Conferences and events should be part of your annual financial planning, writes Robert Enefer.

Correct budgeting is vital to ensure that business objectives and training needs are met. A structured events programme means that you can gain maximum benefit from effective purchasing and qualify your ROI (Return on Investment). You will want to make allowances for your time in planning each event, locate the most appropriate venue, arrange speakers and audio visual support. And then, of course, there will be catering, entertainment and a host of other requirements – the list just keeps growing! Of course, it doesn’t have to be a five star venue but you should plan and budget carefully to guarantee best value and to enhance your image to clients or employees. For an in-house conference you may not need to persuade delegates to attend alternatively to build a list of appropriate guests takes time and careful research.

Many companies and organisations use the services of a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) to both save time and to maximise their budget. The most experienced will support a wide variety of events each year in every location imaginable, and provide a free venue finding service together with comprehensive event management. A PCO will also know where the best deals are to be found and have contacts with Speakers, Entertainers and be able to arrange Team Building programmes.

The Conference People have a key relationship with Sussex Enterprise and for the second year running will be managing the annual conference including exhibition and venue arrangements as well as delegate registration; this is an exciting event for us, especially as we are able to pull resources together for an event in our own home county.

Whichever events you plan from Motivational Meetings to Customer Conferences or even Inspirational Incentives, if you allocate sufficient funds at the outset then you are more than likely to ensure a successful event for the delegates, your organisation and yourself!

You can see more about The Conference People at www.confpeople.co.uk