event management business plan report

• Sample Business Plans

How to Write an Event Planning Business Plan + Free Template

Planned a few events in the past?

And, if you feel that event planning is your forte, and you have ideas that are both creative and functional, event planning might be an exciting endeavor for you!

Although most people start out by working under someone, everyone dreams of starting their own event planning business.

Also, you are about to go ahead and start yours; wait a moment!

You might have sufficient knowledge for planning events, but navigating the complexities of the event planning industry needs a well-thought-out roadmap. And that roadmap is a comprehensive event management business plan.

Yes, you read it correctly. A business plan can be of great help while starting your own event planning company. It not only sets the foundation for your venture but also enhances your opportunities for success.

So, we have created a Sample Event Planning Business Plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect event business plan should look like!

Now, without any further ado; let’s explore all the details you will need to write in your stunning business plan.

Key Takeaways

• Clearly define your goals, mission statement, service offerings, and management team in your business plan.
• Perform thorough market and industry analysis to identify target customers, and adapt to the latest trends.
• Present a realistic financial plan, including startup costs, revenue projections, and a break-even analysis to attract investors.
• Effectively draft your pricing strategy and unique selling propositions to meet the specific needs of your target customers.
• Provide a clear outline of your business operations to efficiently deliver your planning services and seize new opportunities.
• Craft your marketing techniques, sales tactics, and promotional activities to reach a wider audience.
• Recognize your key competitors, and develop strategies that make your event planning business stand out in the competitive landscape.

How to Write an Event Planning Business Plan?

• Get a Business Plan Template
• Write an Executive Summary
• Provide a Company Overview
• Conduct an Industry and Market Analysis
• Describe your Product and Service Offerings
• Outline a Sales and Marketing Plan
• Introduce Your Team
• Outline Business Operations
• Prepare a Financial Plan

1. Get a Business Plan Template

Before you start writing a business plan for your event planning business, it is recommended to get a business plan template first.

It’s like having a valuable resource for your business planning. It not only simplifies the business plan writing process but also helps you include all the essential elements in your plan.

However, you can effectively organize your thoughts and accurately draft a strategically sound business document according to your specific requirements and preferences.

Not only that, it sets the stage for a comprehensive, professional business plan that empowers you to highlight your vision, attract potential investors, and navigate the competitive event planning landscape.

If you are a budding entrepreneur or looking for a polished template, choose Upmetrics’ business plan template now and ensure that you won’t skip any important facts in your plan.

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2. Write an Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first and foremost section of your event planning business plan. It provides a brief introduction to the entire business plan.

Make sure that it is clear, concise, and engaging, as it will create your first impression and attract investors or readers to delve further into your plan.

Start this section by describing your idea behind an event planning and type of business; for example, are you a startup business, want to grow an existing one, or running a business chain?

Communicate your business objectives and emphasize how you will be different from other event-planning businesses. Here is an example of event planning objectives using Upmetrics:

Next, give an overview of each of the subsequent sections, including offered services, market opportunities, marketing strategies, and financial projections that will be explored in greater detail within the plan.

Not only that, you can end this summary with a compelling call to action, inviting potential investors or readers to the next meeting if they are interested in your event planning.

Generally, this section is written after the whole event business plan is ready. It is often the easiest way to do so as you have simply gone through and written all the key sections of your plan.

3. Provide a Company Overview

Now, provide detailed information about your event plan business. It contains ownership, legal structure, office location, business history, and other such business-related facts.

Begin with the intro of what type of events you are organizing. For instance, it will be corporate events (catering to businesses), social events/celebrations(wedding planning, birthday parties, etc), or niche events(specialized in just one type).

Discuss a little bit more about your business history, including when you started event planning and what milestones you have accomplished. Also, accentuate your mission statement.

Take reference from the below example describing the mission of the event planning company:

In an ever-changing, fast-paced world, success is determined by good choices for lasting effects. Eventel strives to be the best choice for clients by helping to ease their event planning burden.

Through consistent, predictable professionalism, Eventel will ensure a worry-free and hassle-free event at a reasonable price.

Event also has internal clients to serve. The event will strive to provide the same predictable and professional working environment to its employees and contracted vendors, justly compensating them for their services.

It is also a priority to make a comfortable living wage for its owners, founders, full-time staff, and their families.

Keeping in tune with the needs of the market, utilizing the latest technology and trends, all while ensuring the client receives the individual attention they deserve, is the vision and daily mission of Eventel; The Event Planning Specialists.

In addition to that, you can mention your startup summary and future business goals, as this section gives an in-depth overview of your business.

4. Conduct an Industry and Market Analysis

Starting an event management business requires a strategic events industry and market analysis. So, take some time to go further and locate more accurate data.

Try to include certain key elements in this section:

Market size and growth potential

You need to study specific data about various markets in which you are trying to get into and ensure profitability. So, describe your market size & growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

For instance, the USA industry revenue for event planners has grown at a CAGR of 4.1% over the past five years and reached $5.6 billion in 2023. So, it is crucial to define the target market segment.

Target market segment

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Do proper market research and try to create a buyer’s persona in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles.

Take reference from the below example written using our innovative AI writing assistant :

Competitive analysis

Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Recognize their strengths & weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your business from other planners.

Direct competitors can be other event planning businesses, while wedding planners, local venues, caterers, or conference centers can be indirect competitors.

Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market, such as superior event management options, user-friendly methods/tools to book your services, and adequate pricing plans with better services.

Not only that, describe emerging market trends in the industry and explain how you will cope with all the directions. You can also list regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your company.

5. Describe your Product and Service Offerings

Next, specify the scope of your products and service offerings. As an event management business, you can describe the size and type of events you cater to, including a variety of event planning services.

This section must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors or readers understand the value of your business.

While drafting your  event planning services and products, you can take reference from the below example:

Eventel provides event planning in a wide range of applications. We guarantee satisfaction in the areas of appearance, performance, and taste. 

The following is a sampling of the types of events we plan every year:

• Corporate events or meetings, Training, and Retreats
• Conferences and Workshops
• Birthday parties, Anniversaries, Graduations, and Holidays
• Weddings, Receptions, and Showers
• Company picnics, banquets, and award ceremonies
• Caterer coordination and decor
• Trade shows and fashion shows

Effectively define your pricing plans for event planning services. Also, communicate your services to the customers by sharing a detailed description of the procedure you use while working with clients.

Mention if your event planning company offers any additional services. You may include services like lighting & sound, vendor negotiation, guest concierge services, etc.

6. Outline a Sales and Marketing Plan

Writing the sales and marketing strategy section means a list of tactics you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing strategies:

Social media marketing

Use social media platforms to present your company’s essence. Regularly post exquisite snapshots or videos of your planned social events, decor, and behind-the-scenes moments.

User-friendly website

Assure that your event management company has a user-friendly website that provides basic information about your services, pricing, and contact

details. Also, share informative blog post content or event videos.

Pricing strategy

Describe your pricing strategy—how you plan to price your services and stay competitive in the local market. You can mention any discounts you plan on offering to attract new customers.

Collaborations

Build an extensive vendor network to expand your reach and draw their existing customers. This might do wonders for your business and enhance your brand image.

Offline advertising

Effectively reach your target audience using offline advertising methods like brochures, newspapers, social gatherings, or events. Also, try to offer a personalized approach or stress-free planning to retain existing clients.

7. Introduce Your Team

A powerful management team is paramount for demonstrating your business’s ability to thrive in the event planning industry.

Letting your readers or investors know about your business leadership or key managers will help them have a clear idea of who is running your event planning company.

So, start this section by introducing key team members and highlighting their event planning skills & previous experience.

Jot down their qualifications and specific responsibilities. You can also shed light on how your experienced event planners contribute to the success of your business.

Next, describe the compensation plan for the leadership team and event planners, including salaries, bonuses, and other benefits. This can help key stakeholders to ascertain how much percentage is allocated to salaries.

If you have a board of advisors for your event management business, then mention them along with their roles and experience.

8. Outline Business Operations

Now, it’s time to outline the processes and procedures involved in your day-to-day business operations. Detail how you will eventually plan to manage your business effectively.

Staffing & training

Highlight your staffing needs by mentioning the number of employees, planners, or coordinators. Also, include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.

Operational process

Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your event planning business. It may include initial client meetings, decor, party favors, caterer coordination, set up/clean up, etc.

Equipment and machinery

You can also include the list of equipment and machinery required for event planning, such as office supplies, camera & photography equipment, event planning software, etc.

Explain how these technologies will help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations. Refer to the below example written using Upmetrics AI assistant:

9. Prepare a Financial Plan

For a successful event planning business, you need to prepare a well-structured and in-depth financial plan with a realistic financial projection. It comes last in the business plan but is the most important section for investors.

So, mention all the below key components in your financial plan:

• Profit and loss statement
• Sales forecast
• Cash flow statement
• Balance sheet
• Break-even analysis
• Financial needs
• Tax considerations

From the above, you can identify the funding needs and evaluate the funding resources for your event planning company, including bank loans, SBA-guaranteed loans, angel investors, and personal savings.

In this section, you need to make a few assumptions. It will greatly affect the financial forecasts of your business. Refer below table to make important assumptions:

Well, having a realistic financial plan in your hand not only helps you present your business’s fiscal health but also emphasizes its sustainability.

However, calculating all the financial statements from scratch can be an overwhelming task. But, not to worry; use Upmetrics’ financial forecasting tool to formulate all your financial projections.

All you need to do is provide the information you have, and let the tool estimate financial factors, and create visual reports for you. No manual data entry, recalling Excel formulas, or preparing graphs—nothing.

Here’s an example of a projected cash flow statement for an event planning business:

Download Free Event Planning Business Plan Template

Need help writing your event planning business plan from scratch? Well, here you go; download our free event planning business plan template now and start writing.

This modern, user-friendly event management business plan template is specifically designed for your event business.

With a step-by-step guide and example, it assists you in creating your own plan without missing any crucial details.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Prepare Your Business Plan with Upmetrics AI

Finally! You know how to write an event planning business plan with the help of our free sample business plan template. So, you are one step closer to starting or growing your business confidently- pretty exciting, right?

But you know what else is exciting? Your business planning process can be even faster and easier than this. Yes, you heard it right; it’s possible with the power of the Upmetrics AI assistant tool .

So, take a sigh of relief and focus only on planning the most happening events in the town!

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Frequently asked questions, what are the key components of an event planning business plan.

Writing a professional event planning business plan involves the following key components:

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Industry and market analysis
• Product and service offerings
• Sales and marketing plan
• Management team
• Business operations
• Financial plan

How often should I update my Event Planning Business Plan?

Your event planning business plan should be reviewed and updated at least once in a year or more often if there are significant changes in your business environment or services.

What are some tips for writing an Event Planning Business Plan?

Consider the following factors before writing an Event Planning Business Plan:

• Define your niche and business objectives
• Clearly mention unique selling points
• Be realistic in the financial statement
• Understand your target customer
• Stay agile in a dynamic industry

How much does it cost to start an event planning business?

A fair estimation for an event planning business can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. It can vary widely depending on office space, equipment, and initial inventory.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Event Planning Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Event Planning Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their event planning businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through an event planning business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an Event Planning Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your own event planning business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for Your Event Planning Company

If you’re looking to start an event planner business or grow your existing one you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your event planning business to improve your chances of success. Your event planning business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Source of Funding for Event Planning Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of secure funding for an event planning business are bank loans, personal funding, credit cards, and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable. But they will want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

Another common form of secure funding for an event planning business is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding or, like a bank, they will give you a loan. Venture capitalists will not fund an event planning business.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for event planning.

When you write a business plan, you should include the following 10 key aspects:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each important component of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of event planning business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have an event planning business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of businesses.

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the event planning business industry. Discuss the type of business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target audience. Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy and plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types:

• Corporate Events : this type of event planning business caters to businesses, charities, nonprofit organizations, and the like to plan fundraisers, receptions, conventions, trade shows, competitions, award ceremonies, product launches, and other types of meetings.
• Social Events : this type of event planning business targets middle- to upper-income individuals and families to plan events such as weddings, birthdays, reunions, and other types of celebrations.
• Niche Events : some event planners specialize in just one of the above event types.

In addition to explaining the type of event planning business you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, new contracts, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your business structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the event planning business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the industry educates you. It helps you understand the target market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies market trends. For example, if there was a trend towards events that adhere to social distancing guidelines, it would be helpful to ensure your plan details what approach you would take (suggested venues, creative solutions for inclusion, etc.).

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section:

• How big is the event planning industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your business. You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section must detail the clientele you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: private and corporate clients, high-income households, medium-income households, engaged couples, etc.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of event planning company you operate and the event services you offer. Clearly, businesses would want a different atmosphere, pricing, and product options, and would respond to different marketing promotions than engaged couples.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the age groups, genders, locations, and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most event planning companies primarily serve customers living in the same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target market. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do to attract customers and retain your existing customers.

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other planners and businesses that offer event planning services.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from you that aren’t direct competitors. This includes caterers, venues, and customers planning events on their own. You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone who throws a party hires an event planner each time.

With regards to direct competition, you want to detail the other businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be other businesses that offer event planning services very close to your site.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What planning services do they offer (wedding planning, baby showers, birthday parties, social events, etc.)?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. 

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide superior event management options (e.g., more cuisine types, better venue options, etc.)?
• Will you provide event options that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to book your services (e.g., utilizing event planning software, etc.)?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an event management business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

In the product section, you should reiterate the type of business that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products/services you will be offering. For example, in addition to designing the event, locating the venue, arranging vendors, coordinating personnel, and supervising the event, will you offer services such as catering, decor, and entertainment?

In this section, document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place refers to the location of your event management business, conference centers, and/or venues in which you own and/or have a relationship. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success.

The final part of your event planning business marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your site. The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Social media marketing
• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local bloggers and websites 
• Partnerships with local organizations (e.g., getting on the list of recommended vendors with local venues)
• Local radio advertising
• Banner ads at local venues

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your event planner business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your event planning business such as interviewing clients, making arrangements, keeping the store/studio clean, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 100th customer, or when you hope to reach $X in total sales. It could also be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or launch in a new market.

Management Team

To demonstrate your own event planning business’ ability to succeed as a business, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience as event planners or in the industry. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in event planning and/or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you plan one event per week or several events? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. For instance, if you spend $100,000 on building out your business, that will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $100.000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. For example, let’s say a company approached you with a massive $100,000 event contract, that would cost you $50,000 to fulfill. Well, in most cases, you would have to pay that $50,000 now for supplies, equipment rentals, employee salaries, etc. But let’s say the company didn’t pay you for 180 days. During those 180 days, you could run out of money.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key startup costs needed in starting or growing your business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• The total cost of equipment and furnishings like decor, sound systems, etc.
• Cost of maintaining an adequate amount of supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your store design blueprint or location lease.

  Event Planning Summary Putting together your own event planner business plan is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the event planning sample template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the business, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful event planning business.

Event Planning Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my event planning business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Event Planning Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of event planning business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have an event planning business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of event planning businesses.

  OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.   Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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Writing Event Planning Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide

February 9, 2024

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Who knows the importance of a well-laid plan better than event planners? We don’t have to tell you that you absolutely need to write an event planning business plan, but we’ll tell you how to do it. 

And don’t worry – an event planning business plan isn’t just for those who’re just starting their event planning business . It’s also for those who want to avoid business risks, explore better opportunities, and build trust with their clients on a deeper level. If some of these things describe your event planning business, let’s discover the essentials of your business plan and how to develop one yourself. 

Why Event Planning Business Plan Matters

A well-thought-out event planning business plan is crucial for several reasons, and it can empower entrepreneurs in the event planning industry such as yourself to achieve a variety of objectives. Here’s why it matters and what you as an event planning business owner will achieve with a solid business plan:

• A business plan serves as a roadmap for your event planning business. It outlines your goals, strategies, and the steps you need to take to achieve success.
• You’ll use the plan as a guiding document to stay focused on your objectives and navigate the complexities of the event planning industry.
• Investors and lenders often require a detailed business plan before considering any financial support.
• An event planning business plan showcases the viability and potential profitability of your business, attracting investors and securing funding.
• The process of creating an event planning business plan encourages you to thoroughly analyze their market, competitors, and target audience.
• Once you’ve gone through that process, you’ll make informed decisions based on this analysis, adapt strategies to changing market conditions, and maximize opportunities.
• A well-crafted event planning business plan allows you to clearly articulate your unique selling propositions (USPs) and competitive advantages.
• Use these differentiators to stand out in a crowded market, attract clients, and establish a strong brand presence.
• Financial projections included in the business plan provide a clear picture of revenue, expenses, and potential profits.
• Entrepreneurs can use this financial data to manage their resources effectively, make budgetary decisions, and ensure the financial health of their event planning business.
• The marketing and sales strategies outlined in the business plan help your event planning business to define its target audience and communicate its brand message.
• You’ll leverage the event planning business plan to implement effective marketing campaigns, build brand awareness, and attract clients.
• The business plan includes a risk analysis, identifying potential challenges, and outlining mitigation strategies.
• Instead of waiting, you can proactively address risks , enhancing the resilience of your event planning business and ensuring continuity in the face of unforeseen challenges.
• Sharing a comprehensive business plan with potential clients demonstrates professionalism and transparency.
• Entrepreneurs can use the plan to build trust with clients, assuring them of their capabilities and commitment to delivering successful events.

The Essential Elements of Successful Event Planning Business Plan

Before you get overwhelmed with all the different terms and instructions, let me assure you that writing an event planning business plan is easier than it seems. Let’s start with baby steps to go over the essential elements of a successful event planning business plan, and continue with learning how to write each of these sections for your business.

• Executive Summary
• Company Description
• Services You Offer
• Target Market
• Event Planning Market Analysis
• Marketing & Sales Strategy
• Operational Plan
• Team Structure
• Financial Projections
• SWOT Analysis
• Legal Structure
• Funding Request (if applicable)

How to Write an Event Planning Business Plan?

There are exactly 13 steps that separate you from your event management business plan. 

Each of these steps is a separate section in the plan, and we’ve got you covered with actionable tips and examples on how to write each one. We recommend you start taking notes and working on your event planning business plan along with reading further. 

1. Writing Executive Summary for Event Management Business Plan

Writing an effective executive summary for your event planning business plan is crucial, as it’s the first section potential investors or partners will read. But don’t get it twisted – the executive summary is actually the section you’ll finish at the end. The executive summary should provide a concise overview of your business and its key elements.

It’s basically a snapshot of your entire business plan, so make every word count.

Image by vectorjuice on Freepik

It should entice readers to explore the details while providing a clear understanding of the value your event planning business brings to the market.

And how do you write an executive summary for an event management business plan? We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide and an example!

Start with a strong opening

Begin with a compelling and concise introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. Clearly state the purpose of your business plan and briefly mention your mission or vision for the event planning business.

Provide a brief overview of your business

Offer a snapshot of your event planning business, including its name, location, and the types of events you specialize in. Highlight any unique aspects of your business that set you apart from competitors.

Articulate your unique selling proposition (USP)

Clearly define what makes your event planning business unique and why clients should choose your services. Emphasize any innovative approaches, special expertise, or exclusive services you offer.

Outline your key objectives

Concisely list the main objectives and goals of your event planning business. Keep these goals specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall vision of your business.

Describe your target market

Provide a brief overview of your target audience, including demographics and preferences. Highlight any niche markets or specific industries you plan to focus on.

Introduce your team

Briefly introduce key members of your event planning team, emphasizing their relevant skills and experience. Highlight any unique qualifications that make your team well-suited for event planning success.

Mention key achievements or milestones

If your event planning business has achieved notable milestones or garnered recognition, mention them briefly. This adds credibility and demonstrates your business’s track record.

Summarize your financial projections

Provide a high-level overview of your financial projections, including revenue expectations and growth forecasts. Highlight key financial metrics that showcase the profitability of your event planning business.

Include a call to action

End the executive summary with a call to action, indicating what you’re seeking from the reader (investment, partnership, etc.). Encourage further exploration of the full business plan.

If all the above procedures seem difficult to you, there is an advanced and more effective way to write an executive summary which is a summary generator . It can help you write concise and unique summaries automatically. All you need to do is paste the necessary details of your event management business plan into the tool and run it. The summary generator will instantly provide an engaging executive summary.

Executive summary for event planning business plan example:

Executive Summary: XYZ Events

• Introduction:

XYZ Events is a dynamic and innovative event planning company located in [City, State]. With a passion for creating unforgettable experiences, we specialize in crafting seamless and unique events that leave a lasting impression. Our mission is to exceed client expectations by delivering exceptional events that reflect their vision and style.

• Key Business Information:

Founded in [Year], XYZ Events has quickly established itself as a leader in the event planning industry. We are proud to offer a comprehensive suite of services, including corporate events, weddings, and social gatherings. Our team of experienced event planners is committed to turning every client’s vision into a reality, providing meticulous attention to detail and unparalleled creativity.

• Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

What sets XYZ Events apart is our innovative approach to event planning. We leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance the planning process and create immersive experiences for our clients. Our team combines creativity with strategic thinking, ensuring that each event not only meets but exceeds expectations. Whether it’s a corporate conference, a dream wedding, or a milestone celebration, XYZ Events brings a fresh and personalized touch to every occasion.

• Objectives:

XYZ Events is poised for strategic growth over the next three years. Our primary objectives include expanding our client base, increasing revenue by 25%, and establishing key partnerships within the hospitality and entertainment industries. We are committed to maintaining our reputation for excellence while embracing new opportunities for innovation and growth.

• Target Market:

Our target market includes corporate clients seeking professional event management, couples looking for a stress-free wedding planning experience, and individuals hosting social events. We understand the unique needs of each segment and tailor our services to create memorable and impactful events.

Led by [Founder/CEO], our team comprises seasoned event planners, designers, and coordinators with a proven track record of success. Our diverse skill set allows us to approach each event with creativity and expertise, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for our clients.

• Financial Projections:

XYZ Events anticipates steady growth, with projected revenue of $[Amount] in the first year and a cumulative growth rate of 20% over the next three years. Our financial projections are based on a comprehensive market analysis and a strong understanding of industry trends.

• Call to Action:

We invite you to explore the detailed business plan to discover how XYZ Events plans to revolutionize the event planning landscape. Whether you’re an investor, potential client, or industry partner, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and create exceptional experiences together.

XYZ Events is not just an event planning company; we are architects of unforgettable moments. Join us in shaping the future of event experiences.

2. Company Description

Company description exists in your event management business plan to provide an overview of your business, its history, and its structure. But how do you create a solid company description you’ll be proud to put into your business plan for everyone to read?

Begin with a concise and engaging introduction that captures the essence of your event planning business. Clearly state the name of your company and its primary purpose. Your event management business plan should i nclude fundamental details such as the location of your business, the date it was founded, and any key milestones. You should also mention the legal structure of your company (e.g., LLC, sole proprietorship).

Company description should clearly articulate the mission and values that drive your event planning business. Express the purpose of your business and the principles that guide your operations. Another important aspect are also your services, and you should provide a brief but comprehensive overview of the event planning services your business offers. Highlight any specialties or unique aspects that set your services apart. 

More tips for company description in business plan for event hosts:

Explain the problem you solve.

Clearly articulate the problems or challenges your event planning business addresses. Describe how your services meet the needs of clients by providing solutions and creating memorable experiences.

Share your business story

Offer a brief narrative that tells the story of how your event planning business came into existence. Include any inspiration, challenges overcome, or unique experiences that shaped your business.

Highlight key achievements

Mention any notable achievements or milestones your event planning business has reached. This could include successful events, recognition, or significant client satisfaction.

Emphasize your team’s expertise

Introduce key members of your team, emphasizing their relevant skills and experience in event planning. Highlight any certifications, awards, or industry recognition your team has received.

Explain your competitive edge

Clearly define what makes your event planning business stand out from competitors. Emphasize unique features, innovative approaches, or exclusive services that give you a competitive advantage.

Discuss your growth strategy

Outline your plans for the future growth of your event planning business. Discuss any expansion plans, target markets, or strategic partnerships you’re considering.

Remember that the goal of company description is to become a solid foundation for readers to understand your company’s identity and value proposition.

3. Describing Services You Offer in Event Management Business Plan

Describing the services you offer in an event management business plan is a crucial component, as it helps potential investors, clients, and partners understand the scope and value of your offerings. It also helps you make money hosting events , so let’s see how to do it right:

• Begin by clearly defining each service you offer in your event management business. Use concise and specific language to articulate the scope and nature of each service.
• If your event management business provides a range of services, consider grouping them into categories or creating service packages . For example, you might have categories like corporate events, weddings, social gatherings, and conferences.
• Provide an overview of the planning process for each service. Outline the steps involved, from initial client consultation to post-event evaluation.
• Emphasize your ability to customize services to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client.Discuss how you tailor your approach to different types of events and client requirements.
• If you offer day-of coordination or event management services, explain the level of support clients can expect. Highlight your role in ensuring smooth event execution and addressing unforeseen challenges.
• If your event management business leverages technology tools or event management software , mention them. Explain how technology enhances efficiency, communication, and the overall event experience.
• If your services include event design and styling, describe your creative process. Showcase your expertise in creating visually appealing and thematic events.

Image by storyset on Freepik

• If you handle vendor relationships as part of your services, discuss how you source and manage vendors. Highlight your ability to negotiate contracts and secure competitive pricing.
• If your event management business assists with venue selection and logistics, explain your approach. Discuss criteria for venue selection and how you manage logistical aspects like transportation and accommodation.
• If your services involve budgeting and financial management, outline your approach. Explain how you help clients set realistic budgets and manage expenses throughout the planning process.
• If your event management business offers marketing and promotional services, detail your strategies. Discuss how you enhance the visibility of events and attract attendees.
• Include case studies or examples of past events you’ve successfully managed. Use real-world examples to illustrate the effectiveness of your services.
• Highlight your ability to adapt to different event sizes, themes, and cultural considerations. Showcase your flexibility in catering to diverse client needs.

4. Explaining Your Target Market

Explaining your target market in your event management business plan is essential for demonstrating a clear understanding of your potential clients an d how your services meet their needs.  

Because of that, you need to clearly define the demographic, geographic, and psychographic characteristics of your target audience. Identify the specific industries, groups, or individuals you aim to serve with your event management services.

If applicable, segment your target market based on different types of events (e.g., corporate events, weddings, social gatherings). Highlight any niche markets or specialized segments you plan to focus on. Don’t forget to include relevant demographic details such as age, income level, occupation, and education. Specify the size of the target market and any relevant trends within these demographics.

Psychographic factors are also important! Discuss the interests, lifestyles, and values of your target market. Explain how your event management services align with the preferences and attitudes of your audience.

More tips for explaining your target market in business plan:

Consider geographic factors

Outline the geographic locations where your target market is concentrated. If your services are location-specific, explain why you’ve chosen those areas.

Identify pain points and needs

Clearly articulate the pain points, challenges, and needs of your target market. Explain how your event management services address and alleviate these issues.

Highlight trends and market growth

Showcase any relevant trends or growth opportunities within your target market. Discuss how your event management business is positioned to capitalize on these trends.

Competitor analysis

Conduct a competitor analysis within your target market. Identify existing event management companies catering to the same audience and explain how your approach differs or improves upon theirs.

Explain your unique value proposition (UVP)

Clearly define your unique value proposition and how it resonates with your target market. Emphasize what sets your event management services apart from competitors.

Provide testimonials or case studies

If available, include testimonials or case studies from past clients within your target market. Use real-world examples to demonstrate your successful track record.

Discuss decision-making factors

Explain the factors that influence your target market’s decision-making process when choosing an event management service. Highlight how your business addresses these factors and provides solutions.

5. Event Planning Market Analysis

It’s not enough to do market analysis.

Presenting your market analysis clearly and compellingly is crucial in an event management business plan. Here is how to do it:

• Begin the market analysis section with a brief executive summary. Summarize the key findings, such as market size, growth trends, and major opportunities or challenges.
• Provide a general overview of the event management industry. Highlight the significance of the industry and the role it plays for other businesses. 
• Clearly define your target market, including demographics, psychographics, and geographic considerations. Present a detailed picture of the audience you aim to serve with your event management services.
• Present current industry trends and developments. Use charts or graphs to illustrate trends, making the information visually engaging.
• Provide estimates of the overall market size for event management services. Present historical growth data, future projections based on reliable sources and other insightful event statistics.
• Include a comprehensive analysis of your competitors. Create a chart or table that highlights key competitors, their market share, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Present the results of your SWOT analysis.
• Provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Discuss how your business plans to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities. For example, how do your competitors effectively leverage event booking systems , and how efficient are they?
• Detail the pricing strategies and fee structures prevalent in the market. Explain your pricing strategy and how it aligns with the perceived value of your services.
• Present findings on consumer behavior when selecting event management services. Discuss factors influencing their decisions and preferences.
• Discuss the distribution channels commonly used in the event management industry. Explain how your business plans to reach and engage your target audience.
• Discuss the impact of technology on event management services. Highlight any technological advancements that your business plans to leverage such as event ticketing apps and tools .
• Explore relevant environmental and social trends influencing event planning preferences. Show how your business is aligned with or responds to these trends.
• Include selected customer feedback and testimonials. Use real-world examples to demonstrate client satisfaction and success stories.
• Incorporate visual aids such as charts, graphs, and tables to present data in an easily digestible format. Use visuals to enhance key points and make the information more engaging.

Remember to tailor the presentation of your market analysis to your specific audience —whether it’s potential investors, partners, or internal stakeholders. Clear and concise communication of your market insights will contribute to a strong and convincing event management business plan.

6. Marketing & Sales Strategy

Next chapter of your event planning business plan is developing and presenting a robust marketing and sales strategy. It’s crucial for attracting clients and investors. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to formulate and effectively present this section:

Marketing Strategy

Target market and positioning.

• Clearly define your target market segments and demographics.
• Explain how your event management services meet the needs of these specific markets.
• Emphasize the unique value proposition that positions your business uniquely in the market.

Branding and identity

• Outline your brand identity, including logo, colors, and messaging.
• Describe how your brand reflects the values and positioning of your event management business.

Online presence

• Detail your online presence, including a professional website and social media profiles.
• Discuss the platforms you will use to connect with your audience and share updates.

Content marketing

• Explain your content marketing strategy to showcase expertise and engage your audience.
• Detail plans for blog posts, articles, case studies, or other content that demonstrates your event planning knowledge.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Discuss your SEO strategy to improve the visibility of your website in search engine results.
• Outline the keywords relevant to your business and how you plan to optimize your online content.

Email marketing

• Detail your email marketing strategy for reaching and nurturing potential clients.
• Discuss the types of emails you’ll send, the frequency, and the goals of your email campaigns.

Networking and partnerships

• Identify networking opportunities within the event planning industry.
• Discuss potential partnerships with vendors, venues, or other businesses that can enhance your service offerings.

Sales Strategy

Sales channels.

• Identify the primary sales channels you will utilize (direct sales, online sales, partnerships, etc.).
• Explain how these channels align with your target market and marketing strategy.

Sales team structure

• If applicable, outline your sales team structure.
• Introduce key members and their roles in the sales process.

Sales tactics

• Provide a detailed explanation of your sales tactics and methodologies.
• Discuss how you plan to approach potential clients, conduct consultations, and close deals.

Pricing strategy

• Clearly outline your pricing strategy for event planning services.
• Explain how your pricing aligns with the value you provide and competitive market rates.

Sales forecast

• Present a sales forecast outlining expected revenue based on your sales projections.
• Break down the forecast by service categories or target markets.

Customer relationship management (CRM)

• Discuss your CRM system and how it will be used to manage client relationships.
• Highlight how you plan to retain clients for repeat business.

Sales promotions and incentives

• Outline any sales promotions, discounts, or incentives you plan to offer.
• Explain how these strategies align with your overall marketing and sales goals.

Presentation Tips

• Use visuals like charts, graphs, and images to enhance the presentation. Create a visual representation of your sales funnel, conversion rates, or growth projections.
• Be concise and use clear language to communicate your marketing and sales strategies. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms that may confuse your audience.
• Present realistic and data-backed projections . Show a clear understanding of your market, industry trends, and potential challenges.

7. Operational Plan

Writing an operational plan for your event management business plan involves detailing the day-to-day operations, logistics, and processes that ensure the successful execution of events. But how do you structure and write an effective operational plan? Let’s see:

• Describe the physical location of your event management business. Discuss any facilities, office space, or storage areas you use to support your operations.
• Outline the organizational structure of your event management team. Introduce key team members, their roles, and responsibilities. Emphasize the expertise and experience that each team member brings to the business.
• Provide detailed job descriptions for each team member. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities associated with event planning, coordination, design, marketing, and any other relevant functions.
• Discuss your staffing plan, including the number of full-time, part-time, and contract staff. Detail any plans for hiring additional team members based on business growth.
• Outline your approach to training and developing your event management team. Discuss ongoing education, certifications, or workshops that contribute to professional development. 
• Detail the workflow and processes involved in event planning and execution. Provide a step-by-step guide, from initial client consultation to post-event evaluation.
• Discuss how you source, negotiate with, and manage vendors. Outline criteria for selecting vendors and maintaining strong relationships with them.
• Identify the technology tools and software you use to enhance operational efficiency. Discuss any event management plugin , project management software, communication tools, or CRM systems.
• Detail your approach to handling event logistics, including transportation, equipment, and supplies.
• Discuss how you ensure that all necessary equipment and materials are available for each event.
• Explain how you maintain high-quality standards in event planning and execution. Detail your quality control processes to ensure client satisfaction.
• Outline measures to ensure the well-being of attendees, staff, and vendors during events.
• Provide an emergency response plan that addresses potential risks during events. Outline procedures for handling unforeseen challenges and ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
• Create a timeline that outlines key milestones and deadlines for event planning and execution. Detail your approach to monitoring and evaluating the success of each event.
• Discuss feedback mechanisms, post-event surveys, and metrics used to assess performance.

8. Team Structure

Explaining the team structure in your event planning business plan provides the reader with a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities within your organization. You should:

• Include an organizational chart that visually represents the hierarchy and relationships within your event planning team. Clearly show the positions and reporting lines.
• Identify and introduce key leadership positions within your team. This may include the founder/CEO, directors, or senior managers responsible for overall business strategy and decision-making.
• Detail the core event planning team members and their roles. Specify responsibilities such as event coordination, logistics, design, and client communication.
• Provide detailed descriptions of the roles and responsibilities for each team member. Clearly define what each position is accountable for within the event planning process.
• If applicable, detail the responsibilities and contributions of the founder/CEO. Highlight their vision, leadership, and strategic role in the company.

9. Financial Projections for Event Management Business Plan

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Everybody loves money, but not many people love finances and the complications that come with it.

Creating financial projections for your event management business plan involves estimating future revenue, expenses, and profitability. If it seems complicated, it’s better to hire an expert. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Begin by estimating your sales revenue. Break down your services into categories (e.g., corporate events, weddings) and project the number of events you expect to handle.

Consider the pricing strategy for each service and calculate the total sales for each category.

Expense projections

Identify and estimate all the expenses associated with running your event management business. This includes:

• Variable Costs: Directly tied to the number of events (e.g., event materials, transportation).
• Fixed Costs: Remain constant regardless of the number of events (e.g., rent, salaries, insurance).
• One-time Costs: Initial expenses such as marketing campaigns or setting up a website.

Gross profit margin

Calculate the gross profit margin by subtracting the total cost of goods sold (COGS) from the total revenue. This provides a measure of profitability before accounting for fixed expenses.

Operating expenses

List and estimate all operating expenses, including rent, utilities, salaries, marketing, and any other ongoing costs. Break down these expenses into monthly or annual categories.

Net profit or loss

Calculate the net profit or loss by subtracting total operating expenses from the gross profit. A positive result indicates profitability, while a negative result signals a loss.

These are all the most important financial projections, let see some additional ones you can use to strengthen your event planning business plan.

Additional financial projections for event managers:

 cash flow projection.

Create a cash flow projection to estimate the inflow and outflow of cash over a specified period.

Factor in the timing of payments from clients, vendor payments, and other financial transactions.

 Break-even analysis

Perform a break-even analysis to determine the number of events or revenue needed to cover all costs. This helps identify when your business will become profitable.

Sensitivity analysis

Conduct a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of changing variables on your financial projections. Identify key factors that could influence your projections and assess their potential impact.

Financial ratios

Calculate financial ratios such as return on investment (ROI), gross margin, and others relevant to your business. These ratios offer additional insights into your business’s financial health and performance.

Pro forma balance sheet

Create a pro forma balance sheet to summarize your assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in the future. This provides a snapshot of your business’s financial position.

Pro forma income statement

Develop a pro forma income statement that outlines expected revenues, costs, and profits over a specified period. This statement provides a comprehensive overview of your business’s financial performance.

 Pro forma cash flow statement

Prepare a pro forma cash flow statement that shows the flow of cash in and out of your business. This statement helps ensure that your business has sufficient cash to meet its obligations.

Graphs and visuals

Use graphs and visuals to present key financial data in a clear and visually appealing manner. Visual aids can make it easier for stakeholders to understand your projections.

10. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps businesses identify their internal Strengths and Weaknesses, as well as external Opportunities and Threats. Conducting a SWOT analysis for an event management business plan can provide valuable insights into its current state and potential future challenges and opportunities. Let’s see how to do it right:

Example: Experienced and Creative Team

Your event management business may have a team with extensive experience and creativity, contributing to the successful planning and execution of events.

Example: Strong Vendor Relationships

If your business has established strong relationships with reliable vendors, it can leverage these connections for better deals, quality services, and smoother event logistics.

Example: Limited Marketing Budget

If your business has a limited marketing budget, it may face challenges in reaching a broader audience and competing with businesses that invest more in promotional activities.

Example: Dependence on Key Personnel

If your business heavily relies on specific individuals, such as key event planners, their absence or departure could pose a risk.

Opportunities

Example: Growing Demand for Virtual Events

If there’s a growing demand for virtual events, your business can seize the opportunity to expand its services to meet this emerging trend.

Example: Collaboration with Local Businesses

Collaborating with local businesses or venues could open up opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships and increased visibility.

Example: Economic Downturn

Economic downturns can lead to reduced corporate budgets for events, posing a threat to the demand for event planning services.

Example: Intense Competition

An increase in the number of event management businesses in your area could intensify competition, making it crucial to differentiate your services effectively.

SWOT Analysis Overview

Internal factors are within your control and are related to the organization itself. Strengths are positive attributes that contribute to success, while weaknesses are internal challenges that need addressing.

External factors are beyond your immediate control and involve the external environment. Opportunities are favorable external conditions that your business can leverage, while threats are external challenges that your business needs to navigate or mitigate.

11. Legal Structure

In the legal structure section of your event management business plan, you’ll outline the legal framework under which your business operates. This section is crucial for potential investors, partners, and stakeholders to understand the formal structure of your business. Let’s see the exact steps you should take to maximize the impact of this section:

#1 Clearly specify the legal structure of your event management business. Common structures include:

• Sole Proprietorship: Owned and operated by a single individual.
• Partnership: Owned and operated by two or more individuals.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Provides liability protection for owners.
• Corporation: Offers separate legal identity and limited liability for shareholders.

#2 Provide details about the ownership of the business. Include the names, roles, and ownership percentages of all owners or partners. Specify if there are any major investors or stakeholders.

#3 Mention the legal registration details of your business, including the business name, registration number, and the jurisdiction where you are registered. Include information about any trademarks or copyrights associated with your business.

#4 Outline how your event management business complies with local, state, and federal regulations. Specify any industry-specific regulations or licensing requirements.

#5 Detail the types of insurance coverage your business carries to mitigate risks. This may include liability insurance, property insurance, or event cancellation insurance.

#6 Highlight key contracts and agreements that govern your business operations. This might include client contracts, vendor agreements, and partnership contracts.

#7 Discuss the measures your business has taken to manage legal and operational risks.

#8 Briefly mention your exit strategy, especially if you plan to sell the business, go public, or transition ownership in the future.

12. Funding Request (if applicable)

If you want to ask for additional funds for your business, that makes your event management business plan even more important. Writing a funding request in your event planning business plan is a crucial section that communicates your financial needs, the purpose for seeking funding, and how the funds will be utilized to achieve business goals. 

Key tips for influential funding requests for event managers:

• Provide a brief overview of your event planning business. Highlight key achievements, milestones, and aspects that make your business stand out. 
• Clearly articulate why you are seeking funding. Specify the purpose of the funds, whether it’s for expansion, marketing, technology upgrades, working capital, or any other specific need.
• Outline the preferred funding structure, such as equity financing, debt financing, or a combination of both. Specify the terms and conditions you are seeking, including the desired interest rates, repayment periods, or equity shares.
• Marketing and advertising.
• Technology upgrades.
• Staffing and training.
• Event logistics and equipment.
• Working capital for day-to-day operations.
• Present relevant financial projections to support your funding request. Show how the infusion of funds will contribute to revenue growth, profitability, and other key financial metrics.
• Discuss the anticipated return on investment for the potential investors. Highlight the expected financial benefits and how their investment will contribute to the business’s success.
• Provide a realistic assessment of potential challenges and how you plan to overcome them.
• If applicable, outline your exit strategy. Explain how investors will realize returns on their investment, whether through an IPO, acquisition, or other means.
• Emphasize your business’s competitive advantage and how the funding will strengthen that position. Highlight unique features, customer satisfaction, or proprietary methods that set your business apart.
• Set clear milestones and targets that will be achieved with the funding. This demonstrates a strategic plan and helps investors understand the trajectory of your business.
• Provide a timeline for when you anticipate securing the funding and when it will be utilized. This helps investors understand the urgency and planning behind your funding request.

13. Appendix

The appendix of an event management business plan is an additional section where you can include supplementary information to support and enhance the main body of the document. It’s a place to include detailed information, data, or documents that are important for understanding your business but may be too extensive or specific to include in the main sections. Here’s a list of items that you might consider including in the appendix of your event management business plan:

• Financial documents, including income statements, balance sheets, event proposal templates , cash flow statements, and break-even analysis. 
• Market research and analysis with detailed surveys, insights, and key competitors. 
• Marketing and promotional materials
• Client testimonials and case studies:
• Legal documents such as business licenses, permits, and contracts.
• Operational documents such as SOPs (standard operating procedures), event management resources , and sample checklists you use for event planning. 
• Detailed information about any specialized event planning or project management software.
• Certificates and awards
• Articles and press clippings

Pro tip : Include a table of contents for the appendix to guide readers through the additional materials.

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How To Write a Successful Event Planning Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for event planning businesses that want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every event planning business owner should include in their business plan.

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What is an Event Planning Business Plan?

An event planning business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write an Event Planning Business Plan?

An event planning business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Event Planning Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful event planning business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of an event planning business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your event planning company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your event planning business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your event planning firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen event planning business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of an event planning business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the event planning industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of an event planning business may include:

• Wedding planners needing help with transportation logistics
• Conference organizers wanting assistance with on-site registration
• Caterers in need of assistance to manage the timing of service delivery

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or event planning services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Below are sample competitive advantages your event planning business may have:

• You are the only event planner in your city with an events app that allows customers to book and manage their event logistics in one place.
• You have a team of experienced event planners who specialize in military funerals, which is a niche market.
• Your company is the go-to choice for conference organizers looking for assistance with on-site registration and event management.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of the types of competitive advantages you may have.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your event planning business via a combination of these channels.

Operations Plan

This part of your event planning business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for an event planning business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include launching a new product/service, expanding to a new market, or hiring key personnel.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific event planning industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Event Planning Business

Balance Sheet

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Event Planning Business

Cash Flow Statement

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup event planning business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Event Planning Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your event planning company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-written business plan is an essential tool for any event planning company. If you are seeking funding from investors or lenders, it’s important to have a polished and professional business plan. Use the outline above as a guide as you write your own event planning business plan.   

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Other helpful articles.

How To Write a Successful Party Planner Business Plan + Template

How To Write a Successful Wedding Planner Business Plan + Template

How To Develop a Financial Plan For An Event Planning Business

How to start an event planning business

If you’re looking to snag one of the 116,700+ (on average) jobs available to meeting, convention, and event managers out there, here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Step 1: Determine if it’s a good fit.

Like most jobs, your skill set and personality will largely determine your success in this field. And while you don’t need to check off all the qualities on this list, here are some things to consider before you start an event management business :

• You can keep the big picture in mind while still taking care of all the little details.
• Whether it’s Sunday brunch or the company holiday party, you’re everyone’s go-to person for all group events.
• Working within a budget and strict timeline makes you feel creatively stimulated, not stunted.

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Step 2: Research certifications.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that demand for event managers will grow an additional 11% by the time we reach 2026. With such a positive industry outlook, it’s good to find new ways to stand out amongst the competition as new event planners enter the market in coming years.

Certifications are fantastic ways to add credibility to your business , regardless of your experience level. Besides proving you’re dedicated to further your education in the field, these credentials show that respected institutions can vouch for your abilities (and your business).

Some of the top certifications event managers pursue include:

• Certified Special Events Professional
• Certified Event Planning Specialist
• Certified Quality Event Planner

There are lots more options to choose from, but these serve as a great jumping off point. However, if you aren’t able to acquire one right now, you can still get your business off the ground without it.

It’s worth noting that beyond certifications, there are no strict college degree requirements (although it seems most event planners do have some sort of bachelor’s education under their belts when starting out).  

Step 3: Fill out an event management business plan.

Any cursory Google search for the phrase event management business plan will inevitably lead you to some free wedding and event planning business plan templates .

However, you’ll find that the one we’ve created (below) provides a not too much, not too little approach you won’t find in any other guides.

Each point has been carefully selected so that you can create the event management business plan of your dreams without getting overwhelmed or missing out on details you definitely need to include. As long as you check off the items we listed, you’ll have a solid business plan ready to go in no time.

Step 4: Handle all the necessary paperwork.

To start an event management business, you’ll need each of the following:

• An event management business plan (use the free template we made below)
• Approval for a tax business structure that suits your financial needs
• General business liability insurance

These documents cover all the basics. But as you gain more experience, you might want to add on things like home-based insurance or upgrade to a new tax entity once you enter into the appropriate bracket.

We won’t get into these more advanced concepts for this beginner guide, but make sure to revisit these categories before you’re officially open for business.

Step 5: Figure out finances.

To be clear, you definitely can start an event management business with no money ! However, whether your funding is from your own bank account or someone else’s, small businesses in the events industry should consider starting out with these budget line items:

• Office space and essentials. You can use the computer, printer, and supplies you already have, assuming you do have (or can at least borrow) those things now. But keep in mind: if you’d like to write off your in-home office space on your federal taxes, your room must be secluded and have its own door.
• Advertising. At the very least make sure you have a small batch of business cards and a portfolio website ready to go. If you have some cash to spare, consider getting into paid social media ads or printed marketing materials like mailers.
• Software. The good news is there are plenty of great free event management software programs available these days, so you might not even have to budget for this one!

And that’s basically it! Depending on your niche or preferences, it would be good to also use this startup costs guide created by the Small Business Association to see if there’s anything else specific to you that might be missing.

Step 6: Choose a team.

Vendors, chefs, marketing agencies, software providers, event staff, and personal or office assistants all make wonderful additions to your event management business.

You can start out on your own (which, according to small business statistics , most people do) or you can go through the process of finding, interviewing, and hiring employees.

Depending on the amount of new business you plan to take on, you may or may not need to ever hire someone to help you part-time. At the very least though, you should start compiling a list of people who fit into this network so you can collaborate, get referrals, and perhaps even sub-contract them in the future.

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What is your vision for an event planning business?

Once you’ve completed all of these steps, it’s time to review the big picture. As you figure out your plan, budget, and staffing options, your idea of what you want for your business might change. And that’s totally okay!

Learning how to be flexible is a skill all small business owners must learn. Just make sure you adjust now so you can carry your vision with you for future decision making.

How to write a personal event planning business plan

1. create an executive summary.

• Objectives. Write down your realistic and measurable business goals .
• Mission. Check out these inspiring company mission statements for ideas.
• Keys to Success. Also known as why you think your business will succeed and how you will make sure it does.

2. Make a company summary

• Company Ownership. If it’s just you, consider doing a sole proprietorship .
• Start-up Summary . Think of it like a company overview . Include your business’s back story, location, and anything else you’d basically put on your website’s About section.
• Company Locations and Facilities. Include the address you’ll put on your taxes and any long term rentals like kitchen prep spaces or coworking offices.

3. Identify your products and services

• Services. Event management services can really vary so use this section to outline what you do and what you don’t do.
• Prices. The average yearly event planner’s salary comes out to about $50,000 so plan accordingly.
• Competitive Comparison. Who are your immediate competitors? What do they have that you don’t? Record this research and look for imaginative ways to stand out. Be very honest with your assessment of how your business stacks up against them and what you should do to improve your chances of success.

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4. create a marketing analysis summary.

• Marketing Segmentation. Targeting means finding what area, demographic, or behavioral patterns your high ROI prospects all have in common, just like you’d do for any customer-focused corporate event.
• Target Market Segmentation Strategy. Now that you know who you audience it is, it’s time to research and define all the ways you plan to gain their business.

5. Do a strategy and implementation summary

• Sales Strategy. Here are the two best advanced event business pricing strategies to choose from.
• Sales Forecast. It’s a bit complicated, but figuring out how much money you think your business will make over the next six months to a year (or more) makes studying a sales forecasting guide well worth the effort.
• Milestones . Whether your goal is the total number of sales or income from sales (or something else entirely), you’ll want to formally establish what milestones you’d like to hit by when. Just leave wiggle room for the unexpected and adjust expectations as you go.

6. Write a management summary

• Organizational Structure. For event management teams, clearly defined roles are more important for teamwork than pretty much anything else.
• Personnel Plan. Here are some things to know about hiring staff for an event specifically that will also apply to your company as a whole.

7. Create your financial plan

• Important Assumptions. Business plan assumptions can be fairly complex. For now, just focus on listing your anticipated fixed and variable event planning expenses , marketing costs, and what taxes you’ll have to pay on your earned income.
• Break-Even Analysis . How much did you invest? And how much will you need to earn (after taxes, equipment costs, etc. are subtracted) in order to equal your initial investment? Keep this number handy – it’ll help you decide whether or not to take on more projects, motivate you to upsell whenever possible, and give you a realistic for success.
• Projected Profit and Loss. The IRS might want to see your profit and loss statements at some point, so make a point to regularly record your expenses and sales in one organized document.
• Projected Cash Flow. This free (and very helpful) small business book says to calculate it one month at a time for more accurate figures.
• Projected Balance Sheet. If you’ll be acting as your own bookkeeper, check out this balance sheet template to speed up the process.
• Business Ratios. Even if you’re not a math person, you can definitely handle this last (but very important) event management business plan step. There are lots of business ratios to choose from, but if you want the quickstart version go with these 3 most important balance sheet ratios for professional services firms .

Now you know how to start an event management business!

How do you become an event planner? You plan. Plan your business, plan your client’s events, and plan for a successful future.

There are lots of details involved but if you follow the ideas laid out in this guide, you’ll have yourself a healthy event management business plan along with some great strategies for reaching your goals!

For more on starting your own company , check out these tips for financing your event business , current event statistics worth considering, and event trends you should know for 2019.

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Event Planning Company Business Plan

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Event Planning Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your event planning business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their event planning companies

Below is an event planning business plan sample to help you create each section of your Event Planning business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Special Occasions Event Planning is a startup event planning business located in Des Moines, Iowa. The Company is founded by Jennifer Brown, an experienced event planner who has been planning themed weddings and birthday parties as the manager of a local event venue for the past ten years. Now that Jennifer has gained valuable experience managing an event venue and planning special events of various sizes and styles, she is ready to start her own event planning company, Special Occasions Event Planning. Jennifer is confident that her event planning skills, combined with her understanding of business management, will enable her to run a profitable event planning company of her own. Jennifer is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running an event planning business – sales and marketing, supply sourcing and procurement, customer relationship management, budgeting, financial reporting, and vendor relationship management. 

Special Occasions Event Planning will provide customized event planning services for special occasions big and small. Special Occasions will specialize in themed birthday parties, but will provide planning services for other types of events such as weddings, parties, and corporate gatherings upon request. The Company will be the ultimate choice for unique and memorable themed birthday parties for clients of all ages. 

Product Offering

The following are the event planning products and services that Special Occasions Event Planning will provide:

• Venue Sourcing 
• Tables & Chairs
• Dinnerware & Utensils
• Caterer Coordination
• Entertainment
• Party Favors
• Photography/Videography
• Lighting/Sound
• Bartending/Liquor 
• Set-up/Clean up

Customer Focus

Special Occasions Event Planning will target individuals, families, and social groups in Des Moines, Iowa. The Company will target people looking to plan a one-of-a-kind birthday party for their child, significant other, friend, or other relative. No matter the customer, Special Occasions Event Planning will deliver the best communication, service, and attention to detail. 

Management Team

Special Occasions Event Planning will be owned and operated by Jennifer Brown. Jennifer is a graduate of Iowa University with a degree in Business Management. She has over ten years of experience working as an event planner for another local venue. Jennifer will be the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Head Event Planner. She will lead the more complex events and oversee the event planning staff. 

Jennifer has recruited an experienced administrative assistant, Patricia Smith, to help manage the day-to-day business operations. Patricia has been an administrative assistant in the event planning industry for more than 15 years. Jennifer relies on Patricia’s organization, attention to detail, and punctuality when organizing her schedule, managing clients, and maintaining her files. 

Jennifer and Patricia have recruited an experienced marketing director, John Jones, to become a member of the Special Occasions Event Planning management team. John is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Jennifer and Patricia rely on John’s expertise to execute the Company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.  

Success Factors

Special Occasions Event Planning will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Skilled team of event planners who will ensure every client receives exceptional customer service and that all reasonable requests are met. 
• Special Occasions Event Planning’s leadership team has established relationships with local venues, vendors, and entertainers, thus providing customers with a wide selection of options to choose from when planning their special event. 
• The Company specializes in the themed birthday party niche and is well-versed in the latest trends in the industry. 

Financial Highlights

Special Occasions Event Planning is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its event planning business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing an office space and purchasing equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office lease and renovation: $80,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $20,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $90,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Special Occasions Event Planning.

Company Overview

Who is special occasions event planning .

Special Occasions Event Planning is a newly established event planning company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Special Occasions will be the first choice for unique themed birthday parties for people of all ages in Des Moines and the surrounding communities. The company will provide customized event planning services for parties large and small. 

Special Occasions Event Planning will be able to provide all the essentials for any special event from highly rated caterers to the hottest entertainment due to the Company’s existing relationships with industry professionals and vendors. The Company’s team of highly qualified event planning professionals will manage the entire planning process from ideation to execution. Special Occasions even provides clean-up services. Clients can opt for full-service event planning services or purchase specific aspects (such as decor or catering) a la carte. 

Special Occasions Event Planning History

Special Occasions Event Planning is owned and operated by Jennifer Brown, an experienced event planner who has been planning themed weddings and birthday parties as the manager of a local event venue for the past ten years. Now that Jennifer has experienced managing an event venue and planning special events of various sizes and styles, she is ready to start her own event planning company. Jennifer is confident that her event planning skills, combined with her understanding of business management, will enable her to run a profitable event planning company of her own. Jennifer is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running an event planning business – sales and marketing, supply sourcing and procurement, customer relationship management, budgeting, financial reporting, and vendor relationship management. 

Since incorporation, Special Occasions Event Planning has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Special Occasions Event Planning, LLC to transact business in the state of Iowa. 
• Has signed a contract to lease the office space. 
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include local venues, catering companies, entertainers, and decor suppliers to spread the word about her new business opportunities. 
• Began recruiting a staff of accountants, event planners, sales and marketing associates, and office staff to work at Special Occasions Event Planning Services.

Special Occasions Event Planning Services

Industry analysis.

The Party and Event Planning industry in the United States is valued at approximately $4B, with 70,000 businesses in operation, and over 82,000 employees. The market for event planning services is expected to grow over the next several years due to an aging baby boomer population, many of whom have children and grandchildren who will have weddings, birthday parties, graduations, anniversaries, and other special events in the coming years. Additionally, the corporate event planning segment is expected to grow due to more companies pursuing team building opportunities and hosting events that can serve as marketing for the business. 

The event planning market is split into two broad segments: corporate and social. Corporate events such as holiday parties, meetings, trade shows, conventions, fundraisers, and receptions are just some of the events included in this segment. Corporate customers include companies, non-profit organizations, and charities. The social segment includes a wide range of special occasions such as weddings, bridal showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties, reunions, and more. The largest and most lucrative category in the social event planning segment is wedding planning. 

Industry operators can specialize in one or two niches such as wedding planners or corporate planners. Alternatively, industry operators can provide planning services for a wide range of events. Industry operators that specialize in a specific niche and even narrow their niche to a specific type of event, such as “kids’ parties” or “fashion shows” may have more success because they can become an expert in one area and target a highly specific customer segment. Industry operators who provide a broad range of services to a variety of customers can be successful if they provide high levels of organization, customer service, and unique or highly customized services. 

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Special Occasions Event Planning will target individuals, families, and social groups in Des Moines, Iowa. The Company will target people looking to plan a one-of-a-kind birthday party for their child, significant other, friend, or other relative. Special Occasions Event Planning will also target young adults looking to plan a memorable, themed 21st birthday party. No matter the customer, Special Occasions Event Planning will deliver the best communication, service, and attention to detail. 

The precise demographics for Des Moines, Iowa are:

Customer Segmentation

Special Occasions will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Millennials
• Individuals with disposable income
• Families with children and disposable income

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Special Occasions Event Planning will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Emily’s Event Planning

Established in 2017, Emily’s Event Planning is now a well-known event planner in the Des Moines, Iowa area. The company provides event planning services for large corporate events, weddings, and birthday parties. Emily’s Event Planning is most well-known for its picturesque venue choices. The company has relationships with some of the most in-demand venues in the area. Emily’s Event Planning provides an all-inclusive event planning and management service with packages that include venue rental, decor, entertainment, food, and clean-up services. 

While Emily’s Event Planning has an established reputation in the market for quality event planning services, it has a list of predefined event packages and does not customize its services or take unique requests from customers. 

Fancy Event Planner

Fancy Event Planner has been operating in the state of Iowa since 1982. This company is a small business run by a husband and wife team that specializes in event planning and catering services for weddings, birthday parties, and other special occasions. Fancy Event Planner provides decor, venue coordination, and food service for events of up to 100 guests. The company specializes in providing gourmet dinners, desserts, and appetizers. Additionally, Fancy Event Planner provides hand crafted decor and floral arrangements for weddings and parties. Fancy Event Planner is for customers looking for an elegant presentation in a traditional setting. 

Fancy Event Planner has a limited selection of services and does not offer entertainment, set-up/clean-up, lighting/sound, or liquor accommodations. 

Wonderfully Perfect Event Planning Services

Wonderfully Perfect Event Planning Services is a new Des Moines, Iowa-based event planner that provides superior service to its customers. The company is managed by an experienced entrepreneur who has been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. She opened Wonderfully Perfect Event Planning Services in 2019 when she discovered a lack of options for themed party planning in the area. The company provides customized planning services for any event and will strive to ensure all customer requests are met to ensure a perfect event experience every time. 

The company does not have established relationships with vendors, venues, or entertainment in the area and as such, trails behind Special Occasions Event Planning in this area. 

Competitive Advantage

Special Occasions Event Planning will be able to offer the following advantages over the competition:

• Skilled team of experienced event planners who are able to provide customized planning services and fulfill any reasonable request. 
• Special Occasions Event Planning’s management team has long-standing relationships with industry professionals and is able to provide customers with a wide selection of options when it comes to venues, entertainment, and catering.  
• The Company specializes in themed birthday parties and keeps up on the latest trends in the industry. 

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Special Occasions Event Planning will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Special Occasions Event Planning provides full-services event planning from ideation to execution. 
• The Company’s wide selection of options allows each customer to create their dream event.  

Promotions Strategy 

The promotions strategy for Special Occasions Event Planning is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The Company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. He will ensure Special Occasions maintains an active social media presence with regular daily updates and fun content to get customers excited about using the Company’s event planning services. 

Professional Associations and Networking

Special Occasions Event Planning will become a member of professional associations such as the Event Planners’ Association, American Party Planning Society, and the Iowa Special Event Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the Company’s vendor and client network. 

Print Advertising

Special Occasions Event Planning will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The Company will also send direct mailers to local businesses with employees who are in the target market. 

Website/SEO Marketing

Special Occasions Event Planning will utilize its in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the Company’s website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that Special Occasions is able to provide. The website will also list information on the Company’s events and promotions. 

The marketing director will also manage the Company’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “Des Moines Event Planner” or “Event Planner near me”, Special Occasions Event Planning will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Special Occasions Event Planning will be premium due to the high level of customization and hands-on planning services involved. Customers will feel they receive great value when purchasing the Company’s services.  

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Special Occasions Event Planning.

Operation Functions:

• Jennifer Brown will be the CEO and Head Event Planner. She will lead the more complex events and oversee the event planning staff. Jennifer has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Patricia Smith – Administrative Assistant who will manage the budgeting, vendor relationships, and logistics.
• Sam Johnson – Accountant/Bookkeeper who will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• John Jones – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the Company and manage the website, social media, and outreach. 
• Michelle Garcia – Customer Success Officer who will oversee customer relationships. 

Milestones:

Special Occasions Event Planning will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

11/1/2022 – Finalize contract to lease the office space. 

11/15/2022 – Finalize employment contracts for the Special Occasions Event Planning management team.

12/1/2022 – Begin renovations on the office and purchase office equipment and supplies. 

12/15/2022 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan. 

1/15/2023 – Begin recruiting and training office staff and event planners. 

2/15/2023 – Special Occasions Event Planning officially opens for business. 

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Special Occasions Event Planning are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the Company’s event planning services. Customers will be able to purchase full-service, customizable packages or select specific aspects (such as entertainment or catering) a la carte. 

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff an event planning business. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, party supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Average number of events per month: 4 
• Average fees per month: $20,000
• Overhead costs per year: $360,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Event Planning Company Business Plan FAQs

What is an event planning company business plan.

An e vent planning company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your event planning company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your event planning company business plan using our Event Planning Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Event Planning Companies?

There are a number of different kinds of event planning companies , some examples include: Corporate Events, Social Events, and Niche Events Planning.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Event Planning Company Business Plan?

Event planning companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding. This is true for an event business plan or an event management business plan.

What are the Steps To Start an Event Planning Business?

Starting an event planning business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop An Event Planning Company Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed event planning company business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your event planning business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your event planning business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Event Planning Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your event planning business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your event planning business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Event Planning Company Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your event planning business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your event planning business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful event planning business:

• How to Start an Event Planning Business

Other Helpful Business Plan Templates

Photography Business Plan Template Event Venue Business Plan Template Catering Business Plan Template

Event Planning Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Entertainment Industry » Event Planning

Are you about starting an event management business ? If YES, here is a complete sample event planning business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

One good thing about event planning is that most often than not, events are done during weekends and if you are lucky not to be working during weekends, you can successfully test run an event planning business. The truth is that, most of the basic skills needed to effectively run an event planning business are some of the soft skills you are likely going to acquire in your workplace.

On the average, it is the practice for most standard event planning companies to handle all aspect of event planning that ranges from wedding planning, to annual general meetings (AGM), to corporate events, to end of year parties et al. This is so because there are little or no difference with the planning and execution of events. However, you can decide to build your event planning company around an area of specialization in the industry.

What It Takes to Start an Event Management Business?

As a professional event planner, you would have been trained on how to engage your clients in such a way that they should be able to answer any question you may ask them regarding the event or any related topic that will help you deliver a fantastic event.

Over and above, the service delivery for an event planner covers budgeting, scheduling, venue selection, acquiring necessary permits, coordinating transportation and parking, arranging for keynote speakers, motivational speakers, master of ceremony (MC) or entertainers, arranging decor, event security, catering and emergency plans .

The hallmark of an event is when the success benchmarks are meet or even surpassed. So part of what you need to ask your client as a professional event planner is to know key measurable areas where they would want the event to be assessed.

It could be the numbers of participants that attended the event, the feedbacks they got from the event and it could be any success indicator as agreed by the organizers of the event.

A Sample Event Planning Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Event planning is all about helping corporate organizations, government, groups and individual plan and execute their events from start to finish. An event planner ensures that they work with the stipulated budget of the organization or individual and ensure that they deliver a successful event as agreed.

In some cases, it is the responsibility of the event planner to draw – up a budget for the organizer of the event once they get a brief of the nature of the event. Events planning require that you take off the burden of planning an event from the shoulders of your clients. This is whether it is a corporate or informal event.

Therefore, you would need an eye for details in addition to the eye you have got. Confused? Do not be, that was on a lighter note. Now, the truth is that you would need to be extremely detailed. You do not want to come across your clients as one who leaves some kills important details out. If you do not possess this skill now, you may consider building it up.

The key to a successful event is to ensure that all that is listed in your event planning checklists is ticked. As a matter of fact, if you undergo event planning training, you are going to be taught how to draft event planning checklists for various events and key components that must be listed in your checklists.

The event planning is such an industry that needs you to be vast and well informed about news about the industry. What does this mean?

This means that you have got to be alert about everything as it concerns events planning all around the globe. You may consider reading up a whole lot- do not be far away from information. You can successfully pull off being a researcher off by reading books on this business, as using the internet.

According to Inside Business, the event planning industry is expected to grow to 20% with the median income of an event planning being $42,180 a year.

This industry is expected to grow to over 60,000 jobs. Statistics has it that the top 5 highest paying location in the united states for event planners and their average annual earnings are; Virginia – $54,770, New York – $57,300, New Jersey – $57,730, Massachusetts – $58,860, Washington DC – $67,120.

So also the top 5 states in the United States with the highest numbers of employment for event planners are; California with 7,730 event planners are employed, New York – 7, 250, event planners are employed, Texas – 6,320,event planners are employed, Florida – 3,560, event planners are employed, Virginia – 3,500 event planners are employed.

No doubt the event planning / management industry cannot be said to be over saturated despite the fact that the entry bar for starting an event planning business is pretty low. As an event planner, if you are creative and hardworking, you can successfully create your own steady market. It is safe to say the industry is still growing especially with the advent of new social media platforms.

For example in recent times, a world class event planning / management company in city in the United States of America can successfully organize an event with active participants from all over the globe participating in the event without living their country. This is possible with the aid of teleconference, and Skype et al.

Some of the factors that encourages entrepreneurs to start their own event planning business could be that the business is easy to set up, the start – capital is indeed affordable and the running cost can be put at the minimum level; you can actually start your own event planning business from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is to create an office somewhere in your house.

Lastly, event planning / management business is not restricted to just organizing conferences, corporate events or parties, but also organizing big international events such as Olympic and United Nations Events.

2. Executive Summary

Tony & Tammy House of Events LLC is an all – round event planning company that will be based in Las Vegas – Nevada.

The company will handle all aspect of event planning such as wedding planning, children’s party, sports tournaments / competitions, annual general meetings (AGM), to corporate events, trade fairs and exhibitions, end of year party, party rental services, event planning trainings and event planning consulting and advisory services et al.

We are aware that to run an all – round event planning outfit can be demanding which is why we are well trained and equipped to perform excellently well. Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC is a client-focused and result driven event planning outfit that provides broad-based experience at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pocket of our clients.

We will offer a standard and professional event planning services to all to our individual clients, and corporate clients at local, state, national, and international level. We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass our clients’ expectations whenever they contract their events to our organization.

At Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC, our client’s best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hire professionals who are well experienced in a wide variety of event planning et al.

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Our plan is to position the business to become the leading brand in the event planning line of business in the whole of Nevada, and also to be amongst the top 20 event planning outfits in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Las Vegas is the right place to launch our event planning business before spreading to other parts of The United States.

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC is founded by Mr. Tony Angelo and his wife Tammy Angelo. The organization will be managed by both of them since they both have tangible experience working at various capacities within the entertainment and event planning industry in the United States.

As a matter of fact, Mr. Tony Angelo who is the Chief Executive Officer of the organization was part of the team that organized Atlanta 96® Olympics and the wife in time past has worked with the team responsible for organizing Grammy Awards.

Mr. Tony Angelo graduated from both University of California – Berkley (First Degree), and University of Harvard (MSc.).

3. Our Products and Services

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of the event planning and entertainment industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our event planning outfit is to make profits from the industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and ambition.

Our business offering is listed below;

• Wedding Planning
• Corporate Event Planning
• Outdoor Party Planning
• Annual General Meetings
• Sports Tournaments / Competitions Planning
• Children’s Party and Birthdays Party Planning
• Party Rental Services
• Event Planning Trainings (Training School)
• Event Planning Consulting and Advisory Services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build an event planning brand that will become the number one choice for both individual clients and corporate clients in the whole of Las Vegas – Nevada.
• Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, excellence and teamwork.
• Our mission is to provide professional and trusted event planning services that assist individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations in organizing all of their events.
• We are to position the business to become the leading brand in the event planning line of business in the whole of Nevada, and also to be amongst the top 20 event planning outfits in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC will build a solid business structure that can support the growth of our business. We will ensure that we hire competent hands to help us build the business of our dream. The fact that we want to become one of the leading event planning outfits in the United States makes it highly necessary to deliberately build a well – structured business from the onset.

Below is the business structure that we will build Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC on;

• Chief Executive Officer

Event Planning Consultant

Event Planning Training and Development Consultant

• Wedding Planning Consultant

Admin and HR Manager

• Business Developer

Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Responsible for providing direction for the firm
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for handling high profile clients and deals
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Reports to the board
• Responsible for interviewing and hiring vendors, selecting and ordering materials, negotiating rates, coordinating the sequence of events, following up with guests and vendors and producing full-scale events.
• Plans, designs and produces events while managing all project delivery elements within time limits
• Liaises with clients to identify their needs and to ensure customer satisfaction
• Conducts market research, gather information and negotiate contracts prior to closing any deals
• Provides feedback and periodic reports to stakeholders
• Proposes ideas to improve provided services and event quality
• Organizes facilities and manage all event’s details such as decor, catering, entertainment, transportation, location, invitee list, special guests, equipment, promotional material etc
• Ensures compliance with insurance, legal, health and safety obligations
• Specifies staff requirements and coordinate their activities
• Cooperates with marketing and PR to promote and publicize event
• Proactively handle any arising issues and troubleshoot any emerging problems on the event day
• Conducts pre- and post – event evaluations and report on outcomes
• Researches market, identify event opportunities and generate interest
• Manages the organization’s event planning training school
• Coordinates training programs facilitated by Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC
• Writs winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Identifies training and development needs for staff through job analysis, appraisals and consultation
• Facilitates and coordinate strategic sessions.
• Works directly with clients in a non-advising capacity, such as answering questions, scheduling appointments and making sure all training concerns are properly taken care off
• Responsible for handling all trainings both internal and external trainings

Wedding Planner / Consultant

• Assists the bride and groom with everything from a timeline and budget to the choice of flowers, wedding location, musicians, caterers, and the choice of the groom’s tuxedo.
• Responsible for making sure that all the details of the big day play out smoothly as planned
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Design job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Marketing Executive

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Client Service Executive

• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries
• Receives Visitors / clients on behalf of the organization
• Receives parcels / documents for the company
• Handles enquiries via e-mail and phone calls for the organization
• Distributes mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned my the line manager

6. SWOT Analysis

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist the firm in building a well – structured event planning outfit that can favorably compete in the highly competitive event planning and entertainment industry.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that are trained and equipped to pay attention to details. We are well positioned and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our doors for business.

As a new event planning outfit, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance in the already saturated event planning and entertainment industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the event planning and entertainment industry is massive considering the number of weddings, parties and other events that takes places on a daily basis in the United States. As an all – round event planning outfit, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as an event planning outfit operating in the United States are unfavorable government policies, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects purchasing power. There is hardly anything we can do as regards this threat other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The event planning and entertainment industry is in a continuous state of evolution and as such, ground breaking strategies and ideas that are once highly successful are no longer as productive as they were in time past. Close observation of the trend in the industry reveals that the past few years have seen the rise and proliferation of social media and new tech tools.

The trend also extends to increased attention, paid to engagement and new market segments, adopting eco-friendly measures and sustainability when planning events, and of course increase in demands from event sponsors.

As a matter of fact, social media has now become one of the most important tools event planners leverage on to disseminate information about their events, interact with attendees, solicit feedback, and create year-round engagement with their target audience.

Furthermore, new software apps and emerging technology have made it easier for event and wedding planners to gather all the needed data and information that will help them plan and project for the future.

In recent time, mobile event apps are becoming more popular; event planner can now successfully host events via social media platforms / online platforms. In the United States for example, there several vendors providing mobile apps with more event planners patronizing the apps.

Over and above, with the invention of event apps, it is now compulsory for event planners and venue owners to offer Wi-Fi throughout the event, in all meeting rooms. The truth is that it will no longer be acceptable to not have Wi-Fi accessible at events; people will hardly rent halls without Wi-Fi facility.

8. Our Target Market

Although Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC will initially serve small to medium sized business, from new ventures to well established businesses and individual clients, but that does not in any way stop us from growing to be able to compete with the leading event planning and management companies in the United States.

As an all – round event planning / management outfits, Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC offers a wide range of services hence we are well trained and equipped to services a wide range of clientele base. Our target market cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life, local and international organizations as well.

We are coming into the industry with a business concept that will enable us work with the highly placed people and companies in the country and at the same with the lowly placed people and smaller businesses. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically design our products and services for;

• Potential Couples / Young Adults
• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Religious Organizations
• Political Parties / Politicians
• Households / Families
• The Government (Public Sector)
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Organizations
• Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups

Our competitive advantage

We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the event planning and entertainment industry means that you should be able to deliver consistent quality service, your clients should be able to experience remarkable difference cum improvement and you should be able to meet the expectations of both participants and organizers of events.

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC might be a new entrant into the event planning and entertainment industry in the United States of America, but the management staffs and owners of the business are considered gurus. They are people who are core professionals and licensed and highly qualified event planners / managers and wedding planners in the United States. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups event planning and event management companies) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the event planning and entertainment industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis and sign retainer – ship with most of our clients.

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC will generate income by offering the following event planning / management services for individuals and for corporate organizations;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be parties and events in the United States of America and as such the services of event planning / event management companies will always be needed.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in the U.S. and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond Las Vegas to other cities in Nevada and other states in the U.S.

We have been able to critically examine the event planning and entertainment market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Las Vegas – Nevada.

Below is the sales projection for Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC, it is based on the location of our business consulting firm and the wide range of consulting services that we will be offering;

• First Year-: $150,000
• Second Year-: $650,000
• Third Year-: $1,000,000

N.B: This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and natural disasters within the period stated above. There won’t be any major competitor offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there is stiffer competition amongst event planning companies in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing. Our sales and marketing team will be recruited base on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization.

We will also ensure that our excellent job deliveries speak for us in the market place; we want to build a standard event planning business that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).

Our goal is to grow our event planning company to become one of the top 20 event planning companies in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the Las Vegas but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, schools, households and key stake holders in Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada.
• Promptness in bidding for event planning / event management contracts from the government and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to work with their budgets and still deliver quality event planning services to them
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market. We are set to take the event planning and entertainment industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our event planning outfit.

Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around Las Vegas – Nevada.
• Engage in road show from time to time
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Ensure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company’s logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Just like in consulting business, hourly billing for event planning / event management services is also a long – time tradition in the industry. However, for some types of event planning / management services, flat fees make more sense because they allow clients to better predict the overall service charges. As a result of this, Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC will charge our clients both flat fee and hourly billing as long as it favors both parties.

At Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises.

We are aware that there are some clients that would need regular access to event planning consultancy and advisory services and assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such clients’ needs.

• Payment Options

At Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Starting an event planning business can be cost effective; this is so because on the average, you are not expected to acquire expensive machines and equipment.

Basically what you should be concerned about is the amount needed to secure a standard office facility in a good and busy business district, the amount needed to furniture and equip the office, the amount to purchase the required software applications, the amount needed to pay bills, promote the business and obtain the appropriate business license and certifications.

When it comes to starting a small scale event planning / event management company, the following expenditure should guide you;

• The Total Fee for incorporating the Business – $750.
• The budget for basic insurance policy covers, permits and business license – $2,500
• The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $40,000.
• The Cost for equipping the office (computers, software applications, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $ 5,000
• The Cost of Launching your official Website – $600
• Budget for paying at least one employees for 3 months plus utility bills – $10,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous: $1,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need over two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard event planning business firm in the United States of America.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC

Tony & Tammy House of Events, LLC is a family business that will be owned by Mr. Tony Angelo and his wife Tammy Angelo. They are the sole financial of the firm, but may likely welcome partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 (Personal savings $40,000 and soft loan from family members $10,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $200,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is easier for businesses to survive when they have steady flow of business deals / customers patronizing their products and services. We are aware of this which is why we have decided to offer a wide range of event planning and other related services to both individual and corporate clients.

We know that if we continue to deliver excellent event planning services, there will be steady flow of income for the organization. Our key sustainability and expansion strategy is to ensure that we only hire competent employees, create a conducive working environment and employee benefits for our staff members.

In the nearest future, we will explore the options of either selling out franchise or expanding our scope beyond Las Vegas – Nevada to other major cities in the United States of America. We know that if we implement our business strategies, we will achieve our business goals and objectives in record time, as well as become a household name .

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founder: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

Related Posts:

• Wedding Planning Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Wedding Consulting Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Plumbing Business Plan [Sample Template]
• Tent Rental Business Plan [Sample Template]
• 19 Event Planning Questions to Ask Before Giving Clients a Quote

Event Management Plan

Planning and managing events can be stressful for everyone involved.

Your team may have the experience, knowledge and capabilities, but without a solid event management plan, you may not see the results you desire.

Instead, create an automated and centralised Event Management plan that will guide you and your team to a common goal.

What is an Event Management Plan?

An event management plan is simply a list of all details that will be involved in organizing your event.

These details are often included in an event management template, which is shared with other stakeholders or the entire event management team.

An event management plan should be based on a clear event goal and strategy. It should also outline the steps involved in executing an event, including promotion, logistics and analysis.

• What Are the Steps to Event Management?

Event Management Strategy

• Event Logistics
• Promoting Your Event

Event Registration and Paid Ticket Management

• On-the–day Event Attendance Marking, and SMS Communications

What are the steps of event management?

It can be overwhelming to manage an event, especially when you consider all the moving parts. While organizing an event is easy, planning and managing it can be overwhelming.

In a nutshell, the 6 steps of event management:

• Strategising
• Confirming logistics: Event Budget and Event Venue, Event Catering, Event Content, Speakers , Event Content
• Promotion of your event: Email Marketing and Landing Page. Social Media
• Register & manage your tickets
• Management of attendance and SMS communications

After-event feedback and analysis of the report

A clear and measurable goal is essential for your event. If you don’t know where it is, you won’t be able to get there.

Event management plans can only be successful if you strategize.

It describes the goal and how it is measured. The steps that will lead to the goal are well-researched.

Your event management plan will lack direction if it doesn’t include a solid event management strategy.

“A high-quality event strategy will deliver a return on your investment every time. Not only for the participants of your events who spend their time and money to attend, but also for your organisation and employees.” – Caiman Consulting

Event logistics, e.g. Budget, Venue Catering, Content Speakers

Live events require a where, when and what… and how much.

The first step is to determine the budget for your event. The event budget will establish expectations about the venue, catering, content, and speakers that you can access.

Look at many vendors when looking for venues or catering. Compare their prices, target audience, and event goals.

Events Content

The content of your event will have an impact on the venue choice. You may need certain facilities, such as board rooms for simultaneous workshops, large powerpoint screens, round tables, and ample seating for discussions over food.

As part of your event management strategy, ensure that your event logistics are clearly defined.

Promotion of your Event: Email Marketing and Landing Page. Social Media

If you promote your event properly, it can only be a great success.

You might want to be able to market your event through both digital and traditional channels.

These are some online marketing campaigns you might want to use to promote your event .

• Email Marketing: Event Shout-Outs in E-newsletters, einvites, Auto-triggered Emails that are sent to site visitors
• Landing page: is a web page dedicated to your event that allows you to register easily. To capture potential registrants from your marketing channels, drive all traffic to this page.
• Social media: use boosted posts to promote your event on Facebook and target a particular audience. Promoting your event on Twitter and Instagram will drive traffic to your landing pages.

Multi-channel Marketing Campaigns

It sounds difficult to manage a multichannel marketing campaign for an event. But it is not.

You can automate a lot of the work with a centralised, all in one marketing automation platform.

Below, we will discuss the advantages of such a platform at the end.

To reach your event goals, you need a strong and easy-to-use registration system.

What event is complete without participants?

Register online and get paid tickets with an integrated payment gateway. This will take the hassle out of registration and make it easy for you and your attendees.

A clear understanding of the registration process is essential for your event management plan.

SMS Communications and Attendance Marking for Event-On-the-Day

When your guests arrive at your venue, you want to make the best impression.

They find this the most tedious part of the event. It is therefore crucial to have a smooth and efficient registration process.

For a better experience, both staff and registrants will prefer an automated registration management system application to replace paper attendance-marking.

If this is the case, ensure that event staff can connect your paperwork with the person in real life.

SMS communication

SMS is a great way to stay in touch with your attendees and get them excited about your event.

All the information should be kept in one place. Also, ensure that messages are delivered promptly.

What was your experience this time? This information will help you calculate your ROI and make even more progress the next time.

You can get feedback from attendees directly by using online surveys

Maximize your feedback response by promising a reward, such as a white paper download or voucher.

It is important to have a clear and measurable goal in your event strategy.

Measure your results

Your event’s success or failure can be measured against your goals.

What you will need to know:

• How effective your promotions were and whether your emails had a high engagement rate (opens/clicks, conversions).
• If your event budget was able to meet your goal, it is worth determining. Double check to make sure you are within your budget.
• The origin of most of your registrants. To see which channels are most successful at driving traffic, check your landing page statistics.

How can you organize an event checklist?

You might not have the time to create an event management plan from scratch. Instead, you may be looking for something quick and easy to reference and guide you.

It is best to take it one step at a time. This is why an event management checklist is so useful.

A checklist for event management is simply a list containing all the tasks required to make your event a success.

The benefits of an All-in One Event Management Platform

Automated event management software is able to take the strain off your hands and give you more time so that you can excel at what you do.

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10 Free Event Planning Templates for Excel and Word

Planning an event can range from a meeting at work to a convention and everything in between. It’s another project where you have to manage time, cost and scope (and don’t forget quality) to deliver on a deadline. Using planning templates can help you stay organized and keep to your budget and they allow you to schedule and create the kind of event that serves its purpose, whether that’s networking at a trade show or launching a team-building workshop.

ProjectManager is award-winning software that can help you plan, manage and track your events. We’re also the online hub for everything project management-related. You can read weekly blogs, guides and download free event planning templates for Excel and Word. We have free templates for every phase of a project. Below, we collected 10 free event planning templates that you can use to propose, plan and manage your next event.

1. Event Proposal Template

Every event starts as an idea. Someone or some organization wants to have an event and puts out requests for proposals (RFPs). Just as you’d bid for any project, you have to propose why you’re the best contractor to do the job. Convincing that potential client is where our free event proposal template for Word comes in. It gives you the space to prove to stakeholders that you can do what they need to deliver a successful event.

2. Event Plan Template

Once you get the job you’ll need an event plan template to show how the event will run from start to finish. Our free event plan template for Excel helps make sure that you’ll meet deadlines and do so within the budget approved by your client. No different than any other type of project plan, the free event planning template identifies resources and includes phases to make it easier to manage.

Best of all, there’s an option to skip the Excel spreadsheet and get a free trial of ProjectManager , award-winning project management software that can do much more than a static template. Open the software in the Gantt chart to organize your event tasks and add resources and associated costs. You can even make assignments, attach files and add descriptions, tags, priority and more. Everything you add to the spreadsheet populates on a visual timeline so you can see the event in one place, adding milestones and linking dependent tasks to avoid delays. Then set a baseline to track your planned effort against your actual effort in real time, something you can’t do on a spreadsheet. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

3. Event Budget Template

You got the job and you’re making a plan, but you need to have an event budget to know what to bill your client. If your financial forecast is off, then you could possibly be out a large sum of money. It could be enough to make the whole event a loss for you. To avoid that disaster, you need to use our free event budget template for Excel . This allows you to more accurately estimate the costs of the event before you commit to it so you can make a profit and not lose money.

It’s hard to know how much an event will cost . There are a lot of variables and you have to consider risk, which might impact the event’s costs. Our free budget template lets you collect costs, such as those associated with labor, any consultant fees you might have, raw materials and more. Of course, no two events are exactly alike. That’s why our free template is customizable. You can add things like marketing and promotions or anything else that might be missing from the template to ensure you come up with an accurate figure. There are even columns to track your actual budget against your planned budget to keep on track.

4. Event Marketing Calendar Template

Speaking of marketing, no event is successful without a marketing campaign to attract the event’s target audience. That’s easier said than done. Just like the event plan, there are deadlines, resources and costs involved. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on an email blitz, direct mail or even billboards; there’s a lot to coordinate. Our free event marketing calendar template for Excel helps you put all those ducks in a row. This versatile tool shows you the marketing campaign on a monthly, quarterly or yearly calendar. You can see who’s responsible for what and when that work is due.

The deceptively simple design is very powerful for marketing management . It’s a grid, the same as what you’d see in any calendar, but it allows you to look at the big picture and see the marketing campaign laid out over the month, quarter or year. The template is broken up into tabs, each with the date on the left and the name of the campaign. Following that are the tasks associated with that campaign, including a description, due date and who’s responsible for completing that work. Then you can add the cost for that task, which is a line item of the total budget. There’s even space to add the goals of the campaign and the duration of the entire marketing campaign.

5. Event Task Tracker Template

We’ve talked about landing the job, planning for the event, estimating the budget and even the marketing and promotion campaign that’ll ensure that it’s well attended. What we’ve not talked about yet is how to ensure you’re staying on track. To do that, you need to compare the planned versus actual effort. That way you can see if you’re adhering to your event schedule or lagging behind. You don’t want to find out that you’re behind schedule when it’s too late to take action. You don’t have to worry if you use our free event task tracker template for Excel .

You’ll find everything you need to track your tasks. There’s a place to list the name of your tasks and add a description of the work. If there’s a dependency , you can also list that to avoid costly delays. Then add who on your team is assigned to that task. There’s a place to add the priority of the tasks to know which needs to be done first and the due dates, including start, planned end and actual end dates. Then add the task status to know if it’s delayed, paused open or completed.

6. Event Timeline Template

Of course, all of this must be done within a certain timeframe. Events take place over a specific time, day or days. There’s no wiggle room. Marketing materials have been sent out with the time of the event and nothing is going to change that. Producing that event on time means you have to schedule wisely. Using our free event timeline template for Excel can help you make sure that everything is done when it needs to be done.

With our event timeline, you have two parts. On the left is a spreadsheet, again fully customizable, in which we have four columns. There you can list the tasks, start dates, end dates and duration. On the right is a visual timeline, like a Gantt chart , which automatically populates the timeline for your event. You can make phases different colors to make them easy to discern as you get an overview of the event plan in one place.

7. Cost-Benefit Analysis Template

Before you propose to produce an event, you need to know that the project is going to bring a return on your investment. Otherwise, you’re a charity, not a business (though even charities need to remain solvent to continue their good work). To determine whether the event is worth bidding for, use our free cost-benefit analysis template for Excel and see if the expenses you have to put out are going to be recouped.

Our free event planning template does this by capturing the quantitative costs , such as indirect, intangible and opportunity, and pushes those out to whatever the length of your event plan is. Then you list the quantitative benefits, such as direct, indirect, intangible and competitive, again forecast out over the life cycle of the event. From that, the template calculates the total cost and compares that to the total benefit to help you make the right decision.

8. RACI Matrix Template

If you’ve bid and won the event, then you’ve already done a cost-benefit analysis, plan and schedule. Now you have to get your team to work and keep your client updated. They do, after all, have a vested interest in your success. This requires identifying the stakeholders and defining their roles and responsibilities, including your team, and how they relate to the project and its tasks. This is done with our free RACI matrix template for Excel.

RACI is an acronym for responsible, accountable, consulted and informed. Our free event planning template is a spreadsheet in which you can list the project tasks as rows and across the top list all the members of your team, each as an individual column. Then next to the box where their name meets the task, you can note whether they’re an R, A, C or I. This greatly improves your management of the project, team and client.

9. Stakeholder Map Template

Another tool to identify the stakeholders in your event project is our free stakeholder map template for Excel . Remember, stakeholders can be anyone from your team and the target audience for the event, and, of course, the client. Using this visual tool makes it easy for you to see each stakeholder’s impact and how they influence your work.

The free event planning template is easy to use. It’s broken up into a grid of four squares. First, list your stakeholders and color-code them either green to indicate they’re an advocate, yellow if they’re neutral and red if they’re critical and potentially can block work. Then add each to the grip, which is broken up by how to manage them, keep satisfied, manage closely, and the level of their influence, from low to high. This helps you create a stakeholder management and communication plan .

10. Timesheet Template

Finally, you’ll need to keep track of your team as they do their work. Timesheets are valuable tools not only for payroll but to keep track of the cost per hour, vacation and overtime of your team. Using our free timesheet template for Excel can help you manage your team’s time while keeping track of their hours.

The timesheet template helps you track your employees. Start with capturing the personal data, such as name, department, hourly rate, etc. Then define a timeframe for the timesheet and collect their hours. Add the total work hours and you’re able to keep track of where they are in terms of completing their tasks and ensure they’re paid promptly and accurately.

Use ProjectManager to Deliver a Successful Event

Free event planning templates are great, but only to a point. For example, our timesheet template has to be manually inputted and there’s no security. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software that has timesheet features that automatically populate and give managers a real-time look into how far they are in completing their tasks. But that’s just one feature of many to help you manage and deliver a quality event for your client.

Plan Your Event on a Gantt Chart

Rather than using an event planning template, timeline template, event budget, tracker, etc., our Gantt chart organizes your tasks, resources and costs and tracks your progress in real time. You can link all four task dependencies and set a schedule baseline , which allows our software to show you real-time data on your progress and performance. That’s how you stay on track and don’t go over budget.

Track Your Progress on Real-Time Dashboards

It’s easy to edit the Gantt; just drag and drop as things change. All details of your event plan adjust accordingly. Then you can toggle over to our real-time dashboard and get a high-level view of everything from your time, cost to workload and the overall health of your project. You don’t have to waste time configuring it as you do with lightweight tools. It’s ready when you are.

Our software has more than Gantt charts, which are more suited for managers. There are kanban boards to visualize the workflow, task lists and calendars for your marketing and promotion push. The multiple project views all work in unison so no matter which tool you’re using, it has the most up-to-date data. Everyone is always on the same page.

Related Event Content

Whether you’re new to managing an event or have worked on dozens in the past, there’s always more to learn. Our site is an online hub for all things project management, which includes event planning. Here is a sampling of our weekly blogs, guides and tutorial videos.

• How to Plan an Event: Event Planning Steps, Tips & Checklist
• How to Plan a Virtual Event: Virtual Event Planning Checklist
• Event Management: A Quick Guide
• Event Project Management Software
• How to Create an Event Budget

ProjectManager is online software that empowers teams to plan, manage and track events in real time. Use our task management, risk management and resource management features to stay productive and on track. Our collaborative platform makes it easy to comment and share files wherever you are. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our tool to deliver success. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

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How to Create an Effective Post-Event Report (With Template)

Congratulations on orchestrating an incredible event.

Now, you need to write a matching event report. Writing an after-event report might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Diving into the art of creating an event report to showcase your triumphs and provide invaluable insights can be an enjoyable process.

At Eventbrite, we don’t just help you plan your event through our events platform , we also have tools and resources to help you write an impactful event report to showcase your results.

In this guide, we’ll break down the elements a great report includes, as well as how to put the details into a dynamic must-read report, plus pro tips, templates, and examples from industry experts.

So, let’s take the work out of creating that event report.

The importance of event reporting 

Event reporting is not just some paperwork obligation. It can elevate your event planning game to new heights.

It captures your event’s journey and allows you to relive the magic, identify areas for growth, and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and sponsors.

Plus, a stellar event report becomes a powerful weapon in attracting future support and investment for upcoming events — definitely a win-win.

“ It’s important to create an event report because decision-makers want to know what the return on investment (ROI) of the event is. Events can take a lot of resources — time, money, and effort. Decision-makers need to know whether the event was successful, and if and how it should be done differently next time.”

Joe Kevens, Founder of B2B SaaS Reviews and Director of Demand Generation at PartnerStack .

Goals and objectives of an event report

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of crafting your report, let’s talk about its purpose.

Your event report is like a compass, guiding you and your colleagues towards future success. Its primary goals are:

• To evaluate your event’s effectiveness
• To provide insights for future planning
• To communicate the event’s impact to key players

By setting clear objectives for your report, such as analysing outcomes, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and measuring attendee engagement, you’ll unleash the full potential of your report.

Elements of an event report: Unleash your creativity! 

Now comes the exciting part – building your event report masterpiece. Think of it as a canvas where you paint a vivid picture of your event’s triumphs, highlights, and any challenges. Here are the essential elements you should include:

Executive summary

Think of the executive summary as your event report’s teaser. It offers a quick overview of your event, capturing attention with key achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

“The most important part of any report is definitely the executive summary. It’s where you will be able to convince people who are not part of your team that your event was worth their time and resources, so it needs to be compelling!”

Will Yang, Head of Growth & Customer Success at Instrumentl

Event overview and background

Set the stage by providing important context, like the event’s purpose, target audience, and any relevant backstory. You can paint a captivating backdrop that showcases how your event aligned with your organisation’s goals.

Event objectives and purpose

Remember those goals you set as you were planning your event?

Here’s where you showcase how you conquered them. 

Describe the specific outcomes your event aimed to achieve, whether it was increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or creating networking opportunities.

Back up those accomplishments with illustrative graphics and charts to make the data easy to comprehend and replicate at future events.

Pro tip: Use Eventbrite’s data analytics to back up your conclusions with hard numbers.

Event highlights and key moments

This is the part where you bring your event’s magic to life. 

Share the most unforgettable moments, experiences, and activities that made your event shine. Use compelling anecdotes, testimonials, recap blog articles , photos/videos, and attendee feedback to make the readers feel like they were right there with you.

Attendee profile and demographics

Who were the lucky people who experienced your event?

If you’ve used Eventbrite to sell tickets to your event , you can dive into a ton of juicy details about your attendees, from demographic information to their professional backgrounds.

In Eventbrite, this information is easily accessed with the following steps:

1. Go to “Manage my events”

2. Go to your “Reporting” workspace

3. Choose “Attendee Summary”

4. Select your events and add filters such as promotion code, ticket type, or sales channel

5. Add additional information you want

6. Export your data into Excel or CSV format

This data will give you insight into your target audience and help shape future events and marketing to cater to their needs.

Engagement and interaction metrics

Numbers speak volumes. Measure attendee engagement using metrics like attendance rates, session participation, and social media interactions. If you created a hashtag for your event, you can more easily track engagement through your web analytics.

Pro Tip: You can use Eventbrite’s third-party analytics integration feature to connect your Eventbrite account with your preferred analytics tool.

These numbers will unveil the effectiveness of your event and how engaged your audience was.

Another way to measure engagement is through participant surveys — before, during, or after the event.

Want to know more about using data to market your events? Try our event marketing platform today.  

Financial summary and budget analysis

Time to crunch those numbers, though now your data should reflect your event’s financials. Provide a comprehensive overview of your figures, showcasing the budget , revenue generated, and expenses incurred. 

Analyse the return on investment (ROI) and highlight any cost-saving tactics or revenue-generating strategies you employed.

Pro Tip: Use Eventbrite’s method to calculate your ROI and discover how much more revenue you can generate.

Marketing and promotion strategy

Ah, the secret sauce behind your event’s success. 

In this section, you should evaluate the marketing and promotion efforts you used to make your event the talk of the town. Assess the effectiveness of each strategy, share successful tactics, and suggest areas for improvement.

Since social media is the heartbeat of most events, you want to pay extra attention to your results here. Explore your event’s social media presence, highlighting hashtags, reach, engagement, and even sentiment analysis .

Put emphasis on your successful campaigns and highlight how using marketing tools and technology has influenced your results.

Post-event analysis: The path to growth

Now that you’ve relived the glory of your event, it’s time to reflect on the bigger picture. The post-event analysis is where you bring together your successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Here’s what you should cover:

Key successes and achievements

Take a victory lap and highlight your event’s accomplishments. 

Share how they aligned with your initial objectives, showcasing positive feedback, testimonials, attendee satisfaction rates, and any remarkable achievements that made your event stand out.

Challenges and areas for improvement

No event is without its hurdles, right? Discuss the challenges you encountered and how you overcame them like a true entrepreneur.

Be transparent and humble, but don’t put yourself down. Once you’ve identified the challenges, offer recommendations for improvement in future events.

Lessons learned and best practices

Your experience is priceless.

Share the valuable insights you gained from planning and executing your event. From innovative ideas to tried-and-true best practices, impart your wisdom and help.

“The biggest challenge in writing event reports is not getting caught in the weeds. As an event producer, you’re so close to the event that you can get lost in the details. others in their event endeavours.” Joe Kevens, Founder of B2B SaaS Reviews and Director of Demand Generation at PartnerStack .

Impact on future events

How will your event’s outcomes and insights shape future events?

Discuss what you’ve learned that will influence future event planning strategies, offering insights on growth opportunities, expansion possibilities, and improvements for upcoming events.

Appendices: Supporting the journey

Now that we’ve covered the main sections, it’s time to add sprinkles to the cake. In your appendices, include supporting materials and documentation that enrich your event report, such as:

• List of sponsors and partners — Give credit where credit’s due by showcasing the amazing sponsors and partners who supported your event. Include their logos, contact information, and any relevant details about their involvement.
• Event agenda and programme — Share your event’s detailed agenda and programme, providing the schedule, session descriptions, and speaker information.
• Media coverage and press release links — Shout it from the rooftops! Compile links to media coverage, press releases, and articles related to your event. Show the world the buzz you created and the impact your event had beyond its physical boundaries.
• Post-event survey results — Let’s hear it from the attendees themselves. Include the results of post-event surveys and feedback.
• Event photos and videos — You may have more photos and videos than what you shared in the highlights. Here’s the place for that extra visual excitement.
• Interviews — You may want to add an interview or two to your report. This could be an attendee interview, a speaker, a performer, or anybody representative of your event.

Examples and templates

Now that you’ve gathered all the puzzle pieces, it’s time to consider the format of your event report.

Remember, your report shouldn’t just be a dry, boring document — it’s a chance to showcase your creativity and captivate your audience.

Tailor the format and presentation style to suit your readers, making it engaging and visually appealing. Want to make report writing easy? Download our Event Report Template.

Unleash your new event reporting skills

Armed with this guide, you’re now ready to conquer the world of event reporting. So, channel your passion, creativity, and expertise into crafting a report that will leave your readers awestruck.

Remember, your event report isn’t just a formality — it’s an opportunity to relive the magic, inspire others, and set the stage for even more remarkable events in the future.Once you’ve identified your event’s strengths and weaknesses, you can start to tailor your next event’s page and marketing strategy using Eventbrite’s complete platform to incorporate your newfound knowledge and elevate your next event.

Reporting is easy with Eventbrite

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about the author

Noelle Buhidar

Noelle Buhidar is the Global Head of Content Marketing at Eventbrite and former Editor-in-Chief for The Real Deal by RetailMeNot. She's passionate about helping event organizers plan events, market to the right audiences, grow their businesses, and sell more tickets. When she's not at work, she's likely at a concert — either in her hometown of Austin, TX, or another city (experiencing live music in new places is one of her favorite ways to get to know local culture). She lives by the mantra, "Give me experiences, not stuff." And that motto is what fuels her purpose in and outside of Eventbrite.

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Whether you've just started out or have been running your business for years, business planning can be the key to your success. Having a business plan:

• helps you to prioritise – it gives your business direction, defines your objectives, maps out how you'll achieve your goals and helps you to manage possible bumps in the road
• gives you control over your business – the planning process helps you learn about the different things that could affect your success. If you're already in business, it helps you to step back and look at what's working and what you can improve on
• helps you seek finance – if you're seeking finance for your business, you'll need to show banks and investors why they should invest in your business.

It will help you to develop a shorter business plan to:

• evaluate a new business idea
• set some goals for the year ahead
• keep your business on track.

Use this template if you are seeking finance for your business or want to include more detail in your business plan.

Business plan template

1. Determine what your plan is for

Does your business plan have more than one purpose? Will you use it internally, or will you share it externally, for example with potential investors or banks?

Deciding what the purpose is, can help you develop your plan for the right audience. If the plan has been developed for third parties, you will need to determine what they’ll be most interested in.

2. Prepare your finances

Use our detailed business plan template if you are seeking finance.

Lenders and investors will want to know if your finances are in order and your business is in a strong financial position. They'll want to know how much money you currently have, how much money you need and how much you expect to make in the near future. While a bit of extra funding will help you ensure you’re covered for unexpected costs, be realistic and avoid asking for more than you need.

If you're starting out and don't have financial information yet, our template provides resources to help you get your finances ready.

3. Write your summary last

Summarise the main points of your business plan using as few words as possible. You want to get to the point but not overlook important facts. This is your opportunity to sell yourself, but don't overdo it. The summary should include details about your business, market, goals and what makes you different from other businesses.

4. Get help

Don't leave your business plan to the last minute. It takes time, research and careful preparation to develop an effective business plan.

If you aren't confident in completing the plan yourself, consider getting a professional to look over it and provide advice.

There are a number of government services available to help you plan, start or grow your business. These services can provide general advice, workshops, seminars and networking events, and can even match you with a mentor or business coach.

Get expert help from a business adviser in your area .

5. Review your plan regularly

As your business changes, your plan will need to change to ensure your business is still heading in the right direction. Having your plan up-to-date can keep you focused on where you are heading.

It's a good idea to keep a record of each version of your business plan.

6. Protect your plan

Having an understanding with third parties when distributing a plan could be enough protection for some businesses. But if you have innovative business practices, products or services, you may want people to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect your innovations.

It may also be a good idea to include some words in your plan asking the reader not to disclose the details of your plan.

Start writing and developing your marketing strategy.

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How To Start A Business In 11 Steps (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 7, 2024, 1:44pm

Table of Contents

Before you begin: get in the right mindset, 1. determine your business concept, 2. research your competitors and market, 3. create your business plan, 4. choose your business structure, 5. register your business and get licenses, 6. get your finances in order, 7. fund your business, 8. apply for business insurance, 9. get the right business tools, 10. market your business, 11. scale your business, what are the best states to start a business, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Starting a business is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you can have. But where do you begin? There are several ways to approach creating a business, along with many important considerations. To help take the guesswork out of the process and improve your chances of success, follow our comprehensive guide on how to start a business. We’ll walk you through each step of the process, from defining your business idea to registering, launching and growing your business.

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The public often hears about overnight successes because they make for a great headline. However, it’s rarely that simple—they don’t see the years of dreaming, building and positioning before a big public launch. For this reason, remember to focus on your business journey and don’t measure your success against someone else’s.

Consistency Is Key

New business owners tend to feed off their motivation initially but get frustrated when that motivation wanes. This is why it’s essential to create habits and follow routines that power you through when motivation goes away.

Take the Next Step

Some business owners dive in headfirst without looking and make things up as they go along. Then, there are business owners who stay stuck in analysis paralysis and never start. Perhaps you’re a mixture of the two—and that’s right where you need to be. The best way to accomplish any business or personal goal is to write out every possible step it takes to achieve the goal. Then, order those steps by what needs to happen first. Some steps may take minutes while others take a long time. The point is to always take the next step.

Most business advice tells you to monetize what you love, but it misses two other very important elements: it needs to be profitable and something you’re good at. For example, you may love music, but how viable is your business idea if you’re not a great singer or songwriter? Maybe you love making soap and want to open a soap shop in your small town that already has three close by—it won’t be easy to corner the market when you’re creating the same product as other nearby stores.

If you don’t have a firm idea of what your business will entail, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you love to do?
• What do you hate to do?
• Can you think of something that would make those things easier?
• What are you good at?
• What do others come to you for advice about?
• If you were given ten minutes to give a five-minute speech on any topic, what would it be?
• What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but lacked resources for?

These questions can lead you to an idea for your business. If you already have an idea, they might help you expand it. Once you have your idea, measure it against whether you’re good at it and if it’s profitable.

Your business idea also doesn’t have to be the next Scrub Daddy or Squatty Potty. Instead, you can take an existing product and improve upon it. You can also sell a digital product so there’s little overhead.

What Kind of Business Should You Start?

Before you choose the type of business to start, there are some key things to consider:

• What type of funding do you have?
• How much time do you have to invest in your business?
• Do you prefer to work from home or at an office or workshop?
• What interests and passions do you have?
• Can you sell information (such as a course), rather than a product?
• What skills or expertise do you have?
• How fast do you need to scale your business?
• What kind of support do you have to start your business?
• Are you partnering with someone else?
• Does the franchise model make more sense to you?

Consider Popular Business Ideas

Not sure what business to start? Consider one of these popular business ideas:

• Start a Franchise
• Start a Blog
• Start an Online Store
• Start a Dropshipping Business
• Start a Cleaning Business
• Start a Bookkeeping Business
• Start a Clothing Business
• Start a Landscaping Business
• Start a Consulting Business
• Start a Photography Business
• Start a Vending Machine Business

Most entrepreneurs spend more time on their products than they do getting to know the competition. If you ever apply for outside funding, the potential lender or partner wants to know: what sets you (or your business idea) apart? If market analysis indicates your product or service is saturated in your area, see if you can think of a different approach. Take housekeeping, for example—rather than general cleaning services, you might specialize in homes with pets or focus on garage cleanups.

Primary Research

The first stage of any competition study is primary research, which entails obtaining data directly from potential customers rather than basing your conclusions on past data. You can use questionnaires, surveys and interviews to learn what consumers want. Surveying friends and family isn’t recommended unless they’re your target market. People who say they’d buy something and people who do are very different. The last thing you want is to take so much stock in what they say, create the product and flop when you try to sell it because all of the people who said they’d buy it don’t because the product isn’t something they’d buy.

Secondary Research

Utilize existing sources of information, such as census data, to gather information when you do secondary research. The current data may be studied, compiled and analyzed in various ways that are appropriate for your needs but it may not be as detailed as primary research.

Conduct a SWOT Analysis

SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Conducting a SWOT analysis allows you to look at the facts about how your product or idea might perform if taken to market, and it can also help you make decisions about the direction of your idea. Your business idea might have some weaknesses that you hadn’t considered or there may be some opportunities to improve on a competitor’s product.

Asking pertinent questions during a SWOT analysis can help you identify and address weaknesses before they tank your new business.

A business plan is a dynamic document that serves as a roadmap for establishing a new business. This document makes it simple for potential investors, financial institutions and company management to understand and absorb. Even if you intend to self-finance, a business plan can help you flesh out your idea and spot potential problems. When writing a well-rounded business plan, include the following sections:

• Executive summary: The executive summary should be the first item in the business plan, but it should be written last. It describes the proposed new business and highlights the goals of the company and the methods to achieve them.
• Company description: The company description covers what problems your product or service solves and why your business or idea is best. For example, maybe your background is in molecular engineering, and you’ve used that background to create a new type of athletic wear—you have the proper credentials to make the best material.
• Market analysis: This section of the business plan analyzes how well a company is positioned against its competitors. The market analysis should include target market, segmentation analysis, market size, growth rate, trends and a competitive environment assessment.
• Organization and structure: Write about the type of business organization you expect, what risk management strategies you propose and who will staff the management team. What are their qualifications? Will your business be a single-member limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation ?
• Mission and goals: This section should contain a brief mission statement and detail what the business wishes to accomplish and the steps to get there. These goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, action-orientated, realistic and time-bound).
• Products or services: This section describes how your business will operate. It includes what products you’ll offer to consumers at the beginning of the business, how they compare to existing competitors, how much your products cost, who will be responsible for creating the products, how you’ll source materials and how much they cost to make.
• Background summary: This portion of the business plan is the most time-consuming to write. Compile and summarize any data, articles and research studies on trends that could positively and negatively affect your business or industry.
• Marketing plan: The marketing plan identifies the characteristics of your product or service, summarizes the SWOT analysis and analyzes competitors. It also discusses how you’ll promote your business, how much money will be spent on marketing and how long the campaign is expected to last.
• Financial plan: The financial plan is perhaps the core of the business plan because, without money, the business will not move forward. Include a proposed budget in your financial plan along with projected financial statements, such as an income statement, a balance sheet and a statement of cash flows. Usually, five years of projected financial statements are acceptable. This section is also where you should include your funding request if you’re looking for outside funding.

Learn more: Download our free simple business plan template .

Come Up With an Exit Strategy

An exit strategy is important for any business that is seeking funding because it outlines how you’ll sell the company or transfer ownership if you decide to retire or move on to other projects. An exit strategy also allows you to get the most value out of your business when it’s time to sell. There are a few different options for exiting a business, and the best option for you depends on your goals and circumstances.

The most common exit strategies are:

• Selling the business to another party
• Passing the business down to family members
• Liquidating the business assets
• Closing the doors and walking away

Develop a Scalable Business Model

As your small business grows, it’s important to have a scalable business model so that you can accommodate additional customers without incurring additional costs. A scalable business model is one that can be replicated easily to serve more customers without a significant increase in expenses.

Some common scalable business models are:

• Subscription-based businesses
• Businesses that sell digital products
• Franchise businesses
• Network marketing businesses

Start Planning for Taxes

One of the most important things to do when starting a small business is to start planning for taxes. Taxes can be complex, and there are several different types of taxes you may be liable for, including income tax, self-employment tax, sales tax and property tax. Depending on the type of business you’re operating, you may also be required to pay other taxes, such as payroll tax or unemployment tax.

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When structuring your business, it’s essential to consider how each structure impacts the amount of taxes you owe, daily operations and whether your personal assets are at risk.

An LLC limits your personal liability for business debts. LLCs can be owned by one or more people or companies and must include a registered agent . These owners are referred to as members.

• LLCs offer liability protection for the owners
• They’re one of the easiest business entities to set up
• You can have a single-member LLC
• You may be required to file additional paperwork with your state on a regular basis
• LLCs can’t issue stock
• You’ll need to pay annual filing fees to your state

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

An LLP is similar to an LLC but is typically used for licensed business professionals such as an attorney or accountant. These arrangements require a partnership agreement.

• Partners have limited liability for the debts and actions of the LLP
• LLPs are easy to form and don’t require much paperwork
• There’s no limit to the number of partners in an LLP
• Partners are required to actively take part in the business
• LLPs can’t issue stock
• All partners are personally liable for any malpractice claims against the business

Sole Proprietorship

If you start a solo business, you might consider a sole proprietorship . The company and the owner, for legal and tax purposes, are considered the same. The business owner assumes liability for the business. So, if the business fails, the owner is personally and financially responsible for all business debts.

• Sole proprietorships are easy to form
• There’s no need to file additional paperwork with your state
• You’re in complete control of the business
• You’re personally liable for all business debts
• It can be difficult to raise money for a sole proprietorship
• The business may have a limited lifespan

Corporation

A corporation limits your personal liability for business debts just as an LLC does. A corporation can be taxed as a C corporation (C-corp) or an S corporation (S-corp). S-corp status offers pass-through taxation to small corporations that meet certain IRS requirements. Larger companies and startups hoping to attract venture capital are usually taxed as C-corps.

• Corporations offer liability protection for the owners
• The life span of a corporation is not limited
• A corporation can have an unlimited number of shareholders
• Corporations are subject to double taxation
• They’re more expensive and complicated to set up than other business structures
• The shareholders may have limited liability

Before you decide on a business structure, discuss your situation with a small business accountant and possibly an attorney, as each business type has different tax treatments that could affect your bottom line.

Helpful Resources

• How To Set Up an LLC in 7 Steps
• How To Start a Sole Proprietorship
• How To Start a Corporation
• How To Start a Nonprofit
• How To Start a 501(c)(3)

There are several legal issues to address when starting a business after choosing the business structure. The following is a good checklist of items to consider when establishing your business:

Choose Your Business Name

Make it memorable but not too difficult. Choose the same domain name, if available, to establish your internet presence. A business name cannot be the same as another registered company in your state, nor can it infringe on another trademark or service mark that is already registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Business Name vs. DBA

There are business names, and then there are fictitious business names known as “Doing Business As” or DBA. You may need to file a DBA if you’re operating under a name that’s different from the legal name of your business. For example, “Mike’s Bike Shop” is doing business as “Mike’s Bikes.” The legal name of the business is “Mike’s Bike Shop,” and “Mike’s Bikes” is the DBA.

You may need to file a DBA with your state, county or city government offices. The benefits of a DBA include:

• It can help you open a business bank account under your business name
• A DBA can be used as a “trade name” to brand your products or services
• A DBA can be used to get a business license

Register Your Business and Obtain an EIN

You’ll officially create a corporation, LLC or other business entity by filing forms with your state’s business agency―usually the Secretary of State. As part of this process, you’ll need to choose a registered agent to accept legal documents on behalf of your business. You’ll also pay a filing fee. The state will send you a certificate that you can use to apply for licenses, a tax identification number (TIN) and business bank accounts.

Next, apply for an employer identification number (EIN) . All businesses, other than sole proprietorships with no employees, must have a federal employer identification number. Submit your application to the IRS and you’ll typically receive your number in minutes.

Get Appropriate Licenses and Permits

Legal requirements are determined by your industry and jurisdiction. Most businesses need a mixture of local, state and federal licenses to operate. Check with your local government office (and even an attorney) for licensing information tailored to your area.

• Best LLC Services
• How To Register a Business Name
• How To Register a DBA
• How To Get an EIN for an LLC
• How To Get a Business License

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Click on the state below to get started.

Open a Business Bank Account

Keep your business and personal finances separate. Here’s how to choose a business checking account —and why separate business accounts are essential. When you open a business bank account, you’ll need to provide your business name and your business tax identification number (EIN). This business bank account can be used for your business transactions, such as paying suppliers or invoicing customers. Most times, a bank will require a separate business bank account to issue a business loan or line of credit.

Hire a Bookkeeper or Get Accounting Software

If you sell a product, you need an inventory function in your accounting software to manage and track inventory. The software should have ledger and journal entries and the ability to generate financial statements.

Some software programs double as bookkeeping tools. These often include features such as check writing and managing receivables and payables. You can also use this software to track your income and expenses, generate invoices, run reports and calculate taxes.

There are many bookkeeping services available that can do all of this for you, and more. These services can be accessed online from any computer or mobile device and often include features such as bank reconciliation and invoicing. Check out the best accounting software for small business, or see if you want to handle the bookkeeping yourself.

Determine Your Break-Even Point

Before you fund your business, you must get an idea of your startup costs. To determine these, make a list of all the physical supplies you need, estimate the cost of any professional services you will require, determine the price of any licenses or permits required to operate and calculate the cost of office space or other real estate. Add in the costs of payroll and benefits, if applicable.

Businesses can take years to turn a profit, so it’s better to overestimate the startup costs and have too much money than too little. Many experts recommend having enough cash on hand to cover six months of operating expenses.

When you know how much you need to get started with your business, you need to know the point at which your business makes money. This figure is your break-even point.

In contrast, the contribution margin = total sales revenue – cost to make product

For example, let’s say you’re starting a small business that sells miniature birdhouses for fairy gardens. You have determined that it will cost you $500 in startup costs. Your variable costs are $0.40 per birdhouse produced, and you sell them for $1.50 each.

Let’s write these out so it’s easy to follow:

This means that you need to sell at least 456 units just to cover your costs. If you can sell more than 456 units in your first month, you will make a profit.

• The Best Business Checking Accounts
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There are many different ways to fund your business—some require considerable effort, while others are easier to obtain. Two categories of funding exist: internal and external.

Internal funding includes:

• Personal savings
• Credit cards
• Funds from friends and family

If you finance the business with your own funds or with credit cards, you have to pay the debt on the credit cards and you’ve lost a chunk of your wealth if the business fails. By allowing your family members or friends to invest in your business, you are risking hard feelings and strained relationships if the company goes under. Business owners who want to minimize these risks may consider external funding.

External funding includes:

• Small business loans
• Small business grants
• Angel investors
• Venture capital
• Crowdfunding

Small businesses may have to use a combination of several sources of capital. Consider how much money is needed, how long it will take before the company can repay it and how risk-tolerant you are. No matter which source you use, plan for profit. It’s far better to take home six figures than make seven figures and only keep $80,000 of it.

Funding ideas include:

• Invoice factoring: With invoice factoring , you can sell your unpaid invoices to a third party at a discount.
• Business lines of credit: Apply for a business line of credit , which is similar to a personal line of credit. The credit limit and interest rate will be based on your business’s revenue, credit score and financial history.
• Equipment financing: If you need to purchase expensive equipment for your business, you can finance it with a loan or lease.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) microloans: Microloans are up to $50,000 loans that can be used for working capital, inventory or supplies and machinery or equipment.
• Grants: The federal government offers grants for businesses that promote innovation, export growth or are located in historically disadvantaged areas. You can also find grants through local and regional organizations.
• Crowdfunding: With crowdfunding , you can raise money from a large group of people by soliciting donations or selling equity in your company.

Choose the right funding source for your business by considering the amount of money you need, the time frame for repayment and your tolerance for risk.

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You need to have insurance for your business , even if it’s a home-based business or you don’t have any employees. The type of insurance you need depends on your business model and what risks you face. You might need more than one type of policy, and you might need additional coverage as your business grows. In most states, workers’ compensation insurance is required by law if you have employees.

Work With an Agent To Get Insured

An insurance agent can help determine what coverages are appropriate for your business and find policies from insurers that offer the best rates. An independent insurance agent represents several different insurers, so they can shop around for the best rates and coverage options.

Basic Types of Business Insurance Coverage

• Liability insurance protects your business against third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage and personal injury such as defamation or false advertising.
• Property insurance covers the physical assets of your business, including your office space, equipment and inventory.
• Business interruption insurance pays for the loss of income if your business is forced to close temporarily due to a covered event such as a natural disaster.
• Product liability insurance protects against claims that your products caused bodily injury or property damage.
• Employee practices liability insurance covers claims from employees alleging discrimination, sexual harassment or other wrongful termination.
• Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and income replacement for employees who are injured on the job.
• Best Small Business Insurance
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• How To Get Product Liability Insurance
• Your Guide to General Liability Insurance
• 13 Types of Small Business Insurance

Business tools can help make your life easier and make your business run more smoothly. The right tools can help you save time, automate tasks and make better decisions.

Consider the following tools in your arsenal:

• Accounting software : Track your business income and expenses, prepare financial statements and file taxes. Examples include QuickBooks and FreshBooks.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software : This will help you manage your customer relationships, track sales and marketing data and automate tasks like customer service and follow-ups. Examples include Zoho CRM and monday.com.
• Project management software : Plan, execute and track projects. It can also be used to manage employee tasks and allocate resources. Examples include Airtable and ClickUp.
• Credit card processor : This will allow you to accept credit card payments from customers. Examples include Stripe and PayPal.
• Point of sale (POS) : A system that allows you to process customer payments. Some accounting software and CRM software have POS features built-in. Examples include Clover and Lightspeed.
• Virtual private network (VPN) : Provides a secure, private connection between your computer and the internet. This is important for businesses that handle sensitive data. Examples include NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
• Merchant services : When customers make a purchase, the money is deposited into your business account. You can also use merchant services to set up recurring billing or subscription payments. Examples include Square and Stripe.
• Email hosting : This allows you to create a professional email address with your own domain name. Examples include G Suite and Microsoft Office 365.

Many business owners spend so much money creating their products that there isn’t a marketing budget by the time they’ve launched. Alternatively, they’ve spent so much time developing the product that marketing is an afterthought.

Create a Website

Even if you’re a brick-and-mortar business, a web presence is essential. Creating a website doesn’t take long, either—you can have one done in as little as a weekend. You can make a standard informational website or an e-commerce site where you sell products online. If you sell products or services offline, include a page on your site where customers can find your locations and hours. Other pages to add include an “About Us” page, product or service pages, frequently asked questions (FAQs), a blog and contact information.

Optimize Your Site for SEO

After getting a website or e-commerce store, focus on optimizing it for search engines (SEO). This way, when a potential customer searches for specific keywords for your products, the search engine can point them to your site. SEO is a long-term strategy, so don’t expect a ton of traffic from search engines initially—even if you’re using all the right keywords.

Create Relevant Content

Provide quality digital content on your site that makes it easy for customers to find the correct answers to their questions. Content marketing ideas include videos, customer testimonials, blog posts and demos. Consider content marketing one of the most critical tasks on your daily to-do list. This is used in conjunction with posting on social media.

Get Listed in Online Directories

Customers use online directories like Yelp, Google My Business and Facebook to find local businesses. Some city halls and chambers of commerce have business directories too. Include your business in as many relevant directories as possible. You can also create listings for your business on specific directories that focus on your industry.

Develop a Social Media Strategy

Your potential customers are using social media every day—you need to be there too. Post content that’s interesting and relevant to your audience. Use social media to drive traffic back to your website where customers can learn more about what you do and buy your products or services.

You don’t necessarily need to be on every social media platform available. However, you should have a presence on Facebook and Instagram because they offer e-commerce features that allow you to sell directly from your social media accounts. Both of these platforms have free ad training to help you market your business.

• Best Website Builders
• How To Make a Website for Your Business
• The Best E-Commerce Platforms
• Best Blogging Platforms
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To scale your business, you need to grow your customer base and revenue. This can be done by expanding your marketing efforts, improving your product or service, collaborating with other creators or adding new products or services that complement what you already offer.

Think about ways you can automate or outsource certain tasks so you can focus on scaling the business. For example, if social media marketing is taking up too much of your time, consider using a platform such as Hootsuite to help you manage your accounts more efficiently. You can also consider outsourcing the time-consumer completely.

You can also use technology to automate certain business processes, including accounting, email marketing and lead generation. Doing this will give you more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

When scaling your business, it’s important to keep an eye on your finances and make sure you’re still profitable. If you’re not making enough money to cover your costs, you need to either reduce your expenses or find ways to increase your revenue.

Build a Team

As your business grows, you’ll need to delegate tasks and put together a team of people who can help you run the day-to-day operations. This might include hiring additional staff, contractors or freelancers.

Resources for building a team include:

• Hiring platforms: To find the right candidates, hiring platforms, such as Indeed and Glassdoor, can help you post job descriptions, screen résumés and conduct video interviews.
• Job boards: Job boards such as Craigslist and Indeed allow you to post open positions for free.
• Social media: You can also use social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook to find potential employees.
• Freelance platforms: Using Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr can help you find talented freelancers for one-time or short-term projects. You can also outsource certain tasks, such as customer service, social media marketing or bookkeeping.

You might also consider partnering with other businesses in your industry. For example, if you’re a wedding planner, you could partner with a florist, photographer, catering company or venue. This way, you can offer your customers a one-stop shop for all their wedding needs. Another example is an e-commerce store that partners with a fulfillment center. This type of partnership can help you save money on shipping and storage costs, and it can also help you get your products to your customers faster.

To find potential partnerships, search for businesses in your industry that complement what you do. For example, if you’re a web designer, you could partner with a digital marketing agency.

You can also search for businesses that serve the same target market as you but offer different products or services. For example, if you sell women’s clothing, you could partner with a jewelry store or a hair salon.

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To rank the best states to start a business in 2024, Forbes Advisor analyzed 18 key metrics across five categories to determine which states are the best and worst to start a business in. Our ranking takes into consideration factors that impact businesses and their ability to succeed, such as business costs, business climate, economy, workforce and financial accessibility in each state. Check out the full report .

Starting a small business takes time, effort and perseverance. But if you’re willing to put in the work, it can be a great way to achieve your dreams and goals. Be sure to do your research, create a solid business plan and pivot along the way. Once you’re operational, don’t forget to stay focused and organized so you can continue to grow your business.

How do I start a small business with no money?

There are several funding sources for brand-new businesses and most require a business plan to secure it. These include the SBA , private grants, angel investors, crowdfunding and venture capital.

What is the best business structure?

The best business structure for your business will depend entirely on what kind of company you form, your industry and what you want to accomplish. But any successful business structure will be one that will help your company set realistic goals and follow through on set tasks.

Do I need a business credit card?

You don’t need one, but a business credit card can be helpful for new small businesses. It allows you to start building business credit, which can help you down the road when you need to take out a loan or line of credit. Additionally, business credit cards often come with rewards and perks that can save you money on business expenses.

Do I need a special license or permit to start a small business?

The answer to this question will depend on the type of business you want to start and where you’re located. Some businesses, such as restaurants, will require a special permit or license to operate. Others, such as home daycare providers, may need to register with the state.

How much does it cost to create a business?

The cost of starting a business will vary depending on the size and type of company you want to create. For example, a home-based business will be less expensive to start than a brick-and-mortar store. Additionally, the cost of starting a business will increase if you need to rent or buy commercial space, hire employees or purchase inventory. You could potentially get started for free by dropshipping or selling digital goods.

How do I get a loan for a new business?

The best way to get a loan for a new business is to approach banks or other financial institutions and provide them with a business plan and your financial history. You can also look into government-backed loans, such as those offered by the SBA. Startups may also be able to get loans from alternative lenders, including online platforms such as Kiva.

Do I need a business degree to start a business?

No, you don’t need a business degree to start a business. However, acquiring a degree in business or a related field can provide you with the understanding and ability to run an effective company. Additionally, you may want to consider taking some business courses if you don’t have a degree to learn more about starting and running a business. You can find these online and at your local Small Business Administration office.

What are some easy businesses to start?

One of the easiest businesses to start also has the lowest overhead: selling digital goods. This can include items such as e-books, online courses, audio files or software. If you have expertise in a particular area or niche, this is a great option for you. Dropshipping is also a great option because you don’t have to keep inventory. You could also buy wholesale products or create your own. Once you create your product, you can sell it through your own website or third-party platforms such as Amazon or Etsy.

What is the most profitable type of business?

There is no one answer to this question because the most profitable type of business will vary depending on a number of factors, such as your industry, location, target market and business model. However, some businesses tend to be more profitable than others, such as luxury goods, high-end services, business-to-business companies and subscription-based businesses. If you’re not sure what type of business to start, consider your strengths and interests, as well as the needs of your target market, to help you choose a profitable business idea.

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Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.

The state of tourism and hospitality 2024

Tourism and hospitality are on a journey of disruption. Shifting source markets and destinations, growing demand for experiential and luxury travel, and innovative business strategies are all combining to dramatically alter the industry landscape. Given this momentous change, it’s important for stakeholders to consider and strategize on four major themes:

• The bulk of travel is close to home. Although international travel might draw headlines, stakeholders shouldn’t neglect the big opportunities in their backyards. Domestic travel still represents the bulk of travel spending, and intraregional tourism is on the rise.
• Consumers increasingly prioritize travel—when it’s on their own terms. Interest in travel is booming, but travelers are no longer content with a one-size-fits-all experience. Individual personalization might not always be practical, but savvy industry players can use segmentation and hypothesis-driven testing to improve their value propositions. Those that fail to articulate target customer segments and adapt their offerings accordingly risk getting left behind.
• The face of luxury travel is changing. Demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than any other travel segment today—particularly in Asia. It’s crucial to understand that luxury travelers don’t make up a monolith. Segmenting by age, nationality, and net worth can reveal varied and evolving preferences and behaviors.
• As tourism grows, destinations will need to prepare to mitigate overcrowding. Destinations need to be ready to handle the large tourist flows of tomorrow. Now is the time for stakeholders to plan, develop, and invest in mitigation strategies. Equipped with accurate assessments of carrying capacities and enhanced abilities to gather and analyze data, destinations can improve their transportation and infrastructure, build tourism-ready workforces, and preserve their natural and cultural heritages.

McKinsey Live event: Faces, places, and trends: The state of tourism & hospitality

Thursday, June 13 at 10:30 a.m EDT / 4:30 p.m CET

Now boarding: Faces, places, and trends shaping tourism in 2024

Global travel is back and buzzing. The amount of travel fell by 75 percent in 2020; however, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. More regional trips, an emerging population of new travelers, and a fresh set of destinations are powering steady spending in tourism.

There’s no doubt that people still love to travel and will continue to seek new experiences in new places. But where will travelers come from, and where will they go?

We share a snapshot of current traveler flows, along with estimates for growth through 2030.

The way we travel now

Which trends are shaping traveler sentiment now? What sorts of journeys do today’s travelers dream about? How much are they willing to spend on their trips? And what should industry stakeholders do to adapt to the traveler psychology of the moment?

To gauge what’s on the minds of present-day travelers, we surveyed more than 5,000 of them. The findings reveal disparate desires, generational divides, and a newly emerging set of traveler archetypes.

Updating perceptions about today’s luxury traveler

Demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than for any other segment. This growth is being powered in part by a large and expanding base of aspiring luxury travelers with net worths between $100,000 and $1 million, many of whom are younger and increasingly willing to spend larger shares of their wealth on upscale travel options. The increase is also a result of rising wealth levels in Asia.

We dug deeper into this ongoing evolution by surveying luxury travelers around the globe about their preferences, plans, and expectations. Some widely held notions about luxury travelers—such as how much money they have, how old they are, and where they come from—could be due for reexamination.

Destination readiness: Preparing for the tourist flows of tomorrow

As global tourism grows, it will be crucial for destinations to be ready. How can the tourism ecosystem prepare to host unprecedented volumes of visitors while managing the challenges that can accompany this success? A large flow of tourists, if not carefully channeled, can encumber infrastructure, harm natural and cultural attractions, and frustrate locals and visitors alike.

Now is the time for tourism stakeholders to combine their thinking and resources to look for better ways to handle the visitor flows of today while properly preparing themselves for the visitor flows of tomorrow. We offer a diagnostic that destinations can use to spot early-warning signs about tourism concentration, along with suggestions for funding mechanisms and strategies to help maximize the benefits of tourism while minimizing its negative impacts.

Six trends shaping new business models in tourism and hospitality

As destinations and source markets have transformed over the past decade, tourism and hospitality companies have evolved, too. Accommodation, home sharing, cruises, and theme parks are among the sectors in which new approaches could present new opportunities. Stakeholders gearing up for new challenges should look for business model innovations that will help sustain their hard-won growth—and profits.

Unbundling offerings, cross-selling distinctive experiences, and embracing data-powered strategies can all be winning moves. A series of insight-driven charts reveal significant trends and an outlook on the future.

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Security information and event management, or SIEM, is a security solution that helps organizations recognize and address potential security threats and vulnerabilities before they have a chance to disrupt business operations.

SIEM systems help enterprise security teams detect user behavior anomalies and use artificial intelligence (AI) to automate many of the manual processes associated with threat detection and incident response .

The original SIEM platforms were log management tools. They combined security information management (SIM) and security event management (SEM) functions. These platforms enabled real-time monitoring and analysis of security-related events. Also, they facilitated tracking and logging of security data for compliance or auditing purposes. Gartner coined the term SIEM for the combination of SIM and SEM technologies in 2005.

Over the years, SIEM software has evolved to incorporate user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) , as well as other advanced security analytics, AI and machine learning capabilities for identifying anomalous behaviors and indicators of advanced threats. Today SIEM has become a staple in modern-day security operation centers (SOCs) for security monitoring and compliance management use cases.

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At the most basic level, all SIEM solutions perform some level of data aggregation, consolidation and sorting functions to identify threats and adhere to data compliance requirements. While some solutions vary in capability, most offer the same core set of functions:

SIEM ingests event data from a wide range of sources across an organization’s entire IT infrastructure, including on-premises and cloud environments. Event log data from users, endpoints, applications, data sources, cloud workloads and networks, as well as data from security hardware and software, such as firewalls or antivirus software, is collected, correlated and analyzed in real-time.  Some SIEM solutions also integrate with third-party threat intelligence feeds to correlate their internal security data against previously recognized threat signatures and profiles. Integration with real-time threat feeds enables teams to block or detect new types of attack signatures.

Event correlation is an essential part of any SIEM solution. Using advanced analytics to identify and understand intricate data patterns, event correlation provides insights to quickly locate and mitigate potential threats to business security. SIEM solutions significantly improve mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) for IT security teams by offloading the manual workflows associated with the in-depth analysis of security events.

SIEM consolidates its analysis into a single, central dashboard where security teams monitor activity, triage alerts, identify threats and initiate response or remediation. Most SIEM dashboards also include real-time data visualizations that help security analysts spot spikes or trends in suspicious activity. Using customizable, predefined correlation rules, administrators can be alerted immediately and take appropriate actions to mitigate threats before they materialize into more significant security issues.

SIEM solutions are a popular choice for organizations subject to different forms of regulatory compliance. Due to the automated data collection and analysis that it provides, SIEM is a valuable tool for gathering and verifying compliance data across the entire business infrastructure. SIEM solutions can generate real-time compliance reports for PCI-DSS, GDPR, HIPAA, SOX and other compliance standards, reducing the burden of security management and detecting potential violations early so they can be addressed. Many of the SIEM solutions come with pre-built, out-of-the-box add-ons that can generate automated reports designed to meet compliance requirements.

Regardless of how large or small an organization might be, taking proactive steps to monitor for and mitigate IT security risks is essential. SIEM solutions benefit enterprises in various ways and have become a significant component in streamlining security workflows.

SIEM solutions enable centralized compliance auditing and reporting across an entire business infrastructure. Advanced automation streamlines the collection and analysis of system logs and security events to reduce internal resource usage while meeting strict compliance reporting standards.

Today's next-generation SIEM solutions integrate with powerful security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) systems, saving time and resources for IT teams as they manage business security. Using deep machine learning that automatically learns from network behavior, these solutions can handle complex threat identification and incident response protocols in less time than physical teams.

Because of the improved visibility of IT environments that it provides, SIEM can be an essential driver of improving interdepartmental efficiencies. A central dashboard provides a unified view of system data, alerts and notifications, enabling teams to communicate and collaborate efficiently when responding to threats and security incidents.

Considering how quickly the cybersecurity landscape changes, organizations need to be able to rely on solutions that can detect and respond to both known and unknown security threats. Using integrated threat intelligence feeds and AI technology, SIEM solutions can help security teams respond more effectively to a wide range of cyberattacks including:

Insider threats :  Security vulnerabilities or attacks that originate from individuals with authorized access to company networks and digital assets.  

Phishing :  Messages that appear to be sent by a trusted sender, often used to steal user data, login credentials, financial information or other sensitive business information.  

Ransomware :   Malware  that locks a victim’s data or device and threatens to keep it locked, or worse, unless the victim pays a ransom to the attacker.  

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks :  Attacks that bombard networks and systems with unmanageable levels of traffic from a distributed network of hijacked devices (botnet), degrading performance of websites and servers until they are unusable.  

Data exfiltration :  Theft of data from a computer or other device, conducted manually, or automatically by using malware.

SIEM solutions are ideal for conducting computer forensic investigations once a security incident occurs. SIEM solutions allow organizations to efficiently collect and analyze log data from all of their digital assets in one place. This gives them the ability to re-create past incidents or analyze new ones to investigate suspicious activity and implement more effective security processes.

Compliance auditing and reporting is both a necessary and challenging task for many organizations. SIEM solutions dramatically reduce the resource expenditures required to manage this process by providing real-time audits and on-demand reporting of regulatory compliance whenever needed.

With the rise in popularity of remote workforces, SaaS applications and BYOD (bring your own device) policies, organizations need the level of visibility necessary to mitigate network risks from outside the traditional network perimeter. SIEM solutions track all network activity across all users, devices and applications, significantly improving transparency across the entire infrastructure and detecting threats regardless of where digital assets and services are being accessed.

Before or after you've invested in your new solution, here are some SIEM implementation best practices you should follow:

• Begin by fully understanding the scope of your implementation. Define how your business will best benefit from deployment and set up the appropriate security use cases.
• Design and apply your predefined data correlation rules across all systems and networks, including any cloud deployments.
• Identify all of your business compliance requirements and help ensure that your SIEM solution is configured to audit and report on these standards in real-time so you can better understand your risk posture.
• Catalog and classify all digital assets across your organization's IT infrastructure . This is essential when managing collecting log data, detecting access abuses and monitoring network activity .
• Establish BYOD policies, IT configurations and restrictions that can be monitored when integrating your SIEM solution.
• Regularly tune your SIEM configurations, ensuring you're reducing false positives in your security alerts.
• Document and practice all incident response plans and workflows to help ensure that teams are able to respond quickly to any security incidents that require intervention.
• Automate where possible using AI and security technologies such as SOAR.
• Evaluate the possibility of investing in a managed security service provider (MSSP) to manage your SIEM deployments. Depending on the unique needs of your business, MSSPs may be better equipped to handle the complexities of your SIEM implementation, as well as regularly manage and maintain its continuous functions.

AI will become increasingly important in the future of SIEM, as cognitive capabilities improve the system’s decision-making abilities. It will also allow systems to adapt and grow as the number of endpoints increases. As IoT, cloud computing , mobile and other technologies increase the amount of data that a SIEM tool must consume. AI offers the potential for a solution that supports more data types and a complex understanding of the threat landscape as it evolves.

The new cloud-native IBM QRadar® SIEM uses multiple layers of AI and automation to drastically improve the quality of alerts and the efficiency of security analysts. By leveraging mature AI capabilities, QRadar SIEM provides context and prioritization to threats, which lets analysts focus on more complex and high value work.

Too often, an uncoordinated collection of threat management tools built over time fails to deliver a comprehensive view that delivers secure operations. An intelligent, integrated unified threat management approach can help you detect advanced threats, quickly respond with accuracy, and recover from disruptions. 

Improve security operations center (SOC) efficiency, respond to threats faster and close skill gaps with an intelligent automation and orchestration solution that timestamps key actions and aides threat investigation and response.

Simplify and optimize your application management and technology operations with generative AI-driven insights.

Understand your cybersecurity landscape and prioritize initiatives together with senior IBM security architects and consultants in a no-cost, virtual or in-person, 3-hour design thinking session.

Find actionable insights that help you understand how threat actors are waging attacks, and how to proactively protect your organization.

UEBA is particularly effective at identifying insider threats that can elude other security tools because they mimic authorized network traffic.

Cybersecurity threats are becoming more advanced, more persistent and are demanding more effort by security analysts to sift through countless alerts and incidents. IBM Security QRadar SIEM helps you remediate threats faster while maintaining your bottom line. QRadar SIEM prioritizes high-fidelity alerts to help you catch threats that others miss.

John Deere Officially Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Russia

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Apr 27, 2010, 09:00 ET

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MOSCOW , April 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Deere & Company (NYSE: DE ) officially opened its new manufacturing and parts distribution facility south of Moscow today in Domodedovo. The John Deere Domodedovo facility is the company's largest single investment to date in Russia . The facility will manufacture agricultural, construction and forestry machinery as well as distribute service parts in the region.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030326/JOHNDEERELOGO )

" Russia has a tradition of embracing advanced equipment and modern agricultural and forestry management practices," said Deere & Company chairman and CEO Samuel R. Allen at the facility's grand opening ceremony. "These are critical to the health and development of large-scale farming and forestry. They also tend to be a good match for the capabilities of John Deere products."

The new facility at Domodedovo is open just nine months after John Deere first announced its plans at the Russia - U.S. Business Forum last summer. Deere received strong cooperation from the Russian Federal government, the Moscow Oblast, and the community of Domodedovo to open the factory within this short time frame.

Allen noted that most of the world's available arable land is already being farmed, that clean water is becoming increasingly scarce, and that infrastructure is needed in many parts of the world to bring crops and forestry materials to market.

" Russia has great advantages in all these areas and the potential to become one of the world's major food-producing regions," Allen said.

At the opening ceremony for the John Deere facility, Allen said Russia 's future holds "truly immense potential as a major provider of the renewable resources so vital to the world's economic and social well-being."

He added that Deere's future plans in Russia are supportive of the Russian government's objectives to boost the output of grains and other renewable resources and to make the farm and forestry sectors more commercially vibrant.

Deere has said that the new Domodedovo facility will include a new EurAsia Parts Distribution Center and manufacture products for the company's two major divisions, including large tractors and combines for use in agriculture and a series of products for use in construction and forestry. Both the parts distribution and manufacturing capabilities will help John Deere serve customers in Russia and throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States and in other nearby markets.

In his remarks at the grand opening, Allen said, Deere first sold products in Russia 100 years ago. Now, he said, in addition to the new Domodedovo location, John Deere has a manufacturing site in Orenburg, offices in St. Petersburg and Moscow and over 70 sales and service locations located in Russia .

John Deere is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.

SOURCE Deere & Company

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Also from this source, deere & company raises quarterly dividend.

The Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.35 per share payable November 8, 2023 to stockholders of...

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What is sap successfactors hcm.

SAP SuccessFactors HCM  is a suite of cloud-based HCM software applications that supports core HR and payroll, talent management, HR analytics and workforce planning, and employee experience management. The suite provides individualized experiences that keep employees happy, productive, and engaged. Launched in 2001 and part of the SAP family since 2012, SAP SuccessFactors solutions are used by more than 290 million users in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

What is SAP HR?

SAP HR  was a key module in the  SAP ERP application  that provided comprehensive support for HCM. Now, SAP HR has evolved into  SAP SuccessFactors HCM  – a cloud-based suite of HR solutions that put employees first. These solutions include a powerful HR information system as well as tools for employee experience management, onboarding, learning, performance management, succession and development, people analytics, and much more.

What are the components of SAP SuccessFactors HCM?

SAP SuccessFactors HCM includes  cloud HCM solutions in four key areas :

• Employee experience management  – including a wide range of employee surveys, feedback analysis, and guided action
• Core HR and payroll  – including a powerful HR information system, payroll software, self-service HR, time and attendance, and more
• Talent management  – including solutions for recruiting, onboarding, learning, performance management, compensation, and more
• HR analytics and workforce planning  – including AI-powered people analytics, scenario modeling, what-if analysis, and strategic workforce planning

Where can I find training courses for SAP SuccessFactors solutions?

There are a wide range of  training and certification options on SAP SuccessFactors  solutions for SAP partners and customers to explore.  SAP Learning Hub  provides customer- and consultant-level courses in e-learning and digital handbook formats, including learning rooms, live sessions, and hands-on learning workshops. Courses on SAP Learning Hub range from payroll, compensation, and performance to people analytics, HR reporting, and much more. For implementation and application consultants, academy training courses for SAP SuccessFactors solutions teach the skills necessary to perform system configuration and implementation. They also offer prerequisite training for the associated certification exam.

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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• Disaster recovery planning and management

Downtime can do serious damage to an organization's bottom line and reputation. Business continuity and disaster recovery -- two closely related practices -- help keep an organization running even in the wake of disaster. This guide explains how BCDR works, why you need it and how to build a BCDR plan for your organization to protect it today and into the future.

Disaster recovery (dr).

• Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer
• Erin Sullivan, Senior Site Editor
• Paul Crocetti, Executive Editor

What is disaster recovery (DR)?

Disaster recovery (DR) is an organization's ability to respond to and recover from an event that negatively affects business operations.

The goal of DR is to reduce downtime, data loss and operational disruptions while maintaining business continuity by restoring critical applications and infrastructure ideally within minutes after an outage. To prepare for this, organizations often perform an in-depth analysis of their systems and IT infrastructure and create a formal document to follow in times of crisis. This document is known as a disaster recovery plan .

What is a disaster?

The practice of DR revolves around serious events. These events are often thought of in terms of natural disasters, but they can also be caused by systems or technical failures, human errors or intentional attacks. These events are significant enough to disrupt or completely stop critical systems and business operations for a period of time. Types of disasters include the following:

• Cyberattacks, such as malware, distributed denial-of-service and ransomware .
• Power outages.
• Hardware failures.
• Equipment failures.
• Epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19.
• Terrorist attacks or biochemical threats.
• Industrial accidents.
• Hurricanes.
• Earthquakes.

Why is disaster recovery important?

Disasters can inflict damage with varying levels of severity, depending on the scenario. A brief network outage could result in frustrated customers and some loss of business to an e-commerce system. A hurricane or tornado could destroy an entire manufacturing facility, data center or office.

Also, the shift to public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud systems and the rise of remote workforces are making IT infrastructures more complex and potentially risky. An effective disaster recovery plan lets organizations respond promptly to disruptive events, offering the following benefits in return:

This article is part of

What is BCDR? Business continuity and disaster recovery guide

• Which also includes:
• 7 top business continuity certifications to consider in 2024
• ITGC audit checklist: 6 controls you need to address
• 12 key points a disaster recovery plan checklist must include
• Business continuity. Disasters can significantly harm business operations, incurring costs and disrupting productivity. A DR plan enables automation and the swift restart of backup systems and data, ensuring a prompt resumption of scheduled operations.
• Data loss reduction. A well-designed disaster recovery plan aims to reduce the amount of data lost by using methods such as frequent backups, quick recovery and redundancy checks. The probability of data loss increases with the length of time an organization experiences a system outage, but effective DR planning reduces this risk.
• Cost reduction. The monetary costs of disasters and outages can be significant. According to results from Uptime Institute's "Annual outage analysis 2023" survey , 25% of respondents reported in 2022 that their latest outage incurred more than $1 million in direct and indirect costs, indicating a consistent upward trend in expenses. In addition, 45% reported that the cost of their most recent outage ranged between $100,000 and $1 million. With disaster recovery procedures in place, companies can get back on their feet quickly after outages, reducing recovery and operational costs.
• Help with compliance regulations. Many businesses are required to create and follow plans for disaster recovery, business continuity and data protection to meet compliance regulations. This is particularly important for organizations operating in the financial, healthcare, manufacturing and government sectors. Failure to have DR procedures in place can result in legal or regulatory penalties, so understanding how to comply with resilience standards is important.
• System security. A business can reduce the detrimental effects of ransomware, malware and other security threats by incorporating data protection, backup and restoration procedures into a disaster recovery plan. For instance, several built-in security mechanisms in cloud data backups can minimize questionable activity before it affects the company.
• Improved customer retention. When a disaster strikes, customer confidence in an organization's security and services can be questioned and easily lost. A solid disaster recovery plan, including employee training for handling inquiries, can boost customer assurance by demonstrating that the company is prepared for any disaster.
• Emergency preparedness. Thinking about disasters before they happen and creating a response plan can provide many benefits. It raises awareness about potential disruptions and helps an organization prioritize its mission-critical functions. It also provides a forum for discussing these topics and making careful decisions about how to best respond in a low-pressure setting. While preparing for every potential disaster might seem extreme, the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that even scenarios that seem farfetched can happen. For example, businesses with emergency measures to support remote work had a clear advantage over unprepared companies when stay-at-home orders were enacted during the pandemic.

DR initiatives are more attainable by businesses of all sizes today due to widespread cloud adoption and the high availability of virtualization technologies that make backup and replication easier. However, much of the terminology and best practices developed for DR were based on enterprise efforts to re-create large-scale physical data centers. This involved plans to transfer, or failover , workloads from a primary data center to a secondary location or DR site to restore data and operations.

What is the difference between disaster recovery and business continuity?

On a practical level, DR and business continuity are often combined into a single corporate initiative and even abbreviated together as BCDR , but they aren't the same thing. While the two disciplines have similar goals relating to an organization's resilience, they differ greatly in scope.

Key points of DR and business continuity include the following:

• BC is a proactive discipline intended to minimize risk and help ensure the business can continue to deliver its products and services no matter the circumstances. It focuses especially on how employees continue to work and how the business continues operations while a disaster is occurring.
• DR is a subset of business continuity that focuses on the IT systems that enable business functions. It addresses the specific steps an organization must take to recover and resume technology operations following an event.
• BC is also closely related to business resilience , crisis management and risk management, but each of these disciplines has different goals and parameters.
• DR measures could typically include developing extra safety precautions for employees, such as buying emergency supplies or holding fire drills.
• A business continuity plan helps guarantee that communication channels, including phones and network servers, stay operational during a disaster.
• DR is also a reactive process by nature. While planning for it must be done in advance, DR activity isn't kicked off until a disaster actually occurs.
• Business continuity ensures the overall functioning and resilience of an organization throughout the entirety of an event, rather than solely focusing on the immediate aftermath.
• The disaster recovery process is complete once systems fail over to backup systems and are finally restored. With business continuity, plans stay in place for the entirety of the event and even after the systems are back up following the disaster.
• Top of Form

Elements of a disaster recovery strategy

Organizations should consider several factors while developing a disaster recovery strategy. Common elements of a DR strategy include the following:

Risk analysis

Risk analysis, or risk assessment , is an evaluation of all the potential risks the business could face, as well as their outcomes. Risks can vary greatly depending on the industry the organization is in and its geographic location. The assessment should identify potential hazards, determine whom or what these hazards would harm, and use the findings to create procedures that take these risks into account.

Business impact analysis

A business impact analysis ( BIA ) evaluates the effects of the identified risks on business operations. A BIA can help predict and quantify costs, both financial and nonfinancial. It also examines the effects of different disasters on an organization's safety, finances, marketing, business reputation, legal compliance and quality assurance.

Understanding the difference between risk analysis and BIA and conducting the assessments can also help an organization define its goals when it comes to data protection and the need for backup. Organizations generally quantify these using measurements called recovery point objective ( RPO ) and recovery time objective ( RTO ).

• RPO. RPO is the maximum age of files that an organization must recover from backup storage for normal operations to resume after a disaster. The RPO determines the minimum frequency of backups. For example, if an organization has an RPO of four hours, the system must back up at least every four hours.
• RTO. RTO refers to the amount of time an organization estimates its systems can be down without causing significant or irreparable damage to the business. In some cases, applications can be down for several days without severe consequences. In others, seconds can do substantial harm to the business.

RPO and RTO are both important elements in disaster recovery, but the metrics have different uses. RPO is acted on before a disruptive event takes place to ensure data is backed up, while RTO comes into play after an event occurs.

Incident response

This encompasses detecting, containing, analyzing and resolving a disruptive event. Incident response includes activating the disaster recovery plan, evaluating the incident's scope and effect, executing the recovery strategy, restoring normal operations and deactivating the plan. To maintain accountability and promote ongoing improvement, it's also essential to record and report incident response actions and results.

The components of a DR strategy can vary depending on the size, industry and particular demands of an organization. Therefore, these plans should be customized to meet the unique requirements of each business.

What's in a disaster recovery plan?

Once an organization has thoroughly reviewed its risk factors , recovery goals and technology environment, it can write a disaster recovery plan. The DR plan is the formal document that specifies these elements and outlines how the organization will respond when disruption or disaster occurs. The plan details recovery goals including RTO and RPO, as well as the steps the organization will take to minimize the effects of the disaster.

A DR plan should include the following components:

• A DR policy statement, plan overview and main goals of the plan.
• Key personnel and DR team contact information.
• A risk assessment and BIA to identify potential threats, vulnerabilities and negative effects on business.
• An updated IT inventory that includes details on hardware, software assets and essential cloud computing services, specifying their business-critical status and ownership, such as owned, leased or utilized as a service.
• A plan outlining how backups will be carried out along with an RPO that states the frequency of backups and an RTO that defines the maximum downtime that's acceptable after a disaster.
• A step-by-step description of disaster response actions immediately following an incident.
• A diagram of the entire network and recovery site.
• Directions for how to get to the recovery site.
• A list of software and systems that staff will use in the recovery.
• Sample templates for a variety of technology recoveries, including technical documentation from vendors.
• A communication that includes internal and external contacts, as well as a boilerplate for dealing with the media.
• A summary of insurance coverage.
• Proposed actions for dealing with financial and legal issues.

An organization should consider its DR plan a living document. It should schedule regular disaster recovery testing to ensure the plan is accurate and will work when a recovery is required. The plan should also be evaluated against consistent criteria whenever there are changes in the business or IT systems that could affect disaster recovery.

How to build a disaster recovery team

A DR team is entrusted with creating, documenting and carrying out processes and procedures for an organization's data recovery and business continuity in the event of a disaster or failure.

The key steps and considerations for building a disaster recovery team include the following:

• Identify the key stakeholders. Determine who within the organization should be involved in the disaster recovery planning process. A DR team typically includes cross-departmental employees and executives, such as the chief information officer , IT personnel, department heads, business continuity experts, impact assessment and recovery advisors and crisis management coordinators.
• Define roles and responsibilities. Once the members of the DR team are determined, the next step is to assign them specific roles and responsibilities to ensure effective management of the recovery process. Common roles include team leaders, IT experts, business continuity experts, disaster recovery coordinators and department liaisons.
• Assess expertise. If the organization lacks internal expertise, it can outsource or engage a service provider. These providers can offer external expertise to aid the team, deliver disaster recovery as a service ( DRaaS ), or provide consulting services to bolster the capabilities of the internal team.
• Develop a recovery plan. The team should outline a detailed disaster recovery plan that outlines procedures for responding to various types of disasters. This plan should include steps for data backup and recovery, system restoration, communication protocols and employee safety procedures.
• Train team members. It's important to teach and train team members on their responsibilities within the disaster recovery strategy. This could entail doing frequent drills and simulations to evaluate the plan's efficacy and pinpointing areas in need of development. For example, this could include testing all apps and finding ways to access the critical ones in the event of a disaster.
• Regularly revise the DR plan. The disaster recovery plan needs to be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect organizational changes and how they affect the recovery process.
• Document the procedures. All procedures and protocols within the DR plan should be documented in a clear and accessible format. This ensures that team members can easily reference and follow the necessary steps during a crisis.

Disaster recovery sites

An organization uses a DR site to recover and restore its data, technology infrastructure and operations when its primary data center is unavailable. DR sites can be internal, external or cloud-based.

An organization sets up and maintains an internal DR site. Organizations with large information requirements and aggressive RTOs are more likely to use an internal DR site, which is typically a second data center. When building an internal site, the business must consider hardware configuration, supporting equipment, power maintenance, heating and cooling of the site, layout design, location and staff.

An external disaster recovery site is owned and operated by a third-party provider. External sites can be hot, warm or cold.

• Hot site. A hot site is a fully functional data center with hardware and software, personnel and customer data, which is typically staffed 24/7 and operationally ready in the event of a disaster.
• Warm site. A warm site is an equipped data center that doesn't have customer data. An organization can install additional equipment and introduce customer data following a disaster.
• Cold site. This type of site has infrastructure to support IT systems and data, but no technology until an organization activates DR plans and installs equipment. These sites are sometimes used to supplement hot and warm sites during a long-term disaster.

A cloud-based disaster recovery site is another option, which is also scalable. An organization should consider site proximity, internal and external resources, operational risks, service-level agreements (SLAs) and cost when contracting with cloud providers to host their DR assets or outsourcing additional services .

Disaster recovery tiers

In addition to choosing the most appropriate DR site, it can be helpful for organizations to consult the tiers of disaster recovery identified by the Share Technical Steering Committee and IBM in the 1980s. The tiers feature a variety of recovery options organizations can use as a blueprint to help determine the best DR approach depending on their business needs.

The recognized disaster recovery tiers include the following:

• Tier 7. Tier 7 is a highly advanced level of disaster recovery capability. At this level, artificial intelligence and automation are likely to play a key part in the recovery process.
• Tier 6. Tier 6 disaster recovery capabilities are comparable to Tier 5's, but they often include even more sophisticated technology and techniques for rapid recovery and minimal data loss.
• Tier 5. Tier 5 often implies advanced disaster recovery capabilities beyond a hot site. This can include capabilities such as real-time data replication , automated failover and enhanced monitoring and administration tools.
• Tier 4. This tier includes a hot site, which is a DR site that's fully functioning and ready to use. Hot sites replicate the primary data center's systems and operations in real time, enabling quick failover and minimal downtime. They provide the maximum availability and recovery speed, but they're also the most expensive alternative.
• Tier 3. By electronically vaulting mission-critical data, Tier 3 options improve upon the capabilities of Tier 2. Electronic vaulting of data involves electronically transferring data to a backup site, in contrast to the traditional method of physically shipping backup tapes or disks. After a disaster, there's less chance of data loss or re-creation because the electronically vaulted data is usually more recent than data sent through conventional means.
• Tier 2. This tier improves upon Tier 1 with the addition of a hot site, which are disaster recovery locations that have hardware and network infrastructure already set up to facilitate faster recovery times. There might still be a need for additional setup and configuration.
• Tier 1. This level consists of cold sites that provide basic infrastructure but lack preinstalled systems. Businesses in this category have data backups, but recovery involves manual intervention and hardware configuration, which lengthens recovery times.
• Tier 0. This tier denotes the lowest preparedness level and is usually associated with organizations that don't have disaster recovery or off-site data backups . Because recovery in this tier is entirely dependent on on-site technologies, recovery times can be unpredictable.

Another type of DR tiering involves assigning levels of importance to different types of data and applications and treating each tier differently based on the tolerance for data loss. This approach recognizes that some mission-critical functions might not be able to tolerate any data loss or downtime, while others can be offline for longer or have smaller sets of data restored.

Types of disaster recovery

In addition to choosing a DR site and considering DR tiers, IT and business leaders must evaluate the best way to put their DR plan into action. This will depend on the IT environment and the technology the business chooses to support its DR strategy.

Types of disaster recovery can vary, based on the IT infrastructure and assets that need protection, as well as the method of backup and recovery the organization decides to use. Depending on the size and scope of the organization, it might have separate DR plans and response and resilience teams specific to different departments.

Major types of DR include the following:

• Data center disaster recovery. Organizations that house their own data centers must have a DR strategy that considers all the IT infrastructure within the data center as well as the physical facility. Backup to a failover site at a secondary data center or a colocation facility is often a large part of the plan. IT and business leaders should also document and make alternative arrangements for a wide range of facilities-related components, including power systems, heating and cooling, fire safety, and physical security.
• Network disaster recovery. Network connectivity is essential for internal and external communication, data sharing, and application access during a disaster. A network DR strategy must provide a plan for restoring network services, especially in terms of access to backup sites and data.
• Virtualized disaster recovery. Virtualization provides disaster recovery by letting organizations replicate workloads in an alternate location or the cloud. The benefits of virtual DR include flexibility, ease of deployment, efficiency and speed. Since virtualized workloads have a small IT footprint, replication can be done frequently, and failover can be initiated quickly.
• Cloud disaster recovery. The widespread acceptance of cloud services lets organizations, typically reliant on alternate or on-premises DR locations, host their disaster recovery in the cloud. Cloud DR goes beyond simple backup to the cloud. It requires an IT team to set up automatic failover of workloads to a public cloud platform in the event of a disruption.
• DRaaS. DRaaS is the commercially available version of cloud DR. In DRaaS, a third party provides replication and hosting of an organization's physical and virtual machines. The provider assumes responsibility for deploying the DR plan when a crisis arises, based on an SLA. In the event of a disaster, the DRaaS provider shifts an organization's computer processing to its cloud infrastructure. This enables uninterrupted business operations to be carried out seamlessly from the provider's location, even if the organization's servers are offline.
• Point-in-time snapshots. Point-in-time snapshots or copies generate a precise replica of the database at a specific time. Data recovery from these backups is possible, provided they're stored offsite or on an external machine unaffected by the catastrophe.

Disaster recovery services and vendors

Disaster recovery providers can take many forms, as DR is more than just an IT issue, and business continuity affects the entire organization. DR vendors include those selling backup and recovery software, as well as those offering hosted or managed services. Because disaster recovery is also an element of organizational risk management, some vendors couple it with other aspects of security planning, such as incident response and emergency planning.

Examples of options for DR services and vendors include the following:

• Backup and data protection platforms.
• DRaaS providers.
• Add-on services from data center and colocation providers.
• Infrastructure-as-a-service providers.

Choosing the best option for an organization ultimately depends on top-level business continuity plans and data protection goals, as well as which option best meets those needs and budgetary goals.

Examples of DR software and DRaaS providers include the following:

• Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud.
• Carbonite Disaster Recovery.
• Dell EMC RecoverPoint.
• Druva Data Resiliency Cloud.
• IBM Storage Protect Plus.
• Microsoft Azure Site Recovery.
• Unitrends Backup and Recovery.
• Veeam Backup & Replication.
• VMware Live Cyber Recovery (formerly known as VMware Cloud DR).

Emergency communication vendors are also a key part of the disaster recovery process, as they help keep employees informed during a crisis by sending them notifications and communications. Examples of vendors and their systems include AlertMedia, BlackBerry AtHoc, Cisco Emergency Responder, Everbridge Crisis Management and Rave Alert.

Download a free SLA template for use with disaster recovery products and services .

While some organizations might find it challenging to invest in comprehensive disaster recovery planning, none can afford to ignore the concept when planning for long-term growth and sustainability. In addition, if the worst were to happen, organizations that have prioritized DR would experience less downtime and be able to resume normal operations faster.

Businesses often prepare for minor disruptions, but it's easy to overlook larger and more intricate disasters. Examine the top scenarios for IT disasters that disaster recovery teams should test vigorously.

Continue Reading About disaster recovery (DR)

• SME disaster recovery: Key points to consider
• Game-changing disaster recovery trends
• Maximize the benefits of virtual disaster recovery
• Real-life business continuity failures: Examples to study
• Disaster recovery plan best practices for any business

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Boeing Gives F.A.A. Plan to Address Systemic Quality-Control Issues

The action plan is the latest in a series of moves by the F.A.A. to push for safety improvements throughout Boeing during a tumultuous year for the company.

By Mark Walker and Niraj Chokshi

Boeing’s top executives delivered a plan to improve quality and safety to the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday, vowing to address systemic issues that have damaged the company’s reputation and put the aircraft manufacturer at the center of several federal investigations.

Boeing detailed these and other steps during a three-hour meeting with the F.A.A.’s administrator, Mike Whitaker, where the company submitted a “comprehensive action plan” that the regulator ordered in February.

Mr. Whitaker had given Boeing 90 days to develop a plan to make sweeping safety improvements after a midcabin panel known as a door plug blew out of a 737 Max 9 jet flying at about 16,000 feet on Jan. 5. No one was seriously injured during the flight.

The F.A.A. said in a statement on Thursday that “senior” leaders from the agency would “meet with Boeing weekly to review their performance metrics, progress and any challenges they’re facing in implementing the changes.”

Boeing was also required to address findings, from an expert panel convened by the F.A.A. last year, that revealed persistent issues with the company’s safety culture. Mr. Whitaker said Boeing had accepted all of the recommendations the panel made in the report.

“We need to see a strong and unwavering commitment to safety and quality that endures over time,” Mr. Whitaker said during a news conference on Thursday. “This is about systemic change, and there’s a lot of work to be done.”

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