There are lots of things to consider when planning an event that expands beyond making it an unforgettable experience. Successful events require lots of forethought and planning, it’s more than just picking a time, place, and queuing up a PowerPoint presentation. There are plenty of things you can do that will help to contribute to your event's overall success, but you’ll need to be just as aware of the things to avoid as well. Following these simple corporate events do’s and don’ts will help make sure your next event is a success from its inception to when the last person leaves!
Do's and Don'ts - Part 1
DO define your event’s purpose
Make sure your event's purpose is evident in your marketing efforts so that you are attracting the right audience. It’s important to know why you are hosting your event - is it an educational event, a networking event, a product launch? Knowing the purpose of your event will help you focus on priorities, attract interest, and measure its success.
DON’T forget to check the calendar
When planning a corporate event, you’ll want to find a date that will work for most people. This means you’ll want to avoid picking a date near holidays that may deter people from attending. You’ll also want to be aware of competitive events that may draw attendees away from attending your event. Lastly, you’ll want to pick a date pattern that is appealing - most corporate travelers won’t want to travel on a Sunday for an event that starts on Monday, since it cuts into their weekend.
DO pick the right venue
Like Goldilocks, you’ll want a venue that is just right - not too big or too small. Also keep in mind when searching for a venue things like location, AV capabilities, and price. Make sure the venue works for the type of event you are throwing - if you have a presentation, avoid rooms with obstructed sight lines, and if you are hosting a networking event, make sure there is enough room to move around comfortably. Browse thousands of event spaces on EventUp.com using the advanced filters to curate a list of venues perfect for your event.
DON’T neglect your suppliers
There are lots of moving parts with events, and most likely you are working with multiple suppliers to get all those parts put together. Your suppliers are part of your event team, so caterers, florists, audiovisual techs, furniture rentals - you’ll need to keep everyone up to date and informed. Communication with your vendors and throughout the planning process is essential - make sure to be proactive when managing the relationships and your event will go smoothly.
DO communicate details
Communicating your event details to your attendees will help contribute to your event’s an overall success. You want to provide them with as much information as possible, in a clear and concise way. Make sure you are sending multiple reminders (experiment with a few different ways to see what works best!) and reiterating important details in each one. Don’t assume just because you said it somewhere once that it will be remembered.
DON’T leave it to the last minute
Murphy's Law - Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. A way to help alleviate yourself of future headaches is to start planning your event early - that way if something does go wrong, you have time to fix it! By being organized and starting your event planning early you’ll be less overwhelmed as you get closer to the event and the pressure builds.
Loved our list of Do's and Don'ts? Check out Part two here: Corporate Event Do's and Don'ts - Part
