Summer is the perfect time to bring your team or customers together – the mood is lighter, the days are longer and people are just in better spirits all around. Whether you are marking a milestone, building team spirit or creating a standout moment for your brand, a Summer event can go a long way.
If you’re just starting to think about it or maybe feeling a little stuck, here are a few tips, shaped by a recent team day we delivered for a client who wanted to bring their remote team together.
Start with a Clear Purpose
First things first: What do you want to achieve? Are you boosting morale after a busy quarter, celebrating a big win, or maybe looking to reconnect with customers? When you know your why, it becomes much easier to shape the how. Having a clear purpose will guide your choices on everything from locations to tone to activities.
For our client, the purpose was to bring together their growing team – many of whom had only met virtually. The goal was to connect in person, strengthen work relationships and most importantly have a bit of fun. The clarity shaped the entire approach, every decision was made with that purpose in mind.
Budget for What Matters Most
Big impact doesn’t always mean big budgets. The truth is, most memorable events come from simple and thoughtful choices. Instead, prioritise your spend on the elements people will most likely remember like a great venue, good food or something a little unexpected.
In this case, we focused the budget on what would make the biggest impact – the activity which was designed to encourage interaction. Extras were kept minimal but meaningful; soft styling and subtle branded touches.
Choose the Right Setting
The venue often sets the tone for your event. Think about the atmosphere you want to create. Whether it is a scenic outdoor space or a casual rooftop, make sure it is accessible for everyone and aligns with the vibe you want to create.
For this event, the space needed to be open and impactful. The client chose to host the event at their headquarters. The space was large and had sweeping views of the coast.
Keep It Simple
We believe sometimes less really is more. The best events often don’t complicate things. Keep it relaxed, meaningful and focus on creating moments where people can connect.
We kept this event laid back and flexible – by keeping the structure loose allowed their staff the space to relax and connect naturally.
Lean on the Experts
Planning an event can come with a lot of moving parts – venue coordination, guest communications, catering, logistics and more. If you are short on time or simply unsure of where to start, consider reaching out to the experts. A fresh perspective and a little expert guidance can help streamline the process, reduce stress and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Need Inspiration?
If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our case studies to see how we have helped businesses like yours create memorable experiences. Seeing what others have done can spark new thinking and help you visualise what’s possible. Whether you are planning something big or small, the key is to create an experience that feels meaningful to the people who are part of it. Bringing people together is what we do and at High Tide, we design events that help businesses make meaningful connections. If you are already planning or thinking about planning a summer engagement and could use a hand, we are always happy to chat through your ideas.
Curious about what a summer event could look like for your team or clients? Book a call below to start shaping your next standout experience.
