​Don’t settle: Avoid working with bad vendors

A good event vendor not only gets the job done, they do so on time, within (or under!) budget and they will always have a back-up plan, just in case. As an Atlanta event management professional, your clients expect you to ensure that all vendors you’ve hired do just that. However, if you work with a bad event vendor, you’re setting yourself – and your events – up for failure.
 
All events rely on organized, trustworthy, and reliable vendors to keep things running smoothly for the duration. If even one vendor makes a mistake, it can have an effect on every aspect of the event, even if the two seem unrelated at a glance.
 
If you are new to the event planning industry, vetting vendors can be daunting. In fact, it can be tough even for seasoned professionals. However, it is something you’ve got to do – and you won’t be sorry that in doing so, you’re building a list of reliable vendors with whom you can cultivate solid relationships.
 
So, if you want to avoid working with bad event vendors, there are some things you really need to keep in mind. Here are just a few:

1. Consider the entire event right from the start. If you have been hired to plan an event and have not sat down with your team to brainstorm the plan for it, you’re already on the wrong track. Consider the client’s budget, the theme, if you’ll be building special props, and where the event will be held. Think about where and when you might need certain vendors and get them involved from the beginning. Don’t risk pulling vendors in at the last minute.

1. Put things in writing. You wouldn’t start work on an event without a contract with your client, would you? So stick to the same principles when dealing with vendors. As you seek out vendors for each event, send out proposal requests and include a list of requirements, budget information, and due dates. This helps with locking down the details of the contract work that will soon follow.
   
   
2. Check them out. If you were going to hire a new employee, wouldn’t you do a background check on that person and check their references? Do the same thing with event vendors. Ask around. Learning from other people’s experiences can be invaluable information.

 
Remember: you want to build a network of vendors that you can work with again and again. Don’t sell yourself short just to save a buck and a little bit of time. You need to have strong, solid vendors on your team!