INSIGHTS
9 types of corporate events that are right for your business
Whether it is brainstorming annual sales plans, rubbing elbows with industry stalwarts, or ziplining from one hill to another, companies leverage corporate events to share, connect, and communicate with their target audience.
Corporate events are not only restricted to boardrooms or round tables filled with people in business suits crunching data. They are mindful, formal, and informal social activities where companies invite key stakeholders, shareholders, potential customers, employees, and even the media to inform, celebrate, or both. To better engage, companies hire event planners to take care of the end-to-end management of a corporate event.
B2B and B2E corporate event planning
Corporate events, whether small or large, hold distinctive value and relevance when accompanied by a solid agenda and strategy behind each one. The idea behind hosting a corporate event can range from winning new clients to expanding the business footprint. But it is not purely business-driven.
There is also a significant focus on B2E, i.e., Business-to-Employee corporate events. In such cases, companies plan entertainment and engagement activities, reward top performers, motivate employees and colleagues, and celebrate company successes. From organizing a corporate conference to planning an incentive trip to Las Vegas, a corporate event has the power to bring together people from different worlds at a common location. In this guide, we bring you nine types of corporate events that are commonly used for different objectives and outcomes.
1. Meetings
Businesses are now having fewer virtual events and opting for in-person meetings. This tried-and-true corporate event is usually small in size, where shareholders, global teams, and board members connect with each other to analyze performance and discuss future growth. This formal type of closed-door corporate event can also be between team leaders and employees.
2. Conferences and seminars
Conferences and seminars are a place for learning, sharing ideas, and training, while showcasing conferences and seminars are a place for announcing new initiatives, such as the latest company strategy. This kind of corporate event might occur over a day or a few days and can include workshops to upskill employees, foster team-building and knowledge-sharing activities, and may include a motivational keynote speaker or well-known host. Outside of the formalities, there may be volunteer activities for the attendees to get involved with the local community, or there may be a gala dinner at the end of the conference.
3. Retreats
These types of corporate events let you break away from your day-to-day job. Retreats are becoming popular as companies are understanding the value of informal ways to motivate teams and build camaraderie, mixing outdoor activities with conferences and seminars. For instance, the retreat might be in a country house surrounded by nature. Or after a brainstorming session, you could take your team for a luxurious dinner on the banks of a nearby river, or plan adventure activities like ziplining or ATV riding.
4. Incentive Trips
Every salesperson, distributor, and individual with targets is gearing up for their incentive trip or annual conference. These are large-scale events that companies organize to recognize the hard work put in by employees and B2B customers who’ve achieved and exceeded targets. The incentive corporate event is dazzling, and the vibe is energetic. Imagine nearly 1,000 people coming together under one roof to celebrate each other’s success. Incentive trips can involve tours with sightseeing, outdoor activities, etc.
5. Product launches
Whether it's the launch of your latest products, brand activation, or brand awareness, these corporate events attract customers, business clients, and drive sales. But it is not your run-of-the-mill ribbon-cutting ceremony. Product launches are extravagant corporate events that showcase your business and brands, leverage technology and tactics to create a wow factor, and set a benchmark.
6. Parties/Awards ceremonies
Corporate parties and award ceremonies can differ from incentive events, and may only be held for one night. These events might be designed to reward top performers across functions! They are all about having fun and have a theme that spans the decor and maybe even the dress code. Your award ceremony may be similar to a gala dinner or a more relaxed beach party atmosphere.
7. Hackathons
At their core, hackathons are held for attendees to take on challenges, present solutions, and showcase their strengths within a fixed time frame. These hackathons are invite-only or within the organization, which provide a platform for aspiring people to demonstrate their skills. These corporate events can be small or large, with plenty of energy to get creative and push new boundaries.
8. Golf days/hospitality
This is a specially curated corporate event which blends sport, meetings, and sophistication. It is highly recommended for business development. Golf days are often becoming an annual tradition where business meetings can take place amidst the backdrop of leisurely rounds and vast, green landscapes. If you are looking to win a multi-million-dollar business, you’d want to make the meeting extra special with top-class hospitality.
9. Networking corporate events
Few business leaders will challenge the importance of networking. Networking events are important, where you can invite your target audience and showcase your company, get your prospects, suppliers, or clients to meet your team in person, and explain your vision. This is an informal type of corporate event where you can connect over a drink or two.
Planning out-of-the-box corporate events?
To create an exciting and memorable event, you need the support of specialists. These experts must excel in event planning, event management, venue sourcing, and content creation, and provide attendees with best-in-class services and the latest innovations. Our Meetings & Events team, through innovative ideas and decades of event experience, can curate and deliver the finest experiences within budgets across group trips, incentive travel, trade shows, and even exhibitions.