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doses of inspiration for the innovators in all of us

6/3/2020 0 Comments

5 Important Considerations with Event Gifting

Gift Bags
When it comes to event gifting of any kind, it's important that there is a real purpose behind it! Nothing is worse than giving someone something that they are going to throw away or will get lost in their junk drawer. It's a waste of money and doesn't leave an impression - double waste.

This is truly our morale for Corporate events alike. Thinking through the process of what it will look like and what takeaways attendees will be excited to eat or use - are important things to consider! Here are some ideas to help when brainstorming any gift or favor ideas for your event:
Soap
Think of the 5 Senses: 
  • Taste, Smell, Feel, Hear, See - Ensure that your gift is appeasing to all of these senses! If it's a snack, make sure it tastes delicious and is appealing to most taste buds. Are you going to give a candle or something with a scent? Something relaxing and neutral (or similar to a scent at your event!), Feel and See are simply to ensure it's something aesthetically pleasing. Stay away from cheesy trade show branded items that look like 15 things they have at home with from different events. And hear? No annoying squeakers or beeping that their kids will play with forever!
How would you feel if you received it?
  • Put yourself in the guests shoes. What would your reaction be if you took it home with you after the event? If you're not super excited - think that through!
What's the purpose?
  • It's important that event takeaways feel thoughtful and purposeful. Does it have a connection to your event? Is there a connection to your guests? To have a memorable event and gift, these need to feel connected. 
Budget and ROI
  • Now that you have thought about the purpose, you can think about budget. If your purpose is to impress them, you want to make sure you are allocating an approriate budget to purchase something of value that will resonate with attendees. If the purpose is to give them something to remember your brand, you can probably allocate a smaller budget and get creative with items. You want to ensure your ROI or "return on investment" is coming through and you are allocating the right amount of funds to the takeaway.
Gift Bag
How will you give it out?
  • Thinking through an efficient and presentable way to distribute the gifts is also an important piece to consider. Are they pre-packaged in gift bags or boxes for people to pick up on the way out? Is it something that people can use during the event and take home with them after? Is it something you even ship or mail out post-event as a thank you? Find the best method that works for your event
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1/16/2019 0 Comments

Top Cities for Sales Retreats

Each year, companies around the world plan annual sales retreats where they brief their global teams on the latest products and strategies and overall hype them up for the year ahead. It's a time to educate, entertain and bond. Finding a destination that is uniquely exciting for team members while also giving managers the opportunity to hold their attention while also invigorating them can get stale after awhile. Outside of the top cities in the country that always come to mind, here are some of our favorites we like to recommend as Destination Meeting Planners. 
San Antonio
San Antonio, TX 
A cultural hub in Texas, San Antonio is full of opportunities for nightlife, culture, education and great food. With plenty of hotel options lining the Riverwalk, there are great locations to host your meetings during the day and off-site dinners and outings at night within walking distance. It's also tends to location that many people from the east and west coast have not traveled to before, so you'll find some excitement from your team. 
Boston
Boston, MA
Our hometown, Boston is currently in an crazy evolution. Those that visited it in the past may arrive to find something unfamiliar. While the history and architectural charm has not changed, many innovation organizations have moved their headquarters to the city and added a new buzz resulting in new food, retail and entertainment options. There's always something new and exciting to share with your team! Not to mention the sports teams that offer great outings!
Portland
Portland, OR
Portland is a great destination for anyone on the West Coast or Midwest. In addition to the great dining opportunities featuring farm to table specialties and craft cocktails, the local art and green spaces offer interesting excursions during a corporate meeting. 
Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh has stood as a longtime hidden gem of the east coast. While it is a hub for a lot of businesses, culturally it is the home of many James Beard awards winners offering delicious dining options and unique art and music festivals to get your team interacting during their extra time. 
Austin
Austin, TX
Food and music. It's really as simple as that. It's Nashville without the littering of Bachelorette parties. So many options for great meals and live music - and with the weather as reliable as its food, it's a great option for companies including golf and other recreational activities into their itinerary. 
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    Author

    Kelly is a Corporate Event Planner and the Founder of 8 Stratton Events with over 10 years of experience working with innovative and iconic organizations all over the country.  Kelly lives with her husband Daniel and their dog Lucy in their home in Boston.

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