New Liverpool Chamber member Mark Jones, who many know from Liverpool’s Radio City, hosts hundreds of prestigious events throughout the UK. He fronts awards dinners, conferences and sportsmen’s dinners.
He’s often heard at Goodison Park as Everton’s Matchday announcer! And has years of experience as a broadcasting presenter in a range of media. Plus he’s worked all around the world… even North Wales. He’s a Director of Altitude Productions Limited, a company that supplies quality PA hire for these events. So when it comes to events and their organisation, he knows -from experience - what he’s talking about.
Here are Mark’s top 10 tips for ensuring a successful event:
1) Large venues usually have an expert planning team to give you dedicated support for your event. Use their expertise; this will help get the best out of your event.
2) To make the best of catering, furniture, lighting and any technical equipment, think about what you’ll need -and write everything down- well in advance as many production companies are booked many months ahead.
3) Visit the venue to familiarise yourself with all its facilities, such as the number and location of the toilets, loading bays, car parking, taxis, nearest station/airport.
4) ALWAYS use an event management/production company that you’ve used before (or have been to a successful event that they’ve work on) to ensure you create the right atmosphere for your event by using the right lighting, music and floral decorations. For example, if you have an event for Liverpool fans, blue napkins might not be appreciated.
5) Keep your themes simple to create the maximum effect for your event.
6) Provide all your customers / delegates with comprehensive directions to get to the venue itself and ensure these are sent out well in advance, include the venue’s postcode for SatNav users.
7) Use clear signage around the venue to guide everyone to the correct areas and create a professional presence for your event; this will make it an easier “sell” to clients returning next year.
Check -and then double check- dietary requirements. You won’t believe how upset people can be -they’ll then look elsewhere with their business- if you’re perceived to not care enough to look after them properly.
9) Thoroughly check out whom you’re using as Master of Ceremonies before you book him or her. For example, most of us that make a living from this have a good, clear website, with a showreel so you can get a flavour of our style. Remember, a good, professional, experienced MC can make or break, and can often save, an event.
10) Ensure everyone attending can see the stage clearly and everyone can hear every word clearly. If they can’t, they’ll start talking and then others can’t hear and are distracted. It’s not what you want to hear after all the hard work you’ve put in.
Mark Jones
Master of Ceremonies / Event Host.
www.MarkJonesShow.co.uk
Telephone: 07831 - 529729.
