This is an advice piece to using an event company – there’s some thoughts here you might not have considered.
Some top tips.
Perhaps you’re thinking that using a professional event company is an unnecessary expense and it would be far easier and cheaper to organise your events in-house. Naturally, you’d expect us to disagree, but here are a couple of reasons why we think you should always use a professional to make your event run smoothly.
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You only have one chance to make a first impression!
Here’s a recent example. We attended a free business seminar where the host business was also using this gathering as a sales tool. However, they had decided to “go it alone” and did not use the services of a specialist event company. The result? Arriving at the hotel there was no signage directing the way to the seminar, nor were there any staff to ask. Finally, having found the correct room, the promised ‘refreshments on arrival’ had been taken, even though we had arrived five minutes before the scheduled starting time. There were three thermos flasks of coffee, yet only one for hot water. Guess what? That had run out, and I was gasping for a cup of tea! The room was not set-up for the number of guests expected and there was no indication of the presentation plan. It was a bit of a mess.
If this event had been hosted by any one of Oliver Myles’s professional event managers there would have been clear signage, with hosts present for at least an hour before the start. A member of hotel staff would have been briefed on organising adequate refreshments for both before the event and also during the breaks. Seating for the correct numbers, with a seating plan if the client required it, would have been provided, and most importantly, all guests would have been greeted with a welcoming smile.
These may seem like small details; the content of the seminar was in fact very good. But how much better would it have been to have arrived feeling like a welcomed and valued guest?
How you are perceived by your guests is a reflection of your brand. Don’t let yourselves down by getting the small things wrong, when you can easily get the big things so right.
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It’s cheaper to do it in-house?
Are you sure about that? An events company has the benefit of established relationships with venues and can often negotiate better prices than your corporate events management. Additionally, there is the advantage of having a dedicated and committed professional on board to guide you through the lead up and assist with the event.
If you are using in house resources such as a PA or a marketing assistant, their time is valuable. Time spent organising your event takes them away from other company business and priorities. A specialist events organisation will offer objectivity using their many years’ of experience – you can leverage this experience to make your event one to remember and help you sell. Remember the bigger picture!
And finally, an events company will often negotiate a better deal just by using their experience and contacts. For example, we had a client looking to hire a particular venue but had been told it required a minimum spend of £35K. They approached us to look at other venues as this was too expensive. We were able to go back to their original choice of venue as we had an established relationship with them and managed to get the minimum spend reduced to £18k. The result was a very happy client who got to use the venue they wanted at a price they liked.
So, next time you’re thinking of going it alone, why not give us a call and see how we can transform your event into a successful occasion to remember.
Oliver Myles Events| 01442 768 110| www.olivermyles.co.uk
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