Whether you are an aspiring event producer about to graduate college or you just want to put together elaborate parties for your friends and family, we have come up with a list of basic products you will need before and during your event.

• A Planner-This may be one of the most important products you need to have. As an event producer, your schedule is bound to be busy (and by “busy” we mean “insane”). Granted, a seasoned professional will have their agenda scripted on their iPad or computer, but there is nothing like having a detailed schedule written down. Try the Erin Condren personalized life planner to keep you organized (and stylish)!

• Organization-While our office is very conscious of The Green Initiative, sometimes dealing with multiple vendors and clients creates a paper trail. You will likely be swamped with paperwork from contracts to timelines, so organization is key. Stock up on storage bins and folders from places like The Container Store or start off small with expandable folders. We like to keep each event in a separate bin and we save them so we can always look back at our work! No really, you should see our storage closet.

• A Production Box-This is a MUST! For every event we pack one or two “production boxes” that contain everything from Band-Aids to push pins. When you are on-site there is no telling what you will need to do or create last minute and these production boxes will save you the worry. You would be surprised at how many pens you can go through in a weekend! It is also a good idea to have a hardware box with you for extra products like batteries, flashlights, and extension cords.

• Comfortable Shoes-We cannot stress this enough. Event production is not just “planning” it is also a lot of physical work. Sometimes you will be on your feet for 10+ hours in production and then you will need to switch into heels for the event! Inserts such as Dr. Scholl’s can be lifesavers in these cases.

We could probably go on for multiple blog posts listing products, but we’d rather help get you started with your very own “Must Have” package!

Leave us a comment below with what you think is the most important product for an aspiring event producer, and we will pick a winner May 25 (just in time for your Memorial Day celebrations)! Don’t forget to include your name and e-mail address!