Professional Event Coordination

The State of The Art in Modern Professional EventCoordination

This completely up–to–date new edition of Professional EventCoordination includes everything the special eventsprofessional needs to manage events of all kinds from smallparties to big corporate events, for ten guests or 10,000. Writtenby experienced event manager Julia Rutherford Silvers, thiscomprehensive resource covers every technique and tactic in theevent coordinator′s skill set, including design, projectmanagement, site selection and development, safety and security,food and beverage service, and entertainment.

The book is ideal as a working shelf reference for practitionersor as a study aid for anyone preparing for event industrycertifications. It features modern, real–world examples, sampleforms and checklists, discussion questions, and online resourcesthat will thoroughly prepare students while keeping experiencedpractitioners completely apprised of the latest industry bestpractices. Fully updated to cover new technological changes in thebusiness, it includes the very latest on virtual meetings andevents, social media, and sustainable practices. With advice onprocuring and organizing all the products, vendors, and servicesneeded to bring any event to life, Professional EventCoordination is a must–have guide to the subject for modernevent professionals.

Foreword Andrew Walsh vii

Series Editor Foreword Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP xi

Preface xiii

Dedication xviii

Acknowledgments xix

PART I ASSESSMENT 1

1 Anatomy of an Event 3

2 Creating the Event Plan 31

3 Developing the Event Site 59

4 Providing the Event Infrastructure 91

PART II ANTICIPATION AND ARRIVAL 121

5 Accommodating the Audience 123

PART III ATMOSPHERE 155

6 Coordinating the Environment 157

7 Fundamentals of the Production 189

PART IV ACTIVITY 219

8 Staging an Engaging Experience 221

9 Ancillary Programs 249

PART V APPETITE AND AMENITIES 277

10 Food and Beverage Operations 279

11 Making Event Memories 303

PART VI ADMINISTRATION 327

12 Safe Operations 329

13 Vendors and Volunteers 369

14 Knowledge Management 399

15 Sustainable Success 425

Appendix 1: Sample Client Interview Form 449

Appendix 2: Sample Change Order Form 456

Appendix 3: Sample Site Inspection Checklist 457

Appendix 4: Event "Survival" Kit 464

Appendix 5: References 466

Index 477

Julia Rutherford Silvers, CSEP, a former adjunct faculty member at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and UNLV Singapore Ltd., has served as an industry consultant for The George Washington University Event Management Certificate Program, the Professional Convention Management Association, and the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council. A four–time International Special Events Society Esprit Award winner, she lectures all over the world on professional event management practices, is a founding director of the International Event Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) Executive, and is an advisor to the Event Management International Competency Standards.