Before You Plan a Single Detail:
Why Your Event Needs a Purpose

It is tempting to jump right into the fun parts of planning an event - creating flyers, browsing centerpieces online, touring venues, trying out new recipes, etc. (Okay, maybe I'm one of the only people on Earth who finds the planning fun). Don't give in to that temptation! There is so much value in first taking some time to develop clear objectives - why are you holding this event in the first place? Give yourself the gift of clarity before your focus switches to the nitty-gritty details.

We hold events for many different reasons. For some events, you may feel the answer to this question is obvious. For example, if you are holding a fundraising carnival for a nonprofit organization, the objective is to raise money. If you are planning a retirement party, the objective is to celebrate the retiree. If you're holding a piano recital, you want to recognize the hard work of the students.

I challenge you to think a little deeper. Maybe you're planning a birthday party for one of your children, and you recognize a need that this event can address. Maybe you are planning a wedding and there is conflict in the family that needs to be smoothed over for the event to be meaningful. Maybe you are planning a training meeting for your employees and see an opportunity to build trust with them. There could be multiple purposes for holding this one event.

Y  Who is this event for? How can you best serve them?
Y  What needs would you like addressed or fulfilled?
Y  What would you like attendees to feel or learn?
Y  What experiences do you want them to have?
Y  What do you hope will change or grow because of getting together? What difference do you want it to make?
Y  What memories do you hope are created?

It might even be helpful to decide now what indicators of success will be. What will be the evidence that your event reached its goal? The amount of money you raise? The number of people who attend? Being clear on what success looks like can help you define your purpose.

This important decision should drive all of your planning. Your purpose may influence who you invite, when you hold the event, how you decorate, what activities you choose to include, what food you serve, and much more. It will help you decide which aspects of the event need the most priority and resources.

If this is an event that requires a committee, surround yourself with others who catch the vision of what you are trying to accomplish. People will be more creative and excited when they know they are contributing to something meaningful. Even working with professionals - caterers, photographers, and other vendors - can support your objective and make the event meaningful. They will often appreciate the clear picture of what you want.

Deciding on the purpose now may save you from wasted effort later. If it doesn't work toward your objective, you can skip it! For example, if you are helping a couple that prioritizes intimacy, it is okay to reduce the guest list in spite of outside pressure.

Just because something is popular (or even traditional), doesn't mean you have to do it. You get to decide whether it moves you toward your goal or not.

You've got this!

Christina
Abean Assist

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