FAQ's
Listed below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you do not find what you are looking for, please call us at 866-380-3372 or email us with your questions.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
Q: Who is the Event Planners Association?
A: The Event Planners Association is the premier service provider to the events and entertainment communities. With over 2,500 members across the nation, the EPA provides insurance, legal services, internet marketing, and website design to event & wedding planners, caterers, entertainers, and the inflatable and rental games market. With its one-stop-shop format, the EPA is the only association of its kind in the US.
Q: I see the letters EPA throughout your website. What is EPA?
A: EPA is simply short for Event Planners Association.
Q: Why was the EPA established?
A: The EPA was founded out of necessity. As an inflatable games business owner, a founding member of the EPA experienced frustration with the lack of comprehensive and reasonably priced insurance, legal, and marketing services available to him. After communicating with many other similar business owners, it was obvious he was not alone in his frustration. This initial need translated into the idea to create a one-stop-shop for the amusement industry.
A team of visionary leaders then spearheaded the EPA’s development and expansion to the entire event market. The EPA provides expertise in the legal, insurance, internet marketing and website design needs of event & wedding planners, caterers, entertainers, and the inflatable and rental games market.
Q: When was the EPA launched?
A: The initial concept for the Event Planners Association was formed in 2003. It took almost three years to develop, fine-tune, and perfect the components necessary for success. The original idea has dramatically evolved into a one-of-a-kind support system for business owners in the events industry.
Q: Who is EPA Management & Insurance Solutions, Inc.?
A: EPA Management & Insurance Solutions, Inc. (EPA MIS) is the exclusive management company of the EPA. All of the day to day operations of the EPA are handled by EPA Management & Insurance Solutions, Inc. EPA MIS is comprised of an in-house law firm, in-house insurance brokerage firm, marketing, membership and website experts as well as a division called Association Advantage, which provides services to associations. EPA MIS holds the insurance licenses and is responsible for providing the insurance products for the EPA.
Q: Who and what is Association Advantage?
A: Association Advantage is a division of EPA Management & Insurance Solutions, Inc. Association Advantage gives associations the opportunity to provide valuable insurance, legal and internet marketing services to their members, creating loyalty and a residual income stream for their association. For more information contact us via email or at 866-380-3372.
MEMBERSHIP:
Q: Why should I join the Event Planners Association?
A: The EPA’s sole purpose is to provide Members with the very best products and services necessary to protect and promote their businesses. Our services are strategically designed to work together to create a comprehensive “one-stop-shop” program. EPA professionals understand the nuances relating each facet of their specialty to the others and how they relate to your company’s needs. The question really becomes, “Why would I not join the EPA?”
Q: How much is EPA membership?
A: The Event Planners Association offers two membership levels. Executive members receive access to all benefits for $350 annually or $29.95 monthly. Corporate Membership is $250 annually or $21.95 monthly and provides EPA internet marketing benefits. Both memberships qualify for our Affinity Discount Program. Click here to join.
Q: Who is your typical member?
A: Our members come in all shapes and sizes. From start-ups with one person to large established companies with many employees. All companies regardless of size need the services we provide.
Q: How do I join the Event Planners Association?
A: Click here to join. The Association accepts credit cards and PayPal.
Q: Are my dues prorated?
A: Annual dues are a fixed amount payable on the anniversary date of your enrollment. The annual membership dues can also be paid monthly.
Q: Are there restrictions on membership?
A: No, all companies related to the events industry are invited to join the EPA.
Q: Once I become a member how do I start using my benefits?
A: To utilize your benefits simply log into the Members Only section of the EPA website. The log in box can be found in the upper right corner of the homepage. Customizable legal documents created by our in-house legal team are located in the Legal Services Member pages. Call or email the EPA’s legal department for document review or with questions at 866-380-3372. For an insurance quote, complete an online application found in the Insurance tab. Questions related to EPA search engine optimized internet marketing or website design should be directed to the Association via email or at 866-380-3372.
Q: Where can I find more information on what membership gives me?
A: Each tab above will give you specific membership information. A comprehensive listing can be found here.
INSURANCE:
Q: What kinds of companies or events do you cover?
A: We can cover nearly every event, everyone, and everything related to the events industry in the United States. The EPA’s one-application submittal process will save you time and money as we work with all of the major A-rated carriers to find the best rate and policy available to meet your needs.
Q: Do I have to be an EPA member to get an insurance quote?
A: No, you do not have to be a member to get an insurance quote. Get quote.
Q: Why do I need insurance?
A: You need insurance to protect your assets from unforeseen circumstances such as accidents and injuries. Additionally, many venues will require insurance as a condition of use.
Q: How do I get an insurance quote?
A: Simply select the application that applies to your business from the Insurance tab (top left) and click on it. From there you will have the choice to complete your application online or download and fax it back to us. An Insurance Program Director will contact you once your application has been received.
Q: How long does it take to get a quote?
A: Depending on the complexity of your business and the volume we are experiencing, quotes take approximately one to three days to obtain.
Q: What if I am planning my own wedding and the venue requires insurance - can you help me?
A: Yes, we can provide a competitive quote to meet your needs. You do not have to become a member to obtain this one-time coverage.
Q: Do I have to become a member if I just need a single event covered?
A: Membership is not required for one-time coverage.
Q: Are discounts available for safety certifications and devices?
A: Yes, some insurance carriers will offer discounts for approved safety training, certification and devices. Please list applicable information on your insurance application.
Q: How can the EPA help my company in the area of safety?
A: The Event Planners Association provides its amusement and inflatable industry members with an equipment specific on-line safety training and testing series. These product specific safety training tests help to insure that our members have a general awareness of the safety issues surrounding amusement devices and inflatable operations. The Association works closely with the major product manufacturers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, our engineering staff, as well as our own members, which consists of over 2,500 companies in the event and entertainment industries nationwide, in the design, implementation, and updating of the Event Planners Association safety program. We also provide a discussion forum where the free-flow of ideas promotes safety tips from other companies in our industry.
MARKETING:
Q: What if I only want the marketing services offered by the Event Planners Association?
A: For those companies who are fully entrenched with their insurance & legal providers we offer a Corporate Membership at a rate of $250 annually. A dues payment plan is also available for $21.95 per month.
Q: How can the EPA help market my business?
A: The EPA provides essential Search Engine Optimized marketing for members in three EPA site-based venues: the Industry Resource Connection, Party Planning and Game Rental Connection, and the EPA Industry Forum. Marketing benefits are included with both membership options.
Q: What is the Industry Resource Connection?
A: The IRC is our business to business advertising venue. Manufacturers and service providers who want to reach event professionals can find their target here as this link has quickly become one of our most popular pages.
Q: What is the Party Planning and Game Rental Connection?
A: The PPGRC is our consumer driven advertising venue. Event Professionals are listed in the PPGRC based on their service and service area. A landing page with a website link is included for potential customers to view. There is no charge for additional listing service categories, areas or referrals!
LEGAL:
Q: As a member will I have to pay extra for the legal services?
A: Executive Members receive document review and consultation privileges as well as unlimited downloads of our industry specific contracts and other legal documents found on our website in our Members Only section. Members will receive discounts on any services over and above those outlined in the Legal Services tab on our website.
Q: Can you help me incorporate my business?
A: Yes, the EPA will provide expert advice and extensive experience from its in-house law firm. We offer a discount to EPA members on this service. Click here for additional information.
Q: Do I really have access to EPA lawyers?
A: Yes, EPA’s in-house attorneys are available to answer your questions. Simply call the Association at 866-380-3372 or email to schedule a conference call with our legal staff.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Q: Can I put the EPA logo on my website? Where can I find it?
A: Absolutely. In fact, we encourage usage of our logo on our members’ websites. Please link the logo to our website URL: www.eventplannersassociation.com. Linking is good for all of us as it boosts the rating of a website. We link our site to yours through our Party Planning and Game Rental Connection. You can find various sizes of our logo in the Press Room.
Q: Do you provide networking opportunities for members?
A: The Event Planners Association is different from other associations in that the EPA serves as a business tool for owners. Our primary role is to offer the very best services available in a comprehensive, stream-lined, time and cost efficient model. We do not yet provide a network or educational function. We do, however, have a forum on our website to provide interaction among event professionals.
Q: Do you have a newsletter I can join?
Yes, we have an e-newsletter that is delivered to EPA member’s and friend’s mailboxes bi-monthly. Our newsletters provide quick, relevant, information on subjects relevant to event professionals. Click to join.
Q: Do you sell your contact list?
A: Absolutely not. We do not sell, rent or give away our contact list. We take the privacy of our members and friends very seriously. As you might imagine, with over 2,500 members, companies are clamoring to reach them. To create a win-win situation for all, we developed the Industry Resource Connection (IRC) located on our homepage to allow advertisers to promote their products and services to our members and visitors. Members and visitors can then go to the IRC when they are in need of a particular product or service.
Didn’t find what you are looking for? Please call us at 866-380-3372 or email us with your question.