As the CEO of Variety Entertainment and founder of the Funk Fest Tour, Leo Bennett, knows more than a thing or two about what it takes to launch a successful event. While producing a yearly nine-city concert tour featuring star-studded talent such as Jill Scott, Salt-n-Pepa, Doug E Fresh, Bell Biv Devoe, and 2 Live Crew, and attracting musical enthusiasts from across the globe, Bennett has figured out what it takes to produce a successful event.
Below, Bennett shares his three key elements for a successful event with BlackEnterprise.com.
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1. Create a great marketing plan. We can have the best performers in the world, but if people don’t know about our events, they won’t show up. Having a strong promotions plan that integrates advertising, marketing, social media, and more is really important to drive attendance.
2. Choose the correct location and create a well-organized logistic plan. There is definitely a science to the factors that impact event attendance, and an event’s location is a huge part of that equation. As we’re planning our events, we try to think about everything from parking availability to proximity to neighborhoods where our consumers reside and other factors. Always try to weigh the pros and cons of the location that you select because it can truly make or break your event.
3. Provide awesome consumer experience. The experience that people have while at your event determines how they talk about it to family and friends and on social media. Word of mouth is important for building your brand and creating a loyal following. Factors that spoil the consumer experience at large events may seem simple, but people remember things like the cleanliness of bathrooms, the wait times for admission, and other components that we sometimes don’t give much attention to. We’re adding a guest services component to our tour in 2016 to make sure that we’re addressing these things.
The Funk Fest Tour 2016 takes place in Miami on Jan. 1. Black Enterprise is offering Funk Fest attendees an exclusive package, including two preferred seats to the concert, two tickets to the Funk Fest New Year’s Day party with an open bar, two Funk Fest tour shirts, and more. This is simply a deal that you don’t want to miss. Be sure to visit funkfesttour.com.