Vicki Johnson & Associates

A new year means a new chance to reflect on our past successes and failures so that we can be better prepared for the coming year. Here at Vicki Johnson & Associates, we’ve taken a step back to evaluate not only our own experiences, but the experiences of the event industry as a whole in order to be the best we can be in 2018. Here’s some of what we’ve learned:

Don’t Ignore Risk Management Responsibilities

From hurricanes and wildfires to data breaches and terrorism, 2017 has taught us the importance of prioritizing risk management when planning a special event, conference, or meeting. That’s why we created our risk management blog series, which covers everything from natural disaster preparation and active shooter emergency preparedness to cyber security and public relations tips. As event planning professionals, it’s our responsibility to have plans in place to help keep our attendees safe, and 2017 taught us that it’s time for the event industry to start taking this responsibility more seriously.

Collect, Analyze & Leverage Event Data

In 2017, there’s no excuse for letting your data sit idly by. Whether you’re trying to effectively measure your event’s success, design successful event budgets, or leverage corporate sponsorships, then data collection, analysis, and implementation are some of the most important factors in your event’s success. Let 2018 be the year you make data a key part of your event planning strategy.

Don’t Be Afraid of Change

It’s no secret that the event industry is constantly evolving, and event planners need to be flexible and proactive in their attempts to adapt to change. For us at Vicki Johnson & Associates, that means keeping up on trends like experiential learning and inclusivity, while also hosting sessions like our Why Associate? event, which explored potential innovations that associations should consider to keep up with current trends and changing demographics.

Are you planning an event in 2018? Contact Vicki Johnson & Associates to learn more about our many services, including meeting & event logistics, temporary meeting & event staffing, event marketing, and more. You can also follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on everything related to the event industry.