Planning an international event is every event planner’s dream. The fat cheque at the end of the deal is always the major focus. However, this often prevents them from preparing for the challenges and difficulties that would hinder the planning and preparation. As an event planner with big dreams, you must understand different strategies to help you plan events that would impress everyone regardless of their geographic position. There are different tips and tricks that event organizers should know to plan the most terrific events. But, in this article, we’ll discuss some simple tips you should know before accepting an international gig.
Plan For Language Barriers
Language barriers are one of the most significant challenges that an organizer faces when planning an international event. It goes without saying that you won’t be getting much work done if you cannot communicate with the locals. For this reason, you must have translation tools and services in place. Getting a local partner might be a good idea, but what happens when they are unavoidably absent? Push-to-talk microphones are one such tool that can easily remove the language barrier between two people, regardless of their ethnicity. These microphones are especially helpful when people from all over the world are attending the event, as they make it easy for everyone to communicate seamlessly, regardless of language barriers.
Understand The Local Culture And Customs
Before you even book your flight, you should conduct in-depth research on your intended location. Learn about the customs and culture of the location. This would greatly influence your choice of artifacts, planning, and design. For example, in some cultures, it’s customary to exchange gifts or have specific dress codes for formal events. Understanding these nuances can help you avoid any cultural faux pas and make your event more enjoyable for everyone involved. Your research will save you the embarrassment of planning a big event on a national feast or carnival day.
Work With A Local Partner
A local partner would be highly beneficial to the entire process. They would help you get firsthand insight into the culture, habits, and preferences of the locals. They can as well help with translation with local vendors and suppliers. It’s a known fact that locals tend to inflate prices for foreigners who do not understand the dialect. With a local partner, you would be getting better deals at the market. Also, you stand less risk of getting ambushed or attacked by violent youth if you have a local partner with you all through. You must choose a partner that is reliable and trustworthy. If possible, contact your travel agency and have them book a credible person for you. This would keep you safe from stress and trouble.
Have A Contingency Plan
When organizing an international event, things can go wrong, even with the best planning. It’s essential to have a contingency plan in place to address any unforeseen issues. For example, you should have backup vendors, suppliers, and event venues in case of an emergency. It’s also essential to have a plan for emergencies such as natural disasters or medical emergencies. One of the most critical aspects of a contingency plan is to have alternative event venues that you can rely on in case of an emergency. This may involve identifying potential locations in the surrounding area that could serve as a backup or having a backup venue on standby that can be used in the event of an unexpected issue.
Be Flexible And Adaptable
The fifth and final tip is to be flexible and adaptable. International event planning can be unpredictable, and things may not always go as planned. It’s important to be flexible and adaptable and be willing to adjust your plans as needed. This means being open to new ideas and willing to work with your team and partners. Your flexibility and adaptability will give you a nudge to pivot quickly and find creative solutions to any challenges that may arise during the event planning process. This approach can help you stay ahead of potential issues and ensure that the event is a success, even in the face of unexpected obstacles.
Conclusion
Among all the hurdles an event planner faces on an international trip, the language barrier appears to be the most mind-boggling. Inability to understand the local dialect will put a huge dent in the planning and execution of activities for the event. It’s worse when there are guests from different locations with no way to understand each other. Luckily, with just simple software like push-to-talk microphones, all of these hurdles will clear out, giving the event planner limitless access to the people and their culture.
