When you plan a corporate event, you’re really planning an experience.
Everything that goes into the event –
from the invitations to the entertainment – work together to create a
memory for your attendees. Nowhere is this more important than with the
decorations. Corporate event decorations help create the mood and
atmosphere for your event. They communicate the theme and bring the
entire experience together. Without this important element, your event
may fall flat.
Before you begin planning your event’s
decorations, you need to do a thorough evaluation of the space. You use a
number of different decorating techniques to enhance the event hall or
meeting space…
Here are seven tips for creating corporate event decorations and themes that make an impact:
Decide on Your Theme Colors
Color speaks volumes at corporate
events. You should have a theme picked out, along with a few key colors,
long before you start decorating. This theme should be used in
your event invitationsto set the stage for the attendees’ experience and
in all online event branding.
When you get ready to decorate the
space, use these colors often, but not too frequently. You don’t want to
overwhelm your attendees with your signature color. Pair it with white
or another neutral in order to tie everything together and soften the
impact. For example, you can use white linens and dishes, but then add
your signature color in your table decorations, ceiling decorations and
stage backdrop.
Start at the Front Entrance
Many event planners forget that the
entrance to the hall or dining area is just as important as the interior
space. The check in location or doorway should express the theme of the
event. You can wow attendees with a breathtaking display around the
entrance doorway or a unique sign in space. For example, a cruise themed
end of year party could feature “boarding passes” and a nautical
looking check in desk to prepare guests to “board the ship.” Even think
about integrating and theming the nights entertainment to help greet the
guests!
Create an Intimate Feel
Large halls and auditoriums are great
for floor space, but often the ceilings are so high that the space can
feel like a big cave. In order to “bring down” the ceiling, you can use
decorations on the ceiling or midway up the wall. For example, you can
use large inflated balloons to artificially “drop” the ceiling.
Alternatively you can drop the ceiling with large stretches of fabric
dropped from the ceiling to create an indoor canopy space.
Use the Walls
You can also create a closer feel with
pictures or photographs in frames throughout the room. It will turn a
large corporate event space into something unique and special. If you’re
having a more casual or themed event, you can also use rented cut outs
and themed decorations throughout the hall to create a more lighthearted
feel.
Work Around Columns or Partitions
Sometimes the space you’re working with
can have elements that obscure the view. Check your seating plan very
carefully and try not to seat anyone behind these obstructions. If it’s
not possible to avoid, consider having personal view monitors on each
table to attendees can see the speakers or entertainment.
Try Different Seating Arrangements
Although round tables are typical for
most events, you can think outside of the box and try something
different: Custom linens and table decorations can turn long rectangular
or square tables into something special and different. Or, consider
having a mix of table sizes and shapes in different sections of the
floor to create some interest. Long tables can feel more intimate and
create opportunities for conversation. Just be sure not to place large
centerpieces in the middle of the tables so attendees can see one
another.
Bring the Outdoors In
Although balloons and crepe paper still
dominate the list of corporate themed party ideas, working with greenery
and flowers can help give your event a natural and soothing feel. Try
mini-topiaries, flower arrangements or live garlands throughout your
event to bring the outdoors in.
Your corporate event decorating style
will depend a lot on the nature of your event and your overall budget,
but with these tips you can spark some new ideas and make your next
event outstanding.
