Are you considering organizing a corporate retreat but feeling overwhelmed by all the details and logistics? Big Deal Company is here to help! We are your ultimate partner in simplifying the planning process while also maximizing your savings! Follow along to see how Big Deal does it and learn how hiring a corporate retreat planner like Big Deal can save you stress, time, and money:

1. Efficient Planning Process: Big Deal kicks everything off by holding an internal planning call with you and your retreat team. The goal of this call is to dive deep into retreat goals and preferences. Our streamlined approach allows your team to focus on core business activities while we handle the details.
2. Customized Wishlist Development: Our mission is to make this a successful and memorable event for you and your organization. By developing a comprehensive list of “musts” and “nice-to-haves”, we ensure that your retreat aligns with your company’s goals, vision, and objectives. 

3.  Thorough Venue Research: Big Deal takes the time to meticulously research the cities, locations, and amenities that meet your meeting’s criteria. Our process eliminates the need for you or your team to spend valuable business time scouring through the often overwhelming and endless options.

4. Simplified Proposal Management: We take the reins by sending out Request for Proposals (RFPs) to potential properties (that our venue research narrowed down). We set clear deadlines and guidelines for potential venues. We field all of the inquiries and manage all of the proposals so you don’t have to - that’s a savings of precious time!

5. Comprehensive Comparison Tools: With a detailed spreadsheet of RFP submissions at your fingertips, you and your team can easily compare options. Our approach ensures that no detail is overlooked, providing you with everything you need to make an informed decision.

6. Expert Negotiation Skills: This is our time to shine! Negotiating contract terms and securing the best possible deals is what we do best! Our experience and industry insights allow us to navigate negotiations on your behalf with ease. This is where you truly receive the biggest bang for your buck and where you will find the largest return on your Big Deal investment.

7. Efficient Travel Arrangements: From booking accommodations to coordinating all of your company’s travel logistics - we handle it all! Our efficient approach provides smooth sailing from start to finish. While we work on the details, you can focus on what truly matters - making the most of your retreat experience!

8. Curated Local Experiences: Big Deal goes the extra mile. We take the time to really get to know you and understand your vision. We use this information to craft a list of local restaurants and experiences that fit you and your team. Whether it’s exploring the culinary and nightlife scenes or embarking on exciting adventure and team-building activities, Big Deal will provide you with options that include unforgettable experiences that go beyond the boardroom.

When you entrust your corporate retreat planning to Big Deal Company, you not only save precious time and money, but you ensure an overall positive experience for your entire team. We pay attention to the details and provide expertise and the right amount of support, giving you peace of mind and confidence that your retreat will be a resounding success. 

​So - what are you waiting for? Partner with Big Deal Company and take the stress out of planning your next retreat. See some of our past corporate retreat events here.

Choosing the right vendors is crucial for any event, and it’s even more important when you’re choosing vendors to partner with your venue. Here are our BIG DEAL Company team’s essential tips for venues looking to contract with vendors that will help ensure seamless and successful events.
 
Short on time? Download our short-and-sweet “cheat sheet.” 

​Before reaching out to any vendors, take time to consider your needs and expectations. Brainstorm services that would be helpful to your clients and that would enhance your venue offerings. Have a clear vision before initiating conversations with vendors.
 
Research potential vendors in your area. Read reviews and check portfolios before reaching out – this background knowledge also prepares you in the event a vendor initiates a partnership conversation with you.

​Check References
 Contact past clients of the vendors you're considering. Ask about their experiences, the vendor's reliability, and how well they handled challenges. This will give you valuable insights into the vendor's professionalism and ability to deliver under various circumstances. Online reviews are a good starting point.
 
Verify Licenses and Permits
 Ensure that all selected vendors have the necessary licenses and insurance coverage. This is especially important for vendors providing services such as catering, audio-visual support, and transportation. It protects both parties in case of any unforeseen incidents. Double-check that licenses and permits meet not only industry, but local, standards.
 
Review Portfolios and Samples
 Examine potential vendor portfolios to assess the quality and style. Make sure their work aligns with your vision and the standards of your venue/clients. You might even attend vendor showcases and trade shows or request a private demo for services like entertainment.
 
Communication and Responsiveness
 Establish open and clear communication from the beginning. Evaluate how promptly vendors respond to your inquiries. Effective communication is crucial for successful collaboration and helps prevent misunderstandings. Establishing strong relationships with reliable vendors can be mutually beneficial.
 
Contractual Agreements/Negotiation
 Review contracts meticulously. Ensure all terms, conditions, and services are clearly outlined. Pay attention to payment schedules, payment methods, cancellation policies, and any other additional costs. A well-written contract protects both parties and minimizes the risk of misunderstandings.
 
While negotiating terms and prices is common, be fair and realistic in negotiations – the ultimate goal is a partnership that benefits the venue and vendor.
 
Main Point of Contact
 Clearly define who your main point of contact will be, their contact information, and emergency details should they not be able to follow through on their work. Choose a main point of contact with decision-making rights and who passes your evaluation of responsiveness.
 
Remember to regularly review and update your vendor recommendations to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of your clients.
 
Download our Cheat Sheet for Venues Contracting Vendors and keep it handy as you navigate the partnership process.

​Looking for fresh recommendations and new relationships? Reach out to BIG DEAL Company. For more industry tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

In event planning, when your event ends, there is commonly a sense of relief. Often a adrenaline high and sense of fulfillment!

However, where your event planning company is concerned --- the event truly isn't over once the floors are swept and the lights are turned off.
You (the client) get to head home, relax and enjoy your success! Relive the event through some photos... soak up the compliments you receive on such a fun experience!

Your event planning team is still hard at work.
​Below are tasks still on our LONG 'to do' list post event!

• Download photos
• Photo editing
• Pay final vendor invoices
• Tip vendors
• Upload photos to client shared folders
• Add photos to event website
• Add photos to social media channels
• Thank vendors/sponsors
• Send out a guest survey
• Tabulate the survey
• Create a post-event wrap up report
• Handle prize redemption
• Host a post-event wrap up meeting
• Finalize budget for accurate expenses and income
• Add notes to a SWAT analysis
• Book the date/venue for next year

The average event requires 150-300 planning hours -- and this doesn't include time onsite, making sure your event goes smoothly. Is it worth it to hire the experts so you can enjoy your BIG day? You bet!

As a collective of experts, BIG DEAL Company specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! 
BIG DEAL Company makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do.
​As purveyors of fun with BIG DEAL, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Serving Colorado & Wyoming. We travel too!

Contact BIG DEAL Company
​​*** Bringing Joy to the Job ***
Phone: 970-613-1455  or  303-886-3068
Email Us
Disclosure: *All content produced by My Big Day; DBA Big Deal Company, including websites, are the property of My Big Day LLC and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, transmit, modify,
create derivative works, or in any other way exploit any part of our materials without the prior written permission
from My Big Day LLC​

​In the detailed, and often fun world of event planning, the decision to hire a professional can easily be seen as an unnecessary expense. Many people believe that handling the logistics and details on their own will save money in the long run. However, what many fail to consider are the hidden costs associated with not bringing in an experienced event planner, like BIG DEAL Company. The effects can extend far beyond the initial budget, affecting both the success of the event and the long-term reputation of the organization.
 
One of the most tangible impacts of forgoing an event planner is the potential for overspending. Hiring a skilled event planner can actually save money. We know this sounds counterintuitive, but professionals possess extensive networks and negotiating skills, enabling us to secure better deals on venues, catering, and other essential services. Without this expertise, your business may find itself paying a premium for services that could have been obtained at a lower cost.  In other words, we’ve got the hookup on great pricing.
 
Moreover, the value of time cannot be overstated….seriously. Planning an event demands a significant investment of time, effort, and resources that could be better spent on building your business. A dedicated event planner, adept at managing timelines and coordinating logistics, can streamline the planning process and ensure that the event runs seamlessly.

​The true return on investment (ROI) becomes evident when considering the impact on the success of the event itself. BIG DEAL Company brings creativity, innovation, and attention to detail to the table, transforming an ordinary event (yawn) into an extraordinary one (hooray). From thematic designs to engaging entertainment options, our expertise will enhance the overall experience, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. In contrast, a poorly executed event can tarnish the reputation of your organization and hinder your ability to draw in future attendees or clients.  When your event is a smash hit you will enhance your brand image, foster positive relationships with stakeholders, and generate valuable word-of-mouth marketing.
 
The cost of not hiring an event planner like BIG DEAL Company extends far beyond the immediate financial investment. It involves missed opportunities, overspending, and the potential for a tarnished reputation. The next time you’re preparing to plan the next company event remember that your ROI isn’t just in dollars but also in time, success, image, and future opportunities.

BIG DEAL Company loves planning the FUN! As most companies know, planning the fun is a TON of work! We are grateful that slate360 chooses to rely on BIG DAY Company to plan all of the intricate details of their annual company retreat. Travel, lodging, meals, break-outs, excursions, transportation... it can take months to pull it all together and pull it off. We love what we do - and the end result of bringing our clients JOY!

Planning Considerations from the Experts at BIG DEAL Company:

Does the destination align with your meeting priorities?
The first thing to consider is that the destination must work for the business purpose.
What are your priorities for the meeting? What kind of team building do you envision?
Will you want to do group activities or let people choose their own adventure? What
time of year will work best? Answering these questions are the first step in selection
your destination.

Location, location, location...
Once you've identified your business priorities, the next step is to narrow down your
location options. What type of team do you have? What kind of company are you?

What type of venue are you looking for?
As you ponder your location options, also consider the type of venue that you're looking for. Are you ready to pull out all the stops for a luxurious celebration? Do you need a functional space where your team can work hard and then play hard? 

Budget and Attendance
As you narrow down your wish list, it's likely that your location and venue selection will boil down to how many people it can accommodate and how it will fit into your
budget. Also, consider peak visitation and plan accordingly - you may be
able to receive discounts or more robust packages during the off season. 

Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Even the most wonderful venue can become a nightmare when it comes to
transportation. Consider distance from a major airport, transportation availability and cost for large groups, back up options if needed, and proximity to entertainment, dining, etc.

You've Selected the Location. Now What?
This is where the sky is the limit! Consider both group options and plenty of free
time to explore. By giving your employees time to soak up the sun and fresh air, your meetings will be more relaxed and productive.

We Do It So You Don't Have To
Destination planning isn't for the faint of heart!  We're here to help. We travel!
A destination meeting is a big deal, and so are we! Let us find the perfect 
experience to meet your company's needs, budget and expectations.

Important Questions to Ask Event Vendors Before Hiring Them
Planning an event can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By doing your research and asking the right questions, you can find the perfect vendors to help you create the event of your dreams.
BIG DEAL Company has been in the events business for over 17 years. We have seen and worked with our fair share of professional event companies and vendors. We have compiled a list of important questions to ask before you sign your name on the dotted line of any event contract. These questions will help you get to know the vendor, their experience, and their rates. They will also help you determine if the vendor is a good fit for your event. Scroll down to the end of this blog for a special surprise - a downloadable questionnaire that you can use when you’re shopping for your event vendor team!

Experience & Expertise

1. How long have you been in the event industry?
2. What types of events have you worked on in the past?
3. Can you provide references from previous clients?

 
Services & Packages

1. What services do you offer?
2. Do you provide a comprehensive event package or can services be customized?
3. Are there any additional charges for specific services?

   
Pricing & Payment

1. What is your pricing structure?
2. Is a deposit required, and if so, what is the amount?
3. What is your cancellation and refund policy?

 
Event Coordination

1. Who will be the main point of contact throughout the planning process and on the event day?
2. Do you provide on-site coordination during the event?
3. How do you handle last-minute changes or unforeseen circumstances?

 
Staffing

1. How many staff members will be present at the event?
2. Are your staff members experienced in handling the specific requirements of my event?

 
Insurance & Permits

1. Do you have liability insurance?
2. Will you handle obtaining any necessary permits or licenses for the event?

 
Contracts & Agreements

1. Can you provide a written contract outline the services, costs, and terms of the agreement?
2. What is your policy for changes to the contract after it is signed?

 
Venue Requirements

1. Are you familiar with the event venue?
2. Will you coordinate with the venue directly regarding logistics and set up?

 
Additional Services

1. Can you recommend or provide additional event services such as catering, entertainment, marketing, or decor?
2. Do you offer any special packages or discounts combined with other vendors?

 
Previous Events & Portfolios

1. Can you show me photos or videos from previous events you have worked on?
2. Do you have a portfolio or website showcasing your work?

 
Communication

1. How frequently will you provide updates on the planning process?
2. What is your preferred method of communication?

 
Asking the right questions to potential event vendors is essential to ensuring that your event is a success. By taking the time to get to know each vendor and their capabilities, you can be confident that you are choosing the best possible partners for your event.
​
To make things even easier for you, we have created a special FREE downloadable questionnaire that you can use to ask potential event vendors. This questionnaire includes all of the topics that we have discussed in this blog, as well as some additional questions that you may find helpful.

We hope that this blog has been helpful and that you will find the questionnaire to be a valuable resource. Thank you for reading!
​
For more event planning tips and to see examples of our work, please follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Pinterest.