Planning a Class Reunion can be a lot of fun, but requires coordination and attention to ensure a successful and memorable reunion for everyone. If you're part of a larger class you may have a reunion committee to help you make sure everything gets done. If you're part of a small class, you may be flying solo. In either case, we've put together some basic planning steps to get you going. Be sure to check out our Class Reunion Ideas page, and then click here to check on discount group hotel bookings.

Here are the planning basics:

• Give yourself time.   Don't try to rush such a big event. If you do, you're bound to run into logistical problems and less people being able to attend. Start your planning at least 12 months out - but 16-24 months is more realistic. Consider forming a committee and/or sub-committees to help make sure everything gets done. Now is also the time to start scouting out locations for the main event. Depending on the time of year you're planning for - facilities may need to be booked as much as two years out. You'll also want to get the finances in order, open a bank account, etc. so that you can come up with a total cost for your guests.

• Estimate how many guests you'll have.    This will take a bit of research. How many current addresses do you have? How many people will make the trip? Talk to others who have also planned class reunions to get an idea on what to expect. The longer it's been since you all were together, the less people will probably be able to show up. To be safe always add 5-10% to your final estimate, it's better to overbook than to not have enough room, space, food, etc.

• Deciding When and Where.    Make sure to consider the time of year and the weather when choosing a time and place. A good location when the weather is right will ensure maximum turn-out. Also be flexible when you start your planning, adjusting your dates by as little as a few days may give you significant savings on hotel rates, room rentals, etc. You'll also want to send out the first announcements ASAP to your classmates. This will give them a chance to plan ahead as well as help get current address/contact data for other class members.

• Arrange Group Hotel bookings.    Booking a group of rooms from a nearby hotel will ensure that there are plenty of rooms for your classmates coming in from out-of-town. It can also give everyone significant savings over booking hotel rooms individually. Remember to consider things like meeting facilities, dining, airport shuttles and other amenities when choosing a hotel. After you narrow that down, check for the best group hotel booking rates available. You'll save a significant amount of money by booking as a group, plus you can guarantee that everyone coming from out of town has a room. Again, always book a couple more rooms than you think you'll need (be sure to ask for and abide by hotel cancellation policies when booking extra rooms).

• Start Planning your Activities.    Talk to others who have planned a class reunion and check out our Class Reunion Ideas page. Think about decorations, games and displays.

• Book Meeting Facilities, Restaurants, Photographers, etc.    Don't wait until it's too late! Live bands, DJs, and other entertainers will need to be booked well in advanced.

• Send out the Invitations.    Make sure you send out invitations and reminders well in advance of hotel cut-off dates and give invitees plenty of time to coordinate time-off, travel, etc. Make sure to provide the invitees with a point of contact for questions and suggestions, an email address or a website is a great way to keep everybody up-to-date. If a group of attendees are coming from one region, you might suggest charter air transportation to the class reunion location.

• Final Arrangements.    Confirm everything a couple of weeks out. Solicit volunteers to help set up decorations and displays the day of the event. Compile the final list of paid attendees and make up signs and itineraries so that attendees know where to go and what to do