In the information age, we often think that if we can Google it, we can do it.  Maybe.  But if you value time, money and energy, you might think twice about the DIY mentality.

For many things in life, we seek experts.  When hiring a home-builder, people want to make sure they’ve built a few homes before they sign on the dotted line.  When looking for a dentist, most people don’t jump at the chance be the very first patient.  They want to make sure he’s drilled into a few other mouths first.

The truth is, a massive amount of information is available to do almost anything.  However, with it comes a learning curve.  And that learning curve has a price. 

We see this often in companies trying to save money by having their executive assistant or intern plan the yearly meeting, negotiate rooms for the upcoming conference, or book travel for an incentive program.  While this person might be able to research options and determine the best opportunity, there is still a large piece of the equation missing – experience. 

At TenDot, we believe in the power of experience and empirical knowledge. It’s what separates the extraordinary from the average.  

There’s simply no substitution for experience. If you’ve worked in the industry for several years, you are familiar with the obstacles, pitfalls, overcharges, and more.  We work hard to put that experience and expertise to work for our clients. 

So, should you plan your own events? Ask yourself these four questions to determine your need for a meeting management company:

1. Do I have the time?

The world has never been a busier place. Even as we leverage technology and automated processes, more is being demanded of us, leaving us with less time than we think.  What is the value of your time? Like it or not, your time has a monetary value attached to it. Meeting planning has many details and intricacies that are likely to add up if you don’t know what you’re doing.  It requires constant attention and impeccable execution. 

2. Do I have the tools to do it right?

Tools make all the difference. Just like a mechanic having the right assessment tool to detect engine problems, meeting planning companies have the right tools to effectively manage conferences and handle registration, invoicing, sponsorship, logistics, food and beverage needs, and more. By leveraging these tools for multiple clients, meeting planning companies can offer cost savings as well as increased efficiencies.

3. Do I want to do it?

Details are not for the faint of heart.  Even though you can doesn’t mean you should.  We’ve seen company leaders that readily admit their lack of attention to detail but they desire to have a world-class event.  You can’t have one without the other.  If you jump at the opportunity to comb through details, negotiate contracts, ensure client satisfaction, and handle the naysayers along the way, then you might be willing to do it.  If not, let a qualified meeting planner handle the job.  

4. Do I want the best possible result?

Why hire a contractor to remodel your kitchen?  Because they’ll do it right and make your life much easier.  They take care of the mess and you get to enjoy the result. The same holds true for meeting planning and incentive travel.  Hiring a meeting planning company should make your life easier, enabling you to focus on more strategic initiatives inside the company. 

The conference and meetings industry is growing exponentially, and people are demanding more from their investment to attend such events.  And with the sheer number of tweets, posts, pins, and other ways to air comments and complaints, your event puts your company reputation on the line.  By hiring a professional meeting planner to handle the event, you can guide the event toward success, trusting them with the details.  We do want people tweeting at your event – we just want them to highlight the one-of-a-kind, world-class experience that left them motivated, excited and hungry for more.