How do you reach your target number of quality attendees when planning for a business event?

This might seem easy enough, but figuring out what types of people you want at your event is a step not to be taken lightly. The last thing you want is to attract a crowd that expects freebies or just wants to be pampered by a full-service party without actually becoming an advocate for your brand. There's a time and place for every crowd, but it's up to you to determine which audience is best suited for your event.

If you're holding a large-scale event, you might need to think beyond your company's own customers or your natural audience to draw a significant crowd. So, enlist help. "You need to find a partner basically for the same reason that you find a partner for your start-up,"

Ideally, whatever event you're planning, you'll want the support of other businesses or agencies; support from them usually fosters support from their customers.  This is where your list of contacts comes in. Usually you can find event partners and sponsors in your own network of industry colleagues.  

I suggest scouring your mailing list for relevant, industry-specific groups that can double as your media partners.  Having engaged partners associated with your event attracts loyal customers and adds legitimacy to your event.