Top Tips for Organising a Business Event

A successful business event can have a positive impact on your working life and the profitability of your company, so it’s important to plan it well to make sure you get the best out of it. If it’s your first time, you may understandably be feeling a little daunted at the prospect. If you’re an old hand, you might be looking for a new twist to create a buzz that will keep your guests talking after the event. Either way, help is at hand with our top tips.

Choose your venue well
Choosing the right surroundings really conveys a strong message to your guests. The venue should be intimate enough so they aren’t rattling round a large empty space, but large enough so they’re not squeezed in either. Consider whether it’s easy to find and has adequate parking and disabled access too.

Create the right atmosphere
It’s not just the space that’s important, but how you fill it. Hire furniture from a specialist company such as Rio Lounge for a cool alternative to bog-standard conference furniture. They have a wide range to suit every occasion. If your business event includes dining, they offer several contemporary styles, formal and informal. Their range of sofas and rattan furniture is ideal for creating separate zones where your guests can relax in style and comfort. You can even hire accessories, so everything is taken care of right down to the smallest aspect. It’s just this sort of eye for detail that can really set your company apart in the minds of your customers.

Plan your business event meticulously
Planning is key when you’re organising any large event. Set yourself some objectives to clarify exactly what you want to get out of the day. Make sure you know your budget and have a complete breakdown of all your costs. Make a comprehensive list of all the tasks that need to be completed prior to the event and tick them off methodically as you go.

Make it interesting
Conferences don’t have to be stuffy affairs. Dare to do something a little different and don’t be afraid to change pace during the course of the day – you’re more likely to grab and hold your guests’ attention this way. After all, you want to give them an experience they’ll talk about afterwards, not a carbon copy of every other business event they’ve attended and one they’re likely to forget the moment they walk out the door. It’s also important to plan in some free time to give your guests a breather and the chance to do some networking of their own.

After the event
The job’s not over when you close the doors on the last guest. Take time to review your objectives. Did you achieve everything you wanted? What worked well and what could be improved next time? Follow up with guests to ensure valuable contacts don’t go cold. Even a simple email thanking them for attending can really pay dividends.