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Organize meeting notes and materials and review your timelines. Once you’ve established the framework of your meeting and know its general requirements, you’re ready to contact our professional staff of meeting planners at The Grand Event Center located near downtown Columbus and Grandview Heights. Work with our trained staff and discuss any planning specifics. You may find it helpful to set up an organizer with sections for the various planning steps, so you can keep all the meeting information in one place. Some suggested section titles include:

• Schedules and meeting rooms
• Audiovisual equipment and needs
• Meeting room setup
• Food and beverages
• Speakers
• Ground Transportation
• Entertainment
• Event communication
• Recreation and nearby amenities
• Rooming lists
• VIPs

Our skilled staff members can help you with all of the sections above so that you can rest assured that no details get forgotten.

TIMELINE

These are general guidelines to keep in mind concerning what needs to be done and when to make the most of your meeting or conference at The Grand Event Center. You may be on a tighter deadline, or have luxurious amounts of time (lucky!). Generally, you should start planning three months in advance so your attendees can arrange their schedule, speakers can begin to prepare their presentations, and you can relax a bit. Every program is different, so adapt this timeline as needed.

3 TO 5 MONTHS OUT

Determine the objective of your meeting. Get your budget approved. Check calendar of events taking place at The Grand Event Center to avoid conflicts. Book meeting site and necessary hotel rooms. Speak to our Meetings Director or Sales Manager about menus and meeting room needs. Set up master account for meeting charges and determine who can sign for charges. Invite speakers and provide scope of desired presentation. Invite attendees. Make travel arrangements. Decide on any marketing needs; begin creative development.

AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE EVENT

Confirm menus, room setups and supplies in writing with The Grand Event Center Meetings Director. Reach out to speakers to check on their presentations (they’ll likely need urging). Inform hotel(s) of guest arrival time so front desk can be properly staffed. Order gifts and amenities. Order signs and printed materials. Introduce any marketing materials into market. Mail agenda and any brochures to at tendees; suggest a dress code and arrival times.

3 WEEKS BEFORE MEETING

Check in again with speakers; offer assistance with A/V and handouts. Reconfirm quantity of hotel rooms needed-reconfirm amenities.

1 WEEK BEFORE MEETING

Ship materials to us at The Grand Event Center so that they arrive on time.

AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL

Confirm all outside equipment orders (like A/V). Make arrangements for shipping materials back to your office after event. Finalize food and beverage counts for the first day of events. Finalize needs for outside tickets/entertainment sources. Take a master copy of all handouts and brochures; in a pinch, you can arrange to have them copied with us. Take a deep breath; you’re almost there.

DAY BEFORE MEETING

Review details with Meetings Director or Sales Manager Inspect all shipped materials Inspect signage and hotel message boards Ensure rooms have proper amenities Relax; everything will be great!

MEETING DAY(S)

Check all function spaces one hour before use. Notify Meetings Director immediately of any changes. Meet with Meetings Director every afternoon/evening to go over itemized costs for the day. Sign checks and keep ongoing record of expenses. Be available for attendees; be patient if they offer advice or criticism (it’s been known to happen); thank them warmly for compliments.

WRAP UP

Sit down with our event staff to review all your sessions and your charges. Be sure to praise the performance of staff who have provided exceptional service. Consider circulating a survey or a feedback form to attendees to assess success of event and areas of improvement for next time. Pat yourself on the back: nice job!