Event Management Checklist

15 Weeks Prior
Task Comments Completed
Determine goals and purpose of event  Who is your target audience for the event?
 What are your learning objectives, if
applicable?
 What are your key messages?
 What do you hope to accomplish?
 How will you gauge effectiveness?
 How does this event complement the
Strategic Plan?
Select date and time  Ensure hosts, VIPs, and/or speakers are
available for specified dates (work via admin.
assistants with the Carnegie executive
request form)
 Determine if VIP’s spouse will be invited and
ensure they can attend
 Consult campus calendar/religious calendars
when selecting
 Think of campus culture/workday schedule
when selecting times
Set budget  Research potential funding sources such as
partnering with other departments
 Use our budget template available at
[Link]/resources/guide/te
mplates
Select and reserve venue Remember to review:
 A/V capabilities
 Parking availability/restrictions
 Maximum capacities
 Other events occurring near space – will
they conflict?
 Accessibility – how will persons with
disabilities enter the venue?
 Access times to space
 Load-in/delivery capabilities
 Included equipment with room rental
 Surrounding sound impediments
 Security issues

Schedule rain plan, if applicable  Select venue

 Determine who will make the rain plan call
and when you will make your final decision
 Speak with vendors about refund and
cancelation policy costs and deadlines
 Determine how and when you will
communicate the rain location to your
guests
 Consider additional needs such as different
staff, rental equipment, etc.
Determine guest list  Consider your target audience and key
messages
 When possible, research similar past events
EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 1
 to determine RSVP melt
Ensure inclusivity, accessibility, and  Consult with the ADA’s guide on temporary
sustainability events
 Consult the Green Event Guide from
Campus Sustainability
Investigate needs for special permits,
licenses, insurance, etc.
Research potential vendors  Use only Georgia Tech approved caterers
or vendors
 Review Georgia Tech policies regarding
contracts, procurement, and RFPs
Develop a production schedule for any  Include items like your program, flyers,
design elements website graphics, and signage
 Determine deadlines to send items to
printers to receive materials on time
Determine meeting schedule for your  Create a reoccurring calendar appointment
committee

12 Weeks Prior
Task Comments Completed
Develop a communications plan  What is your event’s main message?
 What media reaches your target audience?
 Determine what channels to advertise and
when is the best time to send messages.
 Consult with Institute Communications for
advise and inspiration.
Update any website material  Include common guest questions such as
parking, dress code, and program schedule
 Ensure the website offers accessible
features like alt text in images and proper
color contrasts
Contact (or schedule) GTPD  Review services and complete a Request
for Special Events Security form
Add event to campus calendar and discuss  Consider The Whistle, Daily Digest,
other internal promotion opportunities Technique, etc.
Contact Parking & Transportation  Review information about event parking and
transportation options
Determine if you will live stream your event  Who is coordinating?
 Where will the webcast run on the website?
 Who will write copy for the site?
 When will the site go live?
 How will you communicate the webcast to
your guests/audience?
 Where will the video be archived afterward?
 Who will caption the stream live?
 Can you run analytics afterward? If so, do
for assessment purposes
Schedule photographer, if needed
Schedule videographer, if needed
Select designer/printer
Order/design save-the-date cards or emails
Secure mailing house if you are to send out
save-the-dates
Begin researching travel arrangements and
EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 2
hotel options
Schedule meeting with Event Logistics
Committee (ELC)

10 Weeks Prior
Task Comments Completed
Reserve hotel, plane, and travel  Consider requesting a hotel block if a large
accommodations for speakers/VIPs and portion of your attendees are traveling
staff, if applicable 
Secure A/V needs for event  Lighting
 Supplemental video needs
 Sound –
 Ensure you have wireless advancer, if using
ppt and LCD projector/screen
 Coordinate additional mics in the audience
for any Q&A needs
 Ensure you have on-site A/V tech for event
 Confidence monitors for speakers

Design and create/order invitations  Confirm a way to ask guests about any
accommodation requests such as ADA
access or dietary needs
Select & book caterer  Do any of your guests have dietary
restrictions?
 Remember vegetarian options
 Determine VIP’s F&B preferences
 Will you need linens from the caterer or
other rental company?
 Remember waters for the podium and/or
bottled for guests, if applicable
 Gain approval from President or other host,
if applicable
Secure entertainment/musicians  President Peterson prefers to incorporate as
many students as possible in musical
performances
 Think about all aspects of the event (guest
arrival, duration of event, etc.)
Begin designing printed pieces (i.e.
invitations, tickets, flyers, programs,
pamphlets, out-of-town guest booklets, etc.)
Develop press release and calendar listings  Consult with Institute Relations for tips and
recommendations
Request and receive speakers’/VIPs’ bios  Ask for photo if included in program – high
res jpeg
Send save-the-dates
Order plants/flowers  Remember rental plants for staging and all
floral needs
Schedule President’s Podium  For official Institute events, use President’s
podium – Brandon Ford
Coordinate meeting with fire marshal
Schedule supplemental staffing  Ushers, crowd management, etc.
Send preliminary volunteer requests  Student Ambassadors are great resources
Request participation of additional speakers  Emcees, presenters, etc.
 Always have someone introduce the
EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 3
 President or other VIP
Order additional décor materials  Flowers
 Balloons
 Pipe and Drape
Reserve additional set-up materials  Rental chairs
 Stage
 Podiums
 Tables
 Easels
 Coat rack
 Heat lamps
Complete/submit Event Details  Send to the admin. whom you sent the
Carnegie Executive Request form. Due no
later than 5 weeks out

8 Weeks Prior
Task Comments Completed
Review printed materials with your designer
Set menu with caterer – know that you can
confirm the final head count closer to the
event
Secure permits and insurance
Determine if awards/trophies will be given
and research companies
Release press announcements to national  Work with your media contact in Institute
and local print media Relations to coordinate
Order any giveaways  Visit Licensing and Trademarks for official
policies
 Consider partnering with other departments
to share costs
 Do not include a date, if possible, so items
can be reused
Arrange for transportation (buses, shuttles)  Visit Parking and Transportation for
if necessary resources
Determine parking for visitors  Direct guests to the campus map for
directions
Confirm accessibility resources  CART Transcription
 ASL Interpreter
 Ensure you have an operational plan in place
for assisting those with disabilities and that
volunteers are fully briefed on plan
 Contact the Center for Inclusive Design and
Innovation for assistance

Order speakers’ gifts
Request Tech traditional aspects  Buzz
 Ramblin’ Wreck
 Cheerleaders
 Band
Begin editing printed programs/materials
Schedule A/V run-through the day before  Schedule speakers/musicians and others to
the event participate (if live streaming or captioning,
include those individuals, as well as any
social media testing, i.e. Facebook Live)
EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 4
 

6 Weeks Prior
Task Comments Completed
Assemble/address invitations
Create RSVP tracking system  Confirm a way to ask guests about any
accommodation requests such as ADA
access or dietary needs
Mail invitations  Set RSVP 1.5-2 weeks (at minimum 1 week)
prior to event date
 Update website with RSVP information
Order awards
Distribute flyers/emails advertising event
Finalize transportation logistics for VIPs and
out-of-town guests
Release press announcements to local TV,
radio media
Hold walk-through with major
stakeholders/committee members to ensure
all needs are met
Secure musicians/entertainers  Determine if any sound checks are
necessary
Determine alcohol needs, if any  Review the information about alcohol on the
Food & Catering web page

Order liquor
Purchase all needed decorations
Begin making decorations, if need be
Order extra trash receptacles Email Ebony Cunningham

Order extra recycling bins Complete Special Event Recycling Request

4 Weeks Prior
Task Comments Completed
Make a safety and emergency
preparedness plan
Place local print ads and watch for media
hits
Confirm staff/volunteers for each aspect of
the event
Make parking and directional signs that can
be created in-house
Create welcome packets/materials for
attendees
Create script for yourself or for  Work with the Organization, Academic and
VIPs/presenters Research Communications within Institute
Communications for any talking points for the
president or executive leadership team
 Clearly mark each speaker change with
dividers in the script book
 Request scripts from all participants with a
talking role to create a complete script book
and ensure that speakers are not redundant

EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 5

  Include phonetic spellings for any individuals’
names that might be difficult to pronounce

Confirm all travel arrangements
Confirm security needs and plan walk-
through of site with them
Coordinate with accounts payable and
vendors on when payment will be received
(in most cases, unless you purchase
alcohol, after services are rendered)
Schedule volunteer training

2 – 1 Week(s) Prior
Task Comments Completed
Follow-up with RSVP list – make
personalized phone calls & emails, if
necessary
Send final numbers to the caterer
Confirm participation with all
VIPs/presenters. Send them updated event
details, run of show, and talking points.
Create seating plans and room diagrams for  Ensure you follow correct protocol for head
assistance with set-up and day-of-event table seating
questions  Create place cards for seated, if needed
 Ensure you have back-up seating options
available for changes within head table
seating arrangements

Develop photo shoot list

Hold pre-event meeting with all significant
stakeholders (vendors, managers of venue,
key committee members and volunteers,
etc.)
Do one last walk-through of venue
Hold training session with volunteers
Ensure all printed materials/collaterals are
assembled and correct
Make follow-up calls to media
Make nametags/lanyards for attendees and  Suggest magnetic/reusable with clip tags for
extra plain ones for surprise guests those who are unable to use magnetic
 If disposable, suggest Avery 8395
 Preferred template – Arial Bold, first name
centered 54 pt; last name underneath in 48
pt
 Create two nametags for name variations
(i.e. Joseph and Joe)
 Consider purchasing machine for onsite
nametags

Create “Event Day Survival Kit” full of

needed items: pens, sharpies, tape,
scissors, etc.
Create detailed hour-by-hour event agenda

EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 6

(event plan) for key volunteers/vendors and
distribute to them
Confirm set-up/breakdown with all vendors
Send final information to participants,  Find templates on the Special Events
including directions, maps, last-minute website
details, etc.
Create volunteer duty form  Find templates on the Special Events
website
Wrap gifts
Distribute parking passes
Send completed Run of Show and RSVP list
to VIPs

1-2 Days Prior

Task Comments Completed
Create final to-do list to determine all tasks
are complete
Ensure all appropriate contacts’ information  Recommend they are added to your phone
is listed where you can easily retrieve it for easy texting capabilities on event day

Purchase floral arrangements if not provided

by vendor
Recheck all equipment/materials to ensure
nothing is damaged, quantity is correct, etc.
Reconfirm schedule with caterer
Set-up registration area, if possible, so you
are prepared for the next day
Decorate room if you can
Display parking/directional signs
Gather all needed materials (name badge,
notebook, etc.)
Pick up liquor or have it couriered
Deliver materials/equipment to venue site
Test webstreaming
Be prepared to troubleshoot changes day-of  i.e. bring along a three-hole punch so the
President can input his revised script day-of,
have extra chairs backstage in the event
another VIP is asked to join the stage party,
etc.
Discuss rain plan logistics

Day of Event
Task Comments Completed
Arrive early and do one last walk-through
Oversee vendor set-up
Ensure all VIP materials are correctly  Provide a program to President and VIPs so
labeled and in place they know speaking order
Check all set-ups
Ensure waters are in podium

Up to a Week After Event

Task Comments Completed
Send thank you notes
Handle invoices
EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 7
Hold post-event meeting with key players
Send pictures/mementos to VIP guests
Pack up and inventory all materials
Update website
Book next year’s venue, for annual event
Rate caterer’s performance on Student
Center website

EVENT MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST 8