The EPA Story
The Event Planners Association was created in 2004 to fill an obvious need in the event and entertainment industries. The only association of its kind, the EPA was developed as a "one-stop-shop" to assist members of the Event & Wedding Planning, Catering, Inflatable, Game Rental, and Entertainment communities operate and prosper in an efficient and cost-effective manner through the services we provide. Our goal is to offer the very best services available coupled with excellent customer service making membership an invaluable tool to our members throughout the United States.
Insurance, legal assistance and internet marketing were identified as issues of primary concern for small and medium-sized business owners in the aforementioned communities. Related needs include safety training, state regulations and website design & hosting.
EPA principals began with the monumental task of searching for the very best insurance providers in the various industries including those in the highly specialized, high-risk amusement rental market. By carefully scrutinizing insurance company backgrounds, policies, and rates, the EPA determined to create its own program with its chosen "A" rated carrier. Additional carriers who have met the stringent EPA qualifications have since been added to create a well-rounded, reliable offering for members. A one-application, online submission process simplifies the potential insured's comparison needs as the EPA has the ability to secure quotes from multiple companies with speed and accuracy. Companies are regularly quoted and bound in the same day.
The EPA's in-house law firm specializes in the particular needs of those in the event and entertainment business. Our goal is to assist members by offering much needed industry specific liability waivers, rental agreements and other contracts for their use. Consultation with our attorneys is also a benefit utilized often by members looking for advice ranging from corporate structure to risk management issues.
The very real need for our members to compete for a place in today's online marketplace was the impetus for the Event Planners Association's foray into internet marketing and led to the creation of the Party Planning & Game Rental Connection and Industry Resource Connection links off of our homepage. Member's businesses are listed by location and/or service category. A landing page is built and linked to their websites creating additional internet content and multiple opportunities for customer interaction. With the two marketing sites members have the opportunity to promote their businesses directly to the end consumer or to the industry trades. Search engine optimization is of primary importance and the Event Planners Association diligently works to create search engine friendly pages.
Along with our core service line, ancillary services followed a natural path of evolution. While developing the insurance program, Association principals established the EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification program. This equipment specific training series was developed in conjunction with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC), major product manufacturers, designers, and Event Planners Association risk management specialists. Since safety awareness and adherence is of prime concern to insurance companies and the industry as a whole, our program is available to all of our members at no charge. EPA AOS Certification has been praised by EPA approved insurance carriers and merits a discount on already low insurance premiums.
The Association added website design and hosting services to its offering as a direct result of member requests. Approximately 25% of our members are start-up companies and as such rely on the EPA to create their web presence immediately. Members can utilize a template system at no additional charge or can employ our programmers and designers to develop a semi-custom/custom site.
The EPA rounds out its services by providing a member affinity program. Members save money with discounts on products and services from Office Max, Choice Hotels, Alamo, Hertz and National Rental Cars, Drop.io, Pixability, and WeddingWire.com - to name a few. The EPA affinity program is continually expanding to provide members additional ways to save money.
With over 3,000 members, the goal of the Association is to provide the very best services available and as such, the Event Planners Association is continually searching for enhancements to its current product offering as well as looking to discover additional ways to help its member base succeed in a crowded marketplace.