Everyone in the world has done some event planning, as soon as you get more than two people together you are event planning. Most of the world does plan million dollar events, but something less. Often one of the biggest events is a wedding, but birthday parties or neighbourhood parties all go through the same checklist. The book event planning by Judy Allen, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto, 2000 is a great guide as the price of the event rises. For most of us, except for the Wedding or Anniversary party, we do a lot of stuff in our heads because the budget is relatively low. For example in the coming week is Halloween – you may go out for trick or treating or stay home and have the kids come over. It is not a great decision to do it at the last moment, otherwise you will be running around for all the little things you forgot. The book event planning features gala events and conferences but the same process goes for any size event.

The reason the purpose of the event is paramount is who is the targeted audience. If you watch the movie or read the book The Great Gatsby – the target audience for all the parties was a lady who live across the bay – Daisy. Why are you choosing the guest list? The event will determine what you hope to do. Questions include who needs to be there? The higher the profile of quest, the higher the need to go “first class”. Do you want media to be there? who is free or complementary?

At every event food and beverage needs to be offered. What kind of food and how it is presented is as varied as food. Many years ago, the author used to go to a lunch meeting and the main course was roast beef, the audience has changed and now roast beef is rarely on the menu. Food preferences for people change over time, but food is needed.

Other considerations consider entertainment. Plan it carefully knowing who your audience is. What kind of event it is and the age range. Make it appropriate and fun for the audience. Use good judgement. When you have entertainers they need to set up.

Photographer – do you wish a official photographer? people will take pictures with their cell phones.

In terms of themes and programs as long as they complement the purpose, use your creative spark to enhance the event. If you have tables, the guests need to see over the centrepiece. The décor can be anything you wish – there are amazing number of things to be rented.

The wrap up is most important because you have both learned things for next time as well as have a go to list for suppliers. It gets easier each time you do it. Send thank you notes. Remember each event is filled with people and with that there will be magic in the details and magic of memorable events to come.

The book appendix has many check lists for you which can be modified depending on the size and scope of the event. The list helps your attention to detail.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, with the planning of the event, the success is the purpose of the event being fulfilled. With dividend paying stocks, the success is the continuing payment of the dividend to your account. With the money, you can reinvest, live off it or make new investments, the choice is yours. In addition as time goes by the value of the holding tends to rise. Profitable stocks will trade at higher multiples than non profitable stocks, which means you have two methods to fulfill the purpose.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.