Elevating your event with FCM Meetings & Events
Why settle for ordinary when you can add some luxury to your next corporate event? Luxury is more than just a fancy venue, though; it's about personalisation. Weaving thoughtful, memorable little gems throughout every element of the event, making people feel special. Afterall, luxury means something different to everyone.
You're probably wondering, 'Why? Aren't corporate events expensive enough?' The answer is within the purpose of the event. Think rewards, incentives, celebrations, recognition, thanking VIP clients, or hosting special guests and speakers. These are all good reasons to add an extra touch, creating a new level of exclusivity.
How to create luxury events
Event identity
An event identity is a carefully curated design that aims to bring together the purpose and theme of the event, and can set the tone for an upmarket experience. Elegant colour schemes to refined language and imagery, every detail should reflect the high-end feel you're aiming for. An event identity is more than just plastering your logo or brand colours everywhere, it’s about curating a unified, luxurious vibe that resonates with your attendees and makes them feel special from the moment they start seeing communications regarding the event.
Flights
One of the easiest ways to elevate your corporate event is to start the experience before attendees even arrive at the venue.
Choose airlines that offer premium in-flight experiences and amenities, like comfort kits, elevated menus, Wi-Fi, and extra luggage.
Consider business class or premium economy seats for that extra touch of comfort.
Organise lounge access for an exclusive and relaxing pre-flight experience.
Encourage the use of priority boarding and express airport lanes where possible.
Our recommendations:
Singapore Airlines: Globally recognised for luxury in-flight experiences, inclusions and award-winning service.
Emirates: From personal chauffeurs, in-flight dining, airport lounges and onboard amenity kits, Emirates are known for providing a luxurious experience
Accommodation
Some hotels are seriously luxe, from the lobby to the rooms and facilities. While most 5-star hotels will look architecturally incredible, with high-quality finishes, unique artwork, and furnishings, some really do go above and beyond when it comes to service and those special extras.
Select hotels with personalised service and unique amenities.
Look for complimentary mini-bars and in-room tech for added convenience.
Choose properties with on-site butlers, 24/7 in-room dining, and personal unpacking services (yes, they exist).
Check out the hotel's other in-building offerings, like fine dining restaurants, bars, business suites and spas.
Consider bonus spaces like rooftop infinity pools, state-of-the-art gym facilities, private beaches, and even golf courses.
Book accommodation with spacious room layouts, views, and small touches like rainfall showers, in-room spas, in-suite office spaces, and pillow menus.
For the ultra-luxe experience, private villas, penthouse rooms, and suites make for the perfect elevated experience.
Our recommendations:
The Langham Hotels & Resorts: Known for elegant design and luxury, and bespoke experiences.
Crystalbrook Hotels & Resorts: Offer a truly unique blend of modern luxury and sustainability, and excellent business facilities and spaces
Transfers and ground transport
Skip the standard bus, taxi, or train and upgrade your transport game. Remember, the experience should be impressive and personalised from start to finish, and ground transport is important for shuttling guests from airports to hotels and arriving in style.
Book private transfers using limousines, luxury vehicles, sports and vintage cars, private boats, or even helicopters.
Choose options with leather seats, mood lighting, personal climate control, tailored playlists, and champagne for your guests.
Organise dedicated staff ready to greet your guests at their destination, guiding them with a personalised service.
For a 'wow' moment, consider options like camel rides or horse-drawn carriages – something specific and unique to your event destination for an added cultural element.
Our recommendations:
Consider local transport to add the wow factor, like basket boats in Vietnam, gondolas in Venice, and water taxis across Sydney harbour.
Make the most of island events with yacht transfers, seaplanes or private boats.
Large 4x4 vehicles or helicopters for rugged locations like the remote boutique hotels in Iceland and Canada.
Theming and experiences
Elevate the atmosphere of your event with thoughtful and engaging themes and experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Use live plants and local floral displays to add a lush, welcoming, and a more sustainable touch to your decor.
Thoughtful lighting and impressive table centrepieces help with the overall aesthetic and build the event ambiance.
Engage the senses with high-quality scent diffusers to help embed the memory of your event.
Consider live entertainment, like a roaming acrobat, a string quartet or flair cocktail making stations.
Add interactive experiences with virtual reality stations or light and art installations.
Explore exclusive access opportunities—can you have a public venue closed for your next event? Can you arrange private tours of major attractions, studios, or sporting facilities that are normally off-limits to the general public?
Book well-known performers or industry speakers who can entertain and engage with guests, offering once in a lifetime meet-and-greet experiences.
Upgrade the guest experience with luxury restroom setups, including premium toiletries and makeup and hair touch-up stations.
Our recommendations:
Roaming performers such as characters, dancers, and artists can bring your event to life.
Aerial displays, like fireworks or drone shows are always memorable.
Cultural performances including traditional dancers and musicians allow guests to soak up the location in an authentic way.
Venues
The perfect venue can help add a touch of luxury naturally, but while many people think of luxury as loud and grand, it can also be subtle or out of the box.
Private rooftops or penthouses that offer stunning views and a sense of exclusivity.
Basements of trendy restaurants or wineries, for a cozy yet refined atmosphere.
Private after-hours dinners in high-end retail stores for a once-off dining experience.
Charter a private yacht for an exceptional, moving venue on the water.
Converted warehouses or industrial spaces that can be transformed for a modern feel and host interactive and thought-provoking displays.
Outdoor settings like a ski resort on a mountain top, forest clearings, and private beaches offer unique events under the stars, surrounded by the scents, sights and sounds of nature.
Public spaces that don’t typically host events, like libraries, galleries, or sporting venues (basketball courts, football stadiums), can add a wow moment.
Our recommendations:
Ayers Rock Resort’s Field of Light exhibition by Bruce Munro or Wintjiri Wiru, the Uluru drone show with over 1,110 drones.
Crystalbrook Collection meetings and events spaces for a modern, elegant setting in prime locations across the Australian East Coast.
The Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa offers some exceptional outdoor spaces, that can be tailored to your event needs. We once built a stage in the pool for a private performance!
Dining
When it comes to dining at your event, think beyond just caviar and lobster (though those can certainly be included). The best dining experiences intertwine venue, theme, and atmosphere to create unforgettable moments.
Interactive food stations where guests can customise their dishes, making the dining experience more engaging and bespoke.
Live cooking demonstrations allow guests to witness firsthand artistry while enjoying delectable creations.
Farm-to-table dinners with paired wines create a more sustainable, luxe experience whilst giving back to the local community.
Exclusive settings like private dining rooms, rooftop balconies, or outdoor locations with photo-worthy views.
A diverse menu that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences, making sure every guest feels considered.
Our recommendations:
Long lunches or exclusive dinners in unique and remote settings like rainforests create an air of exclusivity. We recently organised a luxury multi-course dinner at Mossman Gorge, in Far North Queensland. Just because there isn’t an existing structure or exceptional venue, doesn’t mean the carefully designed space can't have a stunning result.
If the event location lends itself to a private dinner in a local village, guests can enjoy learning about traditions and customs, whilst exploring local ingredients and cooking styles.
Guests generally love private chef interactions. Think about talented chefs who create exciting dishes outside of the normal. We have worked closely with NEL in Sydney to create some very memorable experiences.
Gifts
Gifts should be personal and good quality. Consider items your attendees wouldn't typically splurge on for themselves, or thoughtful extras that improve their overall experience.
Welcome touches, such as their favourite drink or magazine waiting in their room upon check-in.
Gifts relevant to the event or venue location, such as beach towels for accommodations by the pool or beach.
Take home presents are perfect for attendees with kids or those who love collecting souvenirs.
Personalised pre-event shopping experiences, allowing guests to choose custom gifts in advance, ready to use at the event.
Our recommendations:
Personalised July suitcases for the next trip away
Live monogramming for take-home items like diaries, water bottles and leather goods
Custom magazines featuring content relevant to guests’ interests.
Children's books from local authors for attendees with kids at home.
At a recent event, we organised a personalised pre-event shopping experience through a luxury sunglasses brand. Guest could jump online, hand-pick sunglasses of their choice, and have them delivered straight to the event, waiting for them in gift bags in their rooms. Attendees loved it! One guest said she felt like a celebrity.
Nicole Vicentini, Project Coordinator, FCM Meetings & Events
Elevating and perfecting the execution of your next event through location, theming, entertainment, dining, and guest engagement will make your next event successful and memorable. And remember, there is no set definition for luxury. It varies from person to person, and knowing your guests will only improve their (and your) experience.
Ready to create your dream event?
Our expert team is here to help you create experiences that reflect your vision and exceed your guests' expectations. From anticipating their needs throughout, to taking their experience above and beyond the norm for corporate events and travel, our team are the best in the business.
Get in touch today to talk about elevating your event.