Hosting customer appreciation parties is one of the best ways to ignite excitement among your current customers and attract new ones. Of course, coming up with company event ideas can be a challenge. Here are some customer appreciation event ideas to make your next gathering a smashing success.
Entice Customers with Food
Everyone loves free treats. You can host an event with some free grub, and watch your local community come out in droves.
1. Offer a Buffet
Nobody can say no to endless free food. Consider hiring a local catering company to bring plenty to eat, and try to make sure you provide options for meat eaters and vegetarians, too.
2. Give Gift Baskets
Giving your customers gift baskets is a timeless business tactic. Gift baskets are ideal for building deeper relationships with current customers or reaching out to potential ones.
3. Hold a Potluck
A potluck is a classic community event that's sure to garner interest among local amateur chefs. If you want to take the potluck to the next level, you can turn it into a cook-off, and offer rewards for the top three dishes.
4. Rent out a Local Restaurant
Many local eateries are willing to close for the night to host private get-togethers. The place doesn't need to be anything fancy; a simple pizza joint should work. You can just make sure you send personal invitations and consider making a corresponding guest list so your event doesn't draw a stampede of people coming just for the free pizza.
Make It a Competition
Appealing to the competitive spirit of your customers and leads is a good way to create interest and get people excited. A little friendly competition can help build lasting relationships, too.
5. Host a Sporting Event
A sports event is one of the best party themes for adults, because it's incredibly fun for participants and spectators alike. Plus, this type of event is very budget-friendly. Some playful rivalry and camaraderie is ideal for relationship building. Try to be sure to reserve a local field or athletic facility in advance.
6. End the Night with a Raffle
Try to finish the event with a bang. Consider sending out event tickets, and try to make sure each one has a unique number. At the end of the event, you can pick a random number to win a prize of your choice.
7. Throw a Bingo Party
Bingo is a game that's fun for all ages, and setting up the event is as easy as renting a hall, hiring a caller and providing some supplies. Try to make sure you offer prizes for the winners.
Give Your Customers a Local Vacation
Everyone loves going on vacation, but doing so isn't always practical. You can provide just a little slice of the high life, and watch your customer base expand.
8. Get Beachy
There's nothing like a relaxing day at the beach. If you don't have a beach nearby, a lake should do just fine. Should your area lack any large bodies of water, try hosting a beach-themed party instead.
9. Take a Hike
Hiking stimulates great conversations, making a nature excursion is one of the most effective customer appreciation event ideas for networking and relationship-building.
10. See the Local Attractions
Exploring your local museums and galleries is a good way to connect with your community and meet some new faces.
Make It a Charity Event
Partnering with a local charity is a good way to network, attract a new audience and do good for the world.
11. Run for a Cause
A fundraising marathon is a blast, and one that lets you raise money for a charity organization. You can offer free branded t-shirts and other apparel to get your company's name out there while rewarding participants with some swag to take home.
12. Hold a Community Auction
Auctions are fine platforms to sell products, have fun and benefit a charity. You can auction just your company's products or open the auction up to the community.
13. Clean Up the Neighborhood
Gathering volunteers to clean up the neighborhood can attract positive attention from your community and the press.
Go for a Night Out on the Town
Some of the most effective networking happens after hours.
14. See a Show
You can give your most valued customers and leads tickets to a local theater or concert event for a big gesture that's sure to be appreciated.
15. Sing Your Heart Out
You may feel a little silly doing karaoke, but singing with strangers can quickly turn into singing with friends.
16. Meet Up for Drinks
A few cocktails can lead to exciting business opportunities. You can reserve a large table, and consider hosting a memorable evening with food, drinks and good company.
Attract Customers to Your Store
Some of the best events can happen right in your store. Hosting in-store parties is a good way to drive short-term sales while boosting customer loyalty.
17. Hold a Clearance Sale
If you have some overstock inventory that needs clearing out, consider holding a blowout sale. Low prices attract new faces.
18. Give out Coupons
You can send out emails and custom postcards with exclusive deals for your customers for a simple and effective way to entice them to visit. You can also distribute coupons at all your store parties so guests have something to take home.
19. Give out Freebies
One of the quickest ways to fill up your store is to use the word "free," whether you're giving out product samples or branded promotional gifts.
As you brainstorm promotional ideas for events, try to think outside the box. Consider the types of events you might want to attend, and then bring your dream to life. Try to make sure you allow plenty of time to promote the event, and don't be afraid to spend a bit of money to really make the whole affair memorable. All those new customers and long-term sales are worth the price of admission.
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