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When it comes to your event budget, it’s important to find a balance between creating fun opportunities for guests and finding ways to save money. Going to either extreme can mean either blowing your budget or being stuck with an event that isn’t living up to its full potential. Here are some of our favorite tips from the event management team at In The Event™ for finding that perfect balance!

Pro Tip: Read more about how hiring an event planner can actually save you money!

Identify Event GoalsIn The Event™ | Event Budget

Knowing where to put your money will always start with a conversation about your event goals. Are you there to simply have a good time? Boost morale? Push a marketing agenda? When you know what attendees need to leave your event with, whether it’s a smile on their face or a potential lead, creating a balanced event budget will always be easier. If you’re looking to have a good time, it’s time to prioritize items like activities and prizes, whereas other events may need investment in a good speaker or training manuals rather than the catering or swag bags.

Stay Grounded

Receiving a budget to plan an event is always an exciting step towards hosting your dream experience. It’s important, however, to not get carried away! Basic costs can add up fast, so start with a solid foundation and proceed with a healthy dose of realistic expectations. Your experience can be great with any size of event budget and making sure you’re being realistic will create a sense of purpose and control around what you do end up having at your event.

Have Big IdeasIn The Event™ | Event Budget

Even though it’s important to be realistic with the funds you have available for your next event, it’s equally important to avoid bolstering your basics without thinking outside of the box. Making cuts where you can in your event budget to accommodate a memorable entertainer or engaging activity will be more valuable to the experience as a whole

There isn’t a perfect formula for your event budget, but keeping these things in mind will help you create an experience your attendees won’t forget! Still worried about finding the right balance? Our event planners have plenty of experience creating events of all sizes on any budget! Click here to see all the ways you can contact one of our certified event planners!

Putting on a corporate event is a huge undertaking, and just because the office manager throws a great company potluck doesn’t mean he’s the best person to plan an important event. Even “complimentary” event services that are available when you book certain venues can fall short when it comes to delivering the type of service your event deserves.

To pull off a top-notch event that will have the industry buzzing you need to bring in the professionals. A corporate event production company will provide you with the type of expertise and service that will make your event stand out. If you’re on the fence about hiring an event coordinator, take a look at the customer service you can expect from a reputable corporate event production company.

Your Staff Remain Free to Do Their Jobs



One of the downsides of organizing a big event is having to take employees off their regular projects to help plan and execute. With a professional event production company your staff won’t miss a second of productivity working on the event. Keeping tasks on deadline will keep your customers happy while the production company takes care of all the event planning.

Priority



Nothing is more important to a corporate event production company than your event. Your needs receive top billing every day. If you choose to work with a part-time event planner from your venue you will just be one of many clients they’re juggling at the same time they take care of managing the actual event space. If you want your event to receive undivided attention there’s no better way than hiring a professional event company.

Experience



When you bring in the pros, they’ve already been there and done that. They know exactly what to do to make the vision you have for your event turn into a reality. Because they work with a variety of different organizations putting on various events throughout the year, top event production companies use their past successes and connections to deliver exactly what you want. Plus, if a problem does come up, they’ll know exactly how to address it and will be able to get things back on track quickly.

Connections



Whether you want a replica of the Vegas Strip or an interactive, ramified keynote address, a corporate event company will know the right people to get the job done. Years of experience producing events puts them in the perfect position to know who the best vendors are for everything from catering to hi-tech wizardry. They’ll also know who to steer clear of. You won’t risk getting bamboozled by a sub-par lighting tech.

Budgeting



Chances are you don’t have unlimited resources to make the event of the century happen. That’s where your event production team comes in. Because of their experience and connections, they’ll be able to stretch your budget without compromising the overall vision for your event. It’s their job to get you in on (or under) budget, and they know how to make it happen.

Negotiating



One of the best reasons a corporate event team is so much better at sticking to a budget is that they know how much things should cost and they have collective bargaining power because of how many events they produce each year. Even if your event is on the smaller side and there isn’t an existing relationship with the desired vendor you can still benefit from group-size deals because the event production company is doing the negotiating and they offer the promise of a long-term relationship and several more clients.

They Know What Not to Do



It’s just as important to know what pitfalls to avoid as it is to know the shortcuts to success. Corporate event production companies have been around the block a few times. They already know everything that can wrong with a chocolate fountain or scavenger hunt that involves 2,500 participants. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, let a pro take care of things for you and steer you clear of potential disasters.

You might be planning a company-wide retreat, an industry conference, or an anniversary celebration. Whatever the reason, your event deserves world-class service. Guarantee a happy ending—and avoid a lot of headaches—by taking advantage of the expertise of an experienced corporate event production company.

In The Event™ could be the best corporate event production company for you! Click HERE to check out what one of the top event production companies in Utah has to offer.

Events are the Match.com of the business world. Vendors and consumers want to make the right connection to solve their problems and your company wants to find the right vendors and consumers to take your business to the next level. Corporate events involve hundreds – or even thousands – of people selling, learning, buying, and networking – and every single one of them is in search of their perfect match. But let’s face it, events don’t last forever, and your business needs to know how to maximize that experience. An experienced event planner knows how to construct your event so that participant matchmaking takes center stage. Take a look at three things event matchmaking can do for your next major function.

 

Better Attendee Experience

Experience is the name of the game when it comes to what participants are looking for in an event. Your job is to create the type of experience that not only makes an impression, but garners results. Matchmaking tools help connect attendees with the people and activities that will benefit them the most. It also makes gamification and social media tie-ins easier than ever.

Pro tip: turn to the expertise of an event planner who knows how to integrate matchmaking strategies or check into an event matchmaking app.

 

Improved ROI for All

The one thing everyone wants from an event is a return on their investment – whether that investment is time or money. Everyone that participates in an event, from the attendees to the sponsors, to the presenters, makes an investment and they all want it to be worthwhile. When you structure your event around matchmaking principles, you exponentially increase the odds on how worthwhile that experience will be.

The basic matchmaking principles that help couples find true love can also help your clients and/or attendees make their next profitable business connection.In The Event™ | Event Matchmaking

With event matchmaking, gone are the days of  guessing who will be in which breakout session or hoping to bump into target clients or vendors in the buffet line. Through pre-arranged meetings, speed mentoring sessions, and detailed participant profiles, matchmaking turns a pretty good event into a must-go. When participants know they’ll be able to rub shoulders – or bend the ear – of prime targets, you might end up on a search for a larger venue to meet the line that is suddenly forming around the corner just to get into your next event.

 

Increased Engagement

In The Event™ | Event MatchmakingNo one wants to sit in a sea of uncomfortable chairs while some “expert” at the front of the room talks at them. A successful event is not a performance in front of a staid audience – it’s an interactive experience that expands the perceptions, possibilities, and passions of everyone involved. Matchmaking lets participants check each other out in advance, schedule meetings, re-arrange meetings, and even cancel meetings. Best of all, they can get all of this accomplished before the registration table even opens.

 

Successful attendee engagement means your event will deliver more meaningful connections and participants will walk away with increased learning and retention. No one leaves a conference fondly reflecting on the time they spent silently listening to one speaker after another while they watched the clock. The right tools can help you incorporate matchmaking principles even throughout traditional presentations.

 

Facilitate real-time interaction where attendees can electronically comment and ask questions as they occur, rather than waiting for the end. You can even let them request a one-on-one or sign up for available consultations while the presenter shares their spiel.

 

If you’ve been searching for the key to creating a mind-blowing event that people won’t be able to stop talking about, it’s time to adopt an event matchmaking approach. To maximize the effectiveness of this technique, engage a professional event planner and get planning. Even you will be impressed with the outstanding results you’re bound to see.

When it comes to your event, safety should be at the top of your priority list. Whether at a birthday party or a corporate event, there are always risks involved in renting and using event equipment. From loose wires to unreliable electrical equipment, anything that isn’t the highest quality has the potential to ruin a great event. As professional event planners who maintain an innovative rental house, we know the difference that safe event tech can make in creating a fun and secure atmosphere for your event.In The Event™ | How To Host A Safe Event

To help with your next event equipment decisions, our team put their heads together to come up with the three most important reasons you should be investing in safe event tech for your next show!

Certified: At a professional rental house, like the one we maintain here at In The Event™, you’re guaranteed not only professional,  top-grade equipment that has been certified for safe use, you’re also going to be working with a trained staff who strive to make sure that every piece of their equipment is ready to be used safely. A company that prioritizes staying on top of latest tech trends will be able to offer incredible design options for your event, which also means that you’re renting items at the top of their class in safety certification.

Cost Effective: A big concern for most clients is cost. Though we always work with our clients to make sure that they’re receiving the best value, it is true that better equipment means a bigger price tag. Some clients decide to go to a cheaper vendor, or look for a DIY solution for their event needs. What most don’t realize is that this poses a serious risk for the safety of your guests and the venue. If you decide to purchase your rental items from a design house that charges less, you’re likely to get equipment that isn’t up to the best standards, and isn’t maintained with the dedication of a professional rental facility. Hiring professional grade equipment may be a bit extra, but will be worth it in the end.

Carefree:  Our favorite part about getting the best, safe event tech for your event? You don’t have to worry about guests tripping over exposed wires, or causing accidental damage to the venue and having to forfeit your In The Event™ | How To Host A Safe Eventdeposit! Hosting any kind of event is stressful, and to add the possibility of an equipment problem is something you shouldn’t have to deal with. From basic party supplies to innovative event tech, you should always make sure that your rental provider is top of the line.

Pro tip: Check out all of our wireless equipment, the safest way to light up your next event!

Avoiding low quality equipment is crucial to hosting any event. It’s never fun to have spent time and energy creating a fun and engaging experience, only to have things go wrong with your equipment. If you’re putting in the time and effort, your equipment should meet your standards of excellence. Set your mind at ease and hire from a company you trust.

 

Hosting an event? Make it a safe event with In The Event™! Our professionally trained staff and innovative rental house are always ready to host an event designed to set your mind at ease. Get started here

This post is the third in a four-part series about our most recent event for our clients at STIHL. Keep an eye out each week for more about our event production, technology, and partnerships that are making Utah the place to be for events. 

In The Event™ | QuoteThe power of a brand is everything to the success of the modern company. Whether you’re a local artisan or a billion-dollar corporation, the strength of your brand will determine anything from customer loyalty to your visibility in saturated online platforms. Creating brand power is no easy feat, and comes with the challenge of adapting to a diverse audience in an age of individuality. Empowering your brand is crucial to surviving the increasingly competitive modern market.

So how do you create a strong brand that’s ready to conquer your target audience? Though some may direct you towards your digital marketing department, the online sphere often lacks the personal connection required to solidify the bond between customer and provider. The power of human connection and experience will always outweigh a clever tweet or post. Though your online marketing efforts are still important in crafting a powerful brand, it’s important to consider the road less traveled: live events. Time and time again, businesses report higher audience engagement and loyalty when they dedicate time and effort to hosting a successful event.

In The Event™ | QuoteFor our most recent production with STIHL we were faced with a unique challenge, as the purpose of the conference was to highlight their shift from gas to electric tools. Reinventing how a company is perceived as a brand is always a challenge to businesses big and small, requiring a seamless transition in order to keep a consistent and solid presence. Fortunately, enhancing a company’s brand is our specialty.


One of our go-to solutions for branding an event is to implement basic elements of a company’s brand into multiple aspects of decor. From graphics on our LED mods to the color we lit up the stage, we were able to reinforce brand power without overwhelming the design. The second step to encouraging brand development at an event is to craft the perfect atmosphere. STIHL is a company focused on power, and they wanted to make sure that their attendees left with that association. In designing the event, we considered how to best incorporate aspects of decor that represented both the shift to electric tools, as well as the level of power and ability that users have come to expect from STIHL power tools. To accomplish this goal, we brought in Tesla coils, which helped to create an atmosphere that was literally electrifying for everyone in attendance. 

Pro tip: Check out some more of In The Event™’s interactive technology here

Event professionals can do more than you think when it comes to branding your event. The power of a well-executed event itself is enough to leave your attendees with a good feeling about your company’s brand. Here at In The Event™, we’re committed to taking your company presence to the next level with custom design and years of experience. We’ve been working with audiences for over 9 years and have learned the best practices for creating a unique and innovative event that will leave you with a more loyal and engaged target audience.

 

                      In The Event™ | Empowering Your Brand    In The Event™ | Lasers & Drones    In The Event™ | Innovative Event Technology

 

Refurbishing your brand? Make sure you’re working with the best in the business. Contact In The Event™ today for a free quote! 

This post is the first in a four-part series about our most recent event for our clients at STIHL. Keep an eye out each week for more about our event production, technology, and partnerships that are making Utah the place to be for events. 

 

In The Event™ is dedicated to crafting innovative event solutions for every client, and now we can say that we’ve taken our award-winning event production to the next level. On our recent show with STIHL, America’s #1 power tool production company, we had the opportunity to create an entire production from the ground up. From designing the space, to the closing reception, the team at In The Event™ took over every stage of this extensive event. 

In The Event™ | Event Production

 

STIHL planned to unveil their new line of electric tools at this corporate event, and commissioned our team to reflect the innovation and progress of their products in the design and production. In The Event™ took on the challenge, and went above and beyond in finding ways to introduce this new line with all of the pomp and circumstance it deserved. 

 

The event began with an opening party catered to the corporate audience in attendance. Our impressive rental inventory and production experience allowed us to craft an amazing and unique experience that helped STIHL give a great first impression. From stilt walkers and other interactive entertainers to an experiential, hands-on STIHL trailer, there was plenty for everyone to enjoy.

 

For the general session, not only did we go all out with our own rental inventory and production team, but we were also able to coordinate with other professionals to create a world-class event. Guests were led into a fog-filled tent before being exposed to the open event space, filled with lasers, Tesla coils, and drones, which were recording full HD video that was broadcast in real time.

In The Event™ | Event Production

 

The following days consisted of breakout sessions, trainings, obstacle courses, time trials, and product testing on trees brought in for the event, giving attendees the opportunity to experience the new product line for themselves. After the corporate events, attendees were also given the chance to explore the surrounding area, going for hikes, fishing, and more, enjoying the unique outdoor opportunities that Utah has to offer. 

 

The four day event concluded with an awards ceremony and reception. In addition to the dinner, we called in a custom cigar roller, and the High West Whiskey Distillery, which brought along connoisseurs and some of Utah’s finest whiskey for tasting. These unique additions helped employees feel like their hosts were focused on providing them with a positive experience, and left them with a memorable impression of their time in Utah.

In The Event™ | Event Production

 

Being able to create a stunning event from the ground up, in addition to crafting a unique production that encompasses the innovation of the company is what sets In The Event™ apart. Not only are we making strides as the number one LED rental house in the western United States, but we’re doing it in tandem with the expansion and development of our production team. Since 2014, ITE has almost doubled their staff, partnered with local venues and clients, and have started working with global companies to create bigger and better events in Utah.

 

 

Keep an eye out for the remaining three blog posts to learn more about our event production work with drones, Tesla coils, and our efforts to bring bigger business to Utah! 

 

To learn more about event production from In The Event™, visit us here.

An amazing office party is something that will bring the team together, energize morale, and tell the employees how much they are appreciated. On the other hand, a boring, by-the-book office get-together can feel like a waste of valuable time that could be spent catching up on that to-do list. The keys to office party success can depend on what kind of office you work in. To keep you from ending up in office party purgatory, we’ve put together a cheat-sheet for how to create an epic office party no matter what style of office you report to.

The Casual Office Party

It’s right for offices where jeans and t-shirts are the uniform, slides and ping pong tables break up the warehouse space, and co-workers feel more like pals than colleagues.

The theme should be something playful. Since you guys already have a good time when you’re at the office, take the party to a new locale. Something outside, like a picnic or a beach volleyball game will get everyone in the party mood. If your venue offers boat or paddle board rentals, arrange reservations for the whole team. Pack individual picnic baskets that can double as party favors, or outfit everyone with a beach survival kit that includes sunscreen, glasses, a visor, and a blow-up beachball.

Serve classic picnic fare like fried chicken or submarine sandwiches. If you’re hitting the beach consider a cookout over a bonfire. Beverages can be served in mason jars or kept in individual bottles chilled in colorful ice-filled buckets. Make sure to provide plenty of water to keep your officemates hydrated during their outdoor excursion.

 

The Corporate Office PartyIn The Event™ | Office Party

It’s right for offices that don’t believe in casual Friday and rely on the perfectly synchronized online calendars of all team members.

The theme of this office party should focus on relaxation. Think a spa day or yoga retreat where everyone can unplug and de-stress. To make sure everyone reaps the full benefits, ban shop talk and electronics during spa treatments or group activities. Divide the time between individual relaxation and team events where everyone can learn to interact in a less formal way. Consider a guided meditation, intro yoga class, or workshop about stress management. Give everyone a nice water bottle, luxurious spa robe, or uplifting book to help them remember to take good care of themselves after the pampering is over.

Serve healthy options throughout the day that replenish nutrients and fluids that can be lost during exercise or detox treatments. End the event with a nice dinner or happy hour where everyone can hang out and enjoy spending time together without the pressures of the office. Provide upscale versions of tried-and-true favorites, like a locally-sourced charcuterie board or prosciuttio-wrapped shrimp instead of the usual shrimp cocktail. Opt for lamb instead of beef and upgrade your fish from salmon to something like Chilean sea bass.

 

Pro tip: Make your next office party one to remember. Click here for some of our favorite rentals! 

 

The Creative Office Party

It’s right for offices without walls, clocks, or a dress code. You do, however, have an abundant supply of caffeinated beverages at the ready and it’s not uncommon to see people lounging on Lovesacs while they wait for inspiration to strike.

In The Event™ | How To Throw An Epic Office PartyThe theme should be centered on a common goal. Because creative pursuits are often singular, use the party as a chance to break everyone out of their usual routine and join together as a team. A cooking class or mini-course in wine, beer, or a favorite liquor is a great way to unite the group and still honor every individual’s creativity. Find a local restaurant, farm, brewery, vineyard, or distillery to host the event. If you’re doing a tasting, provide cards for everyone to rate their favorite foods and beverages. Cookbooks, cookware, or personalized glassware are perfect mementos that will remind all of your staff members of this unique event.

Serve food that everyone has prepared (or at least selected) together. If you opt for a cooking class, break everyone into teams and have each group prepare a different course that they share with the whole office. When it comes to beverages, your choice may be dictated by the venue or the theme you’ve selected. Be sure to include options for staff members with specific dietary needs and those who don’t drink alcohol.

 

The Charitable Office Party

It’s right for just about any office. No matter how buttoned-up or casual your office is, everyone can benefit from coming together to give back to the community.

The theme should focus on a specific service project or charitable organization. You could roll up your sleeves and help with a town beautification project or communal garden. Other options include volunteering at a food bank, homeless shelter, or group home for people with special needs. Find out what types of causes your employees are passionate about and try to find an activity that appeals to a majority of the staff. Be sure to top off the activity with a group dinner that celebrates everyone’s contribution. You can even reward team members who went above and beyond with a donation to the charity of their choice, or give donations in acknowledgement of workplace accomplishments or in celebration of years served.

Serve a communal meal where everyone can break bread together. Look for a restaurant or caterer that can help you bring the whole office together with communal tables. Eat family style where you can look one another in the eye and pass the rolls down the line. In a world where we’re usually separated by cubicle walls and computer screens, it will be refreshing to sit down together and share a meal – especially after a day of working hard and giving of themselves for others.

 

Pulling off an epic office party isn’t impossible. Your chances of success increase when you take the time to consider what type of office you work in, and what your co-workers need. This little guide is just the tip of the iceberg, though. Use these ideas to kickstart your own creative party planning process, or call in a little help from the pros at In the Event. Either way, you’re already on your way to creating an office party that everyone will love.

A trade show can be a valuable resource for any company looking for great exposure, brand awareness, and opportunities for face-to-face interaction with your clients. Looking to attend your next trade show with everything you need to make it a success? We’ve had our fair share of well-executed trade shows, and are bringing you everything you need to know about making the most of your booth on the floor!

1. Lighting

Trade Show       Be the light at the end of the tunnel. Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a successful trade show booth. Not only can it be customized to represent your brand, but it also serves as a unique touch, helping your booth stand out in a sea of posters and paper. A well-lit, professional space is always a good way to attract clients during your event. 

2. Furniture

      You want as much interaction time with your guests as possible. What better way to encourage people to ‘come and stay a while’ than furniture at your site? Even though trade show spaces are often limited, there is always room for a setup that will keep your guests talking, and keep them engaging with your brand. For one of the trade shows that In The Event™ has produced, we set up a classroom, desks and all, which allowed the presenter to really connect with his audience!

3. Personal Touch

      The best part about trade shows? People are there to learn, not only about your product or services but also about you and your brand! The most successful trade show booths incorporate those unique and personal aspects of your company into their design and presentation. The trick to bringing in those aspects? Being efficient. A trade show is great for brand awareness, but it’s not just you out there. People have places to go, and people to see, so make sure you make an impact! One great way to integrate your brand is with personalized graphics! Here at In The Event™, we offer professionally designed customized graphics and can integrate them with our LED furniture and spandex furniture and decor.

4. InteractionZero Fatalities Trade Show

      So your clients are hovering, and you want to bring them in to interact with your brand. But you’re only one presenter. Make the most of your trade show space with interactive technology. Touch screens, hands-on experience, or other activities will enable your brand to make a personal impact while allowing more time for your presenters and hosts to make a more meaningful connection with those they have the chance to talk to. 

5. People Power

      No amount of awesome technology or beautiful graphics can do what people can in creating that connection between your brand and your clients. A successful trade show helps clients develop that positive and productive relationship with brands they feel are ones they can really get behind. Nothing will better foster this loyalty than good old-fashioned people power. Presenting clients with a friendly and engaging face for their company will do wonders for sending them off more valuable to you than ever.

Trade shows are an ocean of information, and it’s easy for attendees to come and go without remembering a thing. Making sure you’ve got the team and design to catch and retain their attention will always be worth the extra effort. Make it even easier with In The Event™! We pride ourselves in our running list of successful trade show exhibits and are eager to continue making innovative event spaces for amazing companies. Take it from a former client!

“Our company SevenTimesSix used In The Event™ to put together our booth for Salt Lake Comic Con.  The whole show we heard how great looking the booth was and how it looked so much better than any of the other booths.  It stood out so much people were using it as a point of reference for directions or as a meet up point. The people at In The Event™ were great to work with.  They took our needs and created a functional yet visually memorable booth.  They were with us for the whole show.  We would definitely use them again.” —David Marshall

 

Ready to design your next trade show booth? 

Our client was hosting an event at the Grand America during the same time as one of the March Madness games, and they wanted to create a space for their guests at the event to come hangout and watch the game. To create the lounge area feeling we used our White Lounge Furniture to give guests the space they needed to sit down and relax and added our LED Coffee Tables and LED Side Tables at each couch so guests to kick their feet up. While the LED Coffee and Side Tables lit up the room with a cozy blue glow. We then filled the rest of the open space with our LED Standard Hi Boys to give guests more space to hang out at.


IMG_0625     IMG_0620

Outside of the lounge area there was an open seating space with more Black Lounge Furniture and a few of our Round Leather Sofas to give extra seating space to the guests.

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If you love the look that our lounge furniture gives be sure to check out the rentals section of our website for our full line furniture rentals or anything else you’ll need to make your event a hit.

The usual office party can be used to celebrate a holiday, congratulate employees, and boost office morale. Unfortunately, the same old song and dance in the same conference room every year can become dull.

Keep your office celebrations fun and memorable with these simple event rentals that are sure to turn an drab boardroom into everyone’s favorite office space. Here are a few essentials for your next office party.

In The Event™ | Office Party Essentials 1. Photo booth & backdrop

An event at the office is made even more memorable with a fun take-home souvenir. Find a backdrop that relates to your office and set up a photo booth. Staff can pose for pictures together, and the silly results can be used on social media to boost the company while showing how much fun employees are having at the office.

We have a number of backdrops at In the Event for you to choose from, ranging from a 1920s ballroom to the Grand Canyon. And if you can’t find the perfect backdrop for your company photo op, rent a green screen and we’ll help you create the perfect background.

guitar_centerpiece2. Branded centerpieces

Branded centerpieces can also be an easy take-home souvenir that won’t break your budget. Non-floral centerpieces are less expensive than flowers and In The Event™ can personalize your centerpieces to share your company’s brand.

From simply adding your logo to an existing display or using treats or prizes to decorate the tables, customized centerpieces bring your office party theme to life and create another great opportunity to share your brand on social media. Employees are sure to get excited about taking a cool, customized centerpiece home and sharing their fun experience with friends and family!

shimmercurtains3. Garland and curtains

An important aspect to keep in mind when planning an office party is that the decoration needs to create a festive atmosphere. Even with limited space and resources, you want to transform the conference room into a new space, one you’d actually like to hang out in.

A simple way to transform a space is to hang garland or curtains. Whether you hang a beaded curtain or string a festive garland, this simple decoration can transform a boring room into an entirely new place. Proper garland can make employees feel like they’re walking into a winter wonderland or an up-scale club. Giving the boardroom a makeover is guaranteed to put everyone in the partying mood.

Curved-Chalk-Walls4. Curved chalk walls

A good office party should encourage interaction between employees and between the staff and company. Implementing fun and creative ways to engage attendees in a dialogue with each other is an easy way to pull people away from their desks and into the festivities.

In the Event’s curved chalk wall rentals are an exciting and easy way to prompt conversation. Ask employees to answer non-office related questions to get them comfortable with each other or to engage the staff in a fun company poll. Whatever you use the chalk walls for, they’re sure to help them relax and have fun with everyone in the office.

Game-Show-Buzzers5. Game Show Buzzers

Getting employees out of the day-to-day grind is an important part of throwing a successful office party. To instantly engage attendees, plan relevant games that will energize employees, like holiday- or company-themed trivia.

Up the excitement with our game show buzzers. These colorful, wireless buzzers work with a number of games and allow employees to let their competitive side out and get into the office event. And don’t forget to bring quality prizes to hand out to the staff for participating. Prizes should be more than a branded pen or candy bar, they should have real thought put into them to show the employees they’re valued.

If you put these office party tips into play, we guarantee that employees will be anxiously awaiting every office event. Finish off the look with some of our other rental items! Click here for a list of some of our favorites.

At In The Event™ corporate events are our specialty! We take bland luncheons and transform them into an unforgettable occasion that gets everyone talking. It can be easy for companies to get stuck in a rut with some of their annual events, but we’ve experienced first hand the impact a truly successful corporate event can have. Here are a few guidelines we always keep in mind to guarantee that our corporate events are anything but boring!


Entertainment

If you have the budget to work with, entertainment is a fantastic way to liven up a corporate environment. But, you don’t want to throw fire dancers at just anyone. It’s absolutely essential to understand your audience when selecting event entertainment.

Know Your Audience and Plan Accordingly

Sit down with your client to determine their event goals. Maybe this corporate event is going to bring together two new branches, in which case they might want something very interactive. In another instance your client might be interested in just creating a relaxing environment to reward employees for all their hard work. For the latter, something without one on one audience contact might be best. Ask your client about the company culture, and if possible experience it yourself. Meet employees and get a tour of the office to get a better feel for the demographic and what type of entertainment they might respond best to.

Think Outside the Box

Live music is great, but get even more creative by thinking outside the box! If you’re looking for something truly memorable, think more along the lines of a mentalist (that really gets the audience talking!), an interactive dueling piano show or a speed painter. Of course, you’ll want to use entertainment to enhance the theme of the event.  For example, for a western theme event you might select line dancing instructors and bull riding simulators, as opposed to a comedian. Always be sure to pick an option that compliments other pre-determined event aspects.


Engagement

While entertainment is a great way to get people excited at a corporate event, ultimately you want your employees bonding and interacting with each other!

Use Layout and Décor to Encourage Interaction

We often use décor items to encourage interaction. At several conferences, we’ve used our 10’ curved chalkboards to prompt conversation. The chalkboards had a question, related to the conference, that employees responded to with a written response on the board. Additionally, any of our modular LED tables, bars and towers can be accentuated with a custom graphic cling promoting an event topic or question to draw attention to focus points and encourage conversation. We also often employ interactive video screens, which allow guests to interact with a website or app.  Taking the concept even further, consider using a video capture device to prompt a question or welcome general feedback.

It’s also essential for the layout to encourage interaction. Make sure the space flows easily so attendees can navigate the area and aren’t confined to one spot for the duration of the evening.

Recognize Employees in Unique Ways

Recognition is a great way to get employees excited and can serve as a focus point of the event. Depending on the industry, recognition can take many forms. We’ve developed custom recognition walls and find that some of our staple pieces work exceptionally well for recognition. Our LED video towers offer a unique recognition opportunity, not just to acknowledge performance but also to show the past year’s highlights, exciting company growth or any type of promotional video.

Takeaways

Giving attendees something unique to take home, or back to the office, creates a long-term event effect. At In The Event™, we always look to tie event elements with branding and often develop custom décor pieces that then become office décor following the event. A takeaway item can be as simple as a display piece signed by all attendees, or as extravagant as a custom 10’ LED logoed spandex wall.  A simpler approach is allowing attendees to take home the centerpiece, whether they’re fresh flowers or a branded non-floral centerpiece.  Green screen photo ops are another fun event takeaway, whether you physically print the photos at the event or go green and upload them to a website or social media to be shared with a larger audience.


Catering

Food and beverage is a huge part of any event, and if coordinated correctly can be a very memorable and enhancing element. Carefully selected, good food can set the tone for the evening, using a plated dinner to relay a formal tone or creating a cocktail party environment with passed appetizers. Be sure to communicate with guests regarding the formality of the event so they may dress appropriately.  A great additional step to take with your corporate event client is to schedule a tasting with the caterer.

Theme Enhancement

Food and beverage is a great opportunity for theme enhancement. A successful occasion brings out the theme in almost all aspects, including food and beverage. We often coordinate destination events with our beautiful state of Utah as the focus point. Food and beverage creates an opportunity for us to further highlight the theme by selecting items local to or popularized by the Salt Lake City area.

Selecting a signature cocktail for the evening is another fun way for catering to tie into the theme. For example, a cocktail the color of the company’s logo (tasted and approved by the client beforehand!) is a fun addition. At a winter wonderland client event, we had a signature blue martini that proved very popular and tied in perfectly with the event color scheme. Further tie catering into the event with themed serveware and servers.

Successful corporate events must let the company culture shine through while creating an environment that makes all attendees excited to be there. With our unique planning approach, we’re moving corporate clients away from dull, repetitive annual gatherings to develop interactive, team enhancing evenings.


What’s your secret to successful corporate events? Tell us about it in the comments!

Utah Valley Business featured In The Event™ in their fall publication as a head-turning event company. Co-Founder Robert LaSpina participated in an interview about his take on events and what makes In The Event™ such an innovative event company. We loved the article and we also featured one of our ad variations as well. Take a look!

 

Utah Valley Business Interview

Read more about our company philosophy and practices here!

See more at: Utah Valley BusinessQ

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