Gathering intelligence and ideas is critical for any event organiser. Finding inspiration in other places allows for innovation and creative ideas. While the main purpose of a holiday is to rest and disconnect from our daily routine, there are ways to gather good event planning ideas and still enjoy a lie on the beach.
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1. Be curious
We can never repeat it enough… open your eyes wide! This is the key to being creative. Everything around you can be a source of inspiration. It is up to you to make good use of it. For example, when you are in a bar or shop, look at the flyers on the counters. Sometimes local events can give you ideas for your communication, or for your next themed party for example.
2. Rest and relax
You are FINALLY on holiday and you have earned the right to rest! But don’t worry, being on the lookout for ideas doesn’t necessarily mean running around.
Relaxing on a deckchair will not make you unproductive, quite the contrary. Your body and mind need to rest and relax to be more creative when you get back in the saddle.
3. Attend local events
No matter where you go, there is always something going on. This is a great opportunity to attend local events and discover cultures and event practices that you can integrate into your own events. Be careful, however, not to copy and paste! As in any other field, it is necessary to adjust the practices that we consider relevant to our audience, our territory, our event. Otherwise, beware of disillusionment!
Once you have found an event that interests you — via flyers in bars, Facebook, local (web)magazines, the Tourism Office, pay particular attention to the decoration around you, the layout of the place, the different types of cocktails, entertainment, music… You can even ask questions to the organisers and attendees. This advice also applies in your daily life to events near you.
4. Think outside the box
Holidays are also an opportunity to do what you wouldn’t do at home! Why not go to events that you would never have normally attended! Whether it is because the venue is unusual, because you think you will be bored, or because the type of music played is not the one you listen to… be curious!
If you have good observation skills, if you talk to the people there, or if you notice even one thing never to do during an event, you are winning!
5. Write in a notebook
Leave your laptop, emails can wait! To take note of your findings, go back to basics and walk around with a nice notebook. It will also make a nice holiday souvenir. You can draw, write down things that are not necessarily related to your events. On holidays, no rules, no constraints… you are free to do what you want!
Above all, the notebook is more practical than a computer or a tablet, and it does not have a battery that needs charging every 3 hours!
Follow these tips and you will be rested and ready to work when you get back! Don’t miss this crucial time of the year and take a look at our solution for organising events:
