September 2015

4 Keys To Making A Corporate Event Successful

4 Keys to making a Corporate Event successful

1. Identify the objectives: When you’re planning an event for your company, it’s important to understand the objectives of the event. First and foremost, you have to listen. It’s vital to understand the underlying message and whether the event’s focus is appreciation, motivating employees, a company sales meeting; all business or part business-part fun. The event has to fit their needs. Anyone can bring in fun entertainment and a pretty table, but listening to your group to help determine what people would like is a key component that allows the event you plan to support the company’s goals.

2. Do a site visit: A site visit is absolutely necessary. You need to check the place out, know the parameters of the venue, checkout the loading docks, hours, who’s available/permitted to help move things, hang things, etc., as well as to understand the flow of the venue. All of those details help you understand what attendees will be walking into; and help you, as planners, to look outside the standard 4 walls. After a site visit, go back and brainstorm with your group. Try to think outside the box!

3. 3.Don’t forget the fun: Few offsite meetings are 100% work, 0% play. Attendance might drop significantly if they were! Fun is absolutely necessary to keep the event’s objectives in mind. Fun elements can help build teamwork and camaraderie. Anything themed is often very well received, and anything that has a little element of competition, like a game of Laser tag, is also a great team building experience.  Laser tag game play will intrinsically offer an opportunity for “team” interaction and development as well as helping build camaraderie, help develop communication skills and adds the simple enjoyment of positive reinforcement. Most Laser tag programs are tailored to the needs of each specific group. Ask your planner to work with you on what you would like to accomplish.

4. Maximize your budget: Be big on not just sticking to a budget, but maximizing it. You can maximize your dollars by being creative and watching out for hidden expenses, like additional labor costs at your chosen venue. Be diligent in asking questions about what’s included and what isn’t. You can even turn obstacles into positives, regardless of the budget. When you keep both the desires and the costs in mind, you can creatively overcome obstacles for less money.