Meetings Blog Feb 21, 2019
Year after year there are memorable parties that follow the glitz and glam of the Oscars and everyone wants to be at them. No one forgets, for example, the extravagant illumination associated with Vanity Fair’s annual event or the Gucci handouts at Madonna’s. Why are these parties such a success? What are their secrets? What tips can we take from the planning of those spectacular affairs and apply to our own events, no matter the size or occasion? We decided to take a look…
People still talk about the auction from Elton John’s party which saw a corvette owned by Sharon Stone go for over $1 million, or when Aerosmith star Steven Tyler offered up a stay at his private Hawaiian residence. A single moment like that can remain in the memories well beyond the morning after the night before, and can create a desire for people to come back the next time, as well as encourage new participants to join.
For your own meeting or event, consider how you can send the attendees home with memories that will live on, eager to be part of your next experience. A unique venue is one way to achieve this, and then what you offer during the occasion can spice things up. How can the décor capture their imagination? Are there games or activities to occupy their minds? What other surprises can you keep up your sleeve until the curtain is drawn back?
What can often happen is that the after party is designed based on the personality, or principles, of the celebrity that hosts it. Where the party host has a particular focus in, say, preventing climate change, we have seen a desire to promote zero waste across the celebration. Avoiding disposable cups and plates, ensuring that gifts are actually useful and not going to end up in the trash in the morning, and arranging for leftover food to be redistributed to the needy, are all ways to do this.
Consider who the main focus of our event is, or what the key objective is. Based on this, plan your meeting or event to incorporate the important facets to bring elements such as personality, style, and attitude to life. The environmental angle is one example, but it could also be directed towards experiences such as a sense of glamor, a dive into cutting-edge technology, or a fun-filled night of nostalgia. Be clear about what the personality of your event should be, and then set about pulling everything together.
There’s no doubt that it’s the A-list celebrities that end up filling the luxurious venues of the Oscars after parties. Denzel Washington, Miley Cyrus, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds…the hottest names in Hollywood and beyond all want a space in the limelight and a seat at the table. If you want to rub shoulders with the headliners, then this is the place to do it, and there’s sure to be a top-notch star to talk to entertain.
Just like these parties, giving people the chance to interact with other attendees can be an invaluable opportunity for them. Sharing industry knowledge, creating new clients or suppliers, helping promote business, team bonding – all come out of the networking that takes place at meetings and events across the globe. The attendee list you put together may not include the stars of the silver screen, but it should always be well-considered. And that goes for the speaker too!
The food served up at one of the Oscar bashes tend to be in small servings. People want to mingle, while grazing on some sustenance on their way. Dainty plates and cutlery can be easily picked up and deposited as required, and a wide variety of tastes need to be considered. Where there is a large turnout, using specific waiting staff to cater for certain sections can often prove to be most efficient. Remember too that fancy cocktails and desserts often have a habit of stealing the show – like Elton’s espresso milkshakes topped with mini-doughnuts!
No matter the size of your event, providing an attractive dining option is guaranteed to be remembered. The Oscars party idea of tempting bites is a nice idea to follow, allowing your attendees to indulge their cravings on a selection of their favorite nibbles. Always aim to have a few items that provoke discussion – possibly something making waves in the current gastronomy trends – and, these days, its often preferable to display specialty food (e.g. gluten free) as part of the whole, rather than separate. If the humble burger is good enough for Vanity Fair, why not consider food trucks as an alternative for your audience?
In the lead up to the Oscars every year, the media is awash with information, not only about the awards themselves but also the after parties. Who’s going where? What will they be wearing? How will the venue be decorated? It’s hard to escape it on print, television, radio, and in recent years, of course, social media. Vanity Fair have been taking Instagram-exclusive celebrity pictures for some time now, and then plastering their social club hashtag #VFSC on every surface available.
Marketing your event is crucial to its success. Take a note from the after-party planners for the night of the Academy Awards and use whatever tools you can to promote the most enticing attributes to those you want to attract. Social media is clearly a huge player, and the use of imagery and video has been proven to drive stronger engagement. Keep an eye on expert planner blogs for fresh communication ideas and mold them to fit your needs, and drive them throughout the event.
So, there you have it. Follow the steps of the successful planners of the post-Oscars parties, and get ready to soak up all the applause once your meeting or event is over. They may even give you an award…
