Professional: the planner's guide

Long marble bar with rows of glassware and ice wells before an event

Academy

Building a project write-up

Module 11: After the Event · 15 min

The ten-section template, what to include honestly (including what went wrong), photo rights and anonymisation.

Two planners seen from behind walking through a Toronto hotel ballroom set for a gala, pointing at centrepieces

Academy

Module 3 workshop: the gala budget, line by line

Module 3: Budgeting · 15 min

Build the full line-item budget for the 200-guest Harbour Gala with HST, gratuity, contingency and a payment calendar at a $40,000 envelope,…

Guests seen from behind chatting with an event host by the exit of a Toronto banquet hall at the end

Academy

Surveys and feedback

Module 11: After the Event · 15 min

The ten-question survey, timing, response rates, and how to read the results honestly.

Performer from behind adjusting costume in a green-room mirror

Academy

Working with performers

Module 10: Event Day · 15 min

Green rooms, timing, intros, sound checks, audience management and what performers need from planners to do their best work.

Technician resetting a power box under a stage with a flashlight

Academy

Real-time problems: the fifteen most common

Module 10: Event Day · 15 min

Power trips, rain, no-shows, drunk guests, medical incidents, double-booked rooms, missing cake. The fix for each, in the order you do it.

Hands moving pawns on a blank floor plan beside a timer and radios

Academy

Module 10 workshop: tabletop simulation

Module 10: Event Day · 15 min

Run the gala from the run of show with injected problems every ten minutes. Decide, act, record.

Crew stacking chairs and bagging linens in a ballroom after the event

Academy

Wrap-up: invoices, gratuities, returns

Module 11: After the Event · 15 min

Close out within 14 days: balances, tips, rentals, lost and found, venue damage walk.

An event manager seen from behind standing at a balcony rail overlooking a busy Toronto trade show floor

Academy

Measuring ROI and reporting

Module 11: After the Event · 15 min

Cost per attendee, cost per lead, pipeline, donations, retention. Build the one-page report with the ROI calculator.

A photographer seen from behind capturing a finished wedding reception setup in a Toronto event venue

Academy

Portfolio and testimonials

Module 11: After the Event · 15 min

Turn every event into a portfolio page and a quote. What to ask clients, when, and how to present work online.

Three people from behind at a debrief table with blank papers

Academy

Module 11 workshop: debrief and report

Module 11: After the Event · 15 min

Produce the gala's survey, ROI report, project write-up and portfolio entry.

A planner's hands arranging three sample table settings of increasing elegance on a long banquet table

Academy

Pricing models and packages

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Day-of, partial, full-service and consulting packages that sell in the GTA, with price ranges and what each includes.

Hands exchanging a blank business card over cocktails at a rooftop bar

Academy

Finding your first ten clients

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Referrals, venues, vendors, associations, content, and the one offer that converts. A 90-day plan.