Page 3 - PA Life Corporate Hospitality Guide 2015

Corporate hospitality is enjoying something of a resurgence in the UK. Events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup in Perthshire have all created a significant demand for hospitality packages.
This year, of course, heralds the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham, which is bound to stimulate the sector even further, alongside classic existing fixtures such as the tennis
at Wimbledon, cricket at Lord’s, and the racing at Royal Ascot. Overall,
the market is predicted to increase in value by around 15 per cent over the next five years.
When organising a corporate hospitality event, the first thing a PA needs to do
is decide whether he or she is capable of making all the arrangements on their own, or whether they require external assistance from an event management agency. Then, either alone or in tandem with the agency, you must ensure
you are aware of the budget at your disposal, as this will dictate to a large extent what kind of event you are able to pull together.
Remember to check what the budget is expected to include: does it just cover food and drinks for instance, or is it supposed to run to entertainment, transport, accommodation and insurance too?
Next up, choose the right event for your demographic. This may sound obvious, but unless you do your research on the likes and dislikes of your group, then you will be unlikely
to secure a happy outcome. If your company is comprised mainly of sporty male employees for instance, then it’s doubtful that an outing to the ballet would go down particularly well.
Ensure you give yourself enough time to organise the event and don’t leave everything to the last minute, as there will inevitably be unforeseen setbacks and you have to factor in that not
everything will go according to plan.
Always have a contingency plan so you have all the bases covered – or as many as is humanly possible. For instance,
if you’re using an outdoor venue you may want to check that there’s also an indoor space available just in case it pours on the day.
Whatever kind of corporate hospitality event you’re planning, keep this practical guide to hand and you won’t go far wrong.
Colette Doyle
Editor, PA Life
WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR
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