Designing and planning a corporate event can feel like a major task full of different elements and challenges. Making sure the event is successful and that guests have a good time and find value in the experience is paramount, which can be a lot of pressure!
However, by directing your focus toward the most important elements, you’ll be able to turn any event into a success and a memorable one at that! Here are five corporate event planning strategies to help you do so.
Choose the Right Venue
The first thing you need to plan for your event is the venue, which also happens to be one of the most important considerations. Your venue is more than just a location—it will set the atmosphere for your event, be the foundation of your amenities, and dictate a large portion of your budget.
Consider elements like whether the venue can accommodate the number of guests you will be hosting and the connectivity. Almost every event requires some kind of connectivity, which you can learn more about here.
Plan a Detailed Agenda
Any event should have a schedule of some sort, but as a professional endeavor, a corporate event needs to run like clockwork!
Decide well ahead of time what meetings, presentations, talks, activities, and breaks will take place during your event and schedule them into the day in a way that makes sense. Allow guests time to arrive and mingle, and make sure there are breaks in between scheduled items to allow them to take a breather.
Focus on Engaging Content
Don’t host an event just for the sake of hosting an event – these are usually the types that fall flat. Instead, focus on providing value to your guests.
When you’re planning, consider the purpose of your event, the goals, and what you would like your guests to walk away with. Corporate events typically focus on providing knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities, and you will need to make sure that any presentations, meetings, or other activities are engaging and relevant to your guests.
Leverage Technology
With the advancement of technology, you can plan endless creative and interactive experiences for your event. Use this to your advantage to make your event more fun and engaging!
You can use virtual reality to host team-building sessions, create interactive presentations, and even plan games and activities like smartphone-scanning scavenger hunts to keep things light and entertaining.
Promote Networking Opportunities
Finally, keep in mind that many professionals attend corporate events with the sole purpose of meeting likeminded individuals and creating new business opportunities.
Don’t forget to incorporate time for this type of interaction in your event. Schedule tea breaks, lunches, and other breakout sessions for your guests to catch a breather and get to know one another. Another good idea is to start the event with an icebreaker activity so that guests can introduce themselves and what they do. Encouraging discussions and providing opportunities to network is a major aspect of a successful event.
