List of corporate party entertainment organizations

Creativity and organization are the SECRET of a good party!

The problem with most Christmas Party Committees is that they usually don’t continue year after year. Those who were on the committee lose or forget valuable information.

It’s always a good idea to keep a list that changes and improves each year. This way, next year’s group doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel.

By a list I mean convoluted notes of what worked, what didn’t, and what may or may not be repeated.

Each year’s budget should be included so it can be used as a starting point and modified based on the number of people attending the party.

decide on a topic

Themes can make or break a party. Sure it can be the usual theme of the season, but with a twist. It could be a magical Christmas party where everyone at the table is given a simple and fun pre-packaged magic trick that they have to “perform for the table.” Anything that promotes fun at the table will elevate the atmosphere of the entire room.

Decor

If you’re throwing the party at a commercial facility or banquet hall, try getting a group of people together to brighten things up with simple decorations. At Christmas or Halloween it’s pretty easy to get tons of stuff at a dollar store to create an atmosphere that will help project the spirit you want to achieve.

Don’t just throw some cutouts on the wall and confetti on the table. Try to think of small details like paper napkins (holiday theme) tied with a bit of ribbon. These little touches go a long way. Funny messages or cute jokes in envelopes under each plate; Secret gifts taped under one chair per table (make them shareable, like jelly beans, etc.).

If your guests aren’t interacting… IT’S NOT A PARTY!

Find out how many are thinking of attending

There is no way you can decide on a budget for a party if you don’t even know how many you expect to have there. Keep records year after year and it will give you an indication, but the best way is always to ask. At least this way you will have a budget that will tell you if you also need to “Promote” the party and attract more to come. Tell them about the features, contests, prizes, entertainment, amazing food – FREE BOOZE (well, maybe not free).

This affects where the party will take place, as well as the amount of food and drink required. It also gives you an indication of how big or small the event SHOULD be. If you only have 14 people you can cancel the band! But if you end up with 500, you may be looking for the trained monkeys that imitate your favorite TV stars.

Decide on a budget – see above

This should include but not be limited to:

• Rental of hall or facilities
• food per person
• Alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic beverages
• Server costs (if not included in food preparation)
• Server Tips
• Taxi fare or transportation fund (see Before/After the party)
• decorations
• invitations
• printing costs
• Entertainment/DJ
• Party favors for all guests
• Photographer/videographer
• contest prizes
• Specialized lighting or sound equipment for LIVE Entertainment
• Staging, Curtain, Band
• Hotel rooms if necessary
• Taxes
• Various expenses up to 10% of the budget for any unforeseen event.

Get a hall, restaurant or hall to set up the party (yes, it’s obvious, but if you don’t do it soon enough, your options will be limited)

Food is the great attraction of any party – but remember vegetarians, lactose intolerant and nut allergic, vegans and picky eaters. Buffets are the best solution, as long meetings with endless waits for food can drag your group down the path of boredom.

Pre-plan your music for each phase of the party, before, during and after the meal. Check with your DJ company to make sure they have age-appropriate music and a wide variety, from old to new, hip hop to jazz, as well as country and ethnic music. Know your own crowd’s tastes (find them!), so you can let the DJ know what your guests like. This will give the GM a huge advantage early on.

A good DJ can get to grips with the crowd very quickly, but not all DJs are the same. He sees and watches some in action. Get your info on the ones you like and book them right away. A really good one is usually booked a year in advance, usually because of the games they just played for the following year.

How about making a simple CD compilation disc for a small party? With recording software you could have dozens of combinations in a day!

The fun starts with your invitations – Think out of the box. If you personalize the invitation, you are much more likely to get a positive response. Try funny photos of them from last year’s party. It may take a bit of work but in the end it’s the details that create the excitement.

Photographer (see before and after)

A professional or even one of the committee should take pictures and videos of the party. The great memories will not be lost and it is a good record for next year’s committee.

Take photos of guests as they enter. Have several fun hats or costumes available for them to wear or just capture the smiles.

Introduce everyone! For corporate parties big or small, why not give each person a personalized Santa hat or a fun hat so people can see each other’s names? It’s so much better than a cheesy name tag and will get people talking to each other!

contests – in your invitation, offer prizes for the best dressed people, from antlers to Santa suits. Encourage them to wear cheerful Christmas clothes, jewelry, hats, or anything their imaginations can imagine! Everyone can vote for their favorite at the party.

Entertainment is ALWAYS a winner.

Most parties have the predictable cocktails, dinners, dances, etc. If you REALLY want to spice things up, he’s essential a professional animator with a proven track record, good testimonials (that he can get in touch with), and a guarantee from them that they’ll blow everyone away.

Go to a performance they may have in the near future, search the internet, or browse the yellow pages. Have a list of questions so you can quickly get essential information. How an artist talks to you about her act can be just as important as the act itself. CALL your past clients to see what they really felt about the program!

Games and prizes – OH YEAH!

Audience interaction is always the key to a great party!

Try a Christmas trivia challenge with 4 teams of randomly selected participants and include questions that have personal meaning to the company. This “IN JOKE” will help promote fun table conversations by having company members explain it to the table or your guest.

How about 70’s movies or TV trivia, or naming the corporate logo? There are no letters or badges like the Apple logo, but much tougher like CISCO or BMW without the letters.

Just go to Google and select the Corporate Logo’s instant game and you’re good to go. They can be projected or printed on cardboard, etc.

Of course the name of that tune is cool, but how about a Karaoke part where they have to sing it with the correct line or 2 of the lyrics?

Before and after the party

If you have alcohol at the event, prepare alternative transportation, such as taxi coupons, van rides, buses, or even designated drivers. Make sure the restaurant, lounge or hospitality room knows not to over-serve guests. This can be a tricky situation. It’s especially important that plans are in place to help smooth out a potentially embarrassing moment for the guest and the host company, if an unruly guest indulges.

What about going away gifts? It was always a hit at your birthday party; Nothing has changed in all these years. It is a finishing touch that will be remembered for a long time. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be pleasantly memorable. A beautiful tree ornament that has meaning to the company or a nice photo frame containing your photo, which you took earlier in the evening (gotta love those digital cameras and printers with shiny paper!).

You must have your Web Master publish a secret page online so everyone can see all the photos and videos taken during the party! Send the link to all your guests with a thank you note for coming and make it the best party ever!