Tips from a MARKies winner on creating a multi-sensory event

This post is sponsored by The Fame Events.

Leaving an impression on guests at an event is hard. We get it. They’ve seen it all and you’ve reached the bottom of your bag of tricks.

So, how can you emerge from the crowd to create an event that’s a class above the rest? How do you ensure the longevity of your event after it’s done and dusted? Whisk your guests away into your brand universe by creating an experience that seduces them from all sides.In fact, this worked so well for us  we even won recognition for it at the 2019 MARKies awards!

It was a night to remember as a new star lit up Kuala Lumpur’s glittering cosmopolitan skyline with the celebration of the grand opening of the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur – an event that picked up an award at the 2019 MARKies.

The hotel hosted an unforgettable event to celebrate its momentous debut in the heart of the nation’s capital.

Here we’ll share tips on how to deliver an incredible experience at every sensory touch-point.

Win them over at first sight

Wow your guests with a visual extravaganza. From the typography on your invitation cards to the ushers’ uniform, the devil really is in the details. The first impression starts the minute the invitation drops, so make sure you nail it.Go out of the box, go crazy, but stick to a theme.

During the Four Seasons launch, the venuewas set up to reflect the essence of the brand – soft spring, blooming summer, sentimental autumn, and the purity of winter. Even our celebrity performer donned a gorgeous white ballroom gown that sparkled under the dim lights to mirror the “fourseasons”. Needless to say, it was a breathtaking display of what the brand stands for.

The vision shapes and colours a story

Serenade them with sounds

Sounds have the power to set the mood of an event and your guests. Music evokes memories. 

A study by Oxford University found that people listening to certain music during a wine tasting session actually improved their perception of the wine. Build a playlist to delight and excite, and be selective about the style of the emcee. The Four Seasons launch was a night of entertainment, a sit-down dinner, and free mingling.

The event required different noise levels during each segment. As tinkling laughter and the dinner conversation flowed through the night, background volumeswere adjusted to avoid overriding guests’ interactions.

Symphony of echoes amplify

Arrest their olfactory senses

Scent captivates. A whiff of your grandma’s trademark dish sends you straight back to your childhood. Oneeffective trick of the tradeamong hotel chains is to use the same fragrance in their hotel lobbies around the world. It helps guests to remember their stay at the hotel and increases the chances of returning customers.

And here’s a secret: event planners can deploy the same trick fortheir event.Take care to preventthe smell of food and beverage fromdominating the overall atmosphere unless it’s an F&B event.

A whiff of prestigious splendour

Tantalise their taste buds

Nothing beats good food, except maybe good wine!F&B is a defining part of the hospitality experience. Choose the right caterer based on your guests’ profiles and preferences and take note of allergies or special dietary restrictions. 

Let your guests sample what your brand has to offer. We served a special six-course menu prepared by the Four Seasons’all-star in-house chefs, replete with exquisite garnishes and mouth-watering ingredients. The takeaway message for guestswas the Four Seasons dining experience in itself was enough to mark it as a purveyor of luxury hospitality.

Beyond the bubbly zest in life

Tempt with touch and texture

The touch of the draperies, the texture of the invitation card. The cold smoothness of a sanitised soup spoonand the silkiness of the napkin against lips. These are all tangible experiences that have the potential to make or break the look and feel of your event.

Guests at the Four Seasons launch were treated to best-in-class quality and finishes that gave them a feel of the pampered lifestyle that Four Seasons has to offer. The textures you choose for your event should be informed by the event theme. Think satin chairs for an A-list guest list, tropical poolside props for a summer party.

Warmth within your gasp

When all that is said and done, how can you balance these five senses to avoid overwhelming or underwhelming your guests?

Let’s set a new standard for your event. Get in touch with The Fame’s guardians at contact@thefame.my to discuss your next multi-sensory event.

From discerning individuals to world-leading corporate organisations, we are dedicated to curating sophisticated, extraordinarily creative and memorable multi-sensory experiences where no two events are ever identical.

For more information follow The Fame Events at its Instagram and Facebook and visit their site for more info.