Hot Tips for Hosting a Business Event in Madrid

1. Catering Tips for Events in Madrid

Let’s kick off our advice for business events in Madrid with a crucial topic, the food! Remember, when it comes to catering in a lively city like Madrid, it’s not just about the food but also about the culinary experience you provide your event attendees.

And, we’re here with some mouthwatering catering tips that cover both food and experience. Dig in!

Say yes to the tapas culture:You don’t have to be Spanish to love tapas and considering that Madrid is the birthplace of tapas, don’t forget to include these bite-sized culinary delights in your event catering menu in Madrid.

Not only are tapas good for mingling and sharing (hello networking!), but event caterers today will help you elevate your tapas game with special spreads that are both a mix of classic Spanish favourites and modern twists.

Be on Spanish time:We understand that your business event in Madrid might have a mix of local and international attendees so it’s important to pay attention to meal times.

It’s not unusual for the Spanish to dine later in the evening compared to the rest of Europe so keep this in mind when planning your event’s meal schedule. Depending on whether your business event in Madrid has more local or international attendees, you can decide whether to prepone your dinner or hold a late afternoon taps reception.

Don’t scrimp on presentation: Remember, we eat with our eyes first. Elevate your catering game by presenting the food in visually appealing ways. Colourful paella stations, interactive DIY pintxos bars, and elegant dessert displays can make your event more memorable.

Include a dessert bar: Your event attendees could most likely do with a sugar rush (especially during that mid-afternoon slump) and dessert bars are a great way to energise them. Luckily, there are enough delicious Spanish desserts to give your business event a local flair.

Add some Spanish sweet treats like churros with chocolate sauce, flan, and crema catalana to your dessert bar for a sweet Spanish indulgence.

• Pro-tip:If you love the food in Spain, check out these Spanish cooking classes as a fun activity to do with your team.

2. After-Work Advice for Business Events in Madrid

Now that you’ve successfully pulled off a fantastic event, let’s move on to some after-work event planning advice in Madrid. There’s plenty to do and see in the vibrant Spanish capital, and whatever you’re interests are, we’re sure you’ll find an after-work activity that will meet your needs.

Here are some ideas on what to include in your participant’s itinerary.

Experience the famous Madrid nightlife: Take the after-party into the wee hours of dawn when you explore Madrid’s famous nightlife scenes. Gather your event participants and bar hop in neighbourhoods like Chueca, Huertas, and Malasaña for an unforgettable night out.

Relax with local live music:If music is your thing, but you don’t have the energy to bar-hop, we recommend going to one of the city’s many jazz clubs, live music bars, and flamenco venues. You can check out what’s playing in advance and plan an outing for your event participants to enjoy some local music.

Host a sundowner: The famous "cañas y tapas" tradition comes alive in the evenings. Encourage your attendees to explore local bars, where they can enjoy a cold beer accompanied by complimentary tapas.

• Pro-tip: Check out the cocktail party venues in Madrid for the perfect backdrop for your after-work party.
  • You can also opt for one of these fun team-building activities in Madrid as an after-work plan.

3. Stage Design and Decor Event Advice Madrid

Our next piece of advice to host a successful event in Madrid focuses on how you can set the scene with the perfect stage design and decor.

Here are some stage design and decor tips that will give your business event in Madrid that ‘wow’ factor and turn it into an unforgettable visual experience.

Add elements of Spanish elegance: All you need to do is take a walk along the streets of Madrid to know that the city has its own brand of elegance and charm. Use elements of this to inspire your stage design.

We recommend adding elements of Spanish architecture, such as intricate ironwork or patterns inspired by Gaudi, into your decor for a touch of local flair.

Work with local artisans:Give back to the community and add a local touch to your event by collaborating with local artisans to create custom pieces that embody Madrid's artistic spirit. Handcrafted elements add an authentic touch to the stage.

Incorporate pops of colour:Speaking of colour, Madrid is known for its vibrant culture. Integrate pops of bold colours into the stage design to mirror the city's liveliness.

Encourage audience engagement: Create a connection between the stage and the audience. Interactive displays, live Q&A sessions, or even comfortable seating arrangements can foster engagement.

Pay homage to Spanish culture: Add cultural elements such as colourful tiles, wrought iron, or traditional fabrics to evoke a sense of place and immerse attendees in Madrid's rich heritage.

• Bonus Reading:Our ultimate guide to event decor

4. Entertainment Ideas to Plan a Business Event in Madrid

Now that we’ve got the stage design and decor out of the way, let’s get down to planning the entertainment for your event in Madrid,

Here are some ideas with a Spanish flair to keep your event participants engaged during your business event in Madrid.

Cultural dance performances: Showcase the diverse cultures of Spain with regional dance performances, from the lively jota to the elegant sevillanas.

Live art:Art is a huge part of the Spanish experience, so having an artist create a large-scale painting or mural during your business event in Madrid is a celebration. Your event participants can watch the artwork come to life and contribute to the finished masterpiece.

Interactive digital games:Madrid is a city that’s both cultural yet tech-forward so whether you’re hosting a tech event or not, a good way to engage your participants is through interactive digital games or trivia contests. This can tie into your event’s theme for a more personalised experience.

Guitar performances: No one can quite play the guitars like the Spaniards so treat your event participants to a musical extravaganza by hiring Spanish guitar maestros to set the mood. Their melodic tunes can create a sophisticated and elegant ambience for your business event in Madrid.

5. Bonus Event Advice Madrid: Elevate Your Business Event with Marketing

We’re now coming to the end of our advice guide on how to plan a business event in Madrid but we do have one last surprise for you. Here are some bonus marketing tips to make sure your business event is the talk of the town.

Be bilingual with your marketing: Madrid is a bilingual city, so make sure your marketing materials are available in both Spanish and English. This inclusivity can help you reach a broader audience.

Work with local influencers: Collaborate with local influencers or thought leaders in your industry to promote your event. Their endorsement can have a significant impact on the attendance and credibility of your event.

Websites like Collabstr can help you find popular influencers in your industry.

Localise your advertising: If you’re looking to engage with a local audience, consider running targeted online ads to reach people specifically in Madrid who might be interested in your event.

Wrapping Up

And that’s a wrap for our list of hot tips for hosting a business event in Madrid. Now that you’ve got all the details you need to start planning your event, it’s time to start thinking about venues.

Check out our list of event venues in Madrid for some cool locations to host your business event.Oh, and before we go, we’d also like to tell you about the best areas in Madrid for hosting events so that you can check all the right boxes for your event.

Happy planning!

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