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An event coordinator has many responsibilities that pose specific challenges, including hiring the correct number of staff, maintaining a budget, networking, dealing with the weather, not having experience, not being organized, etc.
However, the SMART methodology enables you to set goals that can help overcome these challenges. This article looks at 6 examples of SMART goals for event coordinators. Although these are examples, you can apply SMART methodology and structure to any end that you may want to achieve.
What Are SMART Goals?
Before we look at SMART goal examples for event coordinators, we need to know what SMART entails. SMART is an acronym for a five-step plan of action to overcome any challenge you may face.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. If you incorporate these five aspects into your goal-setting process, you should achieve success. First, let’s look at what SMART goals are.
If you want to learn more about SMART goals, we recommend reading Ultimate Guide to SMART Goals.
Why Are SMART Goals Important for Event Coordinators?
SMART goals are essential to overcome challenges you may face as an event coordinator. So, what are some of the challenges you may face in this position?
One issue is budgeting your time correctly, mainly leaving enough time to set up the event and take everything down. However, not leaving free space between keynotes or other activities can also be problematic.
Moreover, another issue many event coordinators face is not correctly budgeting finances. Unfortunately, going over budget is a problem that happens more often than most would like to admit.
Neglecting to gather specific details and data for your event, such as the return on your investment, is another problem. But, of course, actually making a profit or a return can also be a challenge.
In addition, another common issue faced is having enough staff to properly service the event. Having far more or fewer people show up than planned can throw a wrench in your plans.
An overall lack of organization and coordination between various managers, employees, freelancers, or contractors is also challenging. As you can see, event planning and coordination is not an easy career. However, the SMART goal methodology can make your job easier.
The above challenges can be tackled and overcome using the SMART goal-setting method. It’s all about setting specific goals relevant to an end goal. Moreover, it’s also about ways to measure how close you are to your goal, especially to a particular timeline. Using SMART goals helps you cover all of the bases.
6 Examples of SMART Goals for Event Coordinators
Now that you know what SMART goals are, here are 6 examples for event coordinators. While not all of these goals may apply to you, the methodology is how you should create all your objectives.
1. Increase Ticket Sales
“My goal is to increase the ticket sales for my next event, one month from now, by at least 25% compared to the last event I coordinated. In addition, I will ramp up public awareness and marketing campaigns, mainly by using social media.”
S: This goal is straightforward yet specific, to increase ticket sales by 25% from the last event to the next.
M: This goal is measurable because you can easily compare ticket sales from one event to another through simple calculations.
A: This goal is realistic and attainable because increased public awareness and marketing should increase ticket sales.
R: Increasing ticket sales is directly related to overcoming challenges as an event manager, particularly in turning a profit.
T: This goal is time-bound, as the goal is to increase sales by the next event, which, in this case, is next month.
2. Increase Profits
“My goal is to increase profits generated by this event by at least 5% compared to the last event. One method I will use is to host a raffle with prizes that entrants can win. If the first raffle is a success, I will double the raffle size for the next event, which should increase profits by another 5%.”
Specific: This goal is clear – to increase initial profits by 5% by hosting a raffle, with a raffle twice the size in the following event granted the first one is a success.
Measurable: This goal is easy to measure as you can easily calculate how much of your overall profit came from this raffle.
Attainable: This is easy to attain and very realistic. A 5% increase is not much, and raffles are popular.
Relevant: This goal is relevant to your success as an event coordinator, which usually hinges on ROI.
Time-Bound: This goal is time-bound, as the aim is to increase profits by 5% at the next event and by another 5% at the following event.
3. Ensure Optimal Communication and Organization
“My goal is to communicate via email and telephone with all relevant parties daily for seven days before the event to ensure everybody is ready and organized. Second, for proper organization, I will host a meeting with all relevant parties on the morning of the event. Third, I will summarize the responsibilities of various pertinent parties in detail and what timelines they must follow. This will include the caterers, decorators, keynote speakers, and anybody else of relevance.”
S: This goal is specific: to ensure optimal communication and organization so that the event goes to plan. This communication will regard the responsibilities which all relevant parties have.
M: This goal is measurable because you can easily list all relevant parties you must communicate with and track who you have and have not yet contacted.
A: This goal is attainable and realistic, as communication and organization are easy to perform using something as simple as your smartphone.
R: This goal is relevant because organization and communication between all appropriate parties are essential for an event to be successful. Developing solid communication is a good habit in general.
T: This goal is time-bound, as communication should happen daily for at least a week before the event, with a meeting on the morning of the event.
4. Implement an RSVP System
“To be better organized and ready for everybody that shows up, my goal is to implement a simple RSVP system designed so that people must respond at least 48 hours before the event begins. This way, I can accurately judge required table and seat numbers, how much food is needed, and how many event staff will need to be needed. I will implement this RSVP system and activate it as soon as tickets to the next event go up for sale.”
S: This goal is specific – to allow for greater organization through an RSVP system that requires guests to RSVP at least 48 hours before the event.
M: Although this goal may not be measurable, it enables you to measure how many people will attend the event, thus contributing to the overall goal of better organization.
A: This is an attainable goal, as RSVP systems are pretty standard.
R: This goal is relevant to the success of an event: You need to know how many people are coming to accurately plan for an event.
T: This goal is timely, as it implements an RSVP system for your next event. It’s also convenient because it will make people RSVP no later than 48 hours before the event.
5. Provide Enough Time for Relaxation and Networking
“I will increase the amount of free time people have between one speaker or activity and the next, from 10 minutes to 15 minutes, giving them more free time to relax and network with each other. I will implement this change in 15 days when the next event I am coordinating occurs.”
S: This goal is specific: to increase breaks between various activities from 10 to 15 minutes to encourage more networking, relaxation, and socialization time.
M: This goal is measurable because you need good time-keeping skills.
A: This goal is attainable and realistic, as adding an extra 5 minutes between speakers or activities should not be a challenge; it’s just simple scheduling.
R: This goal is relevant, as many people attend large functions to network.
T: This goal is time-bound, as the point is to implement this strategy by your next event.
6. Ensure Adequate Staff for Events
“I will increase the number of staff on hand for the next event by 20% (granted, there are roughly the same amount of people attending) because I was short-staffed last event by about 20%. The goal is to have at least one staff member for every 50 attendees. I will also have an extra 5 staff on call to account for 250 unforeseen attendees. I will implement this staffing change immediately to ensure that all future events are adequately staffed.”
S: This goal is specific: to increase staff by 20% to ensure you have at least one staff member for every 50 guests and have 5 additional staff on call if more people show up than expected.
M: This goal is measurable because you can compare the number of staff you had on hand at the last event to the number of people who attended. You can use various metrics, such as the time needed to serve food to the guests, to indicate whether or not you were short-staffed. This goal is measurable because you can easily count one staff member for every 50 guests.
A: This goal is attainable because many people are looking for jobs. Having enough staff for an event is a simple matter of effective hiring practices.
R: This goal is relevant because you can’t have a coordinated event if you don’t have adequate staffing to execute all necessary functions and aspects.
T: This goal is time-bound, as the aim is to ensure adequate staffing by the next event.
Final Thoughts on Smart Goals for Event Coordinators
The SMART methodology organizes your goals and priorities in manageable ways. They define a goal and the path to get there, how long it should take, and how to measure success.
In essence, successful event coordination and SMART goals go hand in hand. Therefore, if you face problems in your events, putting this SMART goal-setting methodology to work is recommended.
And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 6 SMART Goals Examples for Nonprofit Organizations
- 7 SMART Goals Examples for Time Management & Productivity
- 7 Examples of SMART Goals for Project Management
Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals.
