The "Wow Factor" and Incentive Events

Wanting to treat your group to the ultimate "thank you" by throwing an event they'll never forget? Here are a just a few tips on how to make that happen:

Examples of exclusive venues. Top: Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards; Bottom: Porsche of Downtown LA

Exclusive Locations and Properties

Set the tone for your event by choosing a venue that sets the experience apart from any other. Exclusive locations, such as private homes and mansions, are always great options for a truly unique venue choice. Have your guests enjoy cocktails while overlooking a view only seen from an otherwise private estate, or host dinner on the picturesque grounds of a palatial property. Your guests will feel as though they were treated to something special, out of the ordinary, and unlike anything anyone else has experienced. 

Another creative alternative: host your event at a venue not normally used for events. Transform an abandoned warehouse into the ultimate club house, host a reception amongst the cars at a luxury dealership, or treat your guests to dinner on a helipad overlooking the city. With venues such as these, you've already set the stage for what will be a memorable event.

Unique Activities and Experiences

Now maybe you're wanting your guests to experience something special and don't want to do the normal cocktail party or dinner. Try incorporating unique entertainment or activities into your guest experience: invite a celebrity chef to do a private tasting or cooking class for your group; surprise everyone with a special guest appearance or performance; schedule a behind the scenes tour of a studio; or do a buyout of a local attraction, such as an amusement park or golf course.

Companies wanting to engage shareholders or clients may even want to take this opportunity to showcase their product by giving guests the opportunity to see, experience, or purchase their product in ways the average consumer is unable to. Open your store for a private invite-only shopping event, host cocktails at your factory and do a tour of the facility while updating guests on your company's next big project, or host an event where guests get to test drive your latest product.

Getaways

Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa

If you're willing and able to travel, you may also want to consider hosting an off-site retreat. Booking a hotel or all-inclusive resort that not only has meeting space for you and your guests to gather, but also includes activities and nearby attractions for guests to enjoy either as part of your pre-planned itinerary or at their leisure is a perfect way to treat your group to a one-of-a-kind experience. Choose a venue such as the Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, which has a host of already established group retreat packages, or plan your own itinerary at the location of your choosing.

Special Giveaways

Last, but certainly not least, you'll want to make sure your guests not only walk away from your event with great memories, but also with something tangible to remind them of the fun times they had and of how valuable they are to you and your company. Branded company gifts, for example, are an easy go-to solution, but adding in a hand-written thank you note gives a personalized touch to an otherwise generic party favor.

For larger groups or those with a more substantial budget, doing a gift suite and hiring a company such as Cultivate Premium Corporate Gifts to setup and allow guests to hand-pick the gift of their choosing is also a new trend that is sure to be a hit. Want to give your guests something truly unique? Give the gift of an experience, such as a hot air balloon ride or dinner cruise, by working with a gift experience company that can provide you with specific gift ideas or offer gift cards for the recipients to choose their preferred experience at a later date.

Regardless of what you decide to do for your event, always remember the purpose behind it. As an incentive event, you want your guests to feel valued and eager to continue to support you, your company, and your goals. "Wow" your guests with the event of a lifetime and they'll surely show their support in kind.

Galas, Banquets, and more: Tips to Remember

For the entertainment world, Awards season is a winter affair, with the Academy Awards serving as the last of the more notable awards ceremonies. For many other industries, however, the end of the entertainment industry's awards unofficially marks the beginning of what I like to call "Gala Season."

Various organizations look to the Spring to hold their annual affair, or to ramp up the planning for their Fall fetes. Whether you're in the beginning stages of planning, or are finalizing the last few details before your upcoming event, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Remember it's Purpose

Why are you holding the event? Is it to honor your colleagues or a few standout supporters? Are you trying to fundraise or bring awareness to a cause? Maybe you're just wanting to cultivate a few relationships by wining and dining your corporate partners. Whatever the reason, be sure to keep the purpose in mind while planning. 

Know Your Audience

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the key when planning any event is to remember who your guests are. Often times, we get so wrapped up in the details of an event that we forget who the event is for. You may like the idea of a formal dinner with a high priced ticket, but if the majority of your audience is made up of young adults, then you may be better off going with a less formal, less expensive cocktail party.

Another example: I sometimes see clients wanting to do an auction or contest at their event. Sometimes this is done for the sake of fundraising, other times it's done to promote a sponsor's product or service. It's great if you have a few fun items to give away, but make sure the items appeal to your group. There's nothing worse than agreeing to promote an item and then getting a lackluster response from your guests. 

Ask Yourself, "Does this Make Sense?"

When thinking through the theme, decor, and entertainment options for your event, always ask yourself if your choices make sense. Have you ever received an invitation that didn't match the theme or decor of the event you attended? Or been to an event where the emcee or guest speaker didn't seem to resonate with the audience at all? Those little details may be things that you don't notice or are genuinely excited about, but don't fit in with any other elements of the event. It may all make perfect sense to you, but it should also make sense to your guests.

The above are just a few basic points to remember when planning a gala, banquet, dinner, or any other event for that matter. When in doubt - and in every step of the planning process - always come back to these tips for clarity.

Your Holiday DIY Guide

Seasons Greetings! We're well into the holiday season at this point, and many of you have already attended a company holiday party or two. Aside from celebratory events such as birthdays and weddings, however, the holidays are one of the only occasions where people find time to not only go out and have fun, but also to entertain in the comfort of their own home. With that said, we thought we'd share a few DIY tips we've found for those of you planning your own holiday celebrations:

Candelit Branch Menorah

Celebrate Hanukkah by creating a one-of-a-kind candlelit manzanita branch menorah, as demonstrated by Martha Stewart.

Ombre Christmas Tree

Tired of the same ol' Christmas tree year after year?  Change things up by applying an ombre effect to a white Christmas tree, using this DIY guide by Little Inspiration.  We especially love the idea of having the ornament colors correspond with each tree layer.

Elegantly Wrapped Gift Boxes

Whether you're wrapping gifts for family and friends, or creating faux gifts for a decorative touch under the tree, this lace-and-fabric-wrapped gift box idea by A Beautiful Mess is the perfect way to add a touch of elegance to your holiday décor.

New Years Eve Sequin Garland

Throwing a New Years Eve bash? No party would be complete without a touch of sparkle to ring in the New Year.  Add some glamour with this sequin garland, courtesy of A Beautiful Mess.

Holiday Treats

When it comes to entertaining at home, preparing a home-cooked meal is the ultimate DIY project.  Check out Food.com's holiday recipe guide - they've got something for everyone, including drink recipes, too!

***

These are just a few of the DIY ideas we loved most.  You can find more fun suggestions for unique holiday DIY projects by checking out the links below. If you try any of these, or have another fun tip you'd like to share, feel free to share a photo on Instagram and tag @posh5productions and #poshDIYproject. Happy Holidays!

• A Beautiful Mess - December 2014 Index
• Brit + Co.- 40 Easy Holiday DIYs Anyone (Yup, You!) Can Make
• Little Inspiration - Crafts & DIY Projects
• Martha Stewart - Hanukkah Crafts and Decorations

Fall is here!

Fall doesn't officially start for another two weeks, but we're already gearing up for this season's trends.  Pantone released the official Fall 2014 Fashion Color forecast earlier this year and chose 10 beautiful colors as their prediction for the hottest colors of the season. 

Though the report is geared toward fashion, we're looking at how we can incorporate the trend into event décor.  Here are two simple looks we put together as inspirations for your next special event:

Radiant Orchid and Aluminum

BBJ Linen created the perfect table linen for this color combination, releasing their new Radiant Miramar linen just recently.  Pair the linen with a matching napkin, or with this eggplant lamour for added texture.  We also liked Classic Party Rentals' Carrington Bone Silver Charger Plates for additional flair.

Misted Yellow and Cypress

We absolutely love Archive Vintage Rentals' yellow Gail Chair, which is the perfect accent piece for a Fall garden-themed party.  Continue the theme with the Lucy Moss table linen and Matte Satin Rio linen napkins by Wildflower Linen for your tabletop, and Archive Vintage Rentals' Brass Chargers to complement the look.

What colors would you like to use for your upcoming event?  Have a different color combination you'd like to see us use?  Let us know in the comments section below.