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Liven up your next business function with the inclusion of a theme! When used properly, a theme can breathe life into an event or encourage excitement about an upcoming company do. Encourage engagement and develop your company culture through more detailed, interesting, and compelling events.

The Benefits of Corporate Event Themes

Christmas parties, end of year parties, and milestone celebrations -- all of these can be celebrated though a themed event. Many employees don't find the prospect of an employee event overly alluring; they feel more obligated to attend than excited. Creating a fun theme is a way to draw in employees who would otherwise be disengaged.

Corporate event themes also make it easier for you to plan your event, as it gives you guidance regarding essentials such as catering, decoration, and activities. It may be difficult to figure out how to celebrate a generic "end of year" party, but it's much easier if you're doing a "retro flashback" theme. 

Creating Themes for Sydney Corporate Events

What are the best themes for Sydney corporate events? It all depends on the business and the event that's being celebrated.

• New Year's Events. If you want to go modern, glow stick events are a festive and affordable way to jazz up a traditional New Year's Event. If you'd rather go classic, a "roaring 20's" theme can be a fun way to get everyone involve. Don't forget a costume prize -- and include an exciting way to ring in the New Year.
• Corporate Milestones. Whether you've come in under budget or met revenue goals, celebrating corporate milestones will encourage employees to work harder. Consider something like a "casino night"; keep it fun and light-hearted to truly ensure that the employees have   fun    rather than feeling as though it's like work.
• Holiday Parties. During the holidays, no one wants to go to yet another business Christmas party. Liven it up with a tropical getaway theme, giving employees a new way to celebrate old traditions. 
• Product Launches. When products launch, you want the business to get hyped! Consider dramatic events that relate to the product launched, such as a racetrack theme for a road-worthy product. Don't forget the red carpet!

With a little thought, you can find the perfect theme for nearly every corporate event.

Planning Corporate Events in Sydney

One of the major benefits of establishing a theme is that it makes the entire process of organising and conceptualising the event faster and easier. Once you know the theme of your event, you'll be able to easily figure out:

• Where the event should be held. Outside? Inside? On company campus or a rented venue? A casino night would necessitate something extravagant and sophisticated, while a tropical vacation theme would lend itself better to the outdoors.
• What type of food is being served. Does it require trendy appetisers? Or is it more a company potluck type of event? A roaring 20's event would be best run with some elegant apartifs.
• What decorations are used. What should the colors be? Are there symbols closely related to the theme? With a tropical vacation theme, you already know sand, coconuts, and palm trees may factor in.
• What entertainment should be brought in? Is there a type of music commonly associated with this theme? Are there any specific entertainers? At a casino night you might have poker dealers or other "gambling."
• What should guests wear? Is this type of theme usually formal or informal? A tropical event could be firmly casual, while a casino night might demand formality.

Themes give you a solid jumping off point so you can create a detailed company event plan without having to create everything from whole cloth. For many themes, you may be able to easily find information online.

Example Themes for Corporate  Events

There are no restrictions on the type of theme you can use for your corporate events, provided they're appropriate and professional. Take risks and be bold and you're more likely to create a memorable event.

• James Bond 007 theme. Bring out the inner spy of your employees with a spy-vs-spy theme, including elegant dress, casino inspired decor, and intricate food and drink.
• Las Vegas theme. Go big and bold with a larger than life Vegas theme. Glitter, lights, and all the trappings of Vegas can be incorporated into something like fundraising.
• Winter Wonderland theme. Bring fake snow and mistletoe into the hotter months, such as by celebrating a themed Christmas in July.
• Circus theme. Bring in some clowns, fair food, and a festive, brightly colored decor for this "kids" theme that's equally fun for adults.
• Summer vacation theme. Let employees go casual with a summer vacation while still at work, especially useful to reward employees for a job well done.

Those are just a few corporate events that you may want to consider. There are endless possibilities, depending on the event itself and your company's goals. Through themed events, you'll find it easier to plan ahead and figure out everything from what food you want to serve to where it will be best held.

Need some help planning your next corporate event in Sydney? Let us know!

Corporate Party Theme Ideas for 2017

Whether it’s an end-of-year celebration for your company, getting together at the office to celebrate a milestone or a newly confirmed deal, it’s important to acknowledge the efforts of all company members and employees with an exclusive corporate event.

Let your team enjoy the perks of the job by organising an incredible event they’ll never forget.

Company event organisers are always looking for new ways to get guests interested in attending company events. At Laissez-faire, we think there’s no better way than to have a themed corporate party! We’ve put together a few tips to help you organise your next corporate party.

Choose a theme

This is going to be the most creative part of the process - choosing a theme for your corporate party!  In the past, Laissez-faire has had the honour of catering for some amazing themed parties: 007, Masquerade, Circus, Rustic/Workshop, and more!

Check out our Instagram account to see some more images from these events.

Check out these other great theme ideas:

Movie or TV show theme - asks guests to choose their favourite movie/TV show from a survey list, or their favourite recent release. Whichever has the most votes is your corporate party theme! This is a great type of theme to work with because you will be able to check out the original source material when making props, designing the decor and directing the overall atmosphere of the event. Guests should be encouraged to dress up according to the movie or TV show for some great photo ops!

Music theme - choose a genre and base your theme around this! Guests can dress up as the artists of that genre or just enjoy a perfectly tailored playlist. If it’s rock, consider a live band with cocktails and a light show. If it’s pop, consider a DJ and a dancefloor with canapes galore and flashy decor.

Era theme - This one is a definite crowd-pleaser. Choose a fashionable era (the 20s, 60s, 70s, etc) and design the decor around that. Guests can dress up in costumes from that era and dance to the music. This is a great opportunity to go all out! Your catering team could also be dressed up while they serve your guests delicious canapes and drinks from the era.

 

Our amazing team thank you Clifford Wallace #eventinception

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Aug 20, 2015 at 7:15am PDT

Choose a venue to suit the theme

You could set up the party in your company offices if the guest list isn’t large, however, this doesn’t feel very special. The process of getting ready for a company party, going to a dedicated venue space where your employees have never been before, is kind of magical and will really make them feel special.

If you’re having a movie/TV themed party, lay down a red carpet at the entrance to the venue. If your theme is rustic/chic find an open venue like an old barn or stable house to really compete the atmosphere. If you’re having a nautical themed event, consider the Australian National Maritime Museum, or something else near the water with a beautiful view of ships.

Finding the perfect venue for your theme will take some research and shopping around, so start early and stay organised!

 

Fairground follies event last week #coorporateevents #catering #laissez_faire_catering #christmasparty #sydneyvenue #eventcatering

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Dec 15, 2015 at 2:46am PST

Serve a menu inspired by your theme

A theme brings together all aspects of an event, and it’s no different for food. This can be hard to do, and you might find it difficult to create an entire menu based on your theme. We suggest a few key aspects that guests will know and recognise as part of the overall theme of the event.

For example, a 007 themed event could feature a signature martini cocktail handed to the guests as they walk into the venue. This will make them feel engaged in the event as soon as they walk in the door! Similarly, you could create a signature canape spread to fit your theme. A nautical themed party could serve delicious sashimi canapes.

 

Simple bites are often the best #canapes #cateringsydney #sydneycatering #laissezfaireevents #eventcatering

A post shared by Laissez-faire Catering (@laissez_faire_catering) on Nov 11, 2015 at 10:56pm PST

Take photos to remember!

Encourage your guests to post images from the event on their social media channels using a specific hashtag. You could feature the hashtag on a sign as guests enter the venue. If the theme is rustic and chic, use a chalkboard and get someone with swirly handwriting to write your special tag on the board.

This is a great way to get your guests involved in the event and to ensure they have fond memories of the night later on. Print the best photos and display them somewhere in the office where everyone can pass by and point out the funny memories.

We hope these tips will help you organise your next corporate party. It will be one to remember!

BONUS: Click on the banner below to download the Laissez-faire Platter Menu, which might be perfect for your corporate party!