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Tips for Hosting an Engaging Business Conference

Chicago corporate, event, portrait and editorial photographer

Conferences are often hubs and incubators of incredible learning experiences. But with the long hours of lectures and presentations, along with the copious amount of information presented, business conferences can quickly become tedious.  

Here are a few tips for hosting an engaging business conference.

tips-for-hosting-an-engaging-business-conference-chicago

Plan in advance

Planning a conference is no easy feat. As a host, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you! Knowing that, it is crucial that you get started as early as possible to give yourself time to finalize major contracts and handle any unexpected problems that may arise.

Consider the venue

Where you decide to host your conference is one of the most difficult decisions you will need to make. One of the reasons why most people think of business conferences as dull and boring is because of the choice of venue. Make your conference one to remember by choosing a venue that has quality (and close) entertainment options.

Consider holding your conference in an area with a lot of activity such as a hotel located close to restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. Another option is to time your conference with a local event like music festival. This will provide attendees and their spouses with something to do away from the conference.

Offer a program with variety

The main purpose of a conference is to share as much information as possible. Professionals sit for several hours and listen to lectures and presentations. A few hours into the conference, you may notice that the attendees are bored, sleepy and overwhelmed.

Don’t forget to engage them! Schedule a mix of formal speakers, small group workshops and free, unopposed networking time. It is also a good idea to set a task that is difficult, if not impossible, to complete alone. This fosters teamwork and collaboration.

Plan for fun

Plan for interactive networking opportunities to break break up the monotony of guest lecturers and speakers. Also, try to use technology to make things a bit more exciting for guests and to keep them interested. You can also suggest a few activities for downtime during the conference.

If you are considering hosting a business conference, please consider G. Thomas Ward Photography as your corporate event photography. It would be my pleasure to work with you!

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Unique and Creative Ideas for Your Next Corporate Event

Sick of a boring corporate event, check out these creative corporate event ideas

Corporate events can be quite boring. Most of these events have the same concepts and elements, making it difficult to differentiate one event from another. To really give your corporate event an edge, you need to think out of the box.

Today, it’s all about creating an event that will wow your guests. With that in mind, we picked out some fun and unique ideas that will entertain the masses and make your event a memorable one. Hopefully, these ideas will drive attendance to your next event.

Sick of a boring corporate event, check out these creative corporate event ideas

Shadow performers

As seen on several talent shows on TV, shadow shows will definitely impress audiences. This unique and exciting form of entertainment is ideal for product launches and other events. Some shows can be tailor-made for clients to make it more relevant to your event or company. This creates a memorable experience attendees will remember for a long time.

Circus

Hire an aerial performer on your next event. It is one way of introducing fun to a rather formal event. Very seldom do people get a chance to watch some talented acrobats while sipping their wine. You can also hire some jugglers, clowns and tumblers to walk around the event and entertain guests sporadically. If you do it right, guests and employees will be raving about it for the weeks to come.

Around the world theme

Take a trip around the world by naming each table after a country. Do a little research and try to incorporate some elements of different countries into the decor around the venue. Then, create a series of food stations offer a variety of cuisines and beverages served across the globe.

Aroma DJ

Smell triggers memories, they say. By hiring an aroma DJ, you can ensure that your guests remember your event. It is a unique act that combines tasteful aromas and upbeat club music to create a unique atmosphere. A happy, uplifted and energetic crowd is guaranteed within a few seconds.

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