Thank you goes a long way

It’s amazing how the words “please” and “thank you “ have disappeared from our vocabulary in this culture especially when it comes to those who provide our bread and butter, our customers.

Customers, clients, whatever you call them, these are the people who cause your business to survive. They are not just your tweeps, friends or followers they actually patronize your business so why not show them a little love. Most companies focus on advertising to the future clients but what about the ones you have? 

Of course this is a blog about events so we would focus on saying thanks with an event. Use some of your advertising budget to throw a really great customer appreciation event. It as be simple, elegant and here are some tips to do it in style:
From a BBQ to a sit down dinner, nearly every type of gathering can be used to say thanks You know the demographics of your customer, so do a little research and see what would appeal to them. Have your event at a location that fits your business and clientele’s style. If you market to middle class single women, a local spa would me more appropriate than bowling night at the local lanes.
Remember it’s about the customer that’s the focus. If you have gotten great referrals or thank you notes from your customers put them on display at your event. The fact that they took a moment to thank you should be celebrated. A Customer appreciation event would be a great time to launch a customer loyalty program. A well planned Locality programs make your customer feel like that VIP’s that they are.
We once created a BBQ customer appreciation for a beauty salon. This was ideal as most of the clients also brought their children for a fun day out. After the event the host shared that most people were stunned that they did not have to pay for this event and it was a thank you for them! They kept asking what the catch was. Needless to say their clientele increased exponentially after the event.

So shock and amaze your customers by saying Thank You today!

Summer - Jump start those Lazy Days

We all know it as the lazy days of summer and with kids out of school and vacation time being taken, production in your office might be waining.  This is the perfect time to motivate your group. Weather you have a sales force, staff or both, get out there and have some fun.  Here is one of our favorite events to have for Summer:

The Company Picnic

Very prevalent in past, the company picnic was a time for the families to get together.  Why not bring it back to revive the morale or just say thank you?  These are great for any business to reach out to their employees, customers or vendors.

A good company picnic has to have a great location, good food and of course involve the kids. 

Catering is King - Spring for a catered event and this does not mean it has to be fancy.  Your local hot dog vendor can bring their cart in for a Conney Island feel or have the favorite BBQ joint do the grilling for you.  This not only takes the pressure off of you staff to 'bring something' but also with a licensed caterer or provider food safety and standards will be attained.  Also work with your caterer to make sure clean up is provided. You want your location to look better than when you arrived.

Location, Location, Location - Find a location that has or can accommodate a summer shower. If there is not a covered area close by to take shelter, make sure you have a few easy setup tents.  Check the weather report a week or two ahead by visiting the Weather Channel to give you the best idea for a great day. 

Great spaces include parks, public or private, recreation centers with pools or even your local amusement or water park. If you are using public space, make sure that you have all the rights to have a private event on the space (license, fee paid to park, ordinances approved etc).  You want to make sure that your good time is not shut down because of paperwork.

Kids - I remember all the company picnics my mom took us to as kids because the 'good' ones had stuff for us to do.  Remember what amuses an adult will not necessarily be fun for a kid.  Clowns, face painters are always a hit with the little ones.  As they get older bounce houses alone might not do it so think of more challenging events, such as rock climbing walls or paint ball ranges.  

I hope this inspires you to get out this summer and celebrate your business, employees and have a great time. 

A new Start five years in the making

Vassels Events is excited to start our first official Blog.  When I started this company nearly five years ago I took a gift I had and turned it into a career.  Now with seminars, weddings, incentive travels planned for great clients and friends this is the natural progression to share what I have learned and continue to experience with you.

Motivate in the moment has been our tag line from the beginning.  Some say what do you mean?  Well my goal is to motivate anyone at our events.  Whether you are at a sales seminar, corporate fundraiser or incentive event we always want to stimulate the participant to think big and enjoy the moment.

This blog will carry on that tradition but giving information to help you to be motivated to use events to encourage your community, organization or business.  Most of all we want to motivate you to use our services to make your event possible.

We ask that if you like this blog to share with your network and we would be honored to have you follow us on twitter, facebook, linkedin and of course here.

Look out for weekly postings of information you can use to make your best event ever!