Memorable meetings and events: whether it's a small get-together for the office staff, or a larger offering that includes family members, planning is the key to success.

• Author: Myers, Deborah J.

Despite advances in telecommunications, face-to-face meetings still benefit business. Call it the warm, fuzzy factor, we like seeing people in person. Whether it's a bash to reward employees, an inspiring training meeting or a time to schmooze with clients, gathering together to share food with an agenda in mind is the way business is done.

Considering the importance of this ritual, plan ahead to make a good impression. Nothing says, "I don't care about you" like an event that is thrown together in a slipshod fashion.

"If you leave (a lot of things) to the last minute, it won't work," says Amie Haakenson, owner of Your Event Planner in Anchorage.

Not surprisingly, Haakenson advises businesses to hire a professional event planner to coordinate details. This could save your company a lot of time and hassle, especially if you are planning a large-scale event that will impact productivity if the planner is taken away from doing his regular work.

If you decide to go with a professional, ask around to get a good recommendation.

"Referrals are more important than how big their Yellow Pages ad is," Haakenson says. "Find people who say 'we like what they did for us.'"

When you have a list of vendors favored by your colleagues, taste the caterers' food, see the florists' work, and talk with the disk jockeys to get a feel for what they can do for your event.

Beware of the bargain-basement price. There is usually a good reason for why they are trying to severely undersell the competition. Be realistic about what you can do yourself and what will require a professional to have it done right.

PLANNING IN-HOUSE

If planning events falls to a company employee, here are some considerations.

Think about the people attending your event and the reason they are coming. This will help determine the kind of mood you want to generate.

The event "should reflect on the business end of things," Haakenson says. Of course, it should be a good time for attendees, but since corporate dollars are funding it, the company's agenda should be promoted.

If it's a training meeting, people should learn from it. If it's an employee thank-you party, people should feel good about the company and themselves. If it's a meeting to woo new clients, they should get lots of positive information about the company and a great impression of it, too.

It may sound silly to have to say it, but have a goal in mind.

Don't get so wrapped up in planning menus and decor that the real reason for the...