With all the social media we have today, being able to keep up with old friends from school is easier than ever. However, as much as we can see how life goes with the old gang these days, there’s really nothing like a good old-fashioned reunion to make your long-lasting friendships feel really special.

Depending on the type of friends you have, it could mean several things. Maybe you and the guys were into goofing around and having a little fun at each other’s expense. Why not get together and laugh a little at expanding waistlines and receding hairlines? Maybe you and your friends bonded over bad relationships, movie nights, and sharing your dreams. Why not get together and see how marriages, babies, or even prolonged single life have shaped you as an adult?

Meetings are great, but what nobody will tell you is that they can be one of the biggest nightmares in the world to plan. Depending on the type of gathering you’re planning and the number of people you’re trying to get together in one place, you’re talking about plans that need to start months in advance.

Before you delve too deeply into the entire meeting process, here are five tips to keep in mind so you don’t lose your mind:

Set dates as soon as possible – This is where you and your planning committee should spread the word about the event and figure out what dates might work for everyone. It’s important to realize that you won’t be able to please everyone because everyone’s schedules won’t line up. Also, your group may need to give a specific date because the places you are looking for may have limited availability.

Finalize the number of attendees – Set deadlines for responses from potential attendees. You need to know how many people will be part of the event so you can plan a venue, as well as any food or accommodation that may be part of the event. This, along with setting dates, will probably be your most difficult tasks.

delegated tasks – Did you notice that we mentioned the word ‘committee’? It takes more than one person to really plan a meeting. Sure, a small one with a small group of friends might be fine, but if you’re headed to a graduating class or a family event, delegating duties will be critical to keeping your sanity.

Don’t go crazy with activities– Although you may want to provide a number of activities for your group, it’s also good to just sit down and hang out together, especially if it’s been a long time since you last touched base. Trying to reconnect through laser tags is not easy.

find the right place – Although it may be a little low on the priority list for some, finding the right place to host your meeting is important because you know you can handle it all. If you’re working with a venue that’s also a hotel, you may find that they can handle A/V, catering, and hotel reservations without a problem. This can be a good thing for guests traveling a longer distance.

A reunion is about reconnecting with the people from the past who made life memorable. You want to spend more time making those connections again instead of being completely burned out by the meeting planning process. By getting organized, planning ahead, dividing up the workload, and finding the perfect place to host, you’re sure to have a great meeting.