5 Keys to Planning a Successful Event

  • By Daniel Hennes
  •  Jul 19, 2022

5 Keys to Event Planning


Now more than ever, finding a good employee can be difficult but keeping them can be even harder. Just this year, the rate of voluntary employee turnover was projected to jump nearly 20% with an average 31.9 million employees quitting their jobs annually prior to the pandemic and now 37.4 million in 2022. Employee retention is vital to the success of a company and hosting great events with inspiring speakers is an incredible way to boost culture and engagement within a business. Here we have our 5 keys to planning a successful speaker event.


Decide if your event will be virtual or in person


The first key in planning your event is deciding how you want to engage with attendees. Of course, both online and in person events have their pros and cons. In person events are fantastic to inspire and energize an audience by creating a more personal experience. They also allow the bonus of post-event networking that wouldn’t be available virtually. However, while virtual events may have a more difficult time with getting that “wow” factor, they don’t have the downside of expenses or the complications of planning and scheduling that come with an in person event. Trying to do some sort of combination of the two in a hybrid style can make for a weird dynamic and disconnect between audience and speaker. It is essential to understand all the ups and downs of each option to determine what type of event would be most beneficial for your company.



  Figure out your event theme and goals


Outlining goals for an event lets employees know what to expect and gets them excited to participate. It’s important to have a concept of why you are having this event and what feelings or ideas you want attendees to be leaving with. Keeping these views in the back of your mind while planning the event will do wonders compared to just diving in head first. Whether you want to focus on the importance of teamwork, dedication, leadership, or anything else, having a grasp on what you’re wanting for your event will help narrow down your search for the perfect live speaker to accomplish those predetermined goals.


 Figure out your event format


Different formats for an event speaker each have their own benefits. There are aspects to like and dislike about keynote speeches versus a moderated Q and A. Keynote speeches are great for events that are more focused towards a particular theme or idea. This format is ideal to communicate and inspire a crowd for something specific and can ensure that the focus of the event doesn’t stray too far from its intended goals. The use of a Q and A has more flow and caters to the inquiries of the attendees themselves. Q and A’s can be more engaging as they are guided by exactly what the audience wants to know about. Keep in mind that it may be easier to find a speaker that can prepare for an event beforehand than one that is able to have polished answers on the fly. Choosing a good format can make all the difference for an event, so it is crucial to figure out what works best for your goals that you determined in the previous step.


 Set your budget


Nothing brings down the high of hosting a successful event quite like seeing the expense figures at the end. However, this can be easily avoided by putting a budget in place before costs have a chance to catch you off guard. Budgeting is a key component of the initial planning stage and the elements of your event should be based around your budget. If pricing is a determining factor for your event, virtual events are much less expensive and you should plan on allotting at least $2500 for it while in person events are pricier and should be expected to be closer to at least $5000. Research and set a plan ahead of time!


Thoroughly review the materials of the speakers you are considering


The network of event speakers ranges far and wide so it is imperative to review different speakers materials to make sure that they are a good fit. You can get a good idea of how they’d be at your event by watching videos, reading bios, and even reaching out for a consultation ahead of time. All speakers are different and bring all kinds of distinctive qualities and energies to the table. A speaker could be fantastic but not necessarily fantastic for your event. Make sure you understand how they choose to engage an audience and how the crowd reacts. What strategies do they use to make their points and how does that fit with your overall goals? Speakers can make or break an event so doing research beforehand is critical to be confident in your decision and your future event. 


Should I book a speaker for my event?

In today’s age, our attention span is dwindling. A technological era in which we can get rushes of dopamine to our brain in a couple seconds by scrolling on a variety of social media platforms has created an atmosphere where we quickly become uninterested by something if we are not immediately curious to hear more. In an event, this means being able to grab your audience’s attention immediately and pull them in, wanting to hear more. This is where hiring a speaker for an event comes into play. The speakers that are on Engage’s website are some of the most high-class, interesting stories you will ever hear. Engage has the stories and speakers that will hold your audience captive with interest. 

To learn more about Engage, its talent, and how to book your next speaker contact us at info@letsengage.com or visit https://www.letsengage.com/.

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