Plan B = Back-up Plan

I attended a hat show yesterday. In concept, the show worked very well with a number of women very fashionably dressed, touting gorgeous hats, developing a "Hattitude."

However, the event was to begin at 5 p.m. At 4:57 p.m., organizers were starting to decorate the stage. Some of the participants arrived after 5 p.m. There was no program, no visible sense of organization and complete chaos. But, all knew what needed to be done. Along the way, an organizer met with the judges to explain the ballot and judging. That occured shortly before 5 p.m.

When the emcee started to announce the contestants, the music was so high no one could hear the names or description of anything. The music speakers were right beside the podium.

You get the idea this event needed a planner. Well, I found out that the person who was supposed to pull all of it together had gotten sick. OH DEAR! I'm almost glad that there was no pre-event press nor media at the event. It was a calamity!

MARKETING TIP: Have a written plan of instructions about what needs to occur when as you plan your event. Have a pre-event meeting with all the key players. If the leader gets sick, then there is a written plan to whip out which will tell everyone exactly what to do, how and when. The plan will also include how to promote the event in advance and what to do when it's finished.