|
Do your homework - know who you want at your party and why you want them there and send out 75% of your invitatations prior to the show 25% to people you meet at the show. I've already decide which parties I'll attend and which I'll skip before I even leave for the show.
Have your party in stages
Stage 1 - VIP's only - (7-8:30) feed them dinner, champagne, quiet music and make em' happy.
Stage 2 - (9-10:30) Clear out the dinner table and bring in the people you'd like to get new business from. Have ample seating and again, quiet music so people can actually discuss business and network. If you're going to hire girls to be there, make sure they're an attraction rather than a distraction. Provide snacks and drinks
Personally, I wouldn't try to keep an all-nite party going so there wouldn't be a stage 3 but if that's what you want - have an open door at 11:00 for all comers... you can crank up the music then and go off the hook if you like.
Don't throw a party on the first nite of the show. People want to get a little taste of everything from everybody and are going to party hop. Folks you'll want to talk to will be in and out before you can get the chance to chat to them all.
|