As we say hello to March, event planners like you are working hard sorting out event details and creating a wonderful experience for their guests. To help you in this process, we have created a list of the top 3 event trends for 2020.
1. Event Customization
We live in a world where everything is customized. Don’t believe me? Pay attention to the advertisements that you see on your Facebook page. Or that piece of junk mail from the credit card company trying to convince you to open an account. Whether the content is based on your search history or they include your name throughout a letter, customization is the key. Have you taken the steps to customize your event? Here are a few ideas on how to do so for your guests:
Provide a list of different recreational activities, workshops or crafts that your guests can choose from. Prior to your event, send out an email that includes all of the activities that you will be offering and a schedule. Or, include this information within their registration form. Ask your guests to fill out the activities and workshops in which they would like to participate. Bonus tip: While you are preparing their welcome packets, make sure to include a copy of their personalized schedule.
- Event information and invitations
When you send out any form of communication directly to a guest, make sure to include some personal touches. Whether it is using their name or second person pronouns (you, your, yours). These small personalized touches are a great way to make your guest feel special. To learn more, check out our blog Personalized Promotion Pieces.
After everyone has gone home, send out a guest survey to find out what discussion/workshop topics they would like at your next event. Guests will feel appreciated by asking them for their suggestions because you are tailoring the event to their needs.
2. Going Green
- Decrease the amount of your printed materials like the sign-up sheets and handouts. One way this can be accomplished is by creating a registration form that can be completed and submitted online. Also, sometimes that online form can keep track of the information for you if you are using a software. If not, use a computer program, like Excel, to organize the information.
- Advertise on Facebook, Twitter, Email and in your church website in lieu of traditional paper flyers and postcards.
- Carpool by utilizing your church van(s).
- If you are hosting a church event, ask for volunteers to help provide transportation and caravan to the event’s location.
- Rent a charter bus.
- Create your event décor out of recycled materials like paper, tin cans, glass or plastic.
- Purchase pre-used décor from a yard sale or online. Make sure to check out Facebook Marketplace, a local resell group on Facebook, Esty, eBay or Amazon.
- Talk to the appropriate person at church about using past event decorations and props. For example, events like vacation bible school or the mother/daughter banquet.
3. Activities
Do not bore guests with the same ole traditional event activities. Wow them with thrilling experiences that they will go home talking about. Each of our properties feature numerous recreation options to choose from. For example:
- High ropes
- Low ropes team building
- Escape Rooms
- Zipline
- Blacklight sports
- Go Karts
- Mini Golf
Or you could arrange a fun craft workshop, a scavenger hunt or a campfire cook-out. Use these activities to develop beneficial communication skills, trust or to further your message. For more inspiration, check out our blog Ministry-Minded Programming.
(Note: Not all properties provide these recreation activities. You will need to check with the property on which unique activities they have available.)
As you begin to dive into a new year of planning, don’t forget to incorporate some of these 2020 trends throughout your event. Let’s make this the best event year yet!