If you’ve been given the responsibility of planning a party for your company, you may be wondering where to begin. Even a professional party planner in Minnesota knows that planning a well-executed company party requires proven management methods. To help you get started on a project plan for your company party, here are six company party planning tips from the professionals:
- Define your motive: When we say “motive,” we are referring to the goal of the company party you are planning. Knowing the purpose behind your party will help you determine the perfect type and style of party to have. For example, the type of party you would put together to welcome new hires to your team would not be the same as an employee appreciation party.
- Decide on a theme: Once you know the “why” behind your party, it’s time to determine the “how.” Picking a theme is important because it will dictate your venue, menu and décor. Your theme doesn’t have to be as elaborate as “Under the Sea” or “The Roaring Twenties,” but it should give you a cohesive direction for your party.
- Determine the date, time and place: This is more important than it may seem at first, but picking a day, time and location that works for all your guests can get tricky. You have to take into account things like the presence of children or the responsibilities one department may have the next day. For example, your accounting department may not appreciate an after-work cocktail party if they have to do payroll the following morning.
- Manage your guest list: Attempt to get as accurate a head count as possible early on in your planning process. Having a venue that is too small to accommodate your guests or running out of food are just two examples of possible mishaps resulting from a poorly managed guest list. Once you have a guest estimate, make sure to update it regularly as people RSVP so you don’t run into any surprises.
- Come up with a menu: What is a party without food? Well, not much of a party at all! Choosing the perfect menu for your party can get tricky, but use your party motive, theme and venue as a guide. If you are using a caterer, make sure that they are informed of your vision for your party, too, so they can make appropriate menu suggestions. Remember to take employees’ dietary restrictions into account when possible.
- Have a party agenda: Having an agenda is like having a playbook for your party. You don’t have to follow it exactly, but it’s a great way to keep things moving and nice to have if you find yourself in a pinch. Start your party off with an icebreaker activity and then build from there.
The task of planning a company party may seem daunting, but with these six simple steps from your local party planner in Minnesota, you will be well on your way to executing your next work party like a pro. If you need to rent party equipment to make your party go even more smoothly, get in touch with Lefty’s Tent & Party Rental to begin reserving the items you need.
