Meetings Blog Sep 30, 2019
Ahhhhh. Breathe in that wonderfully clean fresh air. Soak up the rays from the sun. Feel that refreshing breeze. Stare up at the stars in the sky.
We spend plenty of time indoors, especially when it comes to our working lives, so why not consider the idea of planning your next event in the great outdoors. Clearly the weather will play its part, and this will be affected by the region and time of year that is chosen for the big day, however, any surprises can always be mitigated for. Heading outside for fall or winter events may not immediately seem sensible, but there is so much to suggest it should be…
If you are targeting a fall event, why not let nature’s colors take over the decorative theme. Various tones of browns, oranges and reds can enhance the surroundings you have chosen, while wood is an excellent way to fuse nearby trees with the elements of your set-up. In winter, much like fall, the idea of warmth is often a worthwhile approach while aspects of the festive season may also feel appropriate.
Of course, sometimes a concept to contrast sharply with nature is desired, using modern, possibly metallic, structures and more vibrant color palette. Sound systems and lighting (the latter Mother Nature isn’t obliging) can also be aligned to the overall theme, while careful consideration must be given to the layout to ensure the required technology can function as intended.
Most of the food and drink selections for indoor events can be offered on the other side of the windows too, although, there are some differences to bear in mind. BBQs are an ideal buffet-style option for your guests and, depending on the available space, carefully selected food trucks could be brought in to add a little more variety and intrigue.
Space should be your friend when you are outside, so make the most of it with your catering selections. Contemplate how the attendees are likely to move around your venue area and arrange tasty treats to help with the flow of the occasion, and to encourage networking and engagement. Your menu choices should not only complement the theme of your event, but can also be used to keep guests cooled down or warmed up depending on the expected ambiance.
If the temperature is indeed likely to be cooler than an indoor room, then you’ll want to ensure that you have suitable arrangements to maintain a pleasant sense of warmth throughout the day. Portable heating can be provided from a wide selection of standalone heaters – with styles to suit any occasion – and piles of blankets and shareable clothing like shawls can be dotted around the area. A clever DJ will also know the right tunes to get the blood flowing through to capillaries of your skin; nature’s way of keeping us warm.
Taking all the above ideas as inspiration, now look at an example of how a venue caters perfectly for outdoor events, ensuring that all the more practical elements are taken care off. The NH Ventas hotel in the Spanish capital of Madrid has a team of specialists waiting to assist you in creating something special. With a large al fresco terrace, complete with a leafy garden and heated swimming pool, there are options a plenty to build to your requirements. You will also have full connectivity, possibly within a marquee setting, linking up Wi-Fi coverage and presentation screens and podiums. Of course, there will always be indoor back-up plan available if the heavens truly open.
Don’t delay, throw open the doors and start planning today for your future outdoor event success.
