A summary of technologies affecting Event Planning

Technology is a vital part of event planning – without technology, it is extremely hard to co-ordinate all the different aspects that need dealing with. Even traditional technology, such as the telephone is one of the most important examples of technology used in event planning, as they are used initially to contact different corporations in respect to hiring them for the event . Walkie-talkies tend to be used frequently, especially on the day of the event, so the planner can make sure multiple people are in the right place all at one time. They are a cheap, yet reliable way of keeping in contact with everyone you need such as the lighting crew. Blackberries allow for event planners to easily access, and send out emails to different clients without having to be seated at a computer. Blackberries also have multiple applications that can be added to help the event planner keep everything organized efficiently and effectively. Pagers allow for event planners to reach people working at the event quickly and easily. They allow for everyone to be notified to meet at a certain place to maybe have a final run through. Overall, technology in event planning is crucial to allow more time to be spent ‘planning’ and less time to be spent trying to track people down.

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A detailed overview of the blackberry which has the greatest impact on the workflow, role and evolution of Event Planning

The Blackberry
The blackberry allows for multiple tasks to all be completed on one small portable device. Phone calls can be made; emails can be received, and replied to; photos can be taken; text messages can be sent and received; information from work can be easily accessed, such as previously used company’s contact information; and research can be completed with respect to caterers, lighting, etc, all whilst on the move. Blackberry technology is always advancing with more applications and functions to add, making sure it keeps up with today’s societies needs. The blackberry allows for the user to multi-task whilst using it. An event planner could be viewing possible locations, or viewing anything, even centerpieces and taking pictures and emailing them directly to the client before they event leave the location, leaving the client with more time to make their final decision. It could also mean the client could decide and e-mail the planner back instantly, meaning the planner could book or hire whatever they are looking at in person, instead of over the phone, or by e-mail. The speed at which the blackberry allows everything is completed at is incredible.

An assessment regarding the benefits and drawbacks of technology in Event Planning

In general, technology in event planning is seen only as a benefit, as the drawbacks are very minor. A possible drawback could be lack of time spent client-to-planner, as most options can be decided over the phone, or e-mail using pictures and websites, so the planner may not completely have grasped the concept the client was going for. Other drawbacks may include technological malfunctions. Normally, the day the event takes place, most communication is done via walkie-talkie or through microphone earpieces. If something was to go wrong, for example a cue to be misinterpreted it may cause major confusion amongst staff working the event.
Overall, technology in event planning has more benefits than drawbacks. Technology allows for more thorough research to be done, and set-up and timing to be more intricate and elaborate. It also allows for multiple companies to be involved in the same event, ensuring all of them receive the exact same information so the event can run smoothly without any hitches. There tends to be multiple pieces of technology that are used with event planning, so even if there is failure with a few devices, there are always backups, such as the telephone, or pager. E-mail, and any data collected can be easily backed up, so valuable information won’t be lost. Technology also allows ‘proof’ of an item being sent, an item being delivered, an agreement, etc, so a third party can’t back out of a deal leaving the event in jeopardy.

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A futuristic vision of the career and predictions regarding even newer technological innovations, which will deliver positive change in Event Planning

Even today, there are websites that allow you to store all information regarding the event you’re planning. Websites, such as EZ Event Planner , allow you to store all the information you need, such as budget, to do lists, etc and allows other people to access that, as long as they have the user name and password. In the future, I believe a technology will be created that plans some portion of the event for you. You would input your budget on a website, and you would select what you needed finding, like catering, and it would find maybe three of the most reputable caterers within your price range, also showing examples of menus and previous events catered at with contact numbers. You could input as much information as you wanted finding, leaving you with just the small task of contacting the companies and organizing dates, etc. With technology like this, event planners may find business not as successful, but then again, everyone may not opt to use new technology such as that in case it is unreliable, and would want to go to someone with experience and who knows exactly what they want.