Planning a Government Hospitality Event

If you're new to government hospitality or just need a refresher, you too can create a high-impact event by following these seven simple steps.

1. Choose a convenient venue

Ideally, Parliament House on a sitting day. Evening drinks functions work best towards the end of the week, but avoid the last day of the sitting week when pollies head back to their electorates.

2. Book early

For reasons mentioned above, Wednesdays tend to be hot property in Parliaments that sit Monday/Tuesday through to Thursday. Fortunately, it's often possible reserve a date in advance, and change it closer to the time if need be.

3. Make it special

If you're doing something other than the time-tested Melbourne Cup / Christmas / Welcome Back to Parliament drinks, make it unique. Think opening night to a film festival or musical, box tickets to a sports final or an after-hours tour of an art gallery. It's not easy getting government reps out of Parliament to a mid-week event, so make it memorable and worth their while.

4. Check for any conflicting events

As amazing as your event might be, you just won't get the numbers if you're competing with another. Ask Parliamentary Services to see what else is on at Parliament that night, or check with staffers to see if they've received invitations to any off-site events on that date.

5. Factor in networking time

Whatever it is you're planning, make sure there's ample time for your colleagues to network with key stakeholders. This is, after all, what government hospitality is all about. Be particularly mindful of events like film festivals, which do well with pre-session drinks and nibbles.

6. Invite twice as many, expect half as much

There aren't many certainties in event planning, but there's this one.No matter how well timed, well organised and unique your event is, at least half of invitees won't respond or won't accept the invitation, so cast your net wide.

7. Cater to your key stakeholder tastes

Whether your guests are sports addicts or art lovers should dictate the kind of event you organise. This will assure the highest turnout and maximum impact. Fortunately, it's easy to keep track of stakeholder preferences with a government relationship management tool like Advoc8.

Request a demo here.