Branding your event is crucial to making it not only memorable, but an experience that attendees are going to want to talk about long after it’s over. Arriving at that place takes vision, planning and commitment to a holistic approach. You can begin that journey by deciding on your core message, then developing a plan on how you can effectively and consistently interweave that message into pre-event advertising, the event itself, and post-event follow up. Here are ten branding ideas that will make your event unforgettable:
1. A rose by any other name. Naming your event makes it memorable and communicates your mission/vision at the same time.
2. Be our guest. Start with an invitation that reflects your brand and is creative and long-lasting so that they’ll hold onto it. For example, a CD with music and details on the event or a cool vintage style poster with all the particulars.
3. Get social. Utilize free social media channels like Facebook to create an event page that displays your event brand to build anticipation beforehand, and to display photos afterward. Use Twitter to live tweet throughout the course of the event.
4. See the light. Lighting is the hot way to project your logo onto walls or the dancefloor in the venue. Best of all, it’s temporary and cost-effective.
5. Jingle all the way. A catchy jingle or clever tagline that defines the event will remain in their heads long after the event ends.
6. It’s everywhere. Be creative when it comes to displaying your logo. Consider not only the obvious, like a banner, but other items as well. Think cupcakes, candies, take home containers, pens, stir sticks, notepads, glasses, stickers and more.
7. Drink up. Have both a cocktail and a mocktail created and named to reflect your event’s brand. Serve them up in take-home glasses with your logo printed on them.
8. Fame and fortune. Invite a celebrity to endorse your event and lend their name and image to the event brand.
9. You wear it well. Branded t-shirts are a great take away from the event and build a buzz when guests wear them afterward.
10. Swag bag. Send them home with branded products they’ll actually use, like a keychain, water bottle, umbrella, USB flash drive, or beach towel.
