13 Event Ideas for Sales Kick-Off Meetings

  • Event Management
Event Ideas for Sales Kick-Off Meetings

Sales kick-off meetings (SKOs) are vital for driving success in your company’s sales team

These events bring together your company’s entire sales team from across the country to celebrate wins, reinforce company values, and equip attendees with knowledge and tools for the upcoming sales cycle. 

When done well, sales kick-off meetings foster unity, inspire confidence, and reignite the passion that fuels top performers.

When executed poorly, attendees leave feeling deflated and uninspired— definitely not what you want for your people!

So whether you’re a corporate event planner or a sales team leader, we’ll explore the crucial elements of planning a successful SKO. Keep reading for 13 creative event ideas to engage and inspire your sales force at your next sales kick-off meeting!

What is a Sales Kick-off Meeting?

A sales kick-off meeting (SKO) is an annual or semi-annual event where companies gather their entire sales organization. These meetings typically occur at the start of a new fiscal year or sales period and are held off-site, often at a hotel or conference center (though virtual options are rising in popularity). 

The primary objectives of an SKO are to provide product and strategy updates, set goals, rev up motivation, and align the sales team for the upcoming sales cycle!

Despite the rise of remote work, successful companies like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Adobe continue to invest in SKOs. These events remain relevant as they foster team camaraderie, offer valuable training opportunities, and create a shared sense of purpose and direction for the sales force.

Common agenda items at a sales kick-off meeting include:

READ MORE: 9 Things Attendees Actually Want From Your Next Event

What Does Every Sales Kick-off Event Need?

To create a truly impactful and memorable sales kick-off event, you need to incorporate several crucial pillars that cater to the diverse needs of your company’s sales force. Let’s explore these pillars in greater detail:

Reflection & celebration

A successful SKO should start by reflecting on the previous year’s achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Whether individual or team-based, celebrating wins boosts morale and reinforces a positive sales culture! This recognition fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue striving for excellence.

Education

Providing comprehensive product and industry updates keeps your sales team informed and equipped to handle customer objections effectively. Educational sessions should cover new features, relevant competitors, and emerging market trends. Hands-on training and role-playing scenarios can level-up everyone’s skills. 

READ MORE: 35 Creative Product Launch Event Ideas to Try in 2024

Team engagement

You have great people on your sales team. Why not leverage them? The best sales kick-off events include collaboration, problem-solving, and relationship-building. Informal break-out sessions encourage the team to learn from each other and succeed together. Activities can range from team-based challenges to social events, fostering a sense of camaraderie and strengthening team bonds. 

Collaboration

Aligning the sales team with other departments— such as marketing, product development, and customer success— is essential for a cohesive customer experience. Cross-functional sessions and networking opportunities during the SKO encourage open communication, shared understanding, and improved collaboration throughout the year.

Energy

A successful SKO should be an energizing and motivating experience for your sales team. Incorporating high-energy elements, like dynamic keynote speakers, fun activities, and memorable celebrations, can create a contagious atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm, propelling the sales team forward into the next sales cycle!

13 Creative Event Ideas for Your Next Sales Kick-off Meeting

Crafting an engaging and memorable sales kick-off event requires a blend of tried-and-true tactics and innovative approaches. Here are 13 creative event ideas to inspire your next SKO and leave a lasting impression on your sales team:

Interactive product demos and gamification

Instead of traditional product presentations, engage your sales team through interactive demos and gamified challenges. Divide attendees into teams and have them compete in product-based quizzes, role-playing scenarios, or scavenger hunts, fostering friendly competition and hands-on learning.

Expert panel discussions

Bring in a diverse panel of industry experts, thought leaders, and successful sales professionals to share their insights, experiences, and best practices. Encourage attendees to participate in Q&A sessions and networking to keep the knowledge flowing. 

Immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences

Leverage the power of virtual reality to transport your sales team into simulated customer environments or product demonstrations. VR can provide a unique and memorable way to showcase your offerings, empathize with customer pain points, and practice sales techniques. 

Sales pitch competition

Challenge your sales team to showcase their skills in a sales pitch competition. Divide attendees into teams and assign them hypothetical products or services to pitch. Invite internal or external judges to provide feedback, in turn fostering healthy competition and skills development.

Escape room team-building

Escape rooms promote collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. Rent out an escape room venue or create your own on-site experience, dividing attendees into teams to solve puzzles and challenges together!

Charity volunteer time

Incorporate a philanthropic element into your kick-off event by organizing a volunteer event for a local charity or non-profit organization. This not only gives back to the community but also encourages bonding and a shared sense of purpose beyond sales.

Sales Olympics or Field Day

Inject some friendly competition and physical activity into your SKO by organizing a “Sales Olympics” or field day. Set up different athletic or skills-based challenges, from tug-of-war to obstacle courses, allowing attendees to unleash their competitive spirit and bond over shared physical activity. 

Sharing success stories

Invite top-performing sales reps or company leaders to share how they have overcome challenges and achieved results. Storytelling can be a powerful tool for inspiration and motivation, especially when stories come from peers or thought leaders. 

Improv comedy workshops

Improv workshops can be an excellent addition to a sales kick-off event. These interactive sessions teach valuable skills like active listening, thinking on your feet, and adapting to unexpected situations—all crucial skills for successful sales pros!

Sales mastermind sessions

Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing during your sales kick-off event. Divide attendees into small groups based on experience levels, territories, or product lines, and encourage them to discuss best practices, challenges, and strategies. These sessions can be moderated by sales leaders or top performers, creating a collaborative space for continuous learning and growth.

Live music or comedy performance

Add an element of entertainment and energy to your SKO by booking some live music or a comedy act. These can serve as uplifting breaks between sessions or as part of evening social events, helping to create a fun and memorable atmosphere for attendees.

Wellness activities

Prioritize the well-being of your sales team by incorporating wellness activities into your agenda. Options could include yoga or meditation sessions, healthy cooking demonstrations, or outdoor team-building activities like hiking or a nature walk.

Sales awards gala or red carpet event

End your kick-off event on a high note by hosting an awards gala or red-carpet event to recognize and celebrate top-performing sales representatives, teams, or leaders. This is the perfect opportunity for attendees to dress up, let loose, network, and commemorate their achievements in style.

The Benefits of Running a Virtual Sales Kick-off Meeting

While in-person sales kick-off meetings offer unparalleled opportunities for team bonding, organizing them annually can be a logistical and financial challenge. 

Fortunately, modern event management technology has paved the way for virtual SKOs, providing companies with a flexible and cost-effective alternative, especially in the era of remote work.

Virtual SKOs make it easier to bring dispersed sales teams together without the need for travel or venue costs. This format offers several benefits, including:

  • Cost savings. Virtual SKOs eliminate costs associated with venue rental, travel, accommodations, and catering. 
  • Increased accessibility. Remote attendees can participate from anywhere, reducing barriers to attendance and ensuring no one misses out on crucial information and training.
  • Flexibility and convenience. Virtual event software allows for seamless integration of pre-recorded content, live sessions, and on-demand access, accommodating different time zones and schedules.
  • Reduced environmental impact. By eliminating travel, virtual SKOs contribute to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with corporate sustainability goals.

Plus, virtual event software offers live polls, breakout rooms, and gamification, ensuring your team still gets valuable opportunities for networking and bonding. 

GET THE FREE GUIDE: Implementation Guide for Virtual Events

Top FAQs about Sales Kick-off Meetings

How far in advance should I plan a sales kick-off meeting?

It’s generally recommended to start planning your SKO at least 6-9 months in advance. This allows ample time for securing venues, coordinating speakers and activities, and ensuring proper communication and promotion to your sales team. 

What’s the ideal duration for a sales kick-off meeting?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, most successful SKOs range from 2-4 days. This timeframe provides sufficient opportunities for training, team-building activities, and social events without overwhelming attendees.

How can I ensure high attendance and engagement at our SKO?

Promote the event well in advance and communicate the value proposition to attendees. Incorporate interactive elements, gamification, and networking opportunities into the agenda. You could also consider offering incentives or recognition for participation and engagement.

How can I measure the success and ROI of our sales kick-off meeting?

Set clear goals and metrics beforehand, such as increased product knowledge, improved sales skills, or strengthened team cohesion. Collect feedback from attendees through surveys and follow up on tangible outcomes like improved sales performance or customer satisfaction scores in the following months.

What are the benefits of using event management technology for a virtual SKO?

Event management software like EventUp Planner offers numerous advantages for virtual SKOs, including seamless live streaming, interactive features (polls, Q&A, breakout rooms), on-demand content access, and comprehensive analytics. These tools can enhance engagement, networking, and overall experience for remote attendees.

LEARN MORE: Continuing the Conversation: Keeping Attendees Engaged After a Virtual Event

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6 Powerful Ways to Make Event Promotion Easy for Speakers

  • Event Management News
6 Ways to Make Event Promotion Easy for Speakers (And Why It Matters)

As an event professional, it can be all too easy to get lost in the details. 

Logistics, ticket sales, and tight timelines can fill up your list of priorities…fast. But it’s important to remember that your speakers can be your greatest asset when it comes to the overall success of your event.

Speakers are usually happy to promote an event. But if they have to work too hard to help spread the word, your event could fall to the bottom of their to-do list. 

Simplifying the process and equipping your speakers with the right tools to promote your event will not only boost exposure, but will help to fill seats—a mutually beneficial outcome!

In this post, we’ll explore 6 tried-and-true strategies to make event promotion simple for your speakers. Event management technology is your BFF in the process. Let’s get into it. 

Why Invest in Speaker Relations? 

Prioritizing speaker relations is crucial for corporate event planners looking to deliver an exceptional experience.

First, your speakers are the heart and soul of your event. You create a win-win scenario by equipping them with the tools, guidance, and platforms to effectively promote your event. Your speakers gain valuable exposure and establish themselves as thought leaders. In turn, your event benefits from their amplified reach and credibility!

Further, cultivating strong speaker relations fosters a sense of community and loyalty. Your event gains a positive reputation—making it a coveted opportunity for industry experts and thought leaders.  

Remember, your speakers are your brand ambassadors. Investing in their success is an investment in the long-term growth and reputation of your events program.

READ MORE: Presenting at Webinars: What Speakers Should Know

6 Strategies to Encourage Speakers to Promote Your Event

Don’t pull your hair out trying to get speakers to promote your event. Here are 6 ways to make event promotion easier for your speakers:

  1. Make your speakers the stars of your event

Everyone appreciates proper recognition, from the newest speaker to the most established industry personality. 

Shine the spotlight on your speakers by prominently featuring their headshot, bio, and topic on your event website.

Leverage the following marketing channels to showcase your amazing speakers and pump up your promotion efforts: 

  • Paid advertising
  • Press releases
  • Industry mailers
  • Social media posts
  • Company blog posts
  • Email blasts

Remember to collect the social media handles of your speakers during the planning process so you can tag them in your posts. This is the easiest way to encourage them to share your carefully-crafted event messaging without having to write the captions themselves!

Pro tip: Prepare a media kit for each speaker well in advance of the event. This kit should include visual content in different formats that include the speaker’s headshot, key event details, appropriate hashtags and social media handles, and your event branding.

  1. Invest marketing dollars to promote your speakers 

To truly amplify your speaker lineup, you need to leverage paid promotion strategies. From social media advertising to influencer collaborations, these tactics can stretch your marketing dollars for maximum impact.

Consider investing in targeted Meta ads highlighting your top speakers’ expertise and accomplishments. For B2B audiences, LinkedIn Sponsored Content is another great option. You could also partner with industry influencers to cross-promote through sponsored posts and affiliate codes. 

At INBOUND 2022, for example, HubSpot allocated significant ad spend towards promoting its lineup of heavyweights like Barack Obama and Viola Davis. 

Don’t let your lineup go unnoticed! Strategic paid promotion increases your reach beyond your existing followers. 

  1. Provide speakers with engaging content to use

Provide your speakers with shareable, eye-catching content in all the right formats for sharing on social media. (This is where preparing a media kit comes in handy.) 

Even better, partner up with speakers to create content together! Consider going live together on socials to do a “meet the expert” session or run a pre-conference Q&A period. 

You could also ask your speakers to guest-write blog posts about their topic to give attendees a taste of what’s to come. These posts will come in handy for adding value to your email marketing campaigns

To set your speakers up for success, make sure they have access to the appropriate hashtags you’d like them to use as well as correct social media handles (including sponsors, if applicable). 

  1. Supply each speaker with a customized promo code

Leverage your speakers’ platforms to boost event registration

Your speakers have already built trust and loyalty with their audience. Make it easy for them to promote your event to their fanbase, friends, and family with a customized promo code

This code could offer a small discount for event tickets, or even offer a limited 2-for-1 deal. This will not only provide your speakers with a friendly way to self-promote, but it’ll also provide you with a way to track the source of ticket purchases!

The key is to make sure the offer truly appeals to the speaker’s audience. Don’t hesitate to ask speakers for their input on what they think their audience will appreciate the most. 

(P.S. Make sure to supply your speakers with a few discretionary tickets to gift to fans, friends, or family. Everyone appreciates a friendly audience!)

  1. Ghostwrite your speakers’ promotional posts

Let’s be real: your speakers already have a lot on their plate, especially if they’ve been in the game for a while

Instead of quietly hoping that your speakers will say the right thing, why not equip them for success with pre-written content?

Speakers will be more likely to share if the posts are pre-written and easily shareable. We recommend preparing a series of sample cut-and-paste social media captions in addition to the media kit we mentioned above. Be sure to include event hashtag(s), sponsor handles, and ticket purchase links. 

Ghostwriting posts for your speakers makes sure all content they share is on-brand and aligned with your overall marketing strategy. 

Pro tip: Depending on the speaker, they may already have a promotional team that creates their content. Offer to collaborate with their team to create engaging on-brand content that checks all the boxes!

  1. Make event management technology work for you

By now you have some ideas for setting up your speakers for success. But how the heck are you going to pull it all together?

That’s where event management software comes in. 

Platforms like Attendease by Tripleseat have made event promotion easier for speakers and organizers. With features like social integrations, custom event apps, and pre-event digital networking capabilities, there are more ways than ever to connect and engage with attendees—before, during, and after your event. 

Effortlessly Manage Your Speakers with Event Management Software

Encouraging your speakers to promote your event doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. 

By simplifying the sharing process for your speakers, you can boost event awareness, increase ticket sales, and even access more metrics to analyze and improve your efforts. That’s a win!

Looking for event planning software that makes multi-speaker management a breeze? 

Consider Attendease by Tripleseat. Our platform is trusted by teams running some of the world’s biggest, most exciting, design-forward and tech-advanced events. 

Book a demo today to find out how we can make your next event a resounding success!

Event Agendas for Multi-Session Events: How to Make an Agenda for an Event

  • Event Management
Event Agendas for Multi-Session Events: How to Make an Agenda for an Event

Planning a multi-session event agenda can seem like putting a puzzle together—except that there is not only one single way to make it right. With sessions, breakouts, panels, discussions, networking, and more—it can be challenging to squeeze it all in, especially when you are managing a complex event with multiple venues, simultaneous sessions, or even speakers who are joining multiple sessions.

In this guide, we put together best practices that can support you in building an error-free event agenda while saving you time and providing an outstanding experience to your attendees.

What Is an Event Agenda?

An event agenda is a detailed plan or schedule outlining the activities, sessions, presentations, and timing for an event. It serves as a guide for both organizers and attendees, ensuring that everyone involved knows what to expect and when. Event agendas are commonly used for conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars, and other gatherings to keep the event organized and on track.

Event agendas can be distributed to attendees in advance to help them plan their schedule and make the most of their time at the event. They can also be used internally by event organizers and staff to coordinate logistics and ensure that everything runs smoothly.

When Should You Create an Event Agenda?

You should always create your event agenda early in your event planning process, even before sending invitations or opening registration. Sharing the agenda with your invitations helps guests understand what’s planned, decide which sessions to attend, and prepare any questions they might have. Regardless of the size of your event, having a clear agenda keeps things organized and ensures everyone stays on track, creating a more engaging experience.

What Should Be Included in an Event Agenda?

An event agenda should include essential details to guide both organizers and participants throughout the event. Here’s what should typically be included:

  • Event Title and Date: Clearly state the name of the event and the date(s) it will take place.
  • Start & End Times: Specify the start and end times for each session or activity to ensure everyone knows when to arrive and depart.
  • Session Titles or Descriptions: Provide titles or brief descriptions for each session, presentation, or activity planned for the event.
  • Speaker or Presenter Names: Include the names and titles of individuals who will be leading each session or presentation.
  • Location or Room Assignments: Specify the venue or room where each session will take place to help attendees navigate the event space.
  • Breaks & Networking Opportunities: Schedule breaks, meal times, and networking sessions to allow attendees time to rest, refuel, and connect with others.
  • Special Instructions or Requirements: Communicate any special instructions, such as dress code, equipment needed for workshops, or pre-registration requirements for certain sessions.
  • Q&A or Discussion Times: Allocate time for audience questions, discussions, or interactive elements within sessions, if applicable.
  • Closing Remarks or Wrap-Up: Include a section for closing remarks or a summary to formally conclude the event.
  • Contact Information: Provide contact information for event organizers or staff in case attendees have questions or need assistance during the event.
  • Sponsorship Recognition: Acknowledge any sponsors or partners supporting the event, if relevant.
  • Social Media Hashtags or Handles: Encourage attendees to engage with the event on social media by including relevant hashtags or handles.

Why Should You Create an Event Agenda?

Creating an event agenda is crucial for ensuring a smooth, well-organized event experience that meets the needs and expectations of both organizers and participants. Here are the top three reasons you should create an event agenda:

Organization & Structure

An agenda provides a clear roadmap for the event, outlining the sequence of sessions, presentations, and activities. It helps organizers stay organized and ensures that attendees know what to expect, reducing confusion and maximizing efficiency.

Time Management

By specifying start and end times for each session, an agenda helps participants manage their time effectively. It allows them to plan their attendance, prioritize sessions of interest, and allocate time for breaks or networking opportunities.

Communication

Sharing the agenda with attendees in advance helps set expectations and generates excitement for the event. It provides valuable information about the topics to be covered, speakers or presenters, and any special instructions, helping attendees prepare and engage more fully.

How to Make an Agenda for an Event

1. Create You Event Agenda with the Event Goal in Mind

As with any plan, always start with your goal in mind. What do you expect your event to accomplish? This will help you to determine the scope of the event agenda, which types of sessions to focus on, potential speakers, event format, and more. Here are some examples of goal-driven event sessions:

  • Educational goals: workshops, expert speakers, Q&A sessions
  • Inspirational goals: keynote speakers with powerful messages, panel with specialists
  • Networking goals: Breakout sessions, icebreakers, games, networking gatherings, parties, social events

Regardless of the event goal, make sure to count on regular breaks to boost energy and participation. Even 15-30 minutes are enough to get the blood flowing and the mind refreshed! In addition to having breaks for meals and refreshments, the unstructured time between sessions allows attendees to take notes on the previous session, share their learnings with fellow attendees, network with other participants, catch up on email, visit the restroom, and get ready for the next round of activities.

You may also consider what sessions to schedule post-lunch to combat brain fog. Getting attendees to move after a meal can help increase alertness and keep them energized. 

2. Call out for Event Speakers

Run a call for speakers campaign so those interested can apply and pitch a topic to speak at your event. Tools like the Attendease Speaker Management module can help you automate some of this process and make it easier for you to keep track of all of the applications, statuses, and speaker data. This is how it works: 

  1. Create custom application forms 
  2. Invite speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors to register 
  3. Review and approve or reject applications 
  4. Quickly publish approved profiles to your website 
  5. Let speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors manage their information. They can add their own bio, and all you need to do is approve it. Everything will automatically be updated on your website

3. Watch for Local Events That May Interfere with Your Event Schedule

Plan your event date and time, keeping in mind other events that could cause disruptions and make it more difficult to access your event. That includes sports events, competing conferences, and music festivals… that may cause traffic jams or an influx of metro passengers on the day of your event and may interfere with a smooth program. Consider local traffic, as well: Look into rush hour trends, public transport schedules, and scheduled construction that may cause delays. 

4. Keep Your Event Agenda on Schedule and on Time

Making sure each speaker is on time and respects the allocated time is a must to keep all sessions running smoothly and as planned without creating confusion for attendees who are following the schedule provided in advance. Here are some tips to support you with that:

  • Build a buffer between sessions
  • Make sure speakers are aware of time restrictions
  • Have a set cutoff point that speakers are aware you will stick to if they go over the allotted time
  • Have a timer on stage so that the speaker can track their progress
  • Designate a moderator to keep track of time and give the speaker a 5-10 minute warning
  • Make sure you have enough time for Q&A after each session, as required
  • When all fails, have a plan to go on stage and wrap the session in a friendly manner

5. Create a Multi-Track Event Agenda

Too many options can make it hard for your attendees to select which sessions to attend. If your event has too many options to choose from, consider creating a multi-track agenda where attendees can view the most relevant sessions and activities based on their profile.  

Using tags, you can easily categorize each session to make it easier for attendees to find and sign up for the activities that interest them the most. 

6. Watch for Event Agenda Overlaps

When developing your event agenda and multi-track options, consider not stacking up sessions from the same track at the same time. Using tags to categorize the topic of each session/ venue/ speaker can help you schedule the sessions without overlapping them and making attendees choose between two topics they are both interested in. 

The HubSpot Inbound Conference, for example, does this really well by providing tracks specific to those in marketing, sales, and customer success roles, in addition to a product education track for those interested in learning more about their platform.

7. Plan for Space Transition between Event Sessions

Consider your floor plan and session times to provide a smooth transition and transportation between sessions. Give attendees ample time to go from one session to the next without having to rush.

8. Gauge Attendee Interest with Event Surveys

Running surveys to find attendees’ interests is the easiest way to ensure you have a diverse event agenda that meets the varied needs of your audience. 

Pre-event survey: send a survey pre-event, before you decide on which topics, formats, and speakers to select to gauge your audience’s interest. 

Post-event surveysend a survey after your event to learn how attendees enjoyed each of the sessions and speakers. This will provide you with quality intel to decide on what to focus on for your next event. 

Questions about their goals for the event, what they expect to learn, and their favorite speakers… can all be good indicators of what to provide for your upcoming event.

9. Prepare for Real-Time Schedule & Event Agenda Updates

Of course, the goal is to always provide accurate program information to attendees prior to the event, but even the best-planned events go through last-minute changes and updates. While a printable event agenda can provide easy access to the event schedule, it can also make it more difficult to manage last-minute updates. 

Consider swapping print programs for environmentally friendly options, which can also provide more accurate event agenda information. TV screens across the venue displaying the agenda is one solution if your venue provides the option, or mobile apps or a mobile website can make your event agenda accessible at your attendees’ fingertips.

Event technology like Attendease can also help by automatically updating your event website agenda and mobile app as you update the backend system with new information, be that a venue change, a speaker swap, or a time update. This allows for the easiest and most accurate information to be available to attendees. 

Event Agenda Examples

Here is a simple agenda created in Attendease. The event takes place in a single location.

Here is a more complex agenda created in Attendease. This agenda features multiple venues and rooms. It also shows each session’s description and speaker information. You can also select sessions based on topics and type

Leverage Attendease to Create an Effective & Engaging Event Agenda

Planning a multi-session event agenda can pose quite a challenge. Being prepared is the best way to avoid schedule conflicts and issues while delivering an amazing experience to attendees. Event technology can surely support this endeavor; check out the Attendease event platform and the Standalone Agenda Management System – which can be plugged into your current tech stack.