As 2021 comes to a close, you might already be looking forward to future events. You might be planning a wedding, arranging a fundraiser, hosting a corporate event, or anticipating a big holiday celebration. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to reduce stress, then you’re in luck because we’ve compiled some great tips to help you plan a seamless event.

Begin early

As soon as you know you’ll be hosting an event, you can begin brainstorming and mapping out the tasks you’ll need to complete, such as choosing a date, selecting a venue, creating a guest list, selecting decorations, and planning refreshments and drinks. Organize tasks in chronological order and set deadlines for major tasks in your calendar.

Vet potential vendors and venues

Select vendors and venues that are reliable, professional, and compliant with local regulations, as they can also help take the burden off you by providing seating, catering, and lighting. Be sure to get all the details. Does the venue offer Wi-Fi? What supplies will the vendor provide with their service? How easy is it to communicate a question or concern? Compare multiple quotes so you can find the vendor or venue that fits your needs and budget.

Use social media to engage with your guests

You can help create excitement among your guests and even get a little help documenting your event by using social media and hashtags. By branding your event with a hashtag, you make it easy for guests to post photos and share memories of the event, and with those same hashtags, you can easily find those pictures and posts later. Depending on how extensive the activities or guest list will be, you might consider building a website that includes itineraries, menus, navigation, and other information.

Protect your event and your guests

Some venues require special event insurance to protect you in the event of property damage, vendor bankruptcy, extreme weather, or injury to one of your guests. It can also be valuable to consider cancellation coverage which can reimburse you for non-refundable deposits and expenses if you must postpone or cancel your event. Event insurance is inexpensive, but peace of mind can be invaluable. If you believe your event does require insurance or you’d like to learn more, contact an insurance professional at Westwood Insurance Agency.