Corporate Parties That Won’t Make Everyone Cringe

Did you see it? Did you notice? We don’t want to make too big a deal in case we scare it off but *whispers* we’re pretty sure we saw Spring yesterday. And when Spring arrives, we can’t help but start dreaming about its long lost sibling, Summer. Drinks on the terrace, late evening sunshine, hanging out with interesting people, parties, barbecues. That’s what summer is to us. And it’s the perfect time to host corporate parties too. All too often though, these events are stuffy, stilted and make everyone feel uncomfortable. We’re here to tell you that needn’t be the case.

Get great entertainment

We’ve all been to corporate parties where there’s been terrible entertainment that has made us wish we could be swallowed by the ground (who remembers those mermaids on last year’s The Apprentice?) so think carefully about what kind of entertainment you want at your event. A good magician – the key word being good – is a sure fire way to delight even the most cynical of guests, while a branded photobooth is a great way to leave lasting memories of your event. This list of unique entertainment acts is a GREAT place to start, but always keep in mind the people you’re trying to entertain when picking out an act.

Let your imagination run riot

Keeping your budget in mind, let your imagination run riot when you’re planning. Don’t hesitate to go big if you can afford it and aim to consistently surprise and delight your attendees. What can you do to make the event memorable for them? What will make them glad they took time out of their day to come to the party? What tales will they be able to tell their loved ones when they go home? Surprise and delight is key for any good relationship but none more so than at a corporate party.

Keep food simple & delicious

If there’s one sure fire way to make an event fall flat as a pancake, it’s not having good food or not having enough food. Again, people want to feel special when they make an effort to go to corporate events and a really easy way to impress is by having food that everyone can enjoy. Whether that’s a full on formal dinner, sliders or bowl foods, make sure there will be enough to keep everyone satisfied. Make sure it’s delicious too. You’d be surprised how affordable great event food is if you talk to the right people.

Build buzz

One of the best ways to get people excited about your corporate event is to make ’em feel special. It doesn’t matter if it’s a party for staff or clients, it’s important that guests think they’re going to get something out of attending. Build buzz by creating stonking invitations that tantalise the tastebuds, spark an interest in the entertainment and make your guests feel like they’d get the worst FOMO ever if they don’t attend. Put your event on social media if it’s relevant. Send reminders and reveal a little something about the event every time. Getting people in the right frame of mind beforehand means they’ll likely be up for a good time when they arrive and we all know it’s the guests that make or break a good bash.

Don’t just make it about drinking on the boss’s dime, on the boss’s time

Not everyone is going to want to get on the proverbial wagon and cane it on the booze, so don’t make it an event where that’s the only thing going on. Think about what you can do for Jan from accounting to make sure she has a good time. Always think about the little guys as much as the big bosses and massive personalities. These details will make a massive difference and make everyone feel that the party is as much for them as anyone else.

If you’re planning on hosting a corporate summer party and need a versatile venue that will help you impress clients or show your staff a good time, The Chapel Bar is London’s best corporate event venue and we’d be delighted to help you out. Give us a call on 020 7833 2090 or email us