Useful Advice
Count the chairs and tables!
During my many years of organizing events, mega events and intimate dinners, I have learned that before the event you always have to count the chairs around the table or tables. If it is a mega event, you also count the tables.
Count the chairs and tables!
During my many years of organizing events, mega events and intimate dinners, I have learned that before the event you always have to count the chairs around the table or tables. If it is a mega event, you also count the tables.
Although you sent the floor plan back to the club or hotel, mistakes happen. At one event, I counted the correct number of chairs, but the table count was wrong. As I was there early, we could correct it. If I hadn’t noticed, the carefully designed interplay between the guests would have been unbalanced, sending people to tables that didn’t suit them.
Seat the guest of honor correctly!
Going back hundreds of years, the rule is that you seat the guest of honor so he or she can see the entrance to the room. The host is placed with the entrance door behind him or her.
I was told that this rule goes back hundreds of years to medieval times, when your rival may have invited you to a dinner in order to assassinate you. If the guest of honor could see the door, there was always time to take appropriate action, e.g. take out his weapon to defend himself. Diplomacy and protocol are ancient sets of rules designed by history to foster new relations and diffuse tensions. That is why we shake hands in greeting- to show an open hand is to show an unarmed offering. Sounds silly? It won't be if your guests are accustomed to these rules. Assassination may not be on the menu, but proper deference to your honored guest's station always is.
Going back hundreds of years, the rule is that you seat the guest of honor so he or she can see the entrance to the room. The host is placed with the entrance door behind him or her.
I was told that this rule goes back hundreds of years to medieval times, when your rival may have invited you to a dinner in order to assassinate you. If the guest of honor could see the door, there was always time to take appropriate action, e.g. take out his weapon to defend himself. Diplomacy and protocol are ancient sets of rules designed by history to foster new relations and diffuse tensions. That is why we shake hands in greeting- to show an open hand is to show an unarmed offering. Sounds silly? It won't be if your guests are accustomed to these rules. Assassination may not be on the menu, but proper deference to your honored guest's station always is.
Do emergency planning!
From experience, we know that there are always no-shows and people arrive who are not on the list.
Think in advance about what to do. Fill vacancies at the head table with somebody who might be flattered to be asked. Also, think about VIPs who are not on your list but may attend. If you manage to place them adequately, you might win a friend for life or foster a new opportunity.
Food selection.
Of course, you determine beforehand who is a vegetarian or has other special food requirements, e.g.- allergies, religious restrictions, etc. Pay special attention to your VIP's, they always appreciate special attention. A little favorite culinary treat for just your VIP, will make a huge impression!
From experience, we know that there are always no-shows and people arrive who are not on the list.
Think in advance about what to do. Fill vacancies at the head table with somebody who might be flattered to be asked. Also, think about VIPs who are not on your list but may attend. If you manage to place them adequately, you might win a friend for life or foster a new opportunity.
Food selection.
Of course, you determine beforehand who is a vegetarian or has other special food requirements, e.g.- allergies, religious restrictions, etc. Pay special attention to your VIP's, they always appreciate special attention. A little favorite culinary treat for just your VIP, will make a huge impression!