Client Appreciation Event Ideas
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I would like to have a client appreciation event for my top 40-50 households. Any ideas? Budget is no more than $6000. It needs to be nice because all these people are high net worth. I could do a nice dinner at the a local golf course and I have free access to a good band. But i wanted to jazz it up some and make it different and fun somehow.
I thought about having it at my house and hiring an event planning company but my yard is sloped at a fairly steep angle and isn't large enough on the inside to accomidate 80 plus people comfortably.
Ask some of you hnw clients where are some of their favorite dining/meeting locations …if you get a common answer. You’ve got your answer.
I was invited to a client appreciation event by my CPA in December. He
held it at Shula’s Steakhouse. Although the meal, service and cocktails
were top notch, the event was forgettable.
About 80 people were seated at 16 tables throughout the room. Nobody
knew each other…it was like going to a wedding or just going out to
dinner with your wife. OTOH, a neighbor threw a party for his wife’s
birthday. She is Brazilian. Halfway into the party, a group of 10 samba
dancers in full carnival attire (including thongs) came in and performed.
Everyone felt like they were in Rio. That party, everyone will remember for
a long time.
With a group of 80 people, you’ve crossed from an intimate affair to a real
party. I suggest you call the event planner(s). Get ideas from at least
three.
Good Luck.
Have an upscale beach party/barbeque with a good band. You don’t have
to go broke on the food, and the food doesn’t have to be the focus.
People are more relaxed this way. Easier to mingle. And it’s fun. I think
the white cloth dinner is a bit stale.
[quote=skeedaddy2]I was invited to a client appreciation event by my CPA in December. He
held it at Shula’s Steakhouse. Although the meal, service and cocktails
were top notch, the event was forgettable.
[/quote]
One thing that is key is to do some mixer activities. I love having a
magician do a show and mingle during the cocktails/hors d’oeuvres. IMHO
that’s a great way to get people involved.
Also any party with more than 25 people invited is not going to be
intimate. So its better to have a series of smaller parties than to
have one big party.
I’ve also seen raw bars done well, make your own margarita bars (for our Warren x Jimmy Buffet event), smoked salmon/tuna shashimi etc.
If most of your HNW clients have kids do a catered park (almost fair-like) event.
If they are mostly young and single or newly married rent out the most-frequented watering-hole or art gallery with a wine and cheese event.
For me the whole point of the event is to get your present clients to bring potential clients. Once they see the effort you put forth the referrals should be easy.
[quote=skeedaddy2]I was invited to a client appreciation event by my CPA in December. He
held it at Shula's Steakhouse. Although the meal, service and cocktails
were top notch, the event was forgettable.
About 80 people were seated at 16 tables throughout the room. Nobody
knew each other...it was like going to a wedding or just going out to
dinner with your wife. OTOH, a neighbor threw a party for his wife's
birthday. She is Brazilian. Halfway into the party, a group of 10 samba
dancers in full carnival attire (including thongs) came in and performed.
Everyone felt like they were in Rio. That party, everyone will remember for
a long time.
With a group of 80 people, you've crossed from an intimate affair to a real
party. I suggest you call the event planner(s). Get ideas from at least
three.
Good Luck.
[/quote]
Excellent idea.
[quote=AllREIT] I love having a magician ....[/quote]
I know, I know, it isn't fair, but this line just verifies a mental image I've had all along about you. Actually, I see you as the kid of guy who does "magic" as a hobby, complete with the "tada".
Did I mention the cape? There's a cape in that mental image too.
I know that's rough, but it's the truth. I'm ashamed....
Malcom, do you plan to have wholesalers foot much of the bill, or is your firm paying for it? Just wondering if there's marketing dollars out there that I'm not aware of.
We use wholesalers to pay for our events, but usually they stipulate that they have to get up and speak, which is fine when they keep it short and sweet, and interesting. We also get help from our B/D as part of their marketing program.
I like the Brazillian dancers idea. If people really have fun, they'll come out in droves with their referral friends next time you throw an event. I remember being at an even where there were belly dancers, a guy on huge stilts, and a glass eater, etc. That was interesting. Not sure you want a circus vibe at your referral event, though.