Thanks to the internet and its vast repository of event-planning resources, organizing events is now simpler than ever before. However, it can be challenging to determine which resources are the greatest and, more importantly, which will be most valuable to you, given your unique requirements and area of focus.
We've compiled a list of some of the best event-planning resources to help you plan and promote your event. Whether you're looking for blogs on boosting ticket sales, books about optimizing event sponsorship, or webinars with experts in the area, you'll find something helpful in this list of resources.
Event Planning Books
We've put together a list of excellent books written by experts in the event planning industry. These books cover various topics, from event planning to business promotion.
1. The Event Planning Toolkit: Your Guide to Organizing Extraordinary Meetings and Events by Linda Joyce Jones
The concept of event planning can be daunting to many people — They doubt they are prepared enough to succeed since they lack the necessary expertise and organization. However, with the help of the resources provided in the Event Planning Toolkit, you can ensure that every event detail is planned and executed flawlessly, allowing you to relax and enjoy the special day.
In addition to learning how to manage your project's scope, time, and resources, this book will also teach you how to set objectives, develop a budget, select an appropriate location, and create a highly efficient team.
2. Transitioning to Virtual and Hybrid Events: How to Create, Adapt, and Market an Engaging Online Experience
Transitioning to Virtual and Hybrid Events explains in detail everything a host needs to know about switching to virtual or hybrid events, from finding and catering to a new audience to making and distributing relevant content. The author, Ben Chodor, is the president of Intrado Digital Media. In this book, he gives businesses of all sizes and in all fields advice on how to host successful hybrid, virtual, and streamed events and webinars.
3. The Non-Obvious Guide to Event Planning (For Kick-Ass Gatherings that Inspire People)
Written by Andrea Driessen, The Non-Obvious Guide to Event Planning (For Kickass Gatherings that Inspire People) is a how-to guide for planning events that are innovative and memorable. The introduction describes how to establish objectives for an event and develop strategies to make the event unique.
The book goes on to discuss how to secure exciting speakers and entertainers, catch and maintain the attention of attendees, and effectively handle the basics so that you can devote more effort to wow-factor aspects. The author also offers guidance on overcoming obstacles, such as addressing unreasonable expectations from stakeholders and unrealistic deadlines.
Event Planning Websites and Blogs
There are a lot of great blogs out there about planning events written by professionals with years of experience. You'll want to find the best ones to learn from and get ideas. We've put together a list of our favorite event-planning blogs to help you in your search.
4. Superevent Blog
Superevent is a fantastic resource for planners and meeting professionals seeking information about events and event production. The Superevent blog provides interesting, well-written articles for event planners.
The article, "How to Create Engaging and Thoughtful Science-driven Game Plan For Educational Events," is a prime example of the high quality of Superevent's offerings, as it guides event planners through the process of successfully hosting educational events for their clients.
5. The Meeting Pool
The Meeting Pool blog is aimed squarely at the meeting planning community. The blog's content is described as "a deep dive into event technology," concentrating on the most cutting-edge event tech. The quality content they provide covers topics including apps, business, the event sector, social media, and technology. Meeting Pool's event industry calendar is another great tool that everyone in event planning should bookmark and check often.
6. Event Manager Blog
As part of Skift, the Event Manager Blog delves further into what it means to be an event manager. The brains behind this treasure provide novel takes on familiar themes like event management software, and the role event planning may play in addressing societal concerns like human trafficking.
Julius Solaris created the Event Manager Blog in 2007 before selling it to Skift in 2019. Currently, Julius serves as Head of Engagement at Swapcard, the industry-leading virtual event platform. For multiple years, numerous magazines have named him their pick for the industry's most influential person.
Event Planning Groups and Associations
As an event planner, you are a part of a multibillion-dollar industry that is continuously evolving, inventing, and growing. Therefore, keeping up with the industry's leading associations for event planners is crucial.
7. IACC
Sourcing for a suitable venue will guarantee a successful event. IACC is a worldwide group of companies and people passionate about making meetings exciting and innovative. The IACC's goal is to bring together the most brilliant people in the industry to promote the best meeting venues that offer great meeting experiences.
The IACC venue finder will help event planners to discover venues available to them in their area. You can filter the available venues by the expected number of guests, location, size, or Wi-Fi bandwidth.
8. Meeting Professionals International
Meeting Professionals International is the largest international events association in the world, boasting over 18,500 engaged members and 80 chapters in more than 70 countries. MPI provides its members with both academic and professional development opportunities. Some of the resources offered by MPI include:
- Find a Speaker Database — This feature helps event organizers find speakers with expertise in business ethics, leadership development, negotiation, company culture, and mindfulness.
- MPI Job Board — You can find various event planning jobs worldwide, not only in the United States.
- Plan Your Meetings — This is an educational resource that offers advice, how-to guides, and best practices for event industry newcomers. PYM is designed to help people thrown into event planning, like administrative staff, who end up planning events for their organization.
MPI collaborates with other organizations annually to host several event-planning conferences.
9. International Live Events Association
The International Live Events Association is dedicated to creating a platform for event organizers to connect, share ideas for the industry's future, and find new business prospects. Research analysis and instruction are two of ILEA's primary focuses. The organization offers its own certification and a slew of educational opportunities.
10. The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
PCMA is one of the most respected organizations in the world of meetings, conventions, and business events. In addition to hosting the annual Convening Leaders conference, PCMA is responsible for publishing the award-winning Convene magazine, which industry professionals widely read. Convene delves deeply into event logistics, attendee participation, event promotion, and technology.
The organization also conducts educational webinars and events to further improve strategies in delivering events.
Event Planning Conferences/Seminars
Attending a conference, workshop, training, seminar, or virtual event is a great way to expand your horizons, learn from the experts in your field, and network with other professionals.
11. International Conference on Event Management and Planning
The International Conference on Event Management and Planning aims to bring together top researchers from all fields of study to share their latest findings in the field of event management and planning.
The conference also serves as a leading interdisciplinary forum for professionals in event management and planning to share and discuss the most up-to-date developments, trends, issues, challenges, and solutions. The next conference will be held on February 16-17, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain.
12. MPI's World Education Congress
MPI's premier event, the World Education Congress, provides meeting and event planners unparalleled access to educational sessions, exhibitors, and industry professionals.
Event Planning Magazines
A practical approach to keeping abreast of advancements, trends, and accessible resources is to subscribe to publications and newsletters specialized in event planning.
13. BizBash
Meeting and event professionals can find many ideas, news, and resources on BizBash. The site aims to provide event planners with helpful information and fresh inspiration. BizBash is home to more than 50,000 resources dedicated to event design, technology, and tools.
As a bonus, BizBash has a searchable database of the best event venues and suppliers in the business. The site's articles are loaded with images, making them ideal for generating event planning ideas. Best of all, you can listen to interviews with industry insiders on GatherGeeks, BizBash's podcast.
14. Successful Meetings
With a print readership of more than 50,000, Successful Meetings is one of the most widely read trade magazines for the convention and meetings sector. The magazine is aimed at event organizers of all stripes and features articles on themes including meeting strategy, technology, and management.
Successful Meetings provides a How-To section with ideas on anything from enhancing event supplier relationships to discovering new marketing channels. You can access content in any format, including blog entries, videos, webcasts, and live events.
15. MeetingsNet
MeetingsNet is an indispensable digital publication for planners that organize events for particular businesses and markets. This publication's digital content and newsletters cover industry news, event management technology, and planning advice.
This interactive magazine's website is loaded with valuable resources for improving your performance on the job. Every month, MeetingsNet provides event management professionals with photo galleries, videos, seminars, event ideas, and more.
Power Your Events with Superevent
Planning a successful event starts with choosing the right event software. With its comprehensive feature set, Superevent is the ideal event platform for powering all of your virtual, in-person, and hybrid events. Our platform makes it easy for attendees to connect and share their experiences, taking your event to the next level. Event planning has never been easier! Create your first event now to see how we can help you grow your event-planning business!
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