Corporate events are a great way to communicate valuable information and get your team to bond in a professional and fun environment. But they can also be difficult to plan, especially when it is your first time. To help you on your way, here are some general planning tips that can make your event more successful.
1. Determine the Purpose of Your Event
Before jumping into the event, itself, it is important for you to first determine why you are hosting the event. Are you looking to educate your team? Are you sharing new information? Do you want to change a behaviour? Celebrate achievements? Help your team bond? There are several reasons that companies choose to host a corporate event and sometimes there is more than one goal. Whatever you choose, take the time to consider the final objective and how it aligns to your corporate goals, as it will be influential in selecting to the type of event that you decide to host.
2. Set a Budget
Now that you know why you are planning your event, it is time to get your budget together. A corporate event can grow quickly, as ideas are explored, and costs are estimated. Take the time to determine a budget and then shape your event around that budget. There are a number of fun and engaging activities that can be planned for every budget – you just need to get creative.
3. Consider a Theme
Many events have a theme that helps make the event more fun for those attending. Your theme can be based on an upcoming holiday, a common interest among your team or even a TV or Game Show. If you are unsure of a theme, ask your team for some ideas. This will get them involved in the planning process and can help them feel more connected to the event.
4. Include Activities to Keep Participants Engaged
No matter the purpose of your event, it is important to get your audience involved. This will keep them engaged and help them retain the information that is being shared as part of your event. It is also a great way to build a community within your company by having everyone interact with one another in a productive way. By interacting with your audience during a presentation, or by using experiential activities to teach your team the skills they need to succeed in your company, you have the opportunity to clarify questions and provide real time feedback in an environment that is professional but relaxing.
5. Plan for After the Event
Once your event is over, it is over – right? Not quite. While interactive corporate events offer many learning and retention benefits, it is important to have a post-event strategy focused on communicating what was learned during the event. This ensures that your employees understand the importance of bringing their new skills into their work environment. Some great ways of doing this include an online video, slideshow or webinar that shows some of the best parts of the event, an interactive quiz, or a forum where participants can reach out and ask follow-up questions or start discussions.
Taking time to plan a post-event strategy will not only help your team feel like they have a channel for reaching out to management about the event, it will give you feedback regarding the event and ways in which is was and was not successful.
For more information on planning a successful corporate event or to start the brainstorming process, contact us today. We'd be pleased to speak with you about your ideas and offer suggestions for engaging programs.
