How To Plan A Corporate Holiday Party People Will Actually Attend: Checklist & Guide
The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful if you embark on party planning without some guidance. You know the saying – not all heroes wear capes. This rings true for all of our fellow professionals tasked with planning this year’s company holiday party.
But not to fret – no matter if you’re looking to deck the halls or deck the receptionist because they failed to (yet again) send out the email poll to figure out who is allergic to gluten, we have the ultimate company holiday party checklist your colleagues will love you for.
Before we get into the nitty gritty, there are a few things to keep top of mind before locking in your 2022 company party venue.
What To Know Before Booking Your Company Party
A little homework goes a long way. Doing some preliminary research before booking will save you a lot of stress in the weeks to come. Before assuming what your team wants to do, simply ask them if they have any suggestions for inclusive, team building ideas/venues located within the Greater Columbus Area. Remember, you’re wanting something fun and easy. After all, this is a party! Earning your official title as “Office Party Coordinator” starts by factoring in an event that keeps everyone entertained, included, and fed.
So grab your pen and paper or summon Siri to take some notes, the time has come to create your very own 2022 checklist.
The Tried & True Corporate Party Checklist: Holiday Edition
We’ve been doing this a while… So trust us when we advise to stick to the following items when turning your dream event into a reality:
Choose Your Venue Wisely
The most important detail of any corporate holiday party is the location! Make sure to pick a spot that is perfect for you, your team, and your budget. You don’t want to pick a venue that’s too small and doesn’t accommodate your guests. Also steer clear of places that are too big and leave your party feeling empty. We also suggest making sure your venue is equipped with everything that your party needs, from clean public restrooms, space to serve food, or space for a fun activity to entertain your guests.
Struggling to find a space that checks all three boxes? Add a twist to this year’s party at Dueling Axes. We have two axe throwing lounges in the Greater Columbus Area that can easily accommodate big groups for two hours at a time (or more). As far as entertainment goes, we are more than equipped to show your guests a great time! Our staff will walk you through a series of different competitive axe throwing games that are designed to get even the most rooted wallflowers out of their shell. We also allow (and encourage) you to get your event catered by your favorite restaurant!
All Dueling Axes locations have full bar service (New Albany, downtown Columbus, and Las Vegas). When you book with us, all you have to do is give us a little information about your holiday bash and feel free to kick back and have fun while we do the rest.
Get An Accurate Headcount
An accurate count of the guest list is essential when it comes to a party. You don’t want to under (or over) estimate how many people will be in attendance. Staff only or are you allowing plus ones? Kids or no kids? In the end, the more you can prepare for the better!
Be as clear as possible when sending out the company notice to ensure your headcount is accurate. This ties into the bigger picture when it comes to how many axe throwing lanes to book, what location to choose, and of course, catering!
Plan Accordingly For Dietary Restrictions & Requests
We live in a very food-centric world. If you’re opting for catering (only the best bosses do), make sure to have your employees pass along any special diet requirements that your caterer needs to be aware of! Whether it’s a personal preference or a dietary restriction for health reasons, you want to make sure all of your employees have something they can eat and no one feels left out, especially if alcohol is involved.
Book Catering In Advanced
You can’t throw a company holiday party without food – it’s bad luck! Remember to have catering booked and ready to serve your team. Keep in mind that Dueling Axes does not have kitchens and thus, no food to order. However, we do have a few delicious dining options when it comes to Columbus catering companies:
- SideBar Restaurant
- Pecan Penny’s
- Dirty Frank’s
- The Walrus
- The Eagle
- Brassica
- Marcella’s
- Condado Tacos
- Mellow Mushroom New Albany
- CIty BBQ
- Mikey’s Late Night Slice
Of course, this list isn’t concrete. When planning the party, it would be best to call your preferred restaurant before ordering to figure out their delivery capabilities.
Arrange For Transportation If Need Be
When it comes to transportation you want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and gets to every destination safely. For extra bonding, arrange for employees to meet at the office and shuttle or carpool to our axe throwing lounge. If employees choose to drive themselves or carpool, be sure that a designated driver has been appointed.
Getting to the party is always easy, but getting home safely is what we want to emphasize! If employees shuttle to the lounge, they can shuttle back, but make sure you encourage them to Lyft or Uber home if it’s not safe to drive, and even offer to cover costs to ensure everyone gets home safely. Need a helping hand planning your ride situation? Check out our Ride In Style/Throw In Style offerings.
Book Your 2022 Corporate Holiday Party Venue
If you can check off everything on this list, your holiday bash is sure to be a success and go off without a hitch! Not only can we help you with your holiday party, we can help you with the planning process. Dates are booking fast, book your corporate holiday party today!
