Help with hosting a dinner event? Big upcoming conference

We have an important conference coming up that's pivotal for anyone in our industry, and we're looking to make the most of it. We’re planning to host a dinner event for two of our client companies, who are part of a larger partnership organization, and invite others from that group—potentially 30+ people. We also have a good relationship with the CEO of the partnership organization.

For those of you with experience hosting similar events, how does a dinner of this size usually unfold? Should we plan to have someone speak, maybe the CEO of the partnership organization? Any tips on ensuring the event is a success would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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11 comments

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braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Nail them down way in advance. You're probably 1 of 100 people who want to take these VIPs out to dinner.

medhardwaredr

Politicker

Director of Sales NA

Hookers. Hookers and blow. Always makes for a fun conference

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

This is my kind of dinner party.

The good news is it'll reduce food costs. But likely drastically increase the drink costs..

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

I'd attend

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

In all honesty, and not to be sexist, but I would have a woman head this up. Women are just better at this sort of thing. You just do whatever she tells you to do and you’ll find yourself MUCH better off than if you’d done it.

FoodForSales

Politicker

yes, we are ;)

cw95

Politicker

Head of SDR

If you want to be really fancy, buy a pineapple and make that the centrepiece of the biggest table - history says that this shows wealth and that you are indeed superior in society. Not only will they think that's impressive but they'll also be impressed about your knowledge of recent history that a pineapple is a symbol of 'Wealth, Hospitality and status'. Let me know how it goes down.

BigShrimpin

Politicker

Account executive

Just dont turn it upside down unless you're REALLY to do whatever it takes to close this one

SaaSguy

Tycoon

Account Executive

Dont talk business let them remember you for being fun and let them ask/talk to your clients to get the scoop.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

I've seen that in most of these events, people overdo it. They forget the ultimate purpose of this dinner, is to connect more. Now, you can only connect more, if everyone enjoys and leaves happily. To ensure this, host it in a way which is appreciated by the invitees. Involve them, ask relevant questions, be at your best(and not so best) behavior, you know?

I think these dinners are very unpredictable. You can have an ice breaker, a session from the CEO but the main star as per my POV would be - How you let people network in the best way!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

steakhouse private room, surely have some one that would represent you well give a 2-3 minute speech thanking people for coming and hoping to further strengthen partnerships and relationships yada yada. then make sure everyone gets drunk so you can blackmail them if they don't sign...