Why planning events is a vital part of your marketing plan

Marketing professionals plan events as part of their marketing plans for a wide range of reasons. Whether it be to promote an existing or new product or service, to encourage communication and engagement between staff and clients, or even to bring teams together for team-building or a big celebration, events can really help a company to engage with its audiences.

Here are some of the reasons why Rothamsted Conference Centre and our clients believe that events are such a vital part of your marketing, HR, communications and engagement plans.

1. A leader in your field

For businesses who want to position themselves as thought leaders or a major player in their market, holding and running events that talk about new products and services, newsworthy topics or new areas of innovation, this will help to propel you to a new level of leadership in your field. Be sure to research your competitor events to understand what the key talking points are for your area. Identify what specifically you want to be known as a leader for. Invite key experts and journalists along to speak at your event. Make sure clients are told well in advance so they plan to attend.

2. Connecting people

One of the main reasons for running events is to build communication and earn trust. Whether it be a customer-focused event where you invite all your existing clients along to show them a new service area, or a staff event to thank them for their hard work, or a media event to launch an innovation in your business, events allow people to connect. To feel part of something much bigger. To feel connected to others in a similar group or position. To ask questions. To build rapport. And to connect with new or existing contacts and develop relationships.

3. Getting your name out there

When running an event, this is a perfect opportunity to talk to prospective and existing clients, staff, partners, the media and other stakeholders. It supports brand awareness and can really ensure that your business and your brand name is front and centre in your audience’s mind.

4. The personal touch

As the saying goes “people buy from people”. Enabling face to face contact with your customers and developing a good relationship with them can only come from face to face communication over time. Events can really enable and support this. There is a lot to be said in this digital age for meeting people ‘in the flesh’. We all communicate extensively online. Whether it be text, email, skype, etc. But sometimes only face to face will do.

5. Brand recognition

If you create an event which has a lasting impression and leaves a strong message with your audience, they will associate that with your brand and your brand recognition will improve.

6. Immediate feedback

Events are the perfect way to generate immediate feedback from your audience. If you are running a conference, you can use breakout sessions for smaller group discussions, workshops and team activities. You can ask questions and delve more deeply into queries when at an event. Lastly you can earn the trust that is so vital to the feedback loop when you hold inclusive, well-planned and participative events.

If you are planning a conference, a training session, or business meetings for your organisation and you want to work with a team of event specialists, get in touch. Rothamsted Conference Centre are here to ensure your events run smoothly and seamlessly.