Choosing A Corporate Event Theme & Why

Don’t overthink your corporate event theme choices.

While the theme should be bold and influential, you don’t want to be too specific.

If you are too specific, you risk: a) your attendees not resonating with the event, and b) the other aspects of your event remaining consistent with the theme.

See: 55 Corporate Event Theme Ideas That Rock

The Importance Of A Corporate Theme

If you have read our article on the best themes for your next sales conference,  you know that themes provide a top-down approach to planning – And this applies to any corporate event.

The more integrated and widespread your theme is the more influential your event can be – Even if the theme is lackluster.

This is because a central theme has the potential to be highly influential. It is the soul of your corporate event.

Imagine integrating your theme into these categories:

• Overall branding style: colors, lights, signage
• Venue
• Speaker content, and objectives
• Decor
• Menus
• Activities

Without a theme, your entire event doesn’t have a consistent personality. It is just a bunch of disparate pieces cobbled together under one venue.

When Should I Choose The Central Theme?

After you have internally said, ‘this event is going to happen’.

Remember that many other aspects including your speakers’ content, can be reflective of the theme. It is best to set the stage early when planning and delegating by identifying and promoting the theme for your next corporate event. 

How To Choose A Corporate Theme

Don’t overthink it.

While the actual theme is important, it’s more about leveraging effectively.

It is difficult to effectively leverage a theme that is too niche.

Here are the 3 things you need to consider.

Consider Your Goals

First, consider the purpose of the event.

Why is your company hosting it in the first place?

What do you want attendees to take-away from this?

Type of Corporate Event

The type of event will also usually only fall under specific theme genres. 

For example, you would not expect an incentive trip to have an educational theme. Why?

Because the purpose is gratitude.

Therefore, by whittling down the options based on the type of event, and goals, you should only have a couple of possible genres available at this point.

Who Is Your Audience?

Now that you have thought through the first 2 qualifiers, the last thing to consider is who your audience is.

Remember the intent behind the theme: to give your event some soul. To resonate and influence your audience.

What do your attendees enjoy?

What’s popular right now, and PC?

Is it an international event?

If your audience is external (partners and customers), your theme might be a bit more formal than if you were hosting it for colleagues only.

The Wrap

A corporate theme is essential for any of your events.

An event’s purpose is to deliver ROI either directly or indirectly, and you should almost always assign a ‘personality’ or theme to it – To deliver maximum influence.

Remember, how you can leverage and integrate a theme is more important than exactly what the theme is. (Given you’re even in the same genre)

Consider your company goals, the type of event and your audience before coming up with a central corporate theme. And do it EARLY!

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