6 Event Planning Industry Trends

http://trendwatching.com/trends/top15questions/

As an event planning, I am always looking for the latest trends in my industry. It is very important to keep up with how people are celebrating special occasions these days. We are no longer in an age where we want to be traditional. We want something new, different, and creative when it comes to celebrating commencements and weddings, baby showers and bachelor parties, conventions and conferences. So after doing some research, I have found six event planning trends for 2011. You can find the six-industry trend below:

1.     Go social

- This gives you a chance to communicate easily and openly at each and every event, while the event is occurring. For example, displaying an active tweet message board during one of my events. Today it’s much easier to customize different items used for giveaway.

2.     Giveaways

- Free giveaways are things that make people excited about attending events. In 2011 there are several useful things to lookout for, such as: blankets, backpacks, sport and water bottles, high quality coffee mugs, first aid kits, hand sanitizer, digital photo frames, and more. One thing that I have often used as a giveaway, is a free gas card. With gas prices being so high, giving several of these out attracts people to my events.

3.     Forums and meet ups

- Gatherings should be more interactive and less inactive. So, more round table events, and informal meeting are being planned by professional event planners. More people are interested in attending these types of event instead of attending lectures.

4.     Greener decorations

- It is very important to take care of our environment, which I am sure everyone is aware of. To protect the environment, we are now able to use streamers made of recycled paper. Balloons are let out into sky, so they don’t end up in our water or in fields. Decorations should saved and re-used on an consistent bases.

5.     Mobilize and digitize

-Today majority of people are more interested in accessing their phones, laptops, iPods or iPads. Due to this, it is better for an event planner to promote through different social media outlets. This is the quickest and easiest way to research clients. I tend to research my client through Face book, twitter, and my personal blog. Using these outlets, seem to be the best way to promote and market.

6.     Analytics

-It is very important to keep up with the analytics of each event. This truly helps the planner predict their next event and how any people may attend. During my events, I plan to keep track of Who came, their interests, what other events they have attended, and if their going to attend the next event.

Although I ‘am not currently using the all the trends above, I plan to in the near future. I truly believe that by using these trends my business will stay afloat. I want to encourage other event planning to read this and to research other trends in this industry.

Resource http://www.eventswholesale.com/blog/event-planning/6-event-planning-trends-for-2011/

Financing and Funding your Business

http://delta-institute.org/content/funding-financing

Its very important to have financing to start up a business, this is the most critical part of the business. From taking the final business Plan course here at Full Sail University, I have learned of and researched different opportunities, to receive alternative funding. Some people get discouraged about starting a business, because they believe they wont be able to get funding. However, there are angel investor and additional funding sources available to start a business. Below, I will be providing some information on two alternative types of funding that I have found to be very interesting after doing some research.

The US Economic Development Administration programs pushes and promote business development, while trying to preserve jobs. They give aid to areas in the United States that are experiencing all types of financial distress including unemployment and low income, while also working in partnership with federal funded programs and other organizations including Indian tribes. The EDA offers federal funding to the University Center Economic Development Program, accelerators challenge competition, and development assistance programs and other programs. In order to receive funding, the EDA has several key requirements.

   

The 5 key requirements

National strategic priorities

Economically Distressed and underserved communities

Return on investment

Collaborative regional innovation

Public/private partnerships

All applications will be evaluated within fifteen days after the application de date. Information will be posted on the website in regards to all applicants that have been considered, as well all the grants that have been rewarded. You can also find more information at www.eda.gov

The second source of funding is called The First Nations Organization. Which is also known as the First Nations Development Institute.  For the pass three decades The First Nations Organization has been educating and offers grants to support tribes and native non-profit organizations. Their main goal is to support American Indian economies. However, there are a few requirements that a person has to have in order to receive funding. All of the applicants must be legal American Indians and belong to a tribe. You can also find more information on this organization at http://www.firstnations.org. First Nations also has provides policy training, email alert, and updates. EDA website also includes research tools, contact information, and different program funding opportunities. .