From venue to menu, there are a lot of details to take care of when planning an event, and often an event planner can be worth his or her weight in gold by making sure everything runs smoothly. For creative ideas to make your event stand out from the many other experiences on your clients’ calendars, an event planner can even be a valuable resource to consult early on.

“It’s fun to brainstorm with the people who are planning the events, as they’re the ones who know their clients,” says Jordan Fogle, co-owner of Mint Lifestyle Events in Toronto. “I don’t believe the word ‘no’ exists in the event-planning scene. It’s a matter of how much money people want to spend and how far out they want to go.”

Fogle says you can spend $500,000-$2 million to hire big-name entertainers such as Michael Bublé. But there is also a lot of inspiring local talent in the form of bands and jazz singers that can be procured for a fraction of that price.

“A bit of alcohol, a bit of food and a bit of entertainment — it usually revolves around those three ingredients,” he says. “If you’re scheduling a live performance for a business-related event, it’s better not to rely on dancing, as that doesn’t always get off the ground.”

Michelle Butt, director of the Human Experience, an event-planning company based in Stouffville, Ont., says it’s important that events match the personality of your client base.

“You have to know their likes and dislikes, and what type of people they are,” she says. “If they’re family people, you might want to plan an event that includes kids, like a mini-golf tournament or a ‘play day’ with three-legged races, a jumping castle and hot dogs. Others might appreciate a sophisticated night out.

“An event does not necessarily have to be huge or overly planned, but it is important to match the right people to the right event.”

The beauty of hiring an event planner as general manager of the affair is that you can relax and schmooze with clients, and enjoy the party as though you are a guest yourself. Most event planners are also willing to be hired for just the consultation and idea-generation stage. An event planner may help you develop a couple of event concepts, and take you to the stage at which your administrative staff are able to run with it.

Among the things to think about: budget, venue, location, décor and theme, staff, entertainment, lighting and audiovisual, menu and bar, invitations and name tags, and take-home gifts.

“Everyone loves swag bags and free loot,” Fogle says. “It can be something small, like a package of gourmet cookies for midnight snack, or fresh bagels and juice for the morning after.”

— JADE HEMEON