The New Nation - Internet Edition

Farizaa Sabreen

Every time when you saw a programme like 'Bridal Festival' or any award ceremony or those concerts and fashion shows you would have wondered how people managed to set up such dazzling shows. Every infinitesimal detail from your entering the venue to your going out is a result of scrupulous planning and that is event management for you.

In the last ten years, there has been enormous growth in the event management business in our country. Event management is a way of outsourcing occasions that are a combination of business and social. Events can be as diverse as weddings to political party launching. For any business meeting or social occasion you can think up, an event management team can be called in to organize it.

Planning an event is a protracted and nerve-racking affair; it is also a expensive one. Event management teams have contacts within their field in order to obtain the best price quotes and the most reliable service.

You may think that catering is the most stressful thing to deal with, but have you taken accommodation and entertainment into consideration? How about staff for the event, the room size where you will be holding the event, seating arrangements and, of course, the budget for the event? These are all factors that a professional event management team will have first hand knowledge of.

No matter what the type or size, if the event is an important one, you should consider contacting an event management team. They can deal with conferences, award ceremonies, product launches, gala diners and corporate activity days, to name a few. When you contact an event management team, ask what their qualifications are, and then ask for examples of previous events they have managed.

"I'm familiar with both sides of event planning: as a client and a services provider. I served 7 years as event manager for a large organization and also been a guest at many conferences and seminars - large and small, private and professional. I understand the stress of coordinating internal and external resources and I know what works," said Khandoker Saeed, an event manager. "I will minimize my clients' stress and concerns, manage the planning and event with professionalism, maintain the budget and timeline as agreed, and infuse the project with creative ideas to craft a unique and successful outcome making it a positive experience for everyone," he added.

Event management is one of the fastest and the most glamorous upcoming professions today. One can take it as a lucrative career. Because, it is an excellent field to make money. Nowadays event management companies hire lots of young people as event coordinator. The main job of an event co-coordinator is to supervise the various stages of planning in event management.

An event manager has to first design the basic framework, after which he prepares the marketing plans, hunts for sponsors, works on the logistics, locates the site/destination, contacts vendors, hires performers, prints/mails invitation cards, creates menus, looks after the stage/lights, books the artistes, arranges for transport for different people, and on the D' Day co-ordinates, plans and finalizes every aspect of the event. Event managers usually start working months before the event.

Analytical thinking, critical thinking and problem solving are abilities that are a must in this field. You should be able to acknowledge a problem, recognize that it has to be solved then and there, and always think on how the situation could be avoided in future. This involves the ability to effectively coordinate and organize oneself, others, information and/or situations at a personal and/or organizational level.

If you are looking for an energetic event management company, a company that will offer you fresh ideas, value for money and a wholly professional event, then you have come to the right place.

Some Bangladeshi event management companies are as follows-

Triune Exhibition and Event Management Services

Over the years, Triune has made its mark as a successful Event Organizer and Managers, which has now become one of the major activities of the Group. This has led it to launch a separate company under the style of Triune Exhibition & Event Management Services (TEEMS).

Triune Exhibition & Event Management Services, offers Event Management Packages to its clientele, managed by its unique team of professional and experienced Account Managers. By understanding your business needs, a one-stop, first class tailor-made program is designed to match your exact requirement and budget. Offering a wow factor with a fresh out look and empathic vision, our services are one of distinction - Events from the unconventional to the sublime. Events, they are able to undertake are: Launchings, seminars, symposiums, workshops, meetings: annual general, regional, board Meetings etc, dealers', agents' conference, incentives, fairs/exhibitions, social events: marriage Ceremony, Birthdays, etc, press conferences, and more.

CEMS

Conference and Exhibition Management Services (CEMS), being the pioneer in this concept in Bangladesh is the first and only professional Exhibition and Event Management Company in Bangladesh, this year, celebrates its 12th year of Professional Exhibition & Event Management. Since its inception in 1992, CEMS, in this span of 15 years has become an undisputed leader in the region as an exhibition organizer and event management company organizing exhibitions, trade shows, fairs, conferences, seminars and undertaking Event Management tasks like product launches, marketing campaigns, business programs, public relations, venue management and various event management services. Ms. Meherun N. Islam is founder and Managing Director of CEMS.

This year they arranged 2nd Dhaka Motor Show 8th Textech int'l expo' 2007, Dhaka international fabric show 2007, 4th Machine expo 2007, Bangladesh Textile Garment Technology & Machinery Exp etc.

Destination Management Companies

Destination Management Company (DMC) is a company that specializes in the organization and logistics of meetings, incentives and events. With their in-depth knowledge of the field. They have many years experience in organizing programs, and their creativity, the key word when working with a DMC is 'customized'. No matter what the event or the occasion, Destination Management Companies will always find a surprising and tailor-made solution.

Besides organizing meetings, incentives and events, a company offering Destination Management will also arrange social, partner and pre- and post-meeting programs. Other special services include catering, dinners and entertainment. If you wish, a DMC will even make hotel reservations, arrange transportation and provide travel management, guides and hostesses. Destination Management Companies remain behind the scenes while ensuring that everything runs according to plan.

JPR Events

As an experienced Events company having organized over 200 successful events across the globe the company's international network of connections within the entertainment sector is almost unparalleled in the sub-continent. JPR is now extremely competent in coordinating artists from one place to another. The key is to ensure details of the events, itinerary and other logistical aspects are communicated to all parties concerned. They specialize in Asian stars whether from the UK, India, Pakistan or Bangladesh but can help source any production you are looking.

JPR EVENTS [formerly BRAT PACK] was formed by Mishal Karim at the age of 17 [1995] straight after completion of GCSE and A LEVELS from Dulwich College, one of the UKs best know private schools. He partnered with Sharif Nashashibi who had just graduated from Westminister another renowned private school and together they realized that their network of contacts in all the other private schools was extensive and decided to host events for the wealthy teen JET SETTERS. Holy Branson, Anthony Rothschild, Patrina Kahashoggi, Jasmine Al fayed and many others all attended these events and hence the company was given the suitable name, BRAT PACK. The launch of BRAT PACK took place a Hanover Grand on July 11th 1995.

During his time Mishal was the first Asian ever to achieve what he did in the UK promotions circuit controlling a database of several thousand clubbers and till date no promoter has achieved the dominating status he did in the industry at by the age of only 21. The success story was due to the fact that he started at only 17 a retained his private school wealth clientele who all enjoyed attending JPR events because they knew exactly what kind of crowd to expect attending. The success over the years got Mishal considerable press being featured in Company magazine, the most successful magazine for teenage women at the age of only 21 and a full 45-minute documentary by CHANNEL 4 on young entrepreneurs at the age of only 24 called FLASH. The documentary was seen by 2,000,000 viewers in the UK and was shot in both London and Dhaka. Mishal was the first ever Bangladeshi young entrepreneur to receive so much media attention in the UK and set a benchmark in the entertainment business. After graduating he decided to relocate to Bangladesh, what he considered an emerging market to pursue the next phase of his life.

Photos: Sharif Khan