Corporate events are a common phenomenon these days. They are held for whatever purpose depending on the goal to be achieved. We previously looked at what corporate events actually are and the reasons behind why they are held. In this feature, we will be exploring the most common types of the corporate events held.

1. Opening general sessions/opening ceremonies

First on the list are opening ceremonies or general opening sessions. These are a great occasion to add excitement to an event through various forms of entertainment and introduce the overall theme of the meeting. They are especially suitable for events that last for two days or more.

2. Awards/Gala events

They are usually the last in a series of events. It may include features such as celebrity entertainers to exciting bands that provide music and other forms of entertain that leave the guests marking their calendar for the next event. These events reward employees and business partners for their hard work. Their also provide an opportunity to build rapport and learn more about mutual business interests. They are in fact a form of networking event.

3. Pre-dinner parties and mixers

Pre-dinner parties and mixers are events meant to provide a backdrop for conversations with entertainment in the form of acoustics or re-recorded music.

4. Business Dinners

Corporations have for a long time used these event to end their fiscal year whilstat the same time celebrating some of their achievement and milestones reached or sometimes even using them to reach out to certain important customers of theirs.

5. Team building activities

These activities may comprise a great number of activities from camping activities such as bonfires, tug of war, scavenger hunts and relay races. They could also include sporting activities such as volleyball, soccer and basketball. They are meant to instill a sense of teamwork and corporation by relating the challenges of the work place and how working together helps to complete such tasks.

6. Seminars and conferences

Seminars are different from conferences in that they are shorter lasting only a couple of hours as opposed to about two or more days of conferences. In addition, sessions may have single or multiple speakers but keep all the attendants in the same are while conferences may have multiple sessions all occurring concurrently perhaps in different locations all targeting different interests.

7. Trade fairs &shows

These are essentially lead generation avenues for business and companies. Some business even choose to be sponsors or host them to reinforce their brand as an industry leader among all the different types of attendees. It is in these trade shows that companies can present and demonstrate their latest products.

8. Executive retreats

They are organized for employees to escape the stressful work schedules and day to day business. A lot of money is usually spent on these event for each person who participates. They take place at luxury resorts in very exclusive destinations but the main focus is strategic planning and business development of the business despite enjoyable activities being thrown in as well as an added package for their hard work.

9. Incentive programs

These events and programs motivate employees as well as close ties to customers’ thereby promoting customer loyalty.

10. Company or organization milestone events

Milestone events provide a business with an opportunity to celebrate a major achievement, an anniversary for the company or a grand opening say of a new branch.

11. Product launch events

These could either be internal or external. Meetings could be held to inform employees across the company about a new product or they could be directed to the general public in the hopes that the public creates a buzz about the product and the news spreads far and wide in a marketing strategy.

12. Board meetings and shareholder meetings

These two meetings are extremely important for different companies but essentially, they provide an opportunity to review performances of the business as well as meet the executives of the company to make important decisions pertaining to the company.

13. Golf events

A bit odd to be part of corporate events, but companies nowadays make it a point to hold a golf tournament once every year. The main goal of this event is to manage and build on relations. Other goals include acquisition of new customers, improvingon customer loyalty and motivating their employees and staff.

14. Press Conferences

Companies once in a while may call a press conference. These are great opportunities to promote new products, inform the public and shareholders about any financial issues and offer clarification in case of an emerging issue concerning any of their products or services.

15. Themed corporate events

These events are held by companies in line to a special topic. Some of the more popular themed corporate events include, Halloween parties and Christmas parties.

16. VIP events

VIP events are held to increase loyalty of customers. They also provide the company with a chance to generate revenue by charging a higher price for the VIP service.