Event Checklist

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Toggle 6 to 12 months in advance: status

6 to 12 months in advance:

Toggle Purpose status

Purpose

Choose the purpose of the event. Is it a celebration, a fundraiser, or something else? This will influence the kind of event you will hold.

Toggle Theme status

Theme

Choose a theme that is relevant, but also interesting. Cliche themes won't attract many guests.

Toggle Site status

Site

Look around for places that can hold the event. Meet with potential space providers.

Toggle Manager status

Manager

You might need to appoint someone, or yourself, as event manager.

Toggle Committees status

Committees

Build committees if they are required. With a big enough event, you might need several of them and need to appoint a chair for each.

Toggle Estimates status

Estimates

Get estimates for food, drinks, space and rental equipment. This will help with budgeting.

Toggle Event entertainment status

Event entertainment

If providing artistic entertainment, hire well-known entertainers or hold auditions.

Toggle Sponsorships status

Sponsorships

Determine if you will require sponsorships. Build a sponsorship sheet, with the different levels, so that potential sponsors know right away at what level they want to participate.

Toggle Budget status

Budget

Get an initial budget from the financial committee. This step is very important.

Toggle Licences status

Licences

Check if you need any kind of permit or license to hold an event or serve alcohol.

Toggle Proposals status

Proposals

Review proposals for decorations and printing.

Toggle Admission status

Admission

If charging a cover, decide the price.

Toggle Mailing list status

Mailing list

Build a mailing list with potential guests or businesses to contact.

Toggle Date status

Date

Choose a final date and check for conflicts with your providers.

Toggle Designer status

Designer

Choose your graphic designer and draft the documentation and invitations.

Toggle Printing status

Printing

Order the printing for invitations, hold-the-date reminders and other early stationery.

Toggle Marketing status

Marketing

Build your marketing timeline with your public relations specialist.

Toggle Reserve your professional photographer and have any pre-event photos taken. status

Reserve your professional photographer and have any pre-event photos taken.

Toggle 3 to 6 months in advance: status

3 to 6 months in advance:

Toggle Committees status

Committees

Hold committee meetings regularly, and request reports.

Toggle Funding status

Funding

Send your requests for funding to your potential donors.

Toggle Sponsors status

Sponsors

Ask your confirmed sponsors for their logos for publicity printing.

Toggle Stationery status

Stationery

Meet with your graphic designer and confirm the design for all printed material.

Toggle Printing status

Printing

Order the printing for posters and other stationery after the design is finalized.

Toggle Tickets status

Tickets

If required, have the admission tickets printed and ready for distribution.

Toggle Mailing list status

Mailing list

Write down the final mailing list for guests, and print the letters or send the emails.

Toggle Contracts status

Contracts

Sign the contracts with the entertainers.

Toggle Posters status

Posters

Build a list of potential poster locations. Send out people to verify the availability of space.

Toggle Public relations status

Public relations

Plan your publicity and interviews with television and radio stations, and printed media.

Toggle Catering status

Catering

If serving food, build the menu with your caterer. Make sure you consider the dietary requirements of your guests.

Toggle Permits status

Permits

Request permits from your municipality if required.

Toggle Insurance status

Insurance

Sign an insurance contract with your insurer.

Toggle Celebrities status

Celebrities

Confirm celebrity participation in writing.

Toggle 2 months in advance: status

2 months in advance:

Toggle Pre-event party status

Pre-event party

Organize a party that coincides with the sending of invitations.

Toggle Invitations status

Invitations

Write personal notes for the invitations and have them mailed.

Toggle Posters status

Posters

Have your posters distributed and placed at previously chosen locations.

Toggle Accommodations status

Accommodations

Reserve accommodations for your VIPs, if required.

Toggle Transportation status

Transportation

Arrange transportation for your VIPs, if required.

Toggle Media status

Media

Confirm the presence of the media at your event. Assign journalist passes.

Toggle Sponsors status

Sponsors

Confirm sponsorships and request logos for the final program.

Toggle Committees status

Committees

Request final plans from each committee chair.

Toggle Budget status

Budget

Review and finalize the event's budget.

Toggle Tasks status

Tasks

Build a final task list leading up to the event.

Toggle 1 month in advance: status

1 month in advance:

Toggle Tickets status

Tickets

Follow up on ticket sales. Call any guests that haven't responded yet.

Toggle Publicity status

Publicity

Place your ads in newspapers, television and radio.

Toggle Staff status

Staff

Hire staff for the day of the event.

Toggle VIPs status

VIPs

Confirm VIP participation in writing.

Toggle Space planning status

Space planning

Build space diagrams for the room or rooms, build a table plan and assign seats.

Toggle Catering status

Catering

Provide guest estimate to your caterer, and request a final quote.

Toggle Timeline status

Timeline

Review the timeline for the event, and confirm the scripts with participants.

Toggle Traveling status

Traveling

Organize the traveling arrangements with VIPs.

Toggle Security status

Security

Confirm security needs and appoint a security agency.

Toggle 1 week in advance: status

1 week in advance:

Toggle Meetings status

Meetings

Schedule last-minute meetings with committees. Work out final details.

Toggle Attendance status

Attendance

Confirm final attendance with ticket or table sales.

Toggle Staff status

Staff

Confirm the staffing for the event. Hire any necessary extra staff.

Toggle Timeline status

Timeline

Provide the timeline to all event participants.

Toggle Catering status

Catering

Confirm final catering order.

Toggle Beverages status

Beverages

Confirm final alcohol order if not provided by the caterer.

Toggle Media status

Media

Confirm media coverage with journalists or stations.

Toggle Rehearsal status

Rehearsal

Schedule and hold rehearsals if necessary.

Toggle Cheques status

Cheques

Write the cheques that need to be given to providers on the day of the event.

Toggle One day before: status

One day before:

Toggle Attire status

Attire

Lay out your clothes for the event. Prepare a change of clothes in case of emergency.

Toggle Supplies status

Supplies

Verify that all supplies are available or confirm with providers for their delivery time.

Toggle Day of the event: status

Day of the event:

Toggle Arrival status

Arrival

Arrange to arrive early to receive all deliveries and finalize last-minute details.

Toggle Inventory status

Inventory

Make sure that all supplies are on hand.

Toggle Timeline status

Timeline

Confirm scripts and timeline with VIPs.

Toggle Staff status

Staff

Confirm positions and tasks with staff.

Toggle Technical setup status

Technical setup

Make sure the lights and sound are working properly with your technicians.

Toggle Rehearsal status

Rehearsal

If holding a final rehearsal, have it a few hours before the event, after the sound and lighting have been set up.

Toggle Have a great time at your event! status

Have a great time at your event!

Download or Print this Event Checklist

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Presented by:

Jake R Brady

Jake R Brady

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Introduction

Our Event Checklist is designed to guide you through every phase of planning, from the initial concept to the day of the event and post-event follow up. With tasks spread across various timeframes, this template helps you manage everything efficiently, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Whether you're coordinating a corporate gathering or a community celebration, our Checklist App allows you to save and customize your tasks easily. Plus, with features like syncing across devices and collaborating with your team, you'll keep everyone informed and organized. Start planning your perfect event today!

Details

If you are looking to plan an event for your business or a charitable organization, this checklist is for you. We have put together this list to help you prepare your event as efficiently as possible. Hopefully, you are not the sole person responsible for planning it, so feel free to break it down and distribute the tasks among your colleagues. Depending on the size, a major event can take 6 months to a year to prepare; last minute planning will only make things more stressful and more difficult to control. You will have to start from the ground up by asking yourself and your colleagues basic questions about the purpose and the theme of the event; be ready to spend a lot of time brainstorming about the many possibilities. We hope this checklist will form the backbone of your planning strategy, and that you will keep it on hand whenever you work on your event. We have conceived it as a tool to help you create the perfect event for your organization.

Tips

If your organization has held such an event before, check the archives for previous suppliers: if you had a good experience with them in the past, there is a good chance that this good experience will repeat itself. Suppliers enjoy repeat business and will certainly be happy to help you again. If it is the first time your organization has such an event, make sure you get reviews from other customers; the Internet is especially useful to find those. Request quotes before you contract with any supplier. You may also want to retain the services of a public relations specialist when dealing with printed and electronic media, especially if your organization has little experience with them. Again, make sure you go to a reputable agency for these services.

Who it's for

This Event Checklist is for teams that want consistent execution, less rework, and clear ownership.

  • Standardize quality - run the same Event steps every time, regardless of who executes
  • Save time - reuse a proven Event workflow instead of rebuilding processes from scratch
  • Improve accountability - assign owners and see what's done vs. what's pending
  • Onboard faster - use the Event checklist as the SOP and training guide
  • Coordinate across roles - handoffs are clear and everyone works from the same source of truth

How to use it

How to use this Event Checklist:

  1. Start by saving it - save as a Template if you'll reuse it, or as a Checklist if it's a one-off project.
  2. Customize it once for your workflow - remove what doesn't apply and add your team-specific steps.
  3. Assign ownership and execute - set owners/due dates where needed and track completion as work happens.
  4. Reuse without rebuilding - when Event comes up again, start from your saved version and run it with clear ownership.

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Scores 4.80 with 1005 votes

Event Checklist Frequently Asked Questions

What is an event checklist?

An event checklist is a detailed list of tasks, items, and activities needed to successfully plan and execute an event. It serves as a guide to ensure that nothing is overlooked during the planning process. Typically, an event checklist will include:

  • Venue selection
  • Budget planning
  • Vendor management
  • Guest list creation
  • Schedule of activities
  • Equipment and supplies needed
  • Marketing and promotional strategies

By utilizing an event checklist, planners can streamline their processes, stay organized, and enhance overall event quality.

What are the 7 elements of an event?

The 7 key elements of an event include:

  1. Purpose: Define the goal or objective of the event.
  2. Venue: Choose a suitable location based on capacity and accessibility.
  3. Audience: Identify the target audience for tailored engagement.
  4. Budget: Establish a budget that covers all aspects of the event.
  5. Date and Time: Select a date that works for your audience and logistics.
  6. Agenda: Create a schedule outlining activities and timings.
  7. Promotion: Develop a marketing strategy to attract attendees.

Understanding these elements helps ensure that every aspect of the event aligns with its overall purpose.

What are the 7 stages of event planning?

The 7 stages of event planning are essential for organizing a successful event:

  1. Research: Gather information about the type of event you want to host.
  2. Planning: Outline goals, budgets, timelines, and logistics.
  3. Design: Create a detailed plan including themes, layouts, and branding.
  4. Coordination: Confirm vendors, book venues, and finalize schedules.
  5. Implementation: Execute the plans on the day of the event, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
  6. Evaluation: Assess the success of the event against your goals.
  7. Follow-Up: Thank attendees and gather feedback for future events.

Following these stages helps maintain organization and enhances attendee experience.

What are the 5 C's of event planning?

The 5 C's of event planning are crucial components that help streamline the planning process:

  1. Concept: Develop a clear vision and theme for your event.
  2. Coordination: Ensure all logistics are managed effectively, from vendors to schedules.
  3. Control: Monitor budgets and timelines to stay on track financially and schedule-wise.
  4. Culmination: Execute the event according to plan, ensuring every detail is addressed.
  5. Closeout: Conduct a post-event analysis to evaluate success and gather learnings for future events.

Incorporating these elements can significantly improve your event planning process.

What are the 5 P's of event planning?

The 5 P's of event planning provide a framework for creating effective events:

  1. Purpose: Clearly define the reason for hosting your event.
  2. People: Identify your target audience to tailor your approach effectively.
  3. Place: Choose an appropriate venue that suits your audience size and needs.
  4. Process: Outline steps for planning, executing, and evaluating your event.
  5. Promotion: Develop marketing strategies to attract attendees before the event begins.

Utilizing these P's ensures that all critical aspects of your event are considered.

What should a checklist include?

A comprehensive checklist is vital for successful event planning and should include:

  • Event Details: Date, time, location, theme, and objectives.
  • Budget Items: Estimated costs for venue, catering, entertainment, etc.
  • Vendor Contacts: Information for caterers, decorators, AV suppliers, etc.
  • Logistics: Transportation arrangements, seating plans, and equipment needs.
  • Marketing Plan: Strategies for promoting the event through various channels.
  • Guest Management: RSVP tracking and seating arrangements.
  • Post-Event Tasks: Follow-up communication with attendees and vendors.

This structured approach helps ensure nothing is forgotten.

Why is it important to make a checklist before an event?

Creating a checklist before an event is essential for several reasons:

  1. Organization: A checklist keeps all tasks in one place, making it easier to track progress.
  2. Efficiency: It helps prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance, ensuring timely completion.
  3. Accountability: Assigning tasks on the checklist clarifies responsibilities among team members.
  4. Risk Management: Identifying potential issues early allows for proactive solutions before they become problems.
  5. Peace of Mind: Knowing you have covered all bases reduces stress leading up to the event day.

Ultimately, checklists enhance overall productivity and contribute to a more successful outcome.

What is an event list?

An event list is a straightforward compilation of all activities planned for an upcoming occasion or gathering. Unlike an exhaustive checklist that details individual tasks or items needed for execution, an event list typically includes:

  • Event name
  • Date and time
  • Location
  • Agenda or schedule (including speakers or performers)
  • Key highlights or attractions (e.g., workshops or entertainment)

Creating an effective event list helps attendees understand what to expect while providing organizers with a clear overview of planned activities.

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