Select and define attractions

You should by now have a good feel for the theme of the event, the target audience and the attractions that are available. Working with a small group you should discuss and select the best options, bearing in mind the audience profile, costs, safety, potential income and popularity.

This is another task that for all but the smallest of events will take a few attempts to complete. Brainstorm the attractions with a small group and compare the list of suggestions to what you have available. Consider looking around for some diversionary attractions and begin to enquire about cost and availability. Make sure that the attractions you are listing are compatible with your organisation, your event objective, your site and funding level. Leave the resulting lists for a few days and then revisit them and work through again until you think you have a good schedule of attractions. Above all do not forget that the attractions have to ‘attract’ the public – you might still be enthralled by that milk-bottle engraving but nobody else will be!

You must also remember that you are responsible for the health and safety of anyone attending your event or affected by it (see Chapter 5). If the event requires safety barriers or specialist safety certificates, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are obtained and available for inspection.