Corporate Event Planning|Event Management|Event Planner

Organizations who desire to think of unique ideas for unique corporate gifts may find it very tough because coming up with something interesting to present their employees can be a bit difficult.

In an age where pens, pen holders, tumblers, and personalized coffee mugs are very common giveaways during corporate events, people expect something more. They look forward to receiving unique corporate gifts, not stuff they will just toss in their cabinets because they have too many of them already.

There are various ideas for unique corporate gifts out there. With a little inspiration and creativity, finding the right giveaway won't be that hard.

Here are some really cool ideas for unique corporate gifts you'd like to consider:

1.Personalized shirts. It's time to do away with personalized mugs and pins; they're so 2008. If you want something less expensive but has more appeal, go for personalized shirts. Today, there are tons of artists and shops that create unique designs for shirts. You can even have your company name inserted there somewhere.

2. USB dock connectors. You can get one of those USB connectors that look like a flower vase. These have several connectors that look like stems of flowers placed inside a vase. Not only are these unique corporate gifts, they will also be very useful.

3.Stylish planners.

4. Travel bags. Those who always see themselves on trains, planes, and other means of transport will love these unique corporate gifts.

5. iPad accessories. Almost everyone owns one, so why not think of something that can users can use. They'd definitely be excited about receiving these types of gifts.

It's really not hard to come up with cool ideas for unique corporate gifts. One good tip you can use is to think about the basic things employees need, and find something that can satisfy that need, and then find innovative.

Buy-sell agreements are designed to accomplish one or more of the following objectives from one or more of several viewpoints: the corporation, the employee-shareholder, the non-employee shareholder, and any remaining shareholders. The buy-sell agreement provides for what happens to the shares of owners who leave, for whatever reason, whether favorable or unfavorable.

From the corporation's viewpoint, the agreement may prevent the departing shareholder from retaining his shares. By requiring a departing shareholder to sell his or her shares to the corporation, the corporation and remaining shareholders eliminate any potential for conflict over future corporate policies with the departed shareholder. They also eliminate the potential for the departed shareholder to benefit from future success of the business created by the remaining shareholders. Finally, the agreements prevent a shareholder (or his or her estate) from selling shares to "undesirable" parties, enabling the remaining shareholders to decide who the next shareholder will be, if any. These reasons for buy-sell provisions apply to virtually all trigger events.

We use "QFRDD" to denote common trigger events for buy-sell agreements.

If you think about the events suggested by QFRDD, none of them are very pleasant to talk about, particularly to a group of shareholders who may have just come together for a common business purpose. In fact, circumstances could be such that the shareholder most affected by a trigger event has a proverbial gun to his or her head. In the alternative, the company may perceive that it has a gun to its head in order to fulfill the repurchase requirements of an agreement.

Think of QFRDD to remember.

Q - Quits. A buy-sell agreement may provide a mechanism for shareholders who leave a business to sell their shares to the corporation or other shareholders. Shareholders may quit under a variety of scenarios, some of which are more favorable to the corporation and other shareholders than others. The circumstances of quitting may determine how the departing shareholder is treated under the terms of the agreement.

• Favorable circumstances. A shareholder may decide to leave a company to pursue other interests that are not competitive with the activities of the company. Assuming the ability to fund the purchase, the company and remaining shareholders are likely to view such a departure on favorable terms.


• Unfavorable circumstances. Alternatively, a shareholder may decide to leave a company and to pursue competitive activities. Under such circumstances, the company and remaining shareholders may be reluctant to pay full price (whatever that means - to be determined as we proceed) and desire to stretch out payment as long as possible. After all, no one wants to finance a competitor!

F - Is Fired. When an employee-shareholder is terminated, most corporations desire to retain control over the shares.

• Terminations generally result in diverse, or more likely, adverse interests between the fired shareholder, the corporation, and remaining shareholders.


• From the employee's viewpoint, the agreement assures that his or her shares can be sold at the buy-sell price and creates a market for the shares.


• From the corporation's viewpoint, buy-sell agreements create the right, or the obligation, to purchase the departing employee-shareholder's shares.


• They also eliminate the potential for the terminated shareholder to benefit from any future success of the business created by the remaining employees and shareholders. Some agreements call for a penalty to the valuation in cases of termination, particularly for cause.

R - Retires. The retirement of an employee-shareholder creates a potential divergence of interests between the shareholder and the corporation.

• The shareholder may desire current liquidity over the uncertain future performance of the corporation.


• The corporation may desire not to have potential interference or disagreement with corporate policy, or to have the retired shareholder benefit from future appreciation in value.


• Further, the corporation and the remaining shareholders likely do not want a retired employee to continue to benefit from their ongoing efforts.

D - Disabled. After a defined period of time, the corporation may have the right (from its viewpoint) or the obligation (perhaps, from the employee's viewpoint) to purchase the disabled employee's shares. If disability is a trigger event, it is essential to have a clear definition of what "disability" means.

D - Dies. The death of a shareholder creates issues that are often resolved by buy-sell agreements.

If a shareholder dies owning a minority interest in a corporation for which there is no market for its shares, the illiquidity of the stock can create estate tax issues.

• The shares must be valued for estate tax purposes, and the appraisal amount will add to the estate's value.


• To the extent that the estate is taxable, there may be no liquidity to pay the estate taxes.


• Buy-sell agreements provide a mechanism for determining the value of shares for estate tax purposes and for monetizing that value for the estate, generally in cash or in a term note.


• Therefore, the shareholder's estate realizes liquidity and can pay taxes due and does not face the combination of uncertainty of independent valuation and the certainty of payment of taxes in the absence of liquidity.


• From the corporation's viewpoint, the agreement eliminates the need to address uncertain ownership dictated by the deceased shareholder's will and can create the requirement for funding.

If the parties agree, buy-sell agreements also operate in the event of the divorce, declaration of insolvency, or bankruptcy of one or more shareholders (or even the corporation). In the event of the divorce of an employee-shareholder, the buy-sell agreement will most likely be designed to prevent the non-employee spouse from realizing any ownership in the stock of the corporation. If an employee declares bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the corporation may exercise its right to purchase the shares to prevent their dispersion to creditors.

It should be clear from the above that buy-sell agreements can be favorable from the viewpoints of employee-shareholders, non-employee shareholders, the corporation, and any remaining shareholders in many diverse situations. The emphasis is on "can be" because the operation of an agreement can go awry despite the best intentions of its creators.

In conclusion, buy-sell agreements are designed to provide objective means of transferring ownership in controlled and pre-determined ways under specified circumstances that may be difficult.

• In the absence of a workable agreement, the remaining shareholders and the corporation may be placed in the unenviable position of negotiating under adverse circumstances with former friends, their families, or their estates.
  


• Such negotiations, which would occur after the interests of the parties have diverged, are difficult, fraught with uncertainty, and often lead to litigation.

Workable buy-sell agreements are the cure for the potential problems enumerated above.

If you ever find yourself heading a committee in charge of food for a company event, you may want to explore the hiring of professional caters for a hassle-free and reliable way to ensure that everyone stays happy and well-fed. There are many advantages to getting corporate catering done, and will surely give you the best value for the money you will be spending.

For one thing, when you avail of professional chefs to do the work for you, you can rely on years of experience in meal planning and can be assured of the quality of the food. Usually, you can opt to have a taste test before hand to be able to choose from the varying menus they can offer, depending on your preferences. If what you want is not on the menu, they can also be flexible enough to adjust their dishes and even concoct new ones to suit your needs. Be sure to discuss your budget beforehand so that they can also suggest some options that will still be filling, but will fit well within your spending range.

Availing of corporate catering services is definitely a one-stop-shop when it comes to everything that you will need. Aside from the actual food preparation, they will also provide the tables, chairs, utensils, servers and d矇cor to go with your event theme. One can select from the variety of table settings and styles to achieve the look you want.

There are also quite a lot, if not all, caterers who provide event management as well, and at no extra cost. This would truly be a godsend for those big events with a lot of logistical details that need to be handled such as, hiring of equipment, renting a venue, and over-all decoration. These are things that will either make or break an event, and so it is vital to put them in hands you trust. Make sure to get a supplier that will always maintain transparency when it comes to the actual costs and figures.

And so, when faced with the prospect of handling a large company event, there is no need to be stressed when you have corporate catering services. If you are not familiar with any companies offering this, make sure to get good recommendations from other groups or friends who may have knowledge on reliable and reasonably priced caterers who can give you what you need. Do not hesitate to ask around for different quotes and menu suggestions from various companies, and then narrow down your selection based on their proposals to make the process easier.

If you run a business organization, chances are that you are looking for new avenues to reach your existing clients and to target potential ones. One of the best ways to give your organization the visibility and brand recognition it deserves in the market is to participate in or host a corporate event. The only downside is that there are many competing organizations which have the same idea, and are also participating in the same event, cutting into your prospective client base. This can make it a little tough to get the attention of the clients, and draw them to your brand.

And that's exactly where promotional items and products come in! Promotional products are a great way to help your organization get the visibility and recall you are aiming for. Handing out these promotional products among visitors, who are at the corporate event, enables your organization to really make your brand presence visible, felt, and appreciated. The right promotional items can pull customers and visitors to your stalls much faster than anything else. Another advantage of giving out promotional items to customers at a corporate event is the positive image and association it gets for your brand. Everyone loves getting stuff and the giver is always remembered warmly; not a bad thing at all for your brand!

There are numerous items that can be used as promotional gifts to be handed out to visitors in a corporate event. Filled your giveaway basket with customized pens, portfolios, scratch pads, sticky notes, rulers, calculators, and much more, to make sure the visitors notice and remember you. Don't neglect this superb opportunity for brand publicity, check out desk amp office products for ideas! Promotional products can vary from carrier bags to Promotional pens, from Promotional Mugs, to computer accessories, and anything else you can think of.

Items like folders, bags and satchels, note pads, promotional USB products and so on make great corporate event promotional gifts to be handed out at events such as trade shows and fairs, exhibitions, and more. Use these superior items as opportunities to showcase and popularize your logo, your brand, and your message by handing out some of these items as corporate event handouts and giveaways. Using custom printed corporate gifts gives the people attending the event something real and tangible they can take away from the event to remember you and your company by. Doubtless, corporate giveaways and promotional items are a great way to get their attention, and to make sure that they remember your brand long afterwards.

For a range of products that you can customize and hand out, at the variety of events that occur in a year, check out some of the stuff from action printing inc. And select the popular or exclusive item you find perfect for your branding and promotional needs! It's a fact that promotional products work miracles for the brand of any organization. Choose wisely, and take advantage of the superior brand recall that can be given to you by a useful, stylish, promotional item handed out at a corporate event!

Generally, corporate firms offer outing opportunity to their staff as a reward for the achievements made by them from time to time. As these outings are fun filled, they not only act as a reward for their past performances, but they can also act as a motivation to the staff to maintain utmost perfection in the coming days as well. For making the outing of their staff further enjoyable and convenient, they can make use of coach hire services.

Generally, corporate firms have their own buses, but when it comes to outings, they will be in need of larger vehicles in such a way that a large group of their staff can travel in the same vehicle. Since coaches have a number of seats, this requirement of firms can be rightly met many times. Above all, they will have better facility as compared to the buses of the corporate firms. Even, some of the hiring service providers is having double decker buses so large group of people can travel easily by that. Above all, as the drivers working for these organizations are experienced, safe travel of the staff can be ensured for corporate firms.

When hiring a company, it is better to ensure whether the driver has the required license and insurance and all other particulars with him for ensuring the safe travel of the staff particularly during a fun-filled outing during which they will be focusing more on enjoyment, rather than on their safety. Here, the employer will have to remember that in the event of any accidents due to rash driving or improper driving, he will be losing not only his talented staff pool, but will also have to meet the expense of paying a large amount of rupees to their family members. Also, when a professional hiring service is obtained, the staff will also feel happy about the effort made by their employer in offering them a comfortable, safe and fullfleged outing services, which in turn will have a positive impact on the performance of the driver and the staff.

Since this sort of service is being offered by a number of service providers, it is better to get coach hire quote from different service providers, before deciding on the company to be selected. Most of these service providers are offering coach hire quotes through online form available in their websites and therefore obtaining quotes is also easier.

Do you want to have high class psychological mind reading entertainment for your guests at events such as weddings, dinner parties, awards ceremonies and small private functions? After dinner entertainment ideas are absolutely remarkable and bound to thoroughly entertain everyone involved. The night will be filled with jaw dropping surprises and mind blowing entertainment.

Unique guest speakers will be able to impress guests by understanding them and by influencing their thinking. They can provide sensible methods of being able to get inside the minds of customers, friends and loved ones to help you achieve goals you want to achieve.

Why not try after dinner entertainment and corporate cabaret acts. Mind reading cabaret acts will not fail to impress, they will have guests laughing all night and have them completely and utterly amazed. You choose how long you would like your guests to be entertained for, how much mind reading, predictions and psychological entertainment can they handle in one night?

Other forms of entertainment include corporate awards dinner performances where the audience will be completely involved and wowed. It is an excellent way of having all your staff feeling like they are involved in the award ceremony as it leaves something for everyone to talk about.

It is also possible to have entertainers come and perform at small dinner parties. These are good as the entertainer is able to involve every person in the room on a personal level. This provides a great opportunity for the guests and entertainer to get to know each other.

Why not make your wedding day that extra bit special and hire a wedding entertainer. This wedding entertainer will be no ordinary performer though. Whilst youre waiting for the day time wedding meal to be transformed into the evening room your entertainer will be able to keep your guests motivated. They will be mesmerised by mind tricks and the art of persuasion.

When thinking about providing amusement for your next corporate event you should really consider after dinner entertainment. Your staff will really appreciate the hard work you have gone to in order to put on a special event. Not everyone can win an award or have their name mentioned so entertainment like this is fantastic for making the night about everyone. After dinner entertainment ideas really will be the icing on the cake for your corporate events. Shop around now to find your perfect after dinner entertainment.

Corporate situations are always somewhat complex for introducing a fundraising activity. As a corporate environment is normally professional, smart and thought-provoking fundraising event in a corporate setting needs a thorough expert. The reasons for a fundraising may be anything, but to satisfy these professionals for the fundraising project is a difficult task through corporate parties. For this, you have to bring in a lot of innovation, time perfection and excellent management skills according to the corporate environment.

The first thing you need to think is how much funds you wish to raise. You have to make a full-fledged planned strategy to carry out the process of fundraising at a corporate event. You have to keep many options open, so if one strategy fails, another strategy will be in place. The fact in a corporate environment that many fail to realize is that individuals are more interested in distribution of funds than an organization as a whole.

Thus, you have to actually take care of all the priorities of the corporate environment individually. The one who is raising funds also has to be somewhat choosy on how to implement the Corporate Events. The corporate world relies a lot on plastic money. Thus, you are advised to invite these professionals to donate funds in the form of sponsorships, volunteering and coupons. To raise funds in a business environment, you have to keep in mind that unless you have a factor or element in your fundraiser, which sounds profitable to them, they will not accept your fundraiser.

Hiring a venue for a party, corporate get together or other reason can turn an ordinary event into a truly memorable occasion. Choice of location is an integral part of the planning process and more and more venue spaces are available to enhance one's gathering. Here are some important things to keep in mind when looking for a space.

One of the firs things to consider when looking for a venue is the type of gathering. There are a wide variety of party and event spaces available, ranging from sleek, modern urban locations to rural outdoor settings. Look for space that is appropriate to the event and tone one would like to set for the occasion.

Of course the number of guests is a major factor to consider. It is important to get an estimate of attendees as early in the process as possible. This can help eliminate some venue options quickly, saving time and effort.

Depending on the time of year, one may want to consider holding some or the entire event outside. Even in chilly weather portable heaters can make an outdoor terrace or patio warm and inviting. If holding the party in warmer months, be sure to inquire about air conditioning for guest comfort.

If planning any activities, make sure the location can accommodate both the space requirements and any other special considerations. Corporate events often require a dais or other arrangement for presentations and speeches. If dancing or children's activities are planned make sure there is suitable space.

Ideally the site of the event or party will be conveniently located to the majority of attendees. If this is not possible, be sure to inquire about transportation options. Also note parking areas and proximity to public transport. Also, if one is unfamiliar with the area be sure to check the safety and security of the venue.

While reviewing the actual venue location, think carefully about the event and how it will flow; from guest arrival to exit, try to imagine how guests will enter and then integrate into the gathering. In some cases a large room sets the tone, where in other cases, smaller more intimate space is better. Also think about where entertainment or activities will be set up. It is also important to consult with the venue representative and get his or her ideas on set-up and arrangements.

Food and drink are what guests most remember about a party. Explore fully all the options available and don't settle for something that is not appropriate. Most places will accommodate outside options and it is most important to get this aspect of the gathering right.

Go into the search process with a budget in mind and get written estimates. Getting an estimate in writing allows one to fully review what is and what is not included. If there are questions about services, make sure they are clarified before signing a contract. Also inquire about deposit and cancellation fees. It is also wise to reconfirm specifics with the venue a week or two in advance of the event.

Keeping these things in mind when looking to hire a venue will make the process simpler and help ensure the location works with what one has in mind for their event.

Corporate events are just as essential as any affair in the organization's calendar of events. Many event organizers are confused between choosing to book a band or DJ or just play music from the iPod playlist for a corporate event. However, even with the growing popularity of mobile audio devices like iPod, music bands are still very much thriving in the music scene. If you're hosting a special event for potential clients, you can create a nice impression by selecting a professional music band to entertain them.

Whether you plan to have a small intimate event for your entire staff or you want to have a huge party for your clients, it's crucial to find appropriate bands for corporate events. The right band should be able to play great music that can keep your guests entertained. There's no doubt that live bands make any type of function seem like a grand affair. A band can raise the energy and enhance the essence of the sound that no pre-recorded music can match. A highly experienced band leader is very keen on what the crowd wants and can attract the guests to dance to the song they like. In a formal corporate gathering, the elegant appeal of the sleek horns, crisp tuxedos and stylish singers makes for an unforgettable event.

The leader in the band can also serve as the emcee of the event and can assist in making the show run smoothly according to the flow of the program. To make the whole program more seamless, band breaks are scheduled well around the primary program elements. Pre-recorded songs are played while the band is not playing and allow the hosts and other guests to use the sound system for speeches and toasts.

Aside from corporate events, live bands can be a great choice for almost any type of events which include wedding receptions, reunions, fundraising charity event, high school prom, birthday parties and others. You can choose bands that specialize in either jazz, blues, pop, rock, swing, funk, country or a variety band that can play different types of music genre to suite everyone's varying musical tastes.

Before you begin looking for music bands, you might consider the size of the venue. You need to have a venue that has enough space for the band to perform. The band that you booked should be flexible to make that corporate event of yours a success. They should know how to play music based on the general profile of the guests. Family members and friends who have been to several corporate parties are the best people who can recommend you reputable names of live bands. You can also take suggestions from the internet searches to locate some good bands since most of them already have their own websites where they post details about their work and contact details.

So if you want to make your corporate event very memorable, then you should book live bands to keep the crowd entertained and engaged all throughout the event.

Corporate events don't have to be about the annual reports, which is good news when many businesses may be finding those reports are less than inspiring. Many businesses are using their budget for these events to encourage their workforce to be healthier. As an event planner you can come up with some truly innovative corporate days, which offer great opportunities for team building and self improvement.

Where many businesses are still feeling the squeeze after the financial crisis, employees are also suffering, with reports of low morale commonplace. Facing pay freezes and a tough jobs market, some employees are unsurprisingly feeling under the weather. This can take its toll not only on productivity, but staff sickness is also likely to go up under times of stress and strain, so a health boost is just what the doctor ordered.

Health and wellbeing

Often, gyms, spas and leisure centres will offer discounts to local businesses. Why not approach local fitness centres to see what deals they can offer to your business? You could ask these companies to speak at your event to promote their services as well as to advise your workforce on a healthy lifestyle.

Local healthcare providers are often happy to run health fairs, offering free cholesterol, weight and blood pressure monitoring for local workers. This could help with the early identification of any medical issues, and also demonstrates to staff that their employer cares about their wellbeing. This could be included as part of a corporate wellbeing day.

Cooking up a treat

In tough financial times, employees may be cutting back, and could be eating less healthily. Why not combine a healthy, yet frugal cookery class with a spot of team building to help your staff work better and eat better.

Team building activities where participants have to learn new skills as well as work in a new environment help to take everyone out of their comfort zone and allow new friendships to form. Working with colleagues on non-work problems allows everyone a degree of freedom to express their ideas. As it is not a work environment there is no fear in 'getting it wrong' as no one is working in their area of expertise. This team challenge should end in a feast where teams get to sample their culinary creations.

Healthy habits for a healthy workforce

Demonstrating healthy, quick and affordable meals as part of a corporate event day is a great way to encourage a good diet. If your team building event includes cooking demonstrations then you can show some quick and easy healthy meals, as well as demonstrating how these compare with quick fix equivalents in terms of both cost and nutritional value.

Feedback and Review

Don't forget that asking for feedback and review is a good way of getting participants to think about what has taken place. Often, review is left until a few weeks after the event, however getting participants to think about how the various objectives of the day were covered actually on the day, will help clarify to them what the purpose of the day was, and appreciate it in the context of self and team improvement.

In this competitive world, employees need something more than just a holiday. Corporate events like holiday parties, picnics and activity days not only provide the employees and staff that much needed break but also help in bringing them closer. So, here we will be discussing some of the things that people running huge commercial businesses must know.

One way by which corporate functions strengthen the company is by providing rejuvenation to employees so that they become more productive at their workplace. These functions help in increasing the interaction levels among all employees.

During these events, employees get a chance to show their skills and talents. Most of these events consist of team building games and activities. These activities not only increase the bonding among employees but also sharpen their skills and abilities. They also help in motivating them to learn some new skills.

Planning part of the corporate events is difficult and stressful. It requires a lot of detailed thinking. Finding the right venue is not the only thing that is important. Right food, lodging facility, entertainment and transportation facilities are equally important. To lessen the stress, one can opt for professional help. These people have knowledge about all the things that are essential for organizing a corporate event. In fact, they not only help in providing the basic needs of an event but also help in making it a special one by adding extra effort.

In fact, many of these events involve the whole weekend where the employees participate in different activities like treasure hunts and mind games. These games do not just provide enjoyment but also teach the employees time management, delegation of responsibilities as well as organizational skills. For instance, some games and activities are especially designed to help the sales people in honing their selling skills.

One can organize such events at regular intervals. There are many companies which offer corporate packages for organizing such events. They provide everything including venue, food, transportation and lodging. Some of them also suggest the kind of activities you can have at these events and provide all the necessary things that are needed for them. They also offer discounts on these packages.

So, organize such an event and increase the motivation levels of your employees.

Much of our business these days comes from recommendations, referrals, introductions and existing clients coming back for more - that is, through relationships. Done well networking helps you start those relationships and is an effective shortcut to business success.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Build the relationship before you ask for help. Networking is not about what you can do for me. It's a two-way street. Be prepared to help others without expecting any help in return. It's about relationships. Help others, offer assistance, give them useful resources and they will usually return the favour.

Barriers to Getting the Most from Networking Events

There are barriers that get in our way when it comes to networking events. For example,

• Nerves and feeling overwhelmed by having to meet so many new people at once


• The people at the event seem to be the wrong people - they're not the people you were hoping to meet


• You meet up with a good friend you haven't seen for a while and spend time catching up.

All of these can get in the way of your success. But with careful PREPARATION they can be overcome.

1. Make a list of the people you want to meet

Is there a specific person, or type of person that you need to meet? Maybe you're looking for an expert in a particular topic? One of the simplest ways to work out who you need to know is to look at who you already know and how they can help you, and then look at where you want to be. The people you want to meet are the ones who can fill the 'gaps'.

2. Find out who's going to be there

It isn't always possible but if you can get a list from the event organisers. Sometimes they will be unwilling or unable to give you a list, but they can probably tell you if a specific person is scheduled to attend.

3. Make a list of people you want to meet

Making a list of who you want to meet improves your focus.

I recommend that you make two lists.

• Those you are determined to meet, and


• Those it would be good to meet.

If you have extra time, you can make more contacts.

4. Avoid limiting yourself to a specific industry or sector

Sometimes when we're in a hurry we limit ourselves. Your top connections might come from within your industry, but there are often influential people outside of the sector and it's worth investing a bit of time to identify a couple of them and meet up. They increase your chance of spreading your influence more widely. It's the networking equivalent of "going viral".

5. Know your story and who exactly you are telling it to

Work out what you want to say to each of your "must meet" people. A lot of people recommend that you have a prepared elevator pitch and this is useful for many meetings. But when you really want to build a relationship with someone, make the effort to tailor your pitch to what you know about them and their needs. Focus on skills and solutions rather than your job title. And remember, writing your pitch, actually physically putting it onto paper or a screen, helps you clarify your ideas.

Tailoring your pitch is a winning strategy that will boost your networking success. Practice your pitch before the event. And make sure you keep it short - about 10 seconds.

6. Choose the right clothes

Work out what you are going to wear. Choose clothes that

• You feel comfortable in


• Are clean and well-pressed


• Fit well.

Also think about what you might be carrying. How are you going to access your business cards, manage handshakes, and maybe a pen? What if you want to enjoy a drink, or something to eat, at the same time? What do you really need to carry with you? If you need a handbag, it's useful to have one with a shoulder strap.

7. Give yourself a pep talk

Do you hide at the edge of a room, burying your head in someone's sales literature or staring thoughtfully at your drink? Give yourself a pep talk before you the event. Remember your purpose. Make sure you are mentally prepared to deal with networking, even if you know that you these events make you uncomfortable. Practice looking straight ahead, rather than down. Remember that you are probably on someone else's list of people to meet and go forward with confidence, or at least the appearance of it. It may be tiring, but it's just for a couple of hours.

If you're really overwhelmed by these events, set yourself a target. Aim to meet the top three people on your list and once you've done that, if you don't feel up to continuing, call it quits. You've achieved a lot by meeting three new people.

8. Set a time limit

Sometimes we meet old friends, or make contact with someone we really like, at networking events. Remember your purpose. To avoid monopolising their time, or using all of your available time with them, set a time limit for each interaction. Tell yourself that when you meet Person A on your list, you will spend at most 10 to 15 minutes with them and then move on to Person B. This is what the event is for. When you want a long chat with someone, you can make a time to catch up with them at a later date.

If you want to treat your clients to something special, then you'll want to do it in style. Why not think about corporate sports hospitality?

Here's what you need to know in order to make sure that you pick the right corporate sports hospitality package.

1. Knowing your clients interests is important. If you know they're all football fans, then why not hire a box at a Premiership match, and watch some of the best players in the world work their magic whilst you work yours? What about a golf tournament, or horse racing hospitality?

2. Once you've chosen a sport, you'll need to choose where your corporate event will be held. If it's a Premiership football match, it will have to be a certain ground, whereas you might want to watch the next major golf tournament that takes place near you. Perhaps you'll choose a central location so that your guests don't have too far to travel.

3. Depending on the sporting event, you might have choice of dates. Horseracing events take place regularly, whereas the Cup Final only happens once a year. You might need to be flexible on dates if you want a specific venue, and you might need to be flexible on venues if you want a particular date.

4. Once you know the date and the sporting event, you'll need to get invitations sent out. Don't just email people, or expect them to just know about it, make an effort.

5. It's important that your guests are aware of the dress code for the day. The corporate sporting venue might have a dress code, or you might want everyone to dress causally to encourage people to enjoy themselves more

6. You'll need to make sure that meals are included in the corporate sporting hospitality package you choose, so that special dietary requirements can be met.

7. It might be that you want to provide additional entertainment after the main event. Perhaps you'll go somewhere else, or maybe you'll have another meal at the venue.

8. You don't want your guests to pay for anything on the day, so make sure that the little things like refreshments are all included and taken care of.

9. Your guest need to be comfortable at all times, so you'll need to make sure that they can mingle, and that you introduce them to people. They might be able to do business with each other, as well as you.

10. Above all, you'll want value for money. There's no point in organising a corporate sports hospitality package without giving it enough thought. The cheapest package might not be suitable, and so you might be thought of as a bit mean by your guests. If you go overboard and are tool lavish, then it looks like you're charging too much.

Now you know what to look for, you'll be able to choose the perfect corporate sports hospitality package.

If you're looking for a corporate hospitality venue, then perhaps you've already got somewhere in mind, and know exactly what you want. Alternative, you might not know what sort of venue you want, or what to look for.

Here are some ideas to make sure everything goes to plan.

1. You'll want to decide whereabouts you want to hold your corporate event. Will it be near your work, or somewhere central so that it's nearer for all guests to get to? If you've got an idea in mind, such as horse racing hospitality, or other sporting event, then you'll have to decide which event you want to attend.

2. Knowing how many guests you're expecting can also help you to decide on the perfect corporate venue for your event. You don't want to be lost in a large room if there are only a few guests.

3. The sort of guests you invite can also make a difference to what sort of corporate hospitality venue you decide on. You won't want to choose something that your guests do for a living, or do regularly. Why not think of the corporate events you've been to and see if you can think of something appropriate. Will your guests be impressed if you spend a fortune, or will they think you're charging too much?

4. Once you've decided on your venue, you'll want to make sure that it's available when you want it. Alternatively, you might want to choose a different date, or a different venue.

5. What sort of entertainment is on offer for you and your guests? Will it be appropriate and the sort of things your guests will expect?

6. The next thing is to determine how you and your guest will get there. Will you be laying on transport, or will you expect your guest to make their own arrangements. You might want to provide taxi or minibus details to make it easier. Why not see if you can arrange overnight accommodation too?

7. Meals and refreshments are another consideration, and you'll want to make sure that they are all included, so that your guests are not expected to pay for anything during the day.

8. Check that other extras are included, or can be added if necessary. Perhaps you'll want an expert in the even to help you, or you might want to advertise at the event, or you might want to stay overnight.

9. Remember that it's important not to choose a location or event solely on cost. You don't want to forget anything important like meals, and you also don't want your guests to think that you're working to a tight budget. It might be better not to host an event than to do it on the cheap. You don't want your reputation to be spoilt.

10. Above all, it needs to be a fun day out for all involved. Whilst you might be looking for new business, it will be a chance to spend time with your clients, and so you'll want it to be a relaxed atmosphere. If the venue you're considering is very formal, and you're a relaxed company, it might not be the right place for your corporate event.

Now you know more about how to choose a corporate hospitality venue, where will you hold your corporate event?

In this article we offer suggestions to assist in making your next corporate event in Santa Barbara more environmentally and socially responsible.

Modeling good environmental practices starts in your own office. Two ways to easily create a more environmentally friendly office are using electronic communications whenever possible, and instituting recycling programs. Then take the time to teach your staff how to use them. There should be clear, easy to read signage indicating how to properly recycle office materials such as both white and colored paper, magazines, newspapers, brochures, envelopes, junk mail, cardboard (should be flattened) and even books. Encourage and reward your office staff for carpooling whenever possible.

In the past, event marketing was a large source of paper waste. Now, it is easy to produce attractive online sponsorship opportunities that can be sent and managed electronically. In regards to meeting planning, all speaker management should be generated electronically as well. The website created for the event should be the primary means by which information is disseminated. You can send email reminders about any changes or important due dates, and everything should link back to the website. If you must have a printed program, do it on recycled content paper that is processed chlorine free using vegetable based inks. Print a limited quantity of these, and make information available on screens strategically placed around your conference area as an alternative way to disseminate information.

It is critical to work with local hotels that are committed to the environment. In Santa Barbara, there are numerous hotels that offer recycling and waste diversion programs, and are committed to reducing water waste on their properties through the use of water saving showerheads and low flow toilets. Many hotels have instituted energy conserving guest room programs, such as guest directed limitation of linen and towel changes and use of fluorescent bulbs in light fixtures. Local "green" hotels include: the Four Seasons Biltmore, Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort, Bacara, and for something utterly charming and a bit more rustic, El Capitan Canyon.

Event attendees should be encouraged via advance emails and the event's website to share rides, use group vans or take Airporter buses from the Santa Barbara airport, Burbank airport, and Los Angeles International airport. Upon conference check in, guests should be given "cheat sheets" printed on recycled paper reminding them of the important "green" choices they can make throughout the duration of their stay. While many people are aware of hotels offering towel and linen reuse options, encourage participants to actually utilize these programs. They can make a huge difference, particularly when a large group of attendees makes this choice together.

The amount of water and energy savings can be calculated and printed on the "cheat sheet," so attendees can see the amount of impact they could be making. Ask attendees to turn off lights, TV's, radio/CD players and air conditioning or heating when leaving their hotel room. Remind them to unplug phone chargers, laptops and other electronic equipment when they are not being used, as these are easily avoided sources of energy waste. Ask that they bring reusable water bottles, or better yet offer them as conference gifts with your corporate logo printed on them. Upon check-in and throughout the conference area, offer a series of easily accessible water bottle refilling stations. Offer water glasses in the event reusable bottles are forgotten or misplaced. The reduction of waste by not using disposable cups or plastic water bottles should also be calculated and included on the "cheat sheet" shared with the group.

Event Marketing

o Online Sponsorship Prospectus (not printed and mailed).
o Web site is the primary vehicle for event information.
o Limited Advance Program printed on recycled paper and only one printing.
o All marketing generated electronically.
o Online registration offered and primarily used.

Onsite at Event

o Boxes and packing materials are saved and reused for return shipping and/or recycled.
o All materials printed on recycled paper using soy or vegetable-based inks.
o Event materials bags are made from recycled material.
o Badge stock is recycled paper.
o No bottled water provided. Onsite- pitchers and/or water coolers plus glassware instead.
o Durable, reusable signage used as much as possible.
o No disposable "to go" cups.
o Handouts posted online rather than printed and distributed.
o The destination for the event is walk-able, or close to public transit for restaurants and nightlife.
o Offsite event venues are walking distance from hotel.
o Caterers support local growers who practice sustainable organic methods.
o China and glass used rather than paper products whenever possible.
o Guests must sign-up for major meal functions (limiting waste).
o Event Information provided exclusively online via website links, rather than with paper materials onsite.

Healthy work environment, improved team spirit, and raised productivity are all signs of a good organization. For an employee, an ideal organization to work is not just the one that provides high salary, it is the one that promotes smooth work environment and meets employee's expectations, rendering work an interesting place to be in.

For improving team spirit and encouraging a healthy competition, corporate team building activities (whether indoor or outdoor) are the best. These activities improve inter personal relation within the employees and motivates them to work as a team.

Corporate team building events allow everyone at the workplace to showcase their team spirit. The motive behind such corporate learning programs is to inculcate the sense of team spirit in the employees and understand the advantages of being in a team. Roller coaster challenge, cooking challenge, board games are few activities especially designed by the companies for the purpose of team building.

Team Building games allow people to know the strength of a group and develop inter-personal relation with other members in the team. These games are not individual centric, it is to develop team participation and are focused on a group.

It fills the knowledge gap between the team members. Today, every company must hold a team building activity session for the development of the employees. This is because; these activities tend to motivate employees to work their best and also act as a relaxing and stress relieving session for them.

Now days, companies are hiring specialist corporate trainers to undertake interesting corporate training programs and events. Below mentioned are few of the effective ones.

• Mobile Adventure Programs: If you don't have time for outdoor activities, but wish to conduct some engaging and exciting activities within your workplace, MAPs are the best option. Mobile adventure activity finds its place in both indoor and outdoor category. Famous games included in this section are:

a) Turning point: These are the activities that help employees understand the value of their work systems. Here, they discover the advantages of seeing work processes as a whole instead as a part.

b) Key punch: This involves activities where employee's reaction and response to the situation decides the overall team performance. Through this activity participants can learn the significance of being flexible and the requirement of responding to the change instantly.

• Clay challenge: Yes, you heard it right; clay challenge can actually help in team building. In this activity, participants will make colorful clay items which will be symbolic to their behavior, personality, and their relation with the colleagues. The main motive behind this game is to learn the theory of Constructionism, which means learning through personal discovery of knowledge. It also encourages employees to think creatively.

Many companies reward their employees for a job well done. Some companies simply give out yearly bonuses to their employees while some companies have a yearly banquet or picnic to recognize their stellar employees. While everyone appreciates a yearly bonus, it can be really rewarding and motivating to be recognized by your supervisors. If you are organizing this kind of event or you are in charge of deciding who gets these rewards, you will want to decide on what kind of reward or trophy you will be giving to your employee or employees. Trophies are not just for sporting events, and you can find trophies that are appropriate for corporate awards.

Plaques are a great looking trophy to give to your employee. You can engrave nearly any plaque that you purchase. This means that you can add your employee's name, the name of the honor, and the date that the reward was received. An example of an award might be the Employee of the Year or the Salesperson of the Year. You can find plaques that are made primarily out of wood, glass, metal or acrylic. All of these options look nice, and a plaque is something very professional that any employee would be proud to hang in his or her office. Plaques are also very affordable, and they are a great option if you want to reward a number of employees, which can be the case in a large company.

Clock awards are also very tasteful awards that are useful as well as beautiful. You can find anniversary clocks, and clocks that are mounted in wood or glass. All of these awards can be engraved with details of why the award was given to the person who receives it. Other trophies that are cup shaped, which are also called presentation cups, can be appropriate for corporate events as well. They are very elegant, and anyone who looks at a presentation cup will know that the owner has won or accomplished something. Presentation cups can be more expensive than plaques and clocks, but they are a great option for someone who has really done a great job.

Many trophies are appropriate for corporate events, especially events like corporate picnics. In addition to recognizing your employees, many companies choose to have games or competitions at their picnics, and you can use trophies to reward the winners. Races and relays are popular picnic games, and it is fun to give the winners fun trophies. These trophies can be amusing ones or small ones that are often used for sporting events. These trophies are often inexpensive, only a few pounds, so you can afford to buy a few of these trophies to give out.

Trophies and awards are a great way to actually show your employees that you respect and appreciate the job that they are doing at your company. Recognition is a great motivator, and even the employees who did not receive anything will want to do better. Buying trophies is well worth the investment to motivate and to reward your employees.

Having worked closely with a number of clients who are trying to organise events on tight budgets we decided to look at the tax implications of running corporate team building events and see whether there are any tax benefits or dangers we should look out for.

It appears that during the 2009 / 2010 tax year the tax rules are going to stay the same and the following sections of HMRC Help Sheet 207 2009 testify to the Tax Exemptions of team building events.

Source: HS207 2009-2010 Non Taxable Payments or Benefits for Employees - A Govt Help-sheet available from the HM Revenues & Customs website.

i. Employer-funded or employer-reimbursed training

This exemption covers the costs to your employer of work related training throughout the entire spectrum of practical or theoretical skills and competences you are reasonably likely to require for your current or likely future jobs and tasks with your existing employer.

The Tax Exemption Includes:

• Employee development schemes


• Activities intended to develop skills you need in leadership and teamwork


• Training which is provided by a third party rather than your employer

The many ways in which training course and events can be delivered are covered including full-time and part-time training, internal training courses run by your employer, courses which are run externally or by a third party, and courses which comprise any combination of these.

ii. Christmas or other Annual Party

Also exempt are annual events, parties or functions of a similar nature, such as a Christmas dinner and a summer party, which are open to staff generally and which cost no more than 瞿150 a head in total to provide.

Regardless of the nature of your event, food is first is the list. The venue may not be as important, just as long as people can use the necessary facilities such as parking, toilets, waiting area, chairs and tables and carpets. But when it comes to food, nothing is more important.

Some corporate events are for small numbers. We managers of events have to be aware of the attendance and have to know peoples choices of food. I am talking here about board meetings or panel meetings. If you are having an annual general meeting, film premiere, product launch, shareholders meeting, product information day or any other kind of event, then the stakes are higher. You may be offering hundreds of food options, but if your guest is unable to eat meat due to faith requirements, then they will only be able to eat the vegetable dishes. If your guests are of the Hindu or Muslim faith, then halal catering is a good option giving a large range of food choices.

Halal catering in corporate events are just perfect to cater for the Muslim faith clients. If you have a garden party, then a halal BBQ will be just perfect for your Muslim guests. In many corporate events I have witnesses a halal corner of food counters serving only halal dishes with the guarantee halal certificate displayed. It is very useful and enjoyable to have this halal corner, and it satisfies customers, clients and guests alike. Muslim faith guests will feel they are very much welcomed and part of the event, know they can pick up almost anything from the plate and enjoy it as much as anyone else around the table.

Nowadays most commercial or corporate events covered by Muslim caterers are not only for Muslim guests, since many people love Indian curry and rice, daal, biryani, chicken curry and naan, samos with mint sauce, pakora with yogurt, chutney and papadum. These are so popular at corporate events now that they will often turn the event into an Indian themed event, with the waiters dressed in traditional clothes and the decor altered, to no huge expense.

If you are attending a corporate event, then don't take a sandwich with you. In fact you might not need dinner later because you will be full of very satisfying Indian Halal food.

Corporate entertainment offers its members the feel of something that they have never done or long forgotten. Corporate entertainment is now an extensively used term and it includes team building, sports hospitality, conferences, entertaining clients, and company fun days. For any business, it is important to gain new customers, keep and develop existing relationships or inspire or reward its workforce. Corporate entertainment events, a form of team building exercise, are a pleasant way by which communication skills and cooperative work abilities can be improved.

Corporate entertainment and team building reduces stress and gives a well-deserved break from the office. There are many structured activities, indoor and outdoor, that are entertaining and targeted towards creating the essential requirements of fruitful work relationships. Through these activities, members can practice brainstorming, collaboration, creativity, trust, and feedback. Most activities focus on areas like organizational development, problem solving, and conflict resolution. These activities enhance leadership, interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills of the team members.

Corporate team building entertainments can include ropes courses, culinary school, treasure hunts, sporting events, simple games, and much more. All these activities are designed to promote critical thinking and problem solving skills, improve good communication and group relations, and show each person?s skill to add to the greater whole.

The advantages of corporate entertainment are many. The team members get a chance to know each other in a different setting. They enjoy some funny and successful experiences together that would help relieve tension and build mutual appreciation and understanding. The advantages are intended to last beyond the day, to improve morale and collaboration at the workplace as well.

To be effective, corporate entertainment should be exciting, bonding experiences that can be enjoyed by all members while holding clear focus and staying true to the organization's goals. While planning or choosing a corporate entertainment, try to plan the event at an off-site setting. Professionals who specialize in corporate entertainment and team building would be able to provide numerous valuable fun activities to enhance a particular team?s performance.