When is it officially okay to start talking about Christmas? You know, decorations, party prep, and the never-ending gift list? We think you should at least start talking about your holiday party right now, while it is still hot outside and people are more concerned with bathing suits than winter coats. If you are beginning to plan your corporate holiday party, study these five tips to get you started on creating a party for the history books.
1) Start early: It may only be July, but now is the time to start identifying the short list of venues that you would want to host your holiday party. Starting early gives you the advantage of better rates and more availability for the date you want.
2) Location: What will your attendees want in a location? Do they want free parking, close walking distance to a metro bus station, or perhaps a list of cab companies will simply do. Choose a location that is close to your corporate office or decide to venture to a retreat center for an overnight event.
3) Get Matched: At Unique Venues we offer a free assisted search service. What this means for event planners is that you can give our Venue Specialist a call and by answering a few questions such as date, how many people, or type of venue, we can connect you with a unique meeting space for your holiday venue. We will do the leg work to get you matched with venues so that you can begin interviewing the right location for your holiday bash. Give us a call at 877-244-6110.
4) Entertainment: How will your guests stay entertained at your party? Will there be an art exhibit or perhaps a holiday movie? Maybe you are hiring a DJ to get your guests moving to the Electric Slide. Finding a location that has built-in entertainment such as an ice-skating rink or a bowling alley will add an element of adventure to your holiday party.
5) Choose Menu Wisely: Ask about approved caterers or in-house dining options at your venue. We know you’ve got a Pinterest board full of ideas for holiday foods so make sure you communicate early and often with your venue to ensure they can wow your guests with unusual food displays and creative holiday fare.
What other tips do you have for planning a holiday party that will wow employees and attendees?
