Regardless of the size of your event, professional event planning can provide an invaluable convenience factor. What should you look for in a potential event planner? What does the field of event planning entail?

Traits to look for in a potential planner are a very personable, relationship-oriented person who truly cares about satisfying your needs and wants. Trust your intuition. An honest comfort level between you and your planner is also essential for the success of fulfilling your event needs.

Planners must be well-organized, detail-oriented and meet deadlines. Ask for a portfolio of past events (a form of resume) to get a better feel about the individual or firm. Ask questions until you are comfortable. If the individual or firm becomes offended with all your questioning... find another. Your special event is of importance to you and only a competent professional will bring it to fruition.

As far as the field of event planning goes, the first step involves finding out what one desires/wants to happen. Questions asked by the planner in this stage would consist of areas of type of event, location or venue (both geographically and site wise-park, building, etc.), budget constraints, time period, and the head count. In other words, all the details. At this stage, some people know exactly what they want and present it all to the planner to complete. Others know the event, but either do not have the creativity nor time to complete it. And, finally, there are those who have no clue how to go from an idea to fruition. These areas are the professional event planners point of expertise.

Event planners have access to many resources, are more experienced in the planning process, and are specialized enough to keep you from making costly mistakes. They know how to make an event successful and keep it within your budget. Highest quality for the lowest cost is their goal.

The second step of event planning entails the contract for services and the fee schedule. The contract will state who will be doing what, payment terms, and timelines involved. What will be provided by the client (i.e. table settings, decorations, etc.) And what will be the event planner’s responsibility. These are the basic items spelled out in the contract. It may also have addendum’s to cover special circumstances.

The third, and last, step in event planning involves “putting the wheels in motion.” This is the step which all event planners relish. Their creativity comes full circle making the client’s event dreams become a reality. All the details which were obtained upon the initial ‘interview’ are put into play now.

Judith Rammel, of Gold Medal Marketing, states “Planning an event creates a lasting impression.” She ought to know. Her firm has been responsible for product kick-offs, grand openings, open houses, and various other corporate events. Too many to mention here.

Rammel loves doing event planning since it “puts the pieces of the puzzle together to get results.” Contact her at (360) 337-7314.

Another local successful event planner is Susan Lanyi of The Direct Approach. Her firm is responsible for various functions throughout the community such as the Garden Show, Business and Job Opportunity Expo, and Wedding Expo among others.

Her love of the field is obvious when she eloquently and distinctly talks about it. Her one minor frustration with event planning in the Kitsap area, however, is the fact that there are not enough privately owned, large facilities to hold events in.

“If anyone has an aspiration of having a legacy with their name on a building and has extra cash available, consider building a private facility so there can be special events held in Kitsap,” Lanyi lamented. She can be reached at (360) 337-1111.

Susan Williams, of All About Parties and Events, states that event planning to her is “Finding out exactly what people want in their event or wedding, visualizing it, and helping to create what they want to see happen.” She is especially known in the community for her great family events such as birthday parties, carnivals, anniversaries, bible school, and kid’s events. Contact her at (360) 871-4467.

If a personal event, like a wedding, is in your future, a great all-inclusive group to contact is known as “Event and Wedding Professionals.” This group has all the bases covered. There is a caterer, imprinter, florist, photographer, event planner, cake decorator and baker, disc jockey, brewer — and others not mentioned which are all locally owned businesses. One needs only to approach this group and they take it from there to make the event memorable. Contact Debbie Burton at (360) 692-3600.

Event planning is a specialized field and a good event planner can make your dreams a reality — and your life a lot less stressful.

(Editor’s Note: Marie Buckner is a freelance writer. Contact her at (360) 613-1085.) .