Meetings Blog Feb 04, 2019
If you’re hosting an event after the start of February, it will be born in the year of the Pig, the Chinese Zodiac sign of 2019. We turn to the upcoming sign for inspiration for your event. More than ever, the demand for Chinese New Year happenings are giving event profs the opportunity to truly flex their creative muscles and we are more than happy to share a couple of ideas with you to get you started. Here’s how to benefit from the Pig in event planning throughout 2019.
There is no doubt the pig is adored and represents an abundance of passion, positivity, patience and peace, and symbolizes a hard-working, generous, trusting and sociable person. The energy and enthusiasm of ‘Pigs’ is to be celebrated and so they are the perfect protagonist for a Chinese New Year themed event. Translate the traits of the zodiac through color, music and the overall message that is being used as the backbone of the event. Are you working on a conference with various speakers? Is this a product launch or unveiling? Then ensure the pig’s positive outlook and enthusiasm are a constant throughout the proceedings without forcing it.
By having the pig present, in spirit obviously, you can be sure that the event will have a strong foundation to work upon. It’s then to delve further into to the numerous traditions that surround the Chinese New Year to really create an unforgettable event.
We mentioned that the Pig according to Chinese tradition is brimming with positivity energy and excitement. So make sure that your event is crammed with intriguing, engaging social media moments.
Imagine some of your favorite futuristic films and there is no doubt that you will recall an exciting and enticing blend of traditional clothing and foods from various cultures mixed with holograms street signs, intriguing gadgets and technology that doesn’t exist yet. Why not aim to achieve that feeling for the next event. Whether it’s an impactful entrance, a photocall with a difference or an element within the event designed to engage attendees with the product in an entertaining and unexpected way, bring today’s technology and into the heart of your event to make it memorable.
How about the use of interactive Animoji of the Pig and other Chinese Zodiac signs? Think digital projection, LED screens of over-the-top graphics with trotting pigs, fireworks and neon lettering, a game app that’s available for downloading before arriving and can be played during the event to win prizes, a digital wishing tree that guests can ‘pin’ their wishes to by sending a message… there are endless ways to mix today’s technology with ancient traditions and incorporate them into the essence of your event, and we’ve got the latest technologies ready for you to use in our venues.
The Pig is hard-working and sociable. Find was to incorporate elements that encourage attendees to interact and that include a mini task to complete.
Before we move on, it has to be stressed that in order to host an event using the Chinese New Year as inspiration, the color Red must be present throughout the spaces being used. It is a lucky color and is said to ward off bad energy.
The aforementioned Wishing Tree could be present whether digitally or physically, taking pride of place in the center of the event or strategically positioned for use later yet creating the mood. Or how about at the entrance of the space so that attendees are encouraged to add their wish to the tree and are immediately engaged with the events theme. Be sure that the wishes are written upon lucky red wishing cards otherwise they won’t come true.
Other musts are the Chinese Red Lanterns that drive off bad luck, which can be seen hung on trees, in the streets, in offices and on the doors of houses. If an outdoor networking sessions is on the cards, this could be the perfect way to decorate the chosen space. To ensure that the event is teeming with positivity, do as the Chinese do and invert ‘Fu’ characters throughout the space. ‘Fu’ means good fortune, so by inverting the character, the good fortune is literally being poured out. Though it’s tradition to have the ‘Fu’ characters already inverted, you can invite attendees to do it themselves to encourage networking.
Can New Year couplets be incorporated into the design of the event? These are written good wishes that are usually seen in pairs (couplets) on the doors of homes. Invite guests to write their own to share on an event board or even have a professional on hand to help them create their message in the correct character forms. How about turning the activity into a team building session and ask them to create ‘wishes’ regarding different themes together.
It’s not just decorations that will help bring in wealth, there are plenty of dishes and tasty bites that can be incorporated into your event that will bring all manner of positive energy to those in attendance. Food is essential, and if you’re turning to the Year of the Pig for inspiration then you’ll want to include some of the following dishes:
Fish (two is even better): In Chinese, fish sounds like ‘surplus’ and so it is traditional to have a surplus of fish at the end of the year. Why? Because having saved extra for the end of the year means you can make more the next year… of course we are referring to money here. So, have fish dishes to increase the prosperity of everyone at your event. Fun fact: It’s tradition to eat fish on the eve of the new year and one on the day for extra wealth.
Dumplings (Yuanbao): Likened to ancient Chinese currency, these delicious treats are meant to bring wealth. Though there are traditional varieties (like jiaozi which are filled with pork and cabbage), customize yours to best fit those in attendance.
Noodle dishes: You can never go wrong with noodles, especially when they signify longevity. Include these as a dish or even presented in mini noodle boxes.
Spring Rolls: Like dumplings, these represent wealth thanks to their resemblance to gold bars and are usually eaten accompanied with a saying that means ‘a ton of gold’, a wish for prosperity.
Citrus fruits: Be sure to have plenty of tangerines, mandarins, pomelos and kumquats on display and available to eat. They represent wealth and luck, and if the fruits have leaves on them it represents longevity. But don’t group them in fours, that number represents death.
Tempting right? Then, see what our delicious Tempting Breaks could do for your event.
As you can see, the Chinese New Year is the perfect chance to see how the traditions can be incorporated into upcoming events and how the personality of the Pig can benefit you, your client and the attendees. If you can imagine it, we can do it.
What are you Chinese New Year’s ideas? How can we help?
