Before the Event

• Please RSVP: When you receive an invite, the correct thing to do is to RSVP/Register by the date shown. Whether you can or can’t attend, we need to know either way. For an event organiser, the RSVP deadline date is incredibly important because a lot needs to happen behind the scenes before an event. Knowing the correct number of attendees allows us to plan food, drinks, gifting and other essentials correctly.   

• Designation is NOT a destination: This may sound odd but we get this a lot, where people misunderstand designation for where they live or work. Designation: Sandton. Incorrect; Designation: Key Account Manager. Correct. It’s your job title we’re after. 

• Special Dietaries: It’s important for us to cater correctly for all guests’ food needs. A common field to fill in on an invite, this section is for people who are either vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and the two biggest ones, Halaal and Kosher. Halaal and Kosher are religious dietary requests that are brought in from external caterers at an additional cost, catered to the individual specifically. If you’ve got different dietary requirements (such as no pork or shellfish) that aren’t listed on the invite, simply reach out to the organisers ahead of time and let them know.

• About those ‘Plus Ones’: Usually an event invite is for You and only You. It will say as much if it includes you and a partner or colleague. Also, if it includes other people, it will have fields for you to fill in their details. Please don’t just bring someone with you on the day. Invite lists are put together specifically and budget allocated accordingly. If you’re not sure, reach out to the organisers.   

• Dress to impress: The dress code for a business event is a guideline of how formal (fancy) or informal (smart-casual) the event is going to be. It’s not meant to be polarising or to put you in a box of sameness with everyone else. Stand out if you must, but just don’t stand out for all the wrong reasons. 

At the Event

• Onsite registration: This is a key part of most events. We need to know who you are and if you attended. Please always look out for the registration desk and tick off your name or pick up your name badge before getting that cup of coffee. This applies, too, even if you are running late. 

• Running late?: As event organisers, we’re always ready at least an hour before the start time on the invite. Some clients will have a hard-start policy, where they’ll start on time, no matter what. So if you happen to arrive late and the event has started, please quietly pop in the back and join the session.

• Fill up from the front: This sounds obvious but people simply don’t do it unless they’re told to. It’s just better for the speaker/s – can you imagine speaking to empty front rows, while all the people are crammed in the back? Filling up the front encourages engagement and latecomers can easily be ushered in and seated at the back without interruption or disrupting the speaker. 

• Take a break: When it’s time for that coffee break, do what you need within the allotted time. Make your way back into the room at the given time, because, again, for the speaker to resume speaking while people are still trickling in, can be very disruptive. 

• Goodie bags: It’s common to receive some kind of goodie bag or gift at an event. Please, just take one. Don’t take for your friends and family or your colleagues back at the office. This also applies to the décor, the table centrepieces, cutlery, glassware etc, most of which have been hired and need to be returned (trust us, we’ve seen it all!). Take the flowers if you must, but please leave the vase. And leave the product displays too, unless there’s free samples, then help yourself!  

• Need help?: From the registration desk, to promoters, waitering staff, barmen, baristas, ushers etc…. They’re there to help you. Always feel free to ask if you need something. If there’s alcohol, drink responsibly and if you’ve had too many, Uber or arrange for a take-me-home service. Have a good time, but a clean and safe time.

After the Event 

• Offer feedback: Either after or on the day of an event, via QR code or some kind of feedback form or link, offer feedback. It’s so important for the host and event organisers, so they can use your experience to plan future events; to know what did and didn’t work. Even to just say ‘Thank You’ to the host is great. 

• Post! Post your pics, use the event hashtags and help promote the event to show you had a good time.

With 25 years in the industry, at Currin’t Events we offer a unique approach to event management that encompasses old school values with a finger on the pulse of current technologies.