Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
The Jaarbeurs team shares 100 years of event organising expertise. To end this year on a special note, we asked all account and event managers to share their favourite tips and advice on how to make your event successful in any season.
The decoration of the room, culinary interpretation or an interesting programme. Just a few examples of elements that you can put entirely in the spirit of the season to create extra atmosphere and experience for your event. How to best honour the four seasons? We take you through them step by step.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
Spring, the season of renewal and flowering. The days get longer, temperatures rise and flowers and plants sprout all around us. Nature awakens from its winter slumber, fresh energy emerges everywhere.
You can see and feel this in your event visitors at this time of year. Everyone is full of new energy, optimism and eagerness to get out there again. And while that makes for a great chance of a high turnout for your meeting, it is also a challenge. Because how do you keep that energy? How do you capture the spirit of spring in the right experience and keep your participants' focus during the event, when everyone prefers to be outside?
- Appropriate decoration in the event space
The vibrancy of spring is an ideal theme to carry through in the decoration of your event space. For example, use colourful floral arrangements and light the space naturally to reflect daylight. Whatever kind of event you organise: when you show 'blooms and fresh energy of spring' in the space, your day will start right away on a cheerful note.
- The programme of your event
You want to keep that vibrant energy and optimism from your visitors throughout the day. A great way to do that is by adding a 'spring energiser' to your programme.
Consider a short yoga session or an inspiring speaker, who can serve as a stimulating start to an event or know how to captivate the audience between various sessions.
As a result, participants feel recharged and motivated right at the start or halfway through the meeting.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
- Culinary interpretation
Spring is the season to go for light, colourful meals when it comes to culinary matters. So you can have your lunch offerings include fresh sandwiches, fragrant, light soups and fresh salads.
Want to turn out in a surprising way? Then, depending on the type of meeting, you could also consider a sumptuous spring brunch. This will bring participants closer together and also make lunch a great time for networking.
Also look for dishes or ingredients that are appropriate for the season such as asparagus or (Easter) eggs.
- Site capabilities
Look at your venue's surroundings and capitalise on them with your programme. "Around Jaarbeurs, there is a lot going on in Utrecht's bustling station area. At the moment, you can get a good look at all the impressive developments of the construction projects in the area but the historic city centre is also just around the corner. And such an outdoor setting is excellent for taking your participants on an invigorating walk during spring for a break!".
These kinds of opportunities around your event venue are nice extra elements to give your visitors a different kind of experience.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
When we think of the summer months, we think of relaxing, being outside and enjoying the sunny days. This period brings the sense of freedom and liveliness and brings people together.
That also makes summer a good time to organise your meeting. People want to be together, gain new energy and be inspired. This requires extra attention to the experience during your event. So it is up to you as an organiser to translate that magical summer feeling into a successful day. How do you do that in summer? Our account and event managers share the following tips.
- Summer is experience
"We want to get out in the warm weather and spend a lot more time on fun activities. So when your visitors are planning an event, they want to be surprised. It should be an experience that matches what they are in the mood for: energetic, active and unique."
That may sound like a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. By enlisting even more of the right experienced help (such as your account or event manager) during this season, you will come up with an out-of-the-box idea faster.
For example, for one of our clients, we worked on a unique concept where we transformed one of our halls into a summer meeting place. "Food trucks, small music stages, beanbags and beach chairs in the sand. We simply bring everything you expect outside inside and let visitors imagine themselves in an indoor summer festival."
- The programme of your event
You might be more likely to think of sharing your new plans and goals around the turn of the year. But summer is also the perfect time to reflect on such important milestones in your organisation. So share success stories!
This way, you give your participants a boost to work towards the end of the year, they know they are well on their way and you nicely tap into the optimism that prevails during the hot summer months.
- Culinary interpretation
A unique experience is essential during summer. And although your visitors associate this season with 'being outdoors', it is now extra fun to use your venue in a surprising way.
For example, transform the lunch hour into an indoor picnic for a summer touch to your event. This will create a relaxed atmosphere with light bites, tasty mocktails and informal seating.
- Site capabilities
After your indoor lunch, do you also want to enjoy the sun shining extra long these months? Then see if your venue has a garden, terrace or other outdoor area that you can transform into summer atmospheres.
If you are looking for an outdoor location, it is possible at Jaarbeurs to organise your closing drinks party in our restaurant Speys, with a beautiful and exclusive terrace at your disposal. Located in the same building and an excellent alternative to enjoy toasting outside in the sunshine.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
As soon as autumn makes its appearance, the environment undergoes a remarkable transformation. Temperatures take a dip, the leaves on the trees paint themselves in warm hues, and our scarves, hats and especially umbrellas find their way out of the closet. These changes also leave their mark on your event.
The decor calls for a touch of extra warmth, and guests crave more interaction to foster a cosy atmosphere. How to make sure your autumn event is a resounding success? Our account and event managers offer the following tips:
- Atmospheric decoration
This period calls for particularly atmospheric decoration in your event space. Choose warm autumn colours such as deep orange, brown and burgundy, and use subtle (mood) lighting to create a cosy ambience. Autumn offers a great opportunity to go big with the decoration and create a distinct atmosphere.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
- Networking walk
An ideal way to catch up with your participants is while enjoying a beautiful autumn walk in the fresh air. By organising a business networking walk in the city, you add an informal touch to business connections.
Do you prefer to avoid the cold or want to be less dependent on the weather? Then seize the opportunity to combine a networking walk with an atmospherically decorated room.
For example, transform your networking space inside into an autumnal forest so that your visitors can enjoy the autumnal atmosphere even in the middle of the city.
- Culinary autumn inspiration
Pumpkin, a warming stew or a classic stew in a unique twist - autumn offers countless opportunities for appropriate culinary content. Let participants taste seasonal products or put together a sustainable lunch with local ingredients. Check with your venue what culinary options are available, to make this something special together.
- Workshop
Are you finding it difficult to give concrete form to your event during this period? Autumn lends itself perfectly to organising workshops.
Have your participants, for example, make wreaths, candles or other creative projects independently or together. This can play a prominent role in your programme, but can also take place as an energiser in the middle of the day or as a closing event.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
The days are getting shorter, the holidays are just around the corner and our country seems to shroud itself in a blanket of cold. Winter is the season when the need for warmth and cosiness increases. And so is the association of your target audience. This period calls for cosiness, warm blankets, winter treats, togetherness and celebration.
And while we often associate that enumeration with a successful event, it is sometimes still difficult to generate a high attendance rate in winter. Because of crowds, but also because of bad weather conditions that can affect travel to your event. This calls for a different approach.
- Technology is key
Winter meetings are the signal for us to turn to innovative technology. With virtual options to participate in sessions, meetings or other gatherings, participants can join the event comfortably from home even in bad weather. This season calls for a hybrid approach.
This can of course be varied to make it a bit more exciting. For example, do you know in advance that the weather forecast is bad and therefore fewer participants will be able to attend? Then make sure people can prepare from home to still participate in that one creative workshop or other interactive session.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
- Longing for wonder
Maybe your type of event does not allow it to take place (partly) online. Then it is extra important to invest in experience. People yearn for wonder in this time that also feels magical because of the holidays.
A concept that always succeeds: creating a Winter Wonderland. This transforms the venue into an enchanting winter paradise with, for example, snow decorations, twinkling lights and a fire pit.
We love making memories around this time when also the year is just wrapping up or just starting, which is extra reason to add a memorable touch to it.
- Combine energisers with your networking moments
Earlier we gave the tip of organising a walk or energiser. And although that association is more likely to be made with meetings in spring or summer, it is also a fun option for winter. However, we do advise you to give a walk or other type of break a special twist. For example, combine it with lunch or another networking opportunity.
You can also start the walk first through the indoor winter landscape, and then walk outside via a short route towards Speys restaurant (or other drinks venue). Then welcome them back with a cup of hot chocolate, pea soup or mulled wine to top it all off.
Because not only during the high season, our restaurant offers the ideal indoor and outdoor occasion for lunch or drinks, but also during winter. So you can decorate it festive and atmospheric with lights, warm blankets and a brazier here too.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
Whether you organise your event in spring, summer, autumn or winter in the coming year, every season has its charm and, with the right interpretation, will have the ideal atmosphere and attendance. Not only does this ensure that your participants experience unique gatherings all year round, but it is also a great way to easily make your event a lot more sustainable.
We shared the tip earlier in this article, but especially in culinary interpretation, a seasonal theme offers many opportunities. Winter vegetables in winter and fresh salads in summer give you the opportunity to serve local produce to your guests. And that is definitely a step in the right, green direction.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
Let your event shine in every season in the coming year. Be it the fresh energy of spring, the vibrancy of summer, the atmospheric autumn, or the cosiness of winter. We are ready to support you in making your ideal gathering a reality.
Curious about our ideas for your specific event? Contact us today and discover the possibilities Jaarbeurs has to offer.
Whether it's Easter, the summer holidays or New Year's Eve. Life is full of traditions and customs. And this is also evident in the events industry. In every season, there are elements you can use when organising your event to make it a fitting experience. At Jaarbeurs, we have decades of experience with this, which is why we are happy to share our expertise with you!
