Planning a successful corporate event is no easy task, especially if it’s your first time. From private venue hire to setting a date, there’s a lot to think about. But with a little guidance, you can make all the right decisions and impress your colleagues. So, here are some useful tips to remember.
Know What Type of Event You’re Planning
Conferences and product launches are very different from hospitality events or team building activities and yet all of these are popular in the corporate world. It’s therefore important to know what type of event you’re planning, as it will help you to take the right approach.
When booking your company’s presence at a trade show, for example, you won’t need to worry about the venue or date as both will have been selected. But you will need to think about the location of your exhibition stand, what marketing materials to bring and whether you need any audio/visual props. Similarly, if you’re bringing multiple offices together for a networking event, you’ll need to look at a venue that offers private event hire with an appropriate layout for the guests. You should also think about important details such as whether or not a stage is required for awards or entertainment.
Set Objectives
There’s no point arranging an event without objectives, so think about what you want to achieve. If you’re attending a conference or exhibition, for example, how will you get leads? How many leads do you expect – what would be considered too few? Similarly, if you’re launching a new product, then it needs to be the star of the show. Will you take sales on the night? Will you give exclusive launch discounts? How much revenue do you expect to make?
Know the Company Budget
Without a company budget you’ll be working in the dark. You need to know exactly how much you can spend and whether it’s possible to offset outgoings with revenue from sponsors, exhibitors and other forms of external income. Budgets can change in a year, so seek advice from the top and don’t rely on previous event budgets as a guide – just in case the cash flow isn’t as pretty as it once was. We all know how Covid changed things.
Understand Expectations
Make sure you, as the event planner, are on the same page as company bosses. Do they want the corporate event to be affordably minimalist yet welcoming and professional or do they want live music, artists, magicians and all the bells and whistles of a showstopping gathering? Events help to showcase the success of a company and brand, so putting on an elaborate show for clients might be high on the priority list.
If you’re looking for the perfect private party hire, then don’t miss Studio Five. Our unique restaurant in the heart of Wembley is the ideal setting for corporate events.
