Event Ideas

Business meetings usually center on forums restricted to like minded individuals who are affiliated with the same or complementary trades or professions.

Since contact is limited to a select group, there are innovative ways to approach these events, such as having the groups meet in an online chat room on the company's intranet discussing the current focus.

A pre-recorded 15-30 minute message can be distributed for members to listen to at their convenience and give feed back via email or posting to company chats or blogs. Feedback can be encourage through incentives, like if someone finds a solution to a problem, that person gets an extra paid lunch hour, etc.

Sometimes the resources to hold a grand charity event dinner are not available, but spreading those same resources amongst the existing Big Brother/Sister programs can accomplish a great deal.

A charity event does not have to be centered on monetary exchange. Many organizations have valuable ways to give back to the community, such as donating time and resources to help victims of natural disasters, giving a helping hand for environmental clean up, wild life preservation, and so on.

Corporate events do not always have to be grandiose productions. If you are planning on something smaller scale, a few ideas can be combined. Celebrating the completion of a project can be combined with special appreciation awards and trophies for certain employees, in addition to a mini-seminar gearing up for the next venture. This can be accompanied by a catered lunch and a short comic video.

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If you are planning a small-scale convention, there are many retreats or historic sites which include conference facilities to accommodate the needs of exhibitors, seminars and workshops. It is important to visit a facility when selecting the right place in order to provide the appropriate space for exhibits, guest speakers, and mini conferences.

For example, educators and professionals, sales representatives, or trade industries can meet, form connections, and exchange information, or get educated on the latest developments.

Conventions often facilitate members of large groups of about 300 or more. For example, let's say you're creating an event for the electronics manufacturing industry. Attendees get together to learn, network, and have lots of fun and zero in on the largest regulatory, legislative, and technical issues that affect the business.

If you're gearing up for 500 exhibitors or more, you want to offer the opportunity for attendees to see and compare all of the latest tools and technology in the industry, all under the same roof, saving them time and money.

With so many exhibitors and technology exhibits on the show floor to display services and solutions for, you'll need a venue that can accommodate such a large crowd with conference rooms for presentations on trends and issues, other large rooms for seminars, perhaps a commercial catering kitchen and dining areas, multiple loading docks for equipment, etc.

Reserving a dedicated convention center in this case would make the most sense, since they are usually near airports, mass transit, and hotels.

As with all types of events, a conference is no different when comes to publicity. Inviting your prospective participants to attend 'something so beneficial they wouldn't miss it for the world' is the key to marketing it effectively.

When using a website for this purpose, it needs to be publicized as well. Flyers or handouts need to be mailed, distributed, or emailed. A conference can be a gathering between students and advisers, a formal gathering of clergy, and an association of sports teams, or a new organization.

Once registration is up to speed, you can calculate what type of services you will need to provide. If children will be present you'll need to have some children's programs complete with certified counselors and suitable activities. Perhaps use of a fitness room for the adults to workout in as well.

What kind of educational sessions will there be and what supplies will be necessary?

Depending on the amount of people and length of the conference, figure out what type of lighting props and audio/visual equipment you would need plus the electrical power to support it. Ask yourself what dietary provisions will be needed.

Maybe having the conference in a resort hotel, a poolside lunch or beachfront grill with some volleyball may invigorate attendees for their next session.

Naturally, you don't want to forget your gracious sponsors, and at the same time leave a lasting impression on your participants. You can get two birds with one stone by giving attendees promotional items from your sponsors with their company information and logos on them.

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Fundraising goals are not always fulfilled by selling, raffling, or auctioning products.

Saving money is equivalent to making money. Therefore, financial needs can frequently be met through sponsorship, such as a company's providing freebies and giveaways, discounts, or extras like office supplies that have their company logo and/or message imprinted on them.

Raffles can be exciting and enjoyable. Some excellent raffle prize ideas are: gift certificates, dinner for two, electronic equipment, travel packages, even cars.

If someone has a good chance of winning something valuable, like a vacation package for two, they are more likely to donate, especially if it is a foundation or cause close to their heart.

To raffle off a vacation package, for instance, you could sell 100-200 tickets for $100.00 each. First prize: 2 Airline tickets with 4 days, 3 nights stay at a 5-star hotel worth $5,000, 2nd prize $1000 Cash, 3rd Prize $500.00 Cash.

You are only limited by your imagination when planning a festival. So instead of getting overwhelmed with all of the choices available, make it easy on yourself and limit your festival ideas to a manageable number.

If your festival is geared towards singles, there are many clubs and restaurants that can supply appropriate food and beverages along with entertainment, both live and recorded to liven up your festival.

In general, however, festivals are marked by rides, entertainment, feasting, and commemorating or celebrating an anniversary, cultural event, or just good old-fashioned fun.

If your festival is on a larger scale open to the general public, like an art or music festival, your location of choice may be best if outdoors, such as at a State Park, sports arena, or city square, if appropriate. National corporations, like beverage companies, often support television commercials and radio announcements to promote festivals.

A final tip: Provide a wide range of foods from many local food businesses to satisfy the various ethnic tastes which a festival usually incorporates. If preparations are adequately addressed, this type of event is an economy booster for everyone involved.

Having famous artists perform or exhibit will attract large participation. Obviously, a festival of this kind needs to be coordinated with local authorities to assist with traffic control, parking, and safety and clean up.

There are many other events ideas you can incorporate when planning, designing and marketing your next event, large or small. Searching online for event ideas or visiting the library or bookstore for books on the subject can provide all the information you need.