Planning any corporate event can be stressful, but an extra level of stress accompanies planning a holiday party. Your holiday event is high-profile, and may be the only event all year that a customer or employee attends. You need to host an event that is exciting, attracts your target audience and dazzles your guests. Throwing an awesome holiday party starts with a solid plan. Follow these tips for stress-free planning.
This will help you to decide on an event type. First think about what you’re trying to achieve from a qualitative standpoint. Is this a customer appreciation event? Then consider an event that includes a take away that makes them feel special. Are you inviting your VIP clients to strengthen the strategic relationship? Give them an elevated or interactive event that helps you cement the relationship with a shared experience. Is it an internal event where you want to ensure your team feels appreciated and gets to mingle? Consider a group activity or fun cocktail or cooking demo where everyone gets hands-on.
Next think about you quantifiable goals. Does the event need to have a specific ROI? Are you trying to boost employee retention with an internal event? Are you trying to frontload Q1 2020 pipeline? All of these considerations should be part of your decision on venue, activity, menu and theme. A sitdown dinner might work for one event goal, while a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres might work better for the other. Consider the event type before researching venues.
To find the perfect venue, there are a few things to consider when you begin your search. The first is headcount. When selecting a venue, make sure it can accommodate your max guest capacity. There’s nothing worse than big crowds by the bar or having to push through people to cross the room. Don’t lowball your estimated headcount, and don’t forget the +1s. The venue location can also make or break your event. Narrow your search to one part of the city. Consider a central location near the office or main business district so it’s easy for people to get there. If you want to go a little farther out, make sure it’s near public transportation. You’ll also want to consider parking options for the +1s or people who want to drive home if they plan on missing the last train. Get started by entering a landmark (your office, a key client’s office or public transportation location) on the Kapow homepage to find nearby venues and event packages.
It’s no surprise that space fills up fast for the holiday season! To ensure you score the perfect venue, book as early as possible. Venues start booking their December dates as early as January, so get in there and secure your date! If you don’t book by the end of summer, you’ll end up with far fewer options to choose from, which could result in a less-than-ideal party.
To understand the flow of the event and how well your group size will work in the space, you’re often encouraged to do a site visit. But we know you’re busy and might not have time to leave the office. So many of our experiences feature 360 virtual venue tours, which show a detailed view of a venue in 3D. Just look for the 360 icon on the package details page.
Don’t forget the details. Small, thoughtful touches will make your guests feel extra special. Consider having a specialty branded cocktail, a retail pop-up or takeaway to make the night memorable.
Now that you’re an expert, start planning your event. Browse through unique event packages in cities across the U.S. and book in a few clicks. And if you need to make tweaks to accommodate your “must have” list, reach out and we’ll be happy to help!
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