Gala events come in all different shapes, but for the most part these events are equal in size. A gala usually refers to a few hundred guests in a formal setting or cocktail party. Galas can be an annual fundraiser or have a celebrity aspect such as an award ceremony. Galas tend to involve formal attire, feature additional entertainment, and have a ticket price charged if the event is benefiting a cause. People will also host galas for milestone events such as fiftieth birthdays, twenty-fifth wedding anniversaries, or an annual yachting event.

A gala event needs momentum to be successful. A large e-mail/mailing list, a number of supporters, and a respectable sponsor are all ways to create buzz around your event and gain momentum. For this reason, the common goal of a gala is to become an annual or semiannual event. As an event planner working on an annual event, you will have some advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is obtaining last year's event sheet script, detailing vital specifics of past planning. A disadvantage is the underutilization of your creativity compared to your past events.