So you want to run an event? You believe this could be the best, easiest and most fun way of thanking or promoting to your loyal and potential clients, to share company information with employees and customers or to show staff your appreciation.

It's probably true to say that an event would be the best way to achieve your goals - so long as you are clear as to what these are and what you wish to achieve from the event. The event was a success and all enjoyed it, but did you want something more from it? When investing time and money like this, of course you need something more definitive. So the first step to a successful event is to be sure of your end result and know how you are going to measure its success. This might be considered an all too obvious point but one that can be forgotten when the focus becomes the event itself.

Picture yourself in the role of managing the most exciting aspects of organising the event; choosing venues, thinking of themes and the actual event. What can be forgotten is the amount of time it takes to organise the rest; the delegates and their constant changes and differing needs, the administration, of which there is ample and managing all the logistics. Managing an event is very time consuming and, if not extremely organised, can turn into a full time job. Planning at every stage is vital to minimise the impact on your time and ensure the delegates - and you- achieve the desired goals.

Up to this point there has been no mention of budget - and that is because imagination is more important. If you don't have the budget, you need the imagination even more! Yes, you could have the full works - celebrities, fireworks, or seats at the Wimbledon Final - but you need the budget to match. Be clear of what you have to spend, bearing in mind your goals for the event and then use your imagination. This is the fun part - creating something different and unique that will be remembered for all the right reasons. Anything is possible. A limited budget just calls for more imaginative ways to create the right event.

Remember use your imagination, plan everything and focus on your end goal. Combine this with utilising carefully chosen suppliers and organisers at every stage and you will have a great event!