A technology recruiting company wanted to plan after-work events for clients to get them out of their office and into a social environment with the company’s business development team. This would allow the company the opportunity to learn more about their clients’ businesses and help build relationships.
There are many small local breweries in the city where the company was based. Megan and the leadership decided to incorporate the company’s German-American heritage and host an Oktoberfest Brewery Tour.
First, Megan worked with the company President and the Director of Business Development to select five brewery locations convenient to their clients’ offices and spread at different points throughout the city. Then she selected dates each week during October to ensure the best coverage by the business development team and variety for the clients.
After making arrangements with each of the five breweries for a beer tasting and tour on the scheduled dates, Megan sent postcard invitations to all clients at their offices a few weeks before the first event. Then she followed up with email invites and reminders for each event. The business development team also encouraged their clients to attend.
Megan attended the events and made sure they ran smoothly. In addition to free beer tastings and tours, the clients that attended the events were given stylish bottle openers in a modern stainless steel finish with the company logo imprint. Heavy hors d’oeuvres such as small sandwiches, cheese, and fruit, were served at each event as well.
Attendees completed a satisfaction survey after the event, and all participants rated the event “Excellent” or “Very Good”. The business development team were able to use the events to build relationships with existing clients, generating additional business.
Megan Vogel 