Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Simple Steps To Take the Stress Out of Organising a Business Conference



Organising a business conference can be stressful, especially if you’re short on ideas or time.  With budgets to balance and a company to run, scheduling time in your diary to arrange such an important event can almost seem impossible. But with the right help, it’s a breeze.

The secret begins with choosing the right business conference center that has dedicated business conference facilities to achieve your goals. The biggest asset any business conference centre has is a professional event planning and management team. One of South East Queensland’s most popular business conference centres, Woodlands of Marburg, understands this. Woodlands’ dedicated team of professionals can help take the stress out of organising you next corporate event.

There are several important steps to consider when organising a corporate event. First on the list is scheduling an appointment with the event planning and management team. This is your opportunity to discuss the type and style of event you’re planning, the number of guests, the space you’ll need to accommodate them, the facilities and amenities required, and the budget you’re hoping to work within.

The next step is to arrange a tour of the business conference facilities.  Consider if the location is appropriate and easily accessible. Woodlands is located next to a major highway providing excellent transport links to and from Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. Next, inspect the meeting rooms and spaces available. Will they comfortably accommodate all of your guests and do they reflect an appropriate atmosphere in line with the style and objective of your event? Woodlands of Marburg offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. Its business conference facilities also feature the latest in technology including data projectors, TV/DVD/VCR, whiteboards, flipcharts, PA systems, lecterns and internet access. 

Catering is another consideration. Well-fed delegates stay focused on the task at hand, so talk to the planning team about refreshment options available. One-day business events typically consist of light refreshments and a lunch, while weekend getaways may involve a combination of sit-down meals or buffets as well as appetisers and snacks.

During the tour, be sure to ask about the onsite accommodation and recreation options. Woodlands of Marburg offers an all-inclusive experience with a restaurant, boutique accommodation, pool, tennis court and winery. 

The final step is to finalise the time and date of your event and lock it in with the event management team. Remember to advise the team of any changes to numbers or requirements before the event commences. With the planning done and dusted, sit back and relax with confidence as the professional team works to ensure your event runs without a hitch from start to finish.

Businesses Reap the Benefits of Annual Staff Events

The most successful businesses and companies are those that not only value their customers but also their staff. One of the best and most effective ways to show appreciation towards staff and reward them for their efforts is by hosting an annual staff event at corporate function venues. It’s a vital tool for any business looking to thrive in what has become an increasingly fast-paced and fiercely competitive corporate marketplace.

The motives behind holding an annual staff event are many. Aside from the traditional Christmas or festive season functions at corporate event venues, some companies opt for yearly team building retreats, award ceremonies or networking business conferences. Often it’s a chance to combine business with pleasure and the perfect way to ensure employees are made to feel they play a valued and crucial role in driving the company’s success. 

Public recognition at a company awards night or the end of year party can be just as valuable as a team building weekend or mini retreat spent with colleagues. Both encourage employees to not only perform at their best individually, but also work cooperatively together to achieve common goals for their employer. It helps staff to recognise professional strengths and weaknesses and how their individual performance and efforts contribute to the business.

Most importantly, an annual staff event is an opportunity for a business to reflect on its recent successes and highlight the achievements of staff while at the same time reiterating corporate strategies, goals and objectives along with the plan for achieving them. More ideas are generated when staff come together in a stress-free environment away from the daily pressures of work.

Whether it’s an award ceremony, team building weekend or annual Christmas party, staff are more likely to speak openly and communicate ideas more freely when not tasked with agendas and deadlines. Their motivation and morale levels are boosted, thus improving productivity. A happy, valued employee is more likely to strive to go above and beyond the call of duty for the company upon return to their daily business activities following the annual staff event.

Many businesses choose to take their events away from the office and host them at corporate function venues or corporate event venues. This escape from the daily work environment helps break down political, religious and personal barriers as well as eliminating distractions, leaving employees feelings refreshed and reinvigorated. 

The secret to keeping employees motivated at an annual event comes down to location, location, location. 
 Corporate function venues and corporate event venues are the obvious choice for annual staff events. Most offer corporate event management packages which allow companies to leave the organisation of their event in the professional hands of a specialised event management team.

The team works with a business from conception to delivery, ensuring all bases are covered from style and design to audiovisual, entertainment, accommodation and catering requirements. Consider hosting annual staff events at corporate function venues. It will take much of the hassle out of planning the big event without interrupting the flow of day-to-day business.