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How to effectively communicate your event message

Events can help make your business stand out against competitors. When holding an event, it’s important to ensure that the message you want your guests to walk away with is presented loud and clear. This message could be about increasing brand awareness, letting guests know about your cause for fundraising, or communicating excitement for upcoming product releases and launches.

We’ve put together a few tips on how you can effectively communicate your event message:

Styling and decor

Visual components like decorations and colours are a very valuable part of any event, so it’s important that these make sense for the type of event and guests attending. You might decide to use branded decorations, themed colours, or modern decor to help convey your event message.

Marketing touch points

Every channel or technique you use to communicate your event provides a marketing touch point for your message. Make sure that every touch point is cohesive and consistent. You want the event message to be registering in a guest’s mind from their first interaction with your event, whether that be online, through an invitation, or when entering the room.

Audiovisual components

The production elements at your event can make a huge impact on the way your event message gets seen, heard and absorbed. Great audio can help build emotion and engagement, and effective lighting will set a mood and create a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment.

Remember that all event elements, when brought together, combine to create an atmosphere and experience which helps communicate your message. If you’d like to discuss this further, talk to us today.

How can social media play a part in your event?

When social media is incorporated into an event, it can be hugely impactful and influential, generating immeasurable event awareness before, during and well beyond the event.

There are a number of different ways to incorporate social media into your event; we’ve put some of our favourites together to help you get the most out of this technology:

Use social media to promote your event

Using social media to promote an event builds a buzz before the event, attracts attendees to your event and increases the level of engagement at the event. But promotion shouldn’t stop once the event has passed; social media can also be used to extend relationships with customers afterwards.

Popular platforms for brands promoting events and building communities include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and many more.

Use smartphones and social media to help with event planning

When planning an event, smartphones and social media can be used in several ways to ease some aspects of the planning process. Event planning apps can keep you on track and there are also several apps you can use to coordinate ticket sales.

Have a social media wall at your event

Another good idea to incorporate social media into your event is to have a social media wall, harnessing the power of social networks such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. This gives all attendees the opportunity to participate and be part of the conversation and fun.

Encourage audience involvement during the event

By giving your audience ways to participate and interact such as through social media, it can help keep their focus and attention on the presentation. More and more events are incorporating interactive tools such as event apps, real time polling, surveys and messaging so presenters, sponsors and event organisers can open up the dialogue, share information, and receive and answer questions instantly.

What are your favourite ways to use social media at events? Let us know!

What you need to know when choosing a venue for your event

When planning an event, one of the most important aspects is where the event will be held. The venue that hosts an event can mean the difference between a successful event, and a mediocre one.

Luckily, we have some experience working with awesome venues! Check out our tips below that will help you when it comes to choosing the right venue for your event:

Consider all event aspects

When it comes to choosing a venue, you should consider the location, catering options, technology access, seating options, number of guests, type of event, guest expectations and desired event atmosphere including whether the venue reflects the chosen theme and style of the event.

Opt for a reputable AV and event staging provider

Look at whether the venue has a preferred or in-house AV and event staging provider and assess their quality. Choosing the right AV and event staging provider is critical to ensuring your event is a success. Not only do they take the stress out of event planning, they bring exceptional expertise and creativity to make sure your event stands out.

Here are some things to take into consideration when deciding on an AV and event staging provider for your next event.

See your event ideas come to life

There are so many different event types available these days, and if you have a particular idea in mind, it’s a good idea to speak to venues to confirm whether or not they can help your vision come to life. You might want to hold an eco-friendly event, a team building event, or an immersive event – all of which come with different needs and outcomes.

Speak to us today if you’d like to hold your event at one of our state-of-the-art partner venues.

Planning an event? Here’s what you need to know

If you’re planning an event, you might be feeling a little unsure about where to begin! Events are a great way to bring people together, and share a moment, message or idea with a captive audience. They do, however, take considerable time, effort and organisation to execute successfully.

That being said, we’ve put together some of our favorite tips to help you plan your next event:

Know your time limits

Planning events takes a lot of organisation, effort and time. It’s best to start as early as possible and give yourself a checklist so you don’t miss important elements. Lists and spreadsheets will become your best friends! Our post gives you a general timeline of some common event tasks that may help you plan your next event.

Use technology to help you stay within your event budget

The most effective event planners are constantly on the lookout for ways that they can perfect every event, while remaining within their budget. Technology has an important role to play in event planning, and can be used in a variety of ways to help plan, organise, and execute an event. Check out our post on the ways that technology can be used in event planning so you won’t break the bank.

Hire a professional photographer for your next event

Good event photography is something that lives on well past the event. The photos give attendees an opportunity to reflect on the event once it’s done and show others what they missed out on. They can be used to advertise the next event, or to liven up your social media channels. Here are some reasons why hiring a professional photographer is the best choice for your event.

Appoint a reputable AV provider for your event

Audiovisual technology can add a special something to your event. Whether you use lighting elements to create atmosphere in the room, or require a stage to be set up with microphones and speakers, a good AV team will have you covered. How do you choose the right AV team? Our post will guide you.

Ensure that your guests turn up to your event

When planning an event, even when you know your event is going to be engaging and exciting, you still may find yourself worried, thinking ‘what if no one shows up?’ This fear is fairly common in the event planning industry, and if it feels a little familiar, make sure you read our post for ideas to help you make your event irresistible to potential attendees.

Expect the unexpected

Planning events can be both exciting and stressful. You need to make a great, lasting impression but you also need to be poised and ready to spring into action should something unexpected happen. The best way to expect the unexpected at your event is to be prepared. Here are some of the common mishaps we see at events and how to address them.

As you can see, we’re pretty passionate about doing events right! If you’d like some help planning your next event, contact us today.

How technology can help you stay within your event budget

The most effective event planners are constantly on the lookout for ways that they can perfect every event, while remaining within their budget. Technology has an important role to play in event planning, and can be used in a variety of ways to help plan, organise, and execute an event.

Here are some ways that technology can be used in event planning so you won’t break the bank:

Avoid printing tickets

Printing high-quality tickets can add considerably to the cost of organising an event. Instead, you can get event attendees to register for an event digitally. At AVPartners, we make use of registration software that is much more efficient for keeping records than pen and paper. There are a range of low cost options that you can explore, such as Eventbrite and Bookitbee.

Harness audiovisual effects

Add to the visual appeal of your event by making the most of lighting, visual and sound technology. Rather than creating elaborate wall decorations to make an impression, clever lighting can completely transform an event space. Furthermore, visual effects through plasma or LED screens can capture the attention of attendees and take them on an exciting event journey. Sound effects can build up a mood, create anticipation, and transform an event atmosphere.

Go social

Social media is a must-have when it comes to getting the word out about your event and keeping people updated affordably. The options are pretty endless on social media; you can advertise on any platform, you can start a Facebook group for event-goers to stay in the loop or to offer their suggestions and ideas, and you can start building the hype well before the event takes place! Social media can be very cost-effective, especially when compared to traditional forms of advertising or guest contact.

When planning an event with a tight budget in mind, be sure to consider how you can make the most of it with creative and innovative ideas which leverage technology.

At AVPartners, we love planning exciting events and are mindful when it comes to your budget. Talk to us today to see how we can impress your guests!

How to make sure guests turn up to your event

When planning an event, even when you know your event is going to be engaging and exciting, you still may find yourself with a sense of foreboding. What if no one shows up?

This fear is fairly common in the event planning industry, so we’ve come up with a few ideas to help you make your event irresistible to potential attendees:

Remain top of mind

The first step to get people to your event is to let them know about it! Send them an invitation, create a Facebook event page, or talk about it in your newsletter – you need to start spreading the word.

Once you have done this, you need to remain top of mind so that people remember that the event is coming up, and can bookmark it in their calendars. You can do this by ensuring that there is an RSVP and other contact information on any invitations or marketing content, along with having regular updates on social media or through email marketing.

Create a ‘Big Idea’

A ‘Big Idea’ is the ultimate pull for anyone to attend the event, and it usually revolves around an amazing experience. This could be in the form of a famous attendee or host of the event, such as an inspiring guest speaker, or a celebrity chef. It could even be the excitement of walking away with a brilliant gift bag. The ‘Big Idea’ lets the attendee know that they are in for an experience they cannot get anywhere else, and you should highlight this in all of your marketing for the event.

Offer a sensory experience

Create anticipation for your attendees by promising and delivering a full sensory experience. You can do this by making the most of audiovisual technology; lighting and sound effects can create atmosphere, and maximise guest interaction and engagement. Add to this experience with amazing food, great music and unique styling. Using a reputable AV provider will ensure your event is executed to a high standard, and that your guests experience the best of the best when it comes to events. After all, a happy attendee means a successful event!

Remember the good times

Good event planners know how to leverage their previous event experiences, especially in the buildup for their next event. They remind past attendees of all the brilliant things that went right with the last event, by sharing images and videos of their success on social media and through other marketing channels. This ensures that there is return attendance from previous revelers, as well as newbies who want to have as much fun as their counterparts.

Excited to use these ideas to plan your next event? Speak to us today to see how else we can help!

How to use a social media wall at events

Creating excitement and engagement at events can sometimes be a little tricky, especially if people are burying their faces in their smartphones. So if everyone is using their phones anyway, why not make it part of the event?

A good idea to incorporate smartphones into your event is to have a social media wall, harnessing the power of social apps such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. This gives all attendees the opportunity to participate and be part of the conversation and fun.

What is a social media wall?

A social media wall is effectively a digital screen or screens which display different social media channels and feeds. You can opt to have your social media wall across multiple screens throughout your event, ensuring many people see it, or have one main one as a large feature wall.

How do they work?

Social media walls work by displaying one or more social media channels and feeds, in real time. You could have the Facebook feed of the speaker on there, the Twitter feed for the event hashtag, or the Instagram feed of the event sponsors. The options are endless!

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Make sure you #hashtag

You can create an event hashtag that gives your event attendees a way to be a part of the event, so that their posts, photos and updates appear on the social media wall. It fosters a lot of fun and engagement between attendees, and it won’t be long before they are grouped around the screens, excitedly waiting for their post to be shown!

For this to work effectively, you must have a simple and on brand event hashtag, that your attendees can use on their posts so they can easily be found on the various social media channels. Some examples of event hashtags are: #ANZgala2017 #NewtownFestival #JoandTomWedding

Make sure the hashtag is short enough that it doesn’t use up too many characters (especially for Twitter), and not too obscure that it doesn’t read easily or make sense.

Start conversations

You can utilise a social media wall to ask questions at the event, or spark light debate. All attendees can get involved and post their opinions, ideas or replies simply by using the event hashtag.

Update your attendees

You can also use the social media wall for event updates, keeping everyone in the loop and up to date. This is extremely helpful at large trade shows or festivals where information might change throughout the event.

If you’re keen to maximise engagement and interaction at your next event using social media walls, contact us today!

The benefits of a team building event and how to plan one

Team building is vital to the success of your organisation. When you have a team that appreciates and respects each other, they will likely be more productive, efficient and happy. What’s not to love? A team building event is a great way to deliver on your team building goals and enhance the overall performance of your team.

The benefits

Team building events give employees the chance to test out their teamwork skills and have fun by engaging in activities or challenges together. Each person starts the day on the same level as everyone else, despite where they may sit in the organisation, with a task at hand and a novel approach to it. Everyone has the chance to be heard, have fun, and draw on skills they may not have had an opportunity to showcase within their workplace role. These events are also a great way for your team to form better relationships with each other, and truly bond over common ground.

The objective

When planning a team building event or activity, it’s best to determine a goal or objective before you begin. Knowing what direction you would like your team to go in, and what you want everyone to get out of the day, will assist you in choosing appropriate activities and venues.

Usually, team building events or activities aim to provide fun and boost morale, or they aim to solve a problem or a communication breakdown within the workplace. This is achieved by getting everyone out of the work environment and allowing them to relax and get to know each other better in a new setting. This can help people to open up to new experiences and can lead to a better understanding of each other. Additionally, tackling a workplace problem outside of the usual domain can reveal a new perspective on the issue, and potentially, how it can be solved.

Things to consider

Ensure that the activity chosen is appropriate for your team and workplace. A wine and cheese tasting or a trivia night are great options for fun casual events where the goal is to relax and socialise. If you want to take things up a notch, you could arrange a CSI night, where your team works to solve a ‘murder’, or a casino or games night where everyone can let their hair down and mingle with their colleagues. If the aim is to create greater team cohesion, activities such as ‘escape rooms’ or interactive matrix style mazes really test people and require them to pool their strengths to get out of the game.

More ideas for your next team building event include cooking workshops, live drawing, community service, bowling, and outdoor sporting activities such as bootcamp, rock climbing or rowing. These can all be fun activities, but you might find that some are better suited to your team than others.

At AVPartners we love supporting team building events to bring your team closer together! It’s important to think about what technology will be required to make your event a success – from getting the lighting and sound right, through to ensuring you have the right projection screens, or even considering what app technology you can leverage to strengthen communication and engagement – technology can often make or break an event.

When dividing your team into groups, keep the group sizes to a maximum of 10. This will mean that each group member can be fully engaged and it’s far more manageable than larger groups, where people tend to detach themselves.

Keep the momentum rolling after the event by setting action plans at the end of the day for everyone to take back to work with them. This could include making sure employees say hi to a new friend made that day, or keeping tabs on the progress of solved problems. These actions can ensure the team building event has a lasting and meaningful effect.

Keen to bond your team together with a team building event? Contact us today and we’ll show you how!

Top tips for improving presentations at your events

Presentations at events are commonplace, and are held for various reasons. You might be presenting awards at an award show, giving a speech thanking donors at a charity event, or speaking to your guests about the upcoming direction of your organisation.

Whatever the reason or desired outcome, the basics of presentations are the same – be as prepared and as engaging as possible. However, what has changed over time, is the ways you can take your presentations to the next level, and really impress your audience.

Here are our top tips for improving presentations at your events:

Include imagery and video

A picture is worth a thousand words, so if possible, include some photos, graphs or illustrations to support your words. Imagery is a great way to explain your point, or provide extra information. Bonus points if you want to include short video clips too! To read more about the importance of including content in your presentation, check out our article on how to create standout presentation content.

Be clear and concise

It seems obvious, but along with being prepared for your presentation, ensure that what you are saying needs to be said, and that you’re saying it in the best way for your audience to hear and digest. A great presentation will be the perfect combination of concise information delivered with the right tone and manner that encourages audience engagement.

Be aware of your audience

Be aware of who is listening to you, and what they might need to better understand you – are they elderly and would appreciate a slower pace, or are they your employees who you can be more casual and fun with? Tailor your approach as needed.

Set the mood

The instant you are in front of people, you are giving an impression and setting the mood, so decide how you want to be seen. You can also use your surroundings to help support your presentation. For example, using modern lighting techniques such as flooding the room with a certain colour scheme while you present, or using a spotlight to follow you on stage.

Have fun!

Everyone loves to be entertained, so injecting some humour into your presentation will help people loosen up and become engaged with what you have to say – after all, they won’t want to miss the next laugh! You can use imagery within a presentation to lighten the mood, or just pure banter – the possibilities are endless.

To start preparing for your next presentation, and really impress your audience, contact us today!

Why hold an event?

Events are a great way to bring people together, and share a moment, message or idea with a captive audience. They do, however, take considerable time, effort and organisation to execute successfully.

When deciding whether to hold an event, the first step should be to ask why you’re holding the event. This will help you get to the heart of whether an event will be valuable and help you achieve your goals. Here are some of the common reasons organisations hold events.

To build brand awareness

Events bring people together at the one location at the one time, giving you focussed time you can utilise to build brand awareness around your business with target audiences. You might make a presentation highlighting your services, or hold a workshop that builds on your thought leadership, making you a respected and trusted person within your industry.

To humanise the business

It’s usually quite fun and interesting to meet the people behind certain brands, so make sure you give your customers or clients what they want by introducing yourself and letting them know that there are real people in your business. It’s also a good time to thank customers and clients for their support, and offer to answer any questions they have or help them in some way if you can. People buy from people, so make sure your business is real and authentic.

To provide networking opportunities

Events are a great way to expand your connections, gain new clients, customers or referrals, and also to show your existing customers or clients what else you can offer them. It’s also an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals in your industry, and you never know where those relationships may lead!

To fundraise

For not-for-profit and charity organisations events are a perfect way to do drive fundraising efforts. They offer a controlled and focussed environment for you to spread the word and incite empathy and curiosity in attendees.

To launch a new product or service

New products or services are a cause for celebration! Events can allow you to inform guests of this, offer demonstrations, or give away samples. It gives your potential customers a chance to interact with your product or service in person, and in a fun and upbeat atmosphere.

To recognise and reward

Awards ceremonies are a very common type of event to hold, and a fantastic way to recognise your team or others for their hard work. Recognition is always appreciated, and usually makes for a more loyal team.

To offer a face-to-face communication experience

Too often in this digital world, we lose that personal, human interaction. While the internet has opened up a world of possibilities, the feeling of being in front of someone; having a conversation and sharing a laugh, can’t really be replicated online.

So, now that you know some of the reasons and benefits of holding events, you might be wondering just what type of event suits your business. Events vary in style, size and outcome, but some common event types include a sit down dinner, a fundraiser, an awards ceremony, a cocktail party, or a conference. You might like to read more about which events really engage your customers or clients, or how to know which conference type suits your business.

Once you’re ready to start planning your event, ensure you have a solid timeline in place. For tips on this, check out how long it takes to plan an event.

At AVPartners, we love to help bring your event dreams to life! Speak to us today and let us know your ideas.