083: Planning Virtual and Hybrid Writing Events with Alicia Riley

The Art & Business of Writing

Alicia R. Riley, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Business Administration-Marketing, is the author of The Power of Events and The Virtual Event Planner. She is a professional event producer and an educator who began studying the field in 1996—an era when the profession was foreign to many, and educational or training options were limited. Riley believes any goal is possible if you commit yourself to work for it, and she reaches every professional goal she sets, based on her list of lessons that are critical to an event planner’s success. In 2002, the Glendale, Arizona native launched a business and amazed clients with her event planning knowledge and expertise. This led to a teaching position and service as a professional speaker in the event planning industry. Her motivational speech, “The Power of Events,” educates audiences about special events and life planning. She refuses to be content and is committed to staying current in her profession. In 2020, Riley earned digital event strategist certification, which allows her to help companies transition in-person events to a digital platform. Her recently published book, The Virtual Event Planner, provides a detailed, personal guide to all aspects of virtual event planning, which will be an inspirational and indispensable resource for anyone already involved with event planning or anyone who may be considering a career in the profession. In this episode, you'll learn:

• How COVID changed event planning and what that means to you today
• How to embrace changes and move forward with grace
• Setting up virtual events
• Keys to successful events
• Why hybrid events may become be the norm and how you can host them
• Setting your fee structure
• How long virtual and hybrid events should be
• How to choose the right speakers for virtual and hybrid events