58
Christmas Parties
From the
expert
LIZ TAYLOR, MD, TAYLOR-LYNN CORPORATION, DRAWS ON 36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
TO SHARE KEY ADVICE FOR PLANNING THE CHRISTMAS PARTY BASH
hristmas comes but
once a year, and
what a year it has
been. With 36 years
of event planning
experience under my belt and
having faced the best and worst
that business offers, 2020 has
been by far my greatest challenge.
An industry I love: crippled
overnight. But I have refused to be
negative. Resolute in a commitment
to not only survive the effects of
Covid-19 on my company, but to
come back firing on all cylinders.
Wishing I had a crystal ball at this
point, predicting how companies will
celebrate the festive season is a tall
order. If early indications are
anything to go by, the picture is
mixed. Many not contemplating
Christmas yet, some wary of
gathering the company together on
mass, and some not believing that a
Christmas doo is remotely possible.
I am here to tell you: it is.
The regime of hand washing,
sanitiser stations and social
distancing is here to stay for a while
yet. The key, formats that weave
them into your event without it being
an obstacle.
Firstly, choose a venue with larger
capacity than you need to allow the
social distance measures. Space
places at the dinner table further
apart. Perhaps choose a venue with
outside space too. Natural
ventilation is a bonus here. It can be
fun to light fire pits on the patio and
enjoy warm cocktails, canapes and
entertainment outdoors. Think
après ski - with an epic firework
display at the end of the night.
Secondly, cater with fun in mind.
A formal Christmas dinner suits
many, but also look to the wealth of
creative food stations and culinary
carts now on offer. Options to suit
all, minimal queuing. Sushi. Hot
local pies. Traditional fish and chips.
Bratwurst. Noodles and nuts.
Crepes and coffees. Bring a little
Christmas market to the occasion.
Not forgetting the Glühwein.
When it comes to the additional
safety advice, communication is
essential. Create signage that
doubles as a theatrical prop. For a
winter wonderland for example,
have wooden signs made and
nailed to oversized, frosted, trees.
Sanitiser can be provided in
individual branded bottles and left
at each place setting. Masks can
be offered in the corporate colours.
Better still, opt for a winter
masquerade ball where a mask is
more of a statement than
restriction!
Some clients are asking for
alcohol to be more restricted, to
ensure all the safety rules are met.
PIVOTING IS THE NEW BUZZ WORD
OF COURSE AND WHILST RIGHT FOR
SOME PLANNERS, A CHRISTMAS
PARTY ON-LINE IS NOT, AND IN MY
VIEW NEVER WILL BE, A MATCH THE
LIVE EVENT EXPERIENCE.
Non/low alcohol cocktails and
beers are better than ever now. Add
some drama, with theatrical
presentation and high-octane bar
flair. And most of all, get the best
entertainment you can afford. That
will create the party atmosphere
you need, rather than the free bar!
My belief: anything is possible.
We are an industry filled with
innovative people. It is up to us to
now inspire companies with ways in
which the festive party can bring
their teams together. Plans,
schemes, themes. Provide the ideas
and solutions that showcase that
Christmas events ARE on the
marketing agenda. Pivoting is the
new buzz word of course and whilst
right for some planners, a
Christmas party on-line is not, and
in my view never will be, a match the
live event experience. Time to get
creative.
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