Your summer can lead to many vacations, backyard barbecues, fun with the kids. It is also the perfect time to plan a summer corporate event. Why, you ask? Because it is an opportunity to throw out the suits and business casual attire and have some summer fun networking with colleagues and others in your industry in a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere.
Why should you host a summer corporate event?
Corporate events are essential in the business world.
It gives your business the opportunity to showcase your talents, as well as the ability to network and expand.
Not to mention, it improves employee morale.
Sure, you could keep everyone locked indoors and host a formal corporate event in some nearby hotel or banquet space. But, it is summer – who wants all that?
If you are ready to have some fun and host the perfect summer corporate event, then here is what you’ll need.
The perfect location
The location you choose for your summer corporate event is as important as the event itself. After all, if your chosen space is in an inconvenient location, is less than ideal, or leaves your guests with every complaint in the book – then your event is a flop.
You could plan the best food and entertainment, but if your location doesn’t work, then the rest won’t matter.
Put some time into planning your event.
Doing so will ensure that it will kick off in the right direction. Since it is a summertime event, you should consider hosting your event outdoors.
Of course, you will want to also have some protection to keep your guests comfortable.
Your perfect location?
An outdoor venue with a temporary tent rental for shade and protection from any inclement weather. Tent rentals can be erected in all sorts of places – you company parking lot, a backyard, a nearby park, or even a vacant lot. Just be sure to get any necessary permission or permits in advance.
The perfect time and date
After you know where the corporate event will be held, it is time that you determine when.
It is very important that you save yourself enough time to give your future guests a notice of least six weeks.
Summertime usually involves a lot of traveling and various activities since kids are out of school. So, planning a summer corporate event during this time-frame needs to allow for scheduling.
Here are a few tips for selecting the perfect day:
- If your event is strictly for your employees, you may want to consider doing a survey with some possible available dates to see the biggest response.
- Another idea would be to allow the entire family to attend so kids can join, too.
- Determine what you intend to do at the event and decide what time of day would work best. Consider the activities as well as whether it should occur during a meal time, etc.
The more thought you put into planning the time and date of the event, the more likely you are to have a good turnout.
The perfect activities and entertainment
What do you have in mind for keeping your guests occupied at your summer corporate event? Because, well, they are going to need to be occupied. Hosting an event with no structure, activities, or entertainment can cause some social frustration among your guests.
Is your event for people in your industry? Do you intend to have vendor space available?
If so, perhaps you’d like to invite a well-known individual within your industry’s community to speak. Also, provide your guests with a great layout to maneuver through the vendors.
A social networking and mingling area will also be important.
If your event is for your company, perhaps an annual summertime bash, then make it fun.
Since you chose an outdoor venue, you are able to enjoy so much outdoor fun. For example, consider:
- water fun with sprinklers and splash pools
- scrimmages of football, soccer, or baseball
- sack races, egg race, or any other type of races
- consider various relays or group scavenger hunts, too.
This is a great opportunity to work on teambuilding with your employees.
The perfect food and beverage
Depending on the time of day you are hosting your event, you will likely want food available at your summer event.
Since it is an outdoor venue, perhaps you can stick with the informal, laid-back feel and ditch the formal, plated meals. Instead, opt for some barbecue goodness.
Barbecues do not mean that you have to only offer your guests hamburgers and hotdogs. You can make it more elaborate by serving steaks, chicken, kielbasa, etc. And, grill veggies, fruits, and all sorts of things on your grill.
Don’t forget all the good sides, too.
As for beverages, you will want to determine if you want to serve alcohol or not at your summer corporate event.
Either way, you can make a unique beverage just for the event. Give it a name that means something to your employees or your industry – and make it pretty.
It will be sure to be a hit.
Top off this part of your planning with a frosty dessert.
Its summertime – and you and your guests are outdoors. Provide ice cold treats, such as Sno-Cones, popsicles, or ice cream, to keep your guests cool and happy.
The perfect day
Planning and hosting a summer corporate event can feel tough and challenging. But, creating the perfect day is possible.
Sometimes it is remembering the little things that can take an event from fun to the best ever. You want it memorable, right?
Make it so by incorporating these:
- Sunscreen or suntan lotion.
- Sunglasse.
- Flip flops.
- Insect repellant.
- Hats or visors.
- Music.
- Lip balm.
- First aid kits.
You never know what your guests may forget – and keeping them comfortable and happy is key. These items should not put too big of a dent in your budget and the will be worth every penny.
It doesn’t take much to create the perfect summer corporate event.
You will need to plan and do a little research to discover the best date for the function.
Then decide what you will do while there – and what you will provide for your guests, as far as food, drinks, treats, and amenities.
Get everyone outside to enjoy the sunshine and mingle with like-minded people in a laid back, comfortable atmosphere.
Now that sounds perfect.