Are you an organizer of sports or winter events? Here are some trends that are gaining popularity around the world.

Outdoor events are very fashionable these days, even when it gets colder and the first snowflakes appear in the sky.

Movement and the need for activity are growing trends in taking care of both mental and physical health. Many people work at computers, and whenever they have free time, they try to spend time in nature. For this reason, there has been a trend in events to organize outdoor events even when it is cold and it gets dark after 4 p.m.

Winter events: new trends in branding and employer branding

Everything can be prepared – thanks to today’s availability of many event products. A wide range of different solutions for organizers of winter outdoor events allows you to arrange the space so that participants are comfortable.

Most often, such winter events are organized in parks, by the lake, on ski slopes, at ice rinks, and in agritourism resorts. These include joint winter swimming, skating competitions, winter runs, cross-country skiing competitions, bonfires and sleigh rides for companies, as well as joint downhill skiing. These forms are the most popular.

You can also come across unusual ideas: thematic skiing and skating events, during which participants dress up according to the theme of the event: e.g. wonderland, polar party, etc. The entire event is accompanied by parties and famous DJs and bands perform. And all this in the winter outdoors. Historic sleigh rides are also interesting, during which everything is organized in accordance with old customs.

Winter events can be business events, friendly events, or events addressed to a specific age group: e.g. young people, seniors, etc. It is also more and more common that events organized by a company for employees or contractors are also enriched with a coaching or psychoeducational aspect. Joint meditation trips are also very popular, providing a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and organizing physical activity that helps “clear your head.” The participants’ overloaded and overstimulated nervous systems then have a chance to reset a bit. Preparing the space for such an event depends on the purpose of the event.

What to choose? How to equip and prepare winter events?

Organizing professional events requires knowledge of the market for products that work well in winter scenery. For many companies, it is also a chance to conduct an effective marketing campaign in line with their branding strategy. Event agencies compete with each other in creative solutions, and high competition among advertising agencies favors the quality and favorable price of these services. Apart from carnival events, company Christmas parties, balls and galas, the organization of which usually does not involve staying in the bosom of nature, more interesting concepts are beginning to appear. Especially since more and more people give up drinking alcohol and leading an unhealthy lifestyle, and instead take part in winter activities such as skiing, ice skating, running or winter swimming.

During winter outdoor activities, it is worth paying attention to the key elements of creating an interesting space:

event tents
– they provide protection against wind or precipitation, you can place heaters in them and equip them with deckchairs so that each participant can rest, eat or drink something warm;

winders – beachflags – allow you to mark points, promote sponsors, work beautifully in the wind, can also remind you of the order of events or present sponsors’ logos;

swimming ponchos – they help you quickly dry yourself and change clothes after immersion in cold water, microfiber ponchos are recommended – light, quick-drying and impervious to cold wind, preferably with a hood. Such printed bathing ponchos allow you to present various content, as any patterns or logos can be printed on their entire surface;

microfiber towels – they also allow you to dry yourself quickly, and when folded, they take up little space, you can take them anywhere and, if necessary, dry your body, face, hair, etc. You can also print any graphic on advertising towels;

windsock – a type of flag in the form of a tunnel indicating the direction and strength of the wind, such information can be useful, for example, on ski slopes and during runs, you can print a logo or the name of the event on the windsock and mark selected points;

garlands: it is worth making this decorative product from material – such decorations look nobler, do not reflect light and work better in the wind. Printed garlands can be of any length and size, and their attractive appearance combined with appropriate lighting will help create an interesting space, decorate the event and provide an opportunity for extremely aesthetic event branding;

sandwich banner – a double-sided, bean-shaped banner that can be placed anywhere, marking a place, informing participants about the relaxation zone or marking a route. It is extremely easy to set up and works great in the wild;

non woven banner – a banner of any length, which is most often used on fences near ski slopes, on fences surrounding the event area, non woven banners can also be found on ice rinks. Why are non woven banners better than PVC banners? For many reasons: firstly, they are more aesthetic, their material looks like suede and does not reflect light, secondly, they are lighter and more durable. They can be attached freely using cable ties because the material can be pierced in any place and it does not tear or fray. Thirdly, prints on non-woven banners are exceptionally expressive, the colors are saturated, and the advertising quality is much better;

stage banners – if your event is accompanied by performances, concerts, stand-ups or other speeches, you will need a well-arranged stage. Without stage banners, you will not present the logos of media partners or sponsors. Such a stage banner should be printed on material, because PVC reflects light, and on stage, especially in the evening, the use of light is one of the most important elements – it must be precise, and the stage banner should not reflect it. Stage banners should also be treated as an element of decoration;

banners for containers: if you plan to use currently fashionable containers instead of tents, it is worth considering banners placed on the container, which beautifully decorate and use the space of the event container to present the event lineup and logos. Importantly, such banners have movable elements, designed so that the doors and windows in the container can be opened easily;

barrier banners, also known as printed barriers, help separate various zones, direct queues on slopes or ice rinks, printed barriers also mark relaxation zones and surround places where runs or other activities take place. Any content can be printed on their surface, barriers with the logo of the event sponsor, organizer or media patron allow for effective association of the brand with the event and build positive PR;

Printed pillows, also known as outdoor advertising pillows, are worth preparing for relaxation zones. Covered with a special, resistant material, they will work perfectly in tents, resorts, shelters, waiting rooms and changing rooms. They are a great opportunity to showcase your logo;

printed tablecloths are completely personalized, so they can have any size and print, they work great on buffet tables for refreshments, but also in resorts, hostels, we recommend this product for company Christmas parties, banquets and carnival balls;

advertising ponchos: this is a slightly different product than bathing ponchos. Their cut means they can be worn even over a thick jacket. They are made of thick, decorative Decor fabric, which additionally helps keep warm. They do not absorb water, dry quickly and look great. Any content can be printed on their surface. A winter advertising poncho can be an outfit intended for both participants and event staff;

printed mats and doormats: great for changing rooms, ski or skate rentals. Not only do they insulate the ground and retain dirt, sand or mud, but they can also indicate direction, present a logo or other content consistent with the event. They can have different thicknesses and sizes – it all depends on you and your needs.

Quality and responsible attitude towards organizing the event, i.e. good PR

The quality and aesthetics of such an event also depend on the quality of the event materials and advertising gadgets. All elements of branding or, more generally, the arrangement of the event space should be not only well-thought-out but also of high quality. We live in an era of concern for the environment and each event should be organized in such a way as to minimize negative effects in this aspect. Therefore, it is worth using quality products created by companies that produce responsibly, e.g. using renewable energy sources. It is also worth remembering that many elements can be used many times as long as they are solidly manufactured. Tent frames, beach flag poles, sturdy deck chairs, well-made pillows, ponchos and towels won’t turn into trash right after the event is over. It is worth choosing companies with experience that will offer more durable, better-made advertising gadgets and event equipment. It is also worth choosing a proven manufacturer from the European market, preferably a local one due to transport deadlines and burdens. In a broader sense, every company will benefit from this. Both in terms of PR and financially, thanks to the fact that she will be able to use the purchased items again or give them as gifts to employees who will not throw them away immediately after the event.

We wish the organizers of such events, event agencies and advertising agencies a successful season!

Jagna Żukowska-Olejniczak

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