50
Christmas Parties
and incorporated into to parties
or dinners- all with CSR outcomes.
Their ‘Eco Warrior Challenge’ has
an environmental element
whereby schools and eco projects
benefit.
Other event organisers may be
a little cautious of the motives
behind the gestures. “Lockdown
has brought the NHS and
struggling charities and food
banks to the front of peoples’
minds and we are all more socially
aware now,” says Julia
Charles-Wiginton, managing
director of Julia Charles Event
Management. “It’s great to see so
many companies adopt a more
socially conscience approach, but
I do worry that some businesses
may just be in it for the PR value.
A business will need to ensure
that they are genuine in their
approach and not just ‘seen to be
doing the right thing’ or I think we
will see a backlash.”
Mike Walker, managing director
of MGN Events also believes that
there will be a CSR focus at this
years’ Christmas events, “We will
see less waste when it comes to
cost and plastic. Companies will
want more of an experience and
Above: The building of the
Victory Services Club
“A BUSINESS WILL NEED TO
ENSURE THAT THEY ARE
GENUINE IN THEIR
APPROACH AND NOT JUST
‘SEEN TO BE DOING THE
RIGHT THING’ OR I THINK WE
WILL SEE A BACKLASH.”
raising money or donations for
charity will be a big focus.”
“Due to Covid, key workers have
been identified and
demonstrating gratitude and
appreciation of these people is
key” continues Walker. “They were
busy working and keeping the
country going in our hour of need,
and we need to support them and
help wherever possible. I think
many companies will want to
make a difference at Christmas,
people will be helping with food
banks, volunteering and giving
their time to charity projects. The
Christmas party can be the
platform event for company
leaders to acknowledge their
team’s CSR achievements and
push for more.”
MGN Events has held a wild
west Christmas themed party,
which included a sheriff who
arrested guests and placed them
in a giant ‘Jail’. “There was an
option for the prisoner to pay a £5
to the charity bucket in order to
be let out immediately, or to wait
for 20 minutes for a live auction
to raise the necessary funds to
release the prisoner, creating a
fun way to raise money for the
chosen company charity,” says
Walker. “We had cameras filming
the prisoners, and created
‘wanted’ posters, including some
of the company execs. You can
make the CSR fun, engaging and
part of the entertainment.”
According to Lunn, being a
charity venue has impacted on
how their clients have treated
their bookings throughout
lockdown: “When lockdown was
announced, the vast majority
(about 90%) of our events were
postponed but not cancelled and
I think that this was because of
the relationship and the bond that
our clients have with our venue.
Choosing a venue with a charity
connection means that
companies can still have an
amazing Christmas event with
stunning food, but they know that
they are helping a good cause
whilst they have fun.”
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