Event Excellence... Every Time!

Lou Strachan, events subcommittee chair IOD Jersey, looks at what makes a successful event.

Events are all about the people, whether it be in person or online. Personally, I thrive on the promotional aspect of ‘in person’ events for a sense of togetherness. Over the past few years, we have seen events come back after the pandemic in an impressive way.  Over those ‘lost’ years, we re-evaluated the shear importance of face to face catch ups and meetings, spilling over into bringing events back with a new level of expectation within the Island. 

Whilst writing this article and reflecting on what makes my line of work so important to me, it's quite simple; it's the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing the people I have brought together having a great time, with smiles on their faces and a renewed sense of physical presence and connection. From promoting that strong sense of togetherness, to bringing to life the vision and understanding the end goals for prospective client, it’s all about managing the untapped story of what each event wants to achieve.

 During each event, the challenge of time management and keeping everything slick and running on track is paramount. Ensure all boxed are ticked and that you have enough capacity to get the job done, as expectations always run high and meeting them starts with managing your time effectively.

Jersey offers a wonderful network of suppliers and intermediaries; these relationships are invaluable and they are my foundation for making any successful event happen. One of the biggest challenges to that success is creating the theme which my client desires within a certain budget. With an increase in costs, from food to delivery, I have to be very strategic when pulling events together, thinking about the littlest touches which can bring the biggest impact and the most fun. Ensuring the budget is adhered to is imperative and clear expenditure guidelines need to be set out right at the start to create trust and security for your client. Open communication is key throughout the process of how budget is spent, however, it’s about looking for clever ways to maximise value and spend, whilst keeping to the vision alive. And whilst this area is certainly challenging, I often find that through kindness, hard work and the strong relationships built up and nurtured throughout my career, we make it work...every time! 

 After heading up a series of events recently for one of my London clients here in Jersey, I was fortunate enough to have the privilege of meeting some new residents to the island. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect them with corporate networks and like-minded people, with new relationships and fond memories being formed. Taking the extra care on guest lists and seating plans in the planning phase can pay dividends overall, with guests likely to remember your event was where they were when they ‘sat next to that person’ or ‘had that conversation’.

 The key to making memorable events lie in the personal touches, with warmth, attention to detail and genuine care.  As an Event Manager my key role is always to ensure my clients entrust me with every aspect of the event, so I can meet their objectives and deliver with excellence. 

About Lou Strachan

Louise Strachan is the founder and event manager at Function Event Management, and events sub-committee chair IOD Jersey.