Tactics: Event and Program Planning

Involvement in the assigned readings, completion of the written work, and participation in class discussion will enable you to master the following learning objectives. If you have questions about these objectives and where to locate related information, please ask for assistance.

• Define, and be able to explain key differences between the meeting, open house/ plant tour, and trade show.
• Identify key legal concerns for each of the above that you would face as host of the event... in such categories as: agenda? program structure and planning? attendance? security? parking? child care? food/ drink/ liquor? public safety? protection of trade secrets? photography? and so forth.
• For each of the above events, identify at least three ethical issues that you might face which fall into the same categories as the legal concerns.
• What are key concerns for PR people planning events as 'host'?
• What are key concerns for PR people who might be attending or exhibiting at events hosted by others?
• What are some of the major concerns you might have if asked to 'coach' a corporate executive for a media appearance or public speaking engagement?
• Identify key ways to deal with dissent in a meeting you would be managing. Say, angry stockholders at a stockholders' meeting for example. How would you plan your strategy to avoid disruption - or have disruption work to the company's gain?
• Any event planner should effectively manage audio visual aids and electronics. Be able to speak in general terms about the benefits of using audio visual aids and electronics... as well as the disadvantages of 'danger areas' we need to be aware of.
• Be able to write a planning document that outlines important preparations (on a timeline) in advance of a major event.