How to Plan a Corporate Event for Clients

A corporate event can be a fantastic way to strengthen relationships between a business and its employees, customers, or clients. Unfortunately, planning events requires a key set of skills and a high level of organization which many can find overwhelming. Some might choose to avoid some of this stress by hiring an event planner to take on a lot of the work, but it is vital that key people from the business remain involved throughout the planning process. Whether you are inviting clients, investors, employees, or a mix of different attendees, this article outlines some key factors to consider when planning a corporate event.

Have Clear Objectives for Your Event

What will success look like for your event? It is important that the leaders of the business are in agreement about what they want to achieve from the event, and it is usually wise to focus on just one objective. This objective might include strengthening bonds between employees, motivating staff, altering brand perception, building awareness around a new product or service, or simply thanking employees or clients.

Make a Plan

When you have confirmed your objective, you can create a plan for the event. This will include key information like the date, venue, required vendors, food and drink, technology, entertainment, activities, theming, and, of course, who will be invited to attend. You should also document the objective and any key messages you will try to communicate during the event. Your budget and any potential return on investment should also be included in your event plan.

Consider Entertainment and Gifts

A successful event needs to be enjoyable and memorable, and that is why so many corporate events include food, drink, and entertainment. The more relaxed and positive the atmosphere, the more likely it is that your attendees will leave with a favorable impression of your business. This could be a formal meal or an informal buffet, and you might want to provide live music, performers, or interactive activities. It is also worth giving each attendee a gift that they can keep, ensuring they remember the event and your brand, such as a custom magic 8 ball.

Assign Roles and Responsibilities

During the planning and execution of the event, you will need a team of people to fulfill different responsibilities. Give careful consideration to the types of tasks you give to people, as they are likely to have skills and experience that will make them more suited to certain roles. You cannot take on everything, so it is important to recognize how effective delegation can be. It is also a good idea to keep yourself as free as possible during the event so that you can tackle any last-minute problems or unexpected circumstances.

Take Notes Throughout

During the event, it is likely that you or your key speaker will be asked questions, or people will ask for more information. If the event includes opportunities for networking, you should give people a way to make a note of any contacts they make. Make sure that you have a system for catching contact information and taking notes on all the follow-up actions that need to be completed once the event is over.