Stand out from the Crowd: How to Create the Very Best Event

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Whether you’re launching a new product or hosting a conference with peers in your industry, you want to create and host a memorable event. But what can you do to make your event stand out from the rest?

Organising corporate events is important for every business, as events allow businesses to grow and provide crucial networking opportunities. But there are a number of key components that make an event successful. Careful planning and budgeting are two of them, but, beyond that, you also want to make sure people remember it. Don’t give your delegates and guests another run-of-the-mill event. Stretch the boundaries and offer something unique. No matter your budget, here are some ideas to get you started.

Start with the Invites

The event doesn’t start when people arrive — it starts with the invitation. Invitations to your event don’t need to be a standard, predictable email. If your event has a theme, tie it into the invitations — If you’re hosting an event abroad, consider adding the skyline of the city. If you’re hosting a Christmas party, make it as festive as possible. This builds anticipation of your event — all you need to do then is deliver.

Branch out on Your Venue Choice

You don’t need to host a conference in a hotel or conference venue. There is a plethora of excellent venues across the UK (and the world) ready to host your guests.  Taking guests somewhere new makes your event fresh and memorable. Opting for a new venue with a big buzz, for example, can instil excitement in guests before they even arrive. Explore new restaurants and venues which would suit your event.

Keep your venue practical for the activities involved, but don’t be afraid to be bold by trying somewhere new — your delegates won’t forget it.

Utilise New Technology

Technology has revolutionised events and this is another area where you can push boundaries to create something that many delegates might not have seen before. The use of augmented reality (AR) is changing the way events function. Photo booths at events can now take people to different realities and products can be shown and experienced without physically being there. 

Create a Memorable Theme

Creating a theme can give your event an edge and something delegates will remember. If you don’t have the budget or capacity to go all out with a huge theme, opting for a simple colour scheme or something seasonal can work effectively. Don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. If you’ve started with your invitations, you should carry the theme through the entire event, from decorations (like table fabric runners, tablecloths, centerpieces, backdrops, etc) and seating arrangements to the entertainment you provide. For some inspiration, check out Pinterest to spark your creativity.

Think Sustainable

As we become increasingly aware of the impact of our actions on the environment, taking the time to make your event more sustainable can go a long way with delegates. But this means more than just creating a paperless event. Sustainability also means thinking about food and using local, ethically sourced suppliers. Consider taking your guests to a top vegan restaurant. Plant-based diets are considerably more sustainable for the environment and many guests may follow a vegan lifestyle. Showing guests that these things are important to your business can go a long way to creating an event that they won’t be in a hurry to forget.

An event is brilliant, but nerve-racking for businesses, as its aim is to impress guests and create long-lasting relationships. Make sure you plan in advance and stick to your budget, but don’t be afraid to try new ideas. Enlisting the help of an events company can be beneficial, as they know the top venues and have experience planning and executing successful, unforgettable events. Remember: if you enjoy attending the event yourself, chances are, your guests will too.

Infographic created by FIRST

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 Banks-Sadler is an award-winning event management and venue sourcing agency with offices in London, Windsor, York, Düsseldorf, Paris and New York. In 2017, the team delivered events in 66 countries, handled over 13,500 venue bookings, and over 570 event management projects.

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