Prepare a mission statement and consider who your audience is for your event. Define exactly what it is you are trying to accomplish by holding the event. Are you trying to educate your audience, raise money, or something else? Define your goals (consider financials, outreach, and more). It is nice to reach for the stars, but remember to be realistic.
Establish Your Budget
Consider all your costs and incomes. Research all your options to ensure that you are being cost efficient. Seek sponsorship and establish relationships with your sponsors.
Decide When & Where
The most important factor to consider when deciding when and where to hold you event is the demographic of your audience. Next, consider your budget and your chosen venue’s availability.
Attention to Detail
Consider the logistics of your event, such as, parking, entertainment, props, name badges, technology, staff needed, run of day, room set-up, linens, lighting, signage, food, transportation, accommodation, and SO MUCH MORE!
Some helpful tools
Save and use this Event Planning Checklist to stay organized:(sourced from tidyform.com)
This checklist may not exactly apply to your event, however, it brings up many good points to consider.
Use the Serving Size Guide below to decipher how much food you need per guest: