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Anyone can put on an event right? Wrong!

Dynamic Business PartyHow many events have you been to that you want to kill yourself at? The speeches are boring, there is the standard drinks package, you dry retched on the hideous canapés, there is no entertainment, the gift bags have a heap of promotional collateral and the most decent thing in it is a branded pen or a stress ball?

You don’t need a massive budget to put on a good show, sure a good budget helps, but it is what you do with the budget and the personal touches that make your event unique that are the most important aspect. It actually does take skill to organise a function that is remembered long after the last drop of champagne has been drunk.

Below are my tips for making your next corporate function engaging.

  1. It all starts at the time your guests receive their invitation. No DL Flyers – can you send an invite that sits on their desk and immediately entices them?
  2. An interesting location – think outside the square, is there an art gallery, a warehouse, an area with a marquee, a roof top somewhere?
  3. Signature cocktail – I love a signature cocktail and it looks impressive.
  4. Entertainment – invest in some interesting background music or a break out act that goes for a short time in the middle of the event.
  5. Say no to 6-8 canapés over 2 hours and do some food stations – often it costs the same, but is far more interesting and people mingle more.
  6. Forget speeches, can you show a DVD on your company that gets the message across visually?
  7. Gift bags with actual products – no flyers in sight.

So as we celebrate the relaunch of Dynamic Business Magazine this week, I do hope that those coming to the party actually notice some of these touches…well at least the ones Dynamic Business approved!

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Fleur Madden-Topley
Fleurting with Communications
Fleur is managing director of Red PR in Brisbane and Blue by Red PR in Sydney. She started her career as a journalist and Red PR was born out of the necessity for public relations professionals to deliver quality work and exceed both their clients’ and the media’s expectations. In seven years, Red has become one of the most respected lifestyle PR agencies in Australia. In 2008, it was the first Australian agency asked to partner with PROI, the largest global group of independently owned agencies.
Fleur Madden-Topley has written 17 articles for us.

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Comments from the community

  • Couldn’t agree more Fleur – quality not quantity! Nothing worse than a boring speech, ‘gift bag’ full of junk and a bland mini quiche!

  • Fleur Madden says:

    I hear you Carly. We recently hosted an event that had amazing food stations with different cusine from around the world and it created a great talking point!

    We have an Arabian Nights corporate function coming up soon, complete with camels and belly dancers.

  • Fleur Madden says:

    I am sorry Carlee, not Carly!

  • Good advice, Fleur. As a full-time MC, Hoax Speaker and Corporate Comedian, I’ve seen plenty of the good, the bad and the ugly.

    A key point to remember is that special events should focus on the emotional, not the intellectual … they should be about creating a certain feeling and perception, not just imparting information … they are about building relationships, not flogging stuff.

  • Fleur Madden says:

    Great advice Graeme.

  • Lady Luxe says:

    Not sure what type of events you are selecting to go to Ms Madden-Topley, but don’t think i have ever attended any that “i want to kill myself at.” Very severe comment for a PR rep !!

  • Unlike Lady Luxe, I have been to some awful events, and unfortunately some by industry bodies who should know better! Good post Fleur, and I totally agree re gift bags – nothing more disappointing for guests than opening their goodie bag only to find flyers! Roving photographers or a photography station also work really well to make your guests feel special.

  • Fleur Madden says:

    Hi Lady Luxe,

    I was being facetious, however as a PR person I am invited to every event under the sun and let me tell you some are quite terrible and some are amazing. I am glad you haven’t experienced some of the ones I have. Might I add, none of the terrible ones were events we organised! hahah

    Anyway, hope you took at least one new tip away from the post!

    Enjoy your next function :)