Corporate Event Planning Trends for 2012

After all the holiday fanfare has wrapped up, businesses are on to the new year, focusing on creating a fresh start for both clients and staff. Starting the new corporate season off on the right foot can mean a substantial difference in sales, causing many to turn to innovative party and event planning techniques.

San Diego based party planners Create an Event have a reputable history of helping corporate events come to life. Owner Tricia Cole has been taking charge of the logistics and ingenuity since 1994, developing through her years of experience in the hospitality and event planning industry. With Create an Event, businesses don’t have to be concerned about the details of the planning process, and instead can enjoy the celebration with their guests.

Tricia gave us the inside scoop on event planning trends for 2012 and what options we can look out for in San Diego. Discover some of her top picks for venues, food, and entertainment, and start the new year off on the right foot.

Venue: For 2012, many corporate parties are moving their extravaganzas into their actual office as a type of “Open House Client Appreciation”. With this intimate and personal setting, guests can easily move from one end to the other, where unique “themed stations” might exist along the way. If the event is chosen to be held at an outside venue, the corporate vision is looked to be matched and mirrored, such as finding a sophisticated lounge to use or a more cutting-edge club scene.

Food: Trending along the culinary scenes is the farm-to-table movement that many companies will be including and promoting in their 2012 events. Calling upon locally-grown produce to take over the menus, caterers, restaurants, and hotel venues will feature menus full of whole grains, organically grown selections, and “hormone free” meats. Verging away from the buffet-styles of yesteryear, the expert chefs in 2012 are now encouraging family-style meals, using smaller plates and a larger variety of dishes

Entertainment: While larger budgets can handle booking San Diego bands to play live, many companies can cut costs in 2012 with local DJs, or a Pandora background music station for smaller budgets. However, adventure trips and out-of-the-office experiences are also on the rise, creating entertainment out of the event itself. By exploring some of San Diego’s most popular destination points, clients and staff have opportunity to build relationships, stretch their legs, and delve into something new. Local event options for the new year include Sailing Regattas or Navy Seal Style Rib Rides on San Diego Bay, Bi-Plane Rides, Hot Air Ballooning, Sea Kayaking, Surfing Lessons, Sportfishing, ZipLining or Skiing at Big Bear, Winetasting or Microbrewery Tastings, Behind the Scenes Tours at Petco Park, SeaWorld, or the San Diego Zoo.

While corporate events can be “networking” in nature, they can also be a chance to showcase the company’s vision while bringing old and new clients together, without too much pressure on sales. For 2012, events need to stand out to existing clients, help attract new ones and reacquaint staff with contacts they don’t see regularly.

For corporate party planning needs, contact Create an Event to work closely in venue, food, and entertainment choices, as well as many other details. Find more information at createanevent.net.