Are you in charge of planning a company social or thinking of putting one together for your team?
Company socials are a great way to build morale, get to know your co-workers outside of the traditional work environment, and have fun together. Beyond that, though, hosting social events is essential to a company’s culture and allows employees to connect on a deeper level.
Many employees find work socials integral to their job satisfaction, as office relationships are essential to a positive professional experience.
But planning these events can entail a lot of work you might not have the time, patience, or expertise to handle internally.
And that leaves you with a few options:
- Figure out how to handle it on your own
- Task someone on your team with overseeing the event planning process
- Enlist support and have someone plan and execute the event on your behalf
Regardless of which avenue you choose to pursue, it’s still important that you have an understanding of the steps, considerations, and best practices involved in hosting a top-tier company social.
The Professional Benefits of Company Socials
Company social events aren’t just fun. They also offer a wide array of professional benefits.
Better Culture
A strong company culture has been linked with better employee retention rates and improved productivity which means hosting regular socials is worth the investment.
According to Forbes, millennials would be willing to give up an average of $7,600 from their annual salary to work at a job that provided a better professional environment.
Increased employee engagement
Social events help employees feel more connected to their company and foster a sense of belonging. This increased sense of engagement can lead to higher productivity and job satisfaction as a byproduct.
Greater Team Building and Morale-Boosting
Sharing social experiences with colleagues builds teamwork and strengthens bonds between employees, increasing teamwork, morale, and productivity in the workplace.
But in order to achieve these goals, your company social needs to be thoughtfully planned and expertly executed.
Tips For Hosting an Unforgettable Company Social
Planning a company social comes with a lot of pressure and a significant number of details to keep on top of.
Whether you’re planning your own event, tasking a member of your team to tackle it, or enlisting some support to bring your event to life, there are some event planning best practices you can keep in mind to ensure your company social checks the right boxes.
Start With a Plan
The first step to hosting a great company social is to plan ahead and be organized.
This means picking a date far in advance and sending out invitations early. It also means having a clear idea of what you want the event to entail.
- Do you want it to be casual or formal?
- Will there be a theme?
- Will there be a meal service or just drinks?
- What types of entertainment will be required? Music? Performances?
- Are speeches and speaking opportunities an important component?
- What type of rentals and technology will be required?
- How will guests get to and from your event? Public transit? Driving?
- Will parking be required? If so, where will you find it? Will you require valet?
- What would be a convenient location?
- Will you require decor and branding?
Knowing the answers to these types of questions ahead of time will make your event run much smoother.
You’ll also want to set a budget for your social: how much are you willing and able to spend on refreshments, decorations, and entertainment?
Write down a list of things you’ll need to consider and go through them individually.
Give Power to the People
It’s a great touch to host polls and surveys in advance to discover what your team members prefer in terms of social events.
This way, everyone feels like they had a hand in planning the company social and are more likely to enjoy it as a result.
This method can also be helpful if you’re trying to find out more about your attendees, including any food allergies and preferences or location preferences.
Make It Interactive
Even in the most informal of settings, a bit of structure and interactivity can make your company social flow better and create greater engagement.
This can be simple things like starting with some icebreakers or a speech from your leadership team.
Or it could even mean hiring a comedian, planning entertainment after dinner, or bringing in bartenders that can that make mixology an exciting touch for your event.
Choose a Venue
Where your event takes place is one of the most important considerations for your company social. Your choice of venue will set the tone for the entire event, so it’s important to pick somewhere that offers equal parts form and function.
If you’re planning on serving food, make sure there’s enough space for everyone to sit down and enjoy their meal. And if you’re planning to encourage socialization, ensure your space can accommodate your entire group.
A variety of spaces is ideal within your venue, such as outdoor terraces, patios, and comfortable lounge areas where people can relax.
It’s also important to consider whether you’ll need catering and rentals, such as A/V equipment and additional seating and tables.
And-Co offers a top-tier variety of fully-appointed event spaces that are perfect for a range of different types and sizes of gatherings.
Our Canteen + Terrace is perfect for intimate celebrations, cocktails, and soirees.
This comfortable, modern space is designed for 40 people and blends privacy with an elevated city atmosphere. It features a built-in audio system and projector screen to play tunes and videos, with in-house tech, AV support, and event rental support all included with the space.
Our Private Dining Room is an ideal option if you’re planning to host a sit-down dining experience for your group. Located inside NOX, our in-house restaurant, our chefs can provide catering for up to 28 guests.
Delegate Tasks
You can’t do everything yourself. Delegating tasks is one of the best ways to ensure that your event is a success.
If possible, assign tasks to multiple people, such as food and drink, entertainment, dress code, and other aspects of the party.
This way, someone will be responsible for each important component, so they all get adequate attention.
Enlist the Support of Event Planning Experts
It’s not always feasible to hire an event planner, but doing so offers a plethora of benefits.
After discussing all the aspects of your party in extensive detail, they can take that information and transform it into a reality, leaving you with more time to focus on running your business or keeping your team engaged in business-driving activities.
A good event planner can also anticipate potential problems and head them off before they have a chance to ruin your party.
Alongside our event spaces, And-Co has an in-house event planning team that can take care of all the planning for you. This service is included in all membership types.
Simply give them a budget to work with, set a goal with them, and they’ll help you host an unforgettable company event.
Follow Up
Finally, don’t forget to follow up with your guests after the event. A simple thank-you note or email can go a long way.
You might also consider surveying your guests to get feedback on their thoughts about the event. This will help you make any necessary changes for next time.
Hosting a company social for your team can help boost morale, increase engagement, and enhance your organization’s employee value proposition.
But in order for your event to deliver the desired results, it needs to be meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. If you’d like to find a modern, full-service event space for your next company event, book a tour of And-Co today.