Questions You Must Answer When Organising a Gala Dinner

The gala dinner is a really effective way for a business or organisation to raise their profile, while also giving something back to investors, sponsors, and team members. They are a popular choice when it comes to charity fundraising as well, because gala dinners tend to be billed as rather glitzy, glamorous affairs.

So, the idea for a fundraiser would be that guests are paying to attend something really special. In exchange for their donation, they get an experience that nobody else has had. This means that gala dinners must be very carefully planned. They should offer a cohesive but entertaining theme, striking décor, and plenty of top class cuisine.

If you are planning to organise a gala dinner, take a look at these key questions and make sure that you are focusing on the right things.

How Long Does It Take to Plan Gala Dinners?

This depends on a number of factors; the size of the guest list, the venue, the catering, and the type of lighting and video production tools being used. Ideally though, you want to bring in your event planning team at the earliest stage possible, so that you can pick your favourite venue. If you don’t book a slot early, you might find that your desired location isn’t on offer.

How Much Should I Spend on a Gala Dinner?

There is no clear answer to this question either, because it will depend largely on the size of the event. The best advice is to focus on delivering a quality dinner, rather than trying to spread your funds too thin and opt for size over value. Ultimately, gala dinners can be huge, sprawling events or intimate, close affairs. So, if you’re working with a tight budget, keep your guest list modest and spend more on good food, great lighting, and memorable entertainment.

What is the Best Type of Entertainment for Gala Dinners?

There are all kinds of entertainment options on offer for a gala dinner. However, the option that you choose should match the tone of your event. In other words, if it is a serious and very formal evening, with big sponsors and investors in attendance, a carefully organised live performance is a great idea. For instance, cabaret and soul singers work wonderfully, because they’re not too loud or abrasive.

How Do I Make My Gala Dinner a Success?

The trick to making sure that your gala dinner runs smoothly is skilled event planning. If you start with a clear idea, it will be easier to follow it through to the realisation of a cohesive theme. So, don’t start spending or making big changes to the venue before you are sure what elements it will contain, how many people will be in attendance, and what you are hoping to gain from throwing the event.

By: Antony Hampel