These Mistakes Will Make Your Event Stand Out for All the Wrong Reasons
Planning an event requires a lot of focus, time and effort, and you always want things to go as smoothly as possible. Corporate events tend to be very demanding and have a lot riding on them, and certain mistakes that might not even seem like much at the time could derail the outcome.
Inefficient Budgeting
If there is one critical element of event planning, it is budgeting. The most expensive elements are usually related to food, venue, or travel expenses, and they make it quite a challenge to stick to the budget. Choose a location close to most participants to minimize travel distances and expenses. Take advantages of live streaming technology so those who are farther away can still be part of the event. Go for menu options that can easily satisfy the majority of the crowd, remembering to include those with food allergies; a buffet tends to be a good option that offers a lot of variety. Invite people from your company to act as speakers, sharing valuable information with the rest of the community.
Unclear Event Goals
Understanding the primary purpose of your event is extremely important; otherwise, it can be very easy to get out of focus, which makes the whole planning process a lot more complicated. Define what you need to achieve, then break that down into smaller goals. These ways make it easier to measure the success of your event and provide the value you intended.
Overwhelming or Underwhelming Agenda
Having a considerable agenda or an insufficient one is a sign of trouble. It’s not about having too much or too little; it’s about substance. There needs to be a balance between speakers, activities and networking time. Whatever you choose to add to your agenda, make sure it adds value to the event, keeps your audience engaged, and helps you achieve the primary goal. It doesn’t hurt to do a survey and ask your audience what they’d be interested in seeing at the event before you even start planning.
Poor Organization During the Event
You can have the best agenda, the best speakers and the best venue but if the organization during the event is not up to par, it is not going to make the right impression. Scheduling needs to be tight, you’ll need to have enough staff to get things done and minimize waiting time for food or drinks, and they should be prepared to handle unexpected situations. This will ensure smooth sailing throughout your event. Also, make sure you give attendees the option to provide feedback at the end of it. There’s always room for improvement.
Keep a close eye on these things the next time you plan a corporate event or reach out to the pros and save yourself some time and stress. 😉
