Event Planning Guide: What to Ask Yourself

Speaker/Guest

• Who is the speaker/guest?
• Has the speaker visited DePauw before? If so, when did they visit?
• What is the purpose of this visit?
• What is the proposed itinerary for your speaker/guest?
• When will they arrive and depart?
• Will they meet with classes, organizations, and/or departments?
• Will they give a public lecture?
• Will they have a private lunch or dinner with select guests?
• What other activities will they participate in during their visit?

Audience

• Who is yourtargetaudience?
• How does the speaker/event contribute to academic courses and/or other campus initiatives?

Logistics:

• When do you want to have your event (date and time)?
• Where do you want to have your event?
• What other events are taking place at that time on campus and in the surrounding community? Consult the Planning Calendar.

Funding:

• What is the proposed budget for the visit? (transportation, accommodation, meals, honorarium, materials/special supplies needed by guest, publicity, misc.)
• How much money do you currently have and how much more do you need?
• What other departments and organizations may be interested in co-sponsoring your event/speaker?

Publicity:

• What is the proposed marketing plan for your event?
• What methods (fliers, email, bulleting board, personal invitations) will you use to publicize your event?
• When will you begin publicizing your event?

Now that you have answered these...

You are now ready to continue planning your academic event. Contact Keith Nightenhelser for assistance.