How to be the Host with the Most at a Corporate Party

Hosting a corporate party is an exciting task, but it can also be a highly stressful experience. It’s important to approach it methodically. Staying organized is key to ensuring that you check every step off your list. From choosing the right venue to hiring restaurant industry professionals to serve delicious food, there are many responsibilities involved—and they all play a major role in the party’s success.

Just as important is your role as the host! There’s more to hosting than merely standing by and greeting people at the door. A great host is hospitable, friendly, and takes care of all needs and possibilities before the event begins. Here’s what you can do to ensure that you’re the host with the most for your corporate party.

Select a Location

Before you do anything else, make sure that you can confirm an appropriate location. While you might have a specific venue in mind, it’s smart to have a backup allocated in the event that your first choice is booked on the date in question. Sure, some planners may choose to hold their gatherings at the office, but it’s not really an environment that is most conducive to relaxing and having a good time. By choosing a spot that is more flexible and easygoing, you’ll have an easier time playing host to all your guests because you won’t feel like you’re bound by corporate rules, like wearing custom professional business attire.

Outside venues are also appropriate because they offer you more space. You could book a room in a banquet hall, restaurant, or art gallery, for example, and treat your staff to a truly festive and exciting atmosphere that genuinely promotes a more party-appropriate vibe. Moreover, if you want to hire entertainment, you can factor that into the equation when selecting an appropriately sized space.

Choose the Gifts

Unless it’s specifically a holiday party with a gift exchange, you might not realize how beneficial it can be to give out gifts for employees. There’s a real benefit to this, however, because it contributes to a team atmosphere and celebrates the company in particular—the entire reason why you’re all there together in the first place.

To select the appropriate item, zero in on the event’s purpose. Is it a celebratory party to acknowledge the team’s success and congratulate them on a job well done? Maybe it’s in recognition of an employee who has served the company for decades. Or perhaps it’s just the annual holiday gathering where everyone meets to let loose and have a good time.

No matter the purpose, there are dozens of appropriate gifts that you can give. For example, you may want to invest in custom company mugs for the entire team, or custom work tote bags. These are items they can actually use and will be pleased to receive. A good host puts guests’ needs first, and that includes providing a special surprise if it’s appropriate.

Establish a Purpose

Often, corporate parties are considered strategic in that they provide management with an opportunity to speak with their staff in a more informal setting. It could be to discuss an upcoming change in the workplace, a new mission to achieve a certain goal by the end of the year or to work out disagreements. From that standpoint, it’s more of an event than a party.

That’s why it’s so important to add something enjoyable to the festivities. An easy way to narrow down your options is to assign a theme to your party. That doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone has to dress in a costume, but it may help bring some levity to the situation. Making a work-related speech in the middle of the party is an easy way to bring up more important topics, if necessary after everyone has had a chance to mingle.

Serve Delicious Food

Never underestimate the importance of a great meal. Great hosts always factor everyone’s needs into the equation when planning the menu. There may be some vegetarians or people who have milk allergies. Make sure to include a variety of dishes to appeal to everyone in attendance.

You may prefer to hire a catering company to handle the job for you. That’s an easy way to take the stress off your shoulders. Because professionals are poised, wear polished work uniforms and are fully trained, you can expect them to make the dining portion of your party a huge success. That’s another point in the host’s favor!