Tips for promoting your events

In this increasingly difficult economic climate, in order to get the most out of your events, it is imperative to know how best to go about promoting them. Here are some useful tips:-

Really understand the purpose of the event and what you are hoping to achieve from it

Is making money the most important aspect? Is it a networking event? Is it purely a marketing event to increase your brand awareness? Is it an educational event?

The money's in your communication

Regular communication by varying means (newsletter, blogging, emails etc) will help to increase your visibility, help people understand how you can add value to their business and give you an opportunity to promote your events. It takes time to build up your mailing list, but it is well worth it and the results will speak for themselves.

Research thoroughly

Research is crucial! There is little point in holding an event unless there is a demand for it. In this environment people will only attend an event if it is beneficial to them in some way.

Focus your PR efforts

Whether it be the internet, radio, magazines or weekly and daily newspapers, it is essential to focus your efforts and understand the deadlines behind getting your event promoted. Ensure you are targeting the right type of magazine. Research the demographics of the readers or listeners before you choose where to advertise.

Strategic partnerships

Do you know of anyone that could help you and in return you can help them in someway? Partnerships can be invaluable, but choosing the right partnership is crucial. Really understand how you can be mutually beneficial to each other and what you expect to gain from the alliance.

I hope these tips are useful. If you require any further advice or information, contact us:-

T: 01628 891 886 / 07958 734383

E: charlotte@charlotteaikman.com

CONFEX 2009 - Let your imagination flow!

Confex is the place to be for all event professionals this week.

"As the leading event for event organisers; it brings together people who organise any kind of event with providers of venues, destinations and event support services both in the UK and across the world."

Taking place at Earls Court until Thursday, the venue is packed full new ideas, keen suppliers and generally any information you could possibly want when planning your event.

For more information, including a list of all exhibitors and seminars, please visit the Confex website.

http://www.international-confex.com

2009 Jack Wills Varsity Polo

Following the success of last years' event, planning is now underway for the 2009 Jack Wills Varsity polo.

We've taken all the best bits from last year, added your suggestions and mixed in some new stuff! We are truly confident that it's going to be another fantastic success!

Once again, Charlotte Aikman Marketing & Events will be collaborating with Jack Wills. The varsity polo is the perfect backdrop for the evermore popular brand which goes hand in hand with long summer days, glasses of Pimms and a rocking party!

Tickets for the 2009 event will be going on sale in March (via the Jack Wills website - www.jackwills.com), so keep your eyes peeled for them! We really did sell out of the party tickets last year so please please please book early to be part of the big party!

To remind you of the fun that we all had last year, please take a look at the Varsity polo 2008 video by clicking below.



Feel free to drop me a line or give me a call for any further information about the event.

If you are a business or brand, perhaps you like what you see and think that you could benefit from something like this. Clearly this sort of sporting event come party formula is a winner and can be adapted to the needs of your business. It doesn't have to cost the earth and the last two years have undoubtedly contributed to the strength of Jack Wills as a brand.

T: 01628 891 886 / 07958 734383
E: charlotte@charlotteaikman.com

Top hospitality events for February

Maintaining strong client relationships is key during tough economic times.

Below are the top hospitality events to take your clients to in February:-

Cirque Du Soleil, The Royal Albert Hall, London
Showcasing Quidam the new and highly commended production from Cirque du Soleil. This new production is mind blowing with artists combining acrobatic, gymnastic and performance art.
The word Quidam is a Latin word for a nameless passer-by living in our anonymous society. This production is based on a young girl that fumes; she has already seen everything there is to see, and her world has lost all meaning. Her anger shatters her little world, and she finds herself in the universe of Quidam.

6 Nations Rugby
Sat 14th Feb
France v Scotland, Stade de France
Wales v England, Millennium Stadium

Sun 15th Feb
Italy v Ireland, Stadio Flaminio

Fri 27th Feb
France v Wales, Stade de France

Sat 28th Feb
Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield
Ireland v England, Croke Park

For more information on tickets and hospitality packages, please contact us:
T: 01628 891 886 / 07958 734383
E: charlotte@charlotteaikman.com

Recent Event - 2008 Jack Wills Christmas Party

1920's Jeeves and Wooster British Themed Event

Before I start to focus on marketing plans for 2009, I want to post a few pictures from our final event of 2008

The Jack Wills Christmas Party

The event took place in 'The Theatre' at The Institute of Contemporary Arts. A blank space, the theatre is a perfect location to have any themed party. With black walls and an excellent in-built AV system, you can fully transform this space into any theme that you might wish for.

Jack Wills, the 'University Outfitter' for the traditional preppy British crowd, decided to host a party that would capture the essence of this truly trendy and evermore popular brand. The ICA was transformed using a pallette of rich reds, sultry blacks and sparkling silvers, against a backdrop that captured the PG Wodehouse inspired theme - all we really lacked was Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie!

The simple use of silver feathers, a few baubles and some red branches set upon a plain black tablecloth - the results are astounding!










Instead of numbering tables, relevant names were given to each table - Jeeves, Wooster, Stilton and Bassett to name a few. Other theming included British flags, feather bowers, union jack covered chaise longues, stuffed pheasants and hat stands with bowler hats.

The food and drinks were also inkeeping with the theme and 1920's era. Amongst many other things, guests were served Tom Collins cocktails, a quince and stilton tart for starter, a shoulder of lamb for main course and a chocolate and hazelnut desert.

After the meal and speeches guests danced the night away with tunes played by DJ Dan Browne.







I highly recommend the ICA - the space is as versatile as you can get and the venue is in an ideal location on The Mall. If you would like to find out more about the venue or indeed discuss any future parties you may be planning, please do get in touch.

Whilst this was a Christmas party we are constantly planning and executing similar events such as charity dinners, product launches or just an in-house team-building event and would welcome the chance to show you how we can make a difference to your company.

Tel: 01628 891886 / 07958 734383
E: charlotte@charlotteaikman.com

Christmas Party Tip No 6!

"On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me, six geese a-laying, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!"


Our sixth tip to ensure a successful Christmas party relates to the seating plan!

Christmas parties are all about having fun and talking to people you perhaps don't get the chance to on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, it is essential that you have a well thought out table plan. It can often make or break a dinner! You can ensure success by:

• Allocating a host for each table - make sure this is someone that can get the table going!
  
• Mixing up departments so that department colleagues don't sit next to each other
• Trying to have a fairly even number of males and females
  
• Ensuring each table has a mix of staff from the most senior to the junior
• Perhaps asking people to move two places to their left/right after the main course

How do people find out which table they are sitting on?

• Traditional seating plan on an easel. However, if you have a lot of people this can often cause a hold-up when people are called for dinner because everyone tries to crowd around the easel to find their table number.
• Seated-at cards. Instead of the easel, you can produce business card size cards which have the persons name on and their table number. Guests pick these up at a registration desk when they first arrive. There are a couple of advantages to doing it this way:-
• You can see how many people are still left to arrive
• It avoids people crowding round an easel
• Last minute changes can be made a lot easier

We hope that you are finding our Christmas tips useful! Watch out for our next tip coming soon...

T: 01628 891886 / 07958 734383
E: charlotte@charlotteaikman.com
W: www.charlotteaikman.com

Christmas Party Tip No 5!

"On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!"





Our fifth Christmas tip is regarding flowers!

With flower arrangements getting ever more expensive, it is worth noting the following:-

• Florists are busier than ever, especially at Christmas, therefore it is essential that you book your florist well in advance.
• If your budget is tight, try to choose flowers that are in season - this will make it considerably cheaper than those that have to be shipped in from far and wide.
• Low table centrepieces are 99% of the time cheaper than high ones.
• If your budget is tight, try to use vases that the florist has in stock.
  
• Try to book a florist local to your event - this will save on excessive transport costs.
• Remember that these days there are many ways in which to make your arrangements stand out - your florist will be able to advise you of all the ideas. Coloured water, fruit, ribbon and other props are just the start....
• Discuss an appropriate pick up time with your florist and the venue. Often the space will be booked out back-to-back for another event, so it is essential that the pickup time is pre-arranged.
• If you are having tall flower arrangements, ensure that the stem of the vase is thin enough to allow guests to see each other from across the table.
  
• Ask your florist to do a mock-up of the arrangement for you to see before the event. This will ensure that no viewing obstructions (as per the point above) occur. It will also help you to plan all the other creative elements of the event (table linen, glassware etc).
• Take a photo of the mock-up flower arrangement. Should you have any problems with the flowers on the night, you will have this photo to compare against.

Charlotte Aikman Marketing and Events has an extensive list of reliable suppliers that deliver to the highest standard. If you are struggling to find a someone to help with your needs, why not give us a call to see where we can help and what we advise.

T: 01628 891 886 / 07958 734383
E: charlotte@charlotteaikman.com
W: www.charlotteaikman.com