EVENT MANAGEMENT involves understanding client objectives, identifying target audiences, devising event concepts, planning logistics and coordinating technical aspects in addition to event execution.  Providing post-event analysis and ensuring returns on investment are significant elements of Event Management.

SMITH/Associates specialize in the coordination and facilitation of international, national and regional events.  These events have ranged from conferences involving 1,000-plus attendees to intimate Board of Directors meetings, all managed with detailed attention to the government clients’ objectives and an assurance of a sufficient return on investment.
 
Our seasoned event managers apply project management methodologies to the creation and development of meetings and events of all shapes and sizes.  We have managed and executed over 500 events for clients that involved coordination with various government offices and agencies including the DoD, Environmental Protection Agency, US Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, Department of Justice, the National Park Service and numerous other parties.
 
Our services provide a seamless experience for all participants. Every aspect of an event is covered, including:

• Communicating with military and governmental clients
• Identifying target audiences
• Producing detailed proposals for events
  (e.g. timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets)
• Managing project budget
• Selecting a theme and message that supports the purpose and goals of the event
• Selecting a site and procuring a venue
• Selecting and managing vendors
  (catering, audio visual, rentals, hotel staff)
• Negotiating contracts
• Creating, implementing and monitoring marketing and outreach plans
• Designing and maintaining an event-branded web site
• Designing, or overseeing the design and production of posters, signs, brochures, and other graphic materials
• Developing agendas, briefings and presentations
• Translating technical language into layman’s terms
• Identifying and securing speakers
• Complying with DoD Protocol
• Coordinating staffing requirements and client/staff briefings
• Facilitating event planning meetings and day-of events
• On-site event management
• Developing, disseminating, and analyzing event evaluations
• Preparing meeting summaries, minutes, or transcripts
• Preparing after action summaries and lessons learned reports

SOCIETY OF GOVERNMENT MEETING PLANNERS
SMITH/Associates is a corporate member of the Society of Government Meeting Planners.  Our event management associates are Certified Government Meeting Planners or are working towards certification and hold degrees in Communications, Marketing and Hospitality-related fields.  All have extensive experience in planning and managing events for the Department of Defense.

GREEN MEETING MANAGEMENT
SMITH/Associates strive to follow Green Meeting Management objectives when possible.  Green Meeting Management involves the incorporation of environmental considerations throughout all stages of the meeting in order to minimize negative impact on the environment.  Examples of green meetings include online registration, coordination with event facilities to supply recycling containers and posting presentation material to a web site for download instead of supplying paper copies.  In addition to protecting the environment, these measures also generate significant cost savings.

Click here to submit your request for Event Management.