| Be it a Christmas Do, a Retirement Party, or | | | | black tie event, you will probably wish to |
| a summer social event to thank staff for | | | | hire a stage, a lighting rig and PA Equipment |
| their hard work or recent sales figures, your | | | | for Speeches. A small Awards Ceremony is a |
| get-together should be fun for everyone | | | | nice touch for these occasions; prizes don't |
| involved with the business.Your Office or | | | | need to be large or significant, a bouquet of |
| workplace may be the cheapest but not | | | | flowers or luxury hamper for Margery the |
| necessarily the best venue for your event. | | | | Cleaner for being in your employment for 20 |
| Consider your staff too - would they wish to | | | | years, pair of cufflinks for Colin who is |
| give up a sunny summers day or a cold winters | | | | retiring, a gift voucher for Cheryl in |
| evening to attend a function in the same | | | | accounts who is getting married. You could |
| place that they spend most of the days of the | | | | hire a look-a-like to present such awards and |
| year? Probably not! Works parties should be | | | | gifts, just to add a flourish to festivities! |
| fun occasions for people to relax after | | | | Humourous anecdotes from the past year could |
| working hard, thus your office may not be the | | | | be mentioned here, but be careful not to |
| best place for this. If you have many sites | | | | cause any offence, for those who should make |
| dotted around the country a central location | | | | a speech but have no idea what to say could |
| is essential to ensure that no office feels | | | | invest in the assistance of a professional |
| left out. You may wish to book up rooms for | | | | speech-writer! You could also use the stage |
| your staff, or ask for a small donation | | | | for your Entertainment; hire a magician, |
| towards their accommodation, however do | | | | hypnotist or comedian to perform a set, as |
| remember that as a rule, the more money you | | | | well as getting some Live Music on stage for |
| ask for, the less people will wish to attend. | | | | dancing later in the evening. There are a |
| If all sites are within a local vicinity, you | | | | wide variety of Musical Entertainments |
| should look into hiring some coaches or | | | | available; from your classic Disco and |
| mini-buses to safely transport your guests to | | | | Karaoke, through to Live Bands such as |
| and from the party. For smaller parties an | | | | Ceilidh, Jazz, Country & Western, Blues, |
| entrance in a limousine, with a glass or two | | | | Tribute and Original Bands. Whilst your |
| of champagne, can be a magical start to the | | | | guests are eating, consider what will also be |
| evening.If there is a Conference Centre, or | | | | happening; will you provide some subtle |
| Suite of Function Rooms in a Hotel or | | | | background music, perhaps a solo vocalist, a |
| similar, which you frequently use for | | | | harpist or piper? Or would you rather have |
| meetings, seminars or training sessions, do | | | | some entertainers who can mingle with your |
| enquire as to whether you would be able to | | | | guests, for example Caricaturists, Mind |
| hire the rooms for your party. Your employees | | | | Readers, Magicians or Tarot Readers. Circus |
| should be familiar with the location and you | | | | Performers such as Fire Eaters, Stilt Walkers |
| may be able to get a discount on your next | | | | and Jugglers could quietly amuse your guests |
| room hire! Local Restaurants may be able to | | | | whilst they are dining and then create an |
| offer both their venue and catering. If you | | | | amazing display on the main stage later in |
| are planning a large function, you may wish | | | | the evening.Thinking of amazing displays, you |
| to consider using a Temporary Structure such | | | | should consider the decoration of your venue |
| as a Marquee, as they are adaptable if you | | | | to coincide with the theme of your event, for |
| wish to progress from a day to evening party, | | | | example, if you are holding a Casino Night, |
| and can be used for an assortment of | | | | with Black Tie and Ball Gowns as your dress |
| occasions, from an elegant a la carte dining | | | | code, your invites and other stationery |
| area or housing a Las Vegas style casino to | | | | should be equally as smart with classic crisp |
| morphing into a massive dance-floor or a | | | | decorations, such as black and white |
| circus complete with fairground rides! If you | | | | balloons, simplistic floral decorations and |
| chose to hire a Marquee, you will need to | | | | classy ice-sculptures. You may wish to have a |
| decide if you need to also hire Portable | | | | grand finale of a firework or laser display |
| Toilets, Mobile Bars for both alcoholic and | | | | to end the evening in a memorable fashion. If |
| non-alcoholic drinks, Dance Floors, Stages | | | | this all seems a bit much, you can hire Venue |
| and Furniture Hire for items such as Chairs | | | | Decorators specifically for these finishing |
| and Tables.Most Corporate Events are large, | | | | touches.For an unusual event, why not |
| well organised affairs. Although this should | | | | consider a day out? There are many options |
| be an enjoyable party, don't forget that the | | | | available to businesses for team building |
| company is still on show to your Employees. | | | | events, or even just a fun day out |
| Imagine the personalities of your staff and | | | | Paint-balling, Go-Karting or have a day trip |
| try to achieve an event which is both | | | | to an Amusement Park! Hire a coach, ask your |
| entertaining and also upholds any sort of | | | | caterers to make a suitable picnic and let |
| company stature; if the MD doesn't know the | | | | the sun shine!To remind guests of the reason |
| accounts clerk, they may not feel comfortable | | | | you are holding the event, you may wish to |
| seated next to each other for a seated | | | | include your company logo on your invites, |
| dinner. Organised Theme nights such as a | | | | and personalise other items such as balloons |
| Murder Mystery or Race Nights are good ways | | | | and small novelties to give away in goody |
| of mingling older with younger or junior with | | | | bags at your party; if using your party as a |
| senior members of staff without formal | | | | networking event, you could ask some clients |
| seating plans. For smaller businesses or for | | | | to 'sponser' or donate goodies towards these |
| companies in which most staff know each | | | | goody bags. Having some T-shirts printed to |
| other, lighter style catering, such as a | | | | give away as prizes in a quiz, or printing a |
| finger buffet, Pig Roast or Barbeque, would | | | | personalised mini-magazine for the event can |
| mean that guests can chat and mingle whilst | | | | be of minimal outlay, but will ensure that |
| they dine. Check with your caterer and venue | | | | your business is remembered. You may wish to |
| before hiring further crockery, linens or | | | | hire a professional photographer, or |
| glasswares. Good ice-breaking games include | | | | videographer so that you can include the |
| hiring giant inflatables such as a Bouncy | | | | pictures in company newsletters or other |
| Castle or a Bungee Run. A Bucking Bronco will | | | | future publications. A dvd of the event would |
| always draw crowds and laughter, or hire a | | | | be a lovely gesture to present to your |
| go-karting track. Imagine the joy of knowing | | | | guests.PartyPages.co.uk is the UK's favourite |
| you've beaten your boss! Most Office Party | | | | online Party Directory, the one stop shop for |
| Problems are linked with over indulging in | | | | all your party requirements. After 15 years |
| alcohol, do ensure that your guests know what | | | | performing as Uncle Wiggy, a prestigious |
| behaviour is expected of them, and make them | | | | Childrens Entertainer, Barry is an expert on |
| aware if any potential clients will be | | | | all things celebratory! |
| attending!If you are opting for a more formal | | | | |