IFE OGUNFUWA writes on some important skills events planners should possess
Having a memorable event that everyone will talk about after many years is the dream of everyone.
Professional event planners have been able to meet the desires of brides and grooms using their creativity to design successful and personalised moments.
To celebrate the creativity and uniqueness of players in the events and lifestyle industry, the Founder, Oaken Events, Mrs. Ayiri Oladunmoye, recently organised an events planners’ workshop, tagged ‘Atinuda.’
According to her, the long-term goal of ‘Atinuda’ is to create a platform that will build and shape young entrepreneurs who have decided to pursue a career in the industry.
To upgrade the skills of Nigerian event planners to what obtains in other countries, a South African-based planner, Mrs. Christian Holt; a United States-based designer, Mrs. Diann Valentine; and a Nigerian, Mrs. Seyi Olusanya share insights on the best practices in the industry.
Setting trends in events design
For the Chief Executive Officer of Diann Valentine Living Well Incorporated, Diann Valentine, creativity is essential for success in the business.
Explaining the trends that had been set in the floral designs, she commends a renowned florist, Preston Bailey, for creating designs with flowers; a feat she says is being replicated all around the world.
She says, “My friend is a talented floral designer who makes designs that are seen all over the world. The way people are using flowers now is interesting but not remarkable to me. When Preston Bailey came on the scene, nobody was doing with flowers what Preston has done with flowers.
“He was making animals with flowers, and now what we are seeing is his influence all over the world. He made this huge bar that is all floral, and a chandelier above it again that is all floral – amazing interpretation with flowers.
“Another one, which is one of my favourites, is a merry-go-round all in flowers and now I am seeing lots of other people interpreting flowers. I have seen his influence more than I have seen ingenuity. Take flowers to where Preston took them 20 years ago. I am waiting for the next person to inspire me.”
Valentine urges the participants to be innovative with their designs rather than copy what others have created.
She states that brides are desperate to have unique events and not just a copycat of someone’s party, noting that the competition in the industry will crush players who are not good enough.
Managing a team as an event planner
The Chief Executive Officer, Once Upon A Destination, Mrs. Seyi Olusanya, says team members should be valued and made to have a sense of ownership in the business.
According to her, regular trainings will help to sharpen their skills and build their confidence.
She opposes the act of reprimanding employees in public, saying that they should be corrected in private and rewarded in public.
She explains, “I realised that if I spent time training these people, I will eventually get what I want from them. That was how I started regular training sessions for them. We worked as a team, building their confidence, applauding them, guiding them and eventually letting them try and do things themselves.
“You don’t inspire your team by showing them how amazing you are, you inspire them by showing them how amazing they are; one day at a time.”
How to personalise events
The Founder and Director, Wedding Concepts, Christina Holt, explains that before designing weddings, it is important to talk to the clients to know their expectations.
In order to know more about clients, she says their activities can be checked on social media platforms.
According to her, their most preferred activities can form a basis for the wedding design.
Highlighting how the events are personalised, she says the menu is sometimes printed on napkins or monograms, and logos are designed with the initials of the names of the couple.
How to charge fees
In order to avoid disappointment and misunderstanding with clients, Holt says it is important to have a contract that will cover the wedding plans and expenses.
According to her, there are different ways to charge but flat rate and percentage of the budget are mostly used.
She adds, “Have clarity on your services and sell an experience not a package. Examine the fees that work in your market either percentage, flat rate or hourly. Charge what you are worth not what clients want to pay you.”
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