You have investigated and planned, scheduled, managed and trained, debriefed, listened and delivered. You must now compile the important elements of all of that information into a final report, to encapsulate what happened. It will be an invaluable learning tool for you and a source of inspiration and information when the event comes around again.

Summary of useful information

When it is all over, the accounts have been finalised and the profits banked, the event manager, with the assistance of any deputies and other supervisors they require, should compile a final report.

This should contain an overall review of the success (or otherwise) of the event and any problems encountered, indicating where possible the actions or measures that have been implemented (or will be next year) to avoid or resolve those problems.

If possible, compile a comprehensive list of all professional services engaged, suppliers and equipment, with a note of their cost and efficiency. Some may be contacted again for future events whilst others may be relegated to the ‘unsatisfactory’ list.

This report will act as a quick and easy reference when planning future events, be they annual repeats of the event just completed, or similar events and shows.

Other supporting event documentation will be available for audit and to assist the event manager in following years. This report is a summary of the event. More than a meaningless list of names and contacts, it encapsulates how you delivered the event and any lessons you learned while doing so.