Q. Why do I need an event planner? Can’t I plan my event on my own?
A. You could plan your event on your own, but do you have the time? At Clearway, we know all the elements of a great event. We know how to approach vendors, what to ask for, what things work and what don’t. We know you have many other things to worry about aside from this event, so we help you to not get overwhelmed.
Q. How involved do I have to be?
A. You can be as involved as you want to be. Some of our clients are content giving us their vision and checking in near the event date. Others want to have touch base meetings every week. Whatever way works best for you, we’re here to accommodate! You can be sure you’ll never lose control of the planning either. We know you deserve the glory and we’re happy to let you have it!
Q. What if I have no idea what I want to do?
A. That’s where Clearway’s more than 10 years of experience come in. We’ve planned over 1,200 events of all types. You can let us know what kind of event you’re holding – like a retirement party, holiday party or employee recognition event – and we’ll give you a list of ideas based on our experience and your corporate culture.
Q. Will I lose control of the planning?
A. Clearway is your planning partner. In your initial meeting, you’ll discuss with her exactly how much you want to be involved. Either way, we will be in touch constantly regarding to-dos, milestones and other points. It’s your event and Cyndi is there to help it arrive smoothly.
Q. How can I be sure we’ll work well together?
A. This is why we start every consultation with a “get to know each other” session. We understand all that goes into planning an event, including what vendors and venues need from us to work smoothly. This belief in openness, honesty and communication is central to Cyndi’s personality. We’ll treat you with respect and kindness and put you first.
Q. At what stage should I hire a planner?
A. Ideally one year to six months before your event. This gives us enough time to plan for your specific needs and budget. If you wait too long, it may be more difficult to secure the vendors you require to fit your style, needs and budget.
Q. Am I too late to hire a planner?
A. If you just read the last question and you’re past the six-month mark, don’t worry - it is never too late. We can always step in, even a week before (see Week-of Coordination) to help tie together all the loose ends and finish last minute details. If you’ve put a bunch of work into planning an event, why don’t you attend the event, and enjoy it, while Clearway ensures all your hard work comes together!
Q. How can I tell if a planner is reputable?
A. The event industry is small, so planners gain reputations quickly. Clearway is more than happy to provide you with a list of references you can follow up with at any time. These references will be completely honest with you as well.
Q. Does Clearway accept referral fees or kickbacks from vendors?
A. Absolutely not. This is something that is not often talked about, but we want to let you know that any incentives, discounts or perks that we get within the industry, we happily pass along to you.
Q. Will the planner that works with me throughout the process be the planner that is there on the event day?
A. At Clearway, we make it a point to be present on the day of every event we help plan. This is so we are available to help you with any last-minute things that may arise. In the event that we are unable to attend your event, we will send a fully-debriefed and trained replacement who is also a Catering Manager and Catering Coordinators of Calgary member.
