Corporate Parties

Overview

When a corporate party consists only of an evening of eating and drinking, it usually breaks up early. Adding something to do extends the evening and gets participants interacting more. In this format the party is a social programme with activity built around it.

What happens when

• First hour — welcome. Refreshments and music; games corners are open but optional.
• Second hour — the shared section. A short dance workshop, a competition or a performance. This is the only section that brings the whole group together at once.
• Third hour onward — free. The DJ programme; games corners stay open.

When the room spans several countries

A party is where a mixed international group either mixes or separates into the tables people arrived at. The shared section in the second hour is what prevents the second outcome, and the games corners are what keep colleagues who do not dance from becoming spectators for three hours. Two practical points: make the non-alcoholic options as visible as everything else rather than available on request, and keep the music at a level that still allows conversation — in a room where several people are speaking a second language, volume excludes faster than anything else.

Games corners

Darts, table football, billiards, console games and a photo corner are the most used components. Their function is more than entertainment: they give something to do to participants who do not dance, are uncomfortable in a crowd or arrive early. That stops the party being limited to one group.

Inclusivity

Non-alcoholic options offered visibly, a music level that does not make conversation impossible, and voluntary participation — these three are frequently overlooked at corporate parties and directly determine how broad the attendance is.

Benefits for companies

Frequently asked questions