Refreshing!

Refreshing!

When planning an annual event it can be easy to fall into a rut for many reasons.

1.  Planning an event is HARD! Re-using elements from previous years can be a huge saver of time, energy and patience
2.  Events can be costly. You paid for fancy decorations a couple of years ago and it is more ‘cost effective’ to use them again
3.  Don’t fix what isn’t broken. If you run an event and hit that sweet spot where everything goes right and everyone is happy, you want to do whatever you can to recreate that year in and year out

There is nothing wrong with using the same framework for annual events, but if your audience is fairly consistent, changing elements annually can help retain your audience and keep them excited about your event.

Now that I have put the idea in your head, what can you do to refresh your event?

1. Change the layout of your room; this can include changing the seating as well.  If your event fills the space you are in, this might be easier said than done, but if you have some room to play with, why not try something new.
2. Change colours! Are you always using the same colours for your event, company colours?  If your event is an annual event, people are likely familiar with your branding, so why not play with the colours of your event? Change up your table cloths, napkins or lights! You can still keep your logo and branding present in other ways.
    
3. Change your centerpieces. Did you know that you can get really awesome edible centerpieces now? Chew on that idea!
    
   
   
4. Change or add visual effects. What if you added some different coloured spot lights? Or video screens with pictures, or different ornaments and decorations?
5. Change the music. Maybe move from a DJ to a live band, or change the type of music you’re playing, maybe not entirely, but mix in some new things.
6. If it is a conference, change up the formatting of how sessions work, change seating arrangements for more collaboration. Take a new spin on the content that is presented. Offer people something a bit different than what they are used to, so that they can take more away.

The trick with annual events can be maintaining or increasing attendance. For people to keep spending money to attend conferences and events, they need to feel like they are going to get something out of it, either new ideas or an impressive level of enjoyment.

Taking risks and straying from the norm can be intimidating, because when you plan an event you want it to go perfectly. Taking risks can be a necessary step to creating an event that can truly WOW your guests. Changes don’t have to be big or outlandish; taking small steps that offer something new to the senses can truly impress your guests. Help them enjoy the evening, encourage them to return again next year and maybe encourage them to open their wallets just a little bit more if your event is supporting a good cause.

Always strive to make an impression or an emotional connection with your event each and every year, it will help people to keep coming back and it will help increase your best marketing tool, word of mouth.