Now that the frenzy of Christmas is behind us, it’s time to start focusing on the next big event on the annual calendar: the summer company party. With so many differing opinions, organising the perfect summer party can be a source of stress for event planners. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, with a little early planning, we believe you can plan your perfect summer party in 5 simple steps.
Select the Perfect Venue
Venues fill up quickly, especially in the summer so start planning early. Try to select at venue that is on-brand for your team. Think about the type of atmosphere you want to create and how a specific space can tie into your company ethos. Ensure the venue is the right size for your guest list and consider creating a brief for your event, clearly outlining the essentials and the nice-to-haves.
For an unforgettable summer party, consider Surrey Docks. With its light, airy club room and large doors opening directly onto the terrace, it’s the perfect venue for summer gatherings. It is also perfectly positioned for water-based activities like sailing, kayaking, raft building and dragon boat racing. If you’re looking for something a bit different than the standard drinks reception, Surrey Docks is an excellent option.
Save the Date ASA
As soon as you have a venue and date secured, send a save-the-date to your team. Summer is a busy time, and with many people planning holidays, an early announcement about the date of the company party will help ensure as many people as possible can be there. Planning a company party involves a lot of waiting around for responses and confirmations from others too. Get started with this process as soon as possible.
Nail the Essentials
Don’t neglect the behind-the-scenes details. Nobody wants guests fighting over the last canapé or stuck outside with bad hair and soggy shoes because your perfect day in the park fell victim to an unexpected thunderstorm.
Make sure you cover the essentials. First and foremost, ensure that you have an appropriate amount of food and drink for the number of people attending. Also, be considerate of dietary restrictions.
Don’t forget to think about transportation. Consider the location of your event and ensure it is accessible by transit. If not, arrange taxis or a coach for your guests. If you’re planning an outdoor party, make sure you have a wet weather contingency and finally, work with a professional, like a planner from Everyone Events, to ensure the entire event goes off without a hitch.
Make it Personal
Whether you’re using an extravagant summer theme, or creating a more low-key dinner, the most successful events are always unique to your company and the people that work there. Think about things like coloured lighting to complement your brand identity or creative touches that nod to your company values. Last year’s Everyone Active South-East Awards night is a great example of a personalised event. With the venue completely styled in brand colours complete with personal touches like an “EA” branded ice luge, the event was the perfect backdrop to celebrate top performing individuals and sites across the region.
Ask for Feedback
Ensure you create a post-event survey or questionnaire in advance, and have it ready to send to guests after the party so the details are still fresh in their minds. One innovative technique is to get feedback before guests even leave the party using the Emoji Exit Strategy. Create giant sized emoji graphics that signify different emotions and place them on the walls around the exits of the event. Give out dot stickers and ask attendees to place their dot on the emoji that sums up their experience. This tactic is a quick and easy way for event planners to get a good idea of how people felt at the event.
For more information on booking your perfect company party, including options for conferences, product launches and team building days, go to https://everyoneevents.com/.
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