By Michael Green
Are you getting ready for a spring event? Use these four keys to a successful spring event to make sure you and your staff get your feet in all the right doors.
Key #1: Communication at your spring event
Did you do your research on your target audience?
Having 500 people attend your event is great, but it matters less if your speakers talk about selling backpacking equipment to computer nerds. Present the correct information to the right people, and you will yield much greater results. Did you get the best speakers possible for your event?
A lot of times, you can get really great speakers just by showing you have a decent attendance rate. The better the speakers, the better the event.
Do not hand out brochures at the event itself. Your promotional items are the only long term marketing materials you should expect people to hold on to after the event. These items are things like lanyards, mugs, water bottles, anything permanent and reusable that people can get some use out of and that displays your company logo and information so you stay in mind.
Key #2: Identification
Is a name badge available for every person who walks through the door?
This is crucial. People need to be easily identified—you, your staff, guests, speakers, everyone. This can help you build and maintain your brand, among other things.
Take it a step further for VIPs. Consider badge ribbons for your speakers, board members and important guests to help them stand out and feel appreciated. This helps in the long run, as the more effective speakers will want to simultaneously come back and help your cause and their own. Give as many options as your budget allows. Magnetic fasteners are great; just be aware that some people have pacemakers. Have another option available for them (pin, clip, etc.).
Key #3: Staying Organized
Do not try to wing it.
Do your guests know the event schedule? Have one prepared and available well before the event date.
Numbers matter. Get an accurate headcount and pass this information on to your caterer and purchasing agents. Too much or too little of anything can get you into a whole heap of trouble.
Assign seating. At least organized by guest category. You will want all of your speakers sitting up front, probably in chronological order and so forth.
Spell it out. Are your staff and volunteers trained and prepared to do their assigned tasks? Having job descriptions for anyone involved helps move things along without taking up your time for constant reminders and explanations.
Key #4: Remember who has you covered for your spring event
From (hopefully) helpful tips to all your promotional and identification product needs, Coller Industries Incorporated has you covered.
