Boil down what makes your post-event soiree special (whether it’s the entertainment, the rooftop view, or a local chef’s farm-to-table tasting menu) and spell it out in a bold and appealing font. Once you finalize your venue, time, entertainment, and food offerings, your marketing campaign should begin. Marketing on diverse channels gives you the Extra! Extra! boost your post-event reception needs. Market your post-event reception to build excitement Create drama by using a single color throughout the space or creating a theatrical theme, such as the Roaring 20s, steampunk, or a vintage library.Ĥ. Though it wasn’t an after-party, you’ll appreciate how Smirnoff went all-in with a comic book theme for the brand’s Graphic Smirnoff Experience. Keep it simple, in line with the theme of your event, and give yourself some lead time”approval from Snapchat takes one business day. Design a Snapchat geofilter for your after-party and create a geofence for the venue. Ask the restaurant venue or bar catering company to create an original cocktail for the occasion and give the drink a name connected to the after-party. This could be an exclusive code for a song download, a book authored by a conference speaker, or branded cocktail shaker. Create a swag offering related to the event that is only available at the after-party. Guests will love the opportunity to break bread with CEOs and celebrities from the event program. Invite luminaries from the primary event as special guests of the after-party. Here are some ideas for unique offerings that people will stick around for: How is this after-party different than the rest of the networking luncheons and panel discussions? Your choices here will vary based upon your budget, of course, but you can create the wow factor on a limited budget too. You have to give your guests a good reason to show up when the conference or meeting is winding down. This isn’t one of them.) Make sure the venue offers introvert-friendly quiet zones for low-key conversations in addition to spaces for more raucous partying. (There’s a time and a place for networking icebreakers and activities. There should be no pressure to network, and guests should take the lead on socializing. Company symposiums may involve back-to-back classes that require sustained focus.Īim to make your post-event receptions and after-parties laid-back and fun for guests. They may be rolling out a new product, or networking with peers in their industry. Whether it was a one-day event, multi-day conference, or a week-long film festival, major events are draining for attendees and presenters. Make post-event parties a no-pressure zone If you hold it within the venue, it’s important to get creative with the décor to differentiate the after-party from the main event. You can direct guest attention to the party location during the main part of the conference, logistics aren’t usually an issue, and if you’re a planner working on the larger event”you may well get a discounted rate. There are benefits to holding the post-event reception in an event space within the conference center or right next door. Just don’t select a venue that’s challenging to reach and be clear about the easiest ways to get there, or you risk no-shows. Ideally, you’ll hold the after-party at a separate venue than the main event as a way to generate buzz, give guests an experience of the city outside the conference center, and distinguish it as an extra-special offering. Begin writing and sending out your RFPs to venues, caterers, and entertainment companies ASAP so you can quickly move on to finalizing contracts”hopefully with your top choices. The planning timelines for the events will be different, and separating out the after-party will help keep you and your team organized. Explore event venue sourcing sites, such as the CVENT supplier network to find top locations near the conference locale.Įven if you’re planning the main event, create a separate file in your event planning software for the after-party. It’s essential to start your research and negotiations early if you want to book the hottest venue near the conference. If you are planning the post-event reception for a company at the culmination of a trade show or conference, remember you’re one of many companies with the same idea. How to Plan an After-Party a That’s Huge Hit 1. Here we lay out 6 tips to help you design the after-party or post-event reception everyone wants to attend. Organizing post-event gatherings requires all of your event planning skills, with a slight shift in priorities and tasks to differentiate the affair from the main event. Today, these events don’t end after the usual panels, Q&As, new product rollouts, and tech demonstrations.Īfter-parties and post-event receptions have become a common extension of many events, as well as an opportunity for brands to make a lasting impression on attendees.
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