As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I had a little fall – nothing broken, just humbled and grateful. During this time of recovery, it got me thinking about the conversations I have every day with event planners.
Here’s something you might not know: Nearly 80% of event planners are women, and for many of you, event planning isn’t even listed as your primary job title.
When I ask about your event’s vision, purpose, theme, and desired outcomes… I get it. You haven’t had time to think about those questions yet. You’re already stretched thin.
But you HAVE booked the venue. The CATERING is confirmed. The DATE is locked in.
What I see is we’re building events backwards – and it’s not entirely the fault of the event planner!
Here’s the truth: The venue doesn’t create transformation. The banquet dinner doesn’t inspire action. Your SPEAKER does.
When you book the ballroom before you know your purpose, you’re making a wishlist for logistics instead of impact.
The questions I ask event planners aren’t just for my paperwork; it’s a roadmap for events that actually matter. And it starts with the questions most planners skip (because you’re busy doing twelve other things):
THE QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD COME FIRST:
🔷 Vision/Purpose – WHY are we gathering?
🔷 Theme – What’s the thread that ties everything together?
🔷 Actionable Takeaways – What should attendees DO after this?
🔷 Speaker Type – Who can deliver this transformation?
THE QUESTIONS THAT USUALLY COME FIRST (but shouldn’t):
→ What venue is available? → What’s the catering budget? → What date works for the hotel or venue?
THE CHALLENGE:
Here’s my wishlist for YOU, event planners:
Before you book your next venue, answer the questions that actually matter first!
If you can clearly articulate your purpose, theme, desired takeaways, and the type of speaker who can deliver this transformation, THEN you’re ready to pick a venue that supports that vision.
If you CAN’T answer those questions? That’s exactly when you should call me. Not after everything else is booked, but RIGHT NOW, at the beginning.
And especially if event planning is just ONE of the many hats you wear, let someone else carry this load WITH you.
THE OFFER:
So here’s what I’m doing this week:
I’m offering FREE 15-Minute Purpose Clarity Calls to the first 10 event planners who respond.
No sales pitch. No obligation. Just you, me, and getting crystal clear on:
- The true purpose of your event
- The transformation you want to create
- The type of speaker who can deliver it
- How to build everything else around THAT
Staring at your event plans and can’t articulate the ‘why’? Juggling too many responsibilities to think it through? Let’s fix that together, before you book one more thing.
I’m blessed that my fall didn’t result in anything broken. But I see too many events ‘fall apart’ because the foundation was never solid to begin with, often because the person planning it is being pulled in fifteen different directions.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Ready to build your next event in the right order?
Text me at 336-707-0859 and let’s get together soon!
Because the venue holds bodies. The food feeds them. But the speaker? That’s what makes them glad they came.
Let’s make sure you’re building a wishlist that actually matters!
Have a Remarkable Day!
~ Sue
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