How to Plan the Perfect Corporate Event & Choose the Best Venue
Corporate events are more than just an excuse for time away from the office. Whether it’s a corporate team building challenge, a holiday dinner or a golf outing, a well-planned company event can help you build team relationships, boost morale, and create lasting impressions. But if you’re unsure of where to start, we’re here to help.
Below, find a guide to planning a memorable corporate event and choosing great meeting venues, courtesy of one of the best event venues in Rhode Island.
Corporate Event Ideas and Types
Before you dive into the details of corporate event planning, it helps to know the event type that fits your goals. An off-site meeting can help you come up with new fun corporate event ideas or plans in a different setting. A client-facing party can highlight your brand’s value, and team-building events can show your employees your appreciation and help them forge deeper bonds.
To broaden your horizons, here’s an overview of fun corporate event ideas for large groups and small!
Employee Appreciation Weekend
Show your employees some appreciation through a weekend of fun! Events could include eating a delicious dinner, exploring a new city, or hosting an employee award show. The goal is to honor the unique contributions of your team in a way they’ll enjoy. And that appreciation can translate into better productivity back in the office.
Employees who have fun at work bring 21% more productivity to their companies!
Hackathon
A “hackathon” is a team event where you’ll work together to meet a goal in a set time window. A hackathon doesn’t have to involve computers, either. Your goals could be anything from brainstorming your marketing content calender to coding a new app. The time limits and collaboration can foster innovations your team wouldn’t discover alone in cubicles!
Client Parties
A party can be the perfect way to thank your clients for staying loyal and helping you build your brand. It’s also an excellent way to launch a new product or service! According to a survey featured in Forbes, 65% of respondents reported that “live events and product demonstrations helped them fully understand a product better than any commercial or other method could.”
Corporate Team Building Workshops & Classes
Team-building events allow employees to build connections, learn each other’s strengths, and have some fun outside the office. Anything from a cooking class to a candle-making workshop can give you a chance to learn a new skill and forge new bonds between coworkers.
How do you plan events for corporations?
Corporate event planning might seem overwhelming at first. But it’s really no different from planning any other milestone event or party. You’ll have all the same basic considerations, including setting your budget, booking a venue and vendors, and making a schedule. Here are a few special considerations for corporate meetings and parties!
Know Your Audience
Who will be the primary guests in your event? Your executives or employees might have different tastes from your clients, which can inform the event’s direction. While you might want to dazzle your customers with a mixer and cocktails, your employees might prefer a low-key brunch.
It’s also helpful to consider your company’s branding. For example, if you’re a fashion company, a formal ball can help you show off your latest clothing line, whereas a gardening company might better align with an outdoor event.
Set a Budget
How much can you comfortably spend on your event? Set a realistic number, and break it down into percentages for all your party essentials, like the venue, vendors, and transportation.
According to data from Statista, the biggest anticipated expenses of corporate events rank in the following order:
- Food & Drink
- Audiovisual
- Venue
- Guest Accommodation
- Event Technology
- Transportation
Make an Agenda
Make a clear outline of your goals and directives for the event. With your mission and main events clearly in mind, lay out a basic schedule to keep the party running on track. But of course, make sure to allot time for unexpected interruptions – or spontaneous fun!
Find an Ideal Location
While you could always host an event in your office, sometimes you’ll need more space or a different atmosphere to really make your event pop. Depending on the type of your event, anything from an off-site conference room to a tea parlor could help you bring your guests together.
How to choose the right corporate event venue
How do you narrow down the right corporate meeting or event venue for your company’s day? That starts by assessing your priorities and vetting your options for their amenities and perks – like the following.
Consider Logistics & Capacity
How many guests will you expect to show up? Small corporate event ideas with only a handful of team members will allow you more flexibility than a company-wide retreat with hundreds of guests
If your planned event will include multiple gatherings, it’s also helpful to look for a venue with different-sized meeting spaces, so you won’t need to travel for different planned activities!
Vet Entertainment Options
What kind of entertainment can your venue offer? Maybe you’re looking for a stage for live music, an outdoor space for cornhole, or a bar for networking over drinks. Consider what types of entertainment you have in mind for the event, and look for venues with the amenities you need to show your guests a good time.
Go For Other Amenities
Will your venue provide any other perks that your guests might appreciate, like on-site catering? The more bonus services a venue provides with a booking, the easier your job as an event planner will be!
Look For Reviews & Accolades
Look for venues with glowing reviews from past guests, particularly those who hosted corporate events like yours. A good track record gives you peace of mind that your experience will go smoothly.
Why Kirkbrae is the Best Corporate Event Venue for Your Next Retreat
If you’re looking for a Rhode Island corporate event venue to make your next company getaway shine, Kirkbrae is here to make it happen.
When you book with us, you can enjoy lavish spaces that can entertain up to 400 guests, an award-winning golf course, and gourmet in-house catering. Our event planners can set you up with everything you need to wow your guests. Plus, we’re just a short drive from Providence, Rhode Island, and the airport, giving out-of-town guests easy access to our grounds. Routinely voted as one of the best Rhode Island event venues since 2007!
Contact us today to book a tour or to see available dates!