Planning Your Next Event? Make it Special…
Events are meant to be special times that build interest, support, and/or spirit, but that only happens if events are well planned. Here are some points to consider when planning your next event:
Food – If the event will be long, be prepared to offer breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner if appropriate. Even a few snacks and a beverage can go a long ways towards making participants feel attached the process.
Favors – If little trinkets and other favors might please the crowd, consider branded items. Branded coffee cups, branded USB memory sticks, and other items are all great gifts to give away at big events. Just choose wisely and be willing to write off the cost of quality items as advertising.
Materials – Do not forget the value of promotional materials. Basic brochures and even simple color copies of graphs and other materials gives participants something to take with them as a reminder.
Invitations – Quality invitations ensure a higher rate of participation, so be ready to invest in an HTML-email program or high quality stationary.
Activities – Lengthy meetings should be broken up into multiple components, with something to do to work out the impatience built from sitting too long.
Before & After – Remember to offer post-event mixers and welcoming sessions to get the most possible effect from the time spent organizing an event.
