Organising a kick-off
Organising
Kick-off meeting: what you need to know
A kick-off is often the first opportunity to get people on board with a new direction, strategy or ambition. With the right combination of content, interaction and experience, you can foster engagement, support and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. A good kick-off meeting sets the tone for a new project, strategy or year. It’s a way of ‘getting everyone on the same page’ and inspiring people. But what exactly does a kick-off meeting involve? Why is it important, and what types are there?
How to organise a successful kick-off in 6 steps
Are you going to organise a kick-off? Then you want it to be a successful kick-off that reverberates for a long time. Here's how you do it:
You also don't go shopping if you don't know what you need. It's the same with a kick-off. Formulate the goal and write down what you want to achieve. Is it a goal for the whole team, do you want to create clarity about a new project or are you going to inspire and motivate people? By formulating your goals clearly, you will also make better choices when organising the kick-off.
How do you organise the meeting? Make an agenda with enough space for specific parts. For example, presentations, introductions, interactive moments and a Q&A session. And don't forget the breaks and catering moments.
Look carefully at your goal, the amount of people and the atmosphere you need. Do you know that? Then you can pick an event location. Also look where your target group is coming from, whether it is easily accessible and whether it suits your needs. At Jaarbeurs we have different spaces you can use for a kick-off. Meeting rooms for example. And also large conference rooms or exhibition halls. It all depends on what you are looking for and what suits your kick-off.
You want people to talk about your kick-off for a long time to come. So don't forget the inspiring elements. Book speakers, for example. Or add an interactive session.
You can only get off to a good start once. So confusion about time or location is absolutely forbidden. Communicate clearly where it is, what it is and why you are doing this. And in addition, don't forget to pass on any instructions: what do you expect from the participants, preparation or no preparation?
You want to stay top-of-mind with the participants. Because the power lies in what happens after the kick-off. Follow up on agreements, distribute actions and send a summary. And not unimportantly: communicate about progress.
What is a kick-off event?
A kick-off event marks the start of a new phase within an organisation. Examples include the introduction of an annual plan, a change programme, a new strategy, a product launch or the launch of a major project.
A successful kick-off involves more than just sharing information. The event should inspire, motivate and unite staff around shared objectives. The venue, programme and facilities all play a key role in this.
At Jaarbeurs , organisations regularly hold kick-off events for anywhere from a few dozen to thousands of participants. Thanks to the combination of large plenary rooms, breakout rooms and extensive event facilities, every event can be tailored to achieve the desired impact.
Kick-off organised at Jaarbeurs
At Jaarbeurs , we have 110 years’ experience in organising and hosting kick-offs. We’d be delighted to help you organise your fresh start, kick-off or meeting. Do you have any questions or would you like to know more about how and why you should organise a kick-off? We’re here to help.
What criteria must a kick-off venue meet?
When organising a kick-off event, it’s not just about capacity. The venue must help you achieve the objectives of your event.
Key points to consider are:
- a central location and good transport links;
- plenty of space for plenary sessions and breakout sessions;
- professional audiovisual support;
- opportunities for interaction and networking;
- High-quality catering and hospitality;
- Flexibility in layout and programme.
The venue must complement the content. A strategic session requires a different setting to an energetic sales kick-off or an organisation-wide start-of-year event.
Kick-off spaces from Jaarbeurs
At Jaarbeurs, we regularly receive various organisers looking for a suitable space for their kick-off meeting. Depending on the requirements and the number of participants, we can recommend different areas and spaces for this.
Frequently asked questions about organising a kick-off
A kick-off marks the start of a new phase, project or strategy and helps to inform, engage and unite participants around shared objectives.
The duration varies from a few hours to a full day, depending on the programme and the desired outcomes.
This depends on the venue and layout chosen. Kick-offs can range from small-scale sessions to events with thousands of participants.
Many organisations hold a kick-off event at the start of a new year, project, change programme or campaign.
Professional audiovisual equipment, good transport links, flexible venues, catering and opportunities for interaction are often essential for a successful event.
Need advice on your kick-off event?
Every organisation has different objectives. That’s why we’re happy to help you find the right venue, format and facilities for your event.
