11/01/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: A running event planned for our city was canceled at the last minute by the organizer, which left many participants who had traveled to our city unhappy. We’re also concerned that other event organizers might have been left with a bad impression of us because of a situation that wasn’t our fault.…READ MORE
10/01/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: We have launched a number of new events in the last two years, and we miscalculated the budget on almost all of them. What should we do at the start of the budgeting process to make sure that, when the event is over, we don’t find ourselves wondering what went wrong? —Off…READ MORE
09/15/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: Our city has a number of good venues—notably a softball/baseball complex and a separate lighted soccer complex—that have attracted some small events. Our biggest challenges are the factors we have no control over: the distance to our nearest airport and a relatively small number of hotel rooms. How do we position our…READ MORE
09/01/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: Every aspect of an event RFP has significance, but are there areas that you frequently find to be lacking? We are reviewing RFPs for two of our events that haven’t been updated in a while and are curious where we might focus our attention. How often should we be reviewing these documents?…READ MORE
08/15/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: I am the key host city contact to an organizer that is bringing an event here in three years. How much is too much communication in these first years leading up to the event? We find ourselves with a number of questions but don’t want to overburden the organizer with minutiae at…READ MORE
08/01/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: What has been your experience with bringing in celebrities to make appearances, particularly at ancillary events to the main competition? Are they generally a draw for potential attendees, or should we avoid the practice? What issues should we consider before attempting to contact someone of note? —Star Struck Dear Star: Celebrities can…READ MORE
07/31/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: We have noticed that more than one university in our area is offering a sports management major for students. We would like to partner with these programs as a possible source of interns and volunteers at events. What’s your advice on the value of utilizing such students, and how should we go…READ MORE
07/01/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: What do you consider the key components of a successful hospitality program? We are planning one main tent at our event but are struggling with exactly who should be—and who will expect to be—invited. Should it be open just to sponsors? What services should we be providing? —Thanks for the Hospitality Dear…READ MORE
05/28/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: We are looking to invite some sports-event organizers to see our city and tour our venues. It’s been a while since we’ve tried this approach and are excited that some are willing to take us up on our offer. What’s your advice on how to craft a successful site inspection for these…READ MORE
05/15/2014 | CATEGORY: Ask The Event Doctor
Dear Event Doctor: We recently won an event we have wanted for years, and now we’re transitioning our bid committee into a host committee. We’re struggling with whether the same people who served on the bid committee should by default serve on our host committee board, or whether we should consider a new process that…READ MORE