Planning an event is time consuming. Making sure you have all the right things in place, in plenty of time, so there are no last minute holdups and issues. It can also be extremely frustrating when third parties don't know how to manage their time, which of course impacts on your time management.

There will also be periods when nothing needs to be done. Quotes are in, decisions have been made, speakers and other parties have been booked, invitations have been sent out, confirmation letters have been done. You can sit back and relax. Or can you?

The quiet times are important. It gives you a chance to put things back into perspective and a chance to re-visit the entire plan rather than focussing on the smaller details.

Starting from scratch go through your notes and double check things off.

Venue - Date? Deposit? When do they need total payment? Food? When do they need to know final numbers? Sound systems?

Entertainment / Speakers - Do you have confirmation from them they have the correct date in their diaries? Have you received a deposit request? Is it paid?

Gifts - Do you intend giving anything away? Is it ordered? Have you received it yet? What is their lead time? Do you have to pick it up? Wrap it? Get it delivered?

Promo items - Do you need to organise flyers? Name badges? Pens and paper? Sweets? How about banners? How are you going to stand them up? Free standing ones or do you have to take a board with you?

Event program? - do you need one?

People - who is coming? Who have you invited? Who has responded? Who needs chasing?

There is always something to do, so don't leave things to the last minute otherwise you may find there is a major piece missing - and that won't do at all.