The Business Bash - 4 Things to Consider When Planning a Corporate Event
No matter how many times you do it, planning a corporate event can be a daunting experience. With so many things to prepare, all while maintaining the integrity of your brands image, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and let things start to slip. That’s why, to try and assist you through the trials and tribulations of professional planning, we’ve put together a few tips on setting up a fantastic corporate event.
Keep Things Consistent
Before you can begin to put together a solid plan for your event, you first need to understand what it is you’re looking to convey. Corporate events will benefit from different things, dependant entirely on the size, scope and image of the company in question.
For example, while putting together an outdoor get-together with drinks, music and an infrared BBQ will certainly fit the needs of a smaller, more casual business, it may not work quite as well for a larger company.
Plus, a corporate event usually acts as a show of appreciation from a business owner to their employees, so you want to make sure that you aren’t giving the impression of skimping out when you have the budget to do something better.
Find a Theme
Whether you’re looking to put on a fantastic company picnic, a lavish cocktail party, or even a spa day, setting up a theme allows you a point of reference for selecting food, entertainment, aesthetics and more.
It also gives your event a distinct tone, and lets guests know what they can expect in regard to attire and behaviour before they walk through the door.
Set a Budget
While you don’t want to be seen as stingy in the eyes of your employees, you also don’t want to bankrupt the company trying to put on a spectacle. So, to find a good middle ground in this regard, try to set a preliminary budget as early in the process as possible. Make sure to include as many of the potential expenses as you can, including:
● Food
● Entertainment
● Invitations
● Venue Rental
● Bar/Drinks
● Extra additions (Equipment, Live Performances, Tables etc.)
By doing this early in the process, even if the event does go slightly over budget, you are ensuring that your costs stay in the realm of financial viability.
Put in the Work
Choosing the first venue that you find on Google without delving a little deeper into their reviews, or visiting the venue beforehand, is a recipe for disaster. Without putting in the effort and finding out more about the services that you are paying for, too much is left up to chance, which isn’t good when you have so many things to take care of.
So, before exchanging money, visit the venue, determine costs, find out what is provided by the venue (food, cutlery, tables etc.), find out any limitations or rules that you will have to abide by. By checking off all of these steps, you will know exactly what to expect from the venue and can plan accordingly.
Make Invitations
“Word of mouth” may work for a small social gathering, but when it comes to an entire company, it’s better to ensure that everyone has a solid point of reference in the form of a formal invitation.
An invitation can also be used to express the tone of the event. For example, if the event is a luxurious soiree, make sure that the invitation reflects that. It may seem like a small step, but it’s the kind of attention to detail that people appreciate.
A corporate event can be whatever you want it to be. Just remember that you’re doing this for your employees, so it’s important to put in a level of effort that shows that you appreciate their work. Good luck!