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How can social media play a part in your event?

When social media is incorporated into an event, it can be hugely impactful and influential, generating immeasurable event awareness before, during and well beyond the event.

There are a number of different ways to incorporate social media into your event; we’ve put some of our favourites together to help you get the most out of this technology:

Use social media to promote your event

Using social media to promote an event builds a buzz before the event, attracts attendees to your event and increases the level of engagement at the event. But promotion shouldn’t stop once the event has passed; social media can also be used to extend relationships with customers afterwards.

Popular platforms for brands promoting events and building communities include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and many more.

Use smartphones and social media to help with event planning

When planning an event, smartphones and social media can be used in several ways to ease some aspects of the planning process. Event planning apps can keep you on track and there are also several apps you can use to coordinate ticket sales.

Have a social media wall at your event

Another good idea to incorporate social media into your event is to have a social media wall, harnessing the power of social networks such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. This gives all attendees the opportunity to participate and be part of the conversation and fun.

Encourage audience involvement during the event

By giving your audience ways to participate and interact such as through social media, it can help keep their focus and attention on the presentation. More and more events are incorporating interactive tools such as event apps, real time polling, surveys and messaging so presenters, sponsors and event organisers can open up the dialogue, share information, and receive and answer questions instantly.

What are your favourite ways to use social media at events? Let us know!

What you need to know when choosing a venue for your event

When planning an event, one of the most important aspects is where the event will be held. The venue that hosts an event can mean the difference between a successful event, and a mediocre one.

Luckily, we have some experience working with awesome venues! Check out our tips below that will help you when it comes to choosing the right venue for your event:

Consider all event aspects

When it comes to choosing a venue, you should consider the location, catering options, technology access, seating options, number of guests, type of event, guest expectations and desired event atmosphere including whether the venue reflects the chosen theme and style of the event.

Opt for a reputable AV and event staging provider

Look at whether the venue has a preferred or in-house AV and event staging provider and assess their quality. Choosing the right AV and event staging provider is critical to ensuring your event is a success. Not only do they take the stress out of event planning, they bring exceptional expertise and creativity to make sure your event stands out.

Here are some things to take into consideration when deciding on an AV and event staging provider for your next event.

See your event ideas come to life

There are so many different event types available these days, and if you have a particular idea in mind, it’s a good idea to speak to venues to confirm whether or not they can help your vision come to life. You might want to hold an eco-friendly event, a team building event, or an immersive event – all of which come with different needs and outcomes.

Speak to us today if you’d like to hold your event at one of our state-of-the-art partner venues.

How to style your event to impress your guests

Styling an event can be the most exciting part of event planning! This is where you get to choose the look and feel of your event. It’s an important part of the event planning process as it lays the foundation for how guests will experience the event.

At AVPartners we’ve helped create nearly every event theme or style you can think of – from the Oscars, to Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge, Masquerade and many more. Event styling incorporates furniture, decor, centrepieces and table layouts, props, audiovisual and digital elements. It takes your guests on a journey, showcasing your theme, your branding and your ideas.

We’ve wrapped up some of our best blog posts to help you style and impress your guests at your next event:

Use colour creatively

When deciding on the styling for your event, it’s important to consider the role that colours play in creating atmosphere. The colours you choose, be it for your decor or your lighting, say a lot about your event message, brand, and theme. Colours can leave your guests with an even deeper appreciation of your event.

Wow your guests

What type of centrepieces will wow your guests? Special consideration should go into all visual aspects of your event, big and small. Including customised lighting, such as gobo lighting, to match the theme or style of your event is a simple yet hugely effective way to make a difference to the overall look and feel.

Use a set piece

A set piece is a backdrop added to a stage for a production or event. It can vary from a simple branded backdrop right through to sophisticated projection mapping. The only limit is your imagination! A set piece can also help with a quick room turn around depending on the venue. For example, a band can be pre-set behind a set piece. Set pieces allow for a visual transformation sure to impress event delegates and make for easier and more impactful transitions between event elements.

Let us help style your next event! Contact us today.

Planning an event? Here’s what you need to know

If you’re planning an event, you might be feeling a little unsure about where to begin! Events are a great way to bring people together, and share a moment, message or idea with a captive audience. They do, however, take considerable time, effort and organisation to execute successfully.

That being said, we’ve put together some of our favorite tips to help you plan your next event:

Know your time limits

Planning events takes a lot of organisation, effort and time. It’s best to start as early as possible and give yourself a checklist so you don’t miss important elements. Lists and spreadsheets will become your best friends! Our post gives you a general timeline of some common event tasks that may help you plan your next event.

Use technology to help you stay within your event budget

The most effective event planners are constantly on the lookout for ways that they can perfect every event, while remaining within their budget. Technology has an important role to play in event planning, and can be used in a variety of ways to help plan, organise, and execute an event. Check out our post on the ways that technology can be used in event planning so you won’t break the bank.

Hire a professional photographer for your next event

Good event photography is something that lives on well past the event. The photos give attendees an opportunity to reflect on the event once it’s done and show others what they missed out on. They can be used to advertise the next event, or to liven up your social media channels. Here are some reasons why hiring a professional photographer is the best choice for your event.

Appoint a reputable AV provider for your event

Audiovisual technology can add a special something to your event. Whether you use lighting elements to create atmosphere in the room, or require a stage to be set up with microphones and speakers, a good AV team will have you covered. How do you choose the right AV team? Our post will guide you.

Ensure that your guests turn up to your event

When planning an event, even when you know your event is going to be engaging and exciting, you still may find yourself worried, thinking ‘what if no one shows up?’ This fear is fairly common in the event planning industry, and if it feels a little familiar, make sure you read our post for ideas to help you make your event irresistible to potential attendees.

Expect the unexpected

Planning events can be both exciting and stressful. You need to make a great, lasting impression but you also need to be poised and ready to spring into action should something unexpected happen. The best way to expect the unexpected at your event is to be prepared. Here are some of the common mishaps we see at events and how to address them.

As you can see, we’re pretty passionate about doing events right! If you’d like some help planning your next event, contact us today.

How technology can help you stay within your event budget

The most effective event planners are constantly on the lookout for ways that they can perfect every event, while remaining within their budget. Technology has an important role to play in event planning, and can be used in a variety of ways to help plan, organise, and execute an event.

Here are some ways that technology can be used in event planning so you won’t break the bank:

Avoid printing tickets

Printing high-quality tickets can add considerably to the cost of organising an event. Instead, you can get event attendees to register for an event digitally. At AVPartners, we make use of registration software that is much more efficient for keeping records than pen and paper. There are a range of low cost options that you can explore, such as Eventbrite and Bookitbee.

Harness audiovisual effects

Add to the visual appeal of your event by making the most of lighting, visual and sound technology. Rather than creating elaborate wall decorations to make an impression, clever lighting can completely transform an event space. Furthermore, visual effects through plasma or LED screens can capture the attention of attendees and take them on an exciting event journey. Sound effects can build up a mood, create anticipation, and transform an event atmosphere.

Go social

Social media is a must-have when it comes to getting the word out about your event and keeping people updated affordably. The options are pretty endless on social media; you can advertise on any platform, you can start a Facebook group for event-goers to stay in the loop or to offer their suggestions and ideas, and you can start building the hype well before the event takes place! Social media can be very cost-effective, especially when compared to traditional forms of advertising or guest contact.

When planning an event with a tight budget in mind, be sure to consider how you can make the most of it with creative and innovative ideas which leverage technology.

At AVPartners, we love planning exciting events and are mindful when it comes to your budget. Talk to us today to see how we can impress your guests!

How to make sure guests turn up to your event

When planning an event, even when you know your event is going to be engaging and exciting, you still may find yourself with a sense of foreboding. What if no one shows up?

This fear is fairly common in the event planning industry, so we’ve come up with a few ideas to help you make your event irresistible to potential attendees:

Remain top of mind

The first step to get people to your event is to let them know about it! Send them an invitation, create a Facebook event page, or talk about it in your newsletter – you need to start spreading the word.

Once you have done this, you need to remain top of mind so that people remember that the event is coming up, and can bookmark it in their calendars. You can do this by ensuring that there is an RSVP and other contact information on any invitations or marketing content, along with having regular updates on social media or through email marketing.

Create a ‘Big Idea’

A ‘Big Idea’ is the ultimate pull for anyone to attend the event, and it usually revolves around an amazing experience. This could be in the form of a famous attendee or host of the event, such as an inspiring guest speaker, or a celebrity chef. It could even be the excitement of walking away with a brilliant gift bag. The ‘Big Idea’ lets the attendee know that they are in for an experience they cannot get anywhere else, and you should highlight this in all of your marketing for the event.

Offer a sensory experience

Create anticipation for your attendees by promising and delivering a full sensory experience. You can do this by making the most of audiovisual technology; lighting and sound effects can create atmosphere, and maximise guest interaction and engagement. Add to this experience with amazing food, great music and unique styling. Using a reputable AV provider will ensure your event is executed to a high standard, and that your guests experience the best of the best when it comes to events. After all, a happy attendee means a successful event!

Remember the good times

Good event planners know how to leverage their previous event experiences, especially in the buildup for their next event. They remind past attendees of all the brilliant things that went right with the last event, by sharing images and videos of their success on social media and through other marketing channels. This ensures that there is return attendance from previous revelers, as well as newbies who want to have as much fun as their counterparts.

Excited to use these ideas to plan your next event? Speak to us today to see how else we can help!

Are these events still in your marketing plan? They should be!

At AVPartners, we live and breathe events. We know events offer an exciting opportunity to engage your customers or clients in a truly unique way. There are a number of reasons for your business or brand to hold events,  and keep them in your marketing budget.

However, it is also a good idea to consider the types of events you have in your marketing plan. Are they worthwhile from a business point of view, or do they need a little refreshing?  

Here are the some of the types of events you should consider including in your marketing plan for your business to get the most out of the year ahead:

Launch parties

If you’re launching a new product or service, a launch event is a great way to showcase your new or upgraded offering to a captive audience.

While the product or service is the reason for the event, a launch party is also a great time to meet and greet your stakeholders and customers, and answer their questions in person. There’s so much scope with launch events to really make an impact and have fun, such as styling the event, offering demonstrations and running competitions.

Client or customer focused events

Sometimes simple things like thanking your clients or customers for their patronage goes a long way to strengthening those relationships; maintaining loyalty and encouraging excitement in your business or brand. You can also use the event as an opportunity to introduce guests to your other products or services, further build your business’ profile or add value by facilitating networking opportunities. If your business is a not-for-profit, you could also use events like these for fundraising.

Employee focused events

Your employees are your gold – without them you have no business. So it makes sense to treat them right and keep them happy, yes? When people feel appreciated, it helps to motivate them and increases their loyalty to your business. Employee events give everyone in your business a chance to mingle and bond in a more casual setting than the workplace which fosters positive relationships between colleagues and builds a great company culture. Popular employee events include team building events, cocktail and dancing events, or even weekend trips away! At AVPartners we organise regular team events and believe we are stronger and more in tune because of it.

Events are a powerful tool for your business’ marketing strategy, so make sure you consider how each event type fits into your marketing plan. Then, give us a call so we can help you organise the event and impress your guests!

Top tips for clear audio at your event

Audio is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, elements at an event. Any issues with audio at an event can leave guests with a negative impression, and make you or your business appear unprofessional or unprepared.

For clear audio at an event, you’ll want to ensure announcements are audible in an open space, or that presentations or music can be heard both at the front and back of the room.

Here are our tips to ensure your audio is clear:

A little goes a long way

You don’t need to overdo the volume or audio effects to make a great impact on guests. If there are changing parts to a presentation, such as a shift between speaking, music or video, make sure the volumes are set and that you won’t shock your audience by a sudden increase in decibels.

Match the right tool for the job

Just as you wouldn’t eat cereal with a fork, you need to use the correct microphone or speaker for the job. Microphones and speakers all have their own qualities that make them best suited to particular sounds or presentation settings.

Make sure presenters know how to use their microphone

With the many variants of microphones available, it’s important to give your presenter a quick intro to the one they will be using, so they’re aware of it’s capabilities and how they should best handle it. For example, a presenter may need to wear a lapel microphone and as such they will need to be advised not to create excess noise through their clothing covering or coming into contact with the microphone.

Ensure you have qualified technicians at the soundboard

Audio at an event is not just a ‘set and forget’ type of support, it needs qualified technicians to organise, manage, and control it throughout the entire event. Hiring an in-house AV team, such as AVPartners, can be a fantastic option as in-house teams know their venues well, can offer you a wealth of knowledge and experience, and tailor audio and lighting options to suit your event.

To find out about the best ways to use audio at your next event, speak to us today!

The benefits of a team building event and how to plan one

Team building is vital to the success of your organisation. When you have a team that appreciates and respects each other, they will likely be more productive, efficient and happy. What’s not to love? A team building event is a great way to deliver on your team building goals and enhance the overall performance of your team.

The benefits

Team building events give employees the chance to test out their teamwork skills and have fun by engaging in activities or challenges together. Each person starts the day on the same level as everyone else, despite where they may sit in the organisation, with a task at hand and a novel approach to it. Everyone has the chance to be heard, have fun, and draw on skills they may not have had an opportunity to showcase within their workplace role. These events are also a great way for your team to form better relationships with each other, and truly bond over common ground.

The objective

When planning a team building event or activity, it’s best to determine a goal or objective before you begin. Knowing what direction you would like your team to go in, and what you want everyone to get out of the day, will assist you in choosing appropriate activities and venues.

Usually, team building events or activities aim to provide fun and boost morale, or they aim to solve a problem or a communication breakdown within the workplace. This is achieved by getting everyone out of the work environment and allowing them to relax and get to know each other better in a new setting. This can help people to open up to new experiences and can lead to a better understanding of each other. Additionally, tackling a workplace problem outside of the usual domain can reveal a new perspective on the issue, and potentially, how it can be solved.

Things to consider

Ensure that the activity chosen is appropriate for your team and workplace. A wine and cheese tasting or a trivia night are great options for fun casual events where the goal is to relax and socialise. If you want to take things up a notch, you could arrange a CSI night, where your team works to solve a ‘murder’, or a casino or games night where everyone can let their hair down and mingle with their colleagues. If the aim is to create greater team cohesion, activities such as ‘escape rooms’ or interactive matrix style mazes really test people and require them to pool their strengths to get out of the game.

More ideas for your next team building event include cooking workshops, live drawing, community service, bowling, and outdoor sporting activities such as bootcamp, rock climbing or rowing. These can all be fun activities, but you might find that some are better suited to your team than others.

At AVPartners we love supporting team building events to bring your team closer together! It’s important to think about what technology will be required to make your event a success – from getting the lighting and sound right, through to ensuring you have the right projection screens, or even considering what app technology you can leverage to strengthen communication and engagement – technology can often make or break an event.

When dividing your team into groups, keep the group sizes to a maximum of 10. This will mean that each group member can be fully engaged and it’s far more manageable than larger groups, where people tend to detach themselves.

Keep the momentum rolling after the event by setting action plans at the end of the day for everyone to take back to work with them. This could include making sure employees say hi to a new friend made that day, or keeping tabs on the progress of solved problems. These actions can ensure the team building event has a lasting and meaningful effect.

Keen to bond your team together with a team building event? Contact us today and we’ll show you how!

Top tips for improving presentations at your events

Presentations at events are commonplace, and are held for various reasons. You might be presenting awards at an award show, giving a speech thanking donors at a charity event, or speaking to your guests about the upcoming direction of your organisation.

Whatever the reason or desired outcome, the basics of presentations are the same – be as prepared and as engaging as possible. However, what has changed over time, is the ways you can take your presentations to the next level, and really impress your audience.

Here are our top tips for improving presentations at your events:

Include imagery and video

A picture is worth a thousand words, so if possible, include some photos, graphs or illustrations to support your words. Imagery is a great way to explain your point, or provide extra information. Bonus points if you want to include short video clips too! To read more about the importance of including content in your presentation, check out our article on how to create standout presentation content.

Be clear and concise

It seems obvious, but along with being prepared for your presentation, ensure that what you are saying needs to be said, and that you’re saying it in the best way for your audience to hear and digest. A great presentation will be the perfect combination of concise information delivered with the right tone and manner that encourages audience engagement.

Be aware of your audience

Be aware of who is listening to you, and what they might need to better understand you – are they elderly and would appreciate a slower pace, or are they your employees who you can be more casual and fun with? Tailor your approach as needed.

Set the mood

The instant you are in front of people, you are giving an impression and setting the mood, so decide how you want to be seen. You can also use your surroundings to help support your presentation. For example, using modern lighting techniques such as flooding the room with a certain colour scheme while you present, or using a spotlight to follow you on stage.

Have fun!

Everyone loves to be entertained, so injecting some humour into your presentation will help people loosen up and become engaged with what you have to say – after all, they won’t want to miss the next laugh! You can use imagery within a presentation to lighten the mood, or just pure banter – the possibilities are endless.

To start preparing for your next presentation, and really impress your audience, contact us today!