Planning an event can be an exciting but daunting task. The world of events offers many options, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations.
The prospect of planning an event can trigger a lot of anxiety. It’s easy to convey that you are overwhelmed by the different types of events you can choose from. And yet, each event type plays a vital role in relevant sectors.
You don’t have to make that choice alone. We’ve devised a list of different types of events to ensure you are in the right direction. No matter your event goals, there’s a strong possibility that one of these choices will send you and your attendees home happy.
Table of Contents
- Corporate events
- Community events
- Charity events
- Social events
- Sports events
- Virtual events
- Hybrid events
Corporate events
Corporate events are gatherings that companies or organisations host for their stakeholders, clients, or staff. They are frequently employed to foster ties, honour staff members, or commemorate achievements. Business gatherings can occur in various settings, be big or small, and be formal or informal.
Business-related events can take many forms, although some are more typical. The most typical business events are listed here, along with certain expectations for each.
Networking events
Creating relationships is one of the main goals of attending an event. That’s precisely the goal of a networking event. In short, a networking event is a planned get-together where participants can expand their social networks and make new contacts.
Events of this kind are particularly helpful in planting the seeds of future collaborations and commercial ties. For example, networking can assist you in bringing on fresh talent for your company or even set the stage for a potential sponsorship of an upcoming event.
Conferences
A conference is usually a sizable gathering focused on a single theme, subject, or sector. According to American Express, they typically last three days and feature various events, such as networking opportunities, exhibitions, guest speakers, and special activities.
Brand exposure, lead creation, and thought leadership are just a few of the many possible business objectives that can be accomplished with this kind of special event. Conferences are unique in that they can achieve all these objectives simultaneously depending on the topics and activities covered. Briefly, they aid guests in understanding, interacting with, and learning about your company and its reputation.
Seminars
Seminar preparation and operation are very similar to conference operations. This time, however, the emphasis is mainly on instruction, training, and knowledge transfer. Although they sometimes have a large attendance, they are frequently divided into smaller groups for more focused instruction.
Smaller groups may be used for sessions; afterwards, everyone may gather to mingle, connect, and exchange ideas. Depending on their size and scope, seminars can be hosted anywhere. Ideally, you would like a place with more extensive facilities for mingling and smaller areas or rooms for learning.
Workshops
Workshops provide a more “hands-on” option for roundtable discussions or guest speaker sessions in an event area. They’re a fantastic way to excite the celebrations and teach individuals a new skill. A workshop may be held in conjunction with a conference or trade exhibition, or it may be held as a stand-alone event.
Attendees can learn from these intensely engaging workshops. However, they can also cultivate an interest in the skill, subject, or theme and network with other attendees.
Trade show
A trade show allows numerous businesses within a specific industry to exhibit their goods and services to the broader public. A trade show aims to exhibit the newest products to your target market and generate brand interest. You can leave a lasting impression and create memorable experiences by letting your target audience interact with your brand.
This kind of event might be as basic and straightforward as a few merchants displaying, or it can feature thousands of enterprises showcasing in one location. Trade exhibitions are a fantastic method to create contact lists, raise brand awareness, and create a sales pipeline.
Team building events
An internal business gathering called “team building” allows staff members to become closer and collaborate on a shared objective. Team building exercises can take many forms, including contests, lectures, presentations, and mental challenges. This is what makes it so fantastic.
In addition to encouraging cooperation and teamwork, this business event gives workers a much-needed break and enjoyment as a reward for their hard work. Team building is so well-liked by company executives because it helps with talent acquisition and retention.
Product launch events
As the name suggests, a product launch is an opportunity to introduce a new good or service to the general public. Inviting guests to experience a new brand, collaboration, or offering firsthand helps create enthusiasm about it and helps spread the word about it.
Events for the launch of new products are an excellent way to increase sales and boost brand awareness. They work wonders for building enduring brand ties and forging connections with your target audience.
Internal corporate events
Any event a corporation holds for its board members, workers, or stakeholders is considered an internal corporate event. Internal corporate events include town halls, team-building exercises, Christmas parties, sales meetings, and board meetings.
These can encourage interaction among staff members and help them connect their beliefs and ambitions with the company’s. They can also disseminate information and demonstrate ROI to investors and stakeholders.
Hackathons
A hackathon is distinct from other events that can overlap and become one and the same. The idea is that a team of technical specialists gets together to work on a specific project or find a solution to a particular issue. Teams usually compete over one or more days to find the quickest and most effective solution, with the victors taking home a prize.
Companies can have internal hackathons to find answers that can be implemented in the company, or they can hold public hackathons to resolve real-world issues to benefit the community.
Round table discussions
A round table is a type of business gathering with just one moderator, and discussions occur. A round table debate usually invites several speakers to provide their varied points of view and opinions on a particular subject. Every person around the round table has an equal chance to voice their opinions and participate in the conversation. A moderator facilitates the sessions and invites participants to contribute freely to the discussion and share their thoughts.
Round tables these days are usually small, informal affairs that seat no more than twenty people, in contrast to many other forms of business events. Round tables can be held in person or virtually and usually last one to two hours. Participants can dial in during an online round table when their turn comes up.
Community events
Local businesses can be supported, and people can come together through community activities. A concert in the park or a farmers’ market could be examples of them.
The fact that community events provide something for everyone is one of their best features. Everyone can find something to enjoy as there are typically many booths and activities to check out. Furthermore, most of these activities are inexpensive or free, making them accessible.
Community events also have the excellent benefit of promoting local companies. You may assist local small businesses by eating from food trucks at festivals or shopping at the farmer’s market. This is an excellent method of maintaining your town’s sense of community.
Community-Wide donation drive
Helping those in need is the one objective that unites everyone participating in a community donation drive. Ask them what they need if you request funds for a specific cause or organisation! You can arrange for different drop-off spots to be available to everyone in the community. Several well-liked donation items could be:
- Baby supplies (clothing, formula, or diapers)
- School supplies, such as backpacks, crayons, notebooks, and pencils
- Non-Perishable Foods
- Winter attire, such as coats, snow pants, and sweatshirts
Nature walk and marathon
One of the best ways to meet new people is to go outside and enjoy the fresh air in the neighbourhood! Although they might not be for everyone, a tiny group of people are willing and enjoy running marathons. With every mile run, they can raise money, with all proceeds going straight to the cause. Marathons need volunteers to set up signs, distribute water, etc.
Whole communities can turn out to support or run the distance during marathons. You can make a checklist of things to look for while on the walk if the community would prefer to go on a nature walk. This wildlife walk is open to all ages and will get people moving.
Cultural food festival
As previously noted, food festivals are a fantastic opportunity to spread knowledge about the community, its origin, and its history! Invite neighbourhood eateries to showcase their best dishes at this culinary fair. The local businesses will offer a wide variety of food and beverages for the citizens to sample, and in exchange, the restaurants will get exposure and commercial chances! Any community that values cultural cuisine and variety will win the respect of all.
Skill development and community training event
Take care of the locals if you want to contribute to developing a strong sense of community. A robust community can be developed by fostering the well-being of its members. Residents who wish to learn more about these topics can benefit from the community offering helpful seminars like CPR training or personal finance education. Classes like yoga, meditation, or Zumba can improve the inhabitants’ physical and emotional well-being.
A Heritage celebration
You should celebrate whatever distinctive past or intriguing background your town may have. One excellent method to teach the locals about history they might not know is holding a historical celebration. This festival’s crafts, cuisine, and entertainment may relate to local history.
Charity events
Charity events are unique gatherings of people who support those in need. They could be a fundraiser event where money is raised for a worthy cause, similar to a walk or auction. In addition, people can donate their time to assist others by serving meals at homeless shelters. Participating in charity activities is a beautiful opportunity to change the world and help others.
Related: 100+ Fundraising Event Ideas for Nonprofit Organisations Can Execute
Black tie gala
Organising a black-tie gala is an excellent method to encourage community members to dress up! Black tie galas typically include an auction to earn even more money. Big-ticket goods, like a trip or a brand-new set of golf clubs, are typically up for bid during the silent auction. You can sell community members tickets to the gala, with the proceeds going directly to the organisation you support. This is a fantastic opportunity to collect money for your charity and a fun night out for all participating.
Social events
A social event is an occasion when people get together to socialise. The phrase can be used to describe many various kinds of gatherings, from casual get-togethers to elaborate types of parties. There is always some level of engagement amongst attendees during social gatherings; this might take the form of games, chat, or other activities.
Social events can take many forms, including intimate get-togethers or extravagant celebrations. Birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, holidays, and office celebrations are typical. Social gatherings can be formal or casual, held indoors or outside.
Sports events
A “sports event” is any professional, collegiate, Olympic, or electronic sporting competition, regardless of whether the competitors are teams or single people.
Sports and competition events can range from setting up an auditorium for thousands of computer gamers to planning a bicycle race across restricted highways. Although significant obstacles may exist, nothing is conceivable in this realm, another event planner’s dream.
There are certain fundamental etiquette guidelines that you ought to abide by at every kind of social gathering. For instance, arriving late or departing without bidding your hosts farewell is typically regarded as impolite.
Virtual events
Thanks to technological improvements, today’s hyper-connected world has made it unnecessary to reserve a physical site for an event to hold a successful one. Instead of renting a space to accommodate everyone, more event planners are discovering the advantages of asking guests to join an online event from their place of employment, home, office, or hotel room.
Virtual events can take many forms, from workshops and training sessions to extensive conferences. They are frequently broadcast live to allow participants to engage with the presenter and ask questions.
Related: 28 Awesome Virtual Event Ideas for Your Next Online Event
Hybrid events
Hybrid events are those that take place both virtually and in person at the same time. The organisers and the guests find sweet spots at these types of gatherings. They provide additional flexibility by enabling attendance from anywhere in the world anytime. Hybrid events are ideal for programmes that may be held virtually and onsite with equal effectiveness. Here are a few examples of ideal hybrid event plans:
- Trade shows
- Sales kick-offs
- Conferences
- Global town halls
When many of your guests who would typically attend in person cannot do so, hybrid events are also quite helpful as a solution. Here are a few instances where someone who would typically attend an event in person could need to participate virtually:
- Due to safety or health issues, the guest cannot or chooses not to travel.
- The attendee organisation cannot attend the event due to low travel funds.
- It is not possible for all guests to assemble at the venue where you will be holding the onsite component of the event due to capacity restrictions.
Getting your invitees’ current circumstances and emotions through a pre-event survey might be a best practice. A hybrid event is the ideal choice if many people would rather be able to participate virtually.
FAQs
In 2024, you can anticipate various events catering to various interests. There’s something for everyone, from cultural festivals and sports extravaganzas to technology conferences and wellness retreats.
Consider your passions and preferences. Reflect on whether you’re drawn to the arts, sports, or professional development. Assessing your interests will guide you towards events that align with your personal and professional goals.
Numerous family-friendly events are scheduled for 2024, featuring activities suitable for all age groups. Look out for community fairs, outdoor concerts, and educational expos that cater to the entire family.
Event organisers prioritise attendee safety. Expect enhanced hygiene protocols, spacious venues, and possibly virtual attendance options. Always check event websites for safety guidelines and protocols to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience.
Wrap up
After getting ideas about these different types of events, now it is time to plan for future events. Once you’ve figured out what type of event to host is right for you, it’s essential to find the right ticketing partner to help you reach your goals. You can learn more about EventBooking’s complete event management platform and start setting up your next event today.
