Pro’s and cons of organising the office Christmas party 🎄 Your moment to shine or your moment of stress?  Congratulations—or should I say commiserations? 😅 You’ve been asked to plan the company’s annual party. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking, right? You want to make it memorable, but the pressure is real—especially when everyone’s counting on you for great ideas and for it to be a success.    Feeling a bit like, “Where do I even start?” Trust me, you’re not alone! 🙌    The challenge:  Planning a seamless, on-brand event that boosts morale, impresses clients, and keeps everything on time and budget is no small feat. But it’s also your chance to show off your organisational skills, leave your personal touch, and take a well-deserved bow when everything goes off with a bang! 🎉 Here’s the truth:  Pros:  Get the recognition you deserve from your boss and colleagues for pulling off an unforgettable event 👏 Inject some personality and create moments that resonate with everyone—from fun entertainment and food choices to amazing venues and city views 🏙️ Take a breather from your daily grind with venue tours and food tastings 🍷🍴 Learn new skills that make you the go-to person for future events 🌟 Cons (We’re being real here):  Time away from your regular tasks 🕰️ Not knowing where to start and feeling a bit out of your depth 😟 That looming anxiety over whether anyone will actually show up or if they’ll have a good time 🤞 Dreading the thought of negative feedback if something doesn’t go to plan 😬    But here's the good news—you don’t have to do it alone! With some expert advice and a few insider tips, you can take this from daunting to dazzling in no time. 💫    What to do next:  Comment below if you’re planning this year’s Christmas party! 🎅  Share your challenges, ideas, and progress—we’re in this together. 🎁 Connect with me or others here to get expert event planning advice, venue recommendations, or even just a pep talk when the going gets tough! 💬 Why participate?  You’ll earn major points with your boss for organising an event that reflects your company’s brand and values 🌟 You’ll add thoughtful touches that your colleagues will love, making it the event everyone talks about 🗣️ You’ll have fun along the way—stepping out for tastings, visiting new venues, and collaborating with creative vendors 🥂 Most importantly, you’ll join a community of like-minded professionals, all ready to share tips and tricks for planning seamless events 💼    Ready to dive in?  Comment “I’m in!” below to kick things off. 🎉 Share your progress with the hashtag #mychristmasparty and let’s create an office Christmas party to remember! 🎊 You’ve got this! And I’m here to help every step of the way. Let’s make this your event-planning masterpiece. 👏    #ExecutiveAssistantLife #EventPlanningSuccess #ChristmasEventChallenge 

🎄 Elevate Your Christmas Corporate Party with The Gentleman Magician! 🎩 As the holiday season approaches, it's time to plan a Christmas corporate party that your team will be talking about well into the New Year. A celebration filled with laughter, wonder, and unforgettable moments is the perfect way to show your appreciation for the hard work and dedication your colleagues have shown throughout the year. Imagine a Christmas party where your guests are not just entertained, but enchanted. A professional magician and host can transform your event into something truly extraordinary: ✨ Engagement Like Never Before: With a blend of classic magic and modern flair, I captivate audiences of all sizes. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand affair, your guests will be drawn into the mystery, leaving them amazed and delighted. 🎤 Seamless Hosting: A polished host ensures the event runs smoothly, with just the right touch of humor and charm. As The Gentleman Magician, I guide the flow of the evening, ensuring every moment is perfectly timed and that your guests feel warmly welcomed. 🎁 Memorable Entertainment: Magic isn’t just about tricks—it’s about creating shared experiences. Your colleagues and clients will be talking about that impossible illusion or mind-boggling prediction long after the party ends. It’s the perfect way to foster camaraderie and keep the festive spirit alive. So, as you prepare to reward your team and celebrate the season, consider making your event truly magical. Let’s work together to craft a Christmas party that’s as elegant and engaging as it is unforgettable. Ready to add a touch of magic to your event? Let’s connect and make it happen. https://lnkd.in/eKe5H3iy Warm regards, Liam Ball The Gentleman Magician

21 signs of a well-planned event entrance: In the planning stages, everyone focuses on the inside of the event - because that's where people spend the majority of their time. And there is nothing wrong with that. BUT one part of the experience that most underestimate (and therefore get completely wrong) is the entrance. So here are 21 touch points you need to consider if you are going to start your event without chaos. (ok let’s be honest, there’s always a little chaos) 1. Are there other events around town that may affect public transport schedules? 2. What is the parking situation? Is it free or paid? 3. If you are not running the parking, has the parking company been briefed on the event? Can they easily answer questions from your guests? 4. Does your website have clear information on the entry process? Where parking and public transport is in relation to the event entry, prohibited items, gate open and event start times? 5. Does your entrance signage need to be in multiple languages and is your signage large enough to be seen from a distance? 6. Do you have enough ticket scanners and scanning/entry lanes? 7. Is there enough mobile phone signal from all carriers or do you need WIFI for patrons to access their electronic tickets? 8. Is the directional information on the tickets accurate? 9. Are you giving guests wristbands, lanyards, stamps? Will this touch point cause a bottleneck? 10. Are there bathrooms before security? 11. Do you have enough security? 12. Are the police involved with the entry process and are they likely to impact the flow and experience? 13. Do you have medical support at the entry? 14. Do you have clearly marked accessible lanes? Does the entry area and process take into account the needs of people with limited mobility and disabilities? 15. Do you have clearly marked lanes for VIP’s and other ticketing categories? 16. Do you have event staff out the front of the event to answer questions and help direct patrons? 17. Do you have enough bins at the entry? 18. Is there enough shade/shelter at the entry? 19. Do you have a cloak room (and is it big enough and staffed properly)? 20. Have you consulted a crowd management professional with your entry design and processes? 21. What does the entrance experience look like if it’s pouring rain? It’s hard to predict everything that may happen at the entrance of your event and no matter how much you plan, it rarely goes exactly how you hoped. But the more questions like these you tick off, the better prepared you and all your event staff are, the better the experience you can offer your guests - whether they are 5,000 or 50,000.

Event Planning in Action: A Summer Job Throwback Does one event make an event planner? In my book, absolutely! Over a decade ago, I took on a summer gig that wasn't just a job — it was a crash course in event planning. With a budget of $10,000, I orchestrated a 10-day festival in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, celebrating the town's 85th birthday. The agenda? A parade, a bed race that had everyone in stitches, a dunk tank for those daring enough, and a surprisingly entertaining jello-eating contest. Throw in a street dance, a battle of the bands, and a powerlifting contest for good measure. There were events for kids and more contests. We relied on grassroots advertising — remote radio spots and good old-fashioned local newspaper ads. While this stint might not show up on my resume, it was a hands-on lesson in logistics, creativity, and community engagement. That summer festival wasn't just a series of events; it was a testament to the power of bringing people together for a good time. So, does one event make an event planner? I'm living proof that it does. #EventPlanning #Throwback #SummerJob #CommunityCelebration

How to organise a Successful Corporate Anniversary Event Corporate anniversaries mark significant milestones in a company’s journey, providing an opportunity to reflect on achievements, honour milestones, and celebrate the collective efforts of employees, clients, and stakeholders. Organizing a successful corporate anniversary event requires meticulous planning, attention to detail, and a creative approach to ensure a memorable and meaningful experience for all involved. In this article, we’ll explore the essential steps and considerations for planning and executing a memorable corporate anniversary event that leaves a lasting impression. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gBPfZ3aA

It’s important to create inclusive event spaces that recognise the value of diversity and ensures each space is welcoming and respects everyone’s needs. To make sure every event you create is amazing, one rule is to make every guest feel included. In this blog we talk about how to create welcoming spaces for diverse attendees. #inclusiveevents #diversityandinclusion #eventplanning

When we first got the call to handle a small, local event for a city in the Phoenix metro area, we didn’t expect much beyond the usual. It was a simple request, nothing out of the ordinary. But looking back now, that one event set the stage for something much bigger—a long-term partnership that’s reshaped how the city approaches its community events. **The Challenge** At the start, our role was pretty straightforward: handle the production side of a local community event. But as we engaged with their team, it became clear that this wasn’t just about logistics—it was about creating events that fostered community pride and connection. We realized we couldn’t just be “order takers.” We needed to understand their vision and the impact they wanted to make on their community. **Our Approach** We asked deeper questions. What role does this event play in the city’s broader goals? How can we help amplify that impact? Through that process, we became more than just a vendor. We became a partner, working side by side with their planners to create something meaningful. Sometimes, our suggestions led them to spend less on certain areas. Other times, we advised them to invest more where it would have the most impact. It was never about the bottom line—it was about the bigger picture. **The Outcome** Over time, this approach built trust. Today, we’re not just executing their events; we’re involved in their strategic planning. We’ve become a key player in most of the city’s community-focused events. Our role is to help them achieve their vision, not just deliver services. And that’s the kind of partnership we believe in—one built on collaboration, trust, and shared goals. **The Takeaway** This story isn’t unique to just cities. These same principles apply to any event planner or organization looking to create something more than just another event. When you partner with someone who understands your goals and offers solutions that align with your vision, you can create something far more impactful than you ever

As event coordinators, we thrive on bringing people together, creating memorable experiences, and seeing our hard work come to life. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, events face unforeseen cancellations. 💔 When an event gets cancelled, it’s not just the date on the calendar that has been affected. It’s the countless hours of planning, the meticulous coordination, our team’s hard work, vendor partnerships, and the attendees' excitement. Here's how we manage these challenges: Stay Resilient: It’s important to remember that setbacks are a part of the journey. We channel our energy into understanding the situation and finding constructive solutions. Communicate Clearly: It’s essential to be transparent with clients, vendors, and attendees when an event is cancelled. By providing clear and timely information, we help manage everyone’s expectations and preserve their trust in our work. 🔍 Reflect and Learn: Every event, regardless of its outcome, teaches us something valuable. We need to review what happened, pinpoint areas where we can improve, and adjust our strategies for future events. It’s a challenging process—one that I’m still navigating—but continuing to learn and evolve is the only way forward. Celebrate the Effort: Even when an event doesn’t go as planned, celebrating the effort and dedication of everyone involved helps maintain morale and motivation. While event cancellations are undoubtedly challenging, they also serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our field and the strength of our community. To all my fellow event coordinators, keep your heads up and spirits high. The next successful event is just around the corner! Faith, Event Coordinator

What considerations do you make when thinking about event accessibility? Our quarterly Town Halls can be overwhelming, the entire company gathers in our office for a day of meetings, workshop activities, and socialising. It's a lot of fun, but there are plenty of us who find a full day of peopling draining. It became apparent that the intensity of the day could be a barrier to access, preventing some people from participating fully and benefiting from this in-person event. Jessica Arthur and I got our heads together to create the Quiet Room, a designated space to decompress. We added fidget toys and quiet activities, and made it as cosy and welcoming as possible. We clearly outlined the purpose of the space to the team, ensuring they knew that this was a room where they could go to take a breather and find some calm. Low-level chatter was welcome, but respecting others' needs to recharge was key. It was so really well received that we added a Silent Room for our next Town Hall. We tried to consider the sensory experience, focussing in particular on the impact of lighting to create a calm, restorative space. Again, this was well received by the team, and it was interesting to see people checking out both spaces and making a choice about which one best suited their needs. It was really rewarding to know that this action made a difference for colleagues, some even said it was a factor in their decision to attend the Town Hall in person rather than remotely, they felt that this made the day more accessible to them. We recently had the opportunity to trial this at an external event when we sponsored Hey! Presents. It was great to see delegates making use of the space, and I'm looking forward to incorporating this offering and improving on it as we build out our event calendar into 2025. For me, this little project has been all about giving people permission to show up in a space just as they are, without the need to perform or pretend. I still have loads to learn about creating truly accessible events, but working on this with Jess feels like a step in the right direction.