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1. What Is a Corporate Event?
A corporate event is any kind of occasion where attendees gather to promote business goals. These events can range from intracompany team-building days and retreats to industry-wide conventions and trade shows. They can be addressed to specific people, such as shareholders, or the wider public as a means of generating awareness.
2. 12 Different Types of Corporate Events to Know
2.1. Award Ceremonies
There are two main types of corporate events in the award ceremony category to consider. The first is an internal award ceremony, where staff is given accolades like “Team Player of the Year” or “Salesperson of the Year” that recognize individual contributions, hard work, and achievements. These events can be used to boost staff morale and demonstrate that the business rewards people who strive for success.
The second kind is an industry award ceremony, which is used to build relationships with potential clients and contributes to establishing a brand’s reputation in a sector. For example, a marketing business might host a black-tie event where accolades are given out for “Best Influencer Marketing Campaign” or “Most Innovative Brand Activation.”
2.2. Conferences
Conferences are an opportunity for people from the same field to gather and discuss their expertise. This field could be commercial or academic, but the event generally consists of a mixture of guest speakers, discussion panels, and workshops.
Hosting an industry conference can be a money-spinner, enticing representatives from other businesses to attend for a fee so that they can learn about the latest developments in their industry as well as build relationships with their peers. It can also help a business establish a reputation in a particular field.
In some cases, a conference can be purely for staff from a single large brand to convene together for a company-wide powwow. This type of conference is beneficial because it creates a forum for sharing key messages and creating a sense of unity throughout the entire business.
2.3. Company Milestones
Company anniversaries, reaching a financial goal, and achieving a certain number of customers are all reasons to celebrate. These types of corporate events usually take the form of a party of some kind, complete with refreshments and music. There are plenty of professional hosted platforms like Hooray Teams that run corporate team building programs and activities.
Gatherings to mark company milestones boost morale and demonstrate to both internal and external stakeholders that a brand has a positive internal culture. Invite key customers and partners along to reinforce business relationships and receive a PR boost that can benefit the company’s reputation.
2.4. Shareholder Meetings
Shareholder meetings are usually scheduled on an annual basis to update investors on a company’s financial performance, future strategy, and key objectives. They are also an opportunity to hold votes regarding professional appointments, policy changes, and other issues that may require the input of stakeholders.
Unlike most of the types of corporate events listed here, shareholder meetings do not really have a social component. The purpose is principally to manage a company’s relationship with its investors. To maintain a reassuring level of transparency, they actively communicate with shareholders, fostering an avenue that ensures ongoing support and trust.
2.5. Congresses
The terms “conference” and “congress” are often used interchangeably, but strictly speaking, congresses are much more focused than conferences, drilling down into one specific topic. For example, a conference on the subject of microbiology might encompass presentations on everything from pathogens to gut health, but a congress would be held to examine a particular issue within microbiology, such as antimicrobial resistance.
Congresses are useful in cases where the target audience is a narrow slice of society. They can help a business establish relationships and client prospects within a specialized area of commercial interest.
2.6. Team-building Events
Team-building sessions are held by a business to improve communication and work relationships within a company. The goal is to create a social atmosphere where people feel comfortable getting to know their colleagues while also learning valuable teamwork skills.
There are all sorts of activities you can include in these get-togethers, from field-day games to murder mysteries. While many team-building events take place in a particular location outside of the office, they can also be held virtually to connect individuals who work at different sites around the country or across the globe.
2.7. Trade Shows/Expos
Trade shows are an opportunity for businesses in a specific industry to demo their products and promote their brand to potential customers as well as their peers. They normally take place in large halls that contain space for individual company booths and stages where industry talks can be given.
Holding trade shows can be a lucrative business, with exhibitor fees and sponsorship supplying the bulk of the income. They are also an opportunity for a company to build a reputation as an industry leader while gathering data on potential customers.
2.8. Wellness Events
Wellness events can encompass a broad range of activities, including nature hikes, exercise classes, meditation retreats, and workshops on managing stress. They often take place in a resort or health retreat of some kind, but they can also be organized in fitness studios and even in the office or online.
These types of events are ideal for companies that are looking to bolster staff wellbeing. Focusing on wellness boosts morale, increases employee engagement, and, most importantly, reduces anxiety. The benefits to a business are tangible, such as a decrease in absenteeism and a reduction in employee turnover.
2.9. Networking Events
There are both formal and informal types of networking events, but their purpose is always the same: to bring together people to create productive working relationships and opportunities for collaboration. They tend to be smaller in scale than conferences or trade shows, though hosting them can convey some of the same benefits, such as cementing a company’s reputation as an industry leader and facilitating connections with useful contacts.
Some common examples of networking events include roundtable discussions, where a specific set of topics is discussed, and breakfast meetings, where attendees gather for a casual chat over the morning meal.
It’s also possible to host in-house networking events, such as office happy hours, designed to bring together different departments and teams to foster a more cohesive workplace and create a sense of company spirit.
2.10. Fundraisers
Fundraisers generate revenue for charitable causes through things like bake sales, charity runs, and silent auctions. They can be held purely internally or opened up to clients and the wider industry, depending on the scale of the event.
Fundraisers develop a company’s corporate social responsibility credentials, which can make it a more attractive employer for potential hires as well as garland its reputation as a community-minded business.
2.11. Company Retreats
Company retreats promote better team dynamics and improve employee morale. They can be purely about rest, relaxation, and rewarding staff for their work, or they can have an additional educational component.
There are lots of different destinations on the table, from rustic lodges amidst untouched wilderness to luxury hotels in the heart of buzzing metropolises. These can be paired with guest speakers, skills workshops, and company presentations to lend a practical element to the getaway.
2.12. Conventions
Conventions are very similar to conferences, the principal difference being that conventions tend to take place regularly (such as annually or semiannually), with a core group of members making up the main attendees.
On the whole, conventions place more focus on networking and social aspects rather than the formal exchanges of information common to conferences, which is why there are often drinks and dinners on the agenda.
Conventions are useful for creating a community of people in a similar field who have shared goals. They provide a space where peers can catch up and network in between attending a handful of presentations and talks.
3. Tips for Hosting a Corporate Event
3.1. Set Clear Objectives
Decide what you want to achieve with your corporate event before getting into the organizational details. For example, the goal could be to boost lead generation, or it could simply be to incentivize staff.
3.2 Create a Budget
Itemize the projected spend for different categories, such as venue, speakers, or gift bags, depending on the type of event being held. Make sure to be realistic and build in a little leeway, as costs tend to overrun.
3.3 Select a Suitable Venue
Choose a venue that matches the objectives and the budget. Take into consideration factors like expected attendance numbers, dates, and travel convenience.
3.4. Plan Well in Advance
Allot plenty of time to iron out details. Aside from negotiations with the venue and any external contractors, don’t forget to consider marketing lead time where applicable. Make a list of tasks to be completed and set deadlines for each one to help stay on track.
3.5. Consider the Audience
Always keep in mind whether the various aspects of the event are in keeping with the audience's requirements. Think about their expectations for the congress, company retreat, or convention as decisions are made.
3.6. Engage With Professionals
Consult with the various external contractors, including caterers, decorators, and speakers, to make sure everyone understands the breadth of their roles as well as the timeframe for the event.
3.7. Promote the Event
Last, but not least, make sure the target audience is aware of the event and understands its usefulness. Reach out through email marketing, social media, and industry forums to drive attendance.
4. FAQs
4.1. What is a corporate event example?
Award ceremonies, conferences, and team-building retreats are just some of the types of corporate events that a business can hold. The format and structure all depend upon the target attendees and the objectives.
4.2. What are the benefits of organizing corporate events?
Hosting a corporate event can have many pros, including keeping stakeholders engaged, creating awareness of a product, or generating revenue. The gathering can be used for internal purposes, such as to enhance company loyalty or keep staff up to date on business developments, or it can be utilized to engage with parties outside the business, such as at expos or fundraisers.
