In the realm of event planning, anniversaries represent a rather unique category. They are typically organized to commemorate significant milestones of a longstanding company—such as 20 years in business — but also to honor a person who has played a particularly meaningful role within the organization or institution.

These events must include a moment dedicated to retracing the organization’s key milestones through on-stage speeches and multimedia materials, or to sharing personal recollections. The ideal tone strikes a balance — steering clear of excessive sentimentality or self-congratulation. Photos, timelines of major events, quotes, and videos are all effective tools for tangibly conveying the company’s history. There’s also room for meaningful and even amusing personal anecdotes, which can enrich the emotional resonance of the event while lightening the tone. However, be cautious with overly sentimental music or overly sweet or dramatic testimonials.

If the event honors a person — especially someone who has passed—it’s important to convey their human side, but also to highlight their professional and social contributions, using an appropriate tone. A skilled PCO (Professional Congress Organizer) will always be able to guide the client toward the most suitable stylistic choices.

However, it’s not only about the past. The event should also send a message that speaks to the present and looks ahead to the future—conveying a desire to continue growing and evolving, building on the foundation of past achievements. This forward-looking message doesn’t have to focus solely on the company itself. A great idea, especially when celebrating a major corporate milestone, is to give something back to the city that hosts the company headquarters or to the broader community — strengthening the bond between the organization and its surrounding context.

Moreover, these types of events go beyond simply celebrating a company or commemorating a person. On one hand, they provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen internal bonds among colleagues as well as external relationships with partners and clients. On the other hand, they can also serve as promotional moments to spotlight business innovations that align with the values highlighted through memories and testimonials, or even to launch new products. The key is to frame these within the context and meaning of the celebration, rather than resorting to pure marketing.