We hear events all the time, but what does it actually mean? Put simply, event is an activity that’s organised by a business and is intended for employees, clients, stakeholders, a charity, or the public.
Live Events
There are plenty of reasons to get a group of people together away from a business or workplace environment, be it an anniversary or a team-building night out. Social events should speak to people’s personal interests and tend to revolve around the likes of eating and entertainment. Enterprising performers have found new ways to hold plays and other performances live. Stand-up comedy gigs can be hosted online, with people paying extra for a VIP ticket which allows them access to the audience.
Seminars
A seminar is organised with a specific target audience in mind and aims to convey highly relevant information. This type of event can be held at a community space, your company headquarters, or even online via a platform like Zoom or Vimeo. It’s typical for a single speaker, or a small number of speakers, to address the audience, so researching speakers and approaching potential sponsors should be high on your seminar planning checklist.
Gala Dinners
These often glamorous events usually feature a fancy meal along with entertainment. Attendees pay for a seat at a table and, once they arrive, are encouraged to give generously via an auction, raffle, or competition. For these events, it’s often worth asking suppliers to become sponsors by reducing or waiving their fees in exchange for the opportunity to align themselves with a good cause.
Conferences
Conferences tend to be much more complex events with multiple speakers and sessions across a number of spaces within one or more venues. With the aim of encouraging conversations and offering people a platform to share their expertise, conferences are one of the most fruitful types of business networking events, usually beginning with a keynote session before moving to interviews, roundtables, and panel discussions. Preparing to welcome your guests can seem like a huge task, but we can help with contact-free check-in and sales.
Virtual Events
Virtual events take place online, where attendees are able to join in from the comfort of their own homes. A growing (and necessary) event type in 2020, online events are here to stay as an ideal way to boost your business. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to reach a larger audience, as you’re not restricted by geography. There are also budgetary benefits such as not having to pay for venue rental or catering, along with fewer concerns about physical accessibility.
Summits
This collaborative event type is similar to an in-person conference, except it takes place online. Tickets give the attendees access to numerous talks, interviews, and presentations, all following a similar theme. There are usually interactive aspects, too, such as “breakout rooms” for mastermind sessions and networking.
Corporate Events
Corporate event is an activity that’s organised by a business and is intended for employees, clients, stakeholders, a charity, or the public. The intended audience usually depends on what the aim of the event is – for example, to launch a new product or service, to celebrate the achievements of staff members, or to demonstrate expertise within a specific field. Some types of corporate events will be held quarterly or annually, while others might be a one-off activity – perhaps to coincide with an important announcement or to present an award.
Workshops
While many business-to-business (B2B) events will fall into one of the three categories above, it’s important to consider the value of workshops and training sessions, too, as they can help businesses connect with both staff and the public. Whether you want to bring together employees to brainstorm ideas or help your target audience to better understand your product, these types of corporate events offer the equivalent of a collaborative classroom where the emphasis is firmly on learning.
Festivals
In its simplest definition, a festival is an organised series of events or performances surrounding the same theme – for example music, food, or comedy. It can either take place in one space, such as a field or park, or it can be spaced throughout different venues in a city or area. Festivals usually last for one day or more, while some span a whole month, so you’ll need to be extra prepared.
Trade Shows
Trade shows offer a chance to showcase your latest product and introduce your brand to other businesses or the general public. As the focus is on displaying or exhibiting products, trade shows usually take place in spacious venues with room for lots of vendors. As a result, they present a great opportunity to generate sales leads.
Webinars
A webinar involves an online presentation to a virtual audience around a specific topic, whether it be academic, like a historical event, or business-focused, like a sales masterclass. And there’s usually time for a handy Q&A at the end. Often, there’s just one person presenting at a time, which makes the format especially suited to educational talks.
CSR Events
Community events are designed to bring people together, create positive change, and build relationships between people in your town or neighbourhood. Nothing says “community” like getting together to actively make yours better. Organise a day to improve a space in your local area by picking litter, raking leaves, or doing some guerrilla gardening.
