Asking an event planner for a proposal can seem simple enough when someone has never hired a professional event planner or event coordinator.  However, in the last few months, I have had some odd requests for proposals (RFP). Event planning can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring careful planning and execution. The RFP is a key tool used to help organizations find the right vendor or service provider for their event.

Is Event Sponsorship Important? YES! Event sponsorship for some events can have a huge impact to the bottom line of an event or organizations fiscal success. I have been very fortunate to have worked on some very successful event sponsorship campaigns for tradeshows, conferences, associations and fundraisers. I even managed to create a sponsorship package for my local chapter of event professionals that was the

Fun fact. In 2020 (pre-pandemic) we built the Ultimate Event Planning Guide, which can be found for download on www.jenniferjamesevents.com The thought process behind building this guide was an outline for anyone considering planning a corporate social event or even social event on a large scale. The first place we recommend starting is with discovery questions that determine your event purpose, objectives, and goals.

In the event world, we're trained to adapt and expect the unexpected. No amount of planning can ever predict last minute cancellations or delivery issues or freak weather….or even a global pandemic. Our entire industry is defined by our ability to solve problems and create amazing experiences, no matter what may happen. This leads us to our new reality of a complete event shut down. No parties. No conferences. No gatherings of any

When the unimaginable occurs within a week of your event

Ever wonder what REALLY happens when things go wrong at your favourite events? Lessons Learned is a series that I wanted to share about the behind the scenes life of an event planner. Everyone always gets to see the amazing food and Instagram worthy pictures but the reality is, the behind the scenes planning doesn’t always feel quite as flawless. There are inevitably

A large portion of my early career as an event planner was spent producing large scale trade shows. The work that goes into exhibiting at a trade show can be immense but they can also be incredibly effective initiatives for many businesses. One of the biggest advantages to trade shows is their exceptional targeting power. They’re almost always industry specific which means your ideal customers are not only in the room but they’ve

What I love about events is how multi-layered they are. As a guest you’re simply there to enjoy the experience but no one ever considers the details or the level of planning required to ensure the most basic needs of each guest is met. The thought that goes into things like room flow or table set up or the event schedule is immense and often takes a diverse team to pull it off. I’m fortunate to work with some of the best event

Working as an event planner is my dream job. I get to create amazing experiences and work with some of the best people in the business. But what I’ve come to truly appreciate lately is the diversity of this incredible industry. This career can be perfectly suited to so many different personality types and educational backgrounds. It’s a career built around flexibility and adaptation but it’s important to know how your own skillset fits

Spring is finally here and with it comes Trade show season! I talk a lot about corporate events on my blog but the truth is I’ve also produced over a dozen large scale trade shows in Calgary so I have a soft spot for all the springtime shows that seem to take over the city every weekend. The work that goes into both producing and exhibiting at a trade show can be immense but they can also be incredibly effective initiatives for many

Years ago I worked with a client who was struggling with how to reinvigorate a holiday event that they’d been struggling with for years. They invested a substantial amount of time and effort into the event – and certainly weren’t stingy with their budget but their list of complaints continued year and after year. The space they were working limited them to 500 guests at rounds of 10 with little wiggle room and they were bored of the