Corporate events can be exponentially beneficial for your brand. They can be educational and entertaining all in one. They provide the perfect opportunity for employee appreciation; they are the ideal way to gain loyal customers and so much more.
However, if not executed well, they may negatively affect your brand, deter people from attending another event, and leave you with regrets. As leading corporate event planners, we have you covered. We have compiled a list of things NOT to do at your corporate event.
1. Don’t Pick a Conflicting Date
Nobody wants to attend a corporate event on a holiday, and nobody wants to go to two corporate events back to back so steer clear of holidays as well as dates close to similar events. Choosing an appropriate date requires some research. If you schedule your corporate event on the same day as another one in your industry, attendees will have to decide whether to attend yours or the other one. If the other organization is better-known than yours, people will choose that one. Don’t put people in that kind of dilemma. Avoid competition and potential stress by selecting a wide-open date. Establishing a solid date is a simple step to make or break your attendee numbers.
2. Don’t Be Boring
Remember the boring professor from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” who had his class falling asleep? It may be funny in a movie but not at a real-life corporate event. Put forth effort and preparation to make a lively and entertaining presentation that will catch the interest and keep people perky and awake. Be mindful of time when putting on your display. Don’t let your presentation drag on with lots of fluff. Keep it short, sweet and to the point. Keeping presentations engaging requires practice beforehand. Your attendees will be impressed by an informative and exciting presentation that is well-prepared.
3. Don’t Forget the Wi-Fi Access
We are in the year 2022; your attendees need internet access. Make sure to provide your guests with credentials. Not having Wi-Fi access is a sure way to annoy people. Make sure to pick a venue that can allow for a large number of internet users and will provide a password if needed.
4. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Preparation is vital for event planning. Test out audio ahead of time to make sure the quality is exceptional. Practice your presentation to make sure it will be well-presented. Ensure there are enough mic runners for Q&A sessions and have back-ups on call if people don’t show up. Test out any visuals that will be used at the event. Scrambling in the middle of your event to fix something is not a good look. Prepare ahead of time, so things go smoothly. Hard work pays off.
5. Don’t Forget About DEI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are musts for successful corporate events. There should be accommodations for those in wheelchairs and any other disabilities. All language should be inclusive and respectful. Go the extra mile to make your event a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
6. Don’t Have Onsite Registration
There are many digital solutions to registering for events. Please don’t waste your attendees’ time during your event by having them wait in long lines to register and check in. In-person registration cuts into event time and is unnecessary.
7. Don’t Let Temperature Ruin Your Event
Poor climate control can make or break your event, whether it’s too hot or too cold. It’s your responsibility to make sure your guests are comfortable and that the temperature is just right. It’s hard to pay attention and engage when you’re sweltering or shivering. Make sure you know how to work the thermostat to keep your guests comfortable and attentive.
8. Don’t Skimp on Food
Everyone loves refreshments. However, people will be disappointed if they bite into a stale cookie, sip a cold cup of coffee or eat an hors d’oeuvre that tastes like it’s been sitting out all day. You can avoid this problem by hiring help for food. These people will be in charge of re-stocking, re-filling, and replacing food and beverages so that nothing gets left out for longer than it should.
9. Don’t Forget the FUN!
Corporate events should have the perfect balance of professionalism, education, and fun. Don’t forget to plan creative activities for your attendees. Some great exercises for corporate events include scavenger hunts, office trivia, Karaoke, obstacle courses, and bingo. Get creative and have a good time with it. The games might be the star of the show for your attendees, so don’t shortchange them. It’s always fun to strike up some friendly competition and have prizes involved. You don’t have to spend a lot of your budget on awards; even simple gifts can rev up the competitive spirit.
Corporate events take a lot of hard work, planning, and preparation. But when the event goes well, the hard work is more than worth it. Keep these nine things in mind when planning your next event, and it will go a lot smoother. Our corporate event planning services are available in DC, Dallas, or Los Angeles if you need extra guidance.
Infographic
Every company wants to make its brand stand out from the competition. One of the most effective ways to do this is through corporate events. This is the perfect opportunity to gain loyal customers and show employee appreciation. However, you need to execute it well and avoid its negative impact. Here are some things you should not do as advised by the leading corporate event planners. Read on.
Video
