Fall is probably one of the busiest seasons for almost any business, which means you likely have a lot on your plate. You’ve also been tasked with planning the corporate holiday party. You’re not too worried right now since the party seems like it’s in the distant future.
In reality, though, you only have a few weeks to plan the event in its entirety. Knowing that, you might be asking, how do you plan an event successfully?
Successful event planning usually starts with a budget. This is followed by confirming the guest list and booking a venue. From there, you’ll need to consider food, entertainment, and even decorations. There are many small details to think about when planning any kind of event. A good eye for detail can help you take a corporate event from “okay” to “astounding.”
If you’re just getting your party planning underway now or you seem to have stalled out in the process, look for these four signs. They indicate that it’s time to call in the professionals.
1. You Have No Idea How to Meet the Corporate Holiday Party Budget
Have you looked at the budget for your holiday party and tossed up your hands? Every quote you get back has you running over-budget, and you’re at a loss for what to do.
It’s time to call in event planners. These professionals know the industry, and they know where to find the best deals without sacrificing quality. They should be able to help you revise your budget as necessary as well. If you can save on food, maybe you have a bit more to spend on the venue.
Their experience is invaluable and can save you money in the long run.
2. Your Ideal Venue Was Booked
Since you’ve left your corporate holiday party planning until the fall, there’s a chance you won’t get the venue of your choice. It may already be booked for another event. This could leave you scrambling to find another suitable space in a short timeframe.
Instead of making snap decisions and getting stuck with a subpar venue, bring in the professionals. They’ll have great ideas about other venues similar to the one you had your eye on. You won’t need to spend time conducting extensive research to make sure you book a great venue.
3. You Have No Idea What to Serve
Most corporate holiday parties have a menu. Whether you get the event catered or book in a small restaurant, food is often one of the highlights. A sit-down meal, canapes, or food stations are all viable options for your holiday party.
You just don’t know what to serve at this year’s party. Maybe the food last year wasn’t so great, or maybe you couldn’t book the same caterer. Maybe employees have made so many different requests, you feel like you’ll need ten different menus.
This is a good time to call in the professionals. They can help you narrow down your options, find the right caterer, and help you build a palate-pleasing menu for all your guests.
4. You’re Running out of Time
When September 1 rolled around, you promised you’d get started on the planning for the holiday party. Now it’s October and you’ve barely started the process. The clock is ticking, and you feel more than a little pressed for time.
This is perhaps the best reason to call in the professionals! Event planners can take many of the party-planning tasks off your desk. They’re also able to keep the ball rolling with ease, and they can get things done in short order.
If you notice any or all of these signs, it’s time to make the call. Talk to an event planner and get started today.
