Promotional events can include fundraising, eating, or birthday celebrations. In addition, award ceremonies are sometimes types of promotional events. On occasion, companies incorporate more than one of these activities, holding events that raise funds, give away food, and bestow awards. The general idea is to gain customers, brand awareness, or show loyalty to customers, but while a significant portion of these types of promotional events are free, some require cover charges or tickets to participate. Paid promotional events are sometimes a different kind of fundraiser, and other times the fees are a way to cover the cost of the event.
Some promotional events revolve around raising funds by selling products, services, or putting on a show in the form of an interactive event. Fundraising events are sometimes themed according to what money is being raised for, but other times they do not have anything to do with it directly. This type of promotional event can vary widely, but often a service such as photography is offered and a portion of the sales are dedicated to the fundraising cause. Other times, some sort of competitive event, such as a race or sport, is held so that people can sponsor or support participating members with a donation. Fundraising events can also be presented as entertainment, often comedy or musical performances.
Cookouts, picnics, or dinners can also be promotional events. The food is generally free to attract as many people as possible, and there may be a speaker to raise awareness about a product or service. In addition, there might be custom napkins, tablecloths, or signs to further advertise the company.
Many promotional events celebrate birthdays, whether that birthday is the starting of a company or an employee’s birth date. On this day, companies sometimes offer special discounts, promotional giveaways, or other incentives to use their services or buy their products. The event is typically heavily advertised to generate buzz and attract customers. Some companies hold events such as these every year, while others reserve them for every five to ten years.
Promotional events can also be award ceremonies, which often involve the participation of customers or clients. For example, a company might give an award for “most loyal customer” or “most senior customer.” Other times, promotional awards are given to the company’s employees but customers are invited to the event. These events are usually heavily advertised to get customers to participate.