You might be tasked with planning a corporate event at some point. Maybe you have done this before, but perhaps it’s all brand-new to you. If you are in this latter category, you may feel pressure to get things right, and there’s lots to remember.
There’s no need to panic, though. Here is a checklist of things you’ll need for your corporate event that translates to virtually any niche or industry.
Figure Out the Right Venue
First, you’ll want to figure out a nice corporate event venue. If your company has a central office, it makes sense to hold the event close to there. If you have many satellite offices scattered around the country or around the globe, and there’s no central hub for your business, then you can have the event anywhere.
However, you’ll want to figure out a location that’s easiest for as many of the attendees to get to as possible. It makes little sense to send everyone to a remote location that has nothing to do with your business.
Plan Well in Advance
You should get started in plenty of time. Presumably, you’ll want to schedule any significant event months in advance rather than weeks or days.
You want to give everyone important who should be there plenty of notice. You also want to be sure you can get the venue that you want, and that means contacting the owners or operators of that locale in plenty of time.
Decide Whether You Need Catering and Entertainment
Next, you’ll need to figure out what else your event needs to make it a success. Is this gathering going to be strictly business, or will there be time for a little recreation as well?
If there’s an element of fun, you’ll want there to be entertainment. Even if it will be all business with no time for frivolity, you will presumably want catering to make sure all the attendees are well-fed and content.
Figure Out Whether You Need to Line Up Any Guest Speakers
Next, think about any guest speakers. Are you only going to have speakers from within the company, or are you bringing in anyone else from outside of it?
Either way, make sure you contact any keynote speakers in plenty of time. You want to be sure they’ll attend, or the event will not be anywhere near as successful as you would like.
Anticipate Any Issues that Arise and Have Contingency Plans in Place
Finally, try to anticipate any potential issues or problems before they ever arise. That means knowing backup hotels where your event’s guests can stay if that becomes necessary. Try to schedule the event for a time of year when travel is not likely to be disrupted by weather events.
Have backup catering plans in place if necessary, and consider having backup speakers in case one of your keynote speakers can’t make it. Try to plan for the worst just in case something unexpected happens.
By following this list, you should do fine.
