Event Marketing Survival Tips for Small Businesses

Based on a survey from Destination Hotels & Resources, there are some trends to watch.

• Eco-friendly. 45 percent of respondents said eco-friendly practices are "somewhat important" when selecting a venue and 18 percent said it is extremely important.
• Site and location. Rather than budget, planners said location is the prime factor in selecting a location.
• Culinary offerings. Cooking itineraries and its quality matters quite a bit. 30 percent of planners said it is an "extremely important" parameter" while more than 78 percent voted it is an "important part" of their selection process.
• Team-building activity options. Planners often conduct team building projects and more than 55% of respondents answered adventure/active options were of the greatest interest.
• Social networking. Nearly 50 percent of planners responded that social media is an integral part of their event planning. Most go through reviews online before deciding on hotels or resorts for their events.
• Innovation and technology. More than 36 percent of planners realize that technology such as streaming media, web conferencing, A/V equipment, cloud computing, etc., has become an integral part of their daily business.

Corporate events involve a major investment of time and money. If planned carefully and thoroughly, you can ensure the spotlight is on your successes. You might even be able to enjoy yourself!

Do you have an event planning tool set? If so, what are your go-to tactics and tips?

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