"If you always do, what you've always done, you'll always get, what you've always got".

Simple Tips for Surviving Corporate Events

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post because I’ve been knee deep in event management work and pitching for work next year. I’ve literally hardly stopped working for three weeks – which is something I’m seeing a lot as people try to get as much work completed as possible before the recession kicks in. I thought about writing a post on event management, you know the ten steps to running a perfect event type thing, but really, it’s too broad a subject. I do recommend you head over to Julius’ event manager blog though, an exceptional resource..

What I am going to tell you instead is three simple top tips for surviving a large corporate event, be it an exhibition, conference, networking event, or other. So here goes:

1.    Wear comfortable shoes – I know, it seems obvious, but how many ladies do you see at every event wearing crazy high heels (and sometimes men too). Ditch the heels girls and put on some comfortable flats. Fellas too, make sure your shoes have some comfort value and are not brand new – this is the wrong time to break in those shoes! To aid further, try and sit down whenever possible and take plenty of breaks.

2.    Don’t forget to drink (and eat) – another obvious one I hear you say, but it’s amazing how easy it is to forget to keep drinking when you are working an exhibition stand, show floor or conference registration desk. You wouldn’t catch me running an event without a bottle of Lucozade at my side that’s for sure.

3.    Plan carefully – nothing creates more stress than being underprepared for an event. Imagine turning up to an exhibition, only to find your furniture hadn’t been ordered and you would have to beg, steal and borrow from other exhibitors (this does happen more often than you’d think).

So there you go, three simple tips for surviving corporate events. Be great to hear your experiences and other tips, what are the essentials you need for event survival.???

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55 Responses to “Simple Tips for Surviving Corporate Events”

  1. Certified Financial Advisor on November 25th, 2008

    Planning and organizing will help you avoid common problems such as mentioned in number 3. Having a well planned events will surely have a good result.

  2. Save Money on November 25th, 2008

    this is the wrong time to break in those shoes! To aid further, try and sit down whenever possible and take plenty of breaks.

  3. Promotional Codes on November 25th, 2008

    I think this is not a simple tips this is a very good tips.

  4. asos on November 25th, 2008

    To aid further, try and sit down whenever possible and take plenty of breaks.

  5. Tim on November 25th, 2008

    Those are practical tips to be in comfort. Often overlooked.

  6. Greg Parsons | Naples SEO on November 25th, 2008

    Excellent points. I especially recommend the point about eating and drinking enough. Too many people neglect that when they’re busy (myself included, too many times!). One of the most important things I try to remember when I’m at trade shows, conferences, etc. is to keep myself on track for meals and always carry a bottle of water around. Otherwise, I end up getting an enormous headache and the rest of the day is shot and completely unproductive.

  7. Online Tutoring on November 26th, 2008

    Wear Comfortable Shoes~! That is probably the best advice you can possibly give. Standing for 8+ hours in heels is pretty terrible.

  8. Ray Johnson | Make money on the internet on November 27th, 2008

    People often underestimate how important the point about eating and drinking right is.. Good stuff.

  9. David - Marketing Management Strategy on November 27th, 2008

    Good list. I’d add the following to the list:
    - Get enough sleep. It’s easy to scurry in the days before an event and then when your flight is three hours late you can drag (and be a drag) the entire conference.
    - Plan an event the night before the conference starts if you are arriving early and invite all the people you want to spend time with at the show. Often many aren’t there yet, but it creates a basis for follow up.

  10. Rick on November 28th, 2008

    The basics, that’s what we too often forget. Great tips.

  11. Unlocking software iphone on November 29th, 2008

    Having a well planned events will surely have a good result.

  12. spyfu user review on November 30th, 2008

    Planning your work is highly essential.A planned guy could even watch a movie between his busy schedule.

  13. jennifer on November 30th, 2008

    Interestingly enough, these are the exact tips that I give my childbirth students! They really are important, however. No one is much help when their feet hurt and are light-headed and dehydrated.

  14. housetraining on December 1st, 2008

    To aid further, try and sit down whenever possible and take plenty of breaks.

  15. gadgalia on December 1st, 2008

    Interesting to know about different tips on different events that I would like to come up.The information is stuffed in good manner.

  16. Chris Brown on December 1st, 2008

    Good tips — in addition to the one about the shoes, if you have anything to do with ordering the carpet for the booth, make sure you get the very best padding underneath. While it may seem like a hidden place to save, you’d be surprised how few booths have the cushy carpeting. More of your potential customers will want to stay in your booth because it’s comfortable… and your “dogs won’t be barking” at least too much anyway.

    thanks for the tips!
    Chris Brown
    Branding & Marketing

  17. spyfu user review on December 1st, 2008

    Event management is a Hillarious task.I had done it for my symposium.Anyway nice tips

  18. Agents of Value | Webmaster Staffing on December 3rd, 2008

    These are good tips to remember especially this holidays. I must also add beside wearing comfortable shoes, one must also be comfortable in their clothes. Surely, you won’t be enjoying any event when you’re constantly fidgeting.

  19. Jessie on December 4th, 2008

    Plan, be prepared, and wear comfortable shoes and clothes. The conference survival strategy. Cool tips! Thanks.

  20. John Henn on December 4th, 2008

    Clean shave, well etiquette, well dressed,nice hair style and nice speech is the main key. Thanks for the post. Nice article.

  21. City Breaks on December 5th, 2008

    sage and timely advice.

  22. avatar chat on December 6th, 2008

    These corporate events are really so important for every one. Thanks for the information.

  23. Business centeric firm on December 9th, 2008

    HI,

    nice article for surviving in corporate events, tips seems simple yet powerful. i had tried couple of weeks back. its worked for me.. txs for sharing. will hope for such informative article in future.

  24. Legal Process Outsourcing on December 12th, 2008

    The corporate events demand a lot more sophistication…that we often tend forget just simple issues which need to be focused..! thanks for reminding of the simple tips needs to be notified..!

  25. BM on December 13th, 2008

    Excellent points!!! I especially recommend the point about eating and drinking enough. Too many people neglect that when they’re busy. One of the most important things I try to remember when I’m at trade shows, conferences, etc. is to keep myself on track for meals and always carry a bottle of water around.

  26. George Bailey on December 15th, 2008

    Very good points indeed. One more - get plenty of rest before these events. For example, don’t walk 14 blocks from the hotel “just down the street” (!) to get there the first day. It really is a stamina killer - guess how I know :-(

  27. Fiona on December 15th, 2008

    Very nice tips in today’s competitive world.Good info and has a useful information to learn.

  28. Frank Polenose on December 17th, 2008

    Great tips - especially about not trying the new shoes! I have done this before and been in agony for the majority of the day… and many days afterwards.

  29. Franklin on December 19th, 2008

    Exceptional advice. I always forget to drink something when I’m at these events. It’s really bad of me too, considering my body is so used to drinking things consistently. Maybe thats why I get sick after going to these events….hmmm.

  30. Ian Brodie | Sales Blogger on December 22nd, 2008

    Point #3 - vital - but almost always overlooked by novices.

    I’d add to this - turn up the night before to make sure everything is there and ready to be set up quickly on the day. I’ve lost trakc of the number of exhibitors I’ve seen still setting up half way through the first morining - or later.

    Ian

  31. Lilla on December 23rd, 2008

    Attending so many events as part of your coporate job sometimes gets to you. Isn’t it? Besides the points you mentioned I think a few minutes of meditation helps as well.

  32. Kosten Koper on December 23rd, 2008

    I always try to drink enough water at these kinds of events. I know that when I don’t drink enough, I won’t be sharp when a customer approaches.

  33. direct debit payment on December 23rd, 2008

    eat and drink, yes, do that, but dont ‘drink’ too much ;)
    -jack

  34. Web Design Los Angeles on December 30th, 2008

    This is really good tips for all. Small but very useful tips for health. Interesting Article…

  35. Online CV on January 14th, 2009

    I end up getting an enormous headache and the rest of the day is shot and completely unproductive.

  36. internet money on January 15th, 2009

    this all are very good tips

  37. Internet Marketing Agency on January 17th, 2009

    Thanks for sharing these great tips.

  38. Web Design on January 19th, 2009

    Also, don’t forget caffeine and aspirin!

  39. Lyndsay Cabildo on January 23rd, 2009

    Yeah, I agree to comfortable shoes…I got several high heels, but they are always left in their boxes, I love wearing shoes that I can do my business and not worry about tripping, or my leg hurting at the middle of presentation…this is just smart to do it, wear flats. :D Wedges, if you can’t, its more comfortable than stilettos.

  40. Chris on January 25th, 2009

    Very good advice as always. Will print out for future use.

  41. Susie on January 27th, 2009

    Any type of event takes careful planning, I strongly agree with the comfortable shoes being up there at the top. There is no way to be on top of your game if your in agony.

    There are several ways to continue planning carefully as well, with a tracking system in place and online event management, your furniture, literature and any part of your display can be tracked and confirmed via email. It’s sort of a catch all virtual filing system, keeping all parties informed of the activity of the event.

  42. Melaleuca Frank VanderSloot on February 5th, 2009

    LOL. people are really dying for those facts. they must be saved with these tips.

  43. Tom on February 19th, 2009

    Sometimes the obvious advice is the best… especially about new shoes! belive me i know!

  44. Mary Ann on April 17th, 2009

    Corporate event planning requires that many things be taken into consideration so that effective decisions can be made. There is the venue and location, the entertainment, the invitations, the publicity, the food and drinks, the music, the decorations, and a whole lot more. Keeping a checklist helps corporate event planned tremendously. It is important that each detail of the corporate event be taken care of.

  45. Andy Bargery on April 22nd, 2009

    Thanks for all the comments.

    @Mary Ann. I agree entirely, event planning requries a keen eye for detail. A checklist along with a timeline of what will be done, by when and by whom are essential in organising a high quality event.

    @ Susie, what online event management service do you use?

    @ web design. I would assume coffee and aspirin are a given for events.. : )

    @kosten koper. you are dead right on the water. It’s easy to forget to drink when you are running an event, or hosting an exhibition stand. This is always a big mistake - in fact as an event manager I take it as my responsibility to ensure everyone in my team drinks throughout the day.

    @ChrisBrown. Thick carpet, hmm, nice idea. I would bet this doesn’t even cross the mind of 95% of people when they setup a stand or organise an event.

    @save money. You are dead right about sitting down whenever possible. Just make sure this doesn’t prevent people from talking to you, especially if you are hosting an exhibition stand.

    Andy

  46. single on May 5th, 2009

    They really are important, however. No one is much help when their feet hurt and are light-headed and dehydrated. I always try to drink enough water at these kinds of events. I know that when I don’t drink enough, I won’t be sharp when a customer approaches. Small but very useful tips for health. Interesting Article…

  47. Event Theming on May 20th, 2009

    Some good basic tips there. I would definately agree, be prepared, be comfortable and I would add that a good nights sleep beofre the event helps to focus your mind.

  48. gilbert on June 10th, 2009

    Corporate events are somehow important to everyone…attending on this events requires preparations and proper planning on what to do.. being prepared in going to this events help boost your self confident..i definitely agree and should be to this simple tips.

  49. How to Get Taller Fast on June 15th, 2009

    Yoga! A good daily dose of yoga does wonders. I do it and since I started I’ve found myself a hell of a lot calmer and more focused.

  50. AliceIacuzzo on June 23rd, 2009

    Simple yet valuable! Not only planning ahead in surviving corparate events. To be honest, I have decideded to do this for several times and I do not know when is my beginning… …

  51. gilbert on July 16th, 2009

    Having a advisable planned events will sure acquire a right conclusion.

  52. Aditya on August 10th, 2009

    Excellent tips on surviving corporate events! Thanks!

  53. raphael on September 14th, 2009

    or just get “sick” that day and you should be safe :)

  54. Sam Copthorne on September 23rd, 2009

    You could always use a 3r party company to organise all this for you.
    We’ve used Ten80 Events for our last 3 Corporate Events and we haven’t had a moments stress in any of them.

  55. Jamie Web on October 26th, 2009

    This is some really good advice. Point 2 is important, you must always take a break and have something to eat and drink as well as go out and get some fresh air.

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