CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Graham HillHead of Venues & Events at Square Meal

Budget validation – don’t skimp, it’s a false economy

• Internal marketing• Networking & teambuilding• Staff retention = lower recruitment costs• Good morale = higher productivity• £150 gift voucher or brilliant party?• Tax deductible - £150 per person

Key Criteria

• Company / Department / Desk?• Dinner / Buffet / Drinks & Canapés / Other?• Lunchtime / Evening / Both / Overnight?• Spouses too…?• Package or Bespoke?• Exclusive or Shared?

Timing

• Shop early for best dates and venues• Be flexible and shop late for bargains• What about January?

Attendance & Conversion

• Don’t assume acceptance = attendance• 12% average no show• Make the invitation attractive• Give people plenty of notice• Clear dress code – if themed, keep it easy• Appoint departmental reps• Get feedback

Avoiding Pitfalls• Confirm all costs in writing• Confirm all timings • Write and share the itinerary• Insist on a tasting• Don’t run out of booze• Avoid cloakroom horrors• Get people home safely• Don’t do it for the directors

Social Media

• Promotion• Feedback• Pictures• Potential pitfall…?!

Alternative Ideas

• Dominion Theatre – G38• L’Atelier des Chefs – M18• All Star Lanes• Hippodrome – A2• Namco – E1• EDF Energy London Eye – D31• West London Shooting School – M32

Party Portfolios• Ultimate Experience – E10• Crown Group, Venue Reservations – F30• It’s The Agency • The Finishing Touch (EX-Events)• Awesome Events• Merlin Events• Searcys

Parties in London Restaurants

• Paramount & Century – E31• D&D London• Cinnamon Club – A8• Caprice Holdings• Corrigan’s & Bentley’s – R5• The Folly & The Drift – R3• Kornicis Group: Smollenskys – R20

Parties in London Bars

• Late Night London – A28• Davy’s Wine Bars• Kornicis: Jamies – R20

Parties on Thames River Boats• Bateaux London – E32• MV Harmony – E32• City Cruises – H30• RS Hispaniola – H30• London Eye Barracuda – D34• London Duck Tours• Woods River Cruises• HQS Wellington

Parties at Racecourses• Kempton Park – B4• Epsom Downs Racecourse – B4 • Sandown Park – B4• Ascot Racecourse - JF• Lingfield Park Racecourse – C25

Shared Christmas Parties• PARTY PORTFOLIOS• Old Vic Tunnels – D23• Bloomsbury Big Top• Merlin Events• Altitude 360 – G21• Bourne & Hollingsworth• Vinopolis – G42• Café de Paris

1920’s & Great Gatsby Parties• Bourne & Hollingsworth• No.11 Cavendish Square• The Fountain Room• Vinopolis – G42• RSA House• The Deck

Circus & Cabaret Christmas

• Bloomsbury Big Top• The Grand Hall• Volupté• Supperclub• Café de Paris• Cirque du Soir

Masquerade & Masked Balls

• Bourne & Hollingsworth• The Royal College of Surgeons• One Moorgate Place – G15• The HAC – G37• 28 Portland Place• Law Society

VinopolisStand G42

‘Great Gatsby’, ‘Northern Lights’ & ‘Secret Soiree’

No. 11 Cavendish Square

‘Fat Sam’s Speakeasy’

The HACStand G37

‘Masquerade’

The Roof GardensStand A1

‘Winter Wonderland’

Ironmonger’s HallStand H21

‘New York Speakeasy’

Gibson HallStand H11

‘Glitz & Gold’

Tower BridgeStand H15

‘Christmas Over The Thames’

The Deck

‘1920’s Cruise Liner’

BMA HouseStand F31

‘Traditional Christmas’

Senate HouseStand E21

‘Art Deco Christmas’

Altitude 360 & SkyloftStand G21

‘Christmas over the Capital’

Don’t forget to visit:

You can now earn points when booking online, to spend on a wide variety of

luxurious rewards.