Event Organisation
Getting the pre-event organisation right is the foundation to having a successful event. It requires considerable thought, meticulous planning and attention to detail. All of the key stages need to be fully mapped in detail and challenges identified and dealt with, problems anticipated and solutions developed. Coussins Associates have extensive experience in relation to event organisation. You can capitalise on this experience using some or all of our event organisation services including:
Initial Event Concepts
Developing a powerful event concept is key to ensuring that this major investment fully achieves the objectives you have set and gives you some lasting ROI. That means having a clear idea about what it is you are trying to achieve in the first place. Whether the event is a management meeting, sales conference, stakeholder presentation, customer conference, product launch, festival of sport, or sporting conference, you need to map out precisely what outcomes you want to achieve, what the specific objectives are, and the key messaging and communications points. Only then can you develop the event concept. We can help you work out all of the aims, objectives and messages and then brainstorm original, imaginative, but highly effective concepts together with you on a one-on-one basis or in workshop sessions with your colleagues. We can then provide further input and advice in order to reduce these to the most practical, cost effective and relevant.
Programme Development
Having developed the overall event concept, the next stage is the programme planning and development. A powerful but carefully balanced programme helps delegates to understand and take the messages on board. To change behaviours in ways you want them to change or learn new skills, gain new insights and understanding.
But what is a balanced programme? How do you ensure that the topics are structured in a way that takes maximum advantage of delegate attention spans? How do you stimulate their interest and fire up their enthusiasm? How do you source high quality, dynamic and inspiring guest speakers (and ensure that they stay on message)? How do you avoid ‘death by PowerPoint’? What other communications media can you use for impact and cost effectiveness? What is the optimum programme for your event? How do you communicate the programme to your delegates to stimulate their imagination, generate keen anticipation and excite and motivate them prior to the event?
Here too, at every stage, the Coussins team can help you. We have extensive experience of how to programme an event to answer all of these questions and many more, making sure that your event has a powerful and lasting impact that supports all your objectives and truly delivers the results you want.
Site Selection
Finding the right site for your event is never simply about cost and geographic convenience. Of course both are key, but you also need to consider the suitability of the venue in relation to the event itself. How easily can the delegates get to and from the host country, city or town? Are the delegates going to have to travel from hotel to event site? How easy is it to find the site? What about delegate movement within the event venue? How well matched is the venue to your event concept and programming? What will the venue allow you to do for yourself and what will they insist on supplying (and is any of that any good in terms of value and quality)? How will their staff support you? And perhaps most importantly, what will be the site or venue’s impact on the technical requirements and how might that constrain the event itself? Because we know what the issues are in relation to site selection and what questions we need to ask, we can help you to identify a long list of possible sites and venues, take long lists to short lists, negotiate with the venue itself in relation to prices, constraints and your requirements and ensure that the site you select is ideally matched to your event objectives.
Event and Venue Branding and Design
Making the venue conference hall or room your own is one thing, but you also need to think about how you brand the entire event site so that your delegates have a fully immersive event experience. We have found that this is a key ingredient in the event communications process. This means looking at every branding opportunity and deciding what goes where in relation to branding, messaging and design work. From delegate packs and badges, through presenter (and delegate) clothing, to venue signage (internal, external and directional), refreshment area and breakout room designs and messaging, we can show you ways to make the venue look truly yours and ensure maximum delegate communications at all stages.
Stage and Set Designs
The focus of your delegate attention will be towards the stage or set so this is an area that requires a good deal of thought and attention. Whether your budget runs to an elaborate custom built set design with powerful effects and many changes, or something much more standardised, simple and straightforward it’s possible to make a powerful visual impact with a little application of thought and experience. We can develop design concepts for you whatever your constraints and help you make the best of your venue and your budget so that the result looks truly professional.
If you would like help for your event in any of these areas then simply click here to get in touch.
