There is no denying that business events took a back seat during the last couple of years due to the pandemic. Big gatherings were discouraged, which meant that physical events in closed spaces were not as common as they used to be. However, the world is returning back to normal and conventions of all kinds are being held once again. So, if you have to organize an event for your business, you might be a little bit rusty.
Here are a few pointers no matter if you’re welcoming employees, customers, partners, or potential collaborators:
Start preparing on time
First of all, you need to start preparing on time. You don’t want to have to throw everything together at the last minute. For this networking event, it’s essential to give yourself plenty of time, so write down all the things you will need for the event. Then, assess how much time it will take to gather them all. The next thing you need to think about time-wise is the attendees. They need to be given enough time to ensure they are free on the said date; you can’t just invite them to show up the following weekend as they might already have plans. Some of them might be coming from another country and need accommodation, which is why you need to thoroughly plan everything. Finally, you need to secure the right venue. See how many people it can fit and how many parking spaces it has. Do they provide food and drinks or should you do that on your own?
Get the right people for the job
Unless you are a very small company planning a very small event, chances are that you will need several people for the job. For one, you have the option of outsourcing the whole ordeal to a business that specializes in corporate events. On the other hand, you can gather a select team of people that will cover everything from venue booking and catering to sending out invites and running the actual event. Of course, you need people with certain skills for this, so you need to turn to those that have proven themselves capable of handling such tasks.
Decide on the event management platform
To make it easier on yourself and your event team, it’s recommended that you use an event management platform. These tools are there to help you with every aspect of organizing a trade show, partner meeting, or convention. You want something that will allow you to create tickets to the event and offer on-site registration. Then, you also want communication channels that will let you notify attendees by SMS or email. Lastly, you want to be able to get a report after the event to see what worked and what didn’t.
Look for ways to stand out
For your event to be memorable for years to come and have guests come back, you want to stand out from the crowd. If you’re holding the event in a bigger venue that can house several conventions at once, you want to make sure your audience can easily find you. You can use a customizable pull-up banner for that purpose and post it in front of your door. Use other signs as well that will lead the attendees to the right space. On the other hand, to stand out in your industry, you want to provide your guests with something unique. From food and drinks to décor all the way to demonstrations of products, there are countless things you can do. Furthermore, by allowing people to participate remotely and online, you are opening yourself up to a much larger audience, so look for ways to incorporate online and offline segments.
Remember to be sustainable
In 2023, sustainability is more important than ever. Moreover, being kind to the planet can get you a bigger audience as well. With that in mind, some pieces of equipment can be rented instead of bought for a single use and improperly discarded. For balloons, confetti, and brochures, look into biodegradable and recyclable options. If you intend to offer merchandise, work with eco-friendly and waste-free manufacturers.
Organizing a corporate event doesn’t have to be too demanding. Keep these tips in mind to be successful in 2023.
