Corporate Event Planning – Top Tips From Event Planners

For someone with zero experience, planning a corporate event can seem like a daunting proposition and not something you can afford to mess up. If your boss just gave you the good news that next month’s live event is your baby, you have come to the right place, as we offer a few top tips from pro event planners on how to manage a successful corporate event.

1. Start With Your Budget

You can’t begin to plan a live event until you know your overall budget; not much point in a 360 photo booth hire for corporate events if you don’t have the budget for extras. The overall budget can be sub-divided into marketing, site, logistics and 3rd party vendors, which helps you to create a framework that fits with your figure.

2. List Your Event Objectives

Brainstorm your team and list the things you want to achieve with this event; it is only then that you can design the program. It might be an exciting announcement of a new product line, or to reward a hard-working sales team that consistently smashes its targets. Many events are for celebration; winning a coveted industry award, achieving corporate milestones, or it might be aimed at educating a partner regarding an up-and-coming project.

3. Building The Event Agenda

Much like creating a work of art, you start with objectives and ideas, which become solutions and with a professional MC, a script is written, timelines are added and regular rehearsals refine the process. Build the timeline and don’t extend beyond 10 minutes per section, with a structured approach; be open to ideas and always refer to your event objectives and ask the question, ‘Is this helping to achieve these goals?’ PowerPoint presentations should be timed, while a second laptop on standby in case of computer failure. Check and recheck the stage lighting and audio, while using a UPS would make sense for an outdoor event.

4. Think About Your Sponsors

Make sure you showcase your sponsors effectively to maintain a positive relationship with these key stakeholders. Your sponsors should always feel they are getting value from their association with your company and this will ensure a long and mutually beneficial relationship for both parties.

5. Promoting The event

Social media immediately springs to mind; a top digital marketing agency can put their social media marketing team on getting your message out to the right people. Assuming you have at least a couple of months advance notice, you can draw up a plan that includes numerous strategies to maximise exposure. Click here for social media marketing tips for small businesses.

As the event planner, you should be using a digital organiser and by setting up alerts and notifications, nothing will be overlooked. Remember to always have a Plan B, especially with outdoor events, the Aussie weather can be unpredictable. Check to see whether you need any permits regarding your event, which you can do with a Google search.