Ceremony to celebration: how to run an unforgettable awards event
Remember how you used to feel about a birthday party when you were a kid? That sheer sense of expectation, when you couldn’t wait to see whether there would be a balloon twister, and you were desperate to win pass the parcel, just for once?
You may not be able to generate quite that level of excitement in your guests for your awards ceremony, but you can certainly raise the stakes and turn a run-of-the-mill event into a memorable occasion that marks everyone’s achievements in style.
Build up the tension - create a sense of anticipation on your socials, with teaser content, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the judging process, or spotlight features on nominees. If your guests know ahead of time who’s in the running, or how the judges came to their decisions, they’ll be more invested in the outcomes on the night.
Get personal - ditch the generic hotel ballroom vibe and create something special. Customise the space to reflect your organisation's personality by adding touches such as a live portrait artist, a photo booth with props related to your awards, or a memory wall where guests can write messages of congratulations.
Tell a story - rather than simply reading out names and achievements, share the stories behind them. What challenge did this winner overcome? How did their work impact others? These anecdotes turn a simple ‘winner plus name’ into a narrative that people can identify with, and might well inspire other guests to go in for an award next year.
Get your guests involved - no matter how good the event, nobody wants to spend two hours clapping as winner after winner troops onto the stage. Encourage audience participation through standing ovations, table discussions, or even live polling. When people feel involved rather than just observing, they feel genuine enthusiasm.
Share the love - you’re all there to celebrate the winners’ achievements, but don't forget to acknowledge the contributions of the entire awards community, from the nominees to the judges, the sponsors to the event staff, and everyone who played a part in the success of the awards.
End on a high - close the event with something memorable, such as a group photo, a champagne toast, or even dancing. The goal is for people to leave feeling uplifted and proud to be part of your wider community.
People remember how events made them feel (like not winning pass the parcel, just as an example), so it pays to put together a ceremony that makes guests feel like they’re part of something special. By creating an atmosphere of genuine recognition and celebration, your ceremony will leave people with a warm, fuzzy feeling long after the last award is handed out!
If you’d like to chat to us about how AwardStage can help your awards programme, just drop us a line or book a call. We’d love to talk to you!
