You must now be totally convinced that no two events are ever the same and that though they vary in purpose, objective, size, location and content, there are aspects that are common to almost all events.

This book has attempted to offer you a methodology and guidance in researching and planning your event. Though it has offered illustrative lists for your consideration and inspiration, it has frequently reminded you that as your event is unique, you should review the contents of those lists, add to them and amend them to suit your unique event and purpose.

At this point in the methodology, unless your proposed event has unique aspects that are as yet unresolved, your critical research and planning should have been completed and you should have all of the details necessary to apply for permission to run your event. (If not, from your contacts with the authorites you will know what still has to be done before your presentation.) When all issues are resolved and your plans and documentation are complete, you should proceed with this stage by making your formal presentation.

Do you want to continue?

If there was a potentially fatal problem with your proposed event, you should by this stage have either resolved that problem, or changed your objective and event type, adopted one unaffected by the fatal flaw, and reinvestigated and evolved a revised plan. It is highly unlikely that you would want to abandon the project when you have reached this stage, but there are some crucial questions that you must ask yourself before you continue:

• Are you confident that your investigations, research and planning have allowed you to accurately forecast attendance?
• Are you confident that your research and investigation have disclosed the full and realistic cost of delivering your event?
• Are you confident that your research and investigation are accurate and are you confident that you will attract the number of people you forecast?
• Are you confident that the event you have planned will attract the income required to at least cover the costs?
• Are you confident that you can deliver the facilities, services, staff, and attractions as defined in the plan?
• Are you willing to trust your planning skills and insurance cover, and be willing to accept legal liability for your event?
• Are you willing to trust your planning skills and accept financial liability for any potential losses?
• Are you absolutely sure that you are willing and able to commit to delivering your proposed event, as defined in your plans?

If the answer to all of these questions is ‘yes’, then read on and prepare to make your presentations, seeking formal approval to run your event.

If the answer is ‘no’, you have two choices. First choice is to go back and review those areas of which you are unsure, and to refine the detail to a level where you are confident that you are right, then ask yourself the questions above again. Your only other option is to walk away, abandoning the idea of delivering an event.