Corporate Holiday Parties: Good vs. Great

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How to make your next holiday party one to remember

The chasm between an “okay” holiday party and one that’s remembered for years to come by colleagues is as wide as the range of creativity needed for such a memorable holiday party to be created in the first place. For the meeting professional, the holiday party that leaves a true mark is the result of a job well done. Smart Meetings spoke with two hospitality professionals who’ve had their hand in corporate holiday parties and asked them what makes a holiday party special. You may want to bring out your notepad.

Creating the Difference

“The difference between an ordinary holiday party and a great holiday party is creating a memorable experience that goes beyond attendee’s expectations,” says Tom LaVaccare, director of sales and marketing at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, California. “Choosing a theme, entertainment and activities that are most meaningful to the majority of your attendees is critical to the event’s success. Don’t be afraid to take risks.”

Read More: Case Study: The Art of Crafting Holiday Magic

In the risk category, LaVaccare recommends tying your group’s favorite things into the event. “If the majority of the team favors a specific major sports team, or are Swifties, create fun experiences involving their favorite pastimes. It is important that the F&B offerings, decor and gifting are tied into this theme as well to create a holistic experience. The attendees will feel heard, which in turn makes them feel valued, and you will create fun memories that will last in the office for years to come.”

Choosing a theme, entertainment and activities that are most meaningful to the majority of your attendees is critical to the event’s success. Don’t be afraid to take risks.”

–  Tom LaVaccare, director of sales and marketing, Zachari Dunes

Audra Jennings, director of catering and convention services at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, suggests going one level deeper in the theme category. “A theme within a theme really helps to dial up the fun!  Something like casino games or incorporating a ‘bourbon sampling/tasting’ help to elevate holiday parties.”

As it relates to bourbon and elevation, despite the rise in popularity of spiritless cocktails and zero-proof beer, Jennings couldn’t help but emphasize the role alcoholic beverages play in the spirit of holiday cheer. “Holiday parties, by nature, speak to a celebration and for many that means cocktails,” she says.  “I’ve found that holiday parties with limits on the alcohol offerings tend to fall a bit flat. Evidence of that is early departures or the party moving from the dedicated space to the hotel’s lobby bar. As long as guests are responsible in their consumption and there’s plenty of food, let the celebration be a true celebration.

Be Unconventional

Aiming for the unconventional is a sure way to liven up your next corporate holiday party.

Read More: Alternative Venues: Not Your Usual Suspects

LaVaccare recommends securing a unique, memorable venue. “Our Airstream restaurant Sugar Beats, or sports-themed game lounge Dive, provides an unconventional and fun setting that can take a traditional holiday party experience and make it unique,” he says. “We have had companies rent our DIVE Lounge and our entire swimming pool to create a truly fun pool party atmosphere which gives colleagues a feeling of being on vacation.”

Personalization as a Bond Creator

In American writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” he talks about the importance of using an individual’s name when greeting them. He writes at the end of the chapter, “If you Don’t Do This, You Are Headed for Trouble”: “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”

Now, Zachari Dunes and the planner probably didn’t have Dale Carnegie in mind when creating this multistation, festival-like holiday party. They even made it one better, by dedicating live-action food stations based on each attendee’s favorite dish. Each station was labeled with the
team member’s name whose favorite food was being served at each station, i.e. Rachel’s Pizza, Bret’s Taco’s, etc., Lavaccare explains. “This tied the food to the company team members who are known for their passion for this food type. The separate food stations flowed well because attendees quickly discovered like-minded team member favorites as they spent the majority of the time with their new friends exploring and creating bonds.

Jennings echoes the same idea, albeit with a group focus. “Think about your staff and tailor an experience that most will enjoy,” she says. “If it’s a company largely staffed with older people, don’t hire a pop band.  If it’s mostly men, skip out on the cheese and charcuterie display and add more options tailored to them. Have fun…be creative…but mostly keep your guests (and their enjoyment) in mind.”

Speaking of creativity and personalization, Jennings says one of Omni Atlanta’s most successful holiday parties was 1980s themed party that suited the group. “The client hired an 80s band, there was a “Back to the Future” Delorian replica in the lobby and guests had fun getting creative in their best 80s garments. Tons of fun and the music was better suited for the age and demographic of the party goers.”

Festivity-focused Questions to Consider

Planning any type of event for the first time can come with its own set of questions, worries and anxieties. Although some of these concerns could also apply to typical corporate or association events, with corporate holiday parties’ focus on maximum fun and enjoyment, several of the considerations may veer slightly in another direction.

“Holiday party planners should always poll their attendees before choosing a venue, theme, music and menu. As a planner, you want maximum participation and enjoyment and this is only possible by providing your team with experiences that they look forward to participating in,” LaVaccare says. “Start with the venue first and ask yourself the following:

• Is its location close to the majority of the team members?
• Does the venue have sleeping accommodations if some of the attendees wish to spend the night?
• Is there a lounge where some of the team members who want to stay later than the party hours, can keep the party going?

This article appears in the November/December 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.