Clients sometimes confuse client appreciation events with client referral events and while the difference seems subtle, done correctly a client appreciation event will bring in referrals naturally as a result of the feeling of goodwill it generates whereas a client referral event is very much a business development exercise.
Client Appreciation Event is to thank current business clients.
Client Referral Event is for clients to bring one or more of their “qualified” friends to meet you.
A Client Appreciation Event assists businesses in retaining existing clients and developing repeat business, whereas a Referral Event is a vehicle to attract new clients. But remember, clients go where they are invited, and they stay only where they are appreciated.
Here are some ideas for a Client Appreciation event ranging from a few dollars per client up to about $ 100 per client. All of these need “fleshing” out to make them work, but they give you some food for thought.
- Put on an old-fashioned family picnic (bouncy castles etc)
- Take clients to sports events (football, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc.)
- Put together a Wine & Cheese tasting at a local restaurant or wine store
- Chocolate tasting at a local Chocolatier
- Host a dinner cruise
- Invite clients to a theater event
- Have a mobile spa come to your event (in Dallas try A Spa Affair)
- Rent a movie theatre for a first-run movie
- Host a holiday party
- Have a wardrobe consultant give a presentation
- Casino Night with proceeds to a charity
- Invite clients to a cooking class
- Rent out a public pool for a family swim night
- Host a tail gate party at a sports event
- Organize a family hike with a picnic after
- Invite people to a tournament (golf, baseball, croquet etc)
- Hot air balloon rides
- Weekly dance lessons for clients
- Create a Scavenger Hunt for clients and a have a party after
- Rent the IMAX Theatre for a special showing
- Take them to the horse race track and give them $ 25 to gamble
- Have a Magician teach clients magic tricks
- Hire a relevant Speaker
- Reserve cars or go-carts at the local car race track and invite clients to drive them
- Sports Fishing charter
- Dinner & Private showing at an artists home
- Whitewater rafting trip
- Rent out a spa and provide 2 treatments per client
- Evening golf lessons with a Pro
Have fun and make sure your clients feel appreciated.
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What a wonderful list of ideas! You make a great point about clients staying where they are appreciated- and that they will then bring in referrals naturally. I own A Spa Affair, a mobile day spa based out of Dallas, Texas. We work with many companies on client appreciation events and from what I’ve heard from our clients, all these events have been extremely successful and well received by their customers. Thanks for the great posting!
Great list, appreciate you sharing them. We heard of a great idea: Use disposable cameras at these types of events. This way, the attendees can take lots of photos. Afterwards, we get the pictures developed and mail them to the attendees with a handwritten note. It makes a lasting impression and has generated many referrals for us!
I’m planning an appreciation cocktail party for two of our catering affiliates on our vendor list. We’re a unique event venue with a lot of history. We were going to do a “Hot Seat” questionaire for the two owners. We invited 30 of their employees to attend as well. Any ideas for other activities for the evening?
Caroline:
What about asking them all to bring their favorite recipes which you in turn copy and then create a cookbook to give to each attendee. If the recipes were emailed it would be even easier.
Can someone help me with the wording…I am doing a client appreciation party and want to make sure that my clients know that their children are invited ( family friendly event ) I am having a face painter should I mention that?
I think the term “family-friendly” communicates the message perfectly.