communication to public, Public Performance of music recordings is Mandatory

Subject to the Copyright Act of 1957, it is mandatory for all those who play Prerecorded
music in the form of Gramophone Records, Music cassettes or CDs or Radio or TV or Audio-
visual etc. for non-private purpose or in public place and\or commercial establishments
and\or non-commercial establishments, to take a prior license from Phonographic
Performance Limited(PPL).

PPL owns and\or exclusively controls public performance rights in the repertoire of many
reputed music labels, encompassing all major Indian languages, including Hindi, Punjabi,
Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, etc.(both film and non-film
devotional\spiritual, Ghazals, Classical, folk, Indi-pop, etc) and English\International songs.
Consequently, any communication or performance of Indian or International music from the
Sound Recordings of PPL for non-private purposes or in Public Places or Commercial
Establishments such as Hotels, Restaurants, Cinema Halls, Discotheques license from PPL,
constitutes an infringement of copyright under The Copyright Act of 1957. Such violation of
copyright is Cognizable & Non-bail able offence, attracting heavy Penalties

Licensing Streams Under PPL:

The value of music is indisputable. Music is everywhere around us: on radio and television,
in films, bars, clubs, discotheques, gyms, restaurants, hotels, offices, shopping malls,
concerts, fetes, festivals, airplanes and taxis. Recordings of music are manufactured, sold, and
distributed on a large scale. Music is an important facet of modern life.
1. Telecom Related Licenses- For Ring-back Tones, Music Messaging, IVRS, Mobile
audio streaming and „audio cinema‟, Mobile embedded\pre-loaded and other Telecom value
added services involving the usage of sound-recordings(in whole or in part)
2. Radio License- All Private FM and Government owned Radio stations community
radio stations.
3. Public Performance (Background Music) - License of sound-recordings in public
(i.e. excluding domestic home and private vehicle), in the background. A license taken for
“Background music” does not entitle the license to exploit the licensed sound-recordings in
an event or show or concert or stage or dance-floor, etc., for which a separate\additional
“Events” license is required to be taken (see below).
4. Public Performance (Events) License- playing of sound-recordings in an event or
show or concert or stage or dance-floor, etc., where performers perform on stage or a
designated area.
Ex: A hotel or a shopping mall which has obtained a mere “background music” license needs
to obtain separate license for its discotheque, restaurants, lounge bar, spa\health club. A hotel
or shopping mall or banquet-hall or discotheque or ball-room which has obtained a mere

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“background music” license needs to obtain separate license for any Event (including shows,
promotions, DJ parties, fashion shows etc.) held in its premises.
5. Public Performance (storage) License- Temporary Storage, embodiment, transfer
etc of sound-recordings. Ex storage of songs by DJs on DJ systems storage on computer
servers by aggregators, for onward transmission etc.

b) IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society Limited) License

IPRS is a license for playing\performing non-recorded music in public, a license “for the
artistes, of the artistes”. Supposing there is a popular artiste performing live in India, then the
event will require an IPRS license. Also, the artiste needs to be a registered member of IPRS.

Unlike PPL, IPRS issues licenses to the music users. It collects royalties for the artistes, from
the artistes on behalf of its registered artiste members (such as lyricists, composers,
publishers and performers of music) and distributes the royalty to the music
owners\members.

c) Excise License
Excise license is a tax levied for the sale or supply of alcohol. Organizer needs to procure
excise permission in order to serve alcohol in a live or recorded music event in India. For
hosting a musical event with liquor service inside and outside the premises, one needs to have
an excise license. If the event will take place at an alcohol on-licensed premise then the
organizer need not procure a license. On the other hand, if the hotel or venue doesn‟t have
liquor serving license, the organizer needs to obtain one for his event.

Ensure that event attendees are of legal drinking age (LDA). Identity cards will be
compulsory at the event to verify and confirm their age. Also, provide them LDA (Legal
Drinking Age) bands with the physical passes at the event venue.

d) Loudspeaker License
Any public event held in any public or private venue requires a loudspeaker license. Since it
is a musical event, it requires license for loudspeaker use and this permission needs to be
obtained from the local police authorities under whose purview the venue falls. The
authorities may limit the size and number of speakers based on nature of the event.

e) Premises License
A premises license allows an event to carry all the licensable activities at the venue such as
providing late night entertainment between 11pm to 8am, large-scale events allowing of over
500 people, selling alcohol as well as serving food and beverages between 11pm and 5pm.,
etc.
Contact the nearby authority of the venue, where the event has been scheduled to take place
for applying the premises license. Make sure we apply the premises license before a 28-days
consultation period.

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f) Performance License
Performance license allows a child (anybody below 18 years of age) to perform and take part
in the musical event. So, if planning to include a performance by a child, who will be paid
for, event planner needs to apply for a performance license from the local authority.

Make sure that there is no one who can stop the event except the police department, in case of
exigencies like bomb threats or any other unforeseen law and order problems erupting even in
the surrounding area of the venue. In case, an event is taking place without these licenses, the
organizer will be penalized.

1. Building Control & Temporary Structures License(section 89): If considering

converting the use of a building, erecting, staging, etc, we will require the assistance of the
relevant local authority department and may perhaps require temporary licenses such as a
Temporary Structures License(especially if you intend to build any temporary structures over
600mm).

2. Land Bond: The owner of the land on which we stage the event may require a
monetary bond to be lodged before taking temporary possession of the land. This bond may
be returnable if the owner has incurred no expense in order to reinstate the site to its original
state. Even if not required to lodge a bond, ensure to obtain the written consent of the land
owner to proceed with the event on their property.

g) Public Entertainment License

This is usually issued by the local authority for all buildings and locations in the open air at
which entertainment is provided to the public.
A license can be issued either for one or more occasions (an Occasional or Temporary
License) or for a period of one year (An Annual License). The main purpose of licensing
entertainment is to enable the local authority to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the
public. Licenses are therefore only granted when the premises (or site) and arrangements
meet the standards required by the Police, Fire Service, and the relevant council departments.

Street Trader’s License- usually required when the sale of goods is in operation, or where
food or hot\cold beverages are sold. Issued by the local authority.

Temporary Market Trader’s License- similar to the above, but when event basically
constitutes the operation of a market –i.e. an art, craft or food fair. Issued by the local
authority.

Alcohol Sales- your event venue\site may have an existing license or may be able to negotiate
a deal with a licensee to supply a bar. If neither applies, we should investigate if we are able
to apply to the local authority for an Occasional License.

Contracts & Agreements: Organizing an event involves making a whole range of

agreements with a number of organizations and individuals including funders, sponsors,

24
venues, suppliers, performers, staff and volunteers. It is essential to put all agreements in
writing thus ensuring that each party understands exactly what is expected of them.

Agreements with Key Partners: At the outset establish who the key partners are and what
they expect from their involvement in the event. Ensure have a written contract with each
outlining what is to be delivered on both sides.

Guidelines to making an agreement\contract:

1. Keep it simple.
2. Always include the full contract details of both parties and name a representative for each.
3. Ensure that the signatories have the power to sign on behave of their respective
organization.
4. Date the contract and state a return date as appropriate.
5. Include fell and clear details of what we expect to receive.
6. Include full details of what we will provide.
7. Include specific details of the financial agreement and remember to be clear if VAT is
included.
8. If we are dealing with a foreign company ,be clear under which country‟s law the
contract is drawn up and the rate of exchange applied to the fee
9. Include a statement about what happens in the event of cancellation or if either party is
unable to deliver to the agreement.
10. Include a statement about any insurance requirement.
11. At the end provide a section that allows each party to print their name, provide a signature
and data their agreement.
12. Send two signed copies to the other party in order that one can be returned signed by
them.
13. Ensure we keep copies on your computer as well as a hard copy in a „contracts‟ file
finally, always ask a lawyer (perhaps is one on your committee or board) to have a look at
any document that you are unsure about. Where a significant of risk is involved always seek
legal advice.

Emergency management:

It is defined as a process to reduce loss of life and property and to protect assets from all
types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of
mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. An emergency management plan outlines
this process in relation to event.

Adequate security arrangement can be a major factor in the success of an event. A risk
assessment of the event will indicate the type and level of security required. Event
management should consider security in relation to cash, security, asset protection, crowd
management and public safety. It is essential that security personnel have the efficient
communication equipment and processes to maintain direct liaison with police, emergency
services and event manager.

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• Security- the provision of first aid services and direct access for emergency
ambulance and medical response services is critical for all types of events.
• First aid services should be in a clearly defined area and the officers should be able to
easily communicate with the event manager, staff and security personnel. Patrons should be
informed and encouraged to access the first aid service for themselves or friends.
• Emergency medical services it is recommended that a written plan be provided to all
staff, police and emergency service personnel. Problems can be reduced if basic forcible
entry tools are available.

UTILITIES:
Operation equipment facility
It is not possible to comprehensively list all the production equipment, services and facilities
that are required as each event is unique.
Guidelines:
1. Place equipment and plant as close as possible to where it is need without impending
audience view or affecting audience enjoyment. This will also help reduce the amount of
cabling required.
2. Ensure that any equipment that has to be placed in vicinity of an audience is secured
and can cause no harm. Place it in an area that is accessible should it require attention during
the event.
3. Make sure all welfare services are in a convenient and visible location and are well
sign posted. Similarly with rubbish bins, place them in visible location and particularly
around catering areas.

Electricity facility
Generation and distribution cables Electrical supplies Fuel Cable covers and ramps, no, etc.
dressing rooms, production and site offices, catering, storage, baby change, etc.
Transport & vehicles forklift, cherry picker, crane, off-road vehicles, flat bed trucks, vans,
cars, etc. hire on site office equipment computer, printer, admin supplies, etc.

Health, safety and water facility

Health, safety and water are high - priority areas in event organization. Effective health and
safety has to be carefully planned managed and controlled.
The health and safety of:
1. Everyone working in organization and at the event.
2. Everyone performing at or taking part in the event.
3. Everyone attending the event.
4. Everyone who may be affected by the event we also must ensure that everyone who is
working on the event understands the importance of the health and safety issues and works
together to achieve a safe event for all.

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The following agencies are of health and safety sub-groups:
1. Police: the Police may advice on many safety aspects such as audience numbers,
crowd control, emergency procedures, communications, traffic management and emergency
services access, etc. Their presence at a live event will depend on the nature of the
entertainment, the scale of the event and the level of stewarding.
2. Fire brigade: The Fire Brigade may advise on occupant capacity, potential fire
hazards, firefighting equipment required, equipment locations, emergency access, means of
escape, signage, lighting, rendezvous points, pyrotechnic elements such as fireworks, fire
sculptures or bonfires and other emergency procedures.
3. Medical Services: Depending on the nature and scale of the event you may require the
assistance of the local health board, seek their advice on the medical provision required such
as numbers of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, first aiders, accommodation and facilities as
well as emergency access and other procedures.
4. Fees: Note that charges may be levied by some or all of the Emergency Services.
Make sure you factor these costs into your budget at an early stage. Medical provision must
be available to everybody working on, performing at, competing in or attending the event. As
far as is practicable, an event should be self sufficient in order to minimize the impact on the
day-to-day provision for the local community.

Sanitary Facilities: The calculation of the level of sanitary facilities required at events is
based on a range of factors including the audience capacity, audience profile, location,
duration and existing facilities.

Facilities for People with Disabilities:

An inclusive approach is required for all aspects of event planning. People with disabilities
have the right to equal treatment and should not be discriminated against. At the planning
stage there is need to implement special measures in order to make the event accessible to
people with mobility problems, sight or hearing impairments or other special needs.
Provision may include: Operations, Equipment, Facilities, Health & Safety
□ Widened access\egress doors and routes
□ Ramps
□ Handrails
□ Lifts
□ Sanitary Facilities
□ Lowered surfaces- for instance at food outlets and info points
□ Floor surfaces & ground coverings
□ Parking
□ Transport to and around the event
□ Seating
□ Viewing areas
□ Signage
□ Hearing systems
□ Staff or stewarding support
□ Light and sound levels

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 □ Accommodations
□ Free accesses for careers remember to consider people with disabilities when
preparing emergency and evacuation plans.

Litter & Waste management facility:

Events can create a tremendous amount of litter and waste that has to be collected, disposed
of and recycled as appropriate. A build up of waste can be harmful to the health and safety of
all those involved or affected by the event and the environment. It is therefore important to
prepare for and stay in control of this issue. As event manager ensure that rubbish and waste
is disposed of in the correct manner.
Waste Management Plan should consider the following:
1. The event type, audience profile and capacity.
2. Waste types, Ex. Food remnants\paper\plastic at catering concessions,
wood\metal\fuel at production area, drink cartons\food\paper flyers\etc front of house.
3. Waste generators, Ex. Production, administration, catering, bar operators, general
public, artists, pyrotechnics, toilets & shower, medical areas, etc.
4. Waste receptacles and requirement, Ex. Skips, plastic bins, bottle banks, etc.
5. Waste locations, Ex. Skip in production area, bottle bank for bar use.
6. Recycling opportunities(recycle and reuse whenever possible)
7. Waste management promotion, (i.e.) how to encourage others to minimize waste and
dispose of it properly.
8. Waste management activity, i.e. what is going to be uplifted, when will this happen
and by whom (before, during and after the event).
9. Site\Venue Plans Site (or venue) plans or maps are necessary for an event. They serve
as a tool to help calculate the capacity and maximize the effectiveness of the site\venue in the
planning stages. They also act as a communication tool between everyone involved during
build-up and the live event.

Welfare Service Facility:

1. Drinking Water: This should be supplied at all types of events, particularly at those
held outdoors. Depending on venue\site services, access to mains, drinking water. If not,
water can be supplied from water containers that are fit-for-purpose or bottled water made
available.
2. Baby Change: If event is family oriented, provide a facility for parents to change
baby‟s nappies. Ensure the accommodation is secure with suitable furniture, supplies, waste
disposal and washing facilities present. Also, think about providing a private area for mothers
to breastfeed babies, (should they wish.)
3. Lost Persons & Information Points:
Lost Persons: If the event is family oriented or if anticipating children attending the event, it
is crucial to provide an area where they can go, or be taken to should they become separated
from their parent or guardian.
Information Points: Depending on the complexity, length and type of event, it may be wise to
have a point or points of information. Those staffing these positions should be knowledgeable

28
about the event, the venue\site, parking and transport arrangements, etc and must also be kept
informed of any programme changes that the public needs to know about.
4. Lost Property: A point for Lost Property is appropriate at events of all types and sizes.
Agree a procedure in advance with those staffing the area to ensure that property is being
reunited with the correct owner.

Venue / Site Layout:

1. For outdoors events where a standing crowd gathers in a defined space to watch the
entertainment (such as at a street theatre or a music event) the general acceptance for a clear
flat, open space with a reasonable view of the performance is required.
2. Not all of the available space for the audience will have a clear view of the
entertainment. In such instances a lesser figure should be applied or the area should be taken
out of the equation altogether.
3. Existing site features such as hills, trees and site line obstructions will further reduce
the capacity.
4. Other areas that may be in and around the audience space such as front of house areas,
media stands, camera positions, judges boxes, sound delay tower, water towers, disable
platforms, etc will further reduce the capacity.
5. Types of entertainment such as funfair will have different calculations based on the
number and type of rides and the available space between the rides.
6. Venues may be seated, standing or a combination of both. The seating available may
be actual seats or it could be areas where people can sit on the ground. If the venue is
outdoor. Each of these points will influence the final capacity of the event. Remember to also
take into account any potential „pinch points‟ around the venue.
7. If the site/venue area is extensive, consider the viability of placing screens around the
site to show the main entertainment. These may be helpful with increasing capacity potential
while reducing the possibility of overcrowding or surging.
8. Remember to recalculate the capacity if the site layout changes or if structures are
added, removed, etc.
9. Seek advice from the local authority and the fire brigade when calculating number
and width of exits.
10. Spectator flows at sports event, (I.e. access and egress during sessions) should be
considered.
11. Check any large equipment that is being brought to the event can fit through the
access/egress and there is suitable turning space for large vehicles to exit the venue.
12. Do not mix pedestrian and vehicular access/egress if at all possible.

Similarly, try to keep public, staff and performer/participant access/egress separate from each
other.
1. Ensure all access points have suitable gathering/queuing space for the audience
expected and all egress points have safe exit potential.
2. Individual or specially created access for the disabled may be required.
3. Consideration must also be given to the emergence services. It is likely you will
require the presence of first aid facilities at the event of a more serious incident.

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Examples arising e.g. someone requires hospital attention or a fire tender needs access, clear
access into the site, passage around the site and egress groom the site is necessary. If
appropriate, recommend sterile access routes or pathways for their use.
4. To avoid the audience making their own paths, create clearly defined routes around
the site that are wide enough to accommodate the amount of footfall that is anticipated.
Ensure there is enough space for people to gather or queue at concession or entrainment areas
without impeding the paths or access/egress routes.
5. Avoid building dead ends into the layout at all costs as these could be detrimental to
health and safety. The sitting of entertainment should encourage steady movement of the
audience around the event site/venue. In other words, if there is multiple entrainment an
offer. It should not be concentrated in the one area. This will help minimize the risk of „hot
spots‟ and bottlenecks building up.
6. Avoid a haphazard or cluttered layout as this can impede flow. Sterile Areas
Depending on the size and nature of the event, it may be necessary to build in areas to the site
that are sterile-in other words, areas that the public should not gain general access. Areas
such as a rendezvous point (for emergency services to use in the event of a major incident) or
a fireworks fall-out zone require careful consideration of their of their placement, size and
barrier/security protection system.

Taxes Applicable

Service Tax
Service tax has been imposed on event management services provided by event management
professionals / firms to any clients for any event conducted provided that the following
conditions are taken care of.
• There has to be a sponsor.
• There has to be an event manager
• Event should be managed / organized.
Thus, for occurrence of a taxable event, there has to be a sponsor on whose behalf an event is
organized and event manager who organizes such services. It is not a tax on the event but on
the services provided on managing an event.
Taxable Service:
Service to mean service provided or to be provided to any person by an event manager in
relation to event management.
The basic tests for taxability of event management service are-
• Service must be provided to any person (w.e.f. 16-5-2008)
• Service must be in relation to event management.
• Service must be provided by event manager.

Commercial / Entertainment Tax

Commercial Taxis calculated on a percentage basis and varies from place to place and state to
state. It is calculated on basis of estimated number of tickets to be sold.

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Entertainment taxes are to be paid for amusement facilities and entertainment events.

Value Added Tax

A value-added tax (VAT) is a type of consumption tax that is placed on a product / event
whenever value is added at a stage of production and at final sale / execution. The amount of
value-added tax that the user pays is the cost of the product, less any of the costs of materials
used in the product that have already been taxed.

Excise Tax
Central Excise duty is an indirect tax levied on those goods which are manufactured in India
and are meant for home consumption. It has also been imposed on events conducted in India.

Questions

Section A (2M)
1. What is an event management plan?
2. What are utilities?
3. What is PPL?
4. What is IPRS?
5. What is service tax?
Section B (6M)
1. Explain the general details of planning an event.

2. What are the permissions required to plan and conduct an event?

3. What are the licenses required to plan and conduct an event?

4. Explain the taxes applicable to event management.

5. What role do Government and local authorities play in planning an event?

6. Elaborate on the utilities of a venue that are to be planned.

7. What are the measures to make an event venue accessible for differently abled /
physically disabled people?

Section C (14 M)
1. Elaborate on the principles of event management.

2. What are the permissions, licenses and policies required for planning and conducting
an event? Explain in detail.

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 UNIT - 3
CONDUCT OF AN EVENT
CONDUCTING AN EVENT:
1) Analyse the overall primary goal.
The objective behind conducting an event must be analysed by the event manager
.Example: Educational, Fund raising or Organizational celebrations.
2) Selection and recruitment of planning committee.
Planning committee should consist of staff, board members and volunteers. There
should be at least two or more co-chairpersons to oversee the process.
3) Creation of master plan and budget.
A master plan and budget must be prepared in each of the following areas which
include: Program, Promotion, Fund raising.
4) Develop a time line.
A proper schedule must be prepared by the event manager to insure that tasks are
performed as per schedule.
5) Delegation of work.
The event manager can assign the task to subcommittee or individuals to reduce
work pressure, but have to ensure that the delegated task to person with no experience
is teamed with co-workers to ensure the task accomplishment.
6) Conduct and performance of event.
In order to make the event a successful, the event manager must make sure that all
which are planned for the particular event are performed as per plan.
7) Evaluate and award volunteers.
The event manager can collect feedback of event to evaluate the event (to assess
what improvement can be made for the next event).

STEPS TO ORGANIZE AN EVENT.

1) Objective.
Make sure to have a clear objective for the event, understand why holding it, to
whom it’s targeted and what return it will yield.
2) Consultation.
Consultation is very essential; the event manager must make sure that all the
relevant stakeholders are involved as early in the planning stage to avoid any
complications later.

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3) Planning/Methodology.
Planning is the most crucial stage of any event. The event manager must make sure
that enough time to complete this stage provided has to plan for any eventuality,
recheck edition on updated document, consider alternatives etc.
4) Resource.
Event manager must ensure that enough resource to prepare and deliver the event
is available in a safe, effective and professional way.
5) Branding.
Event manager must ensure that event is clearly branded and must develop a clear
vision identity for the event with a name, logo and vision.
6) Marketing.
Identifying the target audiences and brainstorming in all possible ways to reach
audience is another work of the event manager.
7) Checklist.
The event manager must make a complete check on the things which are going on.
And also should cross check on the people to whom work has been assigned to verify if
things are going according to planned schedule.
8) Delivery.
The event delivery must be as smooth as it can be, event manager has to deliver
what has been promised by delegating responsibilities to people trusted and be
proactive not reaction.
9) Communication.
The event manager must be transparent and keep everyone up to date as to what is
happening.
10) Feedback.
The event manager must ensure that the learning process meet the participants
expectations. This will help in getting a positive feedback about the event conducted.
11) Profile.
Once the event has become a great success the event manager must make sure that
other people know about the event.
12) Evaluation.
Event manager has to look at the return on investment, analyse feedback from the
event and summarize to help with future events and has to learn from mistakes and
ensure to move forward by making further improvements in the next events.

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ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITIES TO VARIOUS PEOPLE INVOLVED IN CONDUCTING
AN EVENT.
Assigning responsibility can help delegate work efforts boost efficiency and spell
success. It also helps enables members to get better ideas of which members are
working on closely related tasks.
An event management company can have following event professionals who are
involved in conducting an event:
1. Event manager / Event planner.
2. Event Coordinator.
3. Information manager.
4. Logistic manager.
5. Security manager.
6. Infrastructure manager.
7. Event administrator.
8. Volunteers.
9. Games planner.
10. Event director.

MULTICHANNEL USED FOR COMMUNICATION IN EVENTS.

1. Website ads.
2. Print ads.
3. Ads on host websites.
4. Business cord.
5. Tele seminar.
6. Direct mail.
7. Email.
8. Videos.
9. Article.
10. Blog.
11. Social media sites.

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Communication strategies:
1) Communication between all parties involved in the event planning.
Good communication is crucial during the planning stage .As the event manager,
should ensure that all agencies are effectively communicating with each other.
2) During the event itself, the event manual and site/venue plan.
It is vital to hold valuable tools that aid good communication they contain up-to-date
information. If the nature and size of the event requires a multi-agency presence, it is
likely each organization will employ their own communication system and use their
own equipment.
3) Communication with the public at the event.
There are many ways to communicate with the public at the event including
information stands, printed material, stewards, screen messages and PA
announcements.

BUDGET OF AN EVENT.
The budgets should be prepared based on the few considerations that an event manager
should consider:
1. Duration available for planning the event.
2. Working process of the event.
3. Objectives to be accomplished.
4. Source of funds for the events.
5. Involvement of event management team members.
6. Type of the event.

EVENT BUDGETING RULES.

1) Budget to avoid making a loss.
If an event looks likely to make a loss ,it calls into questions whether the event
should go ahead according to the existing plan .If it is not too late ,plans should be
changed so that the event will at least break-even.
2) Be realistic about event incomes.
Event plans are far too optimistic about the amount of sponsorship to be gained, or
the number of people who will attend as spectators or participants.

35
3) Have a contingency plan.
In thinking through what could possibly go wrong with an event, it is a good idea to
determine what must be done if something does go wrong. For example, what happens
if the sponsorship pull out, or there is very bad weather.

CONTENT OF EVENT BUDGET.

Incomes:
1. Ticket sales.
2. Entry fees.
3. Commercial sponsorship.
4. Concessions and franchises.
5. Merchandising.
6. Showcase, demo.
7. Advertising.
8. In kind support.
9. Licensing and broadcasting rights.
Expenses:
1. Trophies and awards.
2. Travel and accommodation.
3. Salaries, postage and telephone.
4. Photo, videos/medical fees.
5. Venue rent and insurance.
6. Printing and promotion.
7. Equipment and hire charges.
8. Transport.

REASONS FOR BUDGET OF AN EVENT.

1. Financial decisions affect every area of the event and must be established early in the
process and monitored on a regular basis.
2. Budgets are a clear way of identifying and allocating funds and communicating
important financial information.

36
3. They can also be used as a basis for evaluation and to help future planning .Therefore,
preparing a budget is part of the initial planning stage.
4. It includes projection revenue and expenditure from which an estimate of the net
profits from the proposed event can be ascertained.
5. forming a budget begins with the costing of essentials, including the allocation of staff
to the planning and of staging of the conference.
6. Then there is accommodation, transportation, catering and so on. A budget is a plan
based on accurate quotes from all contractors and suppliers and careful research to
ensure that no expenses have been overlooked.
7. It provides guidelines for approving expenditure and ensuring that the financial
aspects of the event remain on track.
8. The budget is a part of the event proposal or the basis of the quote by the event
management company to the client.
9. The budget as a document is an important planning tool, but the true value is in the
degree to which the manager uses it and in the accuracy and thoughtfulness of the
preparation process.
10. A budget represents the income and expenses of an organization or the individual
event.
11. The event manager cannot have a successful planning structure without a budget
and priorities for how the money will be spent. Therefore preparation of a budget is
very essential.

Fundamentals / Steps of Creating a Budget

a. Obtain past financial reports for the same or similar event: this will give
insights into the demographic of your audience, and a baseline for year-over-year
comparison.
b. Define sources of revenue: the team need to review the various revenue streams
available like attendee revenue, sponsor revenue and ancillary revenue
c. Identify expenses: each event is different, but some of the line items that could be
included within an event budget include: facilities/room rental charges, food &
beverage, audio visual, furniture rental, entertainment, travel & lodging, staffing,
equipment etc.
d. Get the quotes: be determined with team the expenditure that will impact the
budget. After that begin obtaining quotes based on requirements, including venue,
updated menu costs, décor, labour charges, room rentals, 3rd party vendors etc.
e. Create an excel worksheets reflecting the per person cost based on
attendance: the team need to prepare an excel worksheet which includes cost per
individual like for example breakfast and lanyards cost per person.

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 f. Create and enter data into budget: using worksheet created begins entering the
proposed budget template. Create few different scenarios to talk through with
team until everyone can agree on the decision that need to be made to have a
budget that works.

COMPUTER AIDED EVENT MANAGEMENT

Before your event:
1) Interact with your speaker.
Communication with the speaker about the event’s goals is crucial. Good speakers
will tailor their message to meet your needs.
2) Use social media to promote the event.
Tweet about the upcoming event on Twitter and add status updates about it to
Facebook and LinkedIn.
3) Make event materials mobile-friendly.
Create a mobile app for your event that includes access to all the event’s handouts.
It’s easier and less expensive than you think.
During your event
1) Internet access is a must.
2) Video conferencing/Web casting can expand your reach.
3) Garner audience participation by implementing an audience response system.
4) Encourage attendees to use social media during your event.
5) Keep smart phones ON to promote texting.
6) Create a Highlight Reel from prior events.
7) Harness the power of visual testimonials.
8) Use photos of attendees in social updates.
9) Create one Unified Hash tag for use across all social channels.
10)Create Facebook event page.
11) Add your event to your Email signature.
12)Mailing list, direct mail, email, and internet.

ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER AIDED EVENT MANAGEMENT:

1. Easier data management
Computer aided event management helps the company in managing the entire
data in a more organized way. For each event the company can save the
records for all previous events.

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 2. Increased efficiency
Data is managed in a systematic manner. Any information can be obtained on a
click of a button. Event manager can get quick information about an event.
3. Reduces cost
Initial investment may be relatively high on buying software. Installation of
event management software will help company in reducing cost on hiring
temporary workers to record data and so on.
4. Reduces work load
Event management software automatically updates the entire set of records
after completion of every transition.
5. Faster payment
Any payment can be made and received within few minutes for the services
delivered.
6. Improved quality
Event management software helps in improving quality both in information
and work. Accurate information can be obtained at any point in time.
7. Enhanced perception
Needless to mention that event management software enables efficiency. Event
management software offers easy access to customer and provides comforts to
them.
8. Expense tracking
Event management software helps the event management team to tack
expenses. They will be in a position to know whether the spending is well
within the budget or are they exceeding the budget.
9. Generation of report
Any type of report can be generated with the help of event management
software. Format of the report and content can be customized based on each
requirement.
10. Automatic event reminders
Event management software is capable of sending automatic reminders to
participants at regular intervals. The communication content can be modified
each time the communication is sent to the audience, this helps audience to
remember the event date and time.
11. Online registration/cancellation
The beauty of event management software is that the participants can register
their names online and make payment through cards this saves time and
energy of participants.

ORGANIZING TABLES:
1. U shape tables
It is one of the popular seating arrangements for groups up to 50 participants
seating is usually on the outside of U.

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 2. Hollow square shape
In this set up there are 4 or more tables arranged in a square, rectangle or
multisided design, in which the middle of design is empty.
3. Octagon shape
The octagon is a variation of the hollow square style set up where multiple tables
are arranged in a multisided design in which the middle of design is empty.
4. Team tables/cluster shape
It is appropriate for small team, work group and committee meetings, it is
ideal for small break out or study groups that require a lot of group interaction,
discussion and note taking.
5. Board room shape
The set-up is often used for groups of 5 to 30 participants in board meetings,
committee meetings and other small functions at which interaction between
participants is extracted. Tables are set in rectangle /oval shape with chairs on
both the sides and ends.
6. Class room shape
In this set up participants are seated in rows of tables placed facing the front.
7. Harvard class room shape
In this set up participants are seated in semi-circular rows of modular tables
angled towards the head table.
8. Town meeting
It is ideal for large group of 100 to 300 people. It includes meal service in the
same room.
9. Auditorium/theatre style
It is for groups of 300 or more people, chairs are placed in rows facing front
with no tables. It can be in a straight or semi-circular format.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EVENT MANAGERS:

1) Select volunteers from committees.
Completion of an event consists of several activities arranged an order. One of a few
persons cannot complete the whole process. Therefore event manager should divide the
entire event into several activities and assign each activity to a committee he should
also choose an in charge for each committee.

2) Decide goals and themes

Event manager should decide goals and themes for the entire event. This can happen
after structured brainstorming with the team members. Each team can come out with
theme for their event.
3) Research audience.

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Before any event objective is decided, a detailed research should be conducted to know
their age group, gender, taste, fashion, religion and so on. Without knowing the target
audience for the event, various activities cannot be decided.

4) Create event names and logo

In consultation with the various team members and heads, event manager should give
creative name to the event. The name should be in sync with the objectives of the event.
A meaning full logo should be developed to convey the theme of the event.
5) Choose evaluation method
At the time of deciding the theme and the objectives for the event, the event manger
should decide the evaluation criteria and methods for determining the success rate of
event. The methods and criteria should be communicated to all the team.
6) Preparation and sharing of consolidated budget
Every team should decide upon the various activities they are planning for the proposed
event and resources required for the conduct of their respective activities. After
collecting individual budgets. Event manager should consolidate all of them and prepare
a master budget.
7) Contact potential sponsors
Success of any event largely dependent on the money collected and systematically
spent. Sponsorship money certainly strengthens the spending capacity of the company.
If reputed sponsors are involved in the event, it adds to the glory of the proposed event.
8) Visit and select sites
A good venue adds to the glory of good theme. Venue should be decided on the basis of
the activities planned for the event. The venue selected should be easily approachable
by the audience. The venue should be well connected by transportation facility.
9) Finalise site
Once the venue is selected and confirming it has all basic facilities, the company should
go ahead with the negotiations with the owner of the venue. Once the venue is finalized,
total area of the venue should be divided for various activities.
10) Make signs
After finalizing the areas for each activity, a sign board should be designed explaining
various activities planned in the venue. Sign should facilitate participants to find
sequence of the activities and the place earmarked for each event.
11)Plan publicity campaigns
Grand success of an event is dependent not only on the creativity involved in the event.
The success of an event is largely dependent on how good the company is publicizing
the whole event.

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 12)Contact media
Company can take help of different media’s depending upon the need. Constant media
support helps company in promoting the event in a big way.
13)Meet for evaluations
After the completion of the event, the event manager should call all the activity
teams to evaluate whether the event was executed as desired.
14) Send thanking message
It is customary and desirable to sent thanking message to all those helped and
participated in grand success of the event.
15) Write and file reports
After the completion of the event, a brief report should be prepared explaining
the whole deliberation of the event. The report should be sent to various media for
printing and publicity.
CHECKLIST OF AN EVENT.
1) Planning.
>Event overview.
>Event plan.
>Event manager.
>Event description.
>Event objective.
>Budget.
2) Operations.
>Police contact.
>Liquor license.
>Permits.
>Insurance.
>Security.
>Health and safety permits.
>Parking.
>Transport.
>Risk management.

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3)Consultation with key stakeholders.
>Consultation register.
>Planning meeting.
>Briefing-before event
>Debriefing-after event.
4) Planning for an event selection of venue.
>Site plan.
>Weather.
>Food.
>Water, lighting and power.
>Catering.
>Seating.
>Ticketing.
5)Publicity and Promotion.
>Pre-event promotion.
>Media releases.
>Invitations.
>Programs.
>Posters.
>Websites.
6)Sponsorship and merchandise.
>Suggested sponsorship strategy.
>Potential sponsors.
>Evaluation of a sponsorship program.
>Merchandise.
7)Management of alcohol.
>Permit conditions.
>Minors.
>Beverage options.
>Trading hours.

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>Alcohol consumption areas.
8) Compile a file.
>Documents to be kept.

ADVANTAGES OF PREPARING EVENT CHECK LIST:

1. Organization.
Checklists can help the event management team to stay more organized.
Checklist will ensure the organizers that they do not skip any steps in conducting
an event.
2. Avoids confusion
Checklist presents various tasks to be done in an orderly manner. As the
activities are arranged in an order there cannot be any confusion in completing
the event.
3. Efficiency
With the checklist various activities can be performed quickly and effectively
checklist will reduce the possible errors to very minimum.

4. Easy delegation
Various activities are involved in accomplishing an event. Different activities
will have to be delegated to different teams.
5. Effective time management
Checklist helps the organizers of the event to accomplish the whole process
within a given period.
6. Creativity
Preparation of checklist is an art. It involves lot of creativity in preparing.
7. Superior customer service
Customers come to event to get enjoyable experience. Timely and orderly
completion of an event brings excellence in the minds of audience.

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 Questions
Section A (2M)
1. What is a planning schedule?
2. What is the meaning of checklist?
3. What is computer aided event management?

Section B (6M)
1. What are the different styles of organising tables in an event?
2. State & explain the budget of an event
3. What are the different checklists to be maintained before an event?

Section C (14M)
1. How does manager organise the events and assign responsibilities to the various
people involved in the event?
2. Explain in detail the roles and responsibilities of the event manager for different
events
3. What are the general steps required in conducting an event?
4. Computer aided event management is too much in use in all types of events.
Explain
5. Communication is necessary in an event, explain.

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 UNIT 4
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Public Relations - Meaning
Public relations is a management function that creates, develops, and carries out
policies and programmes to influence public opinion about an idea, product or
organisation.
Public relations is the practice of managing the flow of information between the
organisation and its publics. A public relations specialist communicates with the target
audience directly or indirectly through media with an aim to create and maintain a
positive image and create a strong relationship with the public.

Definition of Public Relations

Public relations is the deliberated, planned and sustained effort to establish and
maintain mutual understanding between on organization and its publics” -Institute of
public relation, USA
‘’public relation is the attempt by information persuasion and adjustment to engineer
public support for an activity, cause, movement or institution.’’ -Edward L.Bernays
‘’public relations is a combination of philosophy, sociology, economics, language
psychology, journalism, communication and other knowledge into a system of human
understanding .’’ -Herbert M.Baus

Nature of public relations

1. Extent of PR function: to what extent the organisation uses public relation? The
PR function should be recognised as central to good management and able to act as a
unifying force within the organisation and in the way it's itself.
2. Level of PR function: this depends on the nature of business or services being
provided by the organisation. Acceptance of government and the citizens is very
important. Moreover, in handling sensitive issues, corporate management cannot do
away with social, cultural, economic, and political ethos existing in the community.
3. Target public: how to handle the target public is a frequently raised question for
PR person. It has been acknowledged by the management that the PR person is a
necessary link between the management and the various public(audience)
4. Maintaining goodwill: since in the present competitive society all sections of the
economy i.e. private or public are under constant public gaze hence it is equally
important to guard the reputation earned.

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5. Evaluation of work: PR person should always evaluate himself in his work
environment. He should always appraise his own competence, acknowledge potential
weakness and thereafter seek expert advice.
6. General areas of objectives. It is mainly known as which and what are the
particular PR objectives to achieve. Terms like market standing, innovation, work
performance and public responsibilities are mainly in PR.
7. Communication skills: managing the strategy and skills of communication are an
integral part of business policy and decision making. PR decides about the methods and
media of communication and when and how to use the target public.

The importance of public relations

The importance of public relations is as follows-
1. Credibility: The various PR tools (stories or news articles) are primarily believed in
comparison to advertisements. People generally believe that media professionals gather
such crucial information and write these stories or news articles on their own.
2. Low cost: the different communication media used by public relations are relatively
less expensive. Media placement charges are very low and also the tools sent to media
executives for inspection are particularly less costly.
3. Not compete with other PR tools: since, PR tools are commonly featured as write-ups
or stories, they do not compete with other public relations communication tools. But
promotions and advertisements broadcasted through different media are compared
with other promotions or commercials.
4. Effective communication mechanism of public relations is beneficial in establishing a
good reputation in the minds of various sponsors about the facilities offered by an event
organisation.

Limitations of Public Relations

1. PR cannot totally whitewash Tarnished image;
PR changes the produced minds, misunderstanding wrong impressions,
misinterpretation but certainly not change the tarnished image into a solid gold
block.
Example mutual fund companies, money multipliers
2. It can’t hide anything in the best interest of the company;
The company as a family should not leak out week nesses because competitors
are always wanting to en-cash on these matters. Reliance in India is only private
sector company known as ‘’fortune 5000’’.
3. Public relation cannot create reputation out of nothing;

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 The PRO (public relation officer) cannot create a reputation or goodwill unless
there is little of it. A totally hopeless company is a hopeless company.
4. PR fails to have valued public opinion ;
Public relations do not value public opinion in the same way some people draw
money on a bank where they have no money. Technically a person can draw the
money from the bank from his acc even if there is no balance which is called as
overdraft.
5. Public relations demands public speaking;
Public relations reaches good conclusions to create ’mutual understanding’. PR is
a great art of moving with the current but not against. To influence public mood,
publicview, line of thinking, the PR has to go along and then it can be bent as and
when it is very opportunistic and viable.
6. PR is a very difficult discipline to understand and conduct successfully;
A strategy supported by the professional knowledge of the media will be needed
to get the media where one can get high responses to promotions.
7. It is hard to predict the responses of the audience ;
However, the responses of the PR last around 3 days to 1week at most. A
business plan will be necessary that utilizes the media exposure well without
getting influenced by the needs which temporarily went up.
8. Draws end users who have bad quality;
It draws the end users who have bad quality and you haven’t had before into
your business as your business is introduced in the media. Therefore,the claims
that your business never had before might take place or it often happens that the
problem of the product is picked up on.

Various Types of Media Used in Public Relations

1. Print media ;
It is form of mass communication in form of printed publication. They are
usually the most visible outlets on college campuses, especially school
newspapers, magazines, and in the local community.
2. Press release ;
The press release is the most common material provided to media outlet.
these documents provide a brief description of an upcoming activity, whether
it is rush or a service project.
3. Photographs ;
It is a picture got by making use of cameras. It gives a visual presentation
which is more appealing.
4. Case histories /studies ;
Case studies which show a good image of the company are shared with the
media/investors, community etc.
5. Advertorials(advertisement +editorial);
It helps in having a control over message, pay lesser than an advertisement .it
is a strategic tool, but should not be used more often

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 6. Interviews /(features meeting journalist);
Press releases will encourage a reporter to do more such as conduct a full
interview with chapter members or with a feature article on an upcoming
project.
7. Brochure ;
A booklet published by the organization which contains the organization
background, its ethics, vision, mission etc. eg; brochure given to a new
employee to give a gist of the organization.
8. Poster and calendar;
Any poster or calendar used to achieve a public relations objective.
9. Written speech;
The type of written or printed text of a speech given to achieve public
relation objective
10. Internal new letters and publications ;
ICICI has their internal newsletters, in which information about the company,
its profits , employees etc is given .
11. Letters to editor;
Submitting these articles do not require a media contact this also gives an
opportunity for any member to submit a letter on their chapter for printing.
12. Analysts brief ;
One tells about the company, what the company is doing. It is done to
influence the stock byers analysts , employees and media,

13. Conferences & Seminars

14. Internet
15. Website
16. E-Mail are some others.

Public Relation Strategy

1. Analysing the situation
The analysis of the situation is the crucial beginning to the process. It is
imperative that all involved - planner, client, key colleagues and decision makers
are in solid agreement about the nature of the opportunity or obstacle to be
addressed in this programme.

2. Analysing the organisation

This step involves a careful and candid look at three aspects of the organisation
• Its internal environment i.e mission, performance and resources
• Its public perception (reputation)
• Its external environment (supporters, vendors, competitors)

3. Analysing the publics

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 This step involves the analysis of each public in terms of their needs, wants and
expectations about the isue, their relationship to the organisation, their
involvement in communication and with various media and a variety of social,
economic, political, cultural and technological trends that may affect them.

4. Establishing goals and objectives

This step helps to develop clear, specific and measurable objectives that identify
the organisation’s hoped for impact on the awareness, acceptance and action of
each key public.

5. Formulating action and response strategies

A range of actions is available to the organisation. In this step, the organisation
considers the various options available to them. The step is inclusive of
identifying typologies of initiatives and responses.

6. Designing effective communication

It deals with the various decisions about the message, such as the sources who
will present the message to the key publics, the content of the message, its tone
and style, verbal and non verbal cues cues and related issues. Lessons from
research about persuasive communication and dialogue will be applied for the
ultimate purpose of designing a message that reflects the information gained
through step three.

7. Selecting communication tactics

The organisations have four major options to consider as their communication
options.
i. Face to face communication and opportunities for personal involvement
ii. Organisational media
iii. News media (uncontrolled media)and
iv. Advertising and promotional media.

The event management firm needs to identify the appropriate tactic for the
intended message and create a package of cohesive communication programme.
8. Implementing the strategic PR plan
The developing of budgets, schedules and other aspects of implementation needs
to be done to execute the strategic PR plan formulated above.

9. Evaluating the strategic PR plan

It indicates the specific methods for measuring the effectiveness of each
recommended tactic in meeting the stated objectives.

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Media management
Media management is a term used for several related tasks throughout post-production.
In general, any task that relates to processing your media is considered to be media
management, such as capturing, compressing, copying, moving, or deleting media files.
The various steps which have to be followed in managing the media are:-
1. Have a strategy: an effective part of PR analyst strategy should be to enforce his
organisation’s core messages in all news releases.
2. Know your audience: its important to get familiar with the characteristics of the
media outlet one is targeting and to find out about their main audience and their likes
and dislikes.
3. Invest in relationships: as with any relationship, building trust is critical. The PR
analysts has to be upfront about what he can and can't do.
4. Think before speaking: the PR analyst is representing his organisation at all
times. Everything he say to a reporter is on the record, regardless of disclaimer.
5. Monitor your media coverage: media coverage shows the PR analyst. As a media
relations expert, the end goal is always positive media coverage for the organisation.
6. Have a good story: journalists recognise a strong story within seconds, so he has
to tell his story quickly and efficiently.
7. Know the story inside and out (completely): he has to research his story
carefully. He also must be able to answer any questions that the editor may have.
8. Be persistent: there is a fine line between being persistent and annoying, but of
he has a good story and knows his audience, it is fine to make contact attempts untill he
gets feedback from a reporter.
9. Follow up: many potential leads are lost because public relations people fail to
follow up. If a reporter tell PR analysts to call back another time, he has to make sure he
does so.
10. Be creative: infusing the media relations plans with innovative thinking produces
stronger, more effective results, so he to avoid recycling the same old news releases and
fact sheets
11. Find information: the PR analyst must make an outside research. Like he can
interview an industry analyst and get another perspective which would help him to
make a great story.
12. Study and adopt good writing skills: the PR analyst should study different types
of stories and must look carefully at reputable publications
13. Eliminate jargon and techno - speak: buzzwords and complicated words must be
avoided. He should write with clear language and avoid words which are another sign of
weak writing.

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14. Expect results: media coverage means increased visibility, which exposes the
organisation to more prospective customers. The more people you can reach, the better
the impact will be on your organisation.
Brainstorming
It is a process for generating creative ideas and solutions through concentrated and
freewheeling group discussion. The basis is to suspend bias and judgement to allow free
flow of thoughts in a group.

It combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem solving with imaginative thinking.

Thus, it is a popular creativity enhancing technique.

Processof Brainstorming

a. Define the problem / situation at hand clearly and to the point.

b. Decide on the number of people to brainstorm. It should not be a too small or too
big a group. An ideal number 6-15 participants.
c. Have a moderator or facilitator who will ensure that there are no interruptions
or deviations
d. Appoint one member of the group to record the /write down all the ideas
generated in the process.
e. Announce a timeframe within which the discussion is to be conducted and
completed.
f. Give a brief to the members on being open minded, non judgemental and to
speak freely.
g. On completion of the session, recordings of the ideas generated / proposed are
to be carefully filed for further reference and scrutiny.

Types of Brainstorming

Free Writing

Write down the first thought that comes to one’s mind. It is used when there is no
sufficient information to begin with.

Bullet points

This begins after free writing. For every idea listed there, try building more content to
each one of them by use of bullet points.

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Time travel

Imagine you have gone back 50 years or ahead by 50 years and then do the thinking to
generate ideas.

Webbing

An idea is written in the centre of a sheet of paper, circled and linked to this is the next
thought that occurs to you, again circled and linked to the next.The process is continued
till the page is covered with ideas.

Brain exchange technique

Similar to free writing but extended. Here, once the first set of ideas are written down,
members of the team exchange the sheets and write more ideas on basis of what the
other person has written. The process works well when idea generation has to happen
as a multi-level process. The session continues till all participants have had atleast one
look at all the others’ ideas and added their thoughts to them.

Advantages of Brainstorming

✓ It can be used by people of all walks of life - students, working professionals,

friends, home makers etc.
✓ At work, it creates a repository of ideas for future refernce and for solving
immediate problems.
✓ Allows all participants to have an equal chance to voice out their thoughts
without fear and prejudice.
✓ Stimulates and enhances creative thinking
✓ Enhances team building and decision making.
✓ Helps create positive work environment, with employees feeling acknowledged
as their thgoughts are given credence.

Disadvantages of Brainstorming

³ The ideas generated may all not be good or worthy, they need to be scrutinised
seriously.
³ Ideas generated may have cost and financial obstacles or operational issues.

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 ³ Although brainstorming process is prejudice free, the implementation of ideas
garnered through Brainstorming may be subject to bias during scrutiny and
implemenation.
³ It is time consuming and requires dedicated time of participants.
³ Participants who participate as a formality will not be resourceful.
³ Cooperation of all the participants, trust and respect towards each other may not
always be there, thus rendering the process useless.

Writing for Public Relations

If public relations is about developing and maintaining relationships between an
organisation and its public, then public relations writing is about applying language to
fostering those relationships.
Types of PR writing
Public relations writers’ are among the most versatile of writers. The PR writer
prepares many pieces for a wide range of public. The types of writing assignment
handled by public relations professionals are:
1. Business correspondence: internal memos that inform others in the
organisation about the status of projects and other subjects, external business
correspondence and e-mail messages that confirm agreements and solicit
support, and proposals to clients and internal supervisors that outline
recommended public relations campaigns.

2. Corporate and internal communications: news and feature stories for

publication in newsletters, company magazines, and other employee
publications, content for website, intranets, and digital social media, scripts for
training and corporate video programmes, and annual reports directed to
shareholders and the financial community.

3. Publicity writing: news releases, background materials, and other written

pieces designed to produce print and broadcast media coverage.

4. Marketing communications: written materials that support marketing efforts,

product promotion, and customer relations, such as product publicity, product

brochures and catalogue, posters and fliers, sales literature, direct mail pieces,
and customer newsletters

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 5. Advocacy writing: writing that establishes a position or comments on an issue,
endorses a cause or rallies support, such as letters to the editor and articles sent
to

the opinion pages of print media, speeches written for executives that are
delivered at industry conferences, media events, or business meetings, and
corporate or image advertising that sells the company not s specific product.

Importance of PR writing
Written communication is an essential part of a successful PR plan.
Understanding the importance of written communication in PR practice will
assist in making good corporate policies.

Following points highlight the importance of PR writing:

1. Continuity: with properly structured written communication, there is less

room for misinterpretation than with verbal communication. It is important to
make sure that a company sends a single and consistent message which creates a
sense of continuity.

2. Collaboration: a written statement creates a common template that all

involved parties can work with to create a coherent public relations statement.

3. Broad appeal: a written public relations statement can be crafted by several

public relations professionals to appeal to several target audiences at the same
time and address concerns collectively.

4. Reference: written communication can be circulated and referred to by any

member of the organisation at any time.

Questions:

Section A (2m):
1. Explain the meaning of public relations
2. What is media management?
3. What is brainstorming?
4. Write any four advantages of brainstorming

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Section B (6m):
1. Elaborate on the importance of public relations.
2. What are the limitations of public relations? Explain.
3. Explain the public relations strategy.
4. “Media management is very important for an event management firm”.
Elaborate on the statement.
5. Explain how to conduct a brainstorming session.
6. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of brainstorming
7. How is writing an essential aspect of public relations?
8. What are the types of writing tools used by event management firms for public
relations.
9. Describe the contents of report prepared by an event management firm.

Section C (14m):
1. What are the types of media used in Public Relations.List two advantages and
two disadvantages of each type of media.

2. Elaborate on the importance of public relations. What are the limitations of

public relations? Explain.

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 UNIT 5
CORPORATE EVENTS
Meaning and definition
A corporate event can be defined as- Agathering that is sponsored by a business for its
employees, business partners, clients and/or prospective client.These events can be for
largest audiences such as conventions or smaller events like conferences, meetings or
holiday parties.
Corporate events are private events held by corporations or business firms for their
staff, clients or stakeholders. These events can be for larger audiences such as
conventions and conferences, or smaller events such as retreats, holiday parties or even
private concerts.
Popular types of corporate events
1. Seminars and conferences

Purpose: Organizations plan and hold these meetings with targeted audiences, and
provide them with relevant information.
Description: Seminars are usually shorter events, lasting a couple hours,1/2day,or a
even a whole workday .They have single or multiple speakers,and generally keep all
participants together in the same space.Conferences,on the others hand, typically have
multiple sessions that occur concurrently that are geared towards different interests,
different position or roles, and even skill level.They are typically held at hotels, begin
with a keynote session and then hold breakout sessions by topic.A conference is usually
planned for at least half of a day though generally conferences span the course of in to
two days or something longer.
2. Trade shows
Purpose: organizations attend trade shows as a lead generation activity. They may also
choose to host or sponsors a trade show to reinforce their images as an industry leader
among those who attend,such as members, customers, prospects,and suppliers.
Description: event planning for trade shows involves negotiating sponsorship rates for
trade show booth space,advertising and promotion at the event, and sometimes
speaking opportunities at the event for the leadership in the organization to speak
.Many logistical details exist to assure that trade show booth,promotional
materials,giveaways,and staff arrive on time for your company.
3. Executive retreats and incentive programs
Purpose: Executive treats and incentives programs are often held at luxury resorts in
exclusive destinations, and they receive the most visibility in an organization.Business
development and organizational planning are typically the topics agenda, but equal
weight is given to enjoyable activities as part of the original incentive and reward.

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Description: Executive retreats and incentives trips typically last between three and
five days and require attention to site selection, lodging,transportation,
catering,business meetings, and golf and other activities.Negotiation skills must be
sharp because these programs involve all aspects planning.
4. Sports / Golf events
Purpose:One favourite event at every organization is to hold its annual sports / golf
outing.Relationship management is the primary objective;however,business content
must always drive event planning, not the other way around.
5. Appreciation Events
Purpose: These programs allow an event host to spend informal time with its guests in
a non-traditional environmental, giving both parties an opportunity to build a rapport
and learn more about mutual business priorities. Appreciation events can range from
programs geared toward employee appreciation to those for showings clients’
appreciation,
Description:There are limitless possibilities and types of appreciation events that
organization hold throughout the year.Common programs include:
(1)Dinner and theatre,(2)Day at the race trace ,(3) suites at sporting arenas, (4) Day and
evenings cruises,(5)Private parties at music festivals,(6)Holiday parties,(7)Tickets to
the most popular events in town.
6. Company or organization milestones
Purpose:Company milestone provides a business or organization the opportunity to
celebrate a grand opening or other major milestone or anniversary.
Description:Company milestone events vary significantly in their execution, but tend
to follow similar programs as employer and clients appreciation events .These types of
events tend to be celebratory in nature and can be limited to company employees on the
company’s size and importance in the community.
7. Team Building Events
Purpose: Team building events are meant to build upon the company’s strengths while
building employee confidence, goodwill, and morale.Team buildings events also provide
the unique opportunity for employees to spend time together in a non-work
environment working together to solve puzzles and complete activities. Team buildings
events are meant to do just in buildings strongest teams.
Description:Corporate team buildings events have been epitomized by outdoor and
physical group activities.In fact, there are companies all around the nation that
specialize in hosting team buildings events indoor and outdoor courses.Team buildings
vents can also focus on other types of team buildings activities from workshops to
sensitivity trainings.
8. Product launch events

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 Purpose: Product launch events can include internal product launch meetings to
inform all employees across the company about upcoming products to full -blown
product launch parties to create buzz surroundings the products’ release among
consumer and the media. Product launch events are most common for business to
consumer (B2C) companies.
Description: Productlaunch events are generally meant to generate media coverage
and industry buzz prior to a product’s release .The launch events may include a flashy
introduction to the product along with an address from the companies most important
executive .Large product launches also tend to be very much big party with well-know
guests, dinner, and entertainment depending on the industry.
9. Board meetings and shareholders meetings
Purpose:Board meetings and shareholders meeting both serves extremely important
purpose for both private and public companies.Board meetings serves as an
opportunity for board members to meet review business performance and meet with
company executives to make important decision .Shareholders meetings ,on the others
hand, provide companies the opportunity to share recent performance, targets,
futuregoals, and business strategies with its shareholders.
Description:Annual, bi-annual or even quarterly meetings can be small internal
meetings of board members or large -scale prestigious business events for
shareholders. Size range depends on the size of the company and shareholder turnout.
ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR VARIOUS CORPORATE EVENTS:
The corporate event manager after planning for the particular event must make
necessary arrangements in order for achieving success of the event which is organized.
Event manager do the entire work by himself or allot people who are specialized in the
following areas. Only if the arrangements are made well it will lead to a successful
event. The following arrangements which are made by the corporate event managers
are:
1. Site selection: Selection of the site or venue where the event is going to happen is the
first thing which has to be looked in by the event corporate organizer. The event
manager must visit the place personally to have a check. He must look into the factors to
be considered;
* The size
* The location
* The time and cost
2. Guest list: After having decided the site for the location of the event, a proper guest
list should be made and necessary arrangements should be made for them if they are
travelling from outside.

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3. Transport and Travel arrangements: The event manager must make necessary
arrangements for the guests and VIP’s if they are travelling from outside. Proper
arrangements for their travel should be made.
4. Hotel accommodation: For VIP’s and important guests who are arriving from
outside for the event, the event manager must take care of all the proper arrangements
to be made for their stay. At the end of the day no guest should go back with a
complaint.
5. Lighting style system:In order for the event to look presentable the lighting must be
good. This will showcase the event better.
6. Catering arrangements: Having a good lighting and a good talk about the entire
event without good food can spoil the whole event. It is ultimately said that the way to
make people happy goes from their stomach. The event manager must make
arrangement of good food which will please the audience.
7. Seating: Seating arrangements can be made in round table form or in horizontal or
vertical forms. It is left up to the event manager to put up the seating arrangements in a
presentable form.
8. Speakers: The most memorable aspect of the meeting or event which is planned
{aside from the food} is likely to be the program. Hiring the right speakers to address
participants is crucial. Factors to be considered are:
*Know the program objectives
* Understand audience needs
* Ask for references
* View a demo video
* Don’t assume that all celebrities know how to deliver an effective speech.
* Provide speakers with good information so they give you what you want.
9. Sound quality: If the event manager has arranged for really good speakers for this
event but there is no proper sound quality arrangements made, the entire event will be
disturbed and the people will not like it nor really enjoy it.
10. Conference room design: If there are initial meetings to be held by the directors of
the company and important VIP’s, it has to be arranged by the event manager in
separate conference rooms. The event manager must personally go to these rooms and
have a check whether it will be sufficient to conduct the conference or not. If not he can
make alternative arrangements.
11. Technology: There are no events in the current trend where no technology is used.
The event manager makes use of power point presentations and other forms of
technology to add life to his event. Event manager must be well upgradable and
equipped in, changing trend.

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12. Podium: No event can be conducted without having a podium. It is a must and
should requirement in each event. It is a temporary stage for an event.
13. Entertainment and fun arrangements: This is a must arrangement which had to
be made by the event manager in order to make the audience lively and enjoy the event
to the maximum.
14. Audio visual requirement: In order to make the event attractive and interesting
the event manager must make sure that he not only uses audio but also some video
clippings to show the audience to catch their attention and make it more presentable.
15. Recreational activities: Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment,
amusement, or pleasure, and considered to be “fun”. This can keep the event going for a
long time.
16. Portable bars: This is a must and should in corporate events. Necessary
arrangements must be made for bars in the event. Usually a separate area is made in
order to not disturb the other happenings.
17. Decorations: In order to make the event presentable, decorations are a must. It
gives an appealing look to all the people who are present for the event.
18. Printing arrangements: This facility must be made available in the event hall. If
any information has to be passed it can be printed and circulated during the event.
Initially when people are coming inside the hall the printing sheet of the happenings of
the event can be presented to them.
19. Gifts and rewards: The event manager can make arrangements to give gifts and
rewards to existing employees to appreciate their performance, gifts and rewards can
also be given to new employees as a token of welcoming them into the company. This
can usually be done at the end if the event.
20. Floral arrangements: The event manager must make background decorations
using flowers based on occasion.
21. Musical arrangements: Depending on the type of the audience which has come up
for the event, music can be played. Young crowd prefers loud music and some prefer
silent music. Music arrangements can be made depending on the class of audience.
22. CMP Arrangements: CMP is complete meeting package arrangement. This is done
by the event manager in order to simplify the planning and budgeting process of the
events.
23. Personnel arrangements: Catering to the custom made requirements of various
individuals and groups.
24.First aid arrangements: Basic provisions for medical assistance in case of
emergency situations must be made by the event manager.
25. Safety arrangements: The people who have come in the event generally expect the
environment to be safe and sound failing which they will not want to come for the event.

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A safe environment must be organized for the people who have come in, to attend our
event.
26. Security arrangements: Arrangements of good and full on security should be
provided to high profile celebrities.
27. Electricity arrangements: Proper electricity arrangements need to be taken care
by the event manager. In case of absence of electricity UPS arrangements have to be
made.
28. Water arrangements: During the event apart from beverages, hygienic water must
be provided.
29. Traffic management arrangements: On the day of the event if any VIP’s are
attending, in an around the event area traffic should be maintained well in advance.
30. Parking arrangements: Proper parking arrangements must be made on the day of
the event.
31. Street closure: If the street in an around should be closed, necessary permissions
must be taken by the event manager.
32. Waste and environmental arrangements: after the event the work of the event
manager does not come to an end. He has to give directions to clear of all the wastes and
keep the place and surroundings clean. Event manager should have a waste disposal
strategy, or a plan for disposing waste.
33. Cleaning arrangements: Proper and timely cleaning must be done regularly during
and after the event. If all these arrangements, planning to be made well in advance and
in a proper way, all things will go on smoothly and the event will definitely be
successful.
PLANNING OF CORPORATE EVENTS
1. Conceptualize big idea with a theme:
Whether, the corporate event manage is doing a cocktail party, a workshop or the
company picnic, setting a theme gives the tone of the event and gives him a starting
point when picking food, music, decor and more. He should make sure that the theme is
appropriate to the crowd for which is planned. A large variety of theme ideas can be got
online.
2. Guest list creation:
Deciding the ideal guest will depend on the goals. Potential clients, community leaders ,
employees, other business leaders, current customers and clients. After determining the
target guest, he should create a reason for the guests to attend. Well-known speakers,
sneak peeks of new launches.
3. Determination of budget:
The corporate event manager must have a realistic idea of what it will cost to host an
event. He should not reserve a venue or choose vendors without finalizing this

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important number. Depending on it budget can be allocated to each category. The main
categories would be venue, food, decor, entertainment. Other categories would be
hotels, transportation and parking rentals, a/v, stationery and design and insurance.
4. Selection of date and day:
While looking at possible dates, one check the calendar to also look at holidays, local
events, sporting events and scheduling conflicts of your companies’ leaders.
5. Choice of location:
The first criteria are to make a list of venues that are available, fit the budget and have
the space for guest count. Even more important is that he should find a location that
creates the style and feel for the event that matches the desired goals. The theme and
colors should complement the venue
6. Decide on promotion and tickets:
Depending on the goal of the event, the manager may want to create a promotion
committee to raise awareness and increase attendance. Along with promotions,
deciding on a marketing strategy as well as possible thank-gifts and swag for attendees
can be added. Ticket sales may also be a part of the plan if the goal is to raise money for
a non profit cause.

7. Connect with vendors:

The manager must hire vendors to fill needs that can’t be filled from within the
company or if management decides not to take staff away from regular duties. These
would include event planners, venues, caterers, florists, decor and rentals, a/v, lighting,
entertainment and marketing.
8. Start making appointments to view locations and meet other vendors:
The manager must discuss room rental costs and what is included in those fees.
Manager should determine the visiting hours that visitors have access to the room.
Ex. If event manager can bring in his own caterer, he should start meeting with potential
vendors to taste their food and determine their pricing. He should determine the venue
requires him to bring in outside security for the event. This not only protects from
liability, but this can help keep outsiders from crashing into the party. He must look to
hire a licensed bartender if the facility cannot provide one. He should find out if the
venue can provide decorations or if he has to supply his own. Some facilities have a
wide variety of items that he can use such as candles, mirrors to set on the table, glass
jars, etc. So if he can take advantage of anything being provided for free, he can save
quite a bit on his budget.
9. Determine the menu with caterer or facility:

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Event manager should determine the timing and manner of serving. Will it be a buffet
or a sit-down, plated meal? Is he doing appetizers ahead of time, and/ or considering a
dessert bar later in the evening? He has to iron out the exact details and timing so that
his guests don’t go hungry at any point.
10. Sign contract with vendors:
This has to be done to and make sure that they provide him with a copy of the contract.
11. Entertainment and photography:
These two areas are sometimes overlooked at business parties. Entertainment can add
to the atmosphere, energize and create an unforgettable experience. Having a
photographer at the event is vital for capturing images to use for PR, newsletters,
stockholders meeting, and advertising.
12. Purchase decorations to match your theme:
Different types of corporate events will require different decorations. Based on the
requirements decorations can be chosen and picked.
13. Create and send out invitations via traditional mall or electronically:
The corporate event manager can send the invitations to the audience traditionally or
by mail.
14. Prepare a to-do list timeline:
If there are any details that need to be covered or are time-sensitive, he has to ensure
that he has created a countdown list to stay on top of the minute detai
15. Create and agenda:
Unless the event has a cocktail or mingling type atmosphere, creating agenda is a must.
This will keep guests informed of workshops, speakers, product demo and more. These
could be a physical program, a large billboard type piece or a digital catalogue. For
smaller more casual events, posting an event flow will keep guests from getting bored
or leaving early.
16. Confirm details:
This is where the logistics and details need great organization and oversight. A timeline
must be setup, during the event and post-event. Details regarding staffing, guest
admission and seating, stationery- programs, menus, invitation, swag and giveaways,
speakers and workshops, parking and transportation etc .Must be looked in to by the
corporate event manager.
17. Create energy:
The corporate event manager use traditional and social media to promote the event.
Hash tags are a great way to create community and promote on twitter and instagram.
He should have a staff member harness social media during the event to post pictures
on Facebook and instagram, reply to tweets, and engage with hash tags.

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18. Check and double check the list:
The week before, the day before and the day of check should be done by the corporate
event manager. He has to make sure that nothing is forgotten.
19. Have a designated errand person chosen:
This is done so that the key staff can stay and orchestrate the event and the errands can
be run by the person, for any additional items that need to be picked up.
20. Following up
The corporate event manger must collect suggestions from attendees. Have decision
makers write up their opinions of the planning process, event results and meeting goals.
He should compare estimate budget to final costs.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY OF CORPORATE EVENTS ORGANIZER.

1) Marketresearch.
The first responsibility of research organizers is to conduct market research to
identify opportunities for events.Market research helps event organizers to make
requirement analysis of the client.
2) Analyzing event requirement.
In the requirement analysis,company should tell the client about the various
requirements based on the proposed event.
3) Budget preparation.
Preparing a budget is a major issue in an event management companies.Each event
varies in its magnitude and requirements.Therefore,budgeting exercise should be done
with lot of caution.
4) Safety and health obligations.
Safety and health issues are equality important as the main event.The organizers
should take care of health, security and safety of the participants.
5) Venue management.
Participants expect enjoyable experience by attending the event.Therefore, it is the
prime concern of the organizers to offer good hospitality to the participants.
6) Organizing facilities.
Apart from conferrable event venue , the organizers should take care of the other
facilities like car parking, traffic control,security,first aid and hospitality.
7) Coordinating.

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 Each activity in an event is special. The event organizers should select an
appropriate mix of employees to handle the given task.
8) Selling sponsorship.
Conducting an event is a costly affair. In order to support this, event organizers may
seek help from sponsors. The venue selected should have allotted spare place for
sponsors.
9) Preparing delegate packs and papers.
Event organizers should prepare resource kit for the participants. The kit may
include writing pad,pen,pencil,eraser,sharpener,white sheets etc.
10) Promotion of the event.
The event organizers should seek the help of employees of the organisation to join
hands in promoting the event in the market.
11) Feedback.
Event organizers should device a mechanism to obtain constructive feedback from
the participants. This is usually captured through a structured questionnaire.
12) Clearing the venue.
After the event is complete, the event organizers should ensure that the temporary
erections are removed; venue is neatly cleaned and cleared.
13) Post-event evaluation.
After completing every event, it is advisable to evaluate the whole event. The
evaluation should be done against the predetermined expected outcomes.
14) Preparation of reports.
Event organizers should prepare a report about the entire proceedings of the event.
These reports act as future reference materials.

BUDGETING OF AN EVENT
Planning a corporate event can be complicated, and there is much to prepare and
coordinate to ensure that event is successful. One of the biggest concerns is keeping
within a set budget, and realizing a satisfactory return on investment. The corporate
event manager can prepare a workable budget for their corporate event, and to ensure
that their financial investment does not go unrewarded. It includes-
1. Basic Expenditures
The first step in preparing a budget for any corporate event is to identify basic
expenditures. While this may seem roughly obvious, without a definite outline of
expenditures it is all too easy to run over budget at the last minute. Basic expenditure
should include the following:

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1. Cost of the hired venue.
2. Cost of speakers or paid guests.
3. Printing costs for leaflets, hard copy presentations, etc.
4. Cost of rental equipment, including projectors, sound system, staging, and internet
access.
5. Cost of decorations and furnishings.
6. Cost of marketing and promotion.
7. Cost of catering, including wet bar and service staff.
2. Return on Investment
After tallying the basic expenditures, manager will have a rough idea of the operating
budget. The next step is to decide what to achieve from the event, and how it can be
measured. If the event is meant to train or educate the staff on new products or
procedures, the return on investment will be more difficult to gauge as the end result of
the event will probably not be immediately financially quantifiable.
3. Money Saving Tips
While conducting an event corporate event manager should save money as far as
possible. The following tips can be used when planning corporate event, to keep costs
under control.
1. Avoid Impulse Purchases-This applies to any corporate event. It is all too easy to get
caught up in the planning stages, and to decide if it requires extra decorations, food
items to really make the event a success.
2. Cut Your Catering Cost- On average, most people planning a corporate event order
more food than they need. It is natural to want to ensure that there is plenty to go
around, but this often leads to waste. So the event manager must set a preliminary
catering budget. This will save money on catering bill, and will lead to less wastage.
3. Monitor All of Your Expenses- When planning any corporate event, there may be
many different people in charge of various aspects of the proceedings and in charge of
various pay-outs. The manager must keep a close eye on all of the expenditures, and
monitor staff to ensure that they are not going over budget in any given area.

Managing the Budget the Right Way

The corporate event manager must manage his budget in the right way by making use of
the following:
1. Track site rental costs: As the manager plan the event and meet with the venue sales
manager, he has to track all projected rental fees for the event and function space,
housekeeping, baggage handling, and related expenses.

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2. Estimate catering costs: This includes all food and beverages charges, including tips
and gratuities which can account for up to 30%.
3. Document transportation charges: This includes shuttles, coaches, event transfers,
and any related expenses.
4. Add decor expenses: Most events include expenses for decor, such as centrepieces,
floral, tent rentals, etc.
5. Document entertainment & equipment fees: common expenses in this category
include the A/V equipment, but it’s also a good spot to list honorariums to speakers or if
the manager is hiring entertainers.
6. Summarize printing charges: Several small item charges actually combine to make a
larger expenses line item. These include invitations, name badges, program booklets,
event signage and banners.
7. Line items for gifts: The event manager should never allow a guest to leave empty
handed. So, whatever gift or gifts he provides, he should track the cost for them
separately.
8. Identify activities expenses: If the event includes activities such as golfing, tennis, spa,
rafting, biking, or other activities, he has to make a note of the cost of fees separately.
9. Post other expenses: If expenses doesn’t fall into any of the above categories, the
manager can list them as a miscellaneous expenses item here.
10. Give yourself a contingency fund category: Depending on the size or complexity of
an event. Despite the best planning, charges will exceed so the corporate event manager
must plan well in advance.
11. Summarize projected expenses: As the manager builds his event program, he will
have a good projection of the total expenses. This is the information that can be shared
with the event client to make sure they are aware of the event budget so that later there
aren’t any surprises later on.
12. Summarize actual expenses: This happens after the event concluded. The event
manager should subtotal the invoices into the above 10 categories and document the
actual budget. If extremely favourable, he should identify savings in actual budget vs.
the projected budget, demonstrating the value-add.

SECURITY PLAN:
The security plan for the guests and participants in corporate events must be:
A) Deigned to provide enhanced guest and employee safety.
B) Unrivalled levels of security awareness and customer service skills.
C) High calibre individuals with the skills, aptitude and positive attitude that our
customer demands.
D) The highest standards of presentation, with uniforms to suit all requirements.

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E) A commitment to exceeding our customers’ expectations.

Health and safety at corporate Events

Health and safety should be of top priority before starting to add fancy lighting to
event tent or rolling out the red carpet.The essential areas you need to investigate
and check off list, to make you corporate event safe:
1. Capacity.Before the manager does anything else , he has to make sure to choose
the venue and it has enough capacity as specified by fire safety authorities for all of
his guests, as well as staff members, entertainers , vendors and volunteers.
2. Temporary Structure (i.e.stages and platforms). According to the Health and
safety Executive (HSE), event organisers needs to use contractors who specialise in
temporary demountable structure (TDS) for everything from the design to the final
installation of the stages or platform. The manager has to provide accurate details on
what the structure will be used for, by how many people and the weight of
equipment placed on it.
3. Risk assessment. If the manager feels lack of knowledge or experience (or time),
he should instruct a professional to carry out a full assessment of all potential
hazards. These include obstacles and tripping hazards, fire safety issues, electrical
safety , flammable materials and anything else that could potentially cause harm .He
should think through every possible worst case scenario, no matter how remote the
chances of it happenings and have a plan in place.
4. Emergencyroutes, lights and signage: Signs pointing to fire escape and
emergency exit routes, as well as emergency lighting (if the power goes out) and all
relevant health and safety signage, are require by law at public events. Manager
should not forget to fit smoke detectors and fire alarms (or test them if already
installed) and designate an assembly point in case of evacuation, placing more
signage to tell people where it is. Signage and lightings are easy to fit in a versatile
venue like an event tent, often used for corporate events.
5. Training: Whatever safety plans are be put in place, every members of the team
needs to be informed. Carry out basic trainings to ensure that every steward and
staff members knows enough about your safety plans to instruct delegates to the
event.Responsible event organizers will have a list of safety precautions twice as
long as this one, but these are the essentials to tick off in order to ensure a safe and
productive event.
Main points to be considered to provide Safety and Security in events
1. Safety of the event audience -The audience who have to see the event must feel
a sense of security.
2. Safetyand security of the performances,VIP’s: Any important people coming
for the event must be taken care of in the right way. Performance if any must be
done with full safety provide to the participants.

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3. Health and safety of the staff- All the staff who are involved in the event must be
given proper safety measure as they are the main people of the company.
4. Security of the premises,Equipments, Cash etc.-The place where the event is
running must be covered with full proof security .Any equipments if used must be
safe and secure.
5. Communications(Meetings,Reportingrelations, Emergencyreporting
relationships,Communication methods)-Any emergency cases must be
immediately reported to the event manager so that it can be resolved at the earliest.
6. Emergency access and emergency management-In case of emergency
requirements the problems must be solved then and there for the smooth running of
the event.
7. First aid -Accidents in any occur in the event, proper first aid must be provided
and the problem must be solved on the spot, without causing serious harms to the
person.
Creating a Blueprint:
Blue print can assistant the corporate event manager in sites selection, music menu
development,audio/visual equipment, and entertainment ,allowing him to create
memorable event experiences that yield success.
Blueprint for Event planning success
1. Develop strategies for success.
A) Make sure the purpose for the event is important enough to merit the time and
expense needed to properly stages, publicize and evaluate the event.
B) Carefully match the type of event that is selected to the purpose that it servers.
c) Ensure that all the employees support the corporate event.Select a working
committeewith board representation.
D) Target groups that have a special stake in the event.
E) Start planning at least three months, and in many case, ayear ahead of time.
F) Develop ways to evaluate the event’s success.Measurable event objective may
include attendance, the amount of money raised, and the number of library cards
issued or increases in circulations.
G) Talk to others people who have successfully staged similar events.
2. Get the event approved: After the strategies for the events are decided the
corporate event manager must get approval from the director of the company for
the event which is going to be organized.
3. Choose a date and time: A date and time shouldn’t be choose randomly .The
corporate event manager must choose an appropriate date and time for fixing the
event which has to be organized.

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4. Secure the venue: If the event is hosted on campus of office, the event may be
free of charge, if the event is being hosted off campus; there are a few more steps to
be taken.
A) Secure the venue well before the event for the best choice in availability .Some
venues book up to years in advance.
B) Look into venues that work with the budget that is created .Corporate events
manager should not waste time looking at space you can’t afford.
C) Choose a venue that can hold the estimated capacity.

D) Location of the event is important .The corporate event manager look at the
proximity of where the venue is located in comparison to where your attendees will
be coming from.
E) He should read any contracts in their entirety before he sign. Ask questions if he
does not understand the wordings.
5. Create Publicity and promotional items:
The ways to publicize the events are endless.A few favourites include:
A) Teaming up with boardcast departments o create a promotional video. It can be
played at upcoming events or shared via social media.
B) Speaking to journalism, business and ad/ marketing classes.
C) Reaching out to on - campus media.

6. Make a checklist: A checklist provides a step- guide to organizing and executing a

corporate.

7. Create a budget:
The objective is to provide event planners with a financial blueprint.The budget
should be specified, and include revenue opportunities (sponsorship, ticket sales,
donations. Concession sales) as well as expenses printings, permits, insurance,
speakers, food, supplies, security).
8. Plan publicity:
Promoting a special event takes creative thinking balanced with practically.The
primary objective is to public the event, but secondary objective should be
considered.
A) Are you trying to inform,educate or entertain?
B) Increase awareness or attendance of the event?
C) Build a base support from a specified audience?

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 D) Facilitate good community relations? Brainstorm all the available media in
including marquees, school newsletters, church announcements, and cable
commercial stations.
Make a details list with names of whom to contact and when.

9. Consider logistics: With many activities goings on simultaneously,there are many

details to be checked. Major areas to consider and plan for include: size of space or
building used, utility support needed, setup (tables and chairs, tents, portable toilets,
parking, signage)coordination, cleanup, emergency plans. Transportation and public
services such as police and fire departments.

10. Evaluate the event:

Take time to evaluate right after the event while the details are fresh. The event
manager may want to consider having a questionnaire for participants to fill out .Some
general evaluative criteria include:
A) Did the event fulfil its goals and objectives? Why or why not?

B) Identify what worked and what needs fine -tuning .Which vendors should be used
again?.
C) What items were missing on the checklist?

D) Was the event well attended?

E )Was informal and formal feedback about the event positive?

F) Given all that went into staging, was it worth doing?
Corporate Entertainment
Corporate entertainment is a private event held by the corporate or businesses firm for
their staff, clients or stakeholders. The events can be for large audiences such as
conventions and conferences, or smaller events such as retreats, holiday parties or even
private concerts.
Good corporate entertainment can leave guests with memorable experiences and
reinforce a company’s image, brand and corporate message.
The Various Corporate Entertainment Ideas include:
1. Comedy Waiters- They are an unexpected twist for everything from the executive
luncheons to the full service banquets.
2. Classical Music-It provides a level of ambiance to meals. This could be solo artists a
duo or trio.
3. Corporate Comedian-Lightens the mood. Creates camaraderie and makes memories
by providing unique perspectives.
4. Ventriloquist-A unique form of comedy that is seldom seen live.

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5. Magicians-Offers options for atmosphere entertainment by moving in the audience
during cocktail hours or providing after dinner shows.
6. Jugglers-They can keep people on the edge of their seats with incredible skills using
knives, fire etc.
7. Imposter and Comedy Speakers- They can motivate audiences and break tensions
from a day of workshops, training or meetings.
8. Game Shows-They can help guests get entertained and pull them into the act. It helps
in team building.
9. Hypnotists- They help in involving the audience and make them the stars of the show.
10. Mentalists-They can engage your audience with super natural mind reading and
memory stunts.
11. Strolling, Roving or Atmosphere Entertainers-They include magicians, musicians,
human statues, fortune tellers etc.
12. The Non Entertainer Forms of Corporate Event Activities-(photo both, video games,
video booths, arcade games and laser tag).

Need for Corporate Entertainment

Corporate entertainment is needed for the following reasons:
1. To attract new clients and keep existing ones happy. Entertaining new or existing
clients is a proven method of doing business and boosting sales.
2. Is to reward employees for their hard work throughout the year.
3. Can help to not only build a lasting memory of the event, but also of the company that
hosted the event.
4. It is a fantastic way of letting the existing employees knows how much you appreciate
their loyalty to your business, and that you wish to continue working with them.
5. Will enable to forge the good working relationship with new clients and allow
discovering exactly what they require from you in an informal and relaxed way.
6. Employees will remain loyal to companies that treat them well. A good corporate
entertainment can relax all the employees.
7. The main reason to host a corporate entertainment event is as a reward and “Thank
You” for employees, recognising their hard work and input over the year.
8. It helps in solving the inter problems amongst the employees who are working in that
particular organisation.
CORPORATE REPORTING.
1) Integrated reporting.

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 Integrated reporting is about connecting information about an organisation’s
current decisions with its future prospects;connecting information about
strategy,risk,remuneration,performance,environment,society etc.
2) Financial reporting.
At the core of corporate reporting model is the financial reporting model,consisting
of financial statements and accompanying notes that comply with generally accepted
accounting principles.
3) Corporate governance.
The processes by which companies are directed and controlled.Levels of disclosure
differ worldwide but might include information on board composition and
development,accountability and audit and relations with shareholders.
4) Executive remuneration.
How executives are rewarded,both in the short and longer-term,for delivering their
company’s strategic objectives.
5) Corporate responsibility.
Corporate responsibility includes the communication about how companies
understand and manage their impact on people,clients,suppliers,society and
environment.
6) Narrative reporting.
Narrative reporting is short hand for the critical contextual and non-financial
information that is reported alongside financial information to provide a broader, more
meaningful understanding of a company’s business.
REPORTING OF CORPORATE EVENTS.
1) Title section.
If the report is short, thefront cover can include any information that you feel is
necessary including the authors and the date prepared.
2) Summary.
There needs to be a summary of the major points, conclusions and
recommendations. It needs to be short as it is a general overview of the report.
3) Introduction.
The first page of the report needs to have an introduction.You will explain the
problem and show the reader why the report is being made.
4) Body.
This is the main section of the report. The previous section needed to be written in
plain English,but this section can include jargon from any industry.

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5) Conclusion.
This is where everything comes together. Keep this section free of jargon as most
people will read the summary and conclusion.
6) Recommendations.
This is what needs to be done. In plain English,explain your recommendations,
putting them in order of priority.
7) Appendices.
This includes information that the experts in the field will read.It have all the
technical details that support your conclusions.

QUESTIONS
Section A(2m)
Q1. State the meaning of corporate events
Q2. What is a corporate blue print?
Q3. List any 4 types of corporate events.
Q4. State any 4 corporate events entertainment ideas.

Section B (6m)
Q1. Explain the steps involved in creating a blue print for corporate events.
Q2. What are the safety and security measures to be undertaken in planning corporate
events?
Q3. Explain briefly importance of corporate entertainment
Q4. Write a brief note on corporate event reporting.

Section C (14m)
Q1. What are the arrangements to be done while planning a corporate event? Explain
Q2. Is entertainment needed in corporate events? Discuss.
Q3. What are the different types of corporate events? Explain.
Q4. What are the job responsibilities of corporate event organizer?

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 MODEL QUESTION PAPER

SECTION - A (Answer Any Five) 5 X 2 =10

1.
a) What is the meaning of event?
b) What are the methods of record keeping?
c) What is an event management plan?
d) What are utilities?
e) What is a planning schedule?
f) What is the meaning of checklist?
g) What is a corporate blue print?

SECTION - B (Answer Any Three) 3 X6 = 18

2. What are the steps in developing a record keeping system?

3. Explain the taxes applicable to event management.

4. “Media management is very important for an event management firm”. Elaborate on the
statement.

5. Write a brief note on corporate event reporting.

SECTION- C (Answer any Three) 3x14=42

6. Is entertainment needed in corporate events? Discuss.

7. What are the types of media used in Public Relations? List two advantages and two
disadvantages of each type of media.

8. Who are the key decision makers in event management? Explain.

9. What are the permissions, licenses and policies required for planning and conducting an
event? Explain in detail.

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