Corporate events are common in the U.S., often making it difficult for a single event to stand out and be remembered. In fact, more than a million corporate events happen each year in the United States. This results in many planning choices, like food and décor, feeling mundane and overused.
However, this can be avoided with the use of event planners and their ability to generate original ideas. These individuals can create something unique, true to an individual brand, and keep a business’s employees talking long after they’ve gone home.
Unique ideas that event planners provide can be tailored to individual companies and even create events that stand out within each company. These tips and tricks can help elevate any corporate event.
Establish Clear Goals and Communicate Them
It is essential to designate clear goals so that everyone who is part of the planning process understands what to execute. An example of this would be designating a specific person to implement a theme through food and décor.
Regardless, communicating these objectives can help make planning clear and efficient — companies can do this by sharing a party outline with their event planner. This can include any relevant information. Some ideas include who is coordinating with vendors, who is giving speeches, who is handling invites, etc. A clean and organized document can help ensure nothing is overlooked. Implementing these tactics for a seamless event also makes guests feel relaxed.
A company that communicates its goal through corporate events is Apple. The brand is known for its sleek phone designs and the variety of uses for its phone. With this idea in mind, Apple designs its events like the phone. The Worldwide Developers Conference has technical conferences, hands-on labs, networking, exercise classes and more — all the things we can also do from our phone. The sleek décor also matches the visuals of a phone. This flawless concept shows Apple designated clear goals so that every choice matched the brand.
Match a Medium to a Message
Location is everything for corporate events — the venue sets the tone. This means that the message must match the venue. If an event is to help children, it may take place in a park or local gymnasium. Alternatively, if an event is a charity gala, the event planner should think “ballrooms.” This will help generate continuity between the event’s theme and execution.
If an event does not have a theme, the venue should fit the business’s work culture. If its work culture is relaxed, a bar and grill may be a good choice, whereas a formal culture may choose a formal seated dinner. A company office can also be utilized as an event space and can match the tone of the event with appropriate decoration.
Choosing a venue that does not match the intent of the event can leave guests feeling uncomfortable. An event planner can offer helpful direction with this type of decision.
Make Engaging, Work-Appropriate Activities Available
A corporate event can include more than one main portion, like a dinner or a speaker. In fact, adding work-appropriate activities to an event can help advance the objective of the celebration. If a business is service-oriented, guests can write get-well cards for a local hospital or participate in mentorship programs. If the focus is team bonding, bringing in a photo booth is a great option to generate laughter and conversation.
Event planners can help with choosing appropriate entertainment and bringing activities into the designated venue. In brief, a unique activity does not have to be extravagant; sometimes, simple is best.
Create Special Employee Recognition
Making employees feel appreciated is essential for a productive work environment, and this recognition shouldn’t exclusively happen during normal business days. When company leadership takes the time to present their team with a certificate or small gift, the gesture can improve morale. These perks can be coordinated with a planner to keep the day stress-free for the employer, but recognition does not have to come exclusively in the form of gifts.
Superlatives such as “most productive” or “most positive” can also provide the appreciation that employees want. This type of acknowledgment will generate positive conversation among staff and an enjoyable connection with an event.
Every corporate event could use improvement to better fit a business’s brand. Incorporating these tips and tricks into planning the corporate event will ensure it is seamless and close to perfection, resulting in continuing positive conversations about it for days thereafter.
Ben Ostro, CEO of Chateau Luxe, a full-service, special event and conference center located in Phoenix. Set amongst spectacular Sonoran Desert views, Chateau Luxe is Arizona’s most luxurious and nationally recognized event destination, boasting spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for events of all sizes. Stunning crystal chandeliers, lush fabrics and delectable cuisine crafted by its in-house culinary team ensure an unforgettable experience for functions large or small.
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