Event planning is complex, time-consuming and often stressful. Whether it’s a business event, customer event, conference or internal employee event: many factors have to work together to ensure that an event not only runs smoothly, but also leaves a lasting impression. In this article, you’ll find practical insider tips, proven event hacks and strategic approaches to help you make your event planning more structured, efficient and successful – from defining objectives and choosing the right technology through to follow-up.
Expectations of events have risen sharply in recent years. Participants no longer compare events only with each other, but also with digital experiences, services and brand touchpoints they encounter in everyday life.
Professional event planning ensures that:
In short: good event planning is a decisive success factor for outstanding event experiences.
The central goal of event planning is to create an event that achieves strategic objectives while delivering real value for participants.
It’s not just about good organisation, but also about the impact of the event. Event planning brings together:
A successfully planned event stays in people’s minds, strengthens relationships and delivers long-term value for brand, culture or revenue.
Successful event planning is built on several pillars:
Without a clear objective, there is no clear plan. Successful event planners know:
Checklists, schedules, budgets and clear responsibilities ensure that nothing is overlooked.
Internally within the team as well as externally with participants, service providers and partners.
Even with the best planning, changes happen. Successful planners respond calmly and with a solution-oriented mindset.
Event planning also means risk management. The most common risks include:
Pro tip: Always create a plan B (or C) for critical areas. Contingency plans are a sign of professional event planning.
Selecting the right date is crucial to ensure enough participants are available to attend. Avoid public holidays or other major events that could compete with yours. Also allow sufficient lead time to send invitations and inform participants properly. Learn more about the most popular dates for business events in our blog.
It’s unfavourable if your target audience has to choose between two or more events. With the help of AI, you can anticipate and avoid potential competing events. Here’s a suitable prompt to identify them:
Find all public or private events, conferences, trade fairs or industry events on the topic of [Topic X] in the region [Region, e.g. DACH or Munich] within the period [date from – to] that target the audience [Target audience Y, e.g. HR managers, start-ups, marketing managers].
For each event, provide the following information where available:
Focus on relevant competing events (not general meetups or leisure events). Also include hybrid or online events if they are relevant to the same audience.
The venue plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of your event. Good event planning takes into account not only the size and design of the venue, but also accessibility and on-site facilities. Consider technical requirements such as power supply, Wi-Fi and lighting. You can find an overview of top congress and conference venues in Switzerland in this article, and for Germany via this link. Helpful platforms for finding event venues include Eventlokale.ch and Eventlocations.com.
A clear concept is the heart of every successful event. Define the message and objective of your event and structure the programme accordingly. Whether networking, entertainment or knowledge transfer – the concept should run consistently through every aspect of your event. LLM platforms such as ChatGPT or Perplexity can also help you develop suitable content. Use the following prompt to create your event concept:
Role & Context
You are an experienced event strategist with a strong focus on business, marketing and storytelling. Your goal is to design impactful business events for companies that clearly contribute to corporate objectives while delivering genuine value for participants.
Please ask me about the following points in a structured way. Do not begin developing the concept until all answers have been provided.
1. Company & context
2. Event objectives
3. Target audience
4. Framework conditions
5. Thematic focus
Once all information is available, please create the following:
1. Core event idea
2. Content architecture
3. Agenda logic
4. Participation & engagement
5. Differentiation & wow effects
To conclude, please provide:
To make your event a success, it’s essential to reach the right audience. Tailor your communication and marketing to the needs and interests of your target group. As an event planner, you should know exactly who will attend the event and what they expect.
What’s more important in event planning than knowing how many guests will attend? But how many contacts do you need to ensure the event is fully booked and a success? This metric varies greatly depending on the type of event. Below are our benchmarks for the required contact list size – assuming valid, high-quality contacts and a compelling event concept:
External customer events
Target participants: 500
Minimum contact list size: 1,250
Paid events
Target participants: 500
Minimum contact list size: 2,000
Internal employee events
Target participants: 500
Minimum contact list size: 600
Online events
Target participants: 250
Minimum contact list size: 350
VIP formats
Target participants: 500
Minimum contact list size: 1,250
Modern event technologies such as Oniva not only simplify planning but also enhance the participant experience. From registration software to event check-in apps – the right technology helps you stay in control and ensure smooth execution. Our blog provides an overview of numerous event tools that make life easier for event managers.
Successful event planning relies on close collaboration with various service providers – from caterers and sound engineers to decorators. Choose reliable partners who meet your requirements and can support your event smoothly. If you lack contacts, involving a professional event agency is often advisable. Here you’ll find a list of top event agencies for business events in Switzerland and Germany.
Events can quickly become expensive. However, there are several ways to optimise costs during the planning phase – for example, sharing infrastructure with preceding or subsequent events or reusing materials. You’ll find more smart cost-saving tips in our blog article.
Long queues at the entrance can negatively affect participants’ mood. Plan entry so it’s efficient and stress-free. Digital tickets with QR codes and well-trained staff help avoid delays. This article provides more insights into smooth event check-in.
After the event is before the next event. Use collected data such as participant feedback, registration statistics or technical evaluations to improve future events. Successful event planners analyse this data to understand what worked well and where improvements are needed. Here you’ll find an overview of the most important KPIs for your event.
Thoughtful event planning is the key to the success of any event. By following the tips above and taking a strategic approach, you can ensure your event becomes an unforgettable experience. Good preparation, clear communication and the flexibility to respond to unforeseen challenges make the difference between a good event and an outstanding one.
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The 2m2c - Montreux Music and Convention Centre is a multi-purpose exhibition center on the shores of Lake Geneva. Known for the Montreux Jazz Festival, the location offers space for up to 1,500 participants for congresses. Even after the ongoing renovation until 2025, the location will remain known for its unique atmosphere and views.
The Beaulieu Congress Center in Lausanne describes itself as a combination of the tried and tested with modernity. Modular rooms offer space for up to 4,700 participants. Thanks to two bus lines, the location can be reached with a direct connection from Lausanne's SBB train station.
Better known as a trade fair location, Bernexpo will be offering new, different rooms for conferences in the federal city of Bern from 2025. The new construction of the "Festhalle" will create interesting possibilities with a capacity of up to 1,300 guests in one hall.
With five spacious halls and 25 conference rooms, the Congress Center in Basel offers many possibilities for a wide variety of events. In addition to its central location in Basel's city center, the congress location has the advantage of being directly connected to the exhibition grounds, making it the largest congress center in Switzerland in terms of space.
The Convention Center (Kongresshaus) Zurich describes itself as the newest congress center of its kind in Switzerland. It is located directly on the shores of Lake Zurich and, thanks to its flexible room layout, offers options for a wide variety of event types and parallel break-out sessions for up to 4,500 participants. A breathtaking panorama on the terrace offers ideal conditions for relaxing breaks.
The Lucerne Culture and Convention Center is located in central Switzerland on the shores of Lake Lucerne and offers space for conventions with up to 2,815 participants. Numerous break-out rooms offer the opportunity for parallel sessions. The concert hall is known worldwide for its outstanding acoustics and is therefore ideal for a musical show to round off a conference.
This classic venue in the federal city of Bern is the largest cultural and congress center in the region to date and offers 28 rooms for conferences. The "Arena", the largest hall, can accommodate up to 1,357 guests.
Known for the International Motor Show, Palexpo offers eight conference rooms of different sizes with a maximum capacity of 2,500 participants. The venue, which has been established for many years, underwent a further expansion in autumn 2023, adding 12 new conference rooms to its offering.
The SwissTech Convention Center in Ecublens is one of the largest convention centers in the Lake Geneva region. It can accommodate 3,000 participants in up to three halls. The less than ideal accessibility is compensated for by a modern and impressive auditorium.
"The Hall" in Zurich Stettbach offers around 2,000 square meters of space for congresses and conferences with up to 3,051 seats. The adjoining room can accommodate up to 500 guests for break-out sessions. "The Hall" is located right next to Stettbach railroad station and can therefore be reached from Zurich in a short time.
ACO Hospitality in Büdelsdorf features the ACO Academy, a modern conference centre with eleven high-quality rooms, ideal for congresses and specialist seminars. The adjacent exhibition hall, covering 2,900 m², enables the hosting of large-scale events such as trade fairs and exhibitions. Its open architecture, featuring large glass surfaces, creates a comfortable atmosphere for up to 2,000 attendees, supported by top-tier audio and video technology.
Arena Berlin is a versatile event venue in the Alt-Treptow district of Berlin, perfectly suited for congresses. The listed site comprises six indoor and outdoor locations, including the impressive 6,500 m² Arena Hall, which can accommodate up to 9,000 people with its free-span roof structure. Thanks to its flexible space design and modern infrastructure, Arena Berlin offers optimal conditions for congresses, trade fairs, and conferences.
The CCD Congress Center Düsseldorf is a state-of-the-art convention centre with a total capacity of up to 7,500 people and 41 modular rooms that can be combined as needed. Its central location in Düsseldorf, just 3 km from the airport, and excellent transport links make it an ideal venue for national and international congresses.
The CCH – Congress Center Hamburg is one of Europe's most modern and largest congress centres, offering flexible spaces for events with up to 12,000 participants. With top-class event technology, sustainable design, and a central location in Hamburg, the CCH provides optimal conditions for international congresses and conferences. Its excellent transport connections, extensive service offerings, and proximity to hotels and cultural attractions make it a premier choice for organisers.
The CCP CongressCentrum Pforzheim offers flexible spaces for congresses, conferences, and events with up to 2,000 attendees, centrally located between Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. With modern event technology, adaptable room concepts, and first-class service, it provides ideal conditions for professional congresses. Its direct connection to hotels and picturesque location on the banks of the Enz River make the CCP an attractive venue in Baden-Württemberg.
The Congress Center Essen offers three congress centres with a total of 28 adaptable spaces, including ten halls and thirteen conference rooms, providing flexible solutions for congresses and conferences of various sizes. Its direct connection to the Grugahalle and exhibition halls allows events for several thousand guests. Each year, around 800 events with a total of 80,000 attendees are held here, demonstrating the centre's versatility and capacity.
The Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) is a premier congress venue, distinguished by its modern architecture, flexible room concepts, and direct connection to the Leipzig Exhibition Centre. With facilities for events of all sizes, high-quality event technology, and a comprehensive service offering, the CCL provides ideal conditions for national and international congresses. Its excellent accessibility and strong ties to science, business, and culture make it a key conference destination in Germany.
The HCC Hannover Congress Centrum is a historic yet modern congress venue with versatile space options for events of all sizes. With state-of-the-art event technology, a sustainable infrastructure, and excellent transport links, it provides ideal conditions for national and international congresses. The combination of historic charm and contemporary facilities makes the HCC a unique event venue in the heart of Hannover.
HALLE MESSE in Halle (Saale) is a versatile event centre, ideal for congresses. With flexible halls and conference rooms that can be individually arranged with seating, stages, and screens, it offers tailor-made solutions for events. Thanks to its modern infrastructure and central location, HALLE MESSE is an attractive venue for successful congresses and conferences.
The ICM – International Congress Center Messe München is a cutting-edge congress venue, distinguished by flexible room concepts, first-class technology, and a capacity for up to 6,000 participants. Directly connected to the Munich Exhibition Centre, it provides ideal conditions for international congresses, conferences, and corporate events. With sustainable infrastructure, top-tier service, and state-of-the-art event technology, the ICM sets new standards in professional event organisation.
The BALLHAUSFORUM at INFINITY Munich is one of the largest event spaces in the Munich area, featuring a 1,340 m² auditorium under an impressive glass dome, providing ideal conditions for congresses and conferences. It offers flexible room configurations for up to 1,400 seated guests in theatre-style seating or up to 2,750 people with 360° tiered seating. The adjoining hotel offers 40 additional event rooms and 439 guest rooms, ensuring seamless integration of accommodation and events.
The Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle in Stuttgart combines listed architecture with a modernised conference area, providing an ideal setting for congresses. With 14 flexible meeting rooms and 5 halls accommodating up to 2,100 people, it enables a wide range of events. Its central location in Stuttgart’s city centre, direct hotel connections, and proximity to the Bosch-Areal with shops, restaurants, and bars offer attendees convenience and a variety of leisure options.
Messe Magdeburg is a modern exhibition and conference centre in Saxony-Anhalt, ideal for congresses. With three halls offering a covered exhibition space of 9,000 m² and an adjoining conference centre, it allows for flexible event planning for up to 2,314 people in theatre seating. Thanks to its high-end technical equipment and versatile room layouts, Messe Magdeburg provides optimal conditions for successful congresses and conferences.
Messe Magdeburg is a modern exhibition and conference centre in Saxony-Anhalt that is ideal for congresses. With three halls, which together offer a covered exhibition area of 9,000 m², and an adjoining conference centre, it enables the flexible organisation of events for up to 2,314 people seated in rows. Thanks to its state-of-the-art technical equipment and variable room concepts, Messe Magdeburg offers ideal conditions for successful congresses and conferences.
The Congress Centrum Bremen offers flexible spaces for congresses and conferences of various sizes, with five halls, seven salons, four breakout rooms, and two foyers. Its postmodern architecture and playful details create an inviting atmosphere for professional exchanges. Thanks to its central location in Bremen and direct connection to the Maritim Hotel Bremen, organisers and participants benefit from short distances and a convenient infrastructure.
The Musik- und Kongresshalle Lübeck (MUK) is a multifunctional event venue offering 15 rooms for 10 to 3,500 people, providing diverse options for congresses, conferences, and exhibitions. Its flexible room layout allows for tailored solutions for different event formats. With a total space of 4,000 m² and a capacity of up to 2,000 people, MUK is an ideal location for a variety of events.
The Rheingoldhalle in Mainz is a modern conference centre with a total of 9,000 m² of flexible event space and over 20 meeting rooms, some of which are flooded with natural light and offer views of the Rhine. The largest room, the Kongress-Saal, has a floor area of 1,744 m² and can accommodate up to 2,144 people depending on the seating arrangement. Following its renovation, completed in 2021, the Rheingoldhalle features state-of-the-art technology, sustainable amenities, and flexible room configurations, making it ideal for congresses and conferences.
The RuhrCongress Bochum is a modern event venue in the heart of the Ruhr region, making it an excellent choice for congresses. With its flexible, state-of-the-art spaces, it provides the perfect setting for events of all types and sizes, from business and science to trade fairs. Thanks to its excellent infrastructure, cutting-edge event technology, and well-planned logistics, your vision can be brought to life professionally.
The Schwabenlandhalle in Fellbach, near Stuttgart, is a versatile cultural, congress, and conference centre, ideal for congresses. With a total of nine bright and fully equipped rooms, it offers flexible event spaces for gatherings of all sizes. The largest hall, the Hölderlin Hall, has a floor area of over 1,100 m² and can seat up to 1,400 people in theatre-style seating, making it particularly suitable for large congresses and conferences.
The Tempodrom in Berlin is a multifunctional event venue with impressive architecture, perfect for congresses. Its main space, the Grand Arena, accommodates up to 4,200 guests and features flexible room elements that create adaptable spaces for different event formats, including conferences and congresses. With its central location near Potsdamer Platz and its modern facilities, the Tempodrom offers excellent conditions for successful congresses and events.
The Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin is a state-of-the-art event hall, ideal for congresses and corporate events. With a standing capacity of up to 4,350 and seating for around 2,250 guests, it offers flexible space solutions for various event formats. The hall features excellent acoustics, optimal sightlines, and cutting-edge event technology, making it a versatile venue for conferences, product presentations, and corporate celebrations.
The myticket Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt am Main is one of Europe’s largest private cultural initiatives and offers a variety of congress and conference spaces, including its impressive dome hall and several conference rooms. The dome hall spans 4,800 m² and can accommodate up to 3,000 people, making it ideal for large congresses. Additionally, the venue offers modern technology and flexible space concepts that can be tailored to different event requirements.
Learn more about the possibilities with Oniva for event planners.
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