How to brainstorm your next event theme

Part of planning a successful event is in the theme. Meeting planners at corporations around the USA have revealed that they will put more emphasis on the content of the conferences in contrast to the pricey decor, high end corporate gifts to attendees, off site parties and golfing excursions. We have heard that, other than floral centerpieces, hard themed goods rentals are down over the past several years.

Planners will now need to be more selective on the overall theme of the event and rely less on the graphics. The best way to brainstorm your next theme for your conference is to pay attention to pop culture such as reality TV shows or popular contest related type of TV shows like "American Idol." These themes can show attention to current trends in the media which most likely will have more retention value with your attendees.

Here are some of the brainstorm tips for developing your next conference theme:

1) Have your planning committee come up with themes around current TV shows.

2) Make sure they are of positive nature. (contests are a plus)

3) Keep the theme running through your graphics, especially on your digital slide presentations.

4) If you can tie in humor to your theme, it is a plus. Humor is known to keep your audience’s attention, therefore better retain the material presented.

In conclusion, give yourselves enough time to think through the theme so that it can, save money to produce, is compatible with your company culture, and is presented in a very creative way to impress your attendees.

This issue of "tips and tricks" written by Bruce K. Inouye of www.P2 Events.com
(Please contact this author for permission to reprint in any other publication.)