What is Your Event Planning Superpower?

April 29. 2013 0 Comments

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Aquaman scopes out a venue before a big charity event (Photo by: Jason Vanderhill)

Event planning is a tough job. Sometimes it seems that pulling off a successful event requires nothing short of superhuman abilities.

That got us to thinking. While event planners (probably) don't have superpowers, they do have certain skills and abilities which few possess. And since events are complicated affairs, one superpower does not fit all. While one person may have superhuman organizational skills, they may not have superhuman skills when it comes to producing innovative content for an event, and vice versa.

We put our heads together and identified four distinct superpowers that you can develop as an event planner. The quiz below is based on the MBTI personality test, and will help you identify the superpower that you may want to develop.

Discover Your Superpower!

Superpower Descriptions:

Superhuman Reflexes and Flexibility , Cybernetic Eyes , Mind Reading , Human Magnetism

Find Your Superpower!

I prefer to come up with new ideas by:

Brainstorming as a group

Sitting alone and sketching them out
Someone on your team proposes an event idea for a client. You thoughts are:

"I like the idea. It bears a lot similarities to a sucessful event that was put on for company X last year."

"I like the idea. I know our clients and the audience they're trying to reach. I'm certain this idea will work for both of them."
Your company will implement new software to help manage client relationships. Which is your biggest concern?

How effective will the software be?

How well will the staff adjust to the new software?
You need to create some promotional material for an upcoming event. How do you do it?

Bounce ideas around in your head and start working on the material in a moment of inspiration.

Take notes and write down your ideas. Start working on it right away and make adjustments incrementally.
My preferred way to learn about event ideas is...

Going to MPI and PCMA meetings to network with like-minded individuals.

Reading BizBash, MeetingsFocus and meetings industry blogs for ideas.
I'd rather hire...

Someone who has an excellent skills but who doesn't seem to get along with some team members.

Someone whom everyone in the team likes, but who will need some time and training to really do the job effectively.
You need to increase the number of twitter followers for your company. What is your approach?

Analyse your current situation, then make an action plan. Adjust the plan after doing a small scale launch.

Engage with current and potential twitter followers immediately, and making adjustments to your tactics as you go. At the same time, keep your eye out for any new opportunities.
Which task would you be more comfortable with?

Soliciting event attendee feedback and coming up with ideas for improving events based on that feedback.

Analysing the data gathered from the event, comparing them to past events and coming up with recommendations based on your findings from the data.
I often start projects...

Just before a deadline. The pressure motivates me.

As soon as I can. I don't like looming deadlines.
What is your "friending" policy on Facebook?

I usually friend most people, even casual acquaintances and friends of friends.

I only tend to friend people whom I know personally.
You're the lead planner for an upcoming event. How do you get started?

Get together with the team and brainstorm ideas.

Sketch out ideas on your own and then present them to the team for feedback.
Which problem do you experience more with email?

My messages often get misinterpreted.

People don't provide enough info to explain what they mean in detail.
I value:

Fairness over Kindness

Kindness over Fairness
When it comes to innovation, I'm usually the one who...

Thinks about new event industry trends and about how to take advantage of these trends.

Draws upon past experience and data to determine the best way to fix existing problems.
When I come up with a promising idea for an event I will usually

Flesh out the details with a coworker or friend.

Spend time thinking about all the details myself before talking it over with someone else.
I'm more...

Methodical

Spontaneous
Which is more important to you?

A company that values excellence most of all.

A company that values culture and community most of all.
When it comes to making new connections I...

Prefer going large events where I can meet lots of people.

Prefer grabbing a cup of coffee with one or two likeminded people.

Your Superpower:

Superhuman Flexibility and Reflexes

Superpower Description

Legend tells us that before you got into the event planning world you volunteered for secret government experiments, which gave you the incredibility to make flash-quick decisions, often before others can get their heads around a situation. Your ability to live in the moment and adapt to circumstances as they evolve makes you an superstar among event planners.

Your ability to respond to last minute changes helps you keep on top of changes of venue, transportation delays, menu changes, A/V malfunctions and everything in-between. You love engaging with your suppliers, and you do it so well that it's often said that you have the ability to be in more than one place at the same time!

Your Kryptonite

You're at your best when you're making on the spot decisions about issues as they arise. Your focus on the present moment, however, makes it more difficult for you to think long term, and to foster deeper connections with both your clients and vendors.

Notable Event Professionals With this Superpower:

Doreen Ashton Wagner, Greenfield Services; Jenifour Jones, Go Get It Events; Randy Crabtree, Master Story Teller for Meeting Professionals International; Anthony Navarro, Founder at Liven it Up Events;

Tweet your superpower! , See the complete list

Your Superpower: Super Cybernetic Eyes

Superpower Description

Ever since you installed cybernetic eye implants, your ability to pay attention to all the little details that make an event run smoothly has become second to none. So attuned you are to the small things that matter, that rumors have spread that you can see through walls.

You have a highly analytic mind, which provides a good balance for an industry where many people rely too heavily on their intuition. You are able to determine the success and failure of an event from the metrics that matter--not "vanity metrics" that feel good. You may not think outside of the box very often, but you sure have a good handle on all the things that are going on inside it.

Your Kryptonite

While your cybernetic powers help you keep on top of all the little details that help make an event running smoothly, it does diminish your ability to read the emotions of other people. This can often make you seem cold and insensitive. Also, your dependence on the cold hard facts may make you less open to new ideas that don't have a track record. While you have the power to truly excel in the field of event planning, either develop your people skills or team up with a more intuitive "people-minded" person. Either way, you'll make an unstoppable force.

Notable Event Professionals With this Superpower:

Shawna McKinley, Director of Sustainability at MeetGreen; Michael Vargo, Director of Special Events at Disney; Kyle Hillman, CEO at Kyle Hillman Strategy Group; Jaime Geffen, Co-Owner at YourBASH!; Patrycja Graczyk, Events Executive at Plenta Foods Limited; Heidi Thorne, Promotional Expert at Promo With Purpose; Noelle Provencial, Experiential Marketing and Events at Groupon; Genny Castleberry, Director of Incentive Travel at Spear One;

Tweet your superpower! , See the complete list

Your Superpower: Mind Reading

Superpower Description

Some say you were born with your mystical powers to read other people's innermost thoughts and desires, while others claim you developed them over time. Regardless, you have the incredible ability to put yourself in the mindset of clients as well as of event attendees. Not only do you have an incredible creative talent for producing unique events, but you're able to understand attendees in such an intuitive way that it seems you know what attendees will want from an event before even they do.

Your Kryptonite
You have a strong sense of intuition, and although these moments are rare, it can sometimes miss the mark. Your over-reliance on instinct can be a problem when a little fact and data gathering may be the better course. Also, you are a right brainer, which makes it difficult for you to conform to structured schedules and plans. Ideally, you will be the creative force behind an event, while you leave the nuts and bolts to someone more detail oriented.

Notable Event Professionals With this Superpower:

Wayneston Harbeson, VP Operations and Event Services at NATPE; Alicia Schiro, Events and Catering Manager at J Walter Thompson; Kassidy Bird at Uncaged Events; Kadri Soerunurk at Dine in Dark; Donna Kastner, Expo/Sponsor Sales & Activation at Velvet Chainsaw; Aubrey Sendra, event manager at UCLA conference services; Yvonne McNair, Special Events and Marketing at Captivate Marketing Group; Niclole Matthews, event concierge at The Henley Company; Jessica Geiszler, event planner at Stellar J Productions; Julie Robertson, Director of Strategic Accounts at Spear One; Jenny Powers, founder at Running with Heels;

Tweet your superpower! , See the complete list

Your Superpower: Human Magnetism

Superpower Description
Ever since you were struck by lightning while reading How to Win Friends and Influence People, you have become a human magnet. Rather than attracting metal objects, however, you've developed the remarkable ability to attract people. You're fun to be around and people thoroughly enjoy your company.

Your ability to build strong relationships with clients as well as suppliers make you an invaluable asset to any event planning organization that wants to build its business. Not only that, but since people tend hold you in high esteem, it will generally be easier for you to negotiate with them should problems surface (as they often do).

Your Kryptonite
Your magnetic powers grow the more time you spend with people, especially when that time is spent among like-minded individuals. Your powers diminish, however, when you're assigned tasks that don't involve human interaction. Be sure to maximize opportunities doing the former and minimize the latter.

Notable Event Professionals With this Superpower:

Janis Ross, Executive Director at Eugene Cascades & Coast; Dennis Shiao, Director of Product Marketing at INXPO; Hugh Robertson, CEO at RPM Marketing Agency; Liz Lathan, Event Marketing Director at Dell; Tahira Endean, Director at Cantrav; Liz King, CEO at Liz King Events; Samantha Bowerman, President at Strategic Meetings Group; JoAnn Gregoli at Elegant Occasions; Rudy Garza, VP at Spear One;