FAQ Please select your question 1. Who is the Key Contact at Happening events? 2. What is the staff strength at Happening Events? 3. Who are your major clients in Qatar ? 4. What are your specific services? 5. What is the structure of your client service team? 6. How do you get to know your clients and their needs? 7. How do you develop your concepts? 8. How do you plan your projects? 9. How do you handle event directives? 10. What about rehearsals/sound checks? 11. What is your quality control process? 12. What reporting do you provide to clients during and after an event?

1. Who is the Key Contact at Happening events?
Suzanne Grant - 8th Floor, Al Kuwari Building, Al Sadd, Doha (PO Box 7848) Telephone: +974 436 9766/57 Email: partner@theartofbiz.biz
2. What is the staff strength at Happening Events?
Number of staff: 10 Number of staff in Qatar: 8 plus 10 – freelance consultants working on a project basis Number of Arabic speakers/writers in Qatar: 5 Years in business: 6
3. Who are your major clients in Qatar ?
ASPIRE Academy Audi Mannai Corporation Nasser Bin Khalid Patton Boggs Qtel Qatar Marine Sports Federation Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation Qatar Tourism Authority Qatari Diar Shell Oil Company International Star Events
4. What are your specific services?
Happening Events has been in the market since 2000 and possesses in-depth local market knowledge. Our talented and innovative international team consists of experts and specialists, including project and event managers, public relations practitioners, marketing professionals and conference organisers. Our services include: Event management Strategic marketing Communication Media relations Exhibition services Sponsorship Hospitality
5. What is the structure of your client service team?
Our team structure varies from project to project to ensure the proper focus and project specific expertise exists and depending upon the required resources identified in the scope of work. Client communication works upward for reporting and decisions as well as laterally for coordination with the client event support project team (such as Admin, logistics, venue coordination etc).
6. How do you get to know your clients and their needs?
We use a strategy for creative thinking that would involve researching the client, their background, mission and vision and their core values. We ensure we clearly understand the client’s objectives and look for additional benefits of the proposed event. The guests and their expectations are considered as well. As part of this process we endeavour to identify the client’s success criteria for events generally and the current project in particular.
7. How do you develop your concepts?
Once a clear brief has been established we bring in our events team for initial discussions review the brief and organise preliminary activities – site visit, research on the topic, (if required). The creative team is then assembled for a series of brainstorming sessions to identify concepts/themes and practical approaches. A preferred approach is prepared. The concept and theme are discussed with the client and then adjusted if required until an approach is approved.
8. How do you plan your projects?
Upon client concept approval, resource and project planning commences. This includes identifying all areas of outsourcing plus identifying the internal human resources required for the project as well as identifying the interface with the client’s event team and contractors. A detailed project organisation chart with clear terms of reference is published. Milestones are identified for each phase of the project, critical path items identified and a scope of work and list of deliverables for event services agreed with the client. Venue images, set schematics, design images are utilised as much as possible in communicating all elements to the extended events team. The event plan is further developed with close communication and input from the client. From the early planning stages potential problem areas have been highlighted and solutions and or contingencies identified. Preferred contractors and suppliers are selected and a detailed scope of work, deliverables and approval deadlines lists are prepared for each. Client and event team communication is intensive during the planning period.
9. How do you handle event directives?
The event plan is used as the master document from which the event directive is developed. The event directive includes a step by step checklist for actions and deliverables by time during the event ramp up period and throughout the event. It highlights who and what need to be where when. This document with the event plan is used for the suppliers and contractors to ensure they are aware of the big picture. During the event ramp up phase, the event team meetings increase in frequency. Delivery schedules and quality and approval schedules are followed up with suppliers. The finer details of the scopes of work are discussed in supplier meetings to ensure the proper interpretation.
10. What about rehearsals/sound checks?
A full rehearsal before the event will always take place, with a member of our team co-coordinating and managing production. Any areas which need any special attention following the rehearsal will be communicated to all parties involved and action taken for the event itself.
11. What is your quality control process?
During the planning phase, risk is identified and contingencies built into the event plan. During team strategy and approach sessions the process serves as a counter balance to identify further potential risks or error points. At implementation phase, further to assigning an Events Director who oversees the bigger picture, we assign one manager dedicated to quality control. Significant time is devoted to planning with great attention to detail preventing surprises. There a number of typical areas where quality can be jeopardised. The following practises are adopted as a standard to identify and solve potential problems: Early compliance – sign off of the event approach, plan and clear list of deliverables helps to reduce major changes through the process. Last minute changes to the plan jeopardises the smooth operation of the event sequence. Communication with partners - establishing good relations and frequent communication of the right information contributes to the overall quality of the planning and implementation process. Quality suppliers – Happening Events contract the best and most reliable available suppliers. Our previous experience is drawn upon to assess the capabilities and operational styles of our providers. Should the requirements of a specific event require us to source a provider who is new to us, we ensure that they have a credible track record by enquiring with their clients and observe the company at one of their productions to re-assure the quality of their work. Time management – To avoid stressful surprises, our timelines always provide ample cushion to ensure all promised deliverables are received on budget, on time and to the expected quality. Supervision and follow up. We maintain close contact with our suppliers, and supervise their production work. To ensure our client’s expectations are met, samples and images of production are communicated frequently. Solutions focus. Events rarely evolve without presenting some challenges and obstacles. Innovative thinking and a wide range of contacts and suppliers are drawn upon to present solutions. Rehearsals and equipment checks All technical equipment is scrutinised in during several equipment checks. Venue are always booked early to allow for rehearsals and early set up. Safety and security These factors are part of the planning process and action plans are drawn from the direction/decision of the client for security. Safety inspections are conducted at final set up and suppliers appraised of safety requirements. Thinking and action under pressure An experienced cohesive events team working together, Happening Events work diligently behind the scenes of events to supervise every detail of the event. Swift decisive action is taken when situations present themselves. A comprehensive contingency plan identifies potential interruptions to the planned course of action and contributes to swift responses during the event.
12. What reporting do you provide to clients during and         after an event?
We constantly keep the client updated during the complete project phases. Regular meetings or update reports, depending on the preference of the client. No changes or new decisions would be taken without prior approval from the client. Progress of milestones are reported regularly and images of samples of production materials submitted for concurrence As a rule, we put together a post-event report analysing the outcome of the event, lessons learned, budget status, etc. We generally would have a meeting with the client to discuss this report. All post-event reports are filed and we draw on the past experiences to ensure success of the future events.