Events Planning Resources

ANR Events Management Registration System - A training system is available to users after successfully participating in one of the Events Management Training 101 webinars listed below. This test site will allow users begin to get a feel for the system and practice creating events, in a practice environment.

Templates and Banner Images - (For MSU Employees Only) - This site has downloadable banner images for use in the ANR Events Management Registration System. It also has several templates for developing brochures and flyers, and creating press releases surrounding your event. This site also features a tutorial video to help show you how to use the templates for your event. 

Cost Recovery Spreadsheet for 2013 events (Template) - (For MSU Employees Only) – Use this excel document to create your event budget during your planning process. It will help you estimate your income and expenses prior to the event and then will also help you record your actual income and expenses after the event. This version has been updated for 2013 with new IRS mileage rates.

Cost Recovery Spreadsheet for 2012 events (Template) - (For MSU Employees Only) – Use this excel document to create your event budget during your planning process. It will help you estimate your income and expenses prior to the event and then will also help you record your actual income and expenses after the event. This version reflects the 2012 IRS mileage rates and should only be used for events that were completed in 2012.

Evaluation Form – (For MSU Employeees Only) a form to provide feedback regarding the use of the Events Management System.

ANR Event Management Trainings

Training Webinars

In order to help you successfully plan events and learn to utilize the events management registration system, we will be offering the following trainings. All training webinars will be offered via Adobe Connect. 

  • ANR Events Management Training 101 - Learn the basics of using the ANR Events Management Registration System. During this hour and half training you will see step by step instructions on how to create your event online registration. Learn how to manage your dashboard of pending, open and closed events. You will also become familiar with how to manage your participant registration and payment information. Participants in the training will have the opportunity to actually practice in a test system after the training to get hands on experience with the system before working in the live system. Click on the title above to register. To view one of the pre-recorded training sessions, click here.
  • ANR Events Management Training 102 - During this training, you will learn how to manage your event in the system.During this hour and half training you will learn about how to manage your registration once it is built. This session will focus on understanding the roster, manage and report pages. You will learn how to process payments and how deposit slips should be handled. In this session we will talk about vendor creation and payment. 
  • ANR Events Management Training 103 - Learn how the value of templates. During this hour and half training you will learn about number of different input types available in the system to create highly customizable registrations for participants, speakers and sponsors. In addition you will learn about the value of creating templates for your programs and for state wide programs. This will not only create consistency across the state but will also save you lots of time. For example state wide programs with one budget will only require the budget be submitted once for the creation of the template and then all users can use it without having to submit their own individual budget. Participants in the training will have the opportunity to actually practice developing an event that they would like as a template and once completed the ANR Events Management team will use that event registration to create templates in both the train and live system for your use.

Pre-Recorded Webinars

  • Event Planning: Communications - Discover some some simple techniques and easy guidelines for communicating and promoting your events.
  • Event Planning: Working with Speakers - This webinar will provide you with general tips on working with speakers, your role as an event coordinator, and get tools for creating speaker contracts.
  • Event Planning: Food and Beverage Planning and Guarantees - Learn tips and tricks for selecting caterers, picking menus, determining your guarantees and other information regarding the food and beverages at your event.  
  • Tackling MSUE’s Budget Spreadsheet - Walk through the new cost recovery spreadsheet and learn how easy it is to create budgets and track your income and expenses for all of your events. During this webinar, you’ll take a guided tour through each step of the spreadsheet.
  • Event Planing: Venues & Space - Get practical advice on selecting facilities for your upcoming meetings.
  • Event Planning: Negotiating Contracts - In this webinar, you will hear about some tried and true tips for handling contracts. You will also learn how to successfully maneuver through speaker contracts and facility contracts, as well as how to easily deal with meals and catering. Event planning experts will walk you through a sample contract and point out things to watch for before you sign contracts.
  • Planning an Uneventful Event- You’ll learn secrets for how to develop and implement timelines that will help you stay on track; the top 10 things to consider when building your event budget, and what to ask for when contracting for services or with facilities.  

Other Resources

The following information is available to you as a resource to help you plan a successful event.

Convention Industry Council- An organization focused on the exchange of information within the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions  industry. The website offers many tools and resources to assist in the event planning process.   

APEX Initiative- The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) is an initiative of the Convention Industry Council to develop and implement industry-wide accepted practices to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. This website has a tremendous amount of resources surrounding event planning. 

APEX Industry Glossary - 2011 Edition  - Do you know podium from lectern? Lavaliere microphone from handheld? Search this glossary of more than 1,400 terms, acronyms, and abbreviations and save yourself time, money, and trouble.

Special Events Toolkit- Wayne State University

Events Management: A Practical Guide- A resource of general advice and support material for event managers