You’re no idiot, of course. You know you can’t throw a corporate function together overnight—especially if you want to impress clients, shareholders, and upper management. Whether you’re prepared to tackle the task yourself or you’re considering hiring a professional, you want your event to be a stellar occasion to remember. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Meeting and Event Planning, Second Edition, will show you how to organize any company gathering on time and on budget, whether you’re hosting 10 or 10,000. In this revised and updated Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Up-to-date information on planning and budgeting software, phone and data lines, audio and video, and satellite bookings. • Expanded coverage on international conferences—via remote, abroad, or by international components. • Ideas for smoothly dealing with last-minute glitches and crises.

Takes meetings and conferences to the next level.

A revised handbook on how to plan a meeting or conference addresses site selection, contract negotiation, publicity, entertainment, scheduling, setting up and breaking down, event logistics, menus, A/V requirements, budgeting and expenses, and emergencies. Original.

Expert advice on how to stage the perfect event every time "A terrific resource of information for anyone in the event-planning business." --James Spellos, CMP, President, Meeting U. Meeting & Event Planning For Dummies is a practical step-by-step guide to the strategies and techniques event-planning professionals use to bring people together. This comprehensive resource covers all the angles from the little details to the big picture to make sure your business meetings and special events come off without a hitch! Praise for Meeting & Event Planning For Dummies "Packed with valuable information in an easy-to-use format. [It] covers all the basics for the meeting planning novice." --Diane Silberstein, President, Diane Silberstein & Associates "A great resource book every event professional should have.... Checklist heaven! We all love our checklists, and this book is full of them!" --Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP

Book & CD-ROM. This is the most thorough, concise, and easy-to-follow event planning book available. From the initial concept of the event to ongoing management, this book provides techniques to increase your chances of success and systems to avoid many common mistakes. It shows you dozens of ways to save time and money and introduces you to every facet of the planning process. This ultimate guidebook equips readers with new ideas, support, and creative problem-solving skills. The chapters follow the dynamics of the actual event planning process and are supported by extensive checklists and timelines. As readers undertake the complexities of daily responsibilities and tasks, the guide inspires efficiency and confidence and makes it possible to stay on track. This revised 2nd edition includes information on timely practices such as planning environmentally friendly parties, using technology applications and gadgets to orchestrate a modern event, and generating enthusiasm for your events using social media and social networking. The companion CD-ROM included with the book contains helpful checklists, worksheets, and contracts and agreements to help you co-ordinate an organised event. On the CD-ROM, you will find sample speaker agreements, timelines for planning your event, status reports, budget sheets, site selection checklists, and much more.

This bestselling all-in-one guide to the event planning business is back and better than ever, fully updated and revised to reflect the very latest trends and best practices in the industry. This handy, comprehensive guide includes forms, checklists, and tips for managing events, as well as examples and case studies of both successful and unsuccessful events. Judy Allen (Toronto, ON, Canada) is founder and President of Judy Allen Productions, a full-service event planning production company.