Whether you’re a professional event planner who has hosted thousands of events in the Seattle area or a Bellevue stay-at-home mom who’s planning your child’s first birthday, there are countless little things that go into planning a successful event. From food selection to site location; from venue supervision to guest transportation, there are a lot of moving parts to consider.
However, at its most fundamental, it all boils down to a meticulous organization. And more than any other luxury transportation provider in the Seattle area, Starline Town Car & Limousine understands that forethought and pre-planning are the key ingredients in not only creating a successful event, but in fostering a remarkable customer experience.
With this in mind, if you have an upcoming event in the Seattle metro area, we thought we’d share a few important tips to keep in mind when planning your next event:
Tip 1: Know Your Budget
Before you begin planning any aspect of your Seattle event, you’ll first need to implement a budget. This is because everything else springs from here. In other words, should you hire the best-selling author as your main speaker or the less-known author who may be just as effective? If you understand your budget constraints, this should be an easy decision. Unfortunately, this is often the most overlooked aspect of event planning, and before you know it, you can easily spend 2-3 times (or more) what you were originally planning to. Instead, save yourself a big headache and thoroughly grasp your budget in advance.
Tip 2: Evaluate Your Marketing Needs
Is the marketing for your event built in (e.g. an annual conference with mandatory attendance), or will you need to get the word out through traditional advertising channels? Once you know your budget and your audience, you’ll quickly understand what needs to be accomplished from a marketing standpoint.
Tip 3: Plan Ahead
This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you wait until the last minute to begin planning your event, you may find that many of your key services—such a caterers and entertainers—are booked solid. Instead, start calling around about 4-6 weeks in advance, in order to ensure their availability.
Tip 4: Understand Your Audience
Will your event be for a corporate audience of 500, or a group of 5 toddlers? Understanding your audience is of key importance because not adequately addressing their needs can mean the difference between a huge success, and a massive flop. If you’re not intimately familiar with the wants and needs of your audience, it may be time for a little research.
Tip 5: Choose a Reputable Transportation Provider
Last, but certainly not least, choosing a reputable Seattle-based transportation provider should be one of your top concerns. After following the above four steps, you should already have a good handle on what your transportation needs will be (e.g. how many people will require transportation, how large of a vehicle you’ll need, etc.), so the next step is to book your reservation. But how do you choose the right one? Here are a few questions to ask:
- How long have they been in business? At Starline Town Car & Limousine, we’ve been providing Seattle residents with top-notch transportation services for more than a decade. We know what it takes to foster lasting relationships, and is a key component of our business model.
- What are their rates? Only slightly more expensive than a traditional taxi service—and much more friendly, professional, and clean—Starline’s rates are focused on providing you with the most value for your hard-earned money.
- How do they ensure timeliness? At Starline, we don’t just stop with state of the art communications equipment. Instead, we also boast some of the most technologically advanced logistics in the industry. What this means for you is that you’re guaranteed to be on time, every time.
- How easy is it to make a reservation? Our simple, straightforward website was built from the ground up with one goal in mind: To make the reservation process as quick and easy as possible. So whether you need a luxury sedan, a mini-bus, or anything in between, we’ll have you set up in minutes.
Your Event’s Success Depends on What You Do Beforehand
When hosting an event, whether large or small, having it go smoothly is more about advance planning than it is about putting out fires as they arise on the day of. Whether you’re talking about planning an event or providing luxury transportation, the time-tested saying, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail,” has never been truer.
At Starline Town Care & Limousine, we have been one of the most forward-thinking luxury transportation companies in the Seattle area for more than a decade. We understand that competence and expertise are the keys to providing you with the services you need, and to keeping you as a lifelong customer.
When you’re planning your next event, you won’t leave any aspect of it to the amateurs—so why do so when it comes to your guests’ transportation needs? Call Starline Town Car & Limousine today at (206) 261-1191, and we’ll give you one less thing to worry about.
Image credit: Lana Sky Photography