Corporate events are the lifeblood of any business. They provide an opportunity for companies to connect with their employees, clients, and partners in a direct way. Whether it’s a product launch, a conference, or a holiday party, corporate events require careful planning and execution to be successful.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of planning and executing a corporate event from start to finish. We’ll cover everything from setting a date and time to post-event follow-up. Let’s get started!

Types of Corporate Events

Before you start planning your corporate event, it’s important to understand the different types of events that exist. Here are some of the most common types of corporate events:

Conferences

Conferences are large-scale events that bring together people from different industries to share ideas and learn from each other. They typically last for several days and include keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities.

Trade Shows

Trade shows are events where companies showcase their products and services to potential customers. They’re an excellent way to generate leads and build brand awareness.

Product Launches

Product launches are events where companies introduce new products to the market. They’re an excellent way to generate buzz and excitement around a new product.

Holiday Parties

Holiday parties are events that take place during the holiday season. They’re an excellent way to celebrate the end of the year with employees and clients. Each type of event has its unique purpose and requires different planning strategies. Understanding the purpose of your event will help you plan it more effectively.

Planning Process

Once you’ve decided on the type of event you want to plan, it’s time to start the planning process. 

Set a Date and Time

The first step in planning any event is setting a date and time. You’ll want to choose a date that works for most attendees and doesn’t conflict with any major holidays or events.

Determine an Event Budget

Once you’ve set a date and time, it’s time to determine your event budget. How much money is available to spend on the event? What are the major expenses and how can they be minimized or optimized? How will the event generate revenue or cover its costs? Your budget will determine what kind of venue you can afford, what kind of food you can serve, and what kind of entertainment you can book.

Book a Venue

The next step is booking a venue for your event. You’ll want to choose a venue that fits your budget and can accommodate all your attendees comfortably.

Registering attendees

Once you’ve booked your venue, it’s time to send out invitations. How will attendees sign up for the event and pay for their tickets or fees? How will attendees receive confirmation emails, reminders, updates, etc.? How will attendees access their event agenda, materials, badges, etc.?

Developing event theme/brand

Choosing a theme for your event can make it more memorable for attendees. You can choose a theme based on the type of event or based on the season. What is the name, logo, and message of the event? How will they reflect the goals and objectives of the event and appeal to the target audience? How will they be incorporated into the event website, invitations, signage, materials, and merchandise?

Book Speakers/Entertainment

How will the event attract and retain sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers that align with its goals and objectives? What are the benefits and expectations for each group? How will they be communicated and contracted with? Booking entertainment can make your event more fun and engaging for attendees. You can book live music, comedians, motivational speakers, or other performers depending on your budget. 

Plan a Menu

When it comes to corporate events, the food is why most of us go! Our aim is to craft a mouthwatering spread that pleases every palate in the room. From unique starters to delicious mains and delicate desserts, think of your menu as an artful masterpiece, perfectly matched to the event's persona. Whether it's a fancy gala or a laid-back networking event, let's plan some seriously tasty eats that will keep your guests talking about your event long after it's over.

Make an Itinerary

Making an itinerary will help keep your event organized and on schedule. You’ll want to include details such as when each speaker will present, when meals will be served, and when breaks will occur.

Event Execution

Once you’ve planned your corporate event, it’s time to execute it! Here are some tips:

Manage Vendors

If you’ve hired vendors such as caterers or entertainers, make sure they arrive on time and have everything they need, then double and triple-check! People always sleep on this! And for the love of all things, ensure the entertainment, and music, are well taken care of - you don't want them to not show up or have a missing cable.

Handle Logistics

Make sure everything is set up correctly before attendees arrive. This includes things like tables, chairs, audiovisual equipment, etc. What are the transportation and accommodation options for attendees, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, etc.? How will parking, security, accessibility, Wi-Fi, catering, etc. be arranged at the venue? How will emergencies or contingencies be handled?

Manage Attendees

How will attendees be welcomed and oriented at the event? How will attendees be engaged and motivated throughout the event? How will attendees be encouraged to network with each other and with speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, etc.? Make sure attendees know where they need to be at all times during the event. You can use signs or maps to help guide them. 

Post-Event Follow Up

After your corporate event is over, it’s important to follow up with your attendees and do it well. 

Send Thank-You Notes

Sending thank-you notes is an excellent way to show appreciation for attendees’ participation in your event, and always leaves an elevated touch. Nothing beats the classics.

Collect Feedback

How will attendees be asked to provide feedback on their event experience? What are the best methods and tools to use for feedback collection, such as surveys, polls, quizzes, etc.? How will feedback data be analyzed and used for improvement? Collecting feedback from attendees can help you improve future events. You can always reach out via email or social media asking attendees for their thoughts on the event. This is where all your bread and butter will come from, so don't screw this up!

To Wrap Things Up

When it comes to business, nothing beats face-to-face interaction. That’s why corporate events are so important. They allow you to connect with your team, your clients, and your partners and boost your business performance. But how do you plan an event that stands out from the rest and delivers on your expectations? In this article, we have given you a game plan on how to do just that. Just remember these guidelines: chose a date and time that fits everyone’s schedule, make a budget that accounts for all your costs, secure a venue that suits your theme and size, craft invitations that spark curiosity and enthusiasm, select a theme that showcases your company’s personality and vision, book entertainment that will captivate and inform your guests throughout the event, serve a menu that delights and accommodates your guests’ dietary restrictions while also piquing their interest, make a plan that will keep your event flowing and prevent hiccups, work with vendors so that everything runs smoothly on the day of the event, handle logistics beforehand like parking and transportation to ensure comfort and ease, and finally, please don't forget to collect feedback from attendees so that you can grade the outcome of your event and make changes for future events! Party on and book your corporate events with ease on our mobile app PartyLive, just hit the link on our home page at www.partylive.net