The annual kickoff is an important event for any company. It’s an opportunity to get everyone on the same page, set goals for the year, and build excitement and momentum for the months ahead. But with so many events and meetings to attend, it’s important to make your annual kickoff stand out and be memorable. Here are some tips for creating a kickass annual kickoff event:
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Set a clear purpose and agenda for the event. Before you start planning the event, take some time to think about the purpose of the kickoff. What do you want to accomplish? What goals do you want to set for the year? Once you have a clear purpose in mind, you can create an agenda that aligns with that purpose.
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Involve your employees in the planning process. The annual kickoff is not just for leadership, it’s for everyone in the company. Involve your employees in the planning process by asking for input on the agenda, activities and even the theme. This will help ensure that the event is tailored to the interests and needs of your employees and they will feel more invested in the event.
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Make it interactive and engaging. A traditional lecture-style presentation can be boring, so try to incorporate interactive elements into the event. This could include group activities, team building exercises, or even a game show. This will make the event more engaging and memorable for your employees.
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Use the event to build team spirit and camaraderie. The annual kickoff is a great opportunity to build team spirit and camaraderie among your employees. Plan activities that encourage interaction and collaboration, and make sure to include some time for socializing and networking.
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Make it visually appealing. People tend to remember things better when they’re presented in an visually appealing way. Use a theme, visual aids and multimedia to
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Follow up after the event. The annual kickoff is not just a one-time event, it’s the beginning of a journey. Follow up with your employees after the event to see how they’re doing and if they need any support in achieving the goals set during the event.
By following these tips, you can create a kickass annual kickoff event that is memorable and engaging for your employees. Remember, the key is to involve your employees in the planning process, make the event interactive and engaging, build team spirit and camaraderie, and make it visually appealing, and follow up after the event.
and P.S. don’t forget a video contest, encourage your employees to submit a fun creative videos aligned to your kickoff theme, here is one I did a few years making fun of our covid-era theme for our virtual kick-off “zoom-out”.