An event is all about the stakeholders. 

Events are an excellent way to create a memorable experience with your organization’s stakeholders. We know what stakeholders are in the case of a company (those who have a vested interest in your company’s success). It’s the same for events. Whether your attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, partners, vendors or the media, planning and executing an effective event is about more than just selecting the right venue, menu, entertainment, and decorations. To create an engaging event that will give your stakeholders a return on their investment, you must take into consideration a few key points. 

1. Show them you care

Just like nurturing a relationship with a close friend, significant other or family member, you have to nurture your stakeholder relationship. Throughout the process of planning and executing your event, their opinions and past experiences should be taken into consideration. This includes small details that show that their preferences were considered, as well as thoughtful and effective communication throughout the planning process.

2. Constant communication

You should be in constant communication with your stakeholders through channels such as email marketing, social media, an event app or website. These channels will be utilized to keep your stakeholders “in the loop” and even can be used for post-event surveys.

3. Under-promise, over-deliver

We all know the saying, “under-promise and over-deliver,” but rarely, if ever, do we use this concept with our client’s events. It can be tempting to over-promise to create excitement and smooth over a tough conversation,, but it almost always causes unnecessary stress the day of your event. Remember to keep your goals and deliverables achievable! The more time and care you have to dedicate, the better.

4. Reporting

Reports are a great resource to show your stakeholders what they are investing in, show progress within your event or organization, and persuade them to keep supporting your event for years to come. Keeping your stakeholders abreast on the latest reports will create a transparent and trusting relationship, and make planning year 2, 12 or 25 easier.

How you manage your stakeholders will directly affect their future investment and engagement in your company. That is why we suggest that you take each of these points into consideration prior to creating a stakeholder-centric event. 

Click here for more information on how we handle stakeholder strategy for nonprofits, technology, and cannabis-based businesses.