How to Easily Plan a Corporate Event in 2021

Planning a corporate event is not an easy task to undertake. It can easily become very stressful if you lack the needed planning skills. With so many people to impress and the pressure of creating an unforgettable event, you can quickly become overwhelmed. Throwing a successful corporate event is a very detailed process that requires you to be creative and thoughtful. Fortunately, we are here to tell you how you can easily plan one in 2021. 

Find Out the Details

You can’t begin planning if you don’t know the full details of your event. Find out who will be attending it, if there’s a set venue when it will be, and what it’s for. Is it an external event where you’ll be announcing a partnership or a new product release? Perhaps it’s an internal event where you will be celebrating a major milestone or strengthening the ties between one another. This is all necessary to ensure that you allocate your budget to the right areas. You will also need those details to come up with SMART goals, which are vital to ensure successful planning. Your goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Think about what you want this event to achieve, and set your goals accordingly. A SMART goal should look like this: secure 5 potential investors by the end of the event. You should set your goal based on the purpose behind your event, and proceed to plan accordingly.

Know the Budget

You should always know the budget before you start planning. Assess the areas that you will need to spend money on, such as catering, entertainment, and decorations, before discussing with the higher-ups and coming up with a reasonable budget. 

It helps to research the average costs of each area, based on the location and the ambiance of the event before you set out to discuss with those in charge. If you’re the business owner, you need to determine how much you are willing to pay for your event. You should also make sure to leave money aside for any unexpected expenses. For instance, if you have a $20,000 budget, you should leave $5,000 aside. You shouldn’t use up all the money in confidence that nothing will go wrong. There are always risks and possibilities. Your guests may increase, you may get special food requests, or the photographer may bail out. Having extra cash can salvage the situation. 

Entertainment

What’s a memorable event without entertainment. Your event doesn’t have to be boring just because it’s work-related. The event planners behind www.abbeyroadentertainment.com explain that there are many corporate-appropriate entertainment options to keep your guests amused. You need a wow factor, or at least an interesting aspect, to keep everyone engaged. 

Select a Theme

The best events are the ones that come with a set theme. Your theme determines how your guests will attend your event. Is it a cocktail party? Should they dress in fully formal attire? Or is smart-casual allowed? A theme also helps you set the tone for your event and keep all its different aspects, such as food and decorations, aligned. A lack of harmony and consistency suggests a lack of the company’s professionalism. 

Search For a Venue

If the venue of the event isn’t already decided, you will have to find one that suits your costs and budget. The catering and entertainment providers might also charge you extra if your location is far away. Selecting a location requires plenty of negotiating and meetings, which means that you need to keep in mind that it can be very time-consuming. Find out how long you’re allowed to stay and whether you need any permits. Make sure that the venue providers can arrange the tables, chairs, and any other necessary equipment. 

Find a Caterer

Your theme will determine what type of caterer to choose for your event. The food is one of the most important aspects of your event, so if possible, arrange a tasting with various caterers to select the best one. Make sure that you find out if any of your guests have special requests or concerns, such as nut allergies, veganism, or lactose intolerance, to avoid any major issues. Think about whether a buffet-style dinner is more suitable for your event, or if you’d prefer having waiters serve the plates. Think about if you’ll be serving refreshments, appetizers, and/or desserts. 

Planning a corporate event is a huge responsibility to undertake. There are several things you must consider, along with a set of guidelines and a pre-determined budget. While it can be very challenging, it’s all worth watching your event succeed.

Image Credit: Rachel Coyne on Unsplash