There’s much to love about business events. In an increasingly digital world, business events bring together people to have a shared experience, and that can offer plenty of long-term value.
With that said, most business events fail to have as much of an impact as they could, and that’s often because of a few all-too-common mistakes that dampen the overall experience.
So let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to your next event. In this post, we’re going to outline a few core secrets that will significantly increase the success probability of your next business event.
Image Source: Pexels – CC0 Licence
Get Employee Buy-In
The best business events are those where everyone involved in the planning is genuinely enthusiastic.
One mistake that businesses make is assuming that the employees tasked with organizing and working the event will effortlessly bring enthusiasm. Your employees might perform their tasks competently if they’re simply informed of the event, but if they’re involved from the beginning? That’ll make it much more likely that they’re genuinely excited — and that can make all the difference to the energy of event day. Your attendees will initially respond to your team’s energy, and it’ll be much more likely to have a great impact if that energy is nothing but positive.
Choose a Venue That Matches the Vibe You Want
There’s no such thing as the perfect event venue, only the one that’s perfect for your event. Some businesses slip up by choosing a venue that would be excellent for what type of event, but not the one that they’re hosting.
Before you get too deep into looking at potential venues, think about the vibe that you want your event to possess. There’s a big difference between hosting an event at a conference center and one at a swanky co-working terrace; both can be great, but it all depends on what you’re looking for.
Get Serious About Your Speaker Setup
Businesses that are organizing events with speakers usually make the same two mistakes. First relates to the quality of the speakers themselves. Even big names can fall flat if the content of their talks is unengaging or not relevant to the audience. Curating a day of genuinely valuable, interesting talks is paramount.
The second mistake is undervaluing the importance of having the right stage setup. If it’s outdoors, then inclement weather can quickly put a dampener on the quality of the talk. Even sunshine can have a negative impact on overly hot days. Protecting your stage by hiring a truss will ensure that your speakers aren’t interrupted by the elements, and will also allow for additional control over how you light your speakers. Finally, remember that low-quality sound and visuals can make even the best talks quickly forgettable. Making sure you have the right A/V setup and testing it well before the event is key.
Make the Day Flow
If there’s one mistake that businesses make when organizing events, it’s failing to think about the overall flow of the day. Keeping in mind that your attendees are human and will thus be hungry, thirsty, and more energetic/tired at different parts of the day is key to maximizing the impact of your event.
It’s generally best to program the most intense talks/workshops in the earlier part of the day, with lighter activities in the afternoon. Well-timed breaks, snacks, and drinks can also go a long way towards keeping energy and enthusiasm levels high.
Also keep in mind that poor signage remains a problem at business events. You will know where everything is; your attendees may not. Making sure that everyone is informed where things are happening and at what time helps to avoid the unnecessary chaos that accompanies directional confusion.
Add a Memorable Touch
Adding a memorable touch can be the difference between a good business event and a great one. Having a surprise speaker, unexpectedly delicious food, or a giveaway, to name just three ideas, can go a long way towards enhancing the guest experience.
What Happens After The Event Counts For a Lot
What happens on the day of the event counts for a lot, but what happens after is also crucial. It’s the difference between your event just being another thing that your attendees did this week and being something that sticks with them. A follow-up email, recap videos, and surveys can all be valuable, especially surveys, which can be a goldmine of information when it comes to planning your next event. With that said, even a simple thank-you note can be nice to receive.
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