How can you maintain stakeholder relationships after your event planning project ends?

I am an avid believer in the personal touch, so when they say send a thank you note, many people will send a thank you note in an email. I prefer to send a hand-written thank you note. I always include something special, whether it is a token from the event, or a link to a flipbook, which I will also email them after the event, with the photos and an overview of the event. If at all possible, include a comment they may have made during the event. For example, at an event I organized, a guest mentioned searching for a particular resource. In my handwritten note, I recalled their comment and included the information they were looking for. It is the small touches that can make a big impact.

Building strong relationships with stakeholders is crucial for long-term success in event planning. Here are some ways to maintain positive relationships after your event project ends: **Express Gratitude:** ***Thank you notes:** Send personalized thank you notes to all stakeholders expressing your appreciation for their contributions and support. ***Public recognition:** Acknowledge their involvement in event materials, social media posts, or press releases. ***Gift certificates or small tokens:** Consider sending small gifts or gift certificates as a gesture of appreciation, aligning with your budget and company policies.

Sustaining relationships post-event involves ongoing communication, expressing gratitude, and seeking feedback. Regular updates and personalized acknowledgments contribute to lasting connections. By demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and valuing client's input, you foster trust and lay the foundation for future successful collaborations.

In addition to a personalised thank-you note I always send a personalised folder featuring event highlights, photographs, testimonials, and media coverage. Having a tangible item like this provides stakeholders with a sense of pride and serves as a valuable tool during meetings to illustrate the accomplishments and insights gained. Evaluating an event is equally crucial as organising it and should be accorded the same level of importance.

A?adir un enlace con las fotos del evento puede ser una buena excusa para el envío de este email de agradecimiento a los asistentes.

**Share Results and Feedback:** ***Event report:** Prepare a comprehensive event report summarizing key metrics, successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Share it with stakeholders, highlighting their contributions to the outcome. ***Feedback survey:** Conduct a post-event survey to gather feedback from stakeholders on their experience. Analyze and share key insights with them, demonstrating your commitment to improvement. ***Open communication:** Be open to receiving and addressing any feedback or concerns they may have after the event.

**Stay Connected and Engaged:** ***Regular communication:** Maintain regular communication through emails, newsletters, or social media updates, sharing relevant industry news, event planning tips, or success stories. ***Networking events:** Invite stakeholders to industry networking events or future events you are planning. ***Offer ongoing support:** If applicable, offer ongoing support or consultation related to the event or their area of expertise. **Go the Extra Mile:** ***Personalized outreach:** Reach out to individual stakeholders on their birthdays, holidays, or professional milestones with personal messages

**Remember:** ***Be genuine and sincere:** Your efforts should be genuine and demonstrate your sincere appreciation for their involvement. ***Tailor your approach:** Personalize your approach based on each stakeholder's relationship and interests. ***Be consistent:** Maintaining consistent communication and engagement is key to building long-lasting relationships. ***Track and measure:** Track your relationship-building efforts and measure their impact on future projects and collaborations. By following these tips, you can foster strong and lasting relationships with stakeholders, positioning yourself for future success in the event planning industry.

Be proactive in identifying new projects or areas of collaboration. Suggest how you can continue to add value to their organization with your services.

Reflecting on past events and achievements may incur no cost, yet it holds the potential to create a positive and nostalgic experience for all those involved. I enjoy creating throwback reels on social media for clients not only to evoke fond memories but also to re-establish a connection with them for potential future events. Organising events involves significant effort, and I always encourage clients to take pride in their accomplishments and to seize every opportunity to showcase their hard work.

Maintaining stakeholder relationships after your event planning project ends is mutually beneficial for both you and the stakeholders involved. Your reliability in managing their brand and company reputation makes you someone they can trust, and this positive association is likely to be remembered in the future. Event organising is a collaborative effort, and it's crucial to acknowledge and remember the various companies you collaborated with. These collaborators are the individuals you may need again to contribute to the success of your next project.