Corporate Events – More Essential Than Ever
Many companies are reducing their presence at industry events. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, attendance in their market is down 18% from the record highs of 2006 and 2013 saw a slight dip compared to 2012. Tighter budgets, time constraints, and concerns about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are some of the reasons why companies may reduce their participation.
But on-line chats and email can’t outperform a friendly handshake and face-to-face interaction, especially when you are trying to transform a prospect into a client, or deepen your relationship with an existing customer. So, when your company does attend an industry event, whether it’s at home or away, it makes more sense than ever to maximize the impact of that decision. A great way to do that is with a corporate special event held in conjunction with a conference, convention, or trade show.
But why budget for an event, when you’ve probably already spent a sizable amount for a booth, promotional materials, and staffing? The number one reason is undivided attention. An invite-only event for your best clients and top prospects is a great way to ensure your company gets to stand in the spotlight, without competitors’ booths or conference/convention presentations fighting for attention. It’s an ideal time to make a major announcement and a great way to launch a new product or service.
Build Your Brand and Your Team
It’s also an effective way to build brand awareness. An event lets you position your company’s brand on your own terms and ‘give back’ to your target audience in a no-strings-attached manner. Whether it’s inviting an industry leader to give a short speech at a meet-and-greet, or hosting an off-site theme gala for attendees, you can demonstrate your organization’s desire to be a good corporate citizen in your industry. Offering guests a chance to unwind without a hard sell pitch is an especially good way to build a positive impression and generate goodwill.
But these types of events don’t have to be limited to clients and prospects. If you have a sizable contingent of staff at a conference, or a trade-show is being held in your home territory, this can also be a great time to work a staff appreciation event into the mix. Large companies with lots of staff always face the challenge of building camaraderie and team spirit. Bringing your people together for a social event can be an effective way to strengthen bonds within the organization, especially if you incorporate some of the various team-building activities Bright Ideas offers.
Strengthen Client Relationships
Business has always been about relationships. Companies usually stay with the suppliers that build and maintain strong bonds. And a solid relationship can make the difference between keeping a client and losing the account when problems arise or competitors come calling.
So make sure your customers know you value their business, by hosting an event at your next industry gathering. Bright Ideas has a wide variety of options you can consider – from large-scale events to exclusive VIP restaurant events and spousal programs. With 25 years of experience and over a 1,000 customized corporate events under our belt, we can help you meet your marketing objectives. Let us put together a free, no-obligation proposal so you can position your company as an industry leader. Call or request a quote today.
Book Your Christmas Entertainment Now!
Lots of people are thinking about summer right now. But event professionals have their minds on a different season. For us, it’s time to think about Christmas. If you want your company’s holiday season event to be a success, you should be too.
You probably know that you have to book your venue months in advance to have a chance of securing the most popular spots. But did you know that the best entertainers are also reserved long before the stores take down the Halloween decorations and put up pictures of Santa?
If you aren’t already short-listing the types of acts and performers you’d like at your company’s holiday event, you risk having to settle for second or even third picks. And because the entertainment is one of the most memorable parts of any corporate event, this can mean your investment in a holiday staff party or client appreciation event won’t have the impact you’re hoping for.
As you might suspect, there’s a huge demand for entertainment during the holiday season and a limited amount of performers available. Typically our most popular entertainers are booked by April. This is especially true for seasonally-focused entertainers with a holiday theme, but it’s also a reality if you want to hire a well-known musical act to help solidify attendance for your event. So, making sure you have entertainment at the top of your holiday event checklist is a smart move. At Bright Ideas we can help you find the right performers for your event and suggest ways to incorporate unique entertainment for a memorable holiday party. Get in touch now, to ensure you can choose from a wide range of great talent.
Top 3 Tips for Outdoor Corporate Events
Want to put together an outdoor event for the summer? Time is running out, but it’s still not too late to create a memorable experience for your guests. Here are crucial points to keep in mind. Want even more ideas? Call us or request a quote.
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| Choose the Right Venue | Make It Interactive | Mix and Match the Menu |
| It seems obvious, but it’s so important that it needs to be mentioned. There are a lot of factors to consider, from inclement weather back-up plans to transportation options. Want to serve alcohol? That’s going to rule out some options. The venue sets the tone for the event and can impact everything from footwear choices to entertainment options. | Participation is the key element for turning a regular corporate event into something memorable. If team building is a goal, then interactive options to get people working together are crucial. Bright Ideas has extensive experience programming activities for wide age ranges and can help you choose the best options for your guest list. | Of course hot-dogs and hamburgers belong at an outdoor event, but don’t stop there. Go the extra mile with high-quality ingredients and your guests will notice and appreciate the difference. Creative menu choices it can support a theme and enhance the décor. It’s a surprisingly cost-effective way to make your outdoor event stand out. |
Ask an Event Planner
Why does experiential marketing work?
Experiential marketing is a growing trend for global brands. Getting consumers to interact with products in a fun way is proving effective at creating the emotional connection to a product or service that makes a loyal customer. This positive emotional response is the key. That’s why events are also effective. Building a positive association with your company, through the wide variety of experiential options available is a smart strategy. Let us show you how you can leverage this approach, even if you don’t have a multi-billion dollar budget.
Are themed events still relevant?
Theme events have been around for a while, so you might be forgiven for thinking that they are no longer fashionable. But it’s not true! What’s happening is event producers are getting more creative and inventive – coming up with new twists on old themes and developing entirely new options for clients to consider. At Bright Ideas we can offer tried and true favourites with modern twists, or work with you to come up with a custom theme that’s a perfect fit for your business. Check out our portfolio for ideas and inspiration.
How can BI make conference attendance a success?
Leveraging your company’s participation at a convention or conference into a marketing win takes good ideas and great execution. Let us show you how tactics such as a social media marketing plan, custom prize draws, and points programs for referrals can be utilized to increase the impact and return on investment of your presence at an industry gathering.
Book Your Best Event Ever
A great event requires superior planning, preparation, and experience. At Bright Ideas, our award-winning corporate events and satisfied clients are proof we can deliver. Don’t risk wasting money and hurting your brand by relying on busy staff to manage the many details of a corporate event along with their regular duties.
Call us or request a quote to find out how Bright Ideas can create an exceptional event for your company. Want to see more great images from the events mentioned in this newsletter? Visit our portfolio for ideas and inspiration for your event.
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