When done correctly, a corporate event can be an amazing experience that gets your audience excited and leaves them feeling inspired.

However, corporate events can also go wrong. Without careful planning, your corporate event can leave your audience feeling bored and frustrated. And if your audience walks away from an event feeling like it was a waste of their time, you’re going to find yourself dealing with negative reviews.

The key to planning a good corporate event experience is to find a balance between work and fun. While discussions regarding work are needed, make sure that there is also plenty of time for mingling and bonding in ways that don’t revolve around work.

Here are some ideas to help you plan your next event.

Plan objectives in advance

The first thing you’re going to want to do is to go over objectives with the planning committee. Without objectives and clear communication, your event is going to leave people feeling confused.

Think about what you want your audience to take away from the event. Think about what impact you want to have, not only for your audience but for your business. Also, know what your audience's needs are. Some audiences might benefit from an event with a fun environment, while others might benefit from a more subdued environment.

Engage before and after

To get your audience excited about the event, build hype in the weeks before the event. Use emails and social media to start marketing the event.

For example, maybe you start highlighting different information sessions. Find ways to allow your audience to start engaging before the event. Ask questions on social media to encourage conversations; those conversations can then continue at the event.

Also, think about how you’re going to engage with your audience after the event. For example, you can post photos on social media and tag people in them.

Consider the venue carefully

The venue where you have your event can make the event more memorable. Finding a venue that compliments your company and your brand can help reinforce what your business is all about. Whenever you’re looking at venues, think about how you can use that venue for an engaging experience.

Move away from traditional set-ups and think outside of the box. Find ways to get innovative. While you might gather everyone into one space for a keynote session, think about ways the venue can be broken up for interactive sessions as well.

Build on emotions

An unforgettable event won’t just stimulate your audience’s mind. It’ll also appeal to their emotions. If you can stir emotions and build a positive impression, those feelings can leave a lasting impact.

For example, think carefully about your keynote speaker. Find someone who can deliver an impactful message that gets people ready for the rest of the event. Don’t put your audience asleep from the very beginning with a boring keynote speaker!

Other ways to appeal to people’s emotions include contests, video testimonies, and workshops that allow for a personalized experience.

Social activities are a must

The more you can get your audience engaging, the better! People are going to remember immersive experiences much more than an experience where they sat in a chair the entire time. Incorporate social activities throughout the event. These activities can be anything, including team building activities, interactive sessions, and gaming stations.

Also, don’t forget about the power of food! Give people time to interact with each other during lunch and dinner sessions. If possible, try to mix up seating arrangements so that people are interacting with team members they typically don’t talk to.

Outsource if needed

If event planning isn’t your thing but you still want to create a memorable experience, don’t be afraid to outsource to a professional company if your budget allows.

Some companies specialize in corporate event planning. They’ll sit down with you to go over your needs, what your goals of the event are, and start working with you to plan a unique experience. To find a company, use a search time such as “exhibition contractor Malaysia”. Some professional companies handle entire events, while others aid as needed to spark ideas.

Final thoughts

When it comes to planning your next corporate event, start thinking about what has (or hasn’t) went well with previous events and think about how you can improve. The more engaging your events can be, the more memorable your event will be. However, you also want to have a plan in place so that your audience leaves with the information they need.