Top 10 Must-Have Features for High-Impact Corporate Events in the UAE
The UAE has established itself as a global business hub. Thus, corporate events in the country are no longer just people being brought together for a presentation. Be it a product launch in Dubai or a leadership summit taking place in Abu Dhabi, successful events planners require a creative mix of strategy and creativity.
A high-impact corporate event is designed to deliver an experience that drives engagement, builds relationships, and focuses on achieving business objectives. In this blog, the top 10 key features required to facilitate a high-impact corporate event in the UAE will be evaluated.
1. Strategic Venue Selection
What is implied by the ideal venue for a high-impact corporate event? Is it a fancy ballroom or a room with a rooftop view of the entire city? No. The ideal venue is the one that will reflect your brand’s personality. Also, the ideal location will be convenient for all the attendees.
In the major cities in the UAE, such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the location matters. How close is it to transport options? Are any hotels nearby? Can you grab lunch somewhere close? All of these questions matter. These are important because, essentially, having access to these services can not only save you time and effort, but also additional costs.
There are a few factors you can consider when selecting the perfect venue for a corporate event.
| Steps to take | Checklist (Y/N) |
| Defining event objectives and budget | (Y/N) |
| Evaluating location and accessibility | (Y/N) |
| Determining the capacity requirement | (Y/N) |
| Considering the venue’s technological capabilities | (Y/N) |
| Read reviews and testimonials on the considered venue | (Y/N) |
| Planning for possible contingencies and managing risks | (Y/N) |
2. Flawless Audio-Visual Setup
One of the biggest concerns of an event manager is the audio-visual setup. What if the microphone gets cut in the middle of a discussion, or the projector lags? The way to avoid this is investing in reliable audio-visual equipment.
Setting up the ideal audio-visual system will require certain considerations, such as how many people will be using the system, and whether or not the event’s presentation would be more audio-focused or video-focused.
However, the most important aspects to consider will be lighting and the acoustics. The choice in lighting will depend on two things: whether visibility is sufficient, or whether there is enough opportunity for flexibility in display options.
On the other hand, acoustics will be important to understand how well sound will travel across the space. If all attendees can hear the sounds clearly, the acoustics are ideal.
Therefore, for a room to have a flawless audio-visual setup, the lighting and acoustics are the primary considerations that enable all other required conditions.
3. Fast & Reliable Internet
One might assume that this feature is a basic requirement that people will always consider. However, it is often overlooked, which can lead to poor guest experience, missing engagement opportunities and can even harm the reputation of the event and the organizers.
A high-speed and secure Wi-Fi connection is essential at any high-impact event. They are especially necessary for both the presenters and attendees to stay connected throughout the span of the event. Imagine scrambling for network during a keynote. Does not sound good, does it?
4. Hybrid Event Capabilities
A high-value corporate event will most likely be attended not only by locally available people, but can be open to attendance from all over the globe. How would that work? Well, through virtual attendance.
Thus, in the modern technological era, choosing an event venue with capabilities to host a hybrid event is crucial. These features will give you the flexibility to extend your reach beyond just the UAE.
International attendees would be able to attend from their home countries. And since for virtual attendance, no physical space is required, this capability increases the reach of the event by a significant level.
Here is how a hybrid event capability facilitates improvements over an in-person event:
| Feature | In-person Event | Hybrid Event |
| Inclusivity | Not inclusive for those unable to travel. | Increased reach and inclusive attendance. |
| Engagement | Limited engagement with only an in-person audience. | Higher engagement with both in-person and virtual audiences. |
| Sponsorship | Only on-site sponsorship opportunities. | Additional sponsorship opportunities beyond on-site. |
| Cancellation Pivot | No pivot opportunities in case of cancellation. | Quick pivot to virtual if physical attendance has to be cancelled. |
5. Branded Signage & Touchpoints
Every piece of visual aid, be it the welcome signs for the guests or the presentation slides, should feel on-brand for the organizing company. A clear branding not only builds credibility, it also reinforces the message you want to convey, throughout the event.
The touchpoints should also be designed in a manner that the conversations lead towards your brand while still seeming organic. It will shape interactions throughout the event. While, it also pulls a positive attention towards your brand, creating a strong brand identity and recognition.
6. Locally Inspired Catering
Since you are inviting people from foreign countries to the UAE for a corporate event, why not welcome them with the local taste? If you incorporate Emirati and regional dishes into the menu, it will give the attendees a taste of the local cuisine.
Local catering will also ensure that fresh and high-quality food is served and boost local businesses in the region. With local catering, you can also allow menu customization based on dietary and cultural preferences. Offering a customizable menu with diverse dietary options, such as halal, vegan, or gluten-free can also reflect thoughtful planning.
7. Interactive Elements
A great feature that most high-value corporate events should have is breaking up the monotony of a speaker-led presentation with interactive activities. Such interactive elements can include workshops, breakout sessions, or even interactive polls.
Providing the audience with touchscreen devices for live polling systems and group challenges can be a great initiative to keep the audience engaged throughout the corporate event. These elements turn passive attendees into active participants. And maintaining audience engagement for the period of the entire event can be critical to the event’s success.
Here is a chart of how key interactive elements impact corporate events:
8. Personalized Guest Experience
If you are hosting an event, especially a high-value event, it is important that you pay attention to how the guests are made to feel. It is their reactions to the event that will not only determine whether or not the event is successful, but also define how your brand is perceived.
According to a report by Twilo Segment, 56% of customers prefer to revisit a brand after a personalized experience. Thus, personalized satisfaction being provided to the guests at the event can lead to guests feeling valued. This further raises guest satisfaction and increases loyalty, facilitating future brand interactions.
9. Professional Event Staff
A successful event is one that runs smoothly. Now, who ensures that the event will run smoothly? It is usually the people behind the scenes. A professional team of staff at an event can ensure that the event goes off without major hitches.
So, if you hire experienced coordinators, hospitality staff, and tech support, you can avoid worrying about issues and the need for troubleshooting. Furthermore, not having to worry allows you to completely focus on the guests at the event.
10. Sustainability Practices
Approximately 83% of adults in the UAE are reported to be more mindful of their impact on the environment. Therefore, any high-value event hosted in the UAE should reflect the same values.
In fact, many UAE venues will offer eco-friendly options, such as digital invites, local sourcing, waste reduction programs, and so on. So, if you host your event in such a venue, it will create a positive image of your brand, highlighting your commitment to sustainable practices.
Summing Up
To sum up, hosting a high-value event in the UAE would require ensuring the presence of certain key features. These features include venue selection strategy, audio-visual setup, reliable internet connection, capability to host a hybrid event, brand signages, locally inspired catering, and so on.
These will not only ensure that your event is a success, but also will have a positive impact on your brand’s identity and value.
Collaborate with Us for Your Next Corporate Event
If you are looking for an event management source that will help you host an event with all 10 mentioned features, you do not need to look any further. Join us at Bros Mastermind and let us help you host an exceptional event, beginning something extraordinary for your brand.