It’s All In The (Welcoming) Details
It’s all about first impressions when it comes to putting on a great event from start to finish. At RGI, we fully believe the event actually starts long before your guest even arrives at the venue. As far as we are concerned, for out-of-towners, the party starts when they check into their hotel. This is why we are big fans of a welcome box, bag, or basket to help your attendees kick off the festivities!
My love for special events is rooted deeply in the experience of watching how my mother and grandmothers entertained -- hospitality. What shows more hospitality than a carefully curated gift. - Rachael Glaws, RGI Principal
A lot like what we said in our Sensible, but Swanky Swag blog a few weeks ago, a welcome box should be well thought out and should consist of items that will be useful and make a strong, memorable first impression on your attendees. This easy detail sets the tone for what your guest can expect when they arrive at the actual event.
So what do you put in these boxes or bags? Don’t overthink it, but make sure there is purpose behind each piece. Things that make your guest really feel like you thought about them and thought through everything they could possibly need or want while on this trip.
Read on for our top 5 items we add in a welcome gift:
1. Handwritten note – This is probably one of the easiest and least expensive personal touches to include – but also the most impactful! Nothing makes your guest feel more special than knowing you took the time to welcome and thank them personally!
2. Snacks – Obviously! But not just any snack -- we recommend either getting hyper-local with your options and including munchies that are special to the location or venue OR tie back to your brand/event!
3. Alcohol – Whether it’s a business trip or a pleasure trip, who doesn’t love a good cocktail at the end of a long day? We love adding in little bottles of booze, especially if we can find a local distillery or winery!
4. Local Trinket – Including a keepsake that your guest can take home with them and remember the event by is always a nice touch! We love to find something local that helps to drive home the meaning of the event and your guest trip to your event!
5. Something that ties back into the event – This is where we like to include something your guest might need or what while attending your soiree! We highly recommend anything brand!
Now you know our tips and tricks to create the perfect, well-curated, thoughtful welcome box for your guest at your next event! Don’t forget to use a beautifully branded box and ribbon to add the final touch!
