Who doesn’t love a party? Socializing and celebrating with co-workers, friends and family can be a great joy — whether you are the guest of honor or an attendee. But attending a special
function and planning one are two very different scenarios. From the simple cocktail party or business meeting to a wedding or a
national-scale event, local experts give advice on how to begin.

DIY event planning
An enormous sense of satisfaction can be had from seeing through an event from conception to completion. When determining whether or not to plan and execute your own
event, first carefully weigh your options.
Some details to consider are the scale of the function, how much time and desire you have to do the legwork, whether you have any help and how much potential money you might
save doing it yourself.
Betsy Jenkins, owner and founder of It’s Your Party Event Design and Entertainment, says, “If you prefer to be more hands-on, you
may be better off doing [the planning] on your own. Or you can delineate ahead of time what you wish to do and what you wish to have the event company do,” she says.
“There can be great collaboration as long as there is clear communication up front.”
According to Jenkins, you should think about your intended
audience and demographic and don’t let your own preferences
dictate what is best for your specific group.
And do you homework. Find out everything you need to
know about the space you are working with, including which necessities (tables, chairs, microphones, etc.) are provided and
what you will have to bring in.
“Start with the end in mind,” says Ginger Gant, owner of Ginger & Company. “Have a picture in your mind of your event actually
taking place (it’s a huge success, of course!), and then work backward to make it happen.” Monona Terrace event planner and certified meeting professional, Amanda Mommaerts,
advises, “Stay organized and establish a good working relationship with the venue hosting your event. Know their policies and procedures and pay attention to deadlines.”

Benefits of a planner
“A professional planner can eliminate a lot of unnecessary steps in the planning process,” says Jenkins.
“They know how to make things happen efficiently and how to
get the most value for your budget.” She adds that industry professionals have contacts that allow them to offer abundant options in entertainers, lighting and room décor, linens and centerpieces, caterers and photographers.
“Planners will get you information and expertise that eliminates any second guessing, maximizes your dollar and provides the biggest impact,” Gant says. “You’ll get connected to experienced and reliable vendors, valuable insider information and assurance that you’ll get the visual aspect you’re looking for.”
Some venues include planning services with your rental fee or for an additional cost.
This can be exceptionally helpful because these professionals know the space thoroughly and can offer suggestions that have been derived from previous events. Jo Chern, owner of Jo’s Tazzina café in Madison, says at the café, intimate gatherings such as bridal showers and family reunions are common.
“We really customize events for our customers. We will do as much or as little planning as people want,” she says. “We complete a long interview process about how they envision the event and that can help us provide
the perfect atmosphere.”
According to Mommaerts, Monona Terrace assigns an event planner to help with the details of any event. Monona Terrace has the amenities and accommodations to host every type of gathering from small corporate meetings to conferences, weddings, holiday parties and community events including the Ironman competition and political campaign functions.
On a final note, Jenkins recommends being honest when discussing your desires and limitations with the planner. “We want to have a great event, and the more we know up front, the more efficient we can be,” she says.
“This will allow us to produce an end result that is best suited to a client’s needs and expectations.”

Sara Forster is a Madison-area freelance writer.