Have you been put in charge of organizing a corporate event for your company? With the ability to build relationships, boost brand recognition, attract new talent, and so much more, corporate events are a must for any business that wants to be a success.
If you are new to the exciting world of corporate events, then you may be feeling understandably nervous about planning your first one. Don’t worry! The below guide will tell you everything you need to know!
What are the different types of corporate events?
There are various types of corporate events, each with its own bespoke requirements and uses. Some of the most common types of corporate events are:
- Conferences
- Tradeshows
- Networking events
- Product launches
- Hospitality events
- Training workshops
- Team building events
You must know exactly what you are planning for before you do anything towards organizing the event.
How to plan a corporate event
Track your budget
Unless you have been given an unlimited budget (you wish!), you need to make sure that you are keeping track of what you are spending so that you can get everything you need without going over budget.
If you are worried about managing your budget, then it can be helpful to look at budgets from past events to see where money was spent and where it can be saved. Don’t forget that you can make money back from exhibitors and sponsors if you plan to have these at your event.
Find a venue
Once you have found out how much you have to spend, the first element of a corporate event that you need to arrange is the venue.
Depending on the type of corporate event you are organizing, there are lots of different venues for you to choose from. Plus, there are options to suit all budgets. If you are looking for a venue for unique corporate events, then you need to think a little bit outside of the box and consider less obvious locations.
Once you have found a suitable venue, put down a deposit as quickly as you can to avoid someone else snapping up your preferred place.
Make all the arrangements
Now that your venue is secured, the next step is to make all the necessary arrangements for the equipment needed, such as speakers, microphones, chairs, tables, and projectors. If you are planning an awards ceremony, you will also need to organize items such as certificates or prizes.
You also need to decide on what food and drinks you are going to offer attendees and then book a caterer. Ideally, hire a local company, as this can help to make your event more sustainable and help to support the local community.
Promote your event
Don’t forget that you must tell people about your event or that all your hard work will have been for nothing.
There are many different platforms that you can use to promote your corporate event, such as social media, emails, or even a custom website that can provide all the information your attendees need in one convenient place.
If you are going to use social media to promote your event, make sure that you choose the channels that your target audience uses on a regular basis. You may also want to create a hashtag to help your event go viral.
