Social events
There are plenty of reasons to get a group of people together away from a business or workplace environment, be it an anniversary or a team-building night out. Social events should speak to people’s personal interests and tend to revolve around the likes of eating and entertainment.
1. Reunions
From a get-together with old classmates to an event that marks an important anniversary, reunions are often highly personal occasions. It can include things like speeches, a DJ playing songs everyone used to dance to, a slideshow of old photos – essentially, the event should help people reminisce. Hiring a photographer and videographer will help to record the new memories being made. And if invitees are living in destinations across the world, making your reunion a virtual one will give everyone the opportunity to attend.
2. Themed parties
A great event creator will always find an excuse to celebrate, and hosting a themed party can really help when it comes to making decisions around the types of event marketing, decorating, and catering that you opt for. From intimate gatherings to larger online events, a creative idea could be timeless – think Alice in Wonderland, superheroes, a murder mystery – or align with a particular date or fun occasion like Eurovision.
Virtual events
Virtual events take place online, where attendees are able to join in from the comfort of their own homes. A growing (and necessary) event type in recent times, online events are here to stay as an ideal way to boost your business. One of the biggest advantages of online events is the ability to reach a larger audience, as you’re not restricted by geography. There are also budgetary benefits such as not having to pay for venue rental or catering, along with fewer concerns about physical accessibility.
1. Webinars
A webinar involves an online presentation to a virtual audience around a specific topic, whether it be academic, like a historical event, or business-focused, like a sales masterclass. And there’s usually time for a handy Q&A at the end. Often, there’s just one person presenting at a time, which makes the format especially suited to educational talks. There are plenty of great platforms for running a webinar, including Vimeo and YouTube.
2. Classes
From twerking to wine tasting, there’s an online class for almost everything. Extra points to consider for a virtual class are whether you need to send out samples (for food or drink tastings), if your students need any special tools (for a cookery or pottery class), and how well your technology works. For example, you may need to invest in higher-quality audio devices so that attendees can clearly hear you.
3. Interactive performances
Enterprising performers have found new ways to hold plays and other performances live. Stand-up comedy gigs can be hosted online, with people paying extra for a VIP ticket which allows them access to the virtual audience (and the opportunity to be “picked on” by the host) while everyone else watches in safety from a livestream. Another successful event type is a virtual murder mystery, with creators offering online challenges and the audience helping to solve the crime.
4. Summits
This collaborative event type is similar to an in-person conference, except it takes place online. Tickets give the attendees access to numerous talks, interviews, and presentations, all following a similar theme. There are usually interactive aspects, too, such as “breakout rooms” for mastermind sessions and networking.
Community events
Community events are designed to bring people together, create positive change, and build relationships between people in your town or neighbourhood.
1. Street parties
One of the most popular ways to get your neighbours together is to throw a street party, whether that’s a traditional long table setup or a doorstep drinks scenario. People often do this for special events, such as Royal Jubilees. But there are some rules and regulations to abide by. For example, you’ll usually need to get in touch with your local council to ask for a road closure.
2. Swap shops
A fun way to get to know each other – and reduce waste – is to host a neighbourhood swap shop for second-hand goods. Everyone has a table or stall and fills it with things they no longer need. Unlike a car boot sale, nobody has to pay for what they take and leftovers can often be donated to a local charity shop.
3. Litter-picking and more
Nothing says “community” like getting together to actively make yours better. Organise a day to improve a space in your local area by picking litter, raking leaves, or doing some guerrilla gardening. You could also knock on doors and offer to help elderly neighbours with their weeding or planting.
Get planning
Now you know the different types of events and Pop Events, the first step in your event planning process will be a whole lot easier.
