Month: March 2017

7 ideas for planning a surprise 40th birthday party

Posted on by Site Admin

Thinking about how to make that big 4-0 bash a night to remember? We’ve got some fantastic surprise 40th birthday party ideas up our sleeves to steer you away from the mundane gatherings so prepare to be inspired.

Bloomin’ marvellous

Book your other half in for a bespoke flower arranging workshop where they can relax, get crafty with friends and take home their creation. There are lots of professional florists who will come to wherever you’d like to host the party, meaning the special person can relax in a comfortable setting, and it’s much easier to plan a surprise cake too.

Just the tonic

Partial to a G and T, are they? Then you might just hit the nail on the head with a private gin and tonic tasting experience. Great for the serious gin-nerd or those that just need another excuse to sip lots of new ones, these fun and informative sessions might even introduce the birthday boy or girl to their new favourite gin.

A par-tee to remember

Plan a golf getaway – abroad or at home – on a magnificent course that everyone can enjoy. This type of party encourages a little healthy competition, and it provides the perfect chance to catch up with friends who you might not have seen in a little while – on the course or in the bar.

Can you gig it?

Bring back the good old days when they used to head to the nearest venue to catch the latest bands with pals, only this time it doesn’t involve sticky floors and smoky rooms. Find a really great band or soloist to their taste and throw a gig in a fit-for-purpose setting like in a gazebo if outdoors, or even better, an inflatable dome.

Scoot on

Working your way through parkland on a two wheeled-segway will never be so easy. Yes, it requires self-balancing but there’s no pedalling involved, all you have to do is hop on and enjoy navigating the bumps, hills, obstacles and woodland.

Light my fire

Got a Bear Grylls wannabe on your hands? Then pack them off on a wilderness and bushcraft survival course to see what they’re made of. A ‘traps and trapping’ weekend will really bring out the caveman/woman in them or take them back to our hunter gatherer roots with a course built around winter survival skills for the ultimate immersion experience.

You’re having a laugh

Book into a comedy club for some laugh out loud fun. Find a great venue close to where you are and settle in for a full night of comedy acts, and one huge bonus about an event like this is that it can be the place where you end or start the night.

 

There you have it – if you were looking for ideas for a surprise 40th birthday party, we hope we’ve done the hard work for you. Maybe you’ve got an idea in mind but you need the perfect venue with a difference. If you’d like to chat to us about throwing that special surprise party, get in touch with us for a free quote.

Download our free party planning guide

 

5 corporate event management tips

Posted on by Site Admin

So you’re about to organise an important event that you want to be remembered for the right reasons. Don’t worry as you’re in the right hands: our top tips on corporate event management will help you get the job done. Just remember, there’s no such thing as too much preparation.

1. Find out what the objective is

Are you in charge of generating income or PR for a new product or service? Just remember here that you have lots of opportunities to engage with people that stretch beyond digital means (these all play a separate part, of course) so think about how best to utilise this face-to-face contact.

2. Begin early

Plan out a timeline of events so you know you are hitting deadlines for certain milestones. If you know what you are focusing on from one week to the next, there’s less chance of you missing it off the list with dramatic consequences. Keep touch points with the vendors you are working with to make sure the deal still stands.

3. Make lists

We can’t stress how important it is to make, check off and check again lists: for yourself, for your staff, for the different suppliers and for the venue. Have one for each sub-section of your event, and don’t forget to check them as close to the date as you can so you know everything is in place.

4. Spread the word

Complement your event with a social media plan that aims to create a buzz around it in the run-up to the event, during the event, and long afterwards too. You’ll also need to create a time frame to release little teasers of information so that you can build suspense and get everyone excited to be a part of your journey – even more important for ticketed events.

5. Remember to follow up afterwards

Now is not the time to take a little breather, in fact, it’s one of the most crucial points along your planning. Hopefully you’ll have run a successful event that allows you to build on your positive relationship with attendees and partners, and know how to make the next one even better.

Download our free brochure to find out how you can wow your guests

While it’s true that you can’t foresee unpredictable problems, you can prepare yourself for as many eventualities as possible to eliminate any awful surprises. By seriously thinking about your objectives, thorough planning and a strong team around you, you should ace it.

Fancy chatting to our team about planning your own corporate event? Get in touch for a free quotation.

The key questions to ask when you hire a marquee

Posted on by Site Admin

You have to make sure all angles are covered when you come to hire a marquee because they can literally hold your party together. Maybe it’s a 40th birthday party you are organising or a wedding reception you’re thinking of hosting in a marquee…whatever the occasion, here’s what you need to ask before you sign up.

What sizes do you offer?

This usually depends on the hirer having a rough idea of numbers because you don’t want people to be squashed into a tiny space nor do you want an empty marquee, so choose your size wisely. The most realistic estimate you can give them is the best you can do, after all, closer to the time you can’t predict people dropping out or coming on board at the last minute.

Which kinds of marquees do you have?

There are lots of shapes to consider in your hunt for the perfect marquee. Traditional, tipi, yurt and stretch tent are just some of the styles out there so, depending on the atmosphere you want to create, it’s worth shopping around to pick the best shape for purpose.

Are your marquees insured?

Check if the marquee hire company has public liability insurance and damage waivers in place, and whether you need to get any further insurance to protect yourself. Even better, if they are members of MUTA, it means they must follow MUTA’s industry-leading Best Practice Guide and be legal, decent, honest and truthful.

Will you be able to sort out the practicalities for me?

Toilets, electrics, heating, catering and refrigeration…someone needs to make sure it’s looked after. The question here is: will you be able to let the marquee company take these issues off your hands or is it something you have to arrange for yourself? Either way, make sure you know before you proceed.

What extras will you need?

It depends entirely on the occasion but you need to consider what extra items you’ll need to entertain guests. A marquee for a wedding will need a good supply of tables and chairs; it’s worth looking into sorting a dance floor for an 18th birthday and corporate events require a good sound system for speeches. If you know what you need, ask if they can take care of this for you.

How do we choose a site?

Find out what is and what isn’t possible for the site you choose. If you don’t have a site in mind, the company should be able to find one for you in your preferred area. One typical problem you might encounter along the way is the issue of uneven or sloping ground. Most companies will be able to provide a range of options to cater for your needs, for instance, a raised platform can get around the problem of a slope.

This is a great starting point for anyone thinking about the first steps of hiring a marquee, and there are many more points we could cover. If you’d like to contact us about about our inflatable domes as a quirky alternative to a marquee, a member of our team would love to chat to you or give you a free quotation.

Why corporate team building matters to your business

Posted on by Site Admin

Any business owner knows that to produce great work, you have to be able to rely on a great team to deliver it . To do this, it’s worth investing the time and effort into making sure that each individual commits to the group effort. So get everyone on the same page with corporate team building exercises to reap these rewards.

Keeping team members happy

Everyone will feel at ease expressing their opinions, and open communication means that no one feels that they can’t express themselves. Be clear on everyone’s roles so that they own their responsibilities and know who to turn to for specific requests. This then facilitates an efficient team.

Make sure your team is motivated

Tasks that increase an employee’s confidence in themselves and the wider team continue to deliver long after the training session. Consider it this way: they are more likely to think of ways to evolve and change to improve which in turn helps your business grow.

It doesn’t have to be awkward

Keep team-building activities as normal as possible by going for the activities that are fun and natural – something like bowling would do the trick. It will make your staff feel valued and it’s well-known that when staff feel appreciated, they feel motivated to produce great work.

Team culture

Developing interpersonal relationships (outside of work as well as during) and a sense of belonging within the team can work wonders for boosting positive morale and building trust and respect for each other. What’s even better is that it helps to break down barriers between senior managers and employees because everyone has to work together.

Foster creativity

Moving your team into a new situation can only do them good because the challenge of being faced with the unfamiliar can bring out the best in the problem-solvers, and encourage innovative thinking. If they can bring these new ways of thinking into the office then you’ve got yourself a team with bona fide analytical abilities.

Team building activities can give your staff strength in numbers, as well as make the most of their individual skills. Be sure to build these sessions into your annual business plan so that you get the long-term benefits, because no matter which way you look at it, corporate team building matters to your business today, next month and years down the line.

Want to find out how we can transform your corporate team building event? Our team will only be too happy to give you a free quote.

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