By Jerry Busche

The goal is to carefully select a theme for your meeting or contest which will help to unify everyone's focus and efforts.

A well-chosen theme provides an umbrella concept, under which all related materials and activities are given heightened enthusiasm and effectiveness. (See our Theme Ideas Handbook for 600+ Theme Ideas to consider.)

After you select your objective(s) and have a written agenda, you should begin to select and develop your over-riding theme.
 

Here are some tips for coming up with a meaningful, on-target theme, which can create a rallying cry for your objectives and goals:

• Review your meeting agenda to decide which theme best relates to your objective and will help to dramatize it.

• Consider your employees and what theme will appeal to them.

• Will the theme appeal equally to men and to women?

• Will new employees and veteran ones respond the same way to the theme?

• Is there anything seasonal you can tie in with? Valentines Day? The Winter Olympics? A NASCAR event? The Academy Awards? A popular TV series?

• Are there other themes, slogans and programs in our company or organization that our theme can tie in with?

• Keep your theme short so it's stronger and more memorable.

• Can we sustain this theme over time without people getting bored with it?

• Can we have some fun with this theme idea?

• Will our people buy into the theme and its intent?

• Be sensitive and don't allow sexism, racism or other objectionable aspects to relate to your theme.

• Once you've selected your theme, review your agenda and see how your theme can tie in with it.

• Build every element around your theme. For instance: Ask your speakers to use language and references that relate to the theme.

• If possible, create a logo-look for your catchy theme. And produce hats, t-shirts, mugs, pens, screen savers, and other items that bear the theme.

• Use the theme/logo on all promotions and literature

• Use decorations if possible, whether simple posters or elaborate backdrops which can be purchased. Inexpensive decorations can go a long way -- i.e., balloons, streamers, posters, banners.

• Use favors, prizes and giveaways that fit with your theme.

• If appropriate, add some theme-related entertainment to your meeting: e.g., skits, song parodies, role-playing, background mood music.

• Serve refreshments that carry out your theme.