You know the pros and cons of working for someone else versus running the show yourself. The events industry is an exciting, fast-paced, growing industry which demands highly qualified event management companies and co-ordinators.

If you have decided to take the leap to full time professional events person there are a few things you need to know to get started.

Part 1: Starting the right business

Starting the right business

* Knowing exactly what is involved
* Reasons for staring an event management business
* Industry knowledge
- Getting started
* Self assessment
- What they don't teach you at business school
* Market research and data collection
* Setting realistic time frame
- Your new event-preneurial life
- Business resources and equipment
- Starting the right business

In the beginning
- Deciding on a name for your business and deciding in which direction to move
- Being clear about what message you want to send and what you want to say
- Picking your business type
* Sole proprietorship
* Partnerships
* Corporation
* Public or private
- To work at home or away?
- Pricing your event management services

Decision-making
Business plan basics
Automation
- Telephones
- Local area networks
- Electronic mail and faxing systems

Making your business legal
Methods of funding

- How much money will you need?
- Tax, SMEs, VAT, BEE and choosing an accountant
- Accounting software
- Getting business loans and credit

Part 2: Event management and marketing your new business

Event management
- Developing your portfolio
- The event planning process
- Protecting your business
* Event management contracts
* Confidentiality agreements
* Understanding vendor, venue and clients contracts

Marketing opportunities
- Learning from competitors
- Smart marketing
- Branding your event management company
- Naming your business
- Developing your image and brand promise
- Designing your new logo
- Dealing with graphic design/copywriting and photography
- Choosing your marketing medium
* Print
* Direct mail
* Electronic
- Where to market?

Venue

Date: 05 April 2008
Location: The Grace in Rosebank, Johannesburg
Cost: 1900

Contact: Tshidi
Company name: The Hedgehog Event
Telephone number: 011 704 1469
Email address enquiry@thehedgehogevent.com