Planning an awards night might sound straightforward: book the venue, knock out some trophies, and cue the applause. But established planners know it’s rarely that simple. The best awards nights are equal parts celebration and strategy, filled with memorable moments, smooth pacing, and the kind of buzzy energy that can boost team culture.
Whether you’re brainstorming fresh awards night ideas or trying to avoid the “same-old” formula, this guide highlights some of the most common (and easily avoided) missteps. From tired venues to missed AV cues, just one of these slips could unravel even the best-laid plans.
If you’re serious about getting it right — and making your gathering the highlight of the working year — we’ve got everything you need to hit the highs and skip the lows.
#1: The Copy and Paste Awards Night Venue
We get it; the last awards show was such a massive success that the temptation to book the same venue next time around is huge. After all, it feels familiar, it’s convenient, and they’re offering a decent rate to come back and do it all over again. But while consistency might help with planning the logistics, it can also lead to deja vu among your guests.
Why it matters: Even a well-loved venue can start to feel stale over time. The sense of occasion starts to fade, the element of surprise disappears, and guests begin to view the event as predictable or — even worse — skippable. No matter how well you planned the first rodeo, modern attendees crave new experiences. You’ll need to meet those expectations.
How to Avoid it: Reinvigorate your awards night by exploring new spaces every time. You don’t need to break the budget — there are almost always alternative venues that align with your brand, only in a fresher setting, with a different layout, and a unique feel. Ultimately, a new location provides intrigue and possibilities, while declaring that your event is always evolving.
Are you in need of extra support to help you find the ideal venue for your event and budget? Our FREE venue finding service will ensure you get the perfect space for your gathering.
#2: Overlooking the Need to Meet Up and Mingle
While the trophies are the centre of attention, the lifeblood of an awards ceremony is the connections between guests. These occasions are (often) rare chances for people from all walks of life to network and bond — yet too often, the format doesn’t do enough to support the social stuff.
Why it Matters: If the venue layout, programme structure, or seating plan aren’t designed for mingling, guests may feel like they’ve attended a formal presentation, as opposed to a shared celebration. That’s a missed opportunity to create a better culture, boost morale, and increase engagement.
How to Avoid it: Design the evening with interaction in mind. Allow substantial breaks before and after the formal programme to help conversation. Choose a layout that encourages movement — so avoid crammed seating unless absolutely necessary. You can even use roaming hosts, icebreakers, or soft background music to spark conversations.
#3: Leaving Run-of-Show Planning to the Last Minute
A thought-out run-of-show (ROS) is the backbone of any successful event. Think of it as the playbook or blueprint that lays out everything happening on the night to the minute; including who’s speaking when, what music is playing during each section, when lights should change, and who needs to be where at what point in the show.
Why it Matters: Without a properly considered ROS, your awards night programme could soon feel disjointed or even a bit chaotic. Delays, awkward silences, or missed cues are no-goes that can chip away at your audience’s buy-in and undercut the event’s professionalism.
How to Avoid it: Create your ROS early and share it with everyone involved — including your audio-visual (AV) team, host, stage manager, and presenters. It should include:
- Exact start and end times for each segment
- Names of speakers or performers
- Cue points for audio, lighting, and visuals
- Transitions between awards and entertainment
- Buffer time for over-runs
If you’re not sure where to start, consider contacting a professional event planner. Why? Because a well-crafted ROS isn’t just a helpful addition — it’s a roadmap to success.
#4: Poor Audio-Visual Planning
You can have the best presenters, the tastiest catering, and best-made trophies…but if the microphone cuts out — or your visual montage defaults to a black screen — you’ve got a problem. There is so much AV on show during awards nights that even the greatest ideas and plans could be badly undermined. This isn’t just about keeping the show on the road, it’s about immersion and perception.
Why it Matters: AV issues are one of the main complaints at corporate events. Even the smallest hiccups can chip away at the audience’s goodwill, which is a shame, as such issues are actually quite easy to prevent with proper preparation.
How to Avoid it: Join forces with an experienced AV team from the outset. These specialists will build everything in good time for testing and rehearsals. They should also provide backups — such as spare mics, extra batteries, and a troubleshooting guru to swoop in during emergencies.
#5: Failing to Rehearse
It’s tempting to think an awards night doesn’t need much rehearsal, after all, it’s not a theatre performance is it? How much could possibly go wrong? Quite a bit, as it turns out.
Why it matters: Without a full run through, timings can start to slip, nerves could take over, and presenters could fumble their place. In isolation, these moments can feel pretty minor — but they quickly add up and, if the ball keeps getting dropped, it will damage an awards night’s sense of professionalism.
How to Avoid it: Run a full tech rehearsal with your presenters and AV team. This means practising speeches and working on transitions; especially during key moments like the actual trophy handoffs. It might sound like an unnecessary extra step but, trust us, it will save stress on the big night.
#6 – Cutting Corners with the Host
Your host isn’t just a disposable element of awards night ideas; they’re the tone-setter, the conductor, and the glue that holds everything together. It’s their role to manage the energy, confidently smooth over any delays, and connect the audience to the true purpose of the evening — celebrating special achievements.
Why it Matters: A dull, awkward, or under-prepared host can drag the entire event down. In worst case scenarios, an inappropriate or unprofessional choice can even damage your brand.
How to Avoid it: Choose someone with true stage presence and proven experience — whether that’s an internal or external hire. Remember, they’re not miracle workers, so you’ll still need to brief them properly, write a strong script, and involve them in rehearsals. The host should be a trusted ally, not an afterthought that detracts from your best awards night ideas.
#7 Not Providing Chances to Capture the Moment
You’ve put in the effort, your ideas have been a hit, the entertainment went down a storm, and everyone’s in a good mood. So, what’s missing before guests stumble happily into the night? How about a chance for them to take some snaps of the occasion? People love sharing happy memories, all you need to do is make it easy for them.
Why it Matters: Awards nights are celebrations, first and foremost. That said, they’re also a chance to associate your brand name with all those smiling faces. Failing to capture these moments means missing out on internal morale boosts, PR opportunities, and future promotions.
How to Avoid it: Hire a professional event planner to take photographs during the gathering. Next, create a plan for live posting on social media (if appropriate), and follow up with highlight reels, thank-you posts, and a gallery your team can share. Remember, it’s not just about the night — it’s also about what comes next.
Bring Awards Night Ideas to Life With ConnectIn Events
There’s no doubt about it — a successful awards show needs more than a nice venue and a handful of trophies. From creating a space for guests to connect, to capturing magical moments that echo beyond the last round of applause, every detail plays its part. Avoiding these common pitfalls doesn’t just help the event run smoothly — it can elevate the whole experience.
Need a hand making it all come together? That’s where ConnectIn Events comes in. Since 2009, we’ve been partnering with businesses across the UK to deliver impactful, expertly-run corporate events — live, virtual, and hybrid. Our super-friendly, professional team knows all the tricks to squeeze the most out of any budget; turning loose ideas into showstopping spectacles.
So whether you’re planning your first awards night or reviving a long-standing tradition, we’re ready to help you make it unforgettable.
Contact us today to start the countdown to excellence.
