...the idea

You will learn to imagine and think in- AND out-of-the-box, to make normal events grand and grand events a normal feat for you.

You will pick up Mike’s process of conjuring up original, never-done-before ideas in your creative mind, pushing boundaries and achieving the impossible, satisfying the client’s objectives

Imagining the Grand Opening of the next tallest building of the world would be well within your reach.

Topics Mike will cover include the tender process, client briefing and objectives, conceptualization, creative development and presentations.

...the blueprint

After you imagine the most spectacular event yet, you would need to invent blueprints, plans, and SOPs to bring forth your imagination into reality.

How shall you effectively utilize the most advanced tools and technologies available? How to efficiently deal with logistics and budget? How to tackle the security risks and deliverables involved?

Mike will touch on the real-life case studies and stories thereof in this chapter, showing you how to put together the correct tools, technologies, interior designing, and entertainment components that are most suited to the event, among others.

Topics covered include technologies, engineering systems and designs, logistics, budget, safety & security, risk & issue management, time management, liaison with authorities, entertainment, and interior designing.

...the team

At this point, the event professional would need to assemble a team of experts with excellent expertise and expansive knowledge.

Mike will teach you to master, select, and manage them well in order to allow their skillsets to be used to the fullest potential.

Indeed, this mastery is akin to surgical precision: The assembled team needs to be highly synchronized, coordinated, and accurate.

You will learn this from the event master himself—Mike.

...the energy

Mike will teach you how to energize everyone involved in the event.

Here is where you'll learn the intricacies bringing the team, client, and audience together so they are all on the same page.

With the three parties’ energies harnessed into one united goal, the event is meaningful and its purpose will be clear.

Topics covered include public relations, communications, conflict resolution, team building, and relationships.

...the pressure

Managing a huge event can be quite a lot to handle, which is why Mike leads his staff to chill, especially before the execution of a huge event.

An uncluttered, clear, and calm mind is essential in the process of managing a large-scale event like the launch of the Petronas Twin Towers.

You will learn stress management, team leadership, how to maintain a sharp mind, and the importance of ‘chilling’.

...the event

This is it! The moment.

Conducting the event is akin to a maestro conducting an orchestra—every member is in synchronization, rhythm and harmony, showcasing a final jaw-dropping work for everyone's wonder and appreciation.

You would need to be able to, as the orchestra (event) is playing, hear every instrument and then correct the dynamics thereof if necessary.

Not to mention, the many rehearsals before the actual event are needed. Everyone needs to know their role and part. This and more you will learn from Mike in this chapter.

Topics covered: Production, direction, and execution.

...the world

Eventually (hundreds of) thousands will watch the event orchestrated by you and your team, at the venue itself or on television, live or recorded.

Mike will teach you how to make a great impact and leave a lasting impression, ingrained in your spectators’ and your team members’ memories. After the event, the event lives on as legacy. It should be engineered, captured, and televised professionally to achieve the client’s objectives.

Post-mortem meetings, evaluation, and documentation of the event should be done. Lastly, a celebration with your team members is vital!

Topics covered include advertising, marketing, capture, post-mortem, tear-down, clearance, evaluation, consolidation, documentation, sign-off, celebration.