The top event managers nowadays stay up-to-date with the coolest event locations, from hotels, to gardens, to resorts, and to restaurants. Aside from that, they create a great working relationship with suppliers and catering management because they will both help make an event successful. These relationships will also be important not just for a single event, but for more others to come. This will, hopefully, make it easier for organizers to deliver and make the client happy.

That said, event managers should have a network of reliable suppliers that can be hired for different types of projects. This will help reduce the time spent looking for contractors. Plus, you can also be sure that these companies or individuals provide the best services for your client because you’ve already worked with them in the past. When you have this network in the events industry, you can also be easily referred by your suppliers in case there will be clients looking for an event manager.

Here are five types of suppliers that you should be good friends with as an event manager.

Photographers & Videographers

This may seem optional for some clients, but a great photographer captures what’s going on in an event and gives guests an affair to remember. Having reliable photographers in your network is valuable, especially if you are hired as a planner for a wedding. The documentation team should also have the talent and equipment for video production, still photos, and graphic design. You need a photographer that has both technical expertise and good marketing perception. He or she should understand the art and business aspect of any event.

Caterers

For events that are not held in hotels or restaurants where catering services are provided, you would need private caterers. You should have some in your network that you can easily work with for events such as events in art galleries or house parties. Your caterer should be able to offer a range of food items that will appeal to the general public or those seeking cultural dining experiences. They should also be able to offer options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Sommelier or Wine experts

Although your caterer will provide your bar needs for an event, it is important that you also have a wine shop owner or sommelier in your network. A good sommelier can provide wines and spirits and also educate you about wine. Plus, he or she can be your direct supplier for private parties.

Florist

Flower arrangements can add color, beauty, and fragrance to a room. A lot of events will include floral arrangements as part of the décor such as centerpieces for tables. When you have a talented florist in your network, they can offer you several ideas that can meet the event’s theme and budget. He or she can also advise which flowers are best to use for the season, duration, and temperature of the event.

Party Rental Supplier

Most event venues already have an established relationship with party rental suppliers, but it’s still important for managers to have your own relationship with a trusted and reliable supplier. For any decorations, lighting, audio/video equipment, such as projectors, props, tents, tables, and chairs, etc., your trusted rental service should provide all these for you. He or she can also offer suggestions that can best support the theme of an event.

Having an established relationship with trusted suppliers is important for event managers because this can make or break your events. This will help you deliver an excellent and successful event. At the end of the day, it is important that you meet or even exceed your clients’ expectation and help make the event successful.