Event Signage: Smash those summer and fall festivals
’Tis the season for golf tournaments, music festivals, beer tastings, galas, fundraisers, and general hoopla—and it’s fun. (Who couldn’t use more fun!?)
If you’re on the organizing committee for one of these fabulous fetes, you know they don’t exactly come together overnight. They take a lot of intentional planning, plenty of checklists, meetings, and usually a clipboard or two.
If you’re in the thick of it: good luck, and great job. Here’s a helpful event planning checklist resource for you to use!
And now, for the signage portion of your event...
Here’s what you need:
Must-Have Signs:
Directional Signage
Do not overlook the importance of directional signs: It’s your first opportunity to make a positive impression on your attendees, so make it count! You will likely need to indicate:
Parking
Entrance
Exits
Restrooms
Do not, we repeat, do NOT forget the restroom signage.
Welcome Signage
Whether you use a banner, a sandwich board, or a guy in a gorilla suit out front, make sure your guests are welcomed to the venue—especially if it’s a paid event. It’s essential your attendees feel truly wanted.
Sponsorship Signage
For the love of Walter Payton, don’t neglect to acknowledge your event sponsors. Most event sponsors want to build out their brand and garner good will in the community, so they’ll expect a certain level of recognition. Banners are a great place to start.
Pro tip: For your own sanity, always include a sponsorship cut-off date. AND, to thank as many sponsors as possible, work with a company like American Signs By Tomorrow that can whip up a banner at the last minute—especially if you can give us a heads up. (Shameless plug.)
Other Signs to Consider
You might need to take time to examine your specific event to determine exactly what kinds of signage you’ll need, but here are some additional things to consider:
Schedule – Or a QR code that links to a detailed schedule
Map – Ditto above!
Food & Beverage
First Aid
Lost & Found
Prize/Packet Pick-up
Registration
Of course, no event is complete without a photo-op, so be sure your guests have a fab background for their selfies. (We can help with that, too.)