5
Christmas
Less focus
on food
Rebecca Pickard, special
events sales & marketing
manager, F3 at the Etihad
Stadium
Exhibition Hall and theme the
event differently every year so
that even our local returning
visitors get a different
experience.
“Picking a venue that offers
variation is key to a great
Christmas party.”
Joanne Barratt, group
operations manager at
QHotels, notes the pressure
involved when it comes to
getting the Christmas party
spot on, suggesting that
involving the team will likely
mean more people are
satisfied.
“There is a lot of pressure
around getting the Christmas
party right,” says Barratt. “It’s
a time for staff to let their hair
down and celebrate the year’s
hard work. If organisers
involve attendees in the initial
ideas around areas such as
themes and venues, then
they’re much more likely to be
able to satisfy most people.
“The general trend is that
spend is increasing for
Christmas parties, but if you’re
on a smaller budget then we
recommend speaking to your
venue as they’ll be able to
suggest the best options for
you. Often you’ll find a variety
of packages that can be
tweaked to suit your needs.
“We’ve noticed a growing
number of clients moving
towards something more
unusual or creating their own
theme completely. We have
had everything from diving
themed events with giant
inflatable sharks and seaweed
skirts to events based on
major sporting tournaments or
the client’s own business
sector.
“It’s worth organisers
bearing in mind that they
could offer a daytime
alternative, or add on a
daytime activity to the
traditional Christmas party. A
festive afternoon tea, a sports
activity such as clay pigeon
shooting or a spa day with a
festive lunch are some of the
options available. It really is all
about what works for you and
your organisation.”
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Over recent years the
Christmas party market has
grown rapidly while there has
been a surge in the
competition in the
Manchester area.
Looking at the overall state
of the market, from what
we’ve seen so far, Brexit
doesn’t seem to have had an
impact, but when it comes to
budgets, however, we are
certainly seeing a change in
the way clients spend their
money. People are looking at
more creative ways to use
budgets, and with the huge
choice now available in
Manchester, clients are
looking for party venues with
a difference.
At the Etihad Stadium,
we’ve noticed that Christmas
parties are now less focused
on the food offering within
the packages, and are
placing more emphasis on
the room setting,
entertainment, and add-ons.
Photo booths, bands,
drinks packages, theming
and props are taking the
place of the more traditional
three course seated meal
and a disco.
We expect food styles to
sway more towards a smaller
offering such as finger food
that allows guests to
socialise while enjoying an
informal dining style and
cutting costs.