10 books every event planner should read
Recommendations by
1. Into the heart of meetings Author: Eric de Groot and Mike van der Vijver
Summary: This book provides a wonderful introduction to
meeting design. Unlike the many books on the profession
that emphasize logistics, this book delves into core
questions about meeting design, such as uncovering
desired outcomes, working with meeting owners, and what
to do to create truly innovative meetings that deliver results.
The real-life examples included make this book a
fascinating and thought-provoking read.
2. The 7 habits of highly effective people
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Summary: With over 15 million copies in print, the book has
become a classic. The integrated, principle-centered 7 Habits
philosophy has helped readers find solutions to their personal
and professional problems, and achieve a life characterized by
fairness, integrity, honesty, and dignity. Covey's tried and true
step-by-step approach can now be even more thoroughly
explored in this new workbook that helps readers further
understand, appreciate, and internalize the power of the 7
Habits.
3. Setting the table
Author: Danny Meyer
Summary: Danny Meyer thinks that "If you trust and empower
people to do a good job, they will". The book engages in explaining
two important concepts - "fear based control" vs "trust based control".
The author shares the lessons he learned while developing the
winning recipe for doing the business he calls "enlightened
hospitality." This innovative philosophy emphasizes putting the power
of hospitality to work in a new and counterintuitive way: The first and
most important application of hospitality is to the people who work for
you, and then, in descending order of priority, to the guests, the
community, the suppliers, and the investors.
4. How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: Michael Gelb
Summary: This book is a mandatory reading if you want to
consider how to live and create better. Michael Gelb centers
this book on models of the very highest achievements and
demonstrates how genius is put together, by steps virtually
anyone can take, if they have the willingness to practice. Gelb
makes the practical teachings of history's great genius come
alive for the modern world. We recommended it to anyone
who wants to experience a professional renaissance.
5. Special eventsAuthor: Joe Goldblatt
Summary: This title is a good choice for peers just getting
started in the industry. The author takes you step-by-step
through every process of event managing. Goldblatt
chronicles and champions the development, changes, and
challenges faced by the global celebrations industry for event
planners. The book includes interviews with experienced
events leaders and gives a better understanding of the field.
Event measurement, evaluation, and assessment are topics
that are integrated throughout a number of the chapters.
6. The accidental creative
Author: Todd Henry
Summary: The book provides guidance on how to make
adjustments in your daily routines to facilitate and increase
your creativity, which is a vital asset when your profession
requires creativity on demand. Henry shows how to cultivate
the mindset and the methods you need to sustain your
enthusiasm, push through mental barriers, and unleash your
best work each day. His guiding principles and checkpoints
include: define your goals, be fiercely curious and step out of
your comfort zone. His advice is to embrace the importance of
now, and to refuse to accept comfort, fear and familiarity.
7. Meeting architecture, a manifesto
Author: Maarten Vanneste
Summary: This book explains in detail the potential that
meetings and conferences have in changing behaviours. This is
the book to read if you want to learn how to get that final result of
your meetings. Maarten Vanneste focuses on the content side of
meetings - what happens during the meeting that is important to
meeting owners - the meeting initiators, and their objectives.
What changes in the minds of the participants, what influences
the participants, what supports the objectives of the meeting in
terms of learning, networking and motivation.
8. Theme ideas handbook
Author: Jerry Busche
Summary: Anyone burdened with the task of planning a meeting or
conference knows that the first stumbling block in the overall
process is coming up with a knockout theme. Without a clear
and concise theme for the session you are dead in the water. This
book explores more than 600 theme ideas for meetings, conferences,
parties, and events of all types: sales meetings, staff and team
building meetings, conventions, receptions, banquets, office breakout
sessions, seminars. It is perfect for any business or organization, any
department, any occasion: Sales, Marketing, Customer Service,
Telemarketing, Safety, Production, Staff Support, Associations, Non-
Profits.
9. Boring meetings suck
Author: Jon Petz
Summary: Most of the millions of meetings held in the world today are a
monumental waste of time and talent. Worse still, most of the so-called
solutions and books for boring meetings are twice as boring.This title
covers new meeting techniques for focused and results-driven events. It
teaches you simple steps to get everyone on board and make meetings
more effective. With this book you are going to learn how to “get in, get it
done and get out” to make your next meeting more efficient and effective. It
helps you to determine which bad meetings you can skip and how to avoid
poor meeting etiquette. It totally resonates with anyone who has ever
attended tons of boring conferences and meetings.
10. Designing successful meetings
Authors: Susan E. Mundry, Senta A. Raizen,
Susan Loucks-Horsley, Edward D. Britton
Summary: This book provides guidance, tips, and suggestions for
planning professional events that will result in substantial learning for
participants. Written for professionals with all levels of experience, it is
based on the authors' experiences with designing and conducting
meetings. Finally, a step-by-step guide to maximize your efforts and create
the kinds of learning experiences participants will rave about. Designed for
first-time as well as veteran event planners, this practical hands-on guide is
full of concrete strategies, tips, and suggestions for creating dynamic
events.
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