Corporate Event Planning|Event Management|Event Planner

If you have ever been on a team builder event for work then you'll know they can traditionally be tedious, dull and hardly inspire you to greater things.

But office team building doesn't have to be like that... a series of boring paper exercises, building a bridge out of straws or scribbling keywords on a Nobo whiteboard!!!

NO, NO, NO... BECAUSE TEAM BUILDING CAN ACTUALLY BE SO MUCH FUN - YOU'LL FALL ABOUT LAUGHING.... read on my corporate friends!

Wake Up, Go Crazy with Fun Team Building Programmes

As a person who has been on far too many management team building and corporate team activity days I can say that 90% of the time I came back to the office cynical, manipulated, tired and bored or a mixture of them all. I lost count of the times I said to colleagues "what a waste of time"!! And I heard others say that too!

So if your staff are thinking it - then it's probably true. So please wake up to a new breed of corporate event management and team building that are much more sports in nature. It WILL get the staff laughing, motivated and talking positively for many months to come.... for sure.

Team Activity Programmes Have Changed For Good

Corporate games, team building activities and leadership exercises of old are dead! - People learn much better in a relaxed and fun environment. So all manner of group games and team bonding activities have been designed around crazy antics and fun day events such as "It's A Knockout" games or Outward Bound courses. And I know what I'd rather do... have some fun outdoors!

If you do, you can expect a lot of running around, shouting, laughing, and falling over, getting wet, foamed up, crashes, silly costumes.... and more falling over! But it can have its serious side in that these are team games with a purpose to succeed, show leadership, communication skills and use both physical and mental strength. You'll observe your teams in ways that will not be observed in the workplace and with all that frivolity about you'll see team bonding like no other... it'll be a team love fest and they be begging for more! Honestly.

Making Team Activities Fun

Yes, as the corporate event planner you want to ensure your team day offers a series of interesting team building ice breakers, problem solving games, group activities, motivational games and team bonding activities... but hey, let's make it enjoyable. We are not here to punish the workforce or turn them into robots right? We want to motivate and stimulate them - the rewards of which are well documented - a keener, happier workforce is a more efficient and productive workforce... in essence the whole point of team building programmes.

Say NO MORE to indoor team building exercises in the workplace or office - GET OUTDOORS and you'll see the staff's eyes light up. When did that happen with overhead projector?

Plan Your 'NEW' Corporate Event

If you are a corporate event planner or team leader looking to do something new and fun for your team morale or leadership training then start Googling key phrases like: "teamwork games, corporate event ideas, fun team building activities, corporate fun days or corporate team building activities... there are loads of ideas beyond the 'brainstorm' and PowerPoint lists... As the team organiser if you CANNOT be motivated to do something different then how can you expect your team to be?

Getting people to work well together and as part of a team is something than can in the long term help to generate income for a company and prove more profitable than the cost of organising and covering the cost of such trips. Doing these events abroad can also add an extra dimension to the experience and companionship between the employees and deep working relationships can be created: Below we look further into what types of events can benefit the employees and also we talk specifically about team building.

Communication is a word we hear time and time again in business and also at home. Having a good working relationship, understanding and high level of communication makes a huge difference at work, especially in medium and large organisations. Finding a way to forge better levels of communication and understanding between employees is a challenge.

Sending employees to a local or even more so, to a foreign destination such as Barcelona or Paris, can be very beneficial. You need to get employees out of their familiar surroundings and environment and by sending them to somewhere such as Barcelona or Paris or anywhere outside of the UK where the language is different, you make them more vulnerable but more open to change and this leaves the way open for new ideas to be absorbed.

The events you should organise for your employees on their team building trip should ideally be something which will put them in teams i.e. on an organised city treasure hunt, dragon boat racing or group cooking challenge for example. The emphasis is on the need for the team to work together to accomplish a task together.

An organised city treasure hunt in a city where the language is foreign can really make for a fun yet challenging team building event. This type event is organised by many companies in the UK and abroad and commonly involves the team needing to follow certain instructions given to them and to collect and visit certain places, and to work out certain clues. They will usually be racing against another team of colleagues.

Corporate team building activities can be rewarding and memorable for employees, The feel good factor is also often high with employees remembering the time they were in Paris, London or Barcelona for example, getting to know colleagues better with whom they had previously had little interaction. The results can be good

Corporate exhibitions, trade shows and seminars have been held for many years and the organizers of such events are regularly introducing new ideas to ensure that the attendees pay due attention and do not treat the trade show event lightly. With access to different technological gadgets, better exhibition material and displays, they are able to improve the manner in which such shows are held. Modern lighting, fancy shapes of display kiosks and other such advancements have made the task of such event organizers easier. The event venues have also undergone many changes with them incorporating better conveniences and facilities so as to cater to the requirements of different exhibitors.

The manner in which the displays are reflected or put up have undergone a change from the typical and usual black background. Displays have become modular, are portable and are very easy to assemble thereby saving precious time. Since they are light, it is not necessary to involve many people in the process. They can also be made to suit the specifications of companies given the modular nature of modern displays. One more advancement is the availability of tables that can carry screen mounts and other holders necessary for a proper interactive session with the interested visitors and you are therefore able to talk to more people by giving them individual attention at one stroke.

The other important prerequisite for trade shows is the use of banners. These banners have also now got the advantage of better stands in which they can be set up. Gone are the days when banners used to be pretty shabby and could not be used for more than one occasion. Nowadays, better quality has ensured that the banners can be used repeatedly and even graphic displays on both sides can be arranged so that you can communicate different messages to the visitors at the same time.

The bigger exhibits which really make an impact are the two-storey ones. They are now available in light weight steel or aluminum and can be designed as per the requirement. The visibility with these two-storey exhibits is tremendous and will give your business a great thrust.

When it comes to costing, you now have the advantage of fabric displays that are far less costly and you can make use of them to drive your cost down. The money you save can be used for more number of banners placed strategically at the event venue for maximum impact.

Corporate events and other special occasions using branded balloons and themed props have become a big part of successful parties. Balloons and event props are products that can be effectively used for enhancing the atmosphere of a party. Arranging the balloons in an appealing manner is an art in itself, which is best done by professional balloon decorators. Some of the balloon decorating ideas that we mention here, will go a long way in helping you to attain the wow factor at your next event or wedding reception.

On a special occasion, event decoration can include printed balloons (ideal for corporate branding) filled with helium gas - ideal for advertising your logo at an event. You can also use the balloon decorating idea of flying a helium filled blimp or blimps on the top of your building so that visitors can locate your premises even from a distance. One of the best advantages of using helium balloon is that they will remain in their original shape for a longer period of time. They can also fly high for a long time unperturbed by strong winds and hot sun.

Another important balloon decorating idea that you can follow is to produce the balloons in bunches or clusters so that they will make a very table center or floor cluster arrangement. Exploding balloons, used at themed events can make a very exciting party, but you will need to have balloon decorations in Surrey or London installed by professionals. It will be an excellent idea if you tie the colored ribbons or strings on to the balloons, which will make it more attractive for the event or wedding.

The best option to find out more balloon decorating ideas is to do a browse in the search engines, where you can achieve lot of brilliant ideas for decorating your marquee or hotel suite with balloons and / balloon drops or themed decorations. There are lot of companies that offer balloon decorating services and event products and it is easy to find them in your locality by doing a search on the Internet. The professional balloon decorators or balloon suppliers will be having a lot of unique balloon event decorating ideas which can easily transform any themed events, Christmas or New years Eve party.

Experiential marketing is evolving and maturing. Some experiential marketing campaigns are more successful than others. That's why it is important that best practices are clarified. And industry generated benchmarks for success are vital.

I have created experiences to help our clients meet their customers' needs for involvement - and at the same time accomplish marketing objectives for improved brand awareness, attitude, and usage. These programs have successfully engaged participants to achieve faster and more memorable results.

You can design experiences that include convention programs, sales meetings, and corporate events to move your brand forward...fast.

Research has revealed these top eight objectives of experiential marketing campaigns:

1. Build Relationships
2. Produce Interaction
3. Verify Target Audiences
4. Increase Awareness
5. Increase Relevance
6. Increase Loyalty
7. Increase Trial
8. Create Memories

All eight of these goals can become the basis for creating an event measurement dashboard. This will provide a specific and robust ROI system. These metrics are then used to plan future events to develop professional competencies for event marketers.

Here's a look at the metrics that used to be considered good enough, contrasted with the new standards in an event measurement dashboard:

Typical old ways of measuring event success - Company execs were happy - Attendees said it was well-received - It came in under budget

Examples of new standards in event measurement
- "return on objectives"
- # meetings with target customers
- # booth visits from A-level prospects
- # leads reporting intent to trial

The sources of event metrics can be varied, and include convention leads analysis, badge scans, in-booth surveys, post-show surveys, sales conversion analysis, field lead tracking, press coverage, customer meetings, and sales meetings.

At Stinson, we like to start with the end in mind. That means working with you to determine the metrics of an event at the beginning of the creative process.

In my experience, if you are successful in reaching these objectives, you can expect improved outcomes in terms of sales. This is true because the powerful impact of engagement is increasing interest and loyalty - by building trust and increasing product desire.

Casino parties add exciting fun for all kinds of corporate events.

Create a Casino Night that your employees and/or customers will enjoy and remember for months to come. Every corporate event is an opportunity to build a stronger and more connected team.

What is a Casino Party?
A casino night is a great way to have a company holiday party or corporate event. Casino tables straight from Las Vegas and real casino weight chips by the best casino companies. They set up the event to look like a Las Vegas Casino.

When your guests arrive they are greeted by dealers who are friendly, and fun! Each of your guests will be handed a "funny money" voucher that they are invited to cash in for casino chips. The chips can be used at your favorite casino game table or you can go back and forth between tables. You don't have to be an experienced casino player to have fun. Professional staff will explain everything and entertain you in the process! Unlike casino gambling in Vegas, the house doesn't always win at our casino nights, you do!

Why a Casino Party?
Casino nights for any holiday or company party produce team building in a fun and exciting atmosphere. It is the great answer to the age old question every boss or human resources person has. "Okay so we take the crew out to dinner, now what?" Your guests can enjoy a private dinner at a reception hall or hotel/resort where casino tables and dealers are already in place and ready to go.

During the event, employees can sit together, cheer each other on, and laugh with their boss. While Las Vegas and other casinos are designed to take the player's real money, our events are designed to make people feel like winners! No one loses any money and the team building camaraderie is huge!

Affordability - Casino Night Events are competitively priced with many other types of entertainment. If you think you can't afford a casino night, please check with a local, reputable casino entertainment company.

Fun - Dealers make the difference. Dealers are first and foremost there to entertain your guest. They are always dressed up and super friendly. They love people and will be there to make your casino night event enjoyable for everyone.

Team Building Atmosphere -Dealers are trained entertainers as well as casino party dealers. They will be there to work as a unit to help your company enjoy your event. Share our magic and excitement of "vegas" casino at your next corporate event.

Having worked closely with a number of clients who are trying to organise events on tight budgets we decided to look at the tax implications of running corporate team building events and see whether there are any tax benefits or dangers we should look out for.

It appears that during the 2009 / 2010 tax year the tax rules are going to stay the same and the following sections of HMRC Help Sheet 207 2009 testify to the Tax Exemptions of team building events.

Source: HS207 2009-2010 Non Taxable Payments or Benefits for Employees - A Govt Help-sheet available from the HM Revenues & Customs website.

i. Employer-funded or employer-reimbursed training

This exemption covers the costs to your employer of work related training throughout the entire spectrum of practical or theoretical skills and competences you are reasonably likely to require for your current or likely future jobs and tasks with your existing employer.

The Tax Exemption Includes:

• Employee development schemes


• Activities intended to develop skills you need in leadership and teamwork


• Training which is provided by a third party rather than your employer

The many ways in which training course and events can be delivered are covered including full-time and part-time training, internal training courses run by your employer, courses which are run externally or by a third party, and courses which comprise any combination of these.

ii. Christmas or other Annual Party

Also exempt are annual events, parties or functions of a similar nature, such as a Christmas dinner and a summer party, which are open to staff generally and which cost no more than 瞿150 a head in total to provide.

One of the most ingenious ways that businesses can create publicity for themselves is by offering corporate sponsorships through fundraisers to charitable institutions. This kind of sponsorship works in two ways. The charitable organization will find assistance in the funding of their event and the company will get low-cost publicity through the sponsorship of the event. Companies are motivated to sponsor charities because of the benefits associated with the marketing end of things.

It is no surprise then that printed shirts can propitiously be used for corporate fundraisers. Printed shirts are one of the most popular and successful promotional attires that can be used in fundraisers today. Everyone loves polo shirts because they can proudly be worn in support of whatever cause the funds are being raised for and because they are one of the easiest items to sell in support for a cause. Printed polo shirts can also retain for a cost and the money raised through their sales can be used as a corporate fundraiser in support for a worth cause.

Any company can form a corporate partnership with any charitable organization whereby polo shirts are printed and sold as a fundraiser for a good cause. The shirts can have the logos and messages of both the charitable organization and the corporate sponsors thus helping to raise money for the organization while also bringing exposure to the company. Fundraisers can even be organized through corporate fun events where the polo shirts with the logo of both the company and the charitable organization are worn. The shirts can be sold during such events with the proceeds going to the charity and the company getting lots of visibility.

The good thing with fundraisers is that they give a company an opportunity to build a brand image and make connections with people from all walks of life. When someone comes for the fundraiser and buys a polo shirt that is printed and branded with both the company and the charity, they walk away with a walking billboard that creates lots of publicity for the company. Many people are also very conscious of any company's efforts to assist charitable organizations for a worth cause and this will stand in good stead with the company's customers and prospects.

Because apparel such as printed shirts are quite easily very useful for fundraising at events and also have the added value of promoting the company's brand, many companies are willing to take advantage of the extra benefit by teaming up with the charities that they sponsor. Any apparel including printed polo shirts will last long and the company that sponsors the charity will have their brand connected with the charity for a long time to come. This will give the company lots of goodwill in the eyes of their customers and their prospects and their brand will stay in the mind of these people for quite a long time.

While the sponsoring company will derive lots of satisfaction from the idea of supporting a worthy charitable institution, they will also be guaranteed that their brand will have a more increased value in the eyes and minds of the public. Fundraising efforts for charitable organization have a lasting effect on not only the company that sponsors charities but also on their employees as well because such activities boost company pride and help in employee satisfaction levels. By giving through printed polo shirts, a company get's back much more and in a very different way.

This first time that you are looking to hire corporate events caterers you can feel a little overwhelmed by the process of finding the best one at the best price. The following are some tips that can help you make your way through this endeavor.

A good place to begin is by asking people you know if they have any experience with corporate event caterers. Request that they give you both their positive and negative experiences so they can let you know some things to avoid. They should be able to give you the name of a company or two.

The next step is to take a look on the internet and see what information is out there for your particular location. For example, if you were looking for a caterer in the Washington D.C. area, you would start by doing a search for something like party rentals Washington DC. Then, take a look at some sites that rate these companies. It's always a good idea to read about what other consumers like you have experienced.

When you have pinned it down to a few companies, call them and get an estimate. You have to be aware of how many people you expect to feed and the kind of food you need. There are several ways to negotiate with the catering companies. One way is to let them know specifically how much money you have available and find out what you could receive for your money. Make sure they know you are considering different companies. Another way is to just let them know how many guests you invited and let them give you suggestions.

Another thing to be certain to remember is to request a discount for large orders. You might imagine that the discount will be given to you automatically on a bulk order like this, but you often do have to ask. In any case it will never be bad for you to request information about any deals or promotions that they have. This will help you save money, or perhaps get more out of the money that you will be spending.

The bottom line is that when you're planning for an event like this you should really be looking specifically into corporate events caterers who specialize in the type of order your placing. Try to find someone with a lot of positive reviews on different consumer sites and be sure to get everything in writing before hand.

Regardless of the nature of the event, any major or minor celebration needs some sort of special event lighting in order to beautify the appearance of the venue which would help to create an atmosphere that would help to lift the spirits of every guest present in the event. The type of lighting you decide to use will determine the mood and tone of the event. Besides, different themes can be chosen and the lights selected accordingly depending on the nature of the event. If it is a birthday party of a child, the theme selected should be based on children. Similarly, wedding themes should be romantic whereas corporate events need to have a more professional approach. The lighting to be used should be selected on the basis of the type of theme chosen for the event. This will help to enhance the appearance and therefore, the mood of the party. Another place where proper lights can be used to make the event more cheerful is the dance floor because that is the place where people look towards for entertainment. In order to make the stage area and the dance floor appear livelier, several dance floor lights can be used in creative ways to attract the guests to let their hair down and begin to tap their feet. There can be no second opinion about the fact that the use of proper lighting can brighten or dampen the spirit of an event.

Most modern events make proper use of different forms of lights in the decoration of the event because lights are a must for any event and if those very lights can be used in an innovative manner to give the event a brighter appearance, the lights used are able to find their true purpose. Rather than just hanging big bulbs from their wires or stands, bright colorful lights can be used in place of these big bulbs to give the theme of the event a more cheerful look. Different forms special event lighting is available in the market today at very affordable prices and they can be used in ways more than one. For example, LED battery lights can be used in any place and in any manner due to the power source it is already attached to. Similarly, other LED Icicle lights can be used to light up trees and plants in the venue to appear as tiny water droplets on trees. Other innovative ideas can also be tried using the required form of LED lights and other lights.

An important aspect to remember when planning the decorations and the lighting of the event venue is that the choice of lights should be made according to the theme of the event and careful calculations should be made to ensure that the entire venue is covered with proper lighting. Tables should be lit up, the area where people can walk should have proper lights and stands with colorful bulbs on them, the stage or dance floor should have proper dance floor lights, etc. It is believed that if the decorations and the lighting during an event are attractive and great, everything else inevitably falls into place.

For many people photo booths are something new. Actually, Photo Booths have been around for many year and saw a resurgence of interest in the 1990s. The booth is basically a cabinet with a camera, computer, high speed printer, and a monitor. Typically, the booth is enclosed by curtains or a door which ensures the privacy of people inside the booth so they can pose and ham it up without feeling inhibited.

In the last few years photo booths have become increasingly popular and are becoming quite common at events of all kinds. Be it a wedding or corporate event people of all ages can be seen entering and leaving the booth with a smile. If you plan on renting a booth for your special event you can feel confident that the youngsters and the grand parents will be taking their turn in front of the camera. A photo booth will quickly become a major part of the event entertainment.

The typical approach for a photo booth is to pay a flat fee for a set amount of time and let it become a part of the event. Unlike an open bar, you know the cost of the photo booth when you rent it. In addition to the booth, most companies provide at least one attendant who is there to maintain the booth and work with the DJ to get the guests in the booth. Once the pictures start circulating around the crowd the lines will form.

There are three ways that photo booths add to the entertainment at a wedding, birthday party, or quinceanera. The first way that the booth adds to the entertainment is of course the photographs themselves. Most photo booth companies can offer print sizes from 2x6 through 5x7 or larger. This variety can offer some really unique gift ideas at your event.

Another part of the entertainment is for the booth to print two strips of images of each booth session. One strip becomes part of the memories for the guests and the other placed in a scrap book. The booth attendant will assist the guests with pasting one of the strips in a scrap book and making sure that the guests write a special message next to their photographs.

A really unique addition to the photo booth is the ability to have an ongoing slide show of the images that have been taken in the booth. This slide show can be displayed on monitors through the event or projected on a large screen. When this is done you can watch your guests watch the slide show while pointing and laughing at the funny props and faces

Selecting a photo booth company for your event is an important part of the selection process. Here are some common questions you should ask a company as part of your rental.

• Do you carry backup equipment with you? If not, how long would it take to have a backup printer, camera, or flash unit?


• What kinds of props will you are bringing? May we make special requests?


• Can we pick background colors?


• Does your booth have a green screen option?


• What colors does your booth come in?


• If the booth is slow will your attendants try to get the crowd involved?


• When you say unlimited prints does this mean that everyone in the picture can have a picture?

The answers to above questions will help you know if the photo booth company you are planning to hire is able to insure that your guests will not be disappointed.

The latest digital photography equipment makes the process of photographing an event a lot easier that in the pre-digital era. So what exactly is the modern day workflow for shooting an event.

If it's an indoor event such as a school prom or black-tie dinner then the studio will first be setup. Once the backdrop and lighting is setup and tested then it's time to take the pictures. You'll need a subject obviously and when they're posed in a relaxed and smiley manner then it's time to click the shutter.

Now the digital magic starts. Once the image is in the camera it needs to be transferred to a central computer system. Effectively the camera becomes part of the computer network either through an physical Ethernet cable or, more conveniently, over a wifi connection. The image is transferred to the central computer and it can then be displayed on a computer monitor where the guests can view the images almost instantaneously. Specialist event photography software is usually used for displaying these images. This software is specifically written to enable the images to be viewed and selected quickly. The software is usually operated by an assistant or sales person but separate viewing stations can be used that work with a touch screen and let the guests browse and select their images themselves as well.

The event photography software is also able to overlay graphics or text onto the photographic image to produce a wide range of finished images if required. Magazine cover styled images are popular as well as graphics relating to sports. Corporate logos can be incorporated into an image to brand a photo for corporate events.

Another popular function of the software is the ability to shoot green-screen. This is the same technology as used in the film industry where the photo is taken against a green or blue background and then an image is inserted into the background, you could walk on the moon or be on a beach without leaving the building.

After the photos have been viewed and an image has been selected by the guest it can be purchased. Again this is where the magic of digital comes into its own. A digital image could be put onto a USB stick or burned to a CD. If an old fashioned print is required it can be output to the digital printers. The latest Dye-Sublimation printers offer lab quality photographs, indeed most of today's high street photo kiosks use Dye-Sublimation technology for print output. An event photographer may use two or three printers that allow different sized prints to be produced, right there at the event and printing can take less than a minute. Slip in mounts complete the process to produce a quality printed product.

Other products such as mugs or mouse mats can be created given the correct equipment although this equipment is bulky and not usually taken on-site, these are more of an after event sale item. This leads us onto the next step that's been made possible by digital photography, that of putting the photos onto the internet where they can then be viewed and purchased after the event. Special gallery software to display the images on a website and allow the images to be purchased is the last step in the digital workflow for event photographers. Unfortunately, if a print is ordered, we have to rely on the good old analogue postal system to deliver the final product. Unless the guest chooses to purchase a digital version of the image that is.

We all know what a bobble head doll is for. It's a great display and toy because it's fun and entertaining. This is the reason why a lot of companies use them. They know the power that custom bobble heads have and they use this to their advantage. But what do they gain from it? With its popularity, they use it to promote their product or service. So if you're an individual or business looking to promote effectively and efficiently, you may want to make your own bobble head strategy to gain the exposure needed.

But their usefulness is not reserved for promotions only. Custom toys are known to be very versatile as far as their uses are concerned. In fact, custom toys benefit companies in a lot of ways. While promotion is a given benefit, you can also make your own bobble head strategy that you can use internally. You can use this strategy for your corporate events.

But how can it benefit you as a part of the company? You have to think outside the box. Of course, its primary role is not promotions because you'll be in the company of your employees and their families. Although you can be sure that it will be indirectly promoting for you even months after the event. It's important to know how so you can take that into consideration when you make your own bobble head strategy. You have to understand that no one's going to throw them away. Your employees will display them in the office or even better, at their homes. They'll display it where a lot of people can see it and it will be free promotions for you.

I recommend custom bobble head dolls because they're relatively one of the more inexpensive custom toys you could have made to represent your company to the public, and especially to your employees. With companies always looking for ways to tighten budgets, these custom dolls will really get you the most fun and exposure for the least amount of money.

If you're going to use the bobble head dolls for your corporate events, you can be sure that it will improve the morale of your employees. You can give them away as awards for top performers. The custom dolls will be like trophies, only better. Trophies will gather dust in the attic while the bobble heads will be displayed prominently for everyone to see. Just try to gather dust on top of that wobbling head! It can't be done; they're too much fun! You can make your own custom design with the words "Top Salesman" on it and it will surely boost everyone's morale. It may even motivate the others to be more productive, and isn't that the ultimate goal? You can even hold games at these events and give them out as prices. You can then watch how the fun doubles because of the fun prize.

You can give them to your interns and they will take the custom mementos with them into the world, to their dorm room, to their next placement, and with it tales of your company and how much they loved working with everyone there.

If you're going to use custom toys or dolls, make sure to contact a reliable manufacturer. The custom bobble heads should show professionalism and personalized flair because it will reflect your company. You can only achieve that with great quality. Just make your own bobble head design and strategy and you can use this fresh idea at the next corporate event.

Selecting clothing and accessories which will be appropriate for the workplace is always a careful balancing act and even sometimes means making a complete departure from what we might choose to wear in our free time. We want to put across an impression of total professionalism and respectability, but at the same time we don't want our own personalities and tastes to be entirely swamped. If deciding what to wear on a normal office day can be tricky though, then choosing something suitable for a corporate event can be very much more difficult.

Corporate events, of course, take a variety of different forms, the most obvious of which is the office Christmas party. Unfortunately, this particular occasion is one which many women tend to see as an excuse to bring out that dress with the daringly plunging neckline or the very short hem. What they often don't realize, however, is that both their behavior and their appearance is being judged by their bosses to just the same extent as it would be in the workplace. Care needs to be taken, therefore, to ensure that whatever outfit you choose does not cross the bounds of respectability and does not leave too little to the imagination.

Corporate events to which existing or potential clients are invited are others which require a good deal of consideration when it comes to choosing appropriate attire. As a representative of your organization, you are not just sending a message about yourself by what you wear, but also about the company which employs you. No matter whether the function is a daytime or an evening one, selecting an outfit which allows you to portray yourself in a way that your employer would be proud of is vital.

Although there are many looks which employers and clients may well not approve of, one of elegance, grace and sophistication will always go down well. Whether you choose to wear that favorite little black dress or a skirt or pant suit, a stunning silk scarf or shawl will add that touch of sheer class that will turn heads for all the right reasons.

Silk scarves and shawls which are hand painted with unique designs make an especially strong statement when worn to corporate events because they demonstrate an eye for quality and an attention to detail, things which those in the business world recognize as being of great value. Not only this, of course, but the gorgeous colors and designs look absolutely fabulous, and if you feel like a million dollars then you are certain to come across with confidence and poise.

Another great thing about silk scarves in particular is that they are wonderfully versatile and make a stunning statement whether you choose to wear them around your neck, draped across your arms or shoulders, around your waist as a belt or under the bust to create an empire line. The gorgeous 100% silk fabric is also flattering to women of all shapes and sizes and so whatever the corporate event that you are attending, you cannot fail to make a spectacular and highly appropriate impression.

Bowling is fun and entertaining for families and friends or co-workers of companies and corporations. It can consist of entertaining, socializing and exercising while having fun.

Bowling parties can be to just get together for family and friends, but most are birthday parties for children. Most bowling centers have birthday party packages. The children can bowl and usually eat pizza. The party organizer can make theme invitations or purchase them and other party supplies from an online bowling party website. Favor bags are always a big hit with the guests. A bowling theme birthday cake would be appropriate. Very young children can still bowl because the lanes have bumpers ( they keep the ball from going in the channel or gutter). These type of birthday parties are fun entertainment for children of any age. If you go to a bowling center and see the excitement and enthusiasm of children while bowling, you will be convinced that a child's bowling birthday party will be a big hit and remembered for a long time.

Bowling birthday parties for adults are also in order. You can arrange with the bowling center to reserve some lanes for the party. You would, probably, be able to order food in advance from the snack bar, maybe pizza, to feed the guests.

Companies and corporations can organize bowling events for their employees or co-workers can plan different types of bowling events. Organizing teams for the event can be fun and entertaining because of the competition. These may be held to help co-workers to get to know each other and/or just to have fun together.

Whether you are going to have a birthday party for a person of any age or have a get together for co-workers, a bowling party will be fun and entertaining for all participants.

Other bowling events consist of local, state and national tournaments. No matter what average you have, bowling in a tournament is fun and you meet new bowlers. If the event is out of town, you and your team get to visit other cities and bowling centers and meet bowlers in other cities. Because most bowling tournaments use a handicap system and/or divisions based on your average, all bowlers are competitive in tournaments.

Bowling is a sport that is fun and entertaining for everyone. It can be for family time, friends nights out, birthday parties for all ages, company and corporation events and tournaments. Bowling is for all ages, skills and physical disabilities.

When your company is hosting a special corporate event, booking bands for corporate events can be a great idea to entertain everyone in attendance. It allows the employees, management and other invited guests to relax and have fun after weeks of stressful work. Music has a way to comfort the soul no matter what the setting would be. A group of musicians that play with instruments can liven up the crowd. Some people are more receptive to joining in corporate events when a group of talented musicians perform. Here are some things you need to know when selecting bands to hire to spice up one of the biggest corporate events.

You can get in touch with a booking agent to hire your band. Booking agents can be a great source of bands that meet your specific requirements. They are considered as middlemen who ensure that the booking process is done successfully. They can give you an idea if they have a band that would fit in to your event's schedule. It helps a lot if you, as a client know what you want as the booking agent will just work around your specific requests in a band. You should decide if you want the band to work for a couple of hours or maybe for just a few songs in the entire program. The amount of time of the band's performance is directly connected to the cost of their service. It's good to have all pertinent details ready before you contact your agent so that you are clear on what your needs are.

There are some cover bands that are highly recommended for special corporate affairs. They are great for those with specific themes such as a 60's rock and roll or 70's disco theme. There are instances wherein the client requests a band to play with a freestyle vibe. If this is the kind of band you want, why not try a well-known jazz band that can harness crowd-pleasing vocals to entertain the guests and keep them dancing the entire program.

Many corporate events are formal in nature, so it's a big NO-NO to hire a musical group that sings songs with tacky lyrics. In fact, vulgar lyrics should be banned in any event! Professional bands know how to play up the crowd's energy level without resorting to crude musicianship. These bands embody a smooth and classy performance that can effectively draw in the crowd. They should not be too unruly that it may tarnish the reputation of the company hosting the event.

Some bands may offer you a cheap quote but it may not include all other factors needed to make your event 100% successful. Equipment such as lighting and PA system must already be included if the band needs them to perform. Transportation to your corporate function site should already be included as this can considerably increase the cost if the event is far from the band's location.

So remember all these great suggestions when you are searching for bands to hire in a corporate event. This will make your event a night that everyone can remember for years!

Corporate events are those events which are organized by a company or an organization. Such events can be: meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, seminars, product launches, road shows etc. Seminars are organized to provide relevant information to the target audience. A seminar can last for couple of hours to a day or two. In a seminar there is generally only one session at a time. Conferences on the other hand, generally have multiple sessions occurring at the same time. Cultural programs and exhibitions can also be held in conferences. Typically, anyone can participate in a seminar. Entrance in a conference is only by invitation. Both seminars and conferences are generally organized in hotels. An outdoor conference or seminar is generally rare.

Corporate meetings are generally organized to devise and discuss marketing plans and growth strategies or to evaluate team performance. Meetings are almost always in-door and are generally organized in five star hotels. Various incentive programs are organized by big organizations to motivate, retain and reward there performing employees. Sometimes these programs are organized to attract and retain clients. Companies organize trade shows for lead/sales generations, to build/enhance its image and market value. Attendees of a trade show are generally prospects and suppliers. Although anyone can attend a trade show in general hours, the business hours are reserved only to attend clients and suppliers. Product launch is a way of bringing a new product to the market. Generally a new product is launched by a company either through press conference or through a stage show or both. Sometimes companies use reputed trade shows as a platform to launch their products as this can help in getting lot of media attention.

So your company has a video project that they'd like to see produced. Maybe it's web video content, possibly it's an internal video for sales training, or you want to capture an upcoming corporate event.

What's the best way to go about finding a reputable video production company to contract? Secondly...what should you be looking for?

Here are 5 pointers.

1. Naturally the easiest way to search for a video production company is to Google keywords relevant to your region and then add video production or videographer, post-production. Targeting your specific area of production is a good idea as well. You can include marketing or corporate video, or web video if that pertains to your needs. Another idea...don't forget about YouTube. YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine in the world and you'll be sure to find several video production companies in your area on YouTube simply by typing in the appropriate keywords in your search.

2. Make sure their experience is aligned with your project. Today there's a lot of video production companies in the communication business. Most companies target a specialty area they're comfortable with and build their experience in that niche. Never assume that just because a group is experienced in video production that they can automatically handle your project. For instance there are some companies that specialize in event videography...they make beautiful wedding videos. Do you want to hire them to produce your marketing video? No. That may seem like a no brainer...but there are horror stories out there where an organization made a poor choice and as a result they suffered from the experience. Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 companies whose focus meets the type of work you need produced.

3. After you've determined the companies that match up with your needs, review their work. Every video production company should have video projects that you can view on their website. Analyze their strengths...what do you like about their work? Make a list and interview the companies. Ask who will be your point person for this project. Ask to talk to their clients.

4. Provide a scope of work for the companies you've narrowed your list down to. Ask for a budget. At this point the knowledgeable companies will emerge. They'll begin to ask pointed questions about the objective of your video, the target audience, the distribution of the video and your expectations. If they don't that should raise a flag.

5. When you're received the bids ask yourself who you feel most comfortable with. Who do you have the most trust in? Often times companies that promise too much or don't ask enough questions won't be able to deliver. Something else to consider are people skills. Naturally quality of work is important, but who communicated the best? Who do you feel most comfortable with especially if they're working on a project where senior management or the owner of the company is involved. Quality is important but so is integrity and reliability.

Follow these 5 key points and always trust your instincts. Producing a good video takes patience, creativity and good judgement. Best of luck!

If you're an executive who is trying to decide if you should hire an executive limo service, read this article to learn about the benefits and quality service you should expect to receive as a result of employing a professional corporate transportation service.

The Benefits of Professional Chauffeur Service

Not only will hiring a professional chauffeur service make traveling to corporate events more comfortable; it will also bring a number of additional benefits to your company as well. Some of these benefits include:

• Comfortable Client Travel: If your clients are traveling with you, choosing an experienced corporate transportation service can ensure that they have a positive travel experience from beginning to end, and leave the event impressed with your professionalism.



• Nationwide Transportation: Many companies can provide executives with transportation services nationwide, which makes corporate travel scheduling less daunting and allows you to know what to expect prior to each trip.



• Qualified Chauffeurs: The majority of corporate transportation companies employ only those chauffeurs who are familiar with the area to ensure your travel plans are not ruined as a result of getting lost or being late to an event.



• Specialized Service:Employing an executive limo service that handles transportation to corporate events exclusively - as opposed to an average limo company that also handles party and wedding transportation - ensures that your chauffeur is qualified to meet the unique needs of executive clientele.



• Stellar First Impression:Arriving to corporate events in an executive limo will allow you to make a good impression on the clients with whom you are meeting.

The Qualities of an Excellent Executive Limo Service

After deciding to hire a professional chauffeur service, there are several qualities you can look for to determine if the transportation company you've hired will provide you with the best possible service. These qualities include:

• Availability: The company allows for flexible scheduling in case you encounter a change of plans or have to adjust your schedule.



• Chauffeur Appearance:Your chauffeur is polite, polished, and meets all standards set by the National Safety Council (NSC).



• Courteous Service:When you contact the company the operator addresses your concerns in a knowledgeable and friendly manner.



• Experience:Find a company that has been in business for a while. These companies are going to be more familiar with the area, allowing you to avoid getting lost or being late.



• Promptness:The chauffeur arrives on time and safely transports you to your corporate event in a comfortable and worry-free manner.

Vehicle Appearance:Your executive limo is clean and offers all of the amenities you requested (cellular phone service, elegant upholstery and interiors, etc.).

Holding a successful corporate event can have many benefits, from the obvious, such as team building and problem solving, to the not so obvious, such as increased productivity and morale. But what is the best way to go about this sometimes daunting task?

Define your goals, e.g. team building.

Before you think about the event itself, you need to identify what you want to achieve from it. You may want to reward your employees for a job well done, or perhaps have a fun day to increase staff motivation. Many events are designed to enhance skills such as team building, problem solving or leadership, and most events can be a combination of fun and learning. Compile a list of goals in order of importance so you can stay focussed on the aims of the day when deciding which event to run.

Organise internally or out-source to an event management company?

The next decision to make is whether to organise the event internally or to out-source the event to an event management or training company. Organising a corporate event internally is time consuming and costly, but it could be given as a development task to suitable staff. One of the pitfalls of organising corporate events yourself, is using an inexperienced facilitator, as they may not be capable of keeping the event on track or preventing things getting out of hand. Not only could an event management company provide an experienced facilitator, there is also the advantage of having an independent presence (or referee in some instances).

Many companies have been shocked at the amount of time organising an event actually takes, from designing the event, sourcing the venue, booking the venue, sourcing and organising the equipment, preparing the venue, sorting out transport, organising the food and refreshments and obtaining public liability insurance, to paying the bills to various companies. An event management company will quote you one price covering everything, which leaves you free to enjoy the event, rather than worry about it.

Choose your event

So you know what you want from an event, and you know who will be organising it, but what exactly will you be doing on the day? The event needs to be chosen carefully to ensure you meet your desired goals whilst getting the most from the participants. Consider your audience. If one of your goals is to give people new experiences then you may want to run a very creative event for IT people or a chaotic event for auditors, but otherwise you may not get the best out of the staff if they are feeling way out of their depth and uncomfortable. Event management companies will offer a list of events to suit your goals and people, leaving you to choose the most appropriate one. They will also tailor events to your requirements, and will have run these events many times before, so you can be sure of the outcome.

If you are organising the event yourself, you need to ensure it does actually give you the required benefits. It is all too easy to get carried away with an idea, and later realise it changed so much that the event did not achieve many of the original goals. If you are organising it internally, you will also need a practice run, preferably at the actual venue, to iron out any practical problems before the big day.

Analyse the outcome

Particularly if the event had goals other than just having fun, it is important to analyse the outcome. You, or the event management company, can obtain feedback from the participants in the form of questionnaires. You also need to consider the less tangible benefits from the event, for example, are the team now gelling better together, is productivity up due to a better team morale, or has sickness reduced? Think about what you can learn from the feedback, such as understanding your staff better, making changes to the workplace/procedures, or shaping future events. An event management company will often help with this analysis if required, and even facilitate follow-on sessions if necessary.

Good luck with your event!