Corporate Event & Retreat Branding Ideas

Corporate events and retreats bring employees, customers or business partners together outside the usual work environment. Coordinated branding can help give the event its own identity while connecting it to your company. Promotional products, apparel, welcome gifts and event materials can all be selected to support the occasion and the people attending.

Start With the Purpose of the Event

The right promotional products depend on the type of event you are planning. A leadership retreat, company picnic, employee appreciation event, sales meeting and customer gathering may each call for a different approach.

Consider the event location, activities, number of attendees and how the products will be distributed. Selecting items around the actual event helps create a more coordinated program and can prevent spending money on merchandise that attendees are unlikely to use.

Create Welcome Gifts for Attendees

A welcome gift can introduce the event and provide attendees with useful items from the beginning. Depending on the occasion, a welcome package might include a tote bag, drinkware, notebook, pen, name badge, apparel or other products appropriate for the planned activities.

Several smaller items can also be packaged together as an event kit. Keeping the logo, event name or design consistent across the pieces helps tie the presentation together.

Use Branded Apparel to Bring the Group Together

Shirts, caps and other branded apparel can be useful for company picnics, retreats, volunteer activities, team-building programs and outdoor events. Apparel can identify employees or teams while also giving participants something they can continue to use after the event.

When choosing apparel, consider the season, setting and activities rather than selecting an item based only on appearance.

Match Promotional Products to the Activities

Products that relate to the event can become part of the experience. Outdoor gatherings might use coolers, water bottles, sunglasses, picnic accessories or recreational items, while meetings and conferences may call for notebooks, pens, folders, bags or desk accessories.

For travel-related retreats, luggage tags, travel accessories, bags and drinkware may be practical choices. Matching the product to the setting gives the item a clear purpose during the event.

Consider Team-Building Activities

Corporate retreats often include games, contests or team activities. Branded products can be incorporated as supplies, participant gifts, prizes or recognition items.

If attendees are divided into teams, different apparel, accessories or other visual elements can help identify groups and add to the event atmosphere without distracting from the purpose of the activity.

Recognize Employees and Participants

Events can also provide an opportunity to recognize employees, volunteers, sales teams or other participants. Awards, gifts and branded merchandise can be incorporated into recognition programs when appropriate for the occasion.

Keep Event Branding Consistent

Invitations, signage, name badges, apparel, printed materials and promotional products should look like parts of the same event. Consistent use of your company logo, event graphics, colors and messaging can create a more organized presentation.

Not every item needs a large logo. The goal is to create a coordinated appearance appropriate for the event and your organization.

Plan Promotional Products Early

If customized products are part of the event, begin planning early enough to allow time for product selection, artwork, proof approval, production and shipping. Planning ahead also gives you more flexibility when comparing products for your quantity, budget and event date.

Garrett Specialties can help you select promotional products, apparel and event merchandise for company picnics, corporate retreats, sales meetings, employee programs and other business events. For assistance, call 1-800-320-1510.