A memorable awards dinner and note-worthy general session have two things in common: they are planned with high intentionality and focus on human connection.
What exactly does that mean though?
When planning your corporate event, every single detail should contribute value toward the overall vision and guest experience. No decision should feel random, out of place, or superfluous.
You may wonder how we, the third party event planner, can successfully plan your company’s next highly intentional event. Where do we start?
First and foremost, it starts with forming authentic connections with YOU, the internal staff member who is ultimately overseeing the vision of the event on your end. At the end of the day, you know your company and brand best. We, the outside events professional, rely on you to shape the vision and strategy for the event. You are our glimpse into your company, the heartbeat of your brand, your goals for the program, and your unique industry expertise. As an outside event planner, we know the events world like the back of our hand. We know what it takes to bring a successful event to life. But without your support, we aren’t equipped to make the most strategic suggestions to execute your vision and strengthen your brand reputation.
Intentionality and human connection, therefore, are a must for the planning process.
Cookie-cutter isn’t an option in our book. Your brand was built to stand out, and only an event designed to authentically reflect your brand identity can help you do so.
Understanding Manufactured vs Intentional Events
Understanding this simple concept can make the greatest impact on how you plan events from here on out.
In simplest terms, a manufactured event is one that has little to no customization in the planning process. It is very much a “churn and burn” tactic usually rooted in one of two causes: prioritizing profit over impact, or hyperfixating on output over results. Neither root cause is strategic nor sustainable.
What scares me the most about this planning method is the amount of predictability. With predictability, I do not mean the flow of the event. Any standard awards dinner will have an opening speech before announcing top associates, but that’s not the issue. By predictability, I mean that the event itself isn’t memorable. When guests look back in a year or even a week, they have a hard time recalling what made that evening special from all the other company or industry events they attend. It will simply blend in… which is the nice way to say it will soon be a fading memory that held no significant impact.
A highly intentional event, on the other hand, is interactive and crafted specifically to leave an impression that helps you achieve your business goals. Whether it be group karaoke that bonds office staff across all the generations, dinner service designed to encourage conversations around innovation, or ending the night with a drone show that reminds staff of the great pride in working at your organization.
Most importantly, a highly intentional event is planning with guests and attendees experience at the forefront of every decision. The moment you forget to plan around human-connection, corporate events quickly begin to feel lifeless. Like just another thing to cross off your list to make your boss happy.
That’s why these two concepts go hand in hand when planning a corporate event. What makes your event truly memorable isn’t the bright flashing lights or insane floral installations.
The answer is truly much simpler: intentionality & human connection.
Are you looking to plan a memorable corporate event that actually helps you reach your business goals?
You’re in luck. JJE is an event planning firm that curates every detail with rhyme, reason, and intentionality. And we always do it the guest experience at the forefront, strategically designed for authentic human-connection
If this sounds like what your organization needs, you can learn more about our approach to corporate events HERE.
By Selina Hanna, Assistant Wedding Planner
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