The Event Team is known for our creative proposals and quick turn-around time! Ciera Davis is our newest sales manager and already has a high closing percentage because she makes an effort to ensure her proposals meet her clients’ goals and objectives. Today’s set of tips lets you in on a few of her secrets!

3 Ways to Put Together a Winning Proposal
by Ciera Davis, Sales Manager

1.) Know your client. The most important part of the proposal (in my opinion) is the content and how well you tailor a program to your particular client.  So make sure to ask plenty of questions when you first speak to the client to get an idea of what they are looking for.  I like to ask clients what they have done in the past and what the liked/didn’t like.  Another question to ALWAYS ask is the budget question.  It is so important to know what a client is looking to spend in order to send them a personalized proposal.  Otherwise you may be sending them a champagne proposal when they are on a beer budget and you will end up wasting your time and theirs.

2.) Be timely. Make sure you get the proposals to your clients in a timely fashion. If for some reason you won’t be able to make a deadline, make sure to communicate this with your client so they aren’t just waiting around for your proposal. The quicker you can get the client your proposal the better, especially if you know that you are in a bidding situation.

3.) Double check your work.  We are all human and sometimes we make mistakes BUT if you are able to take a little extra time to double check your work it can really make huge difference in how your client perceives you.  If you are sending proposals with spelling errors and weird formatting then they are going to perceive you as not being detail oriented, and who wants someone like that planning their corporate event?  And taking extra time to check your numbers is important too.  The worst is having to call up a client and tell them that you forgot to include something in the cost of the program; that can erode the client’s trust in you right away, and we don’t want that!

Have you noticed our fresh new logo, tagline, color palette and proposal format? It’s all part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration! Contact us today about your upcoming event, and we’ll show you why our proposals are the best! Contact us at 888-EVENT-88 or info@eventteam.com. 

The Event Team is excited to announce a fresh new teambuilding program in San Diego. The Amazing Poker Run is not a race; it’s a game of chance and fun on the beautiful waters of Mission Bay. Fused with elements of television’s popular “Amazing Race” game show, this new high-energy teambuilding event is sure to make your heart pound with excitement. After completing an initial challenge, teams race to their respective speed boats to meet their captain. There, they are given a team bag and designating team symbol. Inside each team bag is a map outlining each dock where more challenges await. Navigating the course, teams stop at five docks to pick up sealed envelopes containing a single playing card. Teams can collect additional cards via successful completion of each challenge. Teams may be asked to solve word puzzles, sing songs with nautical-themed lyrics, or complete physical challenges. Each group will also face “Road Blocks” along the way, which provide an opportunity to earn even more cards by learning dance routines, replicating a picture of a sand castle, and more! Each team can earn up to 20 playing cards from which they will choose the very best poker hand. At the final pit stop, our OIC (Official in Charge) will be waiting to reveal the winning hand!

High-speed Boats, ready for take-off!Teams try to replicate a sand-sculpture to earn more cards for their poker hand…

Teams learning a dance to earn more cards!

For more pictures of this event, visit our Facebook page and don’t forget to Like us! Call us today if you’re looking for innovative teambuilding ideas for your next Southern California meeting or event! 888-EVENT-88!

So you’ve got business cards, a calendar and a great CRM…
Here are 5 More Items Every Event Planner should have at their disposal!
by Rachelle Kirchner, Operations Manager

1. A great purse (or other carrying case).  Make sure it is big enough to fit business cards, keys, sunglasses, water bottle, snacks, chapstick and any other personal items you may need throughout a typical day.  It is best if the purse or carrying case can fit across your body or around your waist so you don’t have to worry about holding onto it.

2. Clipboard with pocket.  Having a clip board with a flat clip and pocket makes it easy to not only have all necessary papers with you when you need them but also allows for easily sliding it into a bag, purse or other spot along with other random things you need for your event.

3. Phone numbers.  Before going on-site for an event make sure you have any and all phone numbers you could possibly need, and make sure they are easily accessible.  The easiest way to show the client you have immediately started fixing any problems that arise is by making a phone call and the faster you can do that the better.

4. Nice shoes.  Shoes that are both supportive and stylish are a must for meeting planners.  All day long events take a toll on your body so you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself and your body by supporting it from the bottom up.  Clarks, Ecco or Merrills are good brands to try.

5. Great relationships with vendors/venues.  Don’t burn any bridges!  Throughout the meeting planning world it is very likely you will run into someone you have already worked with so it is important to maintain positive relationships with everyone you work with whether they are your client, vendor or CSM, you would be surprised how you run into the same people again and again.