The figure of speech ‘tis the season typically goes hand-in-hand with snow-covered sidewalks and houses adorned with festive lights. In the summer, this phrase takes on a new, yet equally festive, meaning.
Summer – ’tis the season for planning and hosting outdoor events. With warm weather upon us, who wants to be cooped up inside, sitting in dark auditoriums and wandering through hotel meeting rooms? Outdoor events are a great way to create buzz and increased traffic to your fundraising and silent auction events!
The tricky part is, outdoor events don’t have the controlled environments that event planners enjoy with indoor events, and with that comes obstacles and logistical issues. To avoid major mishaps, equip yourself with a few helpful hints on the best ways to host outdoor event. Here are some things to consider for helping make your outdoor fundraiser or silent auction a smashing success:
- Comfort Is Key
If your event is going to be mostly or entirely outdoors, remember that your guest’s comfort is crucial. Take into consideration the temperature during the event – providing air conditioning, fans or heat lamps can be the key to ensuring your guests stick around for the main event. People also need comfortable places to sit, mingle and converse – be prepared with areas designated for any activity your guests may need to engage in.
- Lighting Sets the Mood
If your event is held during the day, natural light may be plenty. However for evening events, artificial lights are essential and how you use them has a huge impact on the overall mood of the event. Pay attention to the wires, extension cords and other lighting logistics, always using the philosophy that less is more. Think about using LED lights – they require far less energy and often have cordless battery or solar powered options.�
- Weather Or Not
While we all hope for sunshine on the day of a large event, thunderclouds may rear their ugly heads whether we’re prepared for them or not. Having a backup plan is your best bet for minimizing the headache and time wasted in adapting an event at the last minute. A simple option is to set up tents in advance if the venue allows, or keep them on hand so when the weather turns, you’re ready to act.
- Hear and Be Heard – Audio is one of the most difficult aspects to control at an outdoor event. One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re connecting with your audience is to use an audience response system like the IML Connector. It enables your guests to have their own microphone and portable PA system, so you can rest assured everyone has a voice and is being heard loud and clear.
Subscribe to the Corporate Event Planning Blog by RSS feed or email, or follow IML on Twitter or ‘like’ us on Facebook to receive the latest fundraising and silent auction system news.
No comments:
Post a Comment