When people ask me what I do and I answer event coordinating; I always get the response, “I bet that is fun!” You can just see the visions in their eyes! The sugar plums dancing, 4th of July fireworks, wedding dresses, party hats, people sitting on the beach sipping piña coladas, and the ideas go on. In my head, I am picturing myself on event day as Albert Einstein and, yes, I even feel like my hair is flying in all different directions (no pun intended).
According to Forbes, “The 10 Most Stressful Jobs in 2017”, an event coordinator is the fifth most stressful job of 2017. This got me thinking.
What do we really do as event coordinators?
We, at Meetings Northwest, are a diverse team of administrative professionals, event planners, and graphic designers. For over a decade, we have helped clients strengthen their organization through administrative support and strategic event/meeting planning. So how do we do that? After interviewing my fellow team members, here are our top four things we do as event planners/coordinators.
Top 4 things Event Coordinators/Planners Do
LISTEN
We listen to the client’s mission/vision statement and blend our creativity and administrative skills to execute the event accordingly.
LOGISTICS
We provide logistical support to our clients, paying close attention to the details to achieve outstanding results. Logistics includes, but not limited to: budget (marketing, administration, organization, etc.); program development (speakers, panels, sessions, agenda layout and printing, registration, etc.); graphics development/management (website, PR graphics, event app, etc.).
ON-SITE
We are always that friendly face with the can-do attitude. Realizing every event is different, we provide facility negotiation, coordination and on-site support to ensure the client’s event runs smoothly from start to finish.
FEEDBACK
We are always looking for additional ways to be efficient and seamless. After an event concludes, we follow up with the client, attendees, sponsors, and vendors. The feedback received provides us and the client with the necessary information to make their next event that much better!
While Forbes’ statement may hold true on particular days/moments/seconds – for the most part, I feel as though event coordinating is a rewarding experience. We get to meet new people, travel to places we wouldn’t normally go, and get to see and experience the final result of often time a years worth of hard work. At the end of a stressful event, but successful event, the feeling is often less sour and more sweet – just like peaches and cream!
About the author:
Autumn Gilleard, was born and raised in Western Montana Autumn lives on a ranch with her husband, two daughters, and son. She enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her family 4-wheeling, fishing, rafting, and hiking. When not out on a adventure with her family, you can find her at the Missoula Taekwondo Center. Where she trains as a black belt and part of a competition team. (She is Worth the Fight……Hahahahah)
