event planning
This article was written by Ashley Albrecht, President of Albrecht Events.
This article was written by Ashley Albrecht, President of Albrecht Events.
While holiday events will look much different this year from years past, there are many unique ways to celebrate and bring teams together to recognize the efforts of the past year and show appreciation.
Host a Virtual Celebration
There are many options for creating unique and fun virtual holiday celebrations. Whether live or pre-recorded, guests can participate in virtual cooking classes, cocktail classes, charitable give backs and more. Virtual content may include performances by local or headline talent. The main event can be bookended with musical performances to lead in and lead out of the event and set the tone for a festive evening. Some companies are even ending their virtual gala with a virtual dance party and full dance band. One advantage of a virtual holiday celebration is the ability to engage high end talent for a fraction of the cost. For example, planners can hire Broadway performers to create a unique and customized experience for their attendees complete with a live Q&A.
Virtual celebrations can be filmed at an office location or can be filmed in a studio with enhanced holiday decor and lighting to add to the festivities. An emcee or host can also add to the excitement and special quality of the evening. A host can help with transitions between videos, entertainment content, and perhaps a photo montage, slideshow or review of the year.
As we are living in a virtual world and online fatigue is real, it is important to provide something tangible to the online experience. Dinner or cocktail kits can be mailed directly to the guests’ home. These kits can include customized materials branded to match the event. Additionally table decor including linens, place settings, silverware and flowers can also be delivered directly to the guests home prior to the event. Another way to combat virtual fatigue is to add elements that the whole family can enjoy. A family dinner with a unique entertainment experience that all will enjoy can elevate the everyday family dinner and give families something different to look forward to together.
Technology such as virtual photo ops and networking apps can also bring your employees together for additional mingling and networking.
A curated and custom gift box with gifts that guests wait to open as the event
Host Small Watch Parties
If hosting a virtual holiday celebration, hosting small watch parties for the attendees that are in close proximity of one another can also add to the festive feeling of the event. Audio visual technology and tenting can be provided to create these mini parties.
Live Event Experiences
If your attendees live in close proximity, a drive through or drive in experience can be created for your guests if a parking lot is available. Drive in concerts or drive in movies offer a unique and popular way to bring people together to safely celebrate the holidays. A drive in concert can be enhanced with food trucks and walk around entertainment.
Various stations with a variety of holiday entertainment can also be coordinated. Guests can drive or walk through visiting several stations of outdoor holiday fun including performers such as a roller-skating tournament, holiday characters such as Buddy the Elf or The Grinch, an LED juggler, a snow globe acrobat and more. For a drive through experience, thematic music can play through the car radio or live musical performers such as bell ringers and carolers can be part of the experience.
Breakfasts with Santa
While Santa meet and greets need to be different this year, safety can be achieved through creative event sets such as a Santa’s workshop theme. The work bench between Santa and the children provides a perfect social distancing solution.
Bonus Holiday Party Idea (written by Jesse Dameron)
If you want to blow your employees’ minds with magic and intuition, watch the video below to see how much joy it brings to employees.
To book the entertainment shown in the video above, call 267-261-9930 for a free consultation or visit www.mentalistjesse.com.