What event are you organizing for your business? Whether it’s a gala to celebrate your employees’ hard work or a mixer to connect with your clients more personally, company events can be great for business. They improve relationships and set your company apart as a thoughtful, detail-oriented entity. However, you need more than a venue, catering, and a half-devised plan to pull off a successful company event. Consider these five ways to increase the occasion’s impact.
1. Define Clear Goals and Objectives
Before you book a venue or send out invites, ask yourself this critical question: What’s the purpose of this event?
Are you launching a product? Celebrating a milestone? Building stronger client relationships? Whatever your case, having a clear goal will guide every decision you make. It makes planning more focused by ensuring that every element ties back to your purpose.
Pro Tip
Create measurable objectives, like increasing customer engagement by 20 percent or building relationships with five new potential clients.
2. Choose the Right Venue
The venue should accommodate your event’s size and energy. For example, if you’re planning a professional seminar, then booking a conference space is ideal for its room and atmosphere. However, if you’re planning a mixer, no matter how professional, the vibes of a casual, lively bar would be better.
Essentially, think about your audience and what will make them feel comfortable, engaged, and energized. Don’t overlook practical aspects like parking, accessibility, and technical support, especially if presentations or livestreams are part of the day. And don’t worry if the site isn’t perfect in every regard. You can hide unattractive areas of the venue, but you can’t alter its size or install tech infrastructure.
3. Make It Interactive
Nobody wants to sit through hours of back-to-back lectures or presentations. Instead, mix in some activities that engage your attendees. Consider these options:
- Run live polls during sessions.
- Hold breakout workshops for smaller groups.
- Set up interactive booths where people can try your products or services.
- Offer a prize for the best social media post about the event.
The more involved your attendees are, the more memorable the experience will be.
4. Use Technology to Enhance the Experience
Technology can elevate your event from good to outstanding. Try using event-specific apps for schedules, QR codes for easy check-ins, and virtual reality demos for showcasing your products. And don’t forget the power of social media. Create an event hashtag and encourage attendees to share their experiences during and after the event.
5. Follow Up After the Event
The event doesn’t end when the lights go down. Make sure to send out thank-you emails, recap videos, and even a short survey to gather feedback. This not only keeps your brand fresh in their minds but also provides valuable insights to improve future events.
Pro Tip
If you collected email addresses during registration, add attendees to a tailored email list that shares relevant updates and opportunities.
Plan for Success
Investing time and resources into your company event can produce incredible returns, and it all starts with great planning. From defining objectives to creating interactive experiences and closing with strong follow-ups, these methods will increase the impact of your event and elevate your brand’s reputation.
- What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced when managing a company event?
- How do you ensure attendees stay engaged throughout an event?
- What technology tools or platforms have you used to enhance event experiences?
- How do you measure the success of your business events?
- What are some of the most creative venues you’ve seen or considered for hosting an event?
