The corporate world is a fast-paced realm of professionalism. Those attending business conferences expect fast service, innovative technologies, engaging keynote speakers, and relevant content to help them improve their careers and hone their professional skills.
As an event manager, it’s your job to hold a corporate event with all these things and more. With such high expectations from your guests, this task can feel daunting.
Luckily, with these tips and high-powered on-site event management software, you’ll be able to hold a corporate event that keeps guests coming back every time.
Tip #1: Customize and Standardize Your Branding
In a world focused on polished professionalism, the first crucial step is to attract registrants with the right branding. Your marketing content, landing page, registration form, and all other branding materials should have just the right mix of sophistication and eye-catching details. The goal is to make your audience stop scrolling, engage with your ad, and ultimately register for your event.
Make sure your branding carries through to all printed signs and physical materials on-site at your event. Remember: cohesive branding is key to conveying your message to other professionals.
Tip #2: Speed Up Your Check-In Process
Today’s lightning-fast technology has led to professionals expecting a fast-paced check-in process. If long, slow-moving lines greet your attendees inside the venue doors, it doesn’t matter how smooth the rest of your event is. Your event will immediately give off a negative impression, and it will be extremely difficult to regain their trust and satisfaction.
Consequently, you should emphasize a streamlined check-in procedure. Make sure to use conference check-in software that uses on-site badge printing for a lightning-fast check-in. This will impress all your guests and show them right from the start that your event will be a worthwhile investment.
Tip #3: Thoroughly Vet Your Venue and Vendors
While it’s true that you can hold a meaningful event in any number of venues, it’s essential to find a venue that suits all your needs in order to impress your professional guests. Make sure your venue is in a convenient location so guests can easily make the commute. You should also ensure it has sufficient conference rooms, restrooms, and behind-the-scenes areas to keep everything running smoothly.
You’ll also want to vet your vendors, including your caterer and sound system supplier. Even the perfect venue can’t compensate for stale, bland food or speakers that don’t project sound to the back of the room. We also recommend using local vendors if possible. Not only will you be helping these businesses grow, but your guests will be impressed with your thoughtfulness in supporting small businesses.
Tip #4: Be Communicative and Precise
Your communication with registrants should begin as soon as they finish registering. Make sure your registration software automatically sends all registrants a confirmation email. As your event draws closer, send regular emails—not too frequently, but enough to stay in the forefront of their minds—with sneak peeks and further information.
During your event, the most convenient way to update your guests is to utilize QR codes on your guests’ badges. Your software program should automatically update your landing page. That way, guests can easily access the most up-to-date information. Remember: no professional will be impressed with late or nonexistent updates.
In all your communications, including marketing materials, make sure the wording is clear and accurate. Don’t provide vague or imprecise information. Being clear and honest will go a long way toward impressing your guests.
Tip #5: Provide High-Quality, Relevant, Relatable Content
The professional attendees at your event are looking for networking opportunities and sessions that will expand their knowledge and skills. Remember, too, that your guests are all unique—not everyone prefers to learn in the same way.
Consequently, you should provide a variety of sessions to help everyone get the most satisfaction out of your event. Maybe one session is a cocktail networking event for extroverts who are experts at small talk and mingling, while another is a group brainstorming session to help those who need more guidance in networking.
Additionally, make sure that your speakers and those leading each session are engaging and experts in their field. No one wants a half-cooked speech from an unknown speaker with very little to show in the way of accomplishments. Make sure you have room in your budget for speakers who will give your audience high-quality and relevant content.
Above all, remember that your guests might be professionals, but regardless of their preferred learning style, they’re at your event to have a good time. Make every effort to craft an enjoyable event that makes your attendees smile.
Customizing an Event for the Business Realm
When it comes to corporate events, you’ll need to pull out all the stops. Professionals are accustomed to innovation, so in all your efforts—from marketing and registration software programs to your content and venue—make sure you give guests the latest and greatest.
By using live event management software that provides your attendees with an engaging, relevant, and impressive event, you’ll ensure your guests have an enriching experience.