Planning in Reunion? These five tips will save your sanity

With all the social media we have today, being able to keep up with old school friends is easier than ever. However, as much as we can see how life goes with the old gang these days, there’s really nothing like a good old-fashioned reunion to make your long-lasting friendships feel truly special.

Depending on the type of friends you have, it could mean a number of things. Maybe you and the boys were joking around and having a little fun at each other’s expense. Why not get together and have a little laugh at expanding waistlines and receding hairlines? Maybe you and your friends bonded over bad relationships, movie nights, and sharing your dreams. Why not come together and see how marriages, babies, or even prolonged single life have shaped you as an adult?

Meetings are great, but what no one will tell you is that they can be one of the world’s biggest planning nightmares. Depending on the type of gathering you’re planning and the number of people you’re trying to get together in one place, you’re talking about plans that need to start months in advance.

Before you get too deep into the entire meeting process, keep these five tips in mind so you don’t lose your mind:

Set dates as soon as possible – This is where you and your planning committee should spread the word about the event and find out what dates might work for everyone. It’s important to realize that you won’t be able to please everyone because everyone’s schedules won’t align. Also, your group may need to give a specific date because the places you are looking for may have limited availability.

Finalize the number of attendees – Establish deadlines for responses from potential attendees. You need to know how many people will be part of the event so that you can plan a venue, as well as any food or lodging that may be part of the event. This, along with setting dates, will probably be your most difficult tasks.

delegated tasks – Did you notice that we mentioned the word ‘committee’? It takes more than one person to actually plan a meeting. Sure, a small one with a small group of friends might be fine, but if you’re going to a graduating class or a family event, delegating duties will be critical to keeping your sanity.

Don’t go crazy with activities– Although you may want to provide a number of activities for your group, it’s also nice to just sit down and hang out together, especially if it’s been a long time since you last touched base. Trying to reconnect via laser tag isn’t easy.

find the right place – Although it may be a little low on the priority list for some, finding the right place to host your meeting is important because you know you can handle anything. If you’re working with a venue that’s also a hotel, you might find that they can handle A/V, catering, and hotel reservations without a problem. This can be a good thing for guests traveling a longer distance.

A reunion is about reconnecting with the people from the past who made life memorable. You want to spend more time making those connections again instead of being completely exhausted by the meeting planning process. By getting organized, planning ahead, dividing up the workload, and finding the perfect place to host, you’re sure to have a great meeting.