Mixers are a great way to bring groups of people together in a less formal setting. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, a professional networking gathering, or a casual social get-together, it’s important to create an atmosphere where guests feel comfortable, engaged, and encouraged to interact. Here are some ideas for planning a mixer that will leave a lasting impression.
Select a Theme
For mixers, the theme guides the atmosphere and impacts who attends, so you’ll want to be sure that you choose a theme that will attract your target audience. The theme also gives the event structure and helps guide the experience. Here are a few ideas based on the your desired vibe:
- Casual and Fun: Create a light-hearted atmosphere for guests with a Wine and Cheese Tasting, Game Night, or Trivia. An increasingly popular theme among younger crowds are PowerPoint Presentation Parties, where a theme is selected and attendees create humorous PowerPoints.
- Professional and Polished: Industry Speed Networking not only helps attendees find more contacts, but helps them practice elevator speeches about their work, products, and professional endeavors.
- Seasonal: September puts everyone in a fall mood, so create an autumnal vibe with warm colors, seasonal food, and warm beverages.
Curate Your Guest List
It’s important to keep your guest list diverse but complementary. Guests should benefit from meeting each other. For professional mixers, invite guests from related industries or shared goals to spark relevant conversation. If it’s a social mixer, blend people from different social circles. However, it’s a good idea to bring like-minded people together to keep the event productive.
Select an Appropriate Venue
A venue can make or break your mixer. Make: A highly coveted or new venue that potential attendees are curious or excited about exploring. Break: A boring, dingy venue far away from a central location.
Create a Welcoming Space
Since this is a mixer and not a more formal event, you’ll want to make plenty of space for movement and conversation. People will want to move freely and be relaxed, so avoid formal seating arrangements. Consider cocktail tables or lounge areas to offer seating while keeping a casual vibe.
You’ll also want to match music and lighting to the vibe of the event. If your mixer requires specific conversation to be successful (wine and cheese tasting), keep the music lower and the lighting higher. If your mixer is meant to be more upbeat with more casual conversation, turn that music up a bit more and soften the lighting.
Consider Your Catering
Complimentary food and beverages are always a good gesture. If an open bar is out of the question, include a couple of drink tickets with the entry fee. Offer hor d’oeuvres and appetizers, either in one space or floating around the room throughout the event. Food and drink always add a nice touch to an event.
Conclude the Event With a Takeaway
Your mixer will likely have a beginning and an ending time… especially if you are renting the space, offering refreshments, or paying staff members. The conclusion should feel natural and offer a takeaway such as an invitation to the next event, a party favor, or an ask for support of the organization. You may also want to consider adding a QR code that directs to your website, social media accounts, or an email marketing registration form.
Follow Up After the Event
Sending a thank you or a quick follow up note to guests is a great way to keep the event fresh in their minds. Consider sharing photos, offering a drawing or raffle, or promoting any future events and opportunities to engage with your organization.
Important note: When you collect contact information at registration and plan on contacting guests post-event through other channels, you need to ask for their permission. Most platforms will allow you to add a checkbox or additional question. You don’t want to risk being marked as spam.
Conclusion
Mixers are a great way to create community and offer people unique ways to connect with others they may not otherwise meet or cross paths with. But hosting a mixer takes a considerable amount of planning and attention to detail. By using our tips and ideas, you can host a successful event that leaves guests feeling inspired and looking forward to the next one.
Kadi McDonald is a freelance writer, marketing strategist, and proud Cleveland sports fan.
