Conference News Supplements Christmas Supplement | Page 5

5 Christmas Parties The nine tips of Christmas Nicholas Bills of London venue Glaziers Hall highlights the points to consider when booking this year’s Christmas party Preparation is key – Christmas in July may seem too early, but many companies re-book a great Christmas party venue as the first job of the New Year. We suggest that you start looking, booking and sending out save the dates by early summer. Ensure a realistic budget is set very early on, so you know what to work towards and make a note of all possible costs. To keep things simple, find a venue that offers a complete package to reduce the risk of hidden costs further down the line. To help in the organisation and making decisions for this year’s party, jot down everything that worked and didn’t work from last year’s do. Think about what type of event will suit your colleagues and workplace – are you after a daytime lunch, an after-work drinks reception or a late-night celebration? Figuring this out will help you to decide on your perfect venue. At Glaziers Hall, we can accommodate for events throughout the day, from a breakfast meeting with Christmas-inspired nibbles all the way through to a lively disco until the small hours. We can also advise on the perfect package for what you’re trying to achieve, so you don’t have to worry about making endless decisions and can relax knowing it’s all in hand. Many hands make light work – enlist willing colleagues to help out with the planning or lean on the venue event co-ordinators to help with the logistics so you don’t have to carry all the stress. 6. Remember that the main talking points of your event will be the food and entertainment, so make these the focal point of planning! www.conference-news.co.uk Ensure your venue/caterer offers a variety of menus for different dietary requirements and make it clear to the venue who needs which menu. By finding out dietary requirements in advance, you can make sure alternative menus aren’t an afterthought – all of the caterers Glaziers Hall works with put as much effort and flair into their vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus as they do their regular menus. Make everyone’s life easier on the day by ensuring guest lists are confirmed and any registration logistics are arranged with the venue well in advance. And, last but not least, enjoy the party – ‘tis the season to be jolly after all! Remember to take time to relax and get stuck into all the fun festivities, you deserve it!