Corporate event: Much more than just a company party
by Birgit Huber
Especially in times of an ever-increasing shortage of skilled workers, employee identification with their company is invaluable, and not just for the HR department. After all, the longer an employee stays with a company, the more expertise they gain – and the more valuable they become to their employer. Company events can also play a crucial role in showing appreciation for the entire workforce.
Corporate events often serve several purposes
But that's not all corporate events have to offer: they can also help build customer loyalty and strengthen relationships with business partners. From this perspective, corporate events are also strategically important occasions where participants learn something new, put innovative ideas into practice and get to know each other better in a professional yet relaxed working environment.
High-quality and maximally effective corporate events are best created in collaboration with a professional event agency such as ottomisu. We explain what is important for a successful corporate event – and why the transformative power of events also plays an important role.
Strengthen your company image with targeted corporate events
Employees, business partners, suppliers and/or customers come together to celebrate, enjoy themselves and simply have a good time: this is how clearly and simply the concept of a corporate event can be outlined.
However, corporate events are no longer just about entertaining the guests who attend: cleverly designed and well-thought-out corporate events are an essential part of customer communication and internal employee motivation.
Corporate events and team events: a small but subtle difference
The main difference between corporate events and team events is that customers and business partners are also invited to corporate events. In this respect, the effect of corporate events is not quite as specifically geared towards employee motivation as team events. At a corporate event, the focus is much more on showcasing the brand and the company image.
On the other hand, there is hardly any difference between the terms ‘corporate event’ and ‘company event’. Both terms are used largely synonymously, although the size of the company does play a role. As one of the leading event agencies in Germany, ottomisu mainly serves larger companies with more than 1,000 employees and, in this context, tends to refer to corporate events.
Did you know? This is what distinguishes a corporate event from other events.
Unlike most other business events, a company event, corporate event or team event does not directly serve to maximise profits. In addition, only invited guests can participate in these types of events – in contrast to a trade fair, conference or public panel discussion, for example. At the same time, company events can certainly contribute indirectly to profit maximisation, as we will explain in the following paragraph.
Appreciation and networking: the most important benefits of corporate events
Corporate events serve not only, but above all, to maintain internal and external contacts. The aim is to chat in a relaxed setting outside the working environment and to discover new, perhaps more private sides to your counterpart or conversation partners.
To enhance these opportunities, special locations with specific activities are often chosen for corporate events, as is the case with team events. These activities can include raft building or an escape room, for example.
While company management primarily wants to express appreciation to its employees with a company event, customers, suppliers and business partners tend to value the opportunity to expand and strengthen their network. In both cases, company events are also an important measure for maintaining the company's image – and it is not only brand specialists who know how essential this can be for maximising profits.
Corporate values also play a role at company events
When organising company events, selecting the appropriate setting, location and programme, it is essential to incorporate corporate values.
It is crucial that the communication of corporate values is not too intrusive or obvious – rather, the image and brand values should accompany and resonate with the event in an elegant manner.
When implemented skilfully, this staging of corporate values can make a significant contribution to strengthening the corporate culture internally and the corporate image externally. Experienced event agencies such as ottomisu can provide companies with targeted advice on this.
Every corporate event needs an idea – and the right format
As with any other type of event, there are many different formats for corporate events. The most important question is which target group should be the focus. If the main focus is on employees or one or more teams, the most popular types of events are Christmas and/or summer parties, kick-off events, e.g. for a new product or a new division, or even a team event.
If the focus is more on customers and business partners, most companies like to organise in-house exhibitions or open days. For partners and suppliers, on the other hand, networking events are the first choice, ideally accompanied by a supporting programme that is both professionally relevant and entertaining.
Of course, the boundaries are fluid: all three target groups can feel comfortable at all three event formats and benefit from the event. The key thing is that the event fits the company and its brand. And it is precisely this precision fit that ottomisu is known for as a professional event agency.
Concept, planning, implementation: ottomisu makes your corporate event a success for every occasion
With over 30 years of experience, we know exactly which location and catering suit which corporate event. Working closely with our clients, we use genuine teamwork to create a unique programme of events for unforgettable moments, which we also implement optimally in terms of technology and logistics.
We rely on the transformative power of events: hardly any other marketing measure offers as much immediacy, liveliness and change as an event. An intense encounter and a conversation alone are enough to set in motion a process in the mind that can change everything.
Embedded in an impressive setting, the transformative power of an event can be a new starting point for lasting change. The event becomes a new frame of reference and takes on a significance that reverberates long after the actual event has ended.
With a tailor-made and emotional follow-up via social media or other internal company channels, we ensure that the transformative power of an event and all the inspiring moments remain in the memory for a long time to come.
With ottomisu as your event agency, you not only achieve measurable success – above all, you create a special kind of experience with an exciting event. For memories that last and have a lasting effect.
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