Event Planning's Dirty Little Secrets

Successful events don't just happen. Many people work behind the scenes to handle the myriad details - the good, the bad and the downright disgusting. Following are some of the dirtiest jobs involved in producing a special event.

• Port-a-pottie transport, set-up and clean-up. If your event requires the use of portable facilities, someone has to provide and maintain them. You probably won't see the person or give them a second thought, but what would you and your guests do without them?
  
• Animal pooper-scooper. If your event will be held at an outdoor location or will involve animals in any way, someone must clean up behind them. This includes cleaning up behind the ringbearer dog, cleaning bird droppings off tables and chairs (sometimes off the linens as well) and cow patty patrol at places like Pioneer Park in Stanley before setting up tents, tables and chairs.
  
• Dishwasher. Washing dishes for your family is one thing, but doing it for 300 guests can be an ordeal - scraping, rinsing, washing, drying, putting away - dealing with sticky and smelly items. It is even worse when a guest uses his/her plate or glass as an ashtray or to dispose of other trash, such as used tissues.
  
• Laundry attendant. Picture bags and bags of linens covered with wine and food spills, particularly if the bags have been sitting for some time in the hot sun for the odors to get really ripe. Stains have to be treated and the linens washed and pressed, ready for the next event.
  
• Trash removal and site clean-up. Every event involves trash. Picture heavy plastic bags dripping with a mixture of stale beer, wine and salad dressing being lifted into a dumpster by an event planner in a suit - ugly and messy! Or cleaning up used paper plates, napkins and cups blown by the wind all over the event site. it is even worse when clean-up must occur before your event can be set up because another group left a mess.
  
• Limo driver when the guests have over indulged. Imagine the mess and the clean-up that must follow. Imagine trying to remove the smell from the carpet and upholstery and dry it out so the car is ready for the next occupants. 

Imagine what your event would be like if people were not working behind the scenes to handle these dirty jobs. Your venue would be dirty and smelly; your linens stained and wrinkled; the trash overflowing and you would be the one who has to deal with it. Next time you plan or attend an event, take a moment to consider everything that goes into making it special, then take a moment to say thanks for those who work behind the scenes.