7 simple dos and dont’s for planning a stress-free client event

It is a common misconception that coordinating an event is a glamorous job full of lavish cocktails and important people. This, however, is not the case. ­

According to Forbes, event coordination is the fifth-most-stressful career path of 2014 (coming in dangerously close behind military officials, firefighters, and airplane pilots). Planning an event can be a horrendous, pressure-filled process for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you maintain your sanity the next time your client hands you the reins to the next big event:

1. Do get the facts straight. Talk to your client about their objectives in throwing the event. If your client wants to raise awareness for a new product or company, every decision you make from here on out should directly correlate to raising awareness.

2. Don’t jump the gun. You might have a specific vendor in mind, but if you haven’t worked with them before, get on the phone and speed-date a few others before settling on one. The right vendor should meet all your needs and communicate clearly so you’re on the same page about what will happen leading up to during the event.