VIP sections allow you to roll out the red carpet for your valuable clients and event sponsors. People like feeling special and well-cared for, and building a VIP experience helps you create a memorable event for your top clients.
Designing these types of experiences, however, requires careful planning. The experience should pique your guests’ interest and speak to their priorities. We will explore some innovative and exciting VIP section ideas and experiences your guests will remember and appreciate.
10 VIP Section Ideas for Your Next Event
1. Luxurious Lounge Areas
Creating luxurious lounge areas is your first step to building a fantastic VIP area for your event. The design here will help people relax and enjoy comfort amid the busyness of a larger event. Guests will appreciate that they can step away from the crowds and unwind and converse with other VIPs for casual networking.
Here are some considerations for designing your VIP space.
Furniture Selection
As you consider the furniture for your space, remember what people prioritize when they come to the area: comfort should be a top priority.
At the same time, you want to keep the space stylish. Choose pieces that look updated and fit with the space’s design.
Offer a variety of seating options as well. For example, you might have plush sofas, armchairs, and chaise lounges to accommodate your guests’ preferences.
Decor and Ambiance
You will also want to consider the atmosphere you offer in your VIP space. Speak with your venue to learn about the flexibility you have for your design and what you can incorporate into the space.
Some ideas you might want to try include:
- Using light fixtures and ambiance to create a more sophisticated atmosphere
- Using quiet music to set the tone
- Select decor options and accessories based on your desired feel. We will explore more about themes and entertainment below.
2. Personalized Service
After you have started to plan ideas for your space, start thinking about the type and level of service you will offer your guests. Personalized services and luxurious touches can go a long way in making a good impression and driving interest in your attendees.
Dedicated Staff
Dedicating staff personnel for your VIP guests is a great place to start. These professionals can create a welcoming experience for clients from the moment they enter the VIP space. Checking guest coats and having drinks to offer upon arrival will let your guests know that they will be well cared for throughout the experience.
The staff can also provide services and assistance by helping guests manage their schedules, set appointments, and otherwise get the most out of your event.
Customizable Menus
While you will offer food to all your attendees, taking the menu a step further for your VIP guests can help you nurture a relationship. For example, if you provide a catered buffet meal for your typical attendees, those in the VIP space might receive a more formal sit-down meal. You might also ask guests about dietary preferences with their RSVP and offer personalized meals and drinks during the event.
Prioritized Parking
At nearly any large event, parking becomes a nightmare. Offering prioritized parking for VIPs so they get close-in, easy-to-access spots greatly reduces frustration.
3. Exclusive Access to Entertainment
While much of your event will be spent networking and attending your planned talks and seminars, your VIP guests will have downtime. Offering some exclusive entertainment can keep them engaged and interested.
Private Performances
Consider offering private performances for your selected guests. This can take various formats depending on your event, audience, and targeted atmosphere. For example, you might book:
- A comedian, magician, or other widely appreciated style of performance.
- A quartet or similar instrumental group.
- A band or cover band that appeals widely to your target audience
These acts can help further your exclusive experience for your VIP attendees.
Interactive Experiences
Depending on the type of entertainment you book, you might also consider including some interactive experiences for guests to make the time even more memorable.
There are various strategies for making the situation interactive, but two of the most popular are meet-and-greet opportunities and interactive sessions with the performers. Getting special, up-close looks at tricks or the chance to meet the performer personally can both be unique experiences people appreciate.
4. High-Tech Enhancements
The recent developments in technology have gone a long way in creating some truly incredible experiences. When building a VIP space, you leverage some of these capabilities to intrigue your highly valued guests. Here are some ideas:
Virtual Reality Experiences
Virtual reality continues to amaze and improve in its ability to transport people to new places and experiences. Setting up virtual reality opportunities that connect with your audience and let them experience something unique can be a great draw for your VIPs
Advanced Sound and Lighting Systems
Technology can also create more immersive experiences across all the amenities you offer your VIPs. For example, sound and lighting systems can help people experience performances on an entirely new level. If this atmosphere fits with the entertainment you select, consider how technology can improve the entire experience.
5. Premium Refreshment Options
While creating personalized meals and entertainment, you also want to pair them with premium-level refreshments. This means going beyond the menu choices and considering the quality of the drinks and food you offer.
Craft Cocktails And Exquisite Wines
Cocktails and wines offered can play a major role in setting an atmosphere. If you want your guests to feel as though they receive a luxurious experience, choosing higher-end wines and liquors can have a big impact. Design your cocktail choices using selective drink options so that guests know you care about the quality of their experiences.
Gourmet Food Stations
For your refreshments, you can also go far in creating an outstanding experience by designating exclusive food stations. Making your hors d’oeuvres a step above and offering gourmet food options will also help set the tone for your entire experience.
6. Themed Decor and Installations
As you plan your VIP section ideas, you can select a theme that will guide your selections and build the experience you want to offer. Think about the types of themes that will interest your target audience and fit with the type of event you want to host to help you choose the one that works best.
Creative Themes
Creative themes can help you get your juices flowing and showcase your creativity. These themes can also complement the rest of the event and encourage people to remain engaged with your brand. Consider the following options:
- A gaming theme. This theme might focus on the entertainment and technology involved in modern online gaming, helping VIPs entertain themselves and have the time to share some favorite pastimes.
- A luxury or spa theme. If you want to emphasize getting away, you might design a luxury or spa theme that not only influences the types of events and activities you plan but can also impact your gifts and decor.
- A technology theme. If you want to emphasize the latest technology and the capabilities of your brand, you might build a tech theme space. With ample entertainment that employs tech and capabilities that tap into people’s devices, you can create a tech-lovers paradise.
Instagram-Worthy Installations
When building out your theme, remember how much people enjoy using social media to connect with others and share their experiences.
Design areas of your space to fit perfectly with taking Instagram-worthy photos. Views, beautiful seating areas, or event-branded welcome areas can serve particularly well for this goal.
7. Privacy and Security measures
Those who pay for exclusive access to VIP spaces will also often value their privacy and security. In the modern age, this means not only offering physical security, but also protecting data and information. If your VIP guests include celebrities or high networth individuals, you will particularly want to go the extra mile in assuring their security.
Exclusive Access Points
Security starts with access. Create exclusive entrances and exits that other guests cannot easily access. This gives people more privacy and greater assurance that their special space is truly reserved for the VIPs.
Enhanced Security Presence
Since VIP spaces also tend to attract curious glances, providing an enhanced security presence can add an additional layer of protection for guest safety. The security will ensure that only those authorized to access the VIP areas will get in and that anyone who attempts to cause trouble can be quickly escorted away.
8. Unique Giveaways and Goodie Bags
You can maintain your VIP experience even after the event by providing giveaways and goodie bags that people will appreciate.
Personalized Gifts
Start with personalized gifts. These gifts can be monogrammed to create a truly personalized experience as well. Some ideas might be:
- High-end, sophisticated pens
- Headphones for comfort and travel.
- Luggage or bags
- Cocktail sets
- High-quality drink bottles
Think about the target demographic of your VIP lounge and the type of gifts they will likely appreciate.
Branded Merchandise
You can also add branded merchandise to your gift bags to further your branding opportunities. You might include:
- Products you sell
- Bags or hats with your brand
- Games it accessories with your brand
9. Wellness and Relaxation Zones
Professionals today have become increasingly aware of the importance of relaxation and rejuvenation for effective work and overall health. Therefore, including areas for wellness can enhance your VIP area tremendously.
On-Site Spa Services
Consider hiring spa professionals to come and set up space for a time during the event. They might offer valued services such as manis or pedis for guests as well as massages.
Relaxation Pods
You can also create designated areas for relaxation in the VIP space. These areas might include:
- Lower lights
- Soft or no music
- Massage chairs
- Calming features, like a burning fire
People can visit this space when they want to unwind from the hecticness of the day and emerge refreshed and ready for the next part of the event.
10. Interactive Networking Spaces
Finally, you do not want to neglect one of the chief reasons why many people attend professional events: networking. Curating opportunities for your guests to maximize their networking can help them feel as though they got the most possible from the event.
Facilitating Networking Events
Set aside designated times for your VIPs to network. It might be over a meal or cocktail hour, for example, outside the typical event activities. You can help your VIPs exchange information leading up to the event so they can plan their networking time and get face-to-face time with their top-priority contacts.
Branded Networking Areas
You can also go a step further and design branded spaces for interaction and connection. These might include opportunities to pair off for meetings, the chance to design a space according to their brand, and otherwise opportunities to showcase themselves and intertwine with your brand while networking. This presents your brand as the common foundation for networking pairs while still allowing them to promote themselves and build their networks.
Leveraging VIP Section Ideas for Your Next Event
Planning VIP areas and activities for your next event can go a long way toward creating welcoming experiences for your top clients or event supporters. Designing special features and activities for these important guests will not only leave them with a positive impression of your brand and event but will also encourage them to continue to participate as VIPs and remain connected to your organization.
If you are preparing to create a VIP space, consider the ideas above to help you create a unique, inviting space that will create happy VIPs and help you achieve your brand goals.
