Winn Events & The Winn Group featured in Front Yard Worship Article

Winn Events and The Winn Group were recently featured in Front Yard Worship.  Click on the link below and turn to page 20/21 to read the article.

November 09 Front Yard Worship

Winn Events is a full-service event planning & management company that offers flat-rate pricing and customized packages.  Check out http://www.winnevents.com/ for more information.

Contracts: Eliminate the Ambiguity of Working with Clients

Eliminate the Ambiguity - Sign a Contract!

Have you ever been asked to plan an event for a client and during the planning process there was ambiguity as to what you were responsible for?  If so, that can be avoided simply by creating a contract with the client.  A contract needs to be very detailed and lay out who is responsible for what aspect of the event, payment terms, risk assessment, and cancellation policies.  A good contract should include the following:

•    Names and contact information of both parties including their title
•    Dates of the Event
•    Term Length of the Contract
•    What you as the planner are responsible for in the planning process and onsite at the event.

• Booking venue
• Booking hotels
• Negotiating contracts
• Signing contracts as an agent of the client
• Booking flights
• Arranging speakers
• Working with the caterer
• Providing information for the website for attendees regarding hotels, restaurants, and local activities
• Onsite event manager

•    What the client is responsible for in the planning process and onsite at the event.

• If client prefers to sign contracts, put this in the contract.
• Provide means of payment for services rendered to third party vendors or if payment runs through the event planner that needs to be outlined as well.
• Provide payment to the Event Planner

•    Clear payment terms for your services as the event planner

• Always require a deposit up front with the contract in case they cancel the event or are slow to pay so you are covered for the work you do for them.
• Possibly have a second deposit due a few months later
• Final payment due at the event.

•    Commissions – will the planner or client receive commissions?
•    What is the Cancellation policy for the event and the contract with the event planner?
•    Indemnification Statement
•    Force Majeure Clause – this is when your event is unable to happen due to an “Act of God” or an “Act of Man” (After 9/11 when the FAA grounded all flights).
•   Insurance for the planner and the client

Winn Events is a full-service event planning & management company that offers customized packages. Check out http://www.winnevents.com/ for more information.

Why Hire an Event Planner

It is a common misconception that Event Planners only plan weddings or parties for the elite.  In all actuality, each Event Planner typically specializes in a certain type of event.  Some plan weddings, while other event planners focus on large conferences, and still others focus on medical or educational seminars.  The key is to find an event planner that specializes in planning the type of event that you are having.

Here are five reasons why you should hire an Event Planner to plan your event(s).

1. Contract vs. Full-Time – If you hire an independent event planner, they are considered a contract worker so you are not responsible to take taxes out of their payments or pay them benefits, thus saving your company money. On the other hand, some companies prefer to hire an event planner to be on their full time staff.
2. Experience – Event Planners know the ins and outs of planning events and their experience could save you money because they know the right questions to ask.
3. Contacts – An Event Planner has built relationships with vendors and can often get a better deal than if you approached the vendor as a customer.
4. Specialization – If you find an Event Planner that specializes in planning your type of event, than they will be able to better manage all the details that go into making the event a success.  Their knowledge of the specific type of event brings a level of excellence that would not necessarily be there if the event planner were not involved.
5. Be Our Guest – With an Event Planner running the show, it allows you the ability to be a guest at your own event rather than managing the details on the event day and missing out on more important things.

Event Planners are a tremendous asset to the success of events.  If you have never considered hiring an independent event planner or company to assist you with your events, it would be worth your time to check into it and find an event planner that specializes in your type of event.  Please feel free to contact Winn Events.  Winn Events is a full-service event planning and management company that offers customized packages to meet your specific event planning needs.  We specialize in corporate, non-profit, and religious events. Check out http://www.winnevents.com/ for more information.