Event Tips
The proven value of face-to-face communication
Are you negatively impacted by recent corporate travel embargos? Finding it difficult to convince management that technological advancements in communication will not suffice with clients, geographically dispersed staff or business development opportunities? Well take heart - it seems that US executives would agree that budgets should not be cut in this area!
A study released by the Harvard Business Review in the last quarter (sponsored by British Airways) has confirmed the ongoing and intrinsic value of meeting face to face.
Of the 2300 HBR subscribers, 79% stated that "in-person meetings are the most effective way to meet new clients to sell business" while 95% of all respondents said that "face-to-face meetings are a key factor in successfully building and maintaining long term relationships".
Furthermore, the study concluded that while technology such as webinars, videoconferencing and audioconferences are clearly on the rise the business executives confirmed that face-to-face meeting benefits (both tangible and intangible) cannot be replaced by technology.
To download the full report, click the icon adjacent.
Short and sweet..
Not following us on Twitter? No problem - below is the complete list of the event tips we have tweeted to date. Enjoy!
Event Tip #34: Content is king - alternate between live entertainment and on-stage delivery and pre-recorded content to engage the audience in different ways.
Event Tip #33: "One does not leave a convivial party before closing time" Winston Churchill, to the point as was his way.
Event Tip #32: Management 101 - obtain a strong brief from the client at the outset. Sounds obvious yet often overlooked in the excitement.
Event Tip #31: Schedule time pre- or post-event for official photos. It can be like herding cats to get your VIPs together for the photo-opp
Event Tip #30: Always conduct a site inspection of a venue before booking it. Arrive early and "test" the site as a guest before official tour.
Event Tip #29: Trade shows & exhibitions attract a crowd, but brand-specific roadshows allow a brand experience away from competitors eyes.
Event Tip #28: Successful events create customer loyalty to your brand. This is the basis of our experiential marketing strategies.
Event Tip #27: A dramatic event wrap ensures guests/clients/staff leave wanting to be associated with & included in the next event/brand experience
Event Tip #26: Walk the talk: your event guests will not believe what you tell them about your brand if they don't experience it firsthand.
Event Tip #25: Have a comprehensive floorplan of the event & give everyone a copy. It will save countless questions during bump-in.
Event Tip #24: Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate! In the current economy venues appear to be flexible in pricing to win your business.
Event Tip #23: Novelty invitations no longer = expensive or tangible delivered items. Digital media - effective, creative & inexpensive.
Event Tip #22: Incorporating events as part of an integrated marketing campaign can help you identify and promote your point of difference!
Event Tip #21: As part of an integrated marketing campaign, events help to "humanise" your product or service, making them more accessible.
Event Tip #20: Events are first & foremost always all about people. Events should make the guests feel valued & spoilt to guarantee success.
Event Tip #19: Successful events combine the art, science and event business objectives.
Event Tip #18: Select venue to suit time of day of event. Ocean views transform from spectacular (day/sunset) to dull & dark (night).
Event Tip #17: Promote movement & networking at your event with food stations, even if just for the dessert course at a plated dinner.
Event Tip #16: How much food? This depends on the time & type of function. Guide: pre-dinner, 1 hr drinks serve 3-5 pieces per person
Event Tip # 15: Most venues allow "sponsored" wines and will charge corkage per person. Ask at negotiation stage and save!
Event Tip #14: Serving spirits? 1x750ml bottle yields 17 standard drinks for which you will need 1.5l of mix. Responsible service applies!
Event Tip #13: Food & beverage quantities demystified! Cater an avg. 5 drinks/person over 4 hrs. Note: 12 bottles (750mls) = 100 glasses.
Event Tip #12: Failing to plan - planning to fail. Boring but true. A robust project plan with risks assessed is fundamental to events.
Event Tip #11: Create impact from the start with the invitation. Do something different both visually and with the content. Intrigue always works.
Event Tip #10: Mystery & the unexpected add to the WOW factor. Keep some details a secret, eg the entertainment or a surprise special guest.
Event Tip #9: Everyone alludes to the WOW factor but what is it really? Put simply, it is the element of the pleasant surprise.
Event Tip #8: The biggest impact (positive or negative) at any event is the food. My suggestion? Over-cater & help others too @ www.ozharvest.com.au
Event Tip #7: They say the devil is in the detail, and any successful event professional knows that it's the details that matter. Take the time!
Event Tip #6: Something unexpected WILL happen - the important thing is how you deal with it so that your guests need never know.
Event Tip #5: Every successful event addresses all five senses. To incorporate a full-sensory experience introduce elements at concept stage.
Event Tip #4: When "RSVP" appears on an invitation it simply translates to "respond please". Help your hosts in planning for you and respond, please!
Event Tip #3: Control of the weather is impossible but planning for it is essential. Remember - it can impact attendance as well as enjoyment.
Event Tip #2: Events show appreciation. Appreciation leads to inspiration. Try it - appreciate someone and see what it inspires them to do!
Event Tip #1: A successful event is about the guests, not the hosts. Keep guest needs, expectations and requirements foremost in mind when planning.
We tweet regularly with industry news, trends and updates as well as our tips for successful event planning - why not follow us by clicking on the Twitter icon.
Best remedies for overindulgence!
The best events usually include attentive waitstaff, tempting foods and a glass that seemingly never empties. An unfortunate side-effect of this can be that even the most vigilant of us can depart the event feeling fantastic, yet arriving home with a sense of impending doom from overindulgence. Herewith are the world's best remedies for every such situation:
If possible, take remedial action the same night before going to bed. A multivitamin washed down by a large glass of water and two aspirin will start the rehydration process immediately.
For those that miss this opportunity and wake up feeling less than human and unable to function, then the world-famous "Bieler's Broth" is in order! It is the best hangover cure known, as it coats your stomach with alkaline almost immediately - leaving you feeling 100% better.
The recipe is as follows:-
Dr Bieler's Broth
- 1 cup water
- 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
- 3 zucchini, roughly chopped
- 2 cups green beans, topped and tailed
- 1 cup continental parsley, roughly chopped
