Can you build a house without a blueprint or assemble furniture without instructions? Probably not, unless you're okay with confusion and chaos. The same goes for events. Without a clear roadmap—like a run of show—things can quickly go off track.
A run of show isn’t just any document; it’s a detailed plan covering every aspect of your event from start to finish. Every action, transition, and time breakdown is laid out to ensure smooth execution without delays. Sounds overwhelming? Don’t worry—Remo’s free AI-powered generator makes crafting your event agenda and run of show as easy as 1-2-3!
Event Agenda and Run of Show Meaning
What is a run of show? What’s the difference between an event run of show and an event planning agenda? Let’s break down both terms to help you understand their importance and how they keep your event running without any hiccups.
Run of Show
A run of show is like a cue sheet that includes every detail about your event. Think of it like planning a wedding—your wedding’s run of show would cover everything from the arrival of guests to the bride’s entrance, the ceremony, and even the timing of the food. It’s a detailed breakdown of every single action at your event and who’s responsible.
Without a run of show, you’re relying on people’s ability to stay coordinated and follow an informal plan, which can go off course quickly. A good run of show acts as a roadmap, outlining all activities and roles before the event begins to ensure everyone stays on track.
Key Elements of Run of Show
- Precise timeline outlining the sequence and duration of each activity.
- Clearly defined roles - who will take care of what.
- Detailed description of the logistics involved.
- Communication details, including cue points for each segment, and scripts.
- Contingencies for any foreseeable issues.
Event Agenda
It’s easy to confuse an event agenda with a run of show. While both are important, they serve different purposes. An event agenda is a detailed document meant for attendees, outlining the activities and timeline of the event, so they know what to expect at the event. On the other hand, the run of show covers every intricate detail behind the scenes, guiding hosts, presenters, and organizers to minimize surprises and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Think of it this way: the event agenda is for your attendees, while the run of show is for the organizers. For example, a virtual event agenda helps attendees manage their time, letting them see which sessions or activities they want to prioritize. Without an agenda, attendees may miss out on key opportunities.
Key Elements of Event Agenda
- Detailed schedule which includes duration of sessions.
- The types of sessions/activities that will be held.
- Speaker information.
- Any post-event networking or follow up channels.
Do you want a clearer idea about how the run of show and event agenda differ? Are you having trouble finding event run of show templates? Let Remo’s new free tool do all the heavy lifting for you. All you need to do is enter a few details of your event, click a button, and tada! A tailored, detailed run of show document ready for you to put into action.
How to Craft a Good Run of Show and Event Agenda
Now that you better understand what a run of show and event agenda is, let’s go over some key principles of successful run of show and event agenda design:
1. Start with the Big Picture
The first thing you need to do is define your event goal and identify your target audience. Ask yourself:
- What’s the main purpose of the event? (Is it to inform, entertain, or create networking opportunities?)
- Who is your event for? (what are their demographics, do they prefer casual networking or structured discussions, what are they interested in hearing about?)
Focusing on the goal and audience of the event will help you structure your event agenda and run of show around the core purpose.
2. Brainstorm Event Ideas
Once you have identified your event goal, start thinking about the activities you want at your event (i.e. how you will achieve that goal). Think about:
- What tone you would like for the event – for example, if you prefer more formal, you may lean towards more structured activities like roundtable discussions or panels. Alternatively, if you want to give your attendees the opportunity to relax, you should consider more laid back activities like a coffee break or games.
- What type of formats do you plan to provide? Try to aim for a mix of networking, presentation, and activity-style sessions (also keeping in mind who your audience is and what their preferences are!)
- Are you putting together an in-person, hybrid, or virtual event agenda? The location can inform the type of activities you do. For example, it may be difficult to host a global hackathon in-person or a dance competition online (though it is possible with an immersive online event platform like Remo!)
Your activities should reflect the goal of your event and your target audience. Struggling to come up with some ideas? Try our free AI-powered event agenda and run of show generator to plan your event in minutes.
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3. Break Down the Timeline
With the ideas selected, it’s time to start mapping out the event’s timeline in detail. Think about the transitions, speakers, activities, and any other elements that need to be slotted into specific timeframes. You should:
- List out each segment.
- Allocate time for each segment.
- Order segments in a way that makes sense
- Focus on transitions (and remember to add breaks!).
To make sure your virtual event goes without any hitches, you may want to include additional cues for technical checks, screen sharing transitions, and time buffers for potential tech glitches.
4. Final Checks to Tailor for Your Event Format and Audience
No two events are the same, and your run of show or agenda should reflect that. Think about the type of event you’re hosting and who will be attending:
- Is your goal to educate, entertain, or engage? Your run of show should cater to that. For example, a corporate seminar may need longer breaks for networking, while a workshop might include more interactive segments.
- Adjust the timing, activities, and flow to suit your event format (in-person, virtual, or hybrid). Virtual events, for instance, require more frequent breaks and shorter sessions to keep attendees engaged.
- Are you looking for high audience interaction, such as Q&As or polls? Or will it be more of a presentation-style event? Build those interactive elements into the run of show, so you’re reminded on the event day.
- Consider how many event organizers are available to help you manage things. The more hands on deck, the easier it will be to juggle multiple elements simultaneously. You’ll also know how many people you can assign tasks to within your run of show.
5. Be Flexible
Even with a run of show and event agenda, you may face unexpected issues on the actual event day. That’s why it’s best practice to leave some room for error in your plans. You should:
- Allow for buffers
- Prepare for backup plans
- Stay adaptable
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a comprehensive run of show and event agenda that sets your event up for success.
Need some help with creating your run of show and event agenda template? Use our free AI tool to generate a personalized run of show in just a few clicks! Whether you’re hosting an in-person, virtual, or hybrid event, our tool will help you stay organized and on track.
FREE GENERATOR: Introducing Remo’s Free AI Tool for Creating a Custom Run of Show and Event Agenda
Want to create your own run of show, but find that you’re struggling or just don’t have the time? Don’t worry – Remo’s got you covered. With their newly launched, 100% free (no strings attached!) AI-powered tool, you can create personalized run of show documents and event agendas in minutes!
Here’s a breakdown of how the tool works:
- Select the your event type – Virtual, In-Person or Hybrid) (so it can cater activities to fit your format)
- What kind of event is it? Are you hosting a webinar or a fundraiser? Select an option!
- Enter your event’s date and time (so it can set your event schedule)
- Identify your target audience – for example: tech enthusiasts, marketers, or internal colleagues
- Let the tool know what the main goal of your event is? (so it can suggest ideas that help you achieve your goal)
- Enter any must-have sessions and speakers the run of show should include
- Select the number of organizers.
- Lastly, select the level of audience interaction you want.
Once you’ve added all these details, just click “Generate”, and that’s all! Remo’s Run of Show and Agenda generator will spin up a highly tailored and comprehensive run of show including helpful notes for the event day.
Key Benefits of Using Remo’s AI Run of Show and Event Agenda Generator
- Saves time with automatic suggestions and flows (that are based on best practices).
- Customizable based on the event type, whether it’s virtual or in-person, or a conference vs. networking event.
- Integrates user preferences for a personalized agenda.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Event Agenda and Run of Show Templates
When it comes to creating a run of show or event agenda, having a well-structured template can make all the difference. Whether you’re using an event agenda app, a run of show template in Google Sheets, or simply looking for event agenda design inspiration, these examples will help you craft a plan that keeps your event running smoothly. Below, we’ve gathered a few run of show examples and event agenda examples for various event types to get you started.
Our advice though – skip the templates and examples, and jump straight in with our free event run of show and agenda generator. It takes all the guesswork and stress out of event planning, giving you a highly customized and well thought out plan for your upcoming event.
Best of all – it’s completely free to use, no strings attached! Go ahead and give it a try today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Run of Show
- What is a run of show?
A run of show is a detailed timeline and run sheet that outlines every moment and task during an event. It ensures organizers, speakers, and staff are all on the same page, covering everything from start times to transitions and closing remarks.
- How to create a run of show?
To create a run of show, start by defining the event’s key moments, break down each segment with specific timings, and include detailed cues for transitions and activities. This can take a lot of time to plan, so why not reduce the hassle by using Remo’s free Run of Show and Event Agenda Generator to automatically create your event’s run of show in a snap!
- How is a run of show different from an event agenda?
While a run of show is a behind-the-scenes guide for organizers and staff, an event agenda is designed for attendees. The agenda provides a broad overview of sessions and activities, while the run of show includes every intricate detail to keep the event on track.