1. Is this event formal or informal?
Fancy facilities may be nicer, but if you’re planning to use it for an informal event, you may end up making your classmates uncomfortable while they are there. Or, if there are a lot of families involved, you may be better off having your event at a local park or picnic area, where kids have plenty of room to play.

2. How many people are coming?
You may love the taste and ambience of that little French eatery, but if there’s not room to comfortably fit your whole class, that’s not a good thing. If you can find a place that has a private area that you can reserve for your event, that’s a plus.

3. Will there be dancing?
This question is important not just because of space concerns, but also because you’ll need to make sure the DJ or band has plenty of places to plug in their equipment. They may even need a roof over their head in case of rain.

4. How convenient is it?
If you have a location that is easy to get to and well-known to everybody, you increase your chances of success immeasurably.

5. How much are classmates willing to spend?
Keep a close tab on the pulse of your classmates. If they see this event as a once in a decade event, they may be willing to go all out with a fancy restaurant and ballroom, or more. Of course, that also applies the other way, too, so make sure you keep things affordable.

6. Are there enough nearby hotels to support classmates who are traveling?
Do you homework on available hotel rooms, and reserve blocks of rooms far enough in advance that it can be helpful. That will allow classmates to share additional time together before and after reunion events, and even ride together. This could be extra valuable if you have a classmate.

7. Does the location allow you to provide your own catering?
Some facilities will allow you to rent a banquet room, but require you to use their on-site catering. If the food they provide matches the concept of your reunion or fits in your budget, that may be fine. But find out ahead of time to save headaches.

8. In the case of outdoor location, is there a shelter or other place you can go in case of bad weather?
Outdoor locations can be nice for large gatherings, but always allow for a “plan b” in case of inclimate weather.

What sorts of extra goodies should I consider for my high school reunion?

Here is a simple checklist that will get you started in planning your reunion:

• Subscribe to a HighSchoolAlums.com class Web site
• Assemble a reunion committee
• Elect a chairman to oversee the planning process
• Designate a treasurer
• Assemble as much classmate contact information as possible
• Put the word out and locate volunteers who are willing to help with the detail work
• Establish a regular schedule for meeting and discussing updates
• Get input from classmates in regards to several date possibilities
• Get input from classmates as to what types of events they’d enjoy
• Create a working budget
• Investigate the availability of venues
• Investigate the cost/need of liability insurance
• Sample food options from caterers and choose a menu
• Decide on registration costs and set up RSVP process
• Set up bank account for reunion funds
• Send out reunion invitations via mail or e-mail
• Follow up with additional event publicity, via newspaper or radio
• Reserve caterer
• Reserve photographer
• Reserve DJ, band or other music option
• Create name tags, decorations and other momentos for the event
• Call area hotels and reserve blocks of rooms for out-of-town classmates and their families
• Collect money, and pay deposits for venue, music, photographer, etc.
• Gather up old yearbooks and photos to create nostalgic slide shows and video presentations, or tributes to classmates to have passed away

Multimedia presentations can be a spectacular addition to your high school reunion — after all, nothing’s more entertaining than a large screen full of bad hairdos. But whether it’s the simplest projector and screen or a fully digital sound and video system, the technical side of things can be tricky. Consider hiring a local audio-visual company to help out. Not only do they have expertise with sound and video systems, there’s a good chance they already know the peculiarities of the venue you’ve chosen. Ask around to see which audio-visual companies have earned good reputations for their work. Let them know the kind of show you’d like to put on, and see what kind of quotes they give you. Once you’ve chosen a vendor and negotiated a price, make sure they agree to have their equipment set up at least two to three hours ahead of the event. And be sure to request a technician be on hand throughout the reunion just in case there are any hiccups. Then kick back and enjoy the embarrassment.

What sorts of extra goodies should I consider for my high school reunion?
Here are a few fun items you should consider to give your high school reunion a little extra pizzazz:

Name tags featuring yearbook pictures: Sure, it’s a little embarrassing, but they are too much fun to go without.

Coasters and koozies: If there’s going to be drinks available, these are inexpensive collectibles your classmates can keep.

T-shirts, baseball caps and buttons: Another nice way to commemorate the event.

Creative table decorations: Some may even want to take them home.

Who knows — you might even be able to arrange a visit from the school mascot.