Planning a Corporate Event

When it comes to planning and executing a corporate event, there can be so much at stake; it is not something which can be pulled out of a hat and it takes several weeks, if not months, of careful planning. Just like a wedding planner would spend well over a year ironing out every fine detail of the day’s events, you need to do the same if you are planning a corporate event.

If it is your first time planning one, you will naturally feel intimidated and may feel like you are in way over your head. In fact, you may well be; corporate events are extremely formal events where the very highest standards are expected, especially in traditional industries such as financial and legal.

#1: Choosing the Right Venue

This is perhaps the most difficult and important aspect of the whole corporate event planning routine and is the easiest to get wrong. The difficulty of planning a corporate event can very much depend on where you are looking at hosting it.

What makes a good corporate events venue is not just the location either, there are tons of considerations you need to keep in mind. In London, you are spoilt for choice, but in other places the list of potential venues may be very short. Picking an appropriate venue can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, but here are some key things to look out for –

• Whether the venue fits within your budget and what the price is for the time of year your event is taking place;
• Whether it has the right ambience or whether the surroundings are appropriate for your industry and the people you are entertaining;
• Whether there are any lecture theatres or conference rooms which, although you may not need them, your guests may;
• How many people can the venue host? Further to this, does the venue accommodate people with disabilities?
• Is there an on-site concierge who can assist with the catering and other niceties? This can eliminate some extra costs if it is already included.

These are just the very basic key points you need to keep in mind. You want to find a provider that can meet your needs and that is based in an ideal location. This will ensure you can successfully book a corporate events venue London that will meet all your needs. Realistically, picking a corporate event venue is not an exact science, but you can massively improve your chances of success by having the basics tied down.

#2: Consider Hosting Activities

Although corporate events are serious business, that does not mean they cannot be fun too. Your corporate event absolutely should involve an element of fun and some activities which can keep your guests entertained. Activities are also great to have on standby should your event encounter any unforeseen technical problems or other issues which cause delays. You can even give away corporate dessert gifts as a sweet surprise for your guests. These delightful treats offer a unique way to show appreciation and create a lasting impression. Whether it’s a box of pastries or luxurious chocolate assortments, they add a thoughtful, fun element to your event that guests will remember.

There are a ton of activities you can add to your corporate event which appeals to all sorts of industries and people. For example, if you are hosting a corporate event for a professional services industry, why not try and hire an influential guest speaker or big industry name to come in and give a talk? If you are in manufacturing or sell physical products, why not include a miniature trade show or expo? Additionally, corporate events can be a great place to launch new products.

If you do decide not to include any activities during the event, do not forget to budget for an after-event party where your guests can network and let their hair down a little bit.

#3: Follow-Up After the Event

Your corporate event planning does not finish at the end of the event itself, you should extend your plans beyond the event and follow-up afterwards. After the event, depending on the industry, there should be something which will further-engage with your guests and improve retention or loyalty, especially if the corporate event has been targeted towards current and potential clients.

A survey is great, but freebies and prizes are better. Why not host a contest involving your social media pages or hand out some discount codes after your event as a thank you for attending? This will make a lasting impression on the people who attended your event and can go a long way to spread the word about your company throughout certain professional circles.

When it comes to planning a corporate event, especially if it is your first time, it can seem like an impossible task. A great deal of precise planning and time goes into planning the perfect corporate event, which should be a mixture of professional business and casual activities hosted in an appropriate venue. What many planners forget, though, is that it is important to plan for after the event too; the feedback you receive from clients and attendees is invaluable and some post-event freebies are a fantastic way to improve overall loyalty.

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