5 Refreshing Themes to Elevate Corporate Events
Coming up with new ideas for your next corporate event can be a bit daunting, especially when you have a group comprised of a wide age range. Creating something fresh, unique and just plain fun seems to be a common struggle for many meeting planners. To help ease that burden and stir the creative juices, we’ve listed the following ideas, all of which can be held on property, at a private venue or for an added perk, aboard a private luxury yacht.
Beer vs. Wine Dinner – Appeal to all ages with a twist on the conventional beer tasting or wine pairing dinner. A sommelier can guide guests through an evening of beer, wine and culinary experiences, culminating with votes for the winner – beer or wine? This is a creative approach to traditional food and beverage pairings that will expand the pallet of both beer and wine lovers!
Casino – yes, we know this has been done before, but who doesn’t like a casino, especially when you team it with a charity component, thus incorporating your CSR. For an added twist, hold it aboard a private yacht. Create a cruise ship environment by adding a boarding cocktail; a Vegas style show and roaming entertainment such as slight of hand magicians or illusionists.
Tequila Tasting or Pairing Dinner – Celebrate the flavor of Mexico with a fiesta!
Begin with a tequila tasting and hors-d’oeuvre, and move on to a tequila pairing dinner with traditional Mexican fare! Enhance the vibe by handing everyone sombreros as they arrive. Add strolling mariachis and/or folkloric dancers for increased entertainment!
Go Organic – With a growing number of organic products from the vine, the grain, and the orchard, organizing a completely organic feast is fairly easy to do these days. Why not incorporate the flavor of the destination and support local, pesticide free farmers by offering a farm-to-table experience. There are several organic farms near Newport Beach, CA, which means you can have every course covered, including the wine. Elevate the experience by adding a cooking with fresh herbs class or chef’s demonstration to the event.
Dueling Pianos – Talk about high-energy fun, dueling pianos are a sure crowd pleaser – regardless of age! Dueling pianos feature two piano players, taking audience requested songs for a contagious, rousing sing-along. Planners can work with pianists ahead of the event to incorporate comedic bits featuring company employees or create parodies of popular songs that highlight the company’s brand.
Celebrate the Destination – Capture the essence of a destination by incorporating elements representative of the area. Coordinating an event that celebrates a destination’s culture allows guests to experience the community’s true vibe. For example, Newport Beach, CA is situated along a stretch of California’s Riviera, an area that is as much a lifestyle as a location. People here tend to live outdoors, and why not, with year-round sunshine and mild temperatures, the weather is just as relaxed as the people. In order to grasp all that is Newport Beach, groups may opt to have vignettes of various artisans, such as jewelry designers, landscape photographers and watercolor artists, while offering wine tasting from local vineyards and chef demonstrations from prominent area restaurants. To fully capture the area’s vibe, try holding the event on a private luxury yacht while cruising Newport’s gorgeous estate lined harbor.
So there you have it, a few original ideas along with some variations on conventional themes. For additional ideas and help finding the best location for your group, turn to your DMO or CVB. Visit Newport Beach, is the local DMO for Newport Beach, CA. As a destination partner, Visit Newport Beach has the knowledge and expertise that can streamline the meeting planning process. With several meeting planner incentives and resources that can extend the meeting budget, Visit Newport Beach can help you plan your next meeting in this stylishly chic, coastal gem.
