Corporate and Social Event Planning: Considerations for a Memorable Occasion

It once was when a company planned to host an event all they had to do was decide on the guest list, pick a hotel, choose the menu, and it was done. Not any more. Today’s expectations are much different, as any experienced conference planner and events coordinator will tell you. Whether it is a corporate event, or a celebratory occasion, people’s expectations toward social and corporate event planning has changed dramatically. For this reason, it may be beneficial to gain insight as to the possibilities to make your event unique, or get the expertise from a professional event planner or coordinator to ensure a memorable occasion. When planning a corporate event, progressive companies today look for unique, versatile venues with unusual themes and innovative facilities. If you’re looking for change from the humdrum, consider something “out of the box” like the all new Ice Hotel in Quebec City which is made purely of ice, the Sandra Ainsley Gallery where you surround your dinner guests in fabulous art sculptures, or a large, 18-bunk cabin in the woods at the Fairmont Kenauk that you access by snowmobile. Or you could host your next event aboard a VIA rail car, complete with murder mystery, dance floor and personalized menus. Dogsledding, snow golfing, astronomy nights, snow tubing, rock star clinics and mini-Olympics are all innovative, exciting activities for team-building events. The possibilities of location are abundant; it’s a matter of choosing what best fits you and your guests’ style.Another main factor when planning a special corporate event is the cuisine. Meals served at corporate events are moving more toward healthier considerations. Nutritional, low fat menus are commonly requested, along with granola bars and yogurt for breakout snacks. And although chicken has been popular for a long time, small cuts of premium beef are regaining popularity. Allowing meeting attendees a choice between two main courses is also trendy these days, along with ethnic food stations with props and staff attired accordingly.Event party planning for spousal and family programs is also changing. Cooking classes with an executive chef complete with wine sampling and take-home recipes are very popular for spouses looking to be entertained. On the other hand, family programs such as the one recent Canadian event featuring author Barbara Coloroso included her providing wonderful, useful advice on how to parent today’s child. Children’s workshops can include an interactive “Build A Teddy Bear” segment.The important thing to consider when planning your next corporate or special event is creativity. Using movies, toys, books, sports, fashion, or TV shows as a highlight to your event or even to build a theme around is very enticing. Once you’ve decided on the concept, surround yourself with visual stimuli to support that winning idea. For example, the Ontario Science Centre hosts a great team-building exercise called “One Small Step” which turns participants into astronauts looking for the perfect lunar base on the moon. Imagine how creative your invitations, internal promotions, guest speakers, menus and information packages could be with a great starting step like that!Corporate events can be so much more than just entertaining. They can motivate, educate, celebrate and more. When planning an event, take into consideration your motive. From there, decide if you want all fun and entertainment, celebratory, or whether you want something that will motivate and inspire people to achieve a new goal or objective. Even in the latter, the theme for corporate events should foster an environment that will make them feel comfortable to share ideas, train and motivate staff, or resolve problems face-to face. In order to do that efficiently and effectively, first seek to understand what motivates their employees and how they’re going to achieve it. With so many options available today, planning a successful corporate or special event is no longer a simple task. Enlisting the services of a professional conference planner and events coordinator can certainly make the process much easier and insure a successful outcome.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com