My speed painting tribute to legendary comedian Robin Williams.
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Author: Tim Decker
Choosing corporate entertainment can be one of the hardest parts when planning a corporate event. There are so many choices and it’s your job to narrow them down and choose the perfect one for your event’s demographics, which is no easy task.
Many times, people choose to forgo having entertainment at their event seeing it as a waste of time and money. That could not be further from the truth. Here are some of the many benefits of hiring a corporate entertainer for your next event.
Increases event attendance
Hiring top notch corporate entertainment will catch people’s attention and make them excited to attend your event. Offering a little something extra like entertainment may be just the thing to get people to attend willingly.
Makes for a great transition
Entertainment can be used as a way to move from one subject to the next or introduce an important speaker. Use an act like Speed Painter Tim Decker to present an oversized portrait of your CEO to introduce him or her to the group.
Make an announcement
Have something big to reveal? A great act may be able find a way to incorporate your big announcement into their show. The excitement will build for the big moment.
A way to break up meetings
After sitting through meeting after meeting, attendees will be grateful for any break, especially an entertainment break! Having the chance to laugh and interact will have people working even harder after the break is done.
Increases morale
When you provide corporate entertainment, those in attendance will feel appreciated, which will result in stronger ties between them and your company. When people feel good about their company, productivity rises.
Fun way to incorporate branding
Inquire about ways your logo or products can be infused into the entertainers act. This isn’t always a possibility, but sometimes there are subtle ways to do so without taking away from the show.
Makes the event memorable
A truly unique act will imprint the memory of your company and event on the minds of everyone who witnesses it. People will be talking about your event long after it’s over.
End the day on a high note
Having the corporate entertainer perform after all the meetings are complete will feel like a celebration! During this time, people will be able to fully relax and enjoy.
Corporate entertainment is fun
Do it just because we all deserve to have a little fun. Break up the serious business talk and enjoy a show. Trust me, the meetings will be waiting for you in the morning.
After deciding that you will hire corporate entertainment, next comes the daunting task of choosing the right show. Make sure you do not wait until the last minute if you want to book a great act. The most cutting edge corporate entertainers book far in advance at times, and you don’t want to miss out. Also, be sure to choose an entertainer that interacts with attendees. This will help people feel connected and amp up the fun. Here are some other things to think about:
Budget
Create a corporate entertainment budget after you have a realistic idea of entertainer fees. This should not be an area where you shave costs if you can help it because a great act can make you look like a hero and a subpar act will have the opposite effect.
Demographics
Take time to consider who will be attending the corporate event. Think about things like age, gender, and location. Your best bet it to choose an act that can entertain a diverse crowd, as opposed to one that may be geared to just one specific demographic.
Show Length
A great length for corporate entertainment is anything under 45 minutes. Anything longer can make attendees antsy and force the entertainer to add in filler material to their act. Remember the saying, “leave them wanting more?” Well, it definitely applies here.
Setup
Make sure you have a room conducive to hosting entertainment. Lay out the room in a way that everyone can see what is happening on the stage, otherwise you won’t reap the full benefits. Each corporate entertainer will have their own requirements and it is important to honor them since only they know what they need to put on a great performance!
If you are looking for a corporate entertainment act that can suit any demographic and get your crowds pumped, take a look at Tim Decker, speed painter. He will amaze your attendees as they watch him create huge portraits of legendary icons in just a few minutes. His show length can be customized to fit your event and he has many creative ways to incorporate your brand or CEO into his act. Don’t wait too long to book this high impact and highly interactive show!
Whatever you do, be sure to do your research and give it the consideration it deserves. Best of luck incorporating entertainment into your next corporate event!
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Choosing a place to hold your corporate event can be a tricky task. Finding a place where there is enough space to hold meetings, breakout sessions, and awards dinners is hard enough on its own, but when adding in accommodations and activities it gets even more challenging. Luckily, Las Vegas is the perfect city to find all these requirements in one place. The following Las Vegas venue ideas are all hotels with casinos, plenty of meeting space, and tons of activities and amenities! If you need help choosing the perfect venue, check out this post.
Mandalay Bay Accommodations: Over 4000 rooms. Standard Deluxe Rooms to Penthouse suites with views of the strip.
Facilities: 1.7 million sq ft of meeting space, largest meeting facility on the strip, options to hold events poolside or amidst a 1.6-million-gallon tank in the Shark Reef Aquarium.
Activities: 29 restaurants, a Beach Club, Nightclub, 16 bars, House of Blues, Cirque shows, an aquarium,pools, spas, and shopping.
Accommodations: Close to 3000 rooms. Residential type rooms and rooms with private terraces available. Option for 3 story poolside bungalows.
Facilities: 150,000 sq ft meeting space. Room for anywhere from 10-5000 people. In house audio/visual experts and catering services available by gourmet chefs.
Amenities/Activities: Spa, beauty salon, shopping, 3 pools, 100,000 sq ft casino, Race and Sports books, fitness center, 14 restaurants, nightclub, 6 bars, shopping, live entertainment.
Accommodations– Over 3900 rooms, Deluxe suites available w/ extras like dining rooms, wet bars, and saunas, Suites measuring up to 13,000 sq ft., in room tv channel w/ your event details.
Facilities– 300,000 sq ft of meeting space, room for 4100 people banquet style, Colosseum w/ a ½ acre stage, state of the art audiovisual capabilities, 2 ballrooms that can host 5500 people.
Amenities: 25 restaurants/bars, 160 shops, nightclub, lounges, several pools, spa, salon, top notch entertainment at the Colosseum, and even 2 wedding chapels!
Accommodations: Over 5000 rooms, rooms are located in four 30-story towers, luxurious multi bedrooms suites and penthouses also available.
Facilities: 600,000 sq ft of meeting space, one ballroom alone is 92,000 sq ft with a 6000 person capacity, pillarless rooms for clear eyelines. Perfect space to have guest speakers and corporate entertainment.
Amenities: Spa, 6 acres of pools, whirlpools, and rivers, shopping, salon, wedding chapel, comedy club, over 20 restaurants plus a food court, nightclub, CSI experience, rollercoaster, Cirque du soliel show, the grand arena for the biggest acts in the country, David Copperfield show.
BellagioAccommodations: Almost 4000 rooms, AAA Five Diamond Award winning, modern decor, suites and villas available.
Facilities:200,000 sq ft meeting space, indoor and outdoor spaces, award winning ballrooms, restaurant and lounge options, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is available for rent, as well.
Amenities: Famous fountain show, 8 acre lake, salon and spa, Cirque du Soleil “O”, Gallery of Fine Art, pool w/ private cabanas, onsite photography, Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 8 bars, 20 restaurants, luxury shopping.
Accommodations: 2800 rooms, two 26 story hotel towers, recently renovated, penthouse and townhouse suites available.
Facilities: 175,000 sq ft of meeting space, linked to Paris Las Vegas w/ 315,000 sq ft of meeting space, EPA environmental quality award recipient, 31 meeting rooms, 2 ballrooms.
Amenities: Casino with race and sports books, comedy club, showgirl revue, concerts, The Price is Right Live!, dinner show, 9 restaurants, pool, spa, largest tennis complex on the strip, boutique shopping.
Accommodations: 1500 rooms, residential style spaces with casual yet modern decor, upgraded suites and villas available.
Facilities: 72,000 sq ft, gatherings up to 3000, 25 traditional rooms available along with the Tropicana Theater, Havana Room, and Beach Club.
Amenities: 6 restaurant/bars plus a food court, pool with lagoons set on 2 acres, spa, Laugh Factory comedy club, magic show, Mama Mia!
Accommodations: Over 4000 rooms,each room is equipped with a bedside touch screen remote for one touch control of room features, including lighting, temperature, tv, and more.
Facilities: 300,000 sq ft meeting space, ballrooms as large as 51,000 sq ft., 4 ballrooms that can be divided as needed and over 40 meeting rooms.
Amenities: Public art collection, Lumia fountain show, 15 dining options, Cirque du Soleil Zarkana, 12 shops on site, adjacent to Shop at Crystals which is 500,000 sq ft of shopping.
Accommodations: 1,500 rooms each with a bose stereo system, suites available themed after famous rock stars.
Facilities: 81,000 sq ft meeting space, accommodates up to 5,000 people, pool and nightclubs also available.
Amenities: Concerts, rock star memorabilia, famous restaurants like Nobu and Pink Taco, nightclubs, tattoo parlor, fitness center, spa, salon, pool w/ sandy beaches, underwater music, and swim up black jack.
Accommodations: 3,400 rooms, with suites that overlook 15 acres of landscaping.
Facilities: 73,000 sq ft of meeting space, along with Lagoon Pool and the 15-acre Wildlife Habitat.
Amenities: Garden Wildlife Habitat, Pools, Salon, Spa, Donnie and Marie, Legends in Concert, burlesque shows, shopping, 7 restaurants plus a food court.
VenetianAccommodations: Over 4000 rooms, all suite resort, rooms range from 650 to 6000 sq ft.
Facilities: Over 500,000 sq ft meeting space, in house audio visual staff and florist, room for 5600 people in a banquet setting.
Amenities: Race and sportsbook, poker room, boutique shopping at Grand Canal Shoppes, Gondola rides, Tao Nightclub, comedy shows, Rock of Ages, over 40 dining options and 11 lounges.
Accommodations: Over 3,000 rooms, every room is a suite with European design, sunken living rooms, and remote controlled shades.
Facilities: 500,000 plus sq ft of meeting space, space is shared with the Venetian so the same options are available.
Amenities: 60 luxury boutiques, 11 restaurants, access to all the same shows, dining, and activities as the Venetian.
Accommodations: Almost 3000 rooms, AAA Four Diamond, options range from 450 sq ft deluxe rooms to penthouse suites.
Facilities: 18,000 sq ft of meeting space that received $1.7 million in renovations, room for 10-1,000 people, restaurants and poolside space also available.
Amenities: Bars, lounges, Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, 13 dining options, spa, salon, pool, the Sirens of Treasure Island ship, and a pedestrian bridge connects to shopping at Fashion Show Mall and Grand Canal Shoppes.
Accommodations: 2000 plus rooms with a view, rooms in all four towers are newly renovated with contemporary style.
Facilities: 140,000 sq ft of meeting space, 40 breakout rooms, 12 skybox meeting rooms, can accommodate up to 2,600 people.
Amenities: Many show options including a burlesque show and Pawn Shop Live based off of Pawn Stars, comedy club, tattoo studio, salon, pool, and dining options include a food court.
Accommodations: 4,400luxury rooms, rated among top 50 resorts, premier suites with views of the strip available.
Facilities: 20,000 sq ft meeting of space, room for up to 1,000 people, outdoor space options available.
Amenities: 13 restaurants, nightclub, 6 bars, salon, spa, 19,000 sq ft pool, a variety of shows including the Jabbawockeez, Carrot Top, and Criss Angel Believe.
Accommodations: Nearly 3,000 rooms, luxurious European decor,
Facilities: 140,000 sq ft of meeting space, large 85,204 sq ft pillarless ballroom, rooftop pool or Jersey Boy Theater also available.
Amenities: 50 story Eiffel Tower, Jersey Boys, comedy shows, 2 acre rooftop pool, spa, 2 shopping promenades, lounge, nightclub, salon, spa, 12 restaurants including Gordon Ramsay Steak.
Accommodations: 2500 rooms, each has a piece of movie memorabilia, Panorama Suites available.
Facilities: 88,000 sq ft of meeting space, room for groups up to 4,400, Axis Theater and the Showroom available for rent, as well.
Amenities: Renovated casino, 15 restaurants including Gordon Ramsay Burger, spa, 2 pools with bars, 17 shops, bars, lounges, comedy and variety shows, concerts like Britney Spears, salon, and a spa.
New York New YorkAccommodations: Over 2000 rooms, recently remodeled deluxe rooms, over 100 suites also available.
Facilities: 21,500 sq ft of meeting space, 5 alternate venue options including the Village Streets, as well as restaurants and bars.
Amenities: Cirque du Soleil Zumanity, entertainment center, roller coaster, 12 restaurants, 8 bars, pool, salon, spa, Hershey’s Chocolate World, replicas of the Brooklyn Bridge, skyscrapers, and the Statue of Liberty.
Accommodations: Close to 3,000 rooms, AAA Four Diamond Award winning property, renovated with modern decor, many suite upgrades available along with a boutique hotel on the 32nd floor.
Facilities: 30,000 sq ft of meeting space, can accommodate up t 800 people, in house audio visual services
Amenities: salon, spa, Blue Man Group, 15 dining options including a food court, 12 bar/lounges, shopping, and pool with cabanas.
Accommodations: Over 3000 rooms, $110 million in renovations, AAA Four Diamond Luxury Resort.
Facilities: 170,000 sq ft meeting space, includes a pillarless event center and ballroom, as well as 26 breakout rooms.
Amenities: 16 restaurants, 12 lounges, salon, spa, pool, shopping, aquarium, Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, Volcano attraction, atrium, Cirque du Soleil: The Beatles LOVE.
Accommodations: Over 2500 rooms with almost 200 luxury suites, some over 1,200 sq ft.
Facilities: 25,000 sq ft of meeting space, specializes in small to mid sized meetings, Harrah’s showroom and the Improv Comedy Club available for rent, as well.
Amenities: Improv Comedy Club, spa, pool, Carnaval Court, salon, shopping, Piano Bar, 7 dining options.
Accommodations: 2,700 plus rooms in 50 stories, recipient of Forbes Five Star Award.
Facilities: 200,000 sq ft of meeting space with access to 60,000 sq ft at Encore, 2 column free ballrooms, 18 meeting rooms, 2 boardrooms
Amenities: 35 restaurants, 6 pools, 2 salons, high end shopping, 3 nightclubs, beach club, and a Ferrari and Maserati dealership.
Accommodations: Over 2,000 rooms with floor to ceiling windows, recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Hotel Award and Forbes Five Star Award.
Facilities: 60,000 sq ft of meeting space with access to the 200,000 sq ft at Wynn, 17 meeting rooms, 2 boardrooms, column free ballroom.
Amenities: pools, nightclub, shopping, gardens, 5 restaurants, boutique shopping, plus access to all amenities and activities at Wynn.
Accommodations: Almost 2,500 rooms, strip view rooms and oversized studios available.
Facilities: 17,000 sq ft of meeting space, room for 1,500 people, access to observation decks included.
Amenities: 9 restaurants, pool, salon, spa, Tower Shops, observation decks, lounges, stage shows, Big Shot and Sky Jump attractions.
Accommodations: Close to 4,000 rooms, remodeled tower rooms available, as well as parlor suites.
Facilities: Over 12,000 sq ft of meeting space, 8 rooms choices, can accommodate up to 800 people.
Amenities: over 12 dining options, spa, pool, shows including Tournament of Kings, lounges, 28 shops,
Accommodations: Just over 2,600 rooms decorated with classic Vegas style.
Facilities: 40,000 sq ft of meeting space, room for up to 1,000 people, includes a banquet hall, ballroom, and 12 meeting rooms.
Amenities: $100 million car collection, shows such as Recycled Percussion, celebrity impersonator casino dealers.
Accommodations: 3,770 remodeled rooms, 135 suites available, RV park on 23 acres.
Facilities: Over 21,000 sq ft of meeting space, can accommodate up to 600 guests.
Amenities: pool, salon, spa, carnival midway, indoor theme park, circus acts, 9 restaurants, 6 bars, 40,000 sq ft shopping promenade.
You really cannot go wrong when planning an event in Las Vegas. It truly is a location that has everything you need and the venues are pros when it comes to putting on events. Using this guide you should have no problem finding the perfect place to keep your attendees comfortable and entertained, while having the space to relay important information and accommodate any guest speakers and entertainment during your next meeting. Best of luck planning your next corporate event in Las Vegas! Don’t forget to share this post with other planners and help them on their hunt for the perfect Las Vegas venue.
If you want your product launch event to be a success, you should strongly consider hiring entertainment. It is a sure fire way to get noticed and keep people talking about your company and product long after the event has passed. Below are some of the benefits of hiring product launch entertainment.
A cool way to represent your brand and/or product.
Product launch entertainment is a great opportunity for branding. The right entertainer can find ways to integrate your company’s name and message into their act. While the entertainment should not revolve around your company to the point it’s no longer entertaining, there are always ways to include your brand.
Draw crowds and get attention.
Use exciting entertainment as a way to grab everyone’s attention. When you are about to make the reveal, you want as many eyes on you and your product as possible. Placing a unique act right before your product is launched will draw people to the area, build anticipation, and keep them there for the big moment. The right act will get people buzzing long before you reveal anything.
Reveal the product in a memorable way.
The whole point of the event is to showcase a new product, so why would you do so in a lackluster way? You want people to leave bubbling with excitement about what your company has to offer and finding the right act can compliment and highlight your product. For example, speed painter Tim Decker can whip up a painting of a new vehicle at a car launch right before it is revealed for the ultimate excitement. Tim can create a painting of any type of product you are launching. It will be an experience guests won’t soon forget!
Surprise and impress clients/customers.
Guests know they are coming to see a new product revealed and perhaps eat a few hordourves, but why not surprise them with top notch entertainment? An unexpected act will get people excited and showcase the caliber of your event.
Keep people talking long after the launch.
Branding is all about staying on the forefront of people’s minds and product launch entertainment can help you accomplish just that. Ensure that people have a good time and not only will they still be talking about your brand when they leave, they will be excited to see what else you have to offer in the future.
Thank attendees.
Showing guests a good time by hiring entertainment at your product launch is a great way to thank them for their time and continued support. Going above and beyond by booking a great act will express your appreciation and will build attendees loyalty to your brand.
You have so much to gain by hiring entertainment and absolutely nothing to lose. Guarantee the success of your next product launch event and book entertainment now!
Finding unique ways to brand at a corporate event without over doing it can be tricky. Corporate events are the perfect place to create brand awareness and express your visions as a company. Your ultimate goal should be to get people to think about your brand and company without realizing they are even doing it. Here are some ideas on how to just that!
Social Media
Create an event page for your corporate event on Facebook. Using social media is a great way to take advantage of free branding opportunities. Consider creating a hashtag for your event, as well. Attendees can then share their thoughts and photos with others who were at the event.
Decor
This is one of the most obvious ways to brand at your corporate event. One subtle way to do this is with color choice. Try decorating in your company colors instead of plastering your logo on everything in sight. When you do use your logo, you want it to make an impact.Try a logo ice sculpture at the bar or create a nice ambiance by getting a custom image made into a gobo light.
Incorporate your company’s products into team building activities in some unexpected ways. Produce cheese? Have a pizza making contest. Distribute beer? Put on blindfolds and play guess the beer. Whatever you produce or deal in, there are fun ways to familiarize attendees with your brand and products.
Food and Drink
You can use your logo on desserts like cookies and cupcakes, but for a unique idea how about creating a signature drink? Serve a drink that reflects the main color in your logo and think of a fun name relating to your company. Your name will be on their lips anytime they order a drink!
Entertainment
Associate your brand with greatness by booking a great act. When you impress those in attendance with unique corporate entertainment your brand will always benefit from the connection. An act like Speed Painter Tim Decker can also help you to directly brand by creating a custom painting of your logo or CEO to display or present during the event.
Giveaways
Handing out products with your logo on them is an obvious way to brand, but sometimes giving out quality items without a logo can be a better, more memorable choice. Another option if your company produces goods, is to give out the actual products your company makes. Remember, don’t cheap out unless you want your brand to be associated with cheap. You don’t want to waste money on something people will just throw away.
People have become numb to any sort of advertising and self promotion, so you need to think outside the box to grab their attention. Following these ideas will surely set you on the right track to branding in new ways at your next corporate event.
Company holiday parties should be all about fun! Keep business out of it. This is strictly a time to show appreciation for your employees, so show them a good time. To do this, try thinking outside of the box by throwing a themed holiday party. Here are some ideas to get you started!
Winter Wonderland
Create a magical setting with ice sculptures, all white decor, and snow frosted trees. Then consider seting up a hot cocoa bar with a variety of cocoa and topping like marshmallows, chocolate chips, cinnamon and peppermint stir sticks. Strolling carolers will also get guests in the holiday spirit.
Masquerade Ball
Use traditional masquerade colors like purple and gold or black and white to decorate. You can also change things up for the holiday season by using red, green, and gold. Tell everyone to wear their finest clothes and don a mask to this black tie affair. Have masks on hand for those that forget to bring one and hand guests a glass of champagne as they arrive!
Ugly Sweater Party
This can be a fun option if you don’t have a big budget for your company holiday party. Since this is a more casual affair, it can even be held at the office. Consider having a photographer set up a cheesy holiday scene for photo ops because who wouldn’t want to remember this day!
Holiday Movie Themes
Base your party around one of everyone’s favorite holiday movies. If you choose Elf, decorate just as Buddy the Elf would with paper snowflakes and paper chains and of course, serve up tons of candy! Other popular movies to consider: Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, and Nightmare Before Christmas.
Hawaiian Holiday
Let guests imagine they are in a tropical location this holiday season! Throw this party much like a typical luau, but throw in festive elements such as leis made of red and green flowers and lighted palm trees.
Throwing a company holiday party is a great way to show appreciation for a year's worth of hard work. Check out these fun holiday party themes to help you with the planning process!Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory
Send invites that look like golden tickets to get everyone excited for the party. Of course you have to decorate with as much chocolate and candy as possible! Set up oversized candy decor, dessert buffets and decorate Christmas trees with tasty treats. Guest will have a blast eating the decor!
Christmas Around the World
This theme will be largely based around food by setting up stations with meals from all over the world; Chinese, Italian, Mexican, etc. This can be traditional holiday food from these countries or just everyday dishes they are known for. Additionally, mix up the decor by having each table themed after holidays in various countries and cultures.
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Ultimately, it’s possible to throw a truly amazing holiday party for your company no matter your budget. There are unique ideas for any price range, so there is no excuse for throwing the same old boring party. Using these ideas as guidelines, you’ll be sure to throw the best company holiday party to date!
Holding a company holiday party is a fun way to boost morale and show appreciation for your employees. It gives them a chance to mingle and bond outside the office setting. If you are looking to try something new at your next corporate holiday party, consider some of these ideas .
Create a theme for your company party.
Choosing a great theme can set the mood for the whole night. Pick something unique and different from previous years. Ideas to consider: Winter Wonderland, Christmas Around the World, or theme it after a classic movie like A Christmas Story.
Play fun Games.
Include some light hearted games at the party, such as Name That Tune using Christmas songs or Holiday Movie Trivia. These can be played in groups as a great team building activity.
Give out door prizes.
Randomly raffle offsome bigger prizes like a television, gift certificates, or a Keurig. You can also give them out by citing silly requirements, like “person with the most pennies” or “the first person to bring me a pen.” Be creative. The whole reason you are having a company holiday party is for fun, right?
Rent a photo booth.
This is a great way for employees to remember this fun day. Choose a holiday themed booth with fun props to get everyone in the spirit!
Hire exciting entertainment.
Most events will hire a band or dj, but the way to stand out is by booking great corporate entertainment. Choose an act like Speed Painter Tim Decker, who will amaze as he whips up oversized portraits of icons in mere minutes. Finished pieces can even be included in the raffle.
Incorporate a charitable cause.
Holiday parties are a perfect time to give back since people are in a giving mood. Consider holding a toy drive, collecting can goods, or adopting a family for the holiday season. This is a great reminder of what’s really important this time of year.
Hold a contest.
Organize a competition for things like the ugliest sweater or the most festive outfit. Have employees cast their vote and award prizes to the winners.
Coordinate a cookie swap.
Those that are interested in participating should bake up a big batch of cookies to trade with others at the event.
Organize a gift exchange.
There are endless ways to exchange gifts at a party. Some classic examples are Secret Santa and White Elephant. Be sure to set a price range so people do not over or under spend, which can ruin the fun of the game.
Be sure to give everyone a gift from the company.
Think outside the box and avoid giving a cheesy gift with the company logo on it. Fun options may include an ornament, external battery charger, or smartphone dock. Gift cards, cash, and time off are also always much appreciated.
Bottom line is have fun! Hopefully these corporate holiday party ideas will help get your party planning in full swing. Your party should be a time for employees to kick back and relax. Make sure you show your employees how much you appreciate the hard work they put in throughout the year. These ideas should get you on the right track when planning your next company party.
There are a lot of aspects to consider when planning a corporate event. It can easily become overwhelming when you have so many moving parts to consider. Following a corporate event planning checklist can help keep you organized and keep you from overlooking something crucial to the success of the event. Avoid common mistakes and use this corporate event planning checklist as a guideline when planning your next corporate event.
[ ] Select a date and time that doesn’t conflict with any other events.
[ ] Decide on a concept and or theme for the corporate event.
[ ] Plan your budget. Getting various estimates will help to create reasonable budget.
[ ] Gather up your sponsors (if any).
[ ] Get an accurate attendance count as this will be essential to the rest of the planning.
[ ] Book your venue after doing a walk through. Taking care to choose one that has:
[ ] main session room
[ ] break out rooms
[ ] meal room
[ ] Choose a committee of people you trust to help plan the corporate event.
[ ] Reserve a block of accommodations if this is taking place out of town.
[ ] Decide on your menu, giving consideration to those with dietary restrictions.
[ ] Plan for the daily meals you will be providing, which is typically breakfast and lunch.
[ ] Plan on providing refreshments and snacks throughout the event
[ ] Choose a menu for any special events like an awards dinner.
[ ] Book off site activities, such as a golf outing or tickets to a show. Be sure to ask about group discounts.
[ ] Gather any supplies needed for team building activities.
[ ] Pick out whatever decor you may need, particularly for the corporate awards dinner.
[ ] Flowers
[ ] Linens
[ ] Draping
[ ] Decide how you want to incorporate branding into the decor.
[ ] Create a list of AV needs. This includes, but is not limited to:
[ ] sound system
[ ] microphones
[ ] lighting
[ ] projectors
[ ] stage and podium
[ ] Make use of to do lists.
[ ] Create timelines for the meetings and sessions.
[ ] Book keynote and guest speakers.
[ ] Hire corporate entertainment and be sure to accommodate any rider requirements.
[ ] Hire outside vendors, such as:
[ ] Photographer
[ ] Videographer
[ ] AV crew
[ ] Account for all printing needs.
[ ] Invitations
[ ] Badges
[ ] Banners and signs
[ ] Programs
[ ] Registration paperwork
[ ] Buy any awards and prizes you will need.
[ ] Plaques and trophies
[ ] Attendee gifts
[ ] Raffle prizes
This checklist should help send you on your way to planning a successful corporate event. Happy planning!
Choosing the right venue can be a challenge. Below are a few venue ideas to help you in your search for a venue in Washington DC. The perfect venue will help you set the atmosphere for a great event. The venue ideas below are unique and could be perfect for your next charity event.
National Building Museum – The Great Hall is the perfect place to hold a grand charity event. This room features a fountain that measures 28 feet across, as well as four humongous Corinthian columns which are some of the tallest in the world. The room itself is an impressive 159 feet tall at its highest point and can accommodate up to 2000 people.
American Museum of Natural History – Choosing this museum is the easy part, deciding which room to use is the hard part. Hold your charity event under a 94’ blue whale in the Hall of Ocean Life or amongst a magnificent dinosaur display in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda which boasts a 100’ ceiling. Or how about the Akeley Hall of African Animals with an enormous elephant display as centerpiece? The possibilities are endless!
FedEx Field – This Washington DC location gives you 10 spaces to choose from. Look at the Stubhub club level for a truly classy event. It features an enclosed glass atrium and marble floors. There are many other lounge type settings and outdoor options, as well. You can even throw your event right down on the field!
Powerhouse – Located in Georgetown, this building has been around since 1917. It has so many unique features including 30 foot ceilings, brick walls, a 150 foot smokestack, floor to ceiling bay windows, exposed steel beams, and amazing views of the C&O Canal and the Georgetown skyline. Not to mention, a great location that is close to hotels and shopping!
Yards Park – This is a great choice for those looking to throw an outdoor event in the DC area. It is a waterfront location with 7 spaces to choose from. Some options include a boardwalk, the River Street Gardens, and the Overlook, which is a raised area overlooking the river.
The Howard Theatre – This location has been around for over 100 years and has recently been restored. It has also been added to the National Register of Historic Places. With it’s brand new stage and HD projector screens, this is the perfect venue idea if you want to put the spotlight on your speakers or entertainment for the evening.
Corcoran Gallery of Art – This is Washington D.C’s oldest art gallery and rental of this venue includes 2 spaces, the atrium and the bridge. The atrium features skylights and columns surrounding the entire room. The bridge is on the second level and overlooks the atrium. It’s the perfect spot to hold cocktail hour before the main event. Art exhibits can remain open upon request.
Ronald Reagan Building – If you are looking for a venue with a lot room, this is it! With 15 rental spaces, there is sure to be a spot that will work for you. For larger events, consider the Atrium. Space for 1500 people, marble and granite floors, tall columns, and a grand staircase make this venue a great choice.
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium – This venue will impress guests from the moment they pull up. Granite stairs lead up to the main entrance flanked by massive columns. Inside you will find limestone walls and marble floors and room for up to 1000.
Toolbox – This is truly a unique venue. It has many amazing features such as wood floors, brick walls, and a glass staircase railing just to name a few. This location fuses the old and new together in a truly memorable way.
The Flying Bridge – This is an amazing rooftop venue with views of the Capitol building and The Washington Monument. It can be rented year round because of a retractable canopy, removable clear side panels, as well heating and air conditioning. The Flying Bridge also has their own parking garage which is an added bonus in D.C.
Hope you enjoyed this list of venue ideas in Washington DC. Here’s to a successful charity event and happy venue searching!