Taking the company town hall outdoors

An outdoor town hall can seem more open than a ballroom. People talk more freely in the fresh air, and a seaside lawn gives leaders a relaxed setting for difficult or exciting news. It also asks more of the organiser, because a park is a public space with its own rules and no roof.

Keep the programme short

Attention drops faster outdoors. Keep formal speeches brief and give the rest of the time to conversation: small group discussions, a question round, or informal time with the leadership team over food. Plan the most important message for the start, while energy is high.

Permits and park rules

Public parks in Singapore are managed by agencies with their own requirements for organised gatherings, amplified sound and temporary structures. Check what applies to your plan with NParks well before you confirm a date.

A real weather plan

Afternoon showers are common. A weather plan is more than a line in the brief: decide in advance who makes the call, at what time, and where people go if the rain arrives. Tentage, a sheltered fallback space and a clear message to staff all need to be ready.

The wet weather planning notes for an East Coast Park town hall go through these decisions in more detail, including how to brief staff on the day.