Start planning at least 9 to 12 months in advance. Popular venues for celebrations of this scale are fully booked 18 to 24 months in advance, especially in the fall and on popular weekend dates. Book the venue first.
Next comes the concept: what is the story, who will speak, and how will different generations be involved? Only then do you work out the details. For events with 500 or more attendees, 12 to 18 months is the standard. It’s possible to do it in less time, but then you’ll need to make quick decisions and be flexible in your choice of venue.
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