Crash Course in organising a Christmas Party 2008

Buy One, Get One Half Price at Sandown Racecourse 2009

Don't miss out on this Fantastic Offer from Sandown Racecourse - Buy One, Get One Half Price!!

Earn free gifts from Kodak Easyshare printer to a Sony Playstation 3 games console

Get your hands on fantastic free gifts from Kodak Easyshare 300 Photo Printer to a Sony Playstation 3 games console* Book an event at selected Hilton Hotels in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Mauritius worth over £2,500 (€3,200/US$4,700) between 13th October 2008 and 30th April 2009 and you could be eligible for some great gifts.

Conference Food and its effect on your delegates

Conference food - how does the food you serve effect your delegates?

Gangsters and Glamour; A Roaring 1920's Christmas Party for 2008

Gangsters and Glamour: At Ufton Park, Reading this 1920's style party will be one to remember for 2008. Set in a beautifully restored Tithe barn in the grounds of a magnificent Elizabethan Manor House.

Referral Incentive Scheme

New - Referral Incentive Scheme! Earn a minimum of £50 Bonus Bond vouchers for every successful referral you provide us over a certain booking value! Plus another £50 worth of bonus bond vouchers to the person you referred us to!

Moonlit in Marrakech, Christmas Party (Farnborough & Walton on Thames 2008)

Moonlit in Marrakech Christmas Party - This brand new theme for 2007 proved extremely popular with the intoxicating mix of Moroccan Mystique spectacular sets and stunning entertainment, dont miss out for 2008!!!!

Celebrate this Christmas at the fantastic Vale Hotel Golf & Spa Resort, Cardiff (2008)

Celebrate Christmas and the New Year at the Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort this year where they are offering a variety of events including weekend or week day parties, Infantasia multi - tribute nights and BIG BAND Live nights from only £35 per person...

For 2008 a Christmas Party with a difference......onboard the luxurious Silver Sturgeon on the River Thames

Celebrate Christmas 2008 with a difference..... onboard the Silver Sturgeon on the River Thames

Crash Course in organising a Christmas Party 2008

Christmas parties are often the highlight of the year for many companies. Below we have listed some helpful tips to make sure you have a great time!

Dinner Dance Christmas and New Year Parties at the Royal Armouries Museum 2008

Dinner Dance Christmas and New Year Parties at the Royal Armouries Museum 2008 from £31.95

Early-Eager or PM Professional

A new report shows tapping into a delegate's natural human rhythms can aid productivity, concentration and retention. The Meeting Minds report by Dr Lawrence Smith, senior lecturer at the Institue of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds, applies psychological theory regarding human rhythms, sleep and work scheduling to the meetings industry.

Rules of Engagement

Rules of Engagement - incorporating new technology

Crash Course in Audio Visual

Using the latest technology can be an important tool in getting the message across at your next event. We have identified below some key points to consider when creating the maximum effect from your AV.

Top Tips for Welcoming Guests to your event

Read our Top Tips for Welcoming Guests to your event!

Top Tips for Hosting a Memorable Corporate Golf Day

Golf is considered one of the most important tools in Corporate Entertaining.

10 Top Tips for Holding Greener Meetings

1. Save Paper. Using new media and electronic technology can cut down your paper use.

Crash Course in organising a Christmas Party 2008

18 Jun 08

Christmas parties are often the highlight of the year for many companies. Below we have listed some helpful tips to make sure you have a great time!

Establish your objectives and budget - What do you want to achieve and how much do you want to spend? It sounds obvious, but it is very important to have a clear idea of your budget before you start and what is that budget going to include, especially alcohol!

Location, Location, Location! How accessible is the venue by car and public transport? Is there plenty of safe car parking nearby and taxi ranks?

Set a date! Fridays are usually very popular as most people do not have to work the following day. consult with your colleagues to see when is best for them.

Don't leave it too late - Book early! It really is never too early to start thinking about the Christmas Party. The sooner you start the more chance you have of getting your preferred option on the preferred date. Last year we had one regular client looking to rebook as early as January! Some dates are already sold out. Don't delay and book today!

Private or shared party? Depending on your numbers, if your numbers are low, joining a shared evening will add to the atmosphere of the evening.

Take your audience into account The Christmas party should be tailored to fit the age, group size, culture and expectation of your attendees

Themed evening? Have you considered a fully themed event with live entertainment, live performers, fun casinos, dodgem rides and more?

Who is invited? Is it only employees or are their partners invited as well. This will have an impact on your budget and also who will attend - some employees will not attend without their partners.

Food & beverage? Will you have a sit-down meal or an informal buffet where your guests can mingle with other guests? Sit-down meals are often better when inviting partners, so that they have somebody to talk with. Identify any special dietary requirements well in advance so that the venue can accommodate them. Who is paying for the drinks? Some of the themed evenings include unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. Just make sure that everybody knows what behaviour is expected of them!

Overnight accommodation? Is the company offering to pay for this or will individuals be responsible for arranging any overnight accommodation.

Time - make sure your team has plenty of time to get ready on the evening!

Public liability insurance - does the venue have adequate cover?

Terms & Conditions - make sure you read the venues small print, especially licensing hours.

Read the RoSPA Guide and distribute to all attending, to make sure your colleagues only hear jingle bells, not alarm bells!

Finally, Have fun and pace yourself so that you can see the results of all your hard work!