Planning a company event in Singapore for the first time? Wondering what steps you should take to make it a wonderful occasion? 

Here are some examples of corporate events commonly held in Singapore:

• Training seminars 
  
• Annual dinner-and-dance events 
  
• Conferences 
  
• Exhibitions 
  
• Award ceremonies 
  
• Networking dinners 
  

Companies may also organise smaller-scale events to launch new products and services or unveil a new logo, raise funds via a gala dinner, or build team spirit.

A corporate event, be it grand or intimate, demands precise planning and flawless execution, leaving no detail overlooked. Below, our Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) team will guide you through the process of successful event planning in Singapore, and show you the best venue options.

Follow these steps to plan your company event with confidence, and set the stage for event success!

Before you dive into the nitty gritty of event planning and execution, you must have a clear understanding of your corporate event objectives. 

Here are some questions to think about:

1. What is the primary purpose of your event? Is it for brand promotion, team building, launching a new product, or networking?
2. Who are your target audiences, and what might their expectations for the event be? You may wish to conduct surveys with potential attendees, or do some market research to see how similar events have been organised.
3. What specific outcomes do you hope to achieve? Examples include increased sales, strengthened team dynamics, and heightened brand awareness.
4. How will you measure the impact and effectiveness of your event? What key performance indicators (KPIs) will you use? Examples include the number of event attendees, post-event survey results, enrollment in specific activities, and sales.

Once you have answered these questions, what’s next?

Many experienced event planners use the SMART framework to organise their plans. (SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.) Here’s how you can make this a part of your event-planning process:

1. Specific: Instead of setting a broad goal like "increase attendance," be specific and state that you are looking to "increase attendance by 20% compared to last year."
2. Measurable: Ensure that your goals are measurable, so that you can determine if you have achieved them. For example, "generate 50 new leads" is clearly measurable, whereas "improve networking opportunities" is too vague.
3. Achievable: Set goals that are challenging yet attainable. Consider factors like available resources, budget, and time constraints. 
4. Relevant: Do ensure that your event goals are aligned to your company’s broader mission. For instance, if your company’s core values centre around environmental sustainability, a misaligned goal would be one that involves distributing a large number of printed promotional materials at your event. 
5. Time-bound: Event goals should have a time element, like “Generate 100 leads from the event and follow up with them within three days after the event.” 

With your goals in place, you can kickstart the creative process to bring your event to life! Get together with your events team to discuss the following:

1. Identify Key Activities: Determine the main activities that need to be included in your event itinerary, such as workshops, presentations, meals, games, and networking sessions. This will also dictate if your event is more suited to an indoor or outdoor location.
2. Decide on Timings: Allocate a specific time slot for each session, and ensure a balanced distribution of content.
3. Take Note of Transitions: Plan for smooth transitions between sessions to avoid time gaps or overlaps. Give sufficient time for attendees to move between locations if needed. 
4. Factor in Breaks and Meals: You can make use of transitions to insert tea breaks and meal breaks. These are essential to give attendees time to relax, network, and refuel!
5. Think About Food: Corporate events may combine both catered food and food stalls, offering a mix of dining experiences. Alternatively, you can choose either option, based on the event's formality, guest preferences, budget, and the desired overall ambiance.
6. Consider Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that the itinerary and event venues are accessible to all attendees, especially those with mobility challenges. Do also take note of dietary needs and cultural sensitivities when planning your event. For example, you should avoid serving alcohol at an event that will be attended by Muslim participants. These days, it also makes sense to offer vegan and gluten-free dietary options. 
7. Assess Safety Needs: Evaluate the security requirements for your event. Factors such as the seniority of VIPs, size of the event, number of attendees, venue location, and nature of the event will influence the level of security needed. 

Small-scale events that involve 50 or fewer participants can be held in a single room or a small venue. Such events typically include media briefings, management meetings, departmental meetings, training workshops, and team-building sessions.

For mid-scale events that cater to hundreds of participants, consider holding them in large spaces like hotel ballrooms or conference rooms. These events are normally open to a wider audience and may include external stakeholders like clients, partners, and industry professionals. 

Examples of mid-scale events include company conferences, product launches, annual dinners, and seminars.

Also called mega-events, large-scale events may attract thousands of participants. These may be held in convention centres, exhibition halls, or across multiple venues. 

As participants may hail from other countries, such events are often held over several days and involve elaborate logistics. They include international trade shows, major company conventions, and global conferences with renowned speakers.