Category: Events

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.

Last updated by

11:52:57 BST • 5 June 2025

How much do event planners earn?

3 July 2024

•

11 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

The event planning industry is a dynamic and exciting field, known for its creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and the sheer joy of bringing memorable experiences to life. Whether it’s coordinating a grand wedding, orchestrating a corporate conference, or managing a music festival, event planners play a crucial role in ensuring everything runs smoothly.

For aspiring event planners, understanding how much you can earn in this industry is essential for career planning and growth. Salaries can vary widely based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific type of events you specialise in. From wedding planners to corporate event coordinators, each niche offers its own unique rewards and challenges.

Here we’ll look at an overview of the financial landscape of event planning, providing you with valuable insights to help you navigate your career path in this vibrant industry.

What do event planners do?

Event planners are simply the army behind the scenes who make sure everything goes off without a hitch at all kinds of events. They wear a ton of hats. Starting with sitting down with their clients to figure out exactly what they want. Then they’re off to the races – finding the perfect spot for the event, crunching numbers to make sure everything stays on budget, and coordinating with all sorts of vendors to bring the vision to life.

They’ve got a knack for turning a blank canvas into something amazing, whether it’s designing layouts or coming up with cool themes. And let’s not forget about all the nitty-gritty stuff like managing guest lists and making sure everyone shows up where they’re supposed to.

On the big day, they’re running around like crazy, making sure every little detail is just right. It takes a special kind of person to juggle all this – someone who’s super organised, creative, detail-oriented, and great at talking to people. At the end of the day, their job is to make sure the event is a smashing success.

Types of Event Planners

Corporate Event Planners

Corporate event planners are like the Swiss Army knives of the business world. They’re the go-to people when a company needs to pull off anything from a slick product launch to a massive conference or even a team-building retreat. They’re all about making the company look good while keeping employees or clients engaged and impressed.

They’re coordinating with the execs at the top one minute, haggling with caterers the next, and then rushing off to make sure the AV setup isn’t going to crash mid-presentation. They’ve got to have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends to keep things fresh, but also know how to stick to the company’s brand and message.

Wedding Planners

Wedding planners pull together every aspect of a couple’s vision and turn it into a once in a lifetime day. From initial consultation to post-event cleanup, they’re part therapist, part designer, and part miracle worker. One day they’re taste-testing cakes and sipping champagne, the next they’re in the midst of feuding family members or hunting down the perfect shade of periwinkle for napkins.

They’ve got to be ready for anything – rain on the big day, a missing ring, or a supplier failing to show up. Wedding planners are the calm in the storm of all the emotions, making sure that when the couple walks down the aisle, everything’s perfect.

Party Planners

Party planners are the life of the party – before it even starts! These fun-loving pros are all about creating good times, whether it’s a children’s birthday bash or a wild 50th celebration. They’re the ones who know how to turn a boring room into a wonderland or make a backyard barbecue feel like a five-star event.

They’re well versed at reading a crowd and knowing just what will get people mingling, dancing, or having a blast. From picking the perfect playlist to making sure there’s enough ice, they ensure that the only thing guests have to worry about is having too much fun.

Non-Profit Event Planners

Non-profit event planners are the experts at making something out of nothing, all in the name of a good cause. They’re the ones organising charity galas on a shoestring, putting together awareness walks that actually get people walking, and hosting fundraisers that don’t feel like they’re just after your wallet. It’s a tricky balance – they need to create events that are meaningful and impactful without breaking the bank.

How Event Planners Get Paid

Fee Structure

Event planners typically offer several fee structures to clients, depending on the nature and scale of the event. They’ll pick the best fit based on what you’re planning, how much you’re looking to spend, and where your event is happening.

Common models include:

A flat fee – where the planner charges a predetermined amount for their services regardless of the event size.

A percentage of the total event budget – where the fee is calculated based on a percentage of the overall expenses allocated for the event.

An hourly rate – where the planner charges based on the hours spent planning and managing the event.

These are not always set in stone. Good planners are usually up for a bit of negotiation. They’ll work with you to find a price that suits your budget and allows them to deliver the best option.

Commission-Based

Commission-based payments in event planning happens when some event planners get a cut of what you pay to suppliers like venues, caterers, or entertainment. In some ways it’s win-win. The planner gets a little kickback, and the suppliers get more business.

But it can get tricky. Sometimes planners might push clients towards certain suppliers not because they’re the best fit for your event, but because they’re getting a kickback. The tricky part is that this setup can put planners in a tough spot. They might end up recommending a supplier that’s not quite right for you or your budget, just because they’re thinking about their own bottom line.

Salary vs. Freelance

Choosing between working for an event planning company and going freelance offers event planners two unique paths, each with its own perks and things to consider.

As an employee, planners benefit from stability with a steady income, access to resources, and potential opportunities for career advancement within the company. Additionally, employees often receive comprehensive benefits packages, including healthcare cover, retirement plans, and paid leave, which contribute to overall job security. However, this path may constrain flexibility in project selection and limit earning potential compared to independent work.

Freelance event planners, on the other hand, enjoy the freedom to set their own rates, choose clients, and manage their schedules autonomously. This flexibility can lead to potentially higher earnings, especially for experienced planners who can attract premium clients.

Nevertheless, freelancing also presents challenges such as income volatility, uncertainty in project acquisition, and the necessity of managing all aspects of business operations, including marketing, client relations, and financial planning.

Ultimately, the decision between salary-based employment and freelance work depends on individual preferences for stability versus flexibility, career goals, and risk tolerance in the dynamic event planning industry.

Different Levels of Salary and Experience

Entry-Level Event Planners

Entry-level event planners typically start with salaries ranging from £20,000 to £25,000 annually, although this can vary based on factors such as location and specific industry.

These positions serve as foundational opportunities for newcomers to gain practical experience in event coordination, logistics management, client relations, and supplier negotiation. Building a strong portfolio during this stage is crucial as it demonstrates proficiency and showcases successful event outcomes to potential employers or clients.

As entry-level event planners accumulate experience and expand their skill set, they can progressively advance to higher-paying roles within the industry. This early career phase also offers valuable networking opportunities that can lead to mentorship, professional development, and future career growth.

Mid-Career Event Planners

Mid-career event planners typically experience a significant increase in earning potential compared to their entry-level counterparts, with salaries ranging from £25,000 to £35,000 or more annually, depending on expertise, industry, and location.

As event planners gain experience, they often specialise in specific types of events such as corporate conferences, luxury weddings, or nonprofit fundraisers, which can command higher fees and salaries due to the specialist knowledge and skills required.

This phase of their career also presents opportunities for advancement into managerial or senior-level roles within event planning companies or the possibility of establishing their own event planning businesses.

Professional certifications, continued education, and networking play pivotal roles in mid-career event planners’ ability to enhance their earning potential and achieve sustained career growth in the dynamic and competitive event planning industry.

Senior-Level Event Planners

Senior-level event planners occupy leadership positions within the industry, commanding the highest salary ranges that can exceed £50,000 annually, depending on location, specialisation, and organisational scope. These seasoned professionals are entrusted with overseeing complex and high-profile events such as international conferences, large-scale corporate retreats, and exclusive social gatherings.

In addition to their expertise in event logistics and management, senior event planners often assume strategic roles where they collaborate closely with executives, stakeholders, and high-profile clients to align event objectives with broader organisational goals. They may also mentor junior staff, manage teams, and contribute to business development initiatives, leveraging their extensive experience and industry connections to ensure exceptional event execution and client satisfaction.

What is the average salary of an event planner in the UK

According to Indeed the average salary of an event planner in the UK is £30,341.

Factors Influencing Earnings

Location

Geographic location plays a significant role in determining the earnings of event planners. In urban areas with higher costs of living and greater economic activity, such as major cities and towns, event planners often command higher fees and salaries.

This is due to increased demand for professional event services, higher event budgets, and a more competitive market that values specialised expertise and experience. In contrast, event planners in rural or less densely populated areas may face lower demand and thus lower earning potential, as there are typically fewer large-scale events and corporate clients in these regions.

Specialisation

Specialising in a specific niche within the event planning industry can significantly impact earning potential. Event planners who focus on weddings, for example, often cater to clients willing to invest substantially in their special day, leading to higher fees and more lucrative opportunities. Similarly, planners specialising in corporate events benefit from handling larger budgets and more complex logistical challenges, which can translate into higher earnings.

Demand for Specific Skills and Experience

The demand for particular skills and experience in event planning directly influences earning potential. Expertise in areas such as budget management, supplier negotiations, creative design, and crisis management can differentiate event planners in a competitive market.

Planners with certifications, advanced training, or a demonstrated track record in successfully executing high-profile events are often able to attract premium clients willing to pay higher fees for their specialised expertise and reliability.

Client Base

Building a reputable client base is essential for sustaining and increasing earnings as an event planner. Established relationships with corporate clients, high-profile individuals, and reputable organisations can lead to repeat business and referrals, providing a steady income stream and enhancing professional credibility.

Repeat clients not only contribute to income stability but also serve as testimonials to attract new clients seeking reliable and experienced event planners. Word-of-mouth referrals, driven by satisfied clients, further solidify an event planner’s reputation and can lead to lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Get Event Insurance with Protectivity

For event planners, ensuring the success of an event is always a priority. This includes satisfying clients and participants while staying within budget. However, the events industry is fraught with potential issues, and things can go wrong. Mishaps and unforeseen problems can lead to expensive bills, affecting both the event’s profitability and your earnings as an event planner.

To further safeguard your events, you can opt for additional coverage such as event cancellation insurance and employers’ liability insurance, depending on your specific needs.

Learn more about our event policies and request a quote online today.

Get Event Insurance from Protectivity

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09:40:39 GMT • 11 November 2024

8 Pricing Strategies for Event Planners

24 May 2023

•

6 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

If you’re an event planner organising a ticketed occasion, then getting your name out there and converting interest into sales is one of your most important pre-event tasks. Of course, convincing people to part with their hard-earned cash ahead of time can be tricky – but it’s also important to remember that people generally love a bargain or a special deal.

That’s why it’s so important to diversify the way you sell tickets to an event so that you can appeal to different customers with a range of offers that are more likely to pique their interest. In this guide, we’ll explore eight tried-and-tested pricing strategies for event planners, giving you a full variety of options to apply to your future event projects.

About Us

Protectivity provides event cancellation cover for events big and small, indoor and outdoor. Our policies offer public liability, employers’ liability, Event cancellation cover and equipment protection. That way, you can rest assured that you won’t be out of pocket in a worst-case scenario, and can devote your efforts to maximising your ticket sales.

Early bird and time-limited discounts

If you want to build up some initial momentum to your event, or you need to get some cashflow coming in to cover the first bills, then some early-bird offers are the way to go. Giving customers the opportunity to get a ticket at a lower rate, if they buy weeks or months in advance, gives you a solid base from which to work from.

If it’s especially successful, then you can adjust your future strategy to take into account however many tickets you have left. However, you should resist the urge to extend an early-bird offer, as it can come across as desperation or a sign of poor sales thus far.

One-off discounts

In many circles, these are known as ‘flash sales’, and they can be incredibly effective if planned and executed right. Ideally, you want to post on relevant social channels that you’re offering a substantial discount on tickets for a very short period of time (that particular day is normally about right).

Voucher codes

If restaurants and entertainment venues can offer discount codes through websites such as Groupon, then why can’t you follow the same principle? Using voucher codes gives you complete freedom in the level and duration of discount you want to provide, as well as how they’re distributed, making them ideal for targeted or personalised marketing campaigns. And if you’re running a conference or exhibition where some businesses will want to run stands, the same approach can be applied to help generate sales in this area.

Memberships and subscriptions

If you’re running regular events, then selling tickets for a series of them at a more affordable rate is a good way to keep ongoing sales coming through (hence why football teams sell season tickets). But you can also look at the concept of membership in a different way: if organising a trade event, for example, you could put special ticket packages in place for members of affiliated trade bodies or companies. You can enable this by putting different registration options in place for members and non-members, incorporating the different price points.

Group ticketing discounts

Encouraging people to buy tickets for larger groups and get discounts as a result can generate large sales volumes ahead of time. Think of a black-tie awards dinner, for example: a full table of ten people might be priced at the same level of six or seven individual tickets, making them more receptive to bringing more people along. Alternatively, framing the offer messaging in such a way that the ‘buyer gets in free’ can help the person making the purchasing decision feel like they’re getting personally rewarded.

Packages and bundles

If an event is likely to involve multiple purchases by a ticket-buyer, then bundling things together can help them save money, take the stress out of buying things on the day, and improve your advance cashflow. This could include food, drink or merchandise being included with ticket sales; access to car parking, transport or accommodation; or the ability to access the event early or through a priority entrance lane.

VIP offers

If you have particularly loyal and long-standing customers, or some who have invested heavily into your business or event in previous years, then packages that recognise their efforts can encourage them to maintain their commitment in the long-term. The offers in this area don’t necessarily need to be discounts: instead, you can give them levels of exclusivity above and beyond those provided to other ticket-buyers. These can include premium seating, better food and drink packages, the chance to network with other people involved, and more.

Activation discounts

Inspiring action from a participant, in exchange for cheaper tickets, is a great way to get your customers engaged with your event. For example, if you’re running a festival-type event, you might want to offer discounted entry for anyone who comes in fancy dress. It’s the same principle as women being able to get into a nightclub free of charge on a ‘Ladies’ Night’ in years gone by. However, you should be careful to make sure that whatever you offer doesn’t discriminate in favour of, or against, a particular group of people (i.e. by race, gender, disability and so on).

Get event insurance with Protectivity

However many tickets you’re able to sell for your event, the unforeseen can still happen. This is especially the case with outdoor events, which are often at the mercy of the Great British weather. Of course, if your event is disrupted, you’ll still have expenses to cover, which can become extremely costly if you have to refund ticket-holders. And that’s why event insurance is so vitally important.

Get Event Insurance from Protectivity

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12:10:44 GMT • 14 November 2024

How to get into Event Management?

28 April 2023

•

6 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

Event management is a popular career choice for people from many walks of life, and it’s easy to see why. The satisfaction of pulling off a complex event and bringing many different elements together for success can be immense, and the best event managers around are highly sought after with high earning potential.

However, if you’re new to the events industry, then it can be difficult to know exactly where to start and how to turn aspiration into reality. To help, we’ve created this guide that covers all the basics of how to get into event management, so that you can stay on the right track as you work towards your goal.

The key steps on how to get into events management

The following six steps are intended as a general guide on how to get into events management as a whole. If you’re looking at specialising in a particular type of event or industry, then there may well be other considerations to take into account. But for most areas of event management, these tips will give you a solid foundation to start from.

Get qualifications and credentials

One of the most common questions people ask when exploring a career in event management is ‘do I need a degree?’. The simplest answer to this question is ‘not necessarily, but it definitely helps’. Businesses looking at hiring event managers will certainly be looking for evidence of degree-level qualifications when assessing CVs. So, studying for a BA in Event Management, International Event Management or Hotel And Event Management will put you in good stead. If you’re unable to commit the time and money needed to get a degree, then there are diploma qualifications and programmes that can give you good-quality certification, instead.

Volunteer for experience

Alongside qualifications, hiring businesses will also be looking for relevant experience of managing events. Of course, that can be a chicken-and-egg situation: how can you get experience of working in event management without getting a job in the first place? The best solution to this is to volunteer at events or to apply for event assistant jobs. They can not only give you real-world experience that can help you expand your skills and knowledge, but it also gives you extra selling points that you can put on your CV. What’s more, showing motivation to volunteer and be proactive will look good to prospective employers.

Develop your contact network

As is the case in most walks of life, having a large, healthy book of contacts is critical. This is especially the case in event management, where work often comes through word of mouth and recommendations. There are three ways to build up your network, and the first is to build a strong presence on LinkedIn: following businesses and people you’d like to work with in the future, and posting on the platform regularly, can help you get noticed in the future.

The second way is to attend trade shows and other relevant networking events, so that you can meet people face-to-face, talk about your and their experiences and become a recognised face in the industry. And finally, you should try and join a recognised event planning association or professional body, many of which run their own networking get-togethers.

Explore your career options

If you’re looking for event management jobs, then it’s important to keep an open mind. You may not be able to find or secure your ideal vacancy at the first attempt, so building up experience with a job in a different area or specialism can at least give you a first foothold in the industry. Make sure you conduct extensive research as to the kinds of jobs and salary offerings that are out there: this can help you craft your CV to suit each vacancy and set realistic earning expectations.

Start your own business

Alternatively, if you want to branch out on your own, you could consider setting up your own event management business. This could be a full-scale operation that provides turnkey packages to businesses and organisations, where you employ a number of other people to help you. Or you could set yourself up as a freelance event manager that is hired by other businesses on an event-by-event basis. In either case, you’ll need to start by working out your target market, and setting up your website and social media channels on that basis.

Build up some confidence

Event management is a people business. You’ll need to deal with all sorts of people while running an event, and you’ll need to talk to people in order to build up your contact network and secure the work you’re looking for. All this takes a healthy amount of self-confidence, and that comes far more easily to some people than it does to others. If you feel that your self-confidence needs some work, then make the effort to take yourself out of your comfort zone. This could be by practising talking to clients over the phone, gaining experience in public speaking, and doing research into your industry so that you feel that you know what you’re talking about.

Get event insurance with Protectivity

One thing you’ll learn as you immerse yourself in the event management world is that you need to be prepared for anything. And when the unforeseen or the worst-case scenario occurs, you need to make sure you have the right response and protection in place, including comprehensive insurance for cancelled events.

For every type of event that you might be involved in running, Protectivity can give you the comprehensive, affordable insurance cover you need. Our policies include Public Liability insurance, cancellation cover, protection for equipment, and Employer’s Liability. So, if someone gets hurt, property gets damaged, or the event has to be cancelled for reasons beyond your control, your business won’t be left out of pocket.

Get Event Insurance from Protectivity

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09:40:41 GMT • 11 November 2024

Top 7 Apps For Event Planners

20 January 2023

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4 mins read

Contributors

My main focus is managing the blog and product content for the Protectivity website ensuring everything aligns wi...

If you’re already working as an event planner or manager, you’ll know that it’s nowhere near as easy as it looks. There are a million and one things to keep track of, and make sure they all happen in the time and place they’re supposed to happen. It only takes one mistake to derail all that hard work – and you’ll often be the person who has to take the blame.

Thankfully, tech solutions such as apps for event planners are here to minimise the risk of that happening. In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the best event planning apps around.

About us: Event Insurance from Protectivity

Our event cancellation insurance policy offers a range of benefits including public liability, employers’ liability, event cancellation cover and much more.

Why use an event planning app?

Event planning apps come into their own because they can help you bring the vast majority of your functions and to-do lists into one place. From booking catering and arranging table layouts, to coordinating audio-visual systems and organising marketing, they can put all your tasks into the palm of your hand.

Many apps integrate with other platforms and solutions, so work that you do in one will automatically update the other. For example, events you create in some apps can automatically update Facebook or other social media platforms, so that those interested in attending can start to register straight away.

Our favourite apps for event planners

There is a vast range of apps for event planning out there, all of which fill their own specific niches or target market. To help you find one that might suit your own needs, we’ve picked out seven of our favourites:

Asana

Asana is used by many businesses to coordinate work tasks and collaboration, but it can be just as useful for event planning, too. You can easily create tasks, assign them to other people, set due dates, then track progress within schedules to keep on top of everything.

Bizzabo

If planning large events that require substantial marketing duties, then Bizzabo should be your first port of call. Not only does it incorporate task management to keep everything running smoothly, but there’s also the ability to build registration websites, marketing emails and event agendas, all from one place.

Boomset

Guest registration and check-in can be a real headache, especially at larger events with lots of attendees. Boomset enables fast check-in processes, the ability to print customised badges and wristbands, and other innovations that makes check-ins easier for you and your guests.

Localist

If your top priority is getting information about your event to a wider audience, then Localist can help. It’s a relatively simple events calendar that can be made publicly accessible and interactive, so that anyone can see what’s going on, where and when. Localist also connects to Facebook so that attendees can fit your events in with their own plans.

Planning Pod

Planning Pod is the platform that does a little bit of everything. This includes (and isn’t limited to): managing attendees, scheduling and managing tasks, arranging seating, building registration websites, coordinating budgets, managing guest lists, and much, much more. If you feel that you lose a lot of time navigating different platforms day-to-day, then this might well be the app for you.

Social Tables Check-In

This free app is an excellent replacement for organising guest lists through Excel or on paper. It enables guests to be checked in within a matter of seconds, and seating layouts to be designed in either 2D or 3D, so that every attendee gets a seamless, stress-free experience when they arrive.

Decibel Ultra

One area often overlooked in event planning is sound and noise, especially if there are restrictions on volume in a particular place. This free app is ideal for measuring decibel levels in any given area, to make sure that any music, speeches or performances won’t cause any issues on the day.

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09:40:41 GMT • 11 November 2024

What is Event Management?

24 November 2022

•

6 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

Whether you’ve been to a big occasion like a wedding or a concert, or a much smaller affair like a village fete or a street food market, every successful event has organised and coordinated management running behind the scenes. Good control and oversight of an event is vital to make sure everything runs smoothly, attendees get what they expect or what they paid their entry fee for, and to resolve any issues that arise along the way.

Often, event management isn’t as simple as it looks, but it can be incredibly exciting and rewarding whether helping out in your community or pursuing it as a career. In this guide, we’ll look at how it works, the key skills you need, and how everybody benefits from event management done right.

What does event management involve?

Event management relates to a person, or sometimes a small group of people, responsible for making all the key decisions that make an event a success, whether that’s measured in attendance, awareness, profit or other pre-defined goals.

They oversee its initial planning, project management in the build-up, marketing and advertising, troubleshooting at the time of the event, and any take-down and follow-up duties afterwards. Unless it’s a very small event, event managers may not fulfil many or even any of these tasks themselves, but will be responsible for delegating or contracting the work out to others.

Other tasks that event managers may need to fulfil include (and are by no means limited to): securing sponsorship, obtaining permits and insurance, negotiating contracts, hiring temporary staff and security, conducting risk assessments, arranging reports and market research, and holding progress meetings with stakeholders.

Is event management a worthwhile career option?

If you’re not good at self-managing workloads, building relationships with new people, or sometimes working long and unsociable hours, then probably not. But if you thrive on pressure, are committed to attention to detail, and love the achievement of getting a tough job done, then absolutely.

There are many different career options open to budding event managers (the information on the National Careers Service website is a good place to start, and our pick of event manager blogs can give you more inspiration). If you can start off with an organisation that puts on events regularly, then you have the chance to progress towards more senior event management roles, or even go freelance and start your own event management company. The best event managers around are highly sought-after – and are paid accordingly.

What event management courses are useful?

There’s no fixed legal requirement to get qualifications as an event manager, but it can be helpful in building a reputation, and getting a foot in the door when applying for jobs.

A number of universities run specialist degrees in Event Management, but naturally these take a number of years and require a substantial financial commitment. As a shorter and more cost-effective alternative, you can explore CPD-certified and diploma courses that specialise in everything you need to know, and can often be completed online.

What are the benefits of event management?

Because it isn’t necessarily customer-facing, the value of good event management is often overlooked. Indeed, it can be one of those jobs that’s only really appreciated when something goes wrong and an event manager steps in to save the day. But great event management can really make a difference to the success of an event, and the satisfaction of everyone involved, for three reasons in particular:

Stronger reputation

Rightly or wrongly, we live in a world where the opinions and ratings of people on social media, Google or TripAdvisor can make an event a success – or sink it without a trace. The positive or negative public perception that an event builds up also has a serious knock-on impact on the reputation of the organisation running it: a good event can show the business off as competent, professional and customer-focused (or vice versa if it’s bad!). An event manager is the person who can deliver the best chance of an event going off without a hitch, and ensure that as many people as possible think positively about it afterwards.

Smoother operations

An event manager can become the focal point of how an event comes together. If somebody isn’t sure of any details or needs some arrangements to be clarified, then the event manager acts as the main point of contact and can make clear, contextual decisions. They’re also the person who can take charge should the unexpected happen, and ensure that any response is appropriate, rapid and suitable for the nature of the events, attendees and environment.

Happier customers

If people have devoted their precious time and hard-earned money to attend an event, then they naturally have expectations to get the best experience possible – especially if it’s something they’ve been anticipating for a long time. Event managers can ensure that customers get great experiences from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. Depending on the event, that could include speedy entry and parking, easy access to their seats, plentiful food options, clean and plentiful toilets, a feeling of getting good value for money, and much more.

Get event insurance with Protectivity

Even the very best event managers can’t be 100% certain that everything will go right on the day, because some things just happen that are beyond their control. For that reason and others, protecting the financial standing of an event and its attendees with appropriate insurance cover is an absolute must.

We can provide a range of event insurance options for occasions big and small, incorporating Public Liability insurance, Employer’s Liability, Event Cancellation Cover, Equipment Protection and much more. Find out more on all the competitively priced event cancellation cover we offer.

Get Event Insurance from Protectivity

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11:45:14 GMT • 14 January 2025

How to Ask for Event Sponsorship

4 October 2022

•

6 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

If you’re planning or hosting an event, have you considered looking for sponsorship? Whether it’s a private, public or commercial event, sponsorship can grow demand, visibility or attendance to support your efforts and make the occasion one to remember.

This guide gives you all the information you need to learn how to: get event sponsorship, identify opportunities for sponsorship and find the right sponsorship for your event.

What is event sponsorship?

Event sponsorship is when an organisation or individual provides financial assistance in return for promotion. Sponsorship comes in several different ways, which can be a direct payment or the supply of goods or services with the aim of enhancing the event’s success.

The sponsor should receive a benefit in return for their support. This could be visibility through signage or branding, free tickets for staff members, access to participants’ data or the opportunity to speak at the event. Whatever the perk for the sponsor, the objective will always be to receive exposure and grow their own business simultaneously.

Why is sponsorship important for events?

Gaining event sponsorship is a brilliant way of attracting investment, visibility and participants to your event, as you will:

– Create partnerships with new companies or business owners

– Receive a healthy contribution towards the budget, so that you can plan and execute the best occasion possible by providing better catering, hiring more staff or marketing your occasion to a wider audience

– Add credibility to your event which would take years to build organically (sponsorship can show that a company believes your occasion is going to be a success)

Through their additional contacts and resources, your sponsor can also use their resources to increase the quality of your event. Your sponsor may be able to deliver professional services or provide their expertise to supply quality goods that can enhance participants’ experience throughout the day.

How to find event sponsorship

One of the key aspects of gaining event sponsorship is finding the right brands to sponsor your event and ones that will provide the right type of sponsorship.

Firstly, you must understand the objective and background of your own event. If you’re planning a small gathering, you’re unlikely to receive sponsorship from a global, well-known company. Instead, you should be realistic and target the right size of sponsor, it will also be beneficial to target sponsors who will have a vested interest in your event. This may be for geographical reasons if it’s a local company, or a businessman who wants to grow their reputation in your community.

You’re also more likely to receive sponsorship from brands that share the same values as the event you’re hosting. For instance, if the aim of your gathering is to promote health and fitness, a local fast-food takeaway is not the best brand to work with to share your message.

A good place to start is to target brands who are open to sponsoring an event. It’ll take a lot less convincing to get them on board as they’re already accustomed to sponsorship, and you may be able to charge more if they have a pre-existing sponsorship budget. As a result, we recommend using dedicated sponsorship websites such as sponsorseeker.co.uk to find your perfect partner before reaching out to businesses.

A great organiser is always able to attract the best sponsorship deals from brands that will have the most benefit to the event. You can find out more about developing your event management skills here.

How to get event sponsorship

The first step of asking for sponsorship is having a clear idea of what you want from your prospective sponsor. The sponsorship package should be a win-win for both sides, so the package should clearly set out what the perks will be for both the organiser and the sponsor.

You should consider incorporating varying price brackets, so that your potential sponsor can choose the level of input they want to commit to. The more expensive the package, the more benefit for the sponsor and while you may have to concede more control over your event the more money they will add to your budget.

To maximise the sponsorship, the package could cover part of the event (for example, one day of a weekend event), or cover multiple days at an increased cost. By having a package that covers a part of the event, this will give you the option to have multiple sponsors across different days. Ensure that you alter the targeting of your sponsorship package for each brand that you are approaching to sponsor you, so that they get more focused and relevant experiences.

If you have a target brand in mind, attempt to identify a specific person from the company such as the sponsorship or marketing manager, or someone higher up if possible. This will allow you to contact the decision-makers who will have more influence over whether they want to sponsor your event or not. Using generic email addresses or contact forms risks your approach reaching the wrong person or being lost amongst spam folders.

Sponsorship examples

If you need some event sponsorship ideas, then branded items can help you activate the marketing spend of your sponsors. These items can help you ensure that your package is unique and innovative and entice brands to choose your occasion to sponsor. Examples of items that can be branded include:

– Photo frames

– Unique Wi-Fi name or password

– Giveaway items

– Charging stations

– Sponsored live stream

– Ticketing or wristbands

Get event insurance with Protectivity

No good event takes place without good insurance cover that protects the health, well-being and interests of organisers, visitors and sponsors alike.

Whether you’re an organiser or a stallholder, get a free, instant quote for Event Insurance and ensure you’re not left out of pocket as a result of any unforeseen circumstances. For larger scale events its also worth considering events cancellation insurance.

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11:42:37 GMT • 14 January 2025

Craft Fair Display Secrets

10 May 2022

•

5 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

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If you sell your crafts at events, then how do you make your display stand out from the others? Here we discuss craft fair display secrets to give you some inspiration.

About Us

At Protectivity, our Craft Fair Insurance is designed to protect those organising or attending a craft fair as a stallholder. Protection includes event cancellation as well as optional cover for employers’ liability and event cancellation.

Getting that ‘Wow’ factor

For your craft stand to be a success, it needs to both showcase your products and motivate buyers.

So, how do you give your craft fair stand that ‘Wow’ factor? Follow the steps below then do a test run at home or in your workshop. This will give you a chance to play around with the design until you are happy with it.

Here are several considerations to help you design the perfect display for craft fairs.

Get inspired

Get inspired craft fair display ideas from retail brands. Look at brand stores, see how they put together window and instore displays. They don’t need to be the same products as yours – it is more about looking at how companies display trainers, perfume, clothes etc. This will give you a lot of ideas you can then use for your own craft fair ideas.

Have a centrepiece

To draw people to your display, create a centrepiece that really showcases your talents.

For example, if you are a jewellery maker, you could use a special piece of jewellery you have made – such as a one-of-a-kind, intricate necklace that has taken hours to make – as the focus of your display. It doesn’t even have to be for sale, it just needs to attract custom.

Colours

Depending on the type of craft you make, your colour palette can be used to enhance any display. Think about blocks or grades of colour and use the colour to draw the eye to sections of your display.

Line and composition

Simply laying out your items flat on a table just won’t cut it. You want your stand to pop, you want people taking photos of it to be shared on social media.

Create a three-dimensional space. Use stands, holders, small shelf units as well as themed props to bring out the best in your crafts.

Use these elements to draw the eye to items you wish to highlight.

Motion

In a field of static objects, the eye will be drawn to movement. Using motion on your stand will be a great way to stand out. The item doesn’t have to be physically moving, it just needs to give the impression that it is.

Use design to give the viewer a way for them to fill in the gaps themselves in what they are seeing.

For example, you can display fabric in a way that makes it look like it is floating in the breeze.

Humour

Humour can be a great way to be memorable and stand out from the rest. But do remember, your sense of humour might not be for everyone, so do try to stay conservative. While being edgy can be a good thing, you don’t want to upset or offend anyone. Know your audience.

Contrast

Using light and dark together or hard and soft, rough and smooth, can all be ways to help make a display stand out.

Another way to use contrast can be to offset large items against small items.

In a busy room or hall, try and create an area of peace and quiet.

Lighting

Use clever lighting to enhance your display, such as using battery operated fairy lights, LED lighting under shelves or a spotlight on a particular product etc.

Getting people to your craft fair stand

As we said before, you should create your fair stall at home before the event. Once it is how you want it, take lots of pictures to really show off your products.

Share these photos on the relevant social media channels and in your email newsletters.

You could consider advertising to drive people to your stall at the event and/or incentivise custom by running a special offer-only available in person at the event.

Whatever you do to promote your stall, you want to create a buzz.

Summary

There are many ways you can make your craft fair stand out – we hope these craft fair display secrets have given you some inspiration for your next event.

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11:39:22 GMT • 14 January 2025

5 Ways to Measure the Success of your Event

28 April 2022

•

4 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

How do you know if an event you worked so hard on was a well-attended, successful event? Here are five fool proof ways to monitor how well your event went. Some of these things should be built ahead of time, so do ensure feedback and tracking strategies are a component of your event planning.

About Us

Organising and running an event can be challenging throughout the whole process. For example, the unexpected such as adverse weather or damage to or loss of key equipment may scupper the occasion.

At Protectivity, our Event Insurance gives you the peace of mind that your occasion is covered against a wide range of scenarios, leaving you free to focus on running a successful event.

1. Track your social media

One of the easiest ways to monitor reach for an event is to use social media. With multiple platforms available, there could be a wide range of different sources to monitor. One way to gauge interest is to use an event hashtag – so #event2022 or something unique – and use various platform searches to see how many times and who has used it over the course of an event.

TIP: Give it at least a week to 10 days after the event as attendees might still be talking about it.

You could decide to focus on the results from one social media platform such as Facebook or Twitter. Or use Instagram if it is a public event, or LinkedIn if it is a business occasion.

Once you have picked your chosen platform, you can look at ways to capture measurement.

2. Profit or loss – the finances

One way to prove if it was a successful event or not, is to look at the finances. Now while this might not be a main goal in and of itself, the finances can be a good indicator if an event was successfully run.

After you have deducted all the costs from the sales amount, have you made the profit you expected?

3. Sales numbers

Another financial way to see if the event was a success is to work out how many sales the event generated.

You may have had great attendance numbers but not have made as many sales as expected. Identifying the reason why can help you with future events.

Making sure you are tracking enquiries and sales can be the best indicator of whether to run an event again, and whether there need to be changes made going forward.

4. Surveys

Following up with attendees can be a great way to get feedback on whether people thought yours was a successful event. This can be great for testimonials and to gauge event sentiment.

This can be done in two ways.

A powerful idea is to run exit surveys at the event and even ask for video testimonials. Getting attendees’ reactions while they are still at or just after they have been to something they have really enjoyed will help with promoting future events.

Secondly, if you have the data, you can email all the attendees afterwards and ask them to complete a survey. Easy surveys can be used with a service such as SurveyMonkey or even Google Forms. This might get you more quantitative data that is easier to analyse.

5. Sponsors’ feedback

Finally, if your event has other partners or sponsors involved, getting feedback from them on how they found it, if it was profitable for them and if they are likely to attend future events, can be a good indicator of a successful event.

Having happy sponsors makes future events easier to manage and fund.

Summary

As you can see there are several ways to monitor event success. Thinking about these things and having systems in place pre- and post-event means you could have several different success metrics to use in debriefing after the occasion. It will also help you make decisions about future events.

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11:39:03 GMT • 14 January 2025

What are the Most Popular Event Types?

17 March 2022

•

5 mins read

Contributors

Mandy has been with Starpeak Insurance Solutions since 2018, starting in sales in the consumer department and mov...

As a busy event organiser, there are a plethora of different event types you may be asked to organise from parties and weddings to large corporate events. Here we look at some of the most popular event types.

About Us

At Protectivity, we are specialists in the provision of what we believe is comprehensive event insurance. Our event insurance offers protection for you as an event planner. Our cover options are suited to event planners organising or taking part in a wide range of events, including parties, food festivals and sporting events. From Public Liability cover to insurance for event cancellation, we have your back.

1. Corporate Events

There are a wide variety of corporate events with the main ones being:

Conferences

Conferences are typically large-scale events, that may run for one, two or even three days. They feature several guest speakers, often in different areas or large rooms, which means attendees have multiple leaders and potential topics they can learn from and about. These events involve lots of planning, but this also means you can charge a lot of money, to cover costs such as food and the venue. Plus, travel and accommodation for the speakers.

Seminars

Seminars are similar to conferences but on a smaller scale size and cost-wise. Typically, they may only last a day or even half a day.

Exhibitions

Rather like conferences in terms of being a large-scale event (but without as much outlay to you as an event planner as exhibitors will organise their own transport etc.), exhibitions allow different product and service providers to showcase their businesses. They allow businesses to connect, carry out market research and even test out new products.

Other corporate event types could include workshops and classes, networking, awards and competitions, VIP experiences, speaker sessions, trade shows and expos.

2. Social Events

Reunions, parties and themed events can be as small or large as the customer requires. You may be asked to plan a Wedding which will involve everything from organising the venue, table decorations, seating etc. to bridal accommodation on the day and comfort and facilities for the guests.

For reunion events you could get together old photos of the people involved and display them on a screen. Organise an on-site photographer to make more memories for the attendees.

Other social events could involve ‘special’ parties such as an 18^th Birthday party or wedding anniversary celebration. These may or may not be themed.

For people who cannot attend, the event could also be virtual. (Which leads us on to the next point).

3. Virtual Events

Especially since the Covid pandemic, virtual events are extremely common. They are a cost-effective way for businesses to run conferences, webinars, classes and summits. They can even be interactive.

For an event planner, making sure you arrange the right technology needed for a virtual event will make sure there are no glitches.

4. Fundraising Events

Holding events to fundraise is a popular way to spread awareness of a cause as well as raise funds. Fundraising events could be small, online auction type events requiring very little spend or, on a much bigger scale, such as sponsored sporting events and gala dinners held at large venues.

5. Festivals

Festivals typically involve music or food and are large events usually run over a few days. They involve a lot of planning from finding the right venue to lining up the acts (if a music festival) to organising vendors.

As many festivals tend to be outdoors there can be weather challenges. With our event cancellation insurance, if you have to cancel or abandon an event due to adverse weather conditions, you have the peace of mind of financial protection.

6. Community Events

Bringing together communities could involve events such as street parties or swap shops. If you are planning a street event, organisers do need to be very aware of local council rules and regulations.

7. Hybrid Events

We have mentioned these before in other categories. Hybrid events are events such as festivals, parties and conferences that are held both at a venue and virtually.

8. Pop Up Events

Pop up events may sound very spontaneous, but they still need a lot of organising. These are typically a one-off event that lasts for a limited time. This gives business owners the chance to showcase their products or services and can include exercise classes, food collaborations and boutique shops.

Being an event organiser can involve organising many different event types, with each type needing its own special considerations. We hope this blog has given you some useful ideas.

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