Awards ceremonies make a lot of sense. They are a chance for businesses to show recognition to all employees, which keeps morale high and helps employees feel more respected – in turn, they are more likely to continue putting in good effort.
Planning a good awards ceremony can be tricky, though, as there is so much to think about. So, if it’s your job to plan this event, use the following checklist.
The Venue
First things first – you need a good backdrop for the awards ceremony. There is much to consider here, including the size of the venue, what theme you have picked for the event, and how beautiful the space is. It is best to visit the venue first in real life to get a feel for the area – that will make the rest of the planning much easier, too.
The Food
Everyone knows how important food is at any event, and there is no better way of showing appreciation to your employees than by providing exquisite meals. Whether choosing plated meals you eat at tables or appetizers that servers will hand out throughout the whole evening, always ensure it is tip-top quality. It is best to choose corporate event catering that understands the ins and outs of business events. You could even create meals that reflect the evening’s theme. Don’t forget to pair the sumptuous food with refreshing drinks, too!
The Guest List
Who do you need to invite to the awards ceremony? The guest list should be tightly organized, as you don’t want to end up with too many people crowding the venue; nor do you want the venue to feel too enormous because you did not invite enough people! If you need to fill more space, you could always include plus-ones, so that your employees can invite their loved ones. This is a very good idea, as it means they can show their family member or friend how hard they have worked.
The Theme
Next up is the theme. While not all awards ceremonies require a theme, it’s often a good idea to choose one, as it creates a more exciting and interactive event. You can keep things simple and professional, perhaps opting for a black and white themed evening. Or, you can make things interesting with something more extravagant like Hollywood glamour or Cyberpunk.
The Entertainment
While you are likely hoping for all your guests to be excitedly matting and mingling during the event, you must also have some entertainment to tie everything together and make the event more enjoyable. The type of entertainment you choose depends on your goals. Perhaps you could pick a lively jazz band to build atmosphere, or, maybe you could hire a stand-up comic to get people laughing.
The Dress Code
It’s important to pick a dress code when planning any kind of business event, as you don’t want to confuse people! If you don’t, you could have some arriving in jeans and T-shirts and others arriving in their best three-piece suit. It is best to tell people the dress code well in advance.
The Schedule
Finally, think about the schedule for the event. While you should be flexible, it helps to know what’s happening at each hour of the event. The schedule may include the first hour of eating and talking, the second hour might then involve the awards themselves, and then you could follow that up with more drinks and a live band.
You can get as creative as you like when planning an awards ceremony. However, it’s important to follow a standard checklist, as there are certain expectations with corporate events. With the right venue, menu, guest list, theme, entertainment, and dress code, you set yourself up for an incredible awards ceremony that employees talk about for months to come.
