12 Essential Steps for Planning an Epic Corporate Party This Holiday Season

Any epic celebration begins with finding the right event planner. A premier event planner goes far beyond finding event professionals and organizing logistics. Top event planners are visionaries and magic-makers, seeing the forest for the trees without sacrificing any of the smallest details. For this Vontobel holiday party at Ziegfeld Ballroom, event planner Eventsful, Inc. created an awe-inspiring celebration from start to finish. In addition to the gorgeous and glittering décor by Ed Libby & Company, sumptuous catering and live entertainment wowed guests at every turn. Additionally, party-goers enjoyed unique activities such as poker games and an on-site poet. 

“Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” this holiday season. With the right indoor venue (and view), hosts won’t mind some blustery winter weather. This Mercedes corporate holiday party at ASPIRE One World Observatory took advantage of the floor-to-ceiling windows to reflect all the twinkling holiday décor. Whether you opt to host your celebration in a hotel ballroom or stylish restaurant, consider what services and amenities are included with the venue. We especially love how the catering team at ASPIRE styled each place setting with on-theme garnishes for additional holiday cheer. 

There are plenty of reasons to hire an experienced photographer for your corporate holiday party. In addition to cherishing the memories for years to come, photographs are the perfect way to promote your business in the digital age. While anyone can take a photo on their Smartphone and share it with social media, a professional photographer will create a premier product that’s as inspiring as your company itself. We love how Cage and Aquarium captures the fleeting and ethereal moments — especially with an eye to branding — at this Zillow Group holiday party hosted at de Young Museum. 

Yes, it’s the holidays — meaning snowmen, pine cones, and lots of twinkling lights. But that doesn’t mean that you have to limit your imagination when it comes to selecting a style or creative elements. Tinsel Experiential created on-theme design and décor for this IP Soft holiday party that took place at Weylin, the former Williamsburg Savings Bank. Catering partner Pinch Food Designs dressed their servers as masked burglars, while food stations resembled teller stations. We especially love the walk-in bank vault photo booth complete with loose jewels and gold coin props. Of course, the holidays weren’t completely forgotten. Oversized ornaments decked the halls for a glamorous (and festive) effect.

Holiday celebrations are the perfect opportunity to promote your company with creative branding and signage. Companies are increasingly coming up with innovative ways to get their name out there — think custom-branded cocktails, neon signage, and printed upholstery. In the case of this RNA holiday fête planned by Florie Huppert Design, branding perfectly matched the Après-Ski theme with a life-sized ice sculpture by OKAMOTO STUDIO Custom Ice. Custom-printed napkins and t-shirts added additional opportunities for promotion. Of course, with a mechanical snowboard activity station and ski-themed arcade games, guests were sharing their photos on social media and doing a little promoting of their own.

Your hard-working employees will love the chance to relax and enjoy the entertainment. Hosts have several options when it comes to selecting high-quality entertainment. DJs or live bands are always a hit at any corporate holiday event. SPiN, Chicago turned up the volume at their holiday party with an aerialist act by The Actors Gymnasium. Additionally, a possessed-doll contortionist wowed guests with a spectacular circus performance. Just remember, there’s no such thing as too much entertainment. As we like to say at PartySlate, “Work hard, play hard.”

Celebrations are the perfect excuse to bring people together, and interactive activities get guests socializing like nothing else. Creative Games Inc combined these two party essentials — photo ops and delicious treats — at this Vontobel holiday party. At one activity station, guests could take selfies and watch their image transform into an edible crepe — talk about picture-perfect food presentation. Other unique entertainment included a poker booth and an onsite poet. Event planner Eventsful, Inc. made sure to include high-energy live music by Chevy Chevis Entertainment for some traditional fun on the dance floor as well.

Between dancing and socializing, guests will need to refuel. While many venues provide their own fantastic catering services, bringing in an additional outsider caterer adds variety and creativity to the dining experience. Catering services continue to evolve, offering everything from molecular gastronomy to food trucks. This food truck provided by Trucked Up Catering proves that winter weather is no reason to shy away from innovative catering opportunities. We especially love the photo ops that come with such unique experiences.

With a successful year under wraps and the New Year approaching, there are plenty of reasons to give a toast. In addition to offering guests a meal or passed bites, keep the glass half-full with a top-notch bar service. G Texas Catering elevated this corporate holiday celebration with artisanal wines and craft-cocktails. Bar services are also a great way to contribute to the celebration’s décor. We love how a cranberry garnish complimented the crimson floral centerpieces by Bella Acento. 

A meal isn’t complete without dessert — especially around the holidays. Your guests will love an opportunity to indulge their sweet tooth with various dessert stations. Think beyond just slices of cake. Elegant Affairs Caterers wowed guests at this corporate holiday party with a new twist on cookies and milk. For the guests having too good of a time on the dance floor to stop for treats — no need to worry. Costumed servers passed through the crowds, bringing the tray service with them.

If it’s not on Instagram, did it really happen? Make sure your guests have the opportunity to pose for photo ops at your next holiday party. At this 1990s-themed corporate celebration planned by Gravel Experiential, party-goers had plenty of opportunities to share their good times on social media. An iPad-based selfie station, designed by The SnapBar, kept guests smiling all night long. A video wall projected the photos, allowing participants to become part of the décor. Of course, don’t forget to bring props. Cut-out mixtapes and boomboxes were the perfect touch for this 90s extravaganza.

Gift-giving is a cherished holiday tradition. Thank your employees and guests — and give them a sweet reminder of the celebration — with a take-home gift. At this Yelp holiday party at The Regency Center, captured by Jim Vetter Photography and Misti Layne, Entire Productions reinvented the party favor with an interactive crafting station. Guests became the artists behind their own keepsakes, creating gift tags and snow globes. Of course, with live ice sculpting, champagne aerial pours, and a ball-pit photo booth, guests had plenty of reasons to remember the celebration.