For many businesses, the end of the year is not only a time to celebrate the holiday season, but also a time to recognize the good work and achievements of your hardworking employees. This year, make sure your awards night, recognition dinner or other commemorative event is one to remember. Here’s how:
Get on the Same Page
To pull off a truly magnificent event, you’ll want the help of an experienced corporate event planner. That said, it’s important to clearly communicate your vision and set expectations from the start. You’ll want to make sure you and your event planner are in sync regarding the tone of the event, the budget of the event, and any other “mission-critical” details.
Determine the Ambiance
Are you looking to host a red-carpet affair, or a family-style mixer? The tone of your event will really determine your venue and even your menu. Think about your goals for the evening; do you want your employees to experience a glamorous evening out, or just throw a big party?
Put Some Thought into the Award
If you’re hosting an evening dedicated to awarding and recognizing your employees, it’s a good idea to put some effort into the awards themselves. Whether you envision an Oscar-esque statue or an Olympics-inspired medal, take care to make your awards unique and dignified.
Get the Right Emcee
Sure, Billy from HR loves to karaoke on the weekends, but you might consider hiring some professional talent to host your awards evening. This not only allows all your employees to relax and enjoy the evening, but will likely ensure an employee doesn’t inadvertently embarrass him or herself (or worse). Professionals are also great on the fly when something doesn’t go quite as expected (and when does it?).
Make it Suspenseful
There’s something exciting about the Oscars, because no one knows who will “own” the night beforehand. To play off this suspenseful vibe, wait until the night of the event to announce winners of awards or other recognitions. It’s exciting to think anyone could end up on the stage.
Got an awards night idea that never disappoints? Share it here!
Leave a Reply