Hippo Events Blog - 15 Ideas For Your VIPs That Will Really Impress

All of your customers are important to the success of your business, but your top customers are even more important. Of course, the goal is to ‘wow’ every customer, but elevate the ‘wow’ and personal service to an even higher level for the VIPs.

They come in all forms; on one hand it may be an existing client who spend the most over a given time, on the flipside it may be a potential customer one is trying to impress. Alternatively, journalists, local or national press may attend, and we’d all want to provide them with the red-carpet experience.

The VIP experience has become commonplace in today’s society. We all receive VIP offers from high-street loyalty cards, ensuring we feel a ‘cut above the rest’ and receive ‘first refusal’ on goods or offers. As a culture we have grown used to being rewarded, either through loyalty, spend or having an element of influence over other. With that brings an increased expectation from customers, demanding consistently high standards as the new norm. In the modern world, this is also reflected in business, thus making it harder to provide an exceptional VIP experience.

Below we explore 15 ideas that will really impress your VIPs when you are next working on your Conference Event Management.

1. Invitation Only Event
Hosting invite-only events will bolster the value the attendee will feel. It also creates a sense of “unmissable” surrounding the event, and let’s face it, everyone has an element of FOMO.

2. Formal dinner
You could couple the above with a pre-event Invite-only Formal Dinner. The guest list for your exclusive gathering of important people can range to include influential people in your industry or even celebrities. Rub shoulders with the very best.

3. Cover their transport
The VIP experience doesn’t have to begin onsite. Think about extending the experience of your VIPs with organising their transport for them, covering the cost too. It’s one less thing for them to think about. A personal car pick up / drop off, or VIP parking lot if they want to drive themselves.

4. Bag drop-off
Upon entry there’s nothing quite like heading over to the red velvet rope. The feeling of importance feeds to any VIPs ego, but also means they will have a quicker five-star service, making a more streamlined experience.

5. Breakfast briefing
VIPs like to be invited to events that others are not permitted to attend. An early breakfast briefing could give the VIPs a sneak-peak before anyone else into your new product launch or important announcement.

6. VIP Area
An area that’s slightly away from the hussle and bussle of conference, allowing them to check emails, make phone calls, recharge their batteries or even receive a complimentary shoulder massage. Enjoy the extra food that’s available in this area!

7. Upgrade the basics
Think about what your regular attendees receive and add an upgrade on it. VIP restroom facilities, priority seating during sessions, personal service from the hosts (e.g. drinks on request), dedicated Help Desk and a seated lunch rather than buffet.

8. Meet & Greet Sessions
If you have a guest speaker, VIP attendees could be given a more personal experience with them, giving them a chance to have their questions and comments addressed in a more intimate environment.

9. Time with your organisation’s MD
VIP’s attendees like to interact with your VIPs, so now is the time for your company’s MD to spend time with their most valuable attendees. It’ll make them feel special and valued by your organisation.

10. Tasting sessions
How about a high-end Gin or Wine tasting presented by experts in their field? Let’s couple it with some specialist local cheeses too. And because they’re a VIP, they obviously get a bottle at the end of it! All this can take place whilst the regular attendees are having their afternoon break.

11. Upgrades
Cover the cost of accommodation upgrades, provide dedicated VIP Wifi access, or if they’re flying international then what about airport lounge access? It’s all about making them feel a cut above the rest.

12. Swag Bags
Whilst everyone else receives brochures, a chocolate bar and a branded pen, the VIPs deserve more premium merch. Experiences are always a winner, like tickets to a London show.

13. Award ceremony
Award ceremonies are glamorous. The Oscars, the Brits, the BAFTAs. They’re a wonderful way to recognise and reward your organization’s VIPs. It creates an opportunity to honour VIPs who aren’t usually in the spotlight.

14. City tour
Tag a VIP trip on the back of the event, or pre-event. If they’re travelling internationally what about giving them a taste of the local area – if in London for example, why not consider a personal show round and dinner at Windsor Castle? Not by the Queen of course, but you can always hire a lookalike!

15. Follow up
Most attendees will receive a generic e-mail saying ‘thank you for attending’. A VIP shouldn’t just be a VIP for the event days. A personalised phone call or face-to-face meeting post-event adds a personal touch. Asking for their opinion and feedback on the event allows them to feel their feedback is valued. Elongate their experience.

So, next time you’re holding an event, maybe at a Luxury Conference Hotel have a think about how you can enhance the experience for your VIPs just that little bit. Hippo Events are an expert Event Planning Companywzsc, so feel free to pick up the phone and chat through how we can help enhance your event.