For many managers and business owners, it can feel like nothing short of a pain to have to plan a corporate meeting.
These meetings are vital for communication and collaboration, with the aim of getting all of the guests on board with a new product release, a new addition to the company, or a new alignment. Of course, if you have ever attended a corporate meeting, you will know that it can be very dull.
This article aims to walk you through how to make your next corporate meeting one that will truly excite guests, while also showing you how not to do it. So, read on!
Standard Corporate Events…And Why They Are Often Awful!
When it comes to planning corporate festivals, many hosts opt for a venue that is like an office block or a meeting room, which can fit all of the guests while having an interactive whiteboard. That’s all fine if that is one part of the event!
The issue is that many corporate events start and stop there. There are presentations, great tech, and audiovisual equipment, but there needs to be more. Don’t think about the cost of these things as a starting point; you should aim to ensure your guests leave with excitement and awe at the announcement, not having to take ibuprofen due to 3 hours of PowerPoint presentations!
With that in mind, and how dire it sounds, what can you do to ensure that your next corporate meeting or event is a triumph?
- Take It Outside!
Corporate festivals do not have to be held in a dull and boring meeting room! You can spice up the experience by taking it outside and by hiring a tent! Of course, it will be more like a gazebo, but you get the idea.
That way, provided the weather is good, you and the guests can take advantage of the warm air and the natural beauty of the surroundings, which will make the entire meeting feel more fun and light-hearted.
If it is a truly enormous corporate event, it can make the process of going from day to night activities simpler to set off fireworks!
- Incorporate Interactive Activities
Death by PowerPoint is not the way to go. When planning a corporate meeting, you can use interactive activities to relax participants and to help foster fun and friendship.
Which activities? You can use live polling tools to gather opinions and knowledge and get the participants and guests to participate in role-playing, as both will help you get insight into skills and opinions about the business. It’s also more fun than sitting through hours of PowerPoints, and it allows you to get a feel for those who are attending the event.
Plus, in simple terms, it is more fun for everyone involved!
- Leverage Technology and Visuals
OK, so not to entirely throw PowerPoint under the bus, but there are some things that you can do if you need to use it.
You can incorporate virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) into your presentation, which can help those who are viewing your presentation to truly become more immersed. For instance, if the purpose of your corporate meeting is to showcase a new build, you can use AR or VR to walk guests through the new design. That’s more fun, and it will get your guests talking.
- Invite Guest Speakers
One way you can add energy to a meeting is to introduce a fresh perspective.
You can do this by inviting a guest speaker, such as a motivational speaker or an industry expert, who can offer insights and ideas on the topic being discussed. This will break the routine and will help with discussions while offering valuable takeaways.
Try to choose a speaker who is known for their dynamic presentation style, as this will keep the audience hooked, and make sure that there is a live Q&A session! This will add excitement and will help with engagement.
- End with a Memorable Experience
Fireworks were mentioned earlier, but there are other ways you can leave a lasting impression on those who attend. As a starting point, try to avoid ending the meeting with ‘any questions?’
Seek to create something memorable. This could be tokens of appreciation for certain staff members, or if that is not an option, you can conclude with a networking lunch or an informal mingling session. Why not take a group photo for your company’s social media page? It’s not a new idea, but it is a fun one!
