The Importance of a Thank You

Thanking someone can go a long way. When hosting an event of any kind a thank you note needs to be sent to anyone who attended, anyone who helped with the event and anyone who sponsored the event in any way. By sending thank you notes you are showing appreciation for their time or support for your event.

A thank you can be sent by sending a card or by an email. Also remember to utilize any social media you may be using for your event to thank attendees, sponsors, etc. More than one thank you could never hurt. When writing a thank you card be sure to include why you are thanking them by including what they did for you event and if you will be having another event to include the date of the next event. If the event is a fundraising event include how much money was raised and where the money will be going.

Here is an example of a fundraising thank you note!

Happy Planning,

Kelli

Top 5 Healthy Foods to Serve at an Event

Healthy foods and making healthy choices have become more popular in this day in age. If you go out to eat there typically is a "healthy choices" menu or a few dishes that are light portions. Many people who do eat healthy on a regular basis are concerned with going out to eat or especially attending various events. There concerns are with the food choices. Typically when attending an event dessert is served, desserts are typically deemed as an unhealthy food. But there are healthy ways around that and there are healthy dessert options as well as healthy options for all dishes. Take a look at five healthy foods that can be served at any event!

1. Greek yogurt fruit tart...could be served as an appetizer or a dessert. 

2. Vegetable cups...there are many vegetable options and various healthy dip options to make. 

3. Chicken quinoa...this dish is made with chicken, quinoa, various vegetables and a soy sauce mixture for flavor. 

4. Fruit kabobs....again another dish that has many options as there are many fruits you could choose to include on your fruit kabobs. 

5. Oatmeal raisin banana cookies...great healthy dessert option!

Happy Planning,

Kelli

Pinspiration

Pinterest, a social media that allows users to share and come across new interests by posting images to their own board while browsing various topic areas of pins. It is a tool for event planners that is very useful to generate new and creative ideas. Here is steps to using Pinterest to create a memorable event!

1. Create a Pinterest account at pinterest.com. 

2. Create and name pin boards so you can organize your account. Some examples could include food boards, wedding boards, event decor boards, etc. 

3. Begin searching for pins to pin to your boards you created. Ideas can be generated this year. Some examples of pins to search for are; event planning, how to promote an event, event catering, event food, etc. Be specific as possible and you will have success. 

4. Follow boards and pinners who interest you! 

Happy Planning,

Kelli

Make or Break Your Event with the Music Selection

When planning an event, event planner's lists of things to do and remember can be endless. The perfectionist mind-set sets into an event planner as the big day approaches. Every detail of the event needs to be perfect as well as having happy attendees. Attendees opinion of an event and the event details is valued by the event planner and organization hosting the event. Each attendee will have their own personal opinions on event food, decorations and even music.

Music choice at your event is extremely important. Your music selection at your event can make or break your event. Check out this video by BizBash on "What Your Music Says About Your Event."

Happy Planning,
Kelli

Top 5 Farmers Market Events to Visit in Iowa

With summer coming up right around the corner, Farmers Markets will be on people's list of first to do's once the warm weather begins. Farmers Markets are great events for attendees to stroll around and browse the various items being sold. Items being sold range from cupcakes to outdoor decor to fresh vegetables to breakfast pizza. Farmers Markets have some of the most unique items and are a great opportunity for small area businesses to get their names out.

There are many benefits to attending a Farmers Market other than all of the food and items being sold. Almost all food and plants being sold at a Farmers Market is grown locally, which is better for you and is more fresh. In addition buying local supports your community. If you are interested in attending a Farmers Market event to buy and support local, attend one of the top five Farmers Markets in Iowa this upcoming summer!

1. Downtown Cedar Rapids Farmers Market 

2. Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market

3. Iowa City Farmers Market

4. Sioux City Farmers Market

5. Dubuque Farmers Market

Check out a full listing of Iowa Farmers Markets to find one in your area!

Happy Planning,

Kelli

The Importance of a Hashtag

In today's society hashtags are used to promote events, brands and businesses. Weather you are hosting a work conference, graduation party, wedding, etc. a social media hashtag can always be incorporated. An event hashtag is used on social media for a specific event to brand together attendees posts, photos and opinions on the event for others attendees and outsiders to read. This is free marketing for an event and used to increase event awareness and visibility.

When creating a hashtag for your event it is important to remember the following tips...

• Short: Your event hashtag should be short. Remember attendees using the hashtag specifically on twitter only have a 140 character word limit.
• Unique: You want to use a hashtag that has not been used before. Search social media sites for hashtags that are already being used before you chose your event hashtag.
• Specific: Create an event hashtag that is specific to your event. You can do that by including the year of the event or using an abbreviation of a phrase or saying.
• Memorable: Choose a hashtag that will stick with your attendees and future attendees. Having a catchy hashtag will do just that for you.

Promoting your hashtag to your attendees during the process of the event is important. Your hashtag should be used before, during and after your event. There are many ways to engage event attendees while using your hashtag.

• Before the event: Include your specific hashtag in all of your promotional materials that are sent before the event. Be sure to research into your hashtag before the event to see if anyone has been using the hashtag. Create your own social media plan that includes trying to engage event attendees with the use of your hashtag. If you post to your event account using your hashtag hopefully others will use as well. 
• During the event: Post various social media posts to your social mediums that use your hashtag and allow event attendees to create conversation. That is easily done by asking a question that they can respond to. Promote and ask event speakers and attendees to post to their social mediums about the event using the specific hashtag. 
• After the event: Be sure the event social media accounts are responding to event attendees posts either responding to questions or thanking them for their opinions on the event. When sending a follow-up to the event, thank your attendees for being involved with social media and include the hashtag. 

Happy Planning,
Kelli

10 Instagram Accounts for Event Planners to Follow

Corporate meeting, birthday party, wedding, whatever your big event shall be, here are 10 Instagram accounts for event planners to follow. Enjoy the best event designs, foods, event decor and more!

1. @BizBash

2. @revelryeventdesign

3. @yourbashevents

4. @caravents

5. @karlaevents

6. @chantelleventdesign

7. @dishwishgirl

8. @kehoedesigns

9.  @ambereventprod

10. @debililly

6 Ways to Incorporate Peeps into your Easter Festivities

With Easter coming up this weekend, who doesn't enjoy a fluffy pastel colored animal marshmallow? A Peep, a popular Easter treat that is enjoyed by many and are apart of many Easter traditions. There are many ways Peeps can be incorporated into your Easter festivities to provide your guests with a fun Easter treat!

1. Peep Fruit Kabob

2. Easter Egg Hunt Pudding Cups

3. Peeps Hot Chocolate

4. Peep Pretzels

5. Peep Cupcakes 

6. Peep Smores

Happy Easter!

Happy Planning,
Kelli

Spark Ideas for your Event

While planning various events one may feel as they fall into a rut while coming up with event planning ideas. It is always important to collaborate with co-workers, event attendees, etc. to develop new, interesting ideas. Check out these TED Talks to spark ideas for your upcoming events!

Your Budget is your Best Friend

When planning any type of an event your budget needs to be your best friend. A budget is used when planning an event to stay organized and as a tool to keep within your price range. The first step when creating a budget is to inquire how much money you are able to spend on the event.

If you will be working on an event with a $0 budget you will have to fundraise for your event and receive sponsorship. But typically for most events there is a specific dollar amount you are allocated to spend.

To easily keep track of your spending and to always know where you stand with your money I recommend you use some sort of spreadsheet tool. I recommend using excel or google sheets. Below lists an example of how I would set up a budget. On the top row of the document I always have columns labeled: item, estimated cost, actual cost, details and total money spent.

First I list all of the items I foresee myself buying for the event. Then I begin to price compare the item by looking it up online so I can find the best deal. Once I do buy the product I type in the actual cost of the item and include where I bought it from. I also keep all of my receipts for all items purchased just in case I need to go back and verify a purchase.

When working through an event your budget should be used as a tool to monitor costs, understand what you are able to afford and to stay under your target price. There are many purchases that go into planning an event and there is always something that is forgotten or something that comes up at the end that you need to purchase. You want to estimate under budget to ensure if that does happen you can purchase what you need.

Your budget is your best friend when planning an event and remember always look to steal the best deal!

Happy Planning,
Kelli

Top 5 Best Super Bowl Party Dishes

Hosting a super bowl party this year to cheer on the Denver Broncos or the Carolina Panthers? Super bowl parties are well known for their tasty tailgating foods, outstanding commercials, yearly half time show and of course the football game. While socializing and enjoying the biggest football game of the year, guests want to dig in to the traditional game day foods.

Options are limitless when it comes to making super bowl dishes. Almost anything can fall under the tailgating/game day food category. If you are looking to wow your guests make one or all of the following dishes for your super bowl party. It will ensure your guests leave with a happy tummy!

1. Seven Layer Taco Dip

2. Football Bites

3. Chocolate Covered Footballs

4. Pig in a Blanket Footballs

5. Super Bowl Popcorn

                

Happy Planning,

Kelli

A Little Bit About Me!

Hello and welcome to A Perfected Event! Before I begin posting about various events, tips and tricks I thought I would provide you all with a little background on this blog.

My name is Kelli and I am currently a senior at the University of Northern Iowa. This semester I am enrolled in a class called digital advertising. For the class we are asked to complete a social media project and that is how this blog came about.

When brainstorming ideas of what I wanted to focus my social media project around I decided to look at what interests me as well as potentially what I would like to pursue a career in. During my time at the University of Northern Iowa I have been involved in various clubs where I have had the opportunity to host many different events. Event planning is always something I have had a passion for and hope to one day accept a position doing just that.

Over the course of this semester I plan on blogging about various types of events, event decor, tips to event planning and much more. Look forward to many postings and feel free to comment and/or leave questions for me!

Happy planning,
Kelli