Five ways to make your next event a success
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When it comes to events, this time of the year is particularly busy.
Whether it’s upcoming events like Christmas or end of year celebrations or looking ahead to 2019 to where you might like to host your conference or wedding, you may well find yourself needing some help when it comes to planning.
The National Gallery of Australia has played host to a huge range of events. From workshops, presentations, product launches, corporate events, or private celebrations, their versatile spaces mean that they cater for just about everything. So, who better to ask for party planning tips?
We caught up with Bianca Naoumidis, Sales Coordinator of The Big Group to find out some of the key elements of a successful event.
The prep
If you’re using an event planner, or an event planning team that works with your venue, they’ll be doing a lot of the legwork when it comes to coordinating your function. There is some preparation that can be done to make the process easier.
“Before meeting with your venue, it’s important to know what your ‘must haves’ are,” says Bianca. “For a conference, for example, consider whether you need a stage or a projector, breakout areas, or whether you need the room to be versatile.”
“Here at the Gallery. We’re in the heart of Canberra, the Parliamentary Triangle. We manage a wide range of functions from Government Department conferences, to Gala Dinners. It’s important to note all your necessities on your enquiry”.
Having a clear idea of your vision will assist the venue to provide creative solutions and ensure it come to life.
“It’s then up to us to find out what we need to do to turn that function into an unforgettable event experience.”
The space
There can’t be a party without a venue—and selecting the right space ensures a strong foundation on which to build your event.
“The Big Group believes the most important thing to consider when looking for a space is a venue that matches your personality or the event theme” says Bianca. “There’s nothing worse than envisioning a black-tie dress and not setting the scene for it.”
From a logistical standpoint, it’s important to consider whether there’s enough floor space to accommodate your requirements, for example a band or a dancefloor.
“For something like a conference, you’ll want to consider whether the venue offers natural light for ideal delegate engagement, or perhaps an indoor/outdoor interaction, fresh air and blue skies does wonders for concentration and enjoyment.”
If it’s the first time visiting a venue, it’s important to bring an open mind and be open to suggestions from the event team, who’ve seen the space used in a myriad of different ways.
The styling
Depending on the type of event you’re hosting and the space you’re using, styling can be a large consideration.
“We believe in consistency,” says Bianca, “be that in colour, theme, or feel. We find whether you’re planning a conference or a gala dinner, the event benefits from a well-chosen theme. It sets the tone, draws in the right people, and it memorable.”
“The key to selecting a theme is to choose one that aligns with your company or personal objective and embodies your brand, or something outside the box.”
Selecting a venue with an existing aesthetic, such as Gandel Hall with its gold leaf doors and red ironbark floor can help inform the finer details of your event.
“The details within Gandel Hall are beautiful, you don’t need to overfill the tables. All you need to focus on is one ‘wow’ factor item – This could be your centerpieces, place-cards or favours. A simple way to maximise impact is to vary the height of the styling items within table settings, adding risers and thinking outside of the box.”
“Think about tieing fresh produce into your next table setting, fresh produce looks amazing and can be reused and frozen or eaten throughout the week, remember to add depth and texture to the table and be consistent with your colour palate.”
The food
As a food-obsessed society, it comes as little surprise that food and beverage is one of the most-discussed elements of a function or celebration.
“In this day and age, there are so many specialists shaking up the way things work in the catering industry. We as ‘The Big Group’ thrive off building seasonal menus that stimulate the senses. Our chefs are more than happy to spread their wings and create bespoke masterpieces, it’s something that we pride ourselves on our flexibility and creativity.” says Bianca.
She says beyond just the taste of the food, thinking outside of the box is key to creating an unforgettable guest experience.
“In my experience, having caterers who can offer you a bespoke service or tailor make a menu to suit your needs is really important. It’s about having fresh ideas and becoming innovators when it comes to different styling components of the food – things like incorporating the artwork into your menu or creating a bespoke dessert themed around the latest blockbuster exhibition, no idea is too big for The Big Group, we love a good challenge”.
“You want to stay current and up to date, and you also don’t want to leave your guests hungry, catering is so important to get right.”
The surprise and delight
Bianca says that that the goal is for your guests to walk away and think ‘wow, I’ve never experienced anything like that before’.
“It’s providing an experience where from the moment a guest arrives, they are immersed in something magnificent. We love working alongside our NGA Marketing department and creating beautiful opening parties for the major exhibitions. Each opening we’ve done together has built precious memories and have kicked off the exhibition with a bang.”
“One opening stands out in particular though. A significant opening of more than 300 diamonds, emeralds and precious stones, of course we are taking about ‘the Cartier Exhibition’. You name it, we had it; a baby grand piano, an incredible bespoke dessert themed on Barbara Hutton’s iconic jade necklace and two-mirrors were purpose built inside Gandel Hall to create a fantasy world within the NGA. It really was amazing.”
“When you’ve attended a few events, you can see the same things again and again, we recommend utilising industry professionals and being really creative to set your event apart.”
Are you planning a wedding, end of year party, conference or cultural celebration? Contact “The Big Group” at the “National Gallery of Australia” for help in brining your vision to life with inspired creativity. Contact their Event Managers 02 6240 6711 or events@nga.gov.au today to discuss your ideas.
This is a sponsored editorial. For more information on sponsored editorials, click here.
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