Benefits of Using Corporate Hospitality Packages

More than ever it is important for businesses to be offering the best service to their clients and ensuring that their needs are being met so they stay loyal customers. The increasing use of electronic communication benefits business with efficiency gains but can be detrimental with the interaction with clients. We all need to hold onto and look after our customers and one of the best ways to obtain quality time with valuable clients as well as potential clients and top performing employees is to take them to an exclusive or very popular event such as a high profile sporting event demonstrating to them how much you value them. The best way to spend time at an event is going with a corporate package, for many reasons.

Firstly by doing it in style and creating a special occasion people will remember it for years to come and will certainly show how much you value them by going that bit further than buying tickets to the event. Taking employees and clients here will pay you dividends in the future as it will encourage loyalty and continue bringing in valuable income.

Using hospitality facilities will provide you with space to spend time with valuable clients and those contacts that you want to convert into customers. Having that prime location at the event gives you a huge benefit over sitting in a crowded and noisy stadium. It is a much better suited environment to enjoy the event while talking business too.

Going with a hospitality package can often give you the opportunity to network as other companies will be sharing the facilities with their clients. You can find valuable clients and contacts this way.

If you run a sales team you can use these types of events as a motivational tool or reward your best performing employees as well as attract other highly competent people to your organisation. The initial cost of paying for a hospitality package will be repaid plus more with extra sales for your company.

Finally with these economic times it is important to offer the best service and have a competitive edge over the competition in order to win valuable business. Using corporate hospitality will certainly do that.

Personally I prefer motor racing to any other sport and have had recommendations for THG Worldwide for their packages they offer at the Formula 1 events.

How Strategic Alliances Help You Organize Better Events

The growing expenses of holding an event compel organizers to look for convenient ways out to arrange programs at low costs. Reducing costs as well as the workload, while making sure that the event is well executed, has now become the major concern of the event organizers. According to the veterans in the event industry, the best way to reduce cost is to establish strategic alliance with a non-competing organization with the focus on the same target market.

Broadly speaking, a strategic alliance refers to a partnership, where two or more organizations work together to achieve a common goal and share profits. For example, your organization arranges a corporate meeting. For this, you need a venue, food, and so on. You can collaborate with a supplier or a vendor, such as a catering company, who will be responsible for offering appetizers and food to your guests. In turn, they can get the chance of promoting themselves. Here is a brief overview of how you can garner potential benefits from a strategic alliance.

Shared Costs

A potential collaboration helps you share the expenses required for venue, marketing, registration, planning, and so on. Partnership with another organization allows you share time or space at a venue. It is likely to reduce the expenses, which was otherwise required for organizing the event entirely on your own.

Shared Workload

Collaboration with a non-competitive partner allows you to share workload, thus offering you enough time to invest in your core business functions. For example, if your organization can handle registration and payment processing, the other may take up the responsibilities of managing the event in real-time.

Share Expertise

Divide the workload with your partners. Decide what you can do best. Provide your partners with the part of the work they have expertise in. Make sure to be complimentary to your partner to complete the task with success. Keep this point in mind while approaching for partnerships. Such alliances increase your efficiency and maximize the success rate of your event.

Share Invitation Lists

You can double the attendee participation in your event, by establishing a strategic alliance with other organizations. For example, if you have one hundred contacts to invite to the event and your partner already has a client base, then you can instantly double the number of potential event attendees. It gives you chances galore to generate more revenues and, at the same time, paves the way to attract new attendees for future events.

Establish partnerships strategically, so that you can garner more profits from the event.

Ideas for a Successful Company Picnic

Company picnics are a fun way to spend time with your fellow employees and their families in a relaxed atmosphere. Planning in advance will ensure that you have a successful event that is enjoyed by all who attend. Many organizations choose to hire a professional event planner to take care of the planning and managing of their corporate picnic. Their experience and expertise ensures that your picnic will be full of fresh and innovative ideas each year.

The goal of a company picnic is to spend time with your co-workers and get to know their families. This type of informal interaction is crucial to building your team and promoting goodwill among your staff. Picnics are a popular corporate event because they are cost-effective and allow all the members of the family to participate. It is a great opportunity to relax and have a good time outside of the office.

While company picnics are typically fun and relaxed events, planning and managing them can be quite a task. Event planners can be used so that all of the planning is taken care of. In addition, they will be there during the event to ensure that everyone on staff can enjoy themselves while they take care of all of the details.

Choosing an appropriate venue will be one of the most important decisions you make. Your event planners will find you a location that has enough space for all of your guests. The best location will be somewhere outside of your business campus that has plenty of room to accommodate all your activities and entertainment. Try to keep the venue somewhere that is close and easily accessible to the majority of your employees. Most cities and towns have beautiful parks and open areas that are ideal for company picnics, large or small.

Promoting your event is key to its success. You will want to generate excitement and interest within your office to ensure that your employees and their families will show up. Event planners can guide you toward promotions and invitations that will get your employees talking.

Entertainment and planned activities are crucial for keeping your audience engaged and having fun. If you plan on having quite a few children there, be sure to include activities and entertainment that will interest them as well. For an adult crowd, casino games or live music can create a celebratory atmosphere.

When there is a picnic, people expect to eat. Provide lots of tasty food and drinks for your guests. Your food may reflect a particular theme that you have set for your gathering or you may choose to serve typical picnic fare. Be sure to include some kid-friendly foods to keep the younger children happy and well fed.

No matter what your budget, event planners can create a company picnic that will delight your employees and become a fun gathering that they look forward to each year. With their expertise and your vision, your next corporate picnic will be a huge success.

How To Plan A Banquet - A Guide To Planning Perfect Banquets For Company Or Private Parties

First time planners are often stricken with complete fear! Even those that plan events over and over again still fear that something will go wrong and they will be the subject of ridicule. Hopefully we can allay the fears and quell the butterflies in your stomach by helping you through the entire project.

There are a lot of questions you need to ask. First timers probably don't have the foggiest idea what questions to ask, so, the first thing we'd better do is outline these for you.

Perhaps the easiest way to do that is to fill out a form. (I love forms!)
If you were to phone me and ask me to help you make arrangements for a special event, the first thing I would do is reach for a blank form, and over the phone we would fill it out. When I had all the information, I would be better prepared to help you.

Before you continue reading, you may want to print the banquet planning worksheet(PDF) from my website. That way you can follow along with the worksheet as I describe the planning process. I've also included a pre filled sample planning worksheet that you might help.

Let's begin with fact finding.

PURPOSE

The first question to ask is, "What is the purpose of the event?" This question should be really easy, but it's perhaps the most important. The purpose of your event will determine your event's agenda.

DATE

Break out your calendar to decide a date for your event. Look for possible conflicts. It might be tough to get people out to a Saturday night banquet if it's a three-day holiday. It would be unwise to put on a church social if your local school, where most of your congregation had children attending, were having an open house or play that night.

Pencil in a date and then try to think of possible conflicts. I know of one organization that booked a very popular and relatively expensive Jewish comic into the club house of a predominantly Jewish retirement community. Attempts to sell tickets failed miserably, because they had not realized they had scheduled his appearance on a Jewish holiday - a very expensive oversight!

BUDGET

There are many, many determining factors in establishing a budget. First of all, how many are expected to attend? You might have a pretty good idea for a company party, but in some cases you might just have to make a "guess-timate" until you can get more information. Make the best possible estimate based on what facts you have, and proceed.

TICKET PRICE

Another factor to determine before we select a location is how much your attendees are willing to pay. Sure, we can work the other way: we can pick a location, hire a band, select the menu, etc., and then add up how much it all costs and thus determine how much everyone needs to pay, but doing so will probably leave you hurting in the end.

If you expect 1,000 people, and you determine $25.00 a person is acceptable, then your entire budget for food, printing, entertainment, etc., is $25,000. If you expect only 20 people and you know they won't come if it's over $5.00 a person, then you know you're far more limited.

LOCATION

Determine the geographical area where the event is to take place. If you live in the area where the event will take place, you may already know of various hotels, country clubs, restaurants or catering halls that can accommodate your group. If you don't live in the area, be sure to go look at the potential location before you book it. If the event is in a distant city and it's not possible for you to travel there, and the event is a significant one, I suggest you hire a professional meeting planner.

I once attended a banquet in a quaint "50's malt-shop-type restaurant. The party planner had not gone there to look at the room where the party was to be. She had just taken the word of a friend. True, it was a great restaurant, but their "room" had about 5 permanent booths on each wall. Guests were facing in all different directions. This made it almost impossible for the magician they had hired to perform. To further confuse the issue, it was not even a private room. Restaurant customers could not get to the restroom without disturbing the party, and the 50's music continued to blare through the ceiling speakers throughout the evening because it was piped throughout the whole restaurant and could not be isolated from one room. A visit beforehand could have prevented this nightmare.

Many, if not most, facilities do not charge a fee for the use of the room but instead absorb the rental fee into the price of the meal. For instance, in our example of 200 people, a banquet facility would be delighted to supply a private room in order to sell 200 dinners.

Usually they will have several dinners to choose from - perhaps a chicken dinner, complete with beverage, salad and dessert, for $12.00 per person; or prime rib at $18.00 each; or sirloin steaks at $25.00 per person. In our example we are charging $30.00 per person. Let's select the prime rib at $18.00.

Does that include tax and tip? Oh, Oh! Find out if it does, or you may get a surprise at the end of the night. Let's say it does not. 15% tip and 8% (or whatever) tax makes the dinner a total of $22.14 per person. Our sample budget calls for 200 people at $30.00 each for a total of $6,000. If all 200 people attend, dinner will cost $4,428. That leaves $1,572 for all other costs.

By the way, the facility may ask you for a deposit and guarantee. If you guarantee 200 people, you will have to pay for 200 dinners even if only 175 show up. Generally, a facility is prepared to serve about 10% more people than you guarantee. So it makes sense to guarantee a lesser number than you expect. Even some of those who told you absolutely they would be there, maybe even gave you a deposit, don't show for one reason or another.

Just to be on the safe side, in our example of 200 people, I would guarantee the restaurant 185. If you're pre selling tickets, which I recommend, you can always adjust your estimate upwards with the restaurant a day or two ahead of time if needed. Ask the facility about their requirements in regard to a change in the guarantee.

AGENDA

The evening agenda is largely determined by the event's purpose. A typical event might go like this:

6:00 - 7:00 - Social or cocktail hour

7:00 - 8:00 - Dinner

8:00 - 8:15 - Meeting/Awards/Business

8:15 - 9:00 - Entertainment/Speaker

9:00 - 9:10 - Raffle/Door Prizes

9:10 - 1:00 - Dancing

Having an hour to "gather" is always good. You and the facility both will want everyone present when you actually sit down to eat. It's been my experience that almost everything starts late, so plan for it and don't be disappointed when it happens.

Will you be having a cocktail hour? A "Hosted" bar means that drinks are free to the party-goers. If you choose to host the cocktail hour, be prepared to spend about $1200 for our sample group of 200 people. Most organization-sponsored events have a 'No-Host' bar, in which guests buy their own drinks. It's appropriate to announce 'Hosted', or 'No-Host' in the invitation.

Some form of entertainment during the cocktail hour is certainly a plus. The facility may have music piped in through its sound system, which is certainly the most economical; however, for around $300 you could have live music. Most banquet facilities have a piano, sometimes on wheels, and will let you either rent the piano or use it for free. Fee for the piano rental should be around $50 to $100 and a piano player anywhere from $150 to $250.

Other cocktail hour entertainment could include a chamber group, a jazz or "society" trio, harpist, or a strolling accordionist. A strolling "close-up" magician, performing from group to group or table to table, is always fun. Other forms of entertainment for the cocktail hour could include celebrity look-alikes, mechanical or conventional mimes, a balloon animal sculptor, caricaturist, graphologist, palm reader, tarot card reader, stilt walker, or just about anything else you can think of! Again, your budget is your gauge.

DINNER

This is pretty easy. When the Maitre'd says dinner is ready, have your party sit down!

The vast majority of banquets have certain people assigned to sit at the head table while everyone else may sit where they wish. If you choose to have a head table, you should make small place markers for those assigned to sit at the head table, and don't forget to discuss table arrangements with the facility.

OPENING

Someone, perhaps you, should step to the microphone and announce that dinner is ready and ask everyone to take a seat. When this has been accomplished your President, or whoever is presiding, should welcome everyone.

It is appropriate at most banquets to have someone lead the flag salute, followed by a blessing on the food. People should not be called upon for these jobs extemporaneously, but should be asked in advance and their names and responsibilities should be listed on the printed program if there is one. Following the flag salute and prayer, your Master of Ceremonies (or who ever is conducting) should introduce the people sitting at the head table, introducing himself last.

THE PROGRAM

If business of any sort needs to be conducted, begin when dessert is finished, or at least served. Make sure that the facility knows that you do not want any bussing (clearing of tables) or coffee served after the program starts, as it can become an irritating distraction and take away from the enjoyment of the program.

ENTERTAINMENT

Following opening remarks, and/or other business, you could either introduce the main speaker, or present some form of entertainment.

This could be the highlight of the evening! There are many outstanding after-dinner performers and speakers. If you really want to have a successful event, hire a professional. At this writing $500 to $1,000 can buy you some pretty top-notch entertainment.

How about a comedian-magician who uses a member or two of your group and does some hilarious bits of business and audience participation magic tricks - 30 or 40 minutes of non-stop laughs!

Or picture this...the dessert has just been served and in walks "Lt. Columbo," complete with overcoat and cigar..."Oh, excuse me," he says, "I was looking for somebody else." All eyes are riveted on this familiar figure as he turns and starts to walk out. "Oh, one more thing, is this the Walker party?' Then for the next 30 minutes or so he does a comedy routine in the style and delivery of Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, using names of people in your group.

That will rock your people out of their seats with laughter. These are just a couple of suggestions. Everybody loves to laugh, and a good professional entertainer can make you a hero.

How do you find that kind of entertainment? Again, watch out for the well-meaning friend. Sometimes hiring a friend of a friend who tells jokes or plays the banjo can put a wet blanket on the evening if they don't live up to your expectations.

Probably the best way to secure talent is to work with a professional talent agent that specializes in special events. Ordinarily there is no fee for his services. He can make recommendations and suggestions based on what your needs are, and work within your budget limitations.

Some entertainers may have special requirements, like a stage, spotlight, two mics or something else, and these items need to be arranged with the facility. There may be a rental fee involved.

RAFFLE/DOOR PRIZES

Giving away door prizes or raffle prizes should not be held until after the entertainment or main speaker. Perhaps it's an inducement for your guests to stay until the end.

If you're selling raffle tickets, again you need to make out a budget. How many tickets do you expect to sell and for how much money? Do you want to make a profit? Let's say you expect to sell 100 tickets to those 200 people expected to come, and we sell them at the banquet for $2.00 each. That'll give you $200 to buy prizes with. You can put this in your general budget or assign someone to take care of the whole raffle, including purchasing the prizes and selling the tickets.

DANCING

Following the raffle, the formal portion of the program is really over. Your people can now go home. If you've elected to have a deejay or band, they may stay for dancing.

The facility might charge to set up a dance floor. Sometimes this is a portable dance floor they build right on top of the carpet. A band will cost anywhere from $150 per band member to $450 per band member for four hours. A small trio of keyboard, drum and guitar could be anywhere from $750 to $1,500.

An $1,800 to $3,500 five-piece band, including a vocalist, is average. If you hire a band, you may be able to use one or more of those same musicians to provide cocktail hour and/or dinner music for a small additional fee. You normally need to make a deposit at the time you hire the band. Anything over four hours' playing time is considered overtime, and you should talk with the band or agent about the cost of overtime when you make the initial arrangements. Bands also need to take a 10-15 minute break each hour. Ask if the band will supply recorded music during their breaks.

MOBILE DEEJAY

Sometimes you might prefer a DeeJay playing recorded music instead of hiring a band. This gives you the advantage of hearing the original recording artist instead of a dance band's rendition.

Another advantage is that most mobile DeeJay units will set up before dinner and offer to play dinner music at no additional cost, and of course, a DeeJay does not take a break during the evening, so you have non stop music for your event.

Cost-wise, there is not a lot of difference between a 3-piece band and a DeeJay. Some DeeJays offer a full light-show that few bands do, and even with an additional charge, this could be a real plus. I think it's just a matter of taste. Some people insist on a live band and others are just as adamant about a DeeJay.

PHOTOGRAPHER OR VIDEOGRAPHER

Video taping an event, except for historical purposes, is unnecessary. Seldom will the video tape or DVD be watched more than once after the event. Yes, maybe a Bar or Bat Mitzvah will watch his or her recording years later when they grow older, and maybe even a bride and groom would watch a well-edited and condensed recording. A company or organization's banquet, however, will be seldom if ever watched.

I would recommend that you hire, budget permitting, a professional photographer rather than leaving it up to one of your guests or a friend of a friend who only takes photos twice a year. You can have the photographer deliver prints or a CD of digital photographs in which case you could print just the photos you want.

PROMOTION

Probably the most traumatic thing that could occur is that you planned the entire event and then no one came. If it's a company party and the food, entertainment, drinks and dancing are all free, I don't think you will have a problem, as long as you let everybody know when and where and that it's FREE!

But if that's not the situation, you may need to promote the event. Once you have all the facts (WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, WHO, and HOW MUCH), you can create a flyer - a piece of paper with all the facts on it, designed to motivate people to attend.

If you're an artist, great! You can create the flyer yourself. If not, maybe someone in your group is and they can help you. Otherwise, you need to "rough it out" the way you'd want it and take it to a graphic artist to do the "camera-ready copy" for you, then off to a printer to print however many you're going to need. How many you need will depend on how you're going to distribute them.

The layout, printing, envelopes and postage all need to go into your budget. There are, of course, additional ways you can promote the event - word of mouth, bulletin boards, phone committee, club or company newsletter, posters. If your event will be open to people outside your organization, you might try using the publicity channels of other related groups, companies, schools, etc., as well as your own. Have a "brainstorming session" with your committee, if you have one, to think of all the ways you can get the word out.

And remember that if you want people to come to your activity, you can't just tell them. You have to tell them and tell them and tell them! Use all the resources at your disposal, and don't hesitate to repeat yourself. The more times you tell them, the more will come!

TICKET SALES

There are as many ways to handle this as there are ways to promote the event. If you have to lay out funds ahead of time (which is usually the case), it is good to get as much money as you can up front. Pre selling your tickets will help you do that. Of course, your publicity must state your requirements and deadlines. This also will help you get a handle on how many are going to attend. Remember though, that there will still be some last minute cancellations and additions, so stay flexible.

TABLE ASSIGNMENTS

As mentioned earlier, most organizations assign only the head table, and the rest of the attendees are left to sit where they wish. Some groups insist on drawing pictures of the tables on a sheet of paper, numbering them, and then assigning people to specific tables.

I think it's far more work than necessary, but if you must, then have at it.
Some banquets, especially those honoring individuals or groups, offer entire tables "for sale." 10 people per table at $30 each means that for $300 someone could reserve a whole table. Make sure you put a "reserved" sign on that table, showing the name of the host.

THE PRINTED PROGRAM

When all the facts are in, if the budget will permit, a nice printed program could be put at each place setting or handed out as people arrive. It should contain the agenda for the evening and credits given to all those who contributed to the event.

Many organizations have been successful in selling ads in the program to defray the cost of printing or even to raise some extra money. I've put $250 income under the income column of our example. Don't you think you could convince 10 people to give you their business card and pay $25 to be advertised on the back page of the program? Of course, this idea could be a little tacky if the event is to celebrate little Bobbie's 10th birthday. Use your best judgment.

DECORATIONS

This could be a big item or not - strictly up to you. If you picked a beautiful location, and it's not a special seasonal event like a Christmas or Halloween party, why not just enjoy the facility's decor? If you feel you need decorations and you have a sufficient budget, call a party decorator who uses balloons. They go a long way towards dressing up a room without spending a lot of money.

Centerpieces on each table look nice. You can ask someone to donate these or have someone clever make something for each table. Many facilities make such a nice table layout that a centerpiece is not necessary. Don't spend money unnecessarily, but do remember that the nicer the ambience, the better the memories or the event will be in the minds of those who attend, which means that they will want to come to your next event, too!

One note of caution. If you're having entertainment, be careful that large
centerpieces, particularly balloons, don't block the view of the performing area or even the people sitting on the opposite side of the table who want to see and talk to each other.

YOU DID IT!

Yes, you will fret and worry until the whole thing is over, but every party planner does. Just relax, do your best and enjoy! (Here's a secret: If you enjoy what you're doing, the people you are doing it for will enjoy it, too!)

Promotional Writing Gifts For Corporate Events

Promotional gifts have to be chosen with concern because they represent the profile of the company and the use of the clients should also be kept in mind. Perhaps the safest and most dignified of such promotional items are the writing gifts. Notebooks, executive pens and journals are used every day and express solidarity found in few other items.

Notebooks: You can never have enough of notebooks. With so many engagements and appointments to remember, so many events to attend and so many aspects to remember while running a huge organization, every moment something or the other crops up which needs to be jotted down in order to be carried out later. It makes for an excellent promotional item as well.

Get you company logo imprinted on the cover of the notebook. However, it is advisable to imprint the logo on the cover only if the cover is basic and neutral in design, otherwise the look of the notebook may not be appropriate. If you are planning to give away notebooks with designed or jewelled covers, then it is best advised to imprint the logo on the spine.

If you want to give an artistic touch to your notebook, then you can opt for notebooks with jewelled rims, or bold tile work print. Geometric designs also lend a sporty look. If they are meant specifically for female candidates, then notebooks with floral patterns or covers in pastel shades is also a good idea.

Pens or Markers: They may not appeal to a lot of people for the simple reason that they look very common. As every company tries to bring uniqueness into their promotional products, they often oversee the fact of usability, because looking at things from the practical point of view; the pen is indeed one of the most important things that we use in our daily lives.

It is inexpensive and is one of the best items to be distributed when the promotion is taking place on a large scale among the masses, instead of some corporate events open only to invited guests. The users will remember your company every time they use the pen, which also makes is the perfect tool in marketing strategies.

Pens are, therefore, apt promotional gift items for any kind of promotional event hosted by a company.

Folders and Files: These are another very popular promotional item. It comes in so handy when there are so many papers to be managed and so many leaflets and brochures to be gone through. It is something which makes work easier in our daily work life, however simple it might be in looks and common in availability. Moreover, sorting out company papers in company folders makes categorization more easier, and will surely be appreciated among your employees and clients.

Why Hire Event Organizers In Manila?

Before you ask the question about why you should hire event organizers in Manila, you should first think about the reason why you want the event in the first place. Most probably, it is because there is a very important event in your life or it may be because it is essential for business operations. For this reason, it is essential for you to get the best services possible in order to make event successful and memorable. Hiring event organizers in Manila is very much recommended because they have the necessary expertise, time, and resources to plan the event thoroughly.

The most common reasons why people chose event planners include:

o Celebrations - such as weddings, birthdays, reunions, parades, and anniversaries

o Educational purposes - includes meetings, conferences, and graduation

o Promotions - includes political rallies, fashion shows, and product launches

o Commemorations - includes civic events and memorials

But there are many other reasons why people need to event organizers, this list is not an exhaustive one because people hire event organizers in for social and business events and everything in between.

Event organizers in Manila also do a list of exhaustive tasks that can overwhelm a client with no experience in event organizing. For example, some of the things that event companies have to do include conducting research, developing the design concept, implementing the design, finding the perfect venue, arranging the food, arranging the décor, finding entertainers for the event, and sending out the list of invitation. In addition, some related tasks may include arranging the transportation of the attendees and their accommodations as well if applicable.

As you can see, the job of evemnt planning and event organization is not an easy task. Event organizing is a specialist field, expanding only when one has perfected a niche, perfecting a system and set of core services that is both impressive and satisfying for both client and vendor.

Planning A Grand Opening Event: Promotion, Gift Cards, And More

The grand opening of you new office, retail store, or any other business venture should be an exciting, busy day that brings you new customers and helps you reconnect with current clients. Whether the grand opening is for a new office building, a third retail store, or your first bakery, planning a great grand opening event can immediately boost your sales figures. There are several key elements to a kickoff event that will ensure its success.

Promotion

A public event doesn't take place in a vacuum. You need to create anticipation for the opening and reach as many people as possible so that they'll know when and where your grand opening will take place and what they can expect from the opening. There will need to be activities and special offers that are valuable enough for people to be willing to take the time to visit your business on the day of the event.

A multi-pronged approach is the best way to advertise your event. Television, radio, and newspaper ads are all excellent ways to reach people. At the same time, don't neglect the newer venues of social media. Post an announcement on your website (if you don't yet have one, get one!), tweet to your customers, friends, and associates so that they'll help get the word out, and lure them in with the promise of good food and prizes.

Food And Drink

Once people arrive at your business, you want to keep them there long enough to really get to know the advantages of your new location and do some browsing or talk to you about their needs. Always serve some food and drinks. Finger foods, including appetizers and cookies, are easy for visitors to eat while mingling. Depending on your company policy, you can offer alcoholic drinks or a simple fruit punch.

Giveaways

Prizes are always big hits at kickoff celebrations. You can offer door prizes, have a raffle, or host a Chinese auction for gift baskets that contain anything from jewelry or accessories to a nice bottle of wine. When putting together these baskets, be sure the prizes complement whatever products or services your business offers. For instance, a car dealership might give away gift certificates for the local car wash or car accessories such as a portable navigation system, new car mats, or products for cleaning a car's interior. A hair salon might give away gift certificates for a line of hair care products, hair dryers, flat irons, or make-up and hair accessories.

Buy gift cards online for several different stores or several gift cards from the same store and present them to the first 50 or 100 people to arrive at the grand opening. Be sure to prominently mention this incentive in all your advertising literature. You might say something like, 'Today Only! Grand Opening Specials and Gift Cards for Our First Hundred Guests! Doors Open at 10:00 AM.' This also encourages people to arrive earlier on the day in hopes of winning one of the cards.

Various contests can also be incorporated into your celebration. Trivia tests, spinning a raffle wheel, or simply drawing tickets handed out to guests lets you give away more prizes. If you buy gift cards online, be sure to select an assortment. Local restaurant cards are always nice, but sporting goods stores, shoe stores, and bookstores also offer great gift cards. They are nicer to give than cash prizes, because the winners are more likely to treat themselves than if they simply pocket some cash. The cards can be tucked into attractive note cards that mention the grand opening and thank the guests for coming. It's a subtle reminder that your grand opening was where they won the prize, giving you an added bit of advertising.

Discounts

Be sure to let potential guests know that your grand opening event is about more than simply introducing your new location or building. Your advertising should also highlight discounts available only on the event day. This will encourage guests to purchase your products or sign up for your services while they are at the celebration, getting your business off to a strong start. Once they've tried your product or service at a discount, they will likely become repeat customers.

Discounts can also be handed out in the way of gift cards. If you don't have your own company gift cards, consider a free 'gift card with purchase' promotion. For every $50 customers spend, they will receive a $5 or $10 gift card to one of several stores. Simply order a stack of gift cards online in advance of the grand opening and have them ready to slip into shoppers' bags as they are leaving.