Summertime is the best time to connect with customers in the great outdoors. Balmy temps and relaxed schedules boost moods and draw crowds with more time to linger and learn about your business.
While outdoor events generate memories and experiences like no other, they require careful planning and flexibility. Key elements like weather, traffic and crowd control can make or break your event. Setting clear goals, having a contingency plan for surprise storms and marketing your event effectively are critical.
Creative, attention-grabbing signage—such as banners, flags, tents, sandwich boards and yard signs—is another must to promote your event and brand, communicate key info and direct crowds.
Here are eight tips to keep your next outdoor event on track:
Start by asking what your outdoor event needs to accomplish. Do you want to build buzz around your brand, connect with existing customers or generate new leads? Maybe you’re launching a new product, celebrating a company milestone or anniversary. Identifying your event’s overall goal establishes a framework and eases decision making.
From parks, fields and city streets to stadiums, piers and beaches, outdoor venue options are endless! Use your event theme and purpose to narrow your options while keeping practical considerations in mind:
After determining your event date, theme and venue, it’s time to promote it! Market your event across multiple channels to maximize exposure and attendance:
Keep fonts, colors and layout consistent to build brand awareness and make sure all signage mirrors the design scheme used in other event collateral.
Partner with businesses or brands to promote the event to their networks, customer base or followers. Explore opportunities for collaborative sponsorships or funding and leverage those partners’ marketing channels. In addition, consider partnering with media sponsors, journalists or bloggers to boost publicity.
Everyone loves a freebie! Attract attention and large crowds through branded giveaways reflecting the event’s purpose and guests needs. Nearly any item can be branded these days, including:
Make a contingency plan for rain, lighting or extreme heat and use multiple channels to keep attendees abreast of weather-related changes. Some event planners opt for a rain date, which might not be possible due to vendor contracts and venue availability.
Choose weather-resistant equipment, décor and structures, like signs with air vents and yard stakes (instead of easels). Skip the linens in case of high winds. Offer weather-appropriate amenities like fans, misting stations, shady spots, umbrellas and covered areas as well.
Attention-grabbing, strategically placed signage plays an essential role in event promotion. Before your event, use posters, yard signs, invitations (digital and/or printed) and other collateral to share details and boost attendance. Make sure your signs are weather-resistant, large enough to read from a distance and placed in areas where they will attract the most attention.
On event day, don’t be afraid to go big and bold. Use a variety of signage to keep everyone informed and attract passersby, such as:
Show guests you care about the planet:
From invitations, postcards and promo items to banners, boxes and business cards, United GMG can handle all your outdoor collateral needs.
We can also help you create an omni-channel marketing strategy with Omni-Bridge 2.0®, a user-friendly platform seamlessly integrating traditional AND online marketing to improve response rates and awareness.
Contact us for a free quote or call to speak to a United GMG representative today.