56+ critical event planning checklist details and tasks
One of the most important tasks in making sure that your events run smoothly is actually creating a thorough event planning checklist or task list that covers every important to-do and responsibility leading up to, including and after your event day.
Event task lists are not only a checklist but also a planning timeline and measure of progress of what has and hasn’t been done and what needs to be completed before your event arrives. Most event checklists should detail planning activities at least 4-6 months before your event date (as that’s probably the latest you should wait to book a venue), but if you have a larger, more involved event (like a big conference or trade show) you should probably be scheduling tasks 12-18 months prior to the event date.
An event checklist is an essential part of any event project management plan, and it’s a great asset to have for managing logistics for events both small and large, including planning weddings and parties; hosting fundraisers and non-profit galas; organizing corporate events; managing meetings, conferences and conventions; and setting up ceremonies, dinners, festivals, product launches, focus groups, training, retreats and tournaments.
Most seasoned event professionals have one or more event planning templates that they use and customize for each event, saving them a lot of time. But if you don’t have one there are many event planning checklist templates and event management template examples available online that you can download and use as a starting point.
If you are creating an event planning worksheet or checklist from scratch, or if you simply want to make sure that you have included all the important items on your list that you need to attend to as you manage your event, here is a list of 56 critical items that you should consider adding to your pre and post event planning checklists.
NOTE: Under each topic, we are listing all the separate tasks or to-dos you may want to add to your event planning checklist, as each item may require separate tasks devoted to brainstorming, planning, selection, setup, followup, etc.
1. Accounting
Set up accounting software, collect receipts, track financials and financial milestones.
2. Advertising
Brainstorm advertising strategies, research vendors, review quotes, write/design ads, make ad placements and review performance.
3. Agenda / schedule
Build a thorough day-of agenda or run sheet for your event, make updates regularly and distribute it to staff, vendors, volunteers, etc., prior to the event.
4. Attendee and audience management
Identify target audience, set expected attendance, create and manage attendee guest lists, designate marketing/communication channels and tactics, track headcounts and report headcounts to vendors (venues, caterers, etc.).
5. Audio visual
Identify A/V needs (lighting, sound, video, staging, production), research vendors, review quotes, negotiate fees, sign contracts and arrange setup.
6. Awards and gifts
Identify awards (plaques, trophies, gift bags, etc.) and recipients, budget for items, order/fabricate items and ship/deliver items.
7. Blogging
Build blog or add it to website, create posting schedule, make writing assignments, post articles and promote articles on social media.
8. Brand development
Arrange for designer, create logo/color palette and distribute to team for use in marketing materials.
9. Budgeting
Build out initial budget, make adjustments, acquire approvals, collect vendor quotes, negotiate fees, set up payment schedule and make payments on time.
10. Catering
Identify food and beverage needs, create and assess catering program and draft menu(s), estimate headcount, research catering vendors, schedule tastings, negotiate fees, select vendor, select menu, retain proper licensing (alcohol, etc.) and arrange for setup.
11. Check-in
Determine check-in process and equipment needs, procure necessary check-in software, equipment and rentals (computers, tablets, tables, etc.), set up cash box, confirm necessary staffing and set up at venue.
12. Committees
Determine oversight needs, set up committee structure, recruit committee chairpersons, set committee responsibilities, recruit committee members, set meeting schedules and establish reporting criteria.
13. Content and programming
Brainstorm event theme, select preferred theme, identify and recruit content creators and presenters, develop scripts and approve scripts.
14. Contracts
Identify contracts to be drawn up, secure legal council for contract creation, customize and send out contracts to suppliers/vendors and acquire signatures.
15. Dates and times
Brainstorm potential event dates and times, select preferred date/time and back out all tasks on event planning checklist from event date.
16. Debrief meeting
Set post-event meeting to assess lessons learned and create summary document for next event.
17. Design and decor
Secure designer and contractors (floral, etc.), brainstorm on design look-and-feel, determine items to be designed (posters, flyers, mailers, signage, etc.), set design and printing deadlines for each item and deliver/set up items at on event day.
18. Email communications
Determine email needs, select email marketing software, create event email template, schedule email blasts (email invitations, reminders, updates, etc.) and write/design/send emails.
19. Entertainment
Determine entertainment needs, assess type of entertainment required, research entertainers, review demo reels, negotiate fees/terms, select entertainment, consult regarding performance/playlist, acquire music permits/licensing and set up at event.
20. Event website
Determine website scope, contract with developer or event website maker, design site, write and build out web pages, launch site and add relevant updates at benchmark dates.
21. Exhibitor management
Identify exhibitor audience, determine exhibit offerings and fees, create sales sheets, train sales staff, acquire/build sales list, contact prospects, collect signed agreements, invoice and collect payments and provide event dat setup instructions.
22. Feedback survey
For post-event feedback, script questions, determine survey software, build out survey, email survey link and analyze results.
23. Goalsetting and objectives
Brainstorm on event purpose, theme, audience, budget, location and dates; narrow down preferences and survey stakeholders and target audience; and make decisions based on input.
24. Insurance
Assess what insurance and coverage (if any) should be purchased, research with providers, purchase best options and inform parties that require insurance coverage (venues, etc.).
25. Invoicing
For invoicing sponsors, exhibitors, donors, etc., procure accounting and event payments system, set up invoice drafts/templates, create and send out invoices and follow up on payments.
26. Lead tracking and generation
Create CRM database of leads (sponsors, exhibitors, donors, VIPs, media, etc.), establish deadlines and milestones, reach out to contacts, record interactions and track conversions.
27. Mailings
Set deadline for writing/design/printing of materials to be mailed, set budget for postage and assembly, select and contract with mail house for assembly and set mail drop dates.
28. Marketing
Determine best methods for reaching target audience, create marketing plan, set deliverable and launch dates for items, contract with writers/developers/designers and set up review process.
29. Name badging
Develop list for name badges, purchase name badge stock/holders/lanyards, print badges, assemble badges and set up at event.
30. Parking
Identify parking providers near venue, acquire quotes, negotiate with and select vendors, communicate with attendees, create parking directional signage and confirm with providers prior to event.
31. Permits and licenses
Determine what permits (if any) are required, research permitting process and fees, apply for permits/licenses and communicate with relevant parties that require permits.
32. Photography/videography
Assess photography and/or videography needs, research providers and view portfolios, negotiate with and select providers, set objectives/guidelines and set up at event.
33. Printing
Set date for completion of writing/design/production, attend press checks, ship/distribute printed pieces to appropriate locations/vendors and set up at event.
34. Project management
Determine event project management needs, identify and select managers, procure event project management software tools and set up assignments and milestones.
35. Public relations
Identify appropriate media outlets and members and create list, build media outreach timelines, draft/send out press releases and follow up with media members.
36. Rain plan
Brainstorm on backup measures/sites in case of rain, arrange with appropriate vendors and confirm with them the week prior to event.
37. Registration and ticketing
Determine ticket offerings/pricing/packages/discounts, select event registration service, build event registration website and webform, set timeline for registrations, set registration launch date, monitor registrations and email updates/reminders to registrants.
38. Rentals
Identify rental needs (equipment, tables, chairs, linens, etc.), research providers, obtain quotes, negotiate with and select suppliers, follow up with suppliers prior to event and monitor set up at event.
39. Seating charts and floor plans
Assess what areas require seating charts and setup diagrams (assigned seating, banquet dining, auditorium layout, etc.), contract with designer or acquire event floor plan software, configure layouts, distribute to staff/vendors/etc. and print out prior to event.
40. Security
Establish security requirements (perimeter, crowd control, fire/EMT, etc.), research/interview/hire providers (if necessary), create safety plan and conduct walkthrough at event with security staff.
41. Setup
Determine all items that require setup (check-in/registration desk, rentals, exhibits, A/V, rentals, etc.), add setup times to day-of agenda / run sheet, distribute to staff and vendors and monitor set up of all items at event.
42. Shipping and drayage
Identify items that require shipping or delivery (printed materials, rentals, booths, etc.), research and retain shipping providers, schedule ship dates, package and prepare for shipment, arrange for on-site drayage at venue and monitor on site.
43. Social media
Set up appropriate social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, LinkedIn, etc.), create event hashtags, assign and invite staff in charge and create posting schedule with topics.
44. Speakers and presenters
Assess speaker/presenter needs, develop theme/topic needs, develop speaker/presenter list, contact/negotiate/select speakers, draft scripts, review/finalize scripts, arrange for travel/lodging/honorariums, confirm with speakers prior to event and conduct dry run prior to event.
45. Sponsors
Identify sponsorship/revenue needs, create sponsorship packages, build prospective sponsor list, reach out to sponsors, send proposals, invoice and collect payments and offer white-glove service at event.
46. Staff management
Identify staffing needs, create roles/responsibilities (finance, marketing, sales, project management, content, on-site staffing, etc.), identify and assign staff members appropriately, set up staff oversight/management, make travel and lodging arrangements and conduct walkthrough with staff on site.
47. Teardown and cleaning
Determine staffing and cleaning needs, consult with venue on teardown/cleaning requirements, identify or hire appropriate staff and manage teardown.
48. Thank yous
Design and send out post-event thank-yous to staff, committees, vendors, sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers.
49. Transportation
Identify transportation needs (from airports and transportation hubs, on-site, etc.), research/interview/hire vendors, delineate transportation routes and assignments and monitor suppliers at event.
50. Travel and lodging management and bookings
Assess travel and lodging needs for staff and speakers, assess lodging needs for attendees, research lodging providers, obtain quotes, conduct walkthroughs, establish minimums, negotiate with and select lodging providers, monitor bookings and follow up prior to event.
51. Vendors/Suppliers
Identify external vendor/supplier needs, identify vendor management solutions/apps, create needs list, develop prospective suppliers list, create RFPs for suppliers, acquire quotes/proposals and conduct interviews/visits.
52. Venue
Assess venue requirements, research venue options, draw up and send out venue RFPs, receive proposals, schedule and conduct venue site visits, conduct negotiations, select venue, sign contract, work with venue point-of-contact and conduct final walkthrough prior to event.
53. Videos
Identify video needs (for marketing, day-of content, etc.), research production companies, draw up and send out RFP, receive proposals, select vendor, draft and approve scripts, shoot video, set deadline for post-production and completion, and prepare video for distribution/viewing.
54. VIPs
Define VIP audience purpose and experience, create VIP list, invite and/or recruit VIPs, plan at-event VIP experience, communicate with updates and execute plan at event.
55. Volunteers
Define volunteer needs and roles/responsibilities, create volunteer list, reach out to and recruit volunteers, assign volunteers to roles, train volunteers, send updates/confirmations prior to event and conduct at-event walkthroughs.
56. Waste management and sustainability
Assess waste management needs, contract with appropriate vendors (if needed), coordinate with venue regarding waste management vendor and sustainability practices and oversee setup at event.
Additional Event Planning Checklist Items for Special Events
Your event management checklist may require additional items that are specific to the type of event you are planning, so here are some additional items and topics you may want to include in your event planning templates and checklists for these event types:
Conference Planning Checklist & Corporate Event Planning Checklist - country/region/city search, excursions, tracks/sessions, moderators, name badge scanning, academia participation, professional associations, membership management, event production, disaster/crisis management
Festival Planning Checklist - booth/tent setup, first aid, evacuation, special equipment (generators, etc.), accessibility, road assessment/closures, toilets/facilities, merchandising, event production, disaster/crisis management
Fundraiser Planning Checklist - host committee, fundraising, merchandising, crowdfunding, silent auction, promo items, in-kind sponsorships
Meeting Planning Checklist - attendee preparation requirements (advance research, reading, reports, etc.), participant roles, polling/voting, tent cards, meeting materials (binders, packets, etc.), excursions, tracks/sessions, academia participation, professional associations
Party Planning Checklist - save-the-dates/invitations, playlists, bar and beverage management, centerpieces, favors, menu management, glassware/dishware/silverware
Wedding Planning Checklist - save-the-dates/invitations, playlists, DJ/band, officiant, ceremony venue, reception venue, wedding party, wedding dress, attire rentals/fittings, honeymoon, floral, rehearsal, wedding cake
