Corporate events come in all shapes and sizes, and all of them come with unique challenges. Planning a corporate event is no small task, and depending on what you want from the event, the stakes can be high.
With that in mind, you shouldn’t be afraid of corporate event planning. People plan corporate events every day, and most of them aren’t professional event planners.
We’re here with some event planning tips to help you get started. Read on to learn more.
What’s Your Goal?
Before you plan your event, you need to know what you’re trying to do with it. What type of corporate event are you planning?
There’s a big difference between planning a networking event and a training seminar. The training seminar will be far smaller and will require far less planning. A networking event may involve speakers, entertainment, and even food.Â
Who’s the audience for the event? Do you want attendees who are interested in using your products and services, or attendees who are within your industry?Â
Plan this ahead of time.Â
Set a Budget
Make sure that you set a clear budget and stick to it.
Depending on the purpose of this event, it will come from either the marketing section or the training section of your business budget. You may have to move some things around in order to have a large enough event budget.Â
Remember that your budget may include (among other things):
- Venue
- Vendors
- Entertainment
- Speakers
Find Your Venue
Where is your event going to be? If you have a small corporate event, like a training seminar, it’s often enough to rent out a single room at a community center. For a larger formal event, you may need a convention center or an event hall.Â
It’s a good idea to book your venue with plenty of time to spare. Remember that there are plenty of people planning events at any given time, and the best venues can be booked out several months in advance (if not more). Some conventions book venues over a year in advance.Â
Many venues have connections with local vendors. If you need vendors and this is your first time planning an event, we recommend choosing one of these to make the process easier.Â
Promote the Event
Now it’s time for promotion. If you’ve planned far enough in advance, this should be easy.
If you’re trying to get your local community to come to your event, we suggest setting up booths at other local events. Pass out promotional materials and corporate swag such as business cards, promotional water bottles, t-shirts, and fliers.Â
You should keep a supply of these items for your event as well. When you’re ordering materials for corporate events, always order more than you think you’ll need.Â
We also recommend promoting on social media. Facebook allows you to create event pages and invite people who can then RSVP. This helps you get a semi-accurate headcount before the event.Â
Planning a Corporate Event? Use These Tips
Planning a corporate event might seem scary, but if you start with this brief guide, you’re sure to create an event that you can be proud of.Â
Are you getting ready to plan an event? Why not order some promotional water bottles to get people excited beforehand and keep them hydrated while they’re there?Â
At Alexa Springs, we pride ourselves on our high-quality custom water bottles. Order yours today.