Programs 101

You’ve made a list and checked it twice. You booked the venue, scheduled activities, decided on a menu, invited guests, and put out the word that you’re in search of sponsors. As your event date approaches and the last details are finalized, turn your attention to your event programs. These may feel like an afterthought in the grand scheme of event planning, but your programs play an important role in thanking your sponsors and attendees, providing details of what to expect throughout the day or evening, and informing attendees who may be unfamiliar with your business or organization exactly who you are and what you’re about.

The Perfect Program

Help your event program make an impact with these design tips:

The Cover

Consider the cover as the “storefront” of your programs. Use bold, eye-catching colors and include:

  • The logo and name of the event
  • The date
  • The location

Some attendees will hold onto their programs as keepsakes, so make sure that five years down the road, they know what it’s from!

The Inside

Your program is the guide to your event. Keep your design clean and simple, and include the most important details within the first few pages:

Your Info

  • Logo
  • Social media handles
  • Website
  • Physical address (when applicable)

Event Info

  • Schedule
  • Location of individual shows if your spans across more than one room
  • A Map of the venue (Especially great for events with numbered booths!)
  • List of Committee Members and Event Organizers
  • Sponsor and Vendors ads (Make sure you get high-resolution ads to keep your programs looking clean and professional)

Depending on the number of pages you need to fill, you can also include relevant information such as FAQs, additional text or imagery related to your event, or even a letter from the Committee Head.

Save space by shortening copy. Place additional details online to drive traffic to your website. And don’t forget to have multiple people proof your program before going to print!

The Size

Most programs will end up as 8.5″ x 5.5″, but the number of pages may vary from 8 to 12 to 24 or more, depending on the number of sponsors and amount of information you need to include. Other programs will be 8.5″ x 11″. It all depends on your preference! Be careful when laying out text and ads, and be sure to include enough bleed that you won’t lose any important information when the paper is trimmed or folded and stapled.

The Printer

Ensure your program packs a punch with New York Marketing. We offer high-quality program printing for any size order, big or small, at an affordable price that won’t break your budget. Contact us today for a free quote on your next project!