The Hidden Ingredient to Event Success: Building Strong Vendor Partnerships.
Why Strong Vendor Connections Are the Key to Success
In the world of event management, successful vendor relationships are vital for creating seamless, memorable events. Vendors bring visions to life, and a solid partnership with them can mean the difference between a good event and a fantastic one. Here’s LMH’s guide to building meaningful, lasting vendor connections in high-end corporate events, plus tips and tricks on keeping these relationships strong and productive, whether you're planning in-person events or virtual corporate event experiences!
Bringing our own vision to life—our team curates and runs every detail, with help from our amazing vendors!
Why Strong Vendor Relationships Matter?
At LMH, we’ve invested time and resources to build a network of trusted vendors. From venues and catering to entertainment and experiences, every detail of an event contributes to creating a seamless experience for both clients and attendees. This level of success is only possible with strong vendor relationships. This makes the planning process smoother, less stressful, and much more enjoyable.
When you have a foundation of trust, vendors are more likely to go above and beyond, ensuring that corporate event ideas come to life effortlessly.
For those organizing virtual corporate events, a solid vendor partnership is just as important, if not more so. Reliable virtual event management ensures that every aspect of an online event—whether it’s an engaging keynote speaker, interactive virtual activities, or high-quality streaming—is executed flawlessly.
Where Do We Start?
Sourcing and Vetting Vendors: When we work with a new vendor, we always go beyond just discussing pricing and contracts. While those details are important, what matters most to us is getting to know our vendors on a deeper level. Especially for virtual corporate event planning, we love working with vendors who are true storytellers. We begin by having personal conversations—asking about their experiences, favorite projects, and what inspires them. Showing genuine interest in their work and their company sets the foundation for a more collaborative partnership. Simple gestures, like scheduling a casual video call or meeting in person, can make a big difference. These small efforts help us build trust and create a reliable connection, making the entire planning process smoother and more enjoyable.
Pro Tip For virtual event management, choosing the right vendors who understand technology, audience engagement, and the nuances of digital platforms is key to success. Whether it's a virtual trade show, team-building experience, or hybrid corporate event, strong vendor partnerships can ensure the event runs smoothly and delivers results.
Effective Communication: Communication is the foundation of any strong relationship, and in corporate event management, where every detail counts, it’s especially crucial. We make it a priority to share our vision for the event openly and invite our vendors to contribute their ideas. Many of our vendors are industry veterans who have a wealth of experience and know what works—and what doesn’t. Their input is invaluable. They truly appreciate working with an event manager who is transparent and values their expertise throughout the planning process.
Pro Tip When challenges arise or details change—especially for virtual events—we make sure to inform our vendors as early as possible. This kind of transparency not only builds trust but also helps ensure everything runs smoothly, whether in-person or online. By communicating openly and professionally, we create a solid foundation for success, benefiting everyone involved.
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Show Appreciation : It’s easy to get swept up in the stress of an event, but don’t forget to show appreciation to the vendors who made it happen! It’s important to recognize all of their hard work, before, during, and after the event. With this continued appreciation, you strengthen the bonds and make vendors feel and know how valued they are.
A way that LMH shows appreciation is through simple thank-you emails acknowledging specific contributions or a social media post spotlighting their work. Tag them, share photos, and give them the visibility they deserve! These actions show respect and encourage vendors to keep delivering their best.
Pro Tip If you're looking for corporate event ideas that will engage and inspire your guests, consider brainstorming with your trusted vendors. They are often the best source for fresh ideas, especially when working on virtual corporate events, where creativity is key to capturing attention and delivering an exceptional experience.
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Keep the Connection Alive Beyond the Event! : Building great vendor relationships doesn’t end when the event does. Keep in touch to show you value them for more than one project; because it’s always great to continue to work with the same vendors on future events, ensuring that it will always be a successful event. A few ways LMH Experiences maintain our vendor relationships are by checking in occasionally, sending holiday greetings, or sending an appreciation gift. These thoughtful gestures keep the partnership strong and the connection fresh.
Pro Tip Consider developing a “dream team” vendor list to ensure your events are always backed by vendors you trust. This makes planning smoother and strengthens your reputation as an organized, and reliable event planner.
Make It a Win-Win: A true vendor partnership is mutually beneficial. Your event’s success reflects positively on them, and their outstanding work boosts your reputation as a planner or company. By fostering relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual appreciation, you’re setting the stage for a future filled with successful corporate events.
Whether you’re planning a grand in-person gala or a virtual networking event, investing in your vendor relationships ensures that both sides are set up for success. The next time you plan an event, think of your vendors as integral parts of your team. When both sides support each other’s growth, that’s when the real magic happens.
Appreciation to the LMH Experience’s Vendors
LMH has a deep-rooted connection to many of our vendors as we rely on them just as they rely on us. We wouldn’t be able to host the amazing and unique events that we do—whether virtual or in-person—without them!
If you would like to see more of our vendors, check out our LINKEDIN. We regularly post about our vendors and all the amazing work they do with us! You can also browse our catalog of virtual experiences!
Let us become an extension of your team! Chat with us today.
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