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Christmas
It’s that time of year
again... sort of
CN deputy editor Martin Fullard rings the bells and
makes merry with his festive introduction
o ho ho, and
welcome to July’s CN
supplement. As you
may very well have
concluded by the festive front
cover, this month we are
discussing the frosty issue of
Christmas parties. “Hark!” you
may cry, “’tis only July, why the
blazes are you writing about
Christmas now?”
Your fretfulness is endorsed if
you are a mere disciple of the
proletariat who simply expects
to turn up at your Christmas
party this December, help
yourself to the free Proseco,
wolf down a mince pie or two
and then bring your wedding
vows into disrepute in a
blizzard of intoxication and
cranberry sauce.
But how did that party come
to be? Why that venue? Why
that caterer? And why is
everyone wearing antlers?
These things take time to
arrange. Popular venues book
up early, the best caterers too,
and the UK’s supply of antler
headbands is usually at
breaking point by November.
These things take time.
As an event booker, you are
tasked with ensuring that the
organisation for which you are
booking gets the party they
deserve, after what will have
surely been ‘another good
year’. This supplement aims to
give you the tools you need to
help make this so.
We begin with the views of
professional event organisers
and agencies, which tell us
what should be considered,
with advice on how things
should be done.
Our attention is then turned
to what selected venues are
offering. Then, of course, there
is the matter of catering.
Getting the food right is more
important at a Christmas party
than any other. Is turkey on or
off the menu? Is bowl food the
new ‘must-have’? What about
www.conference-news.co.uk
the wine?! A top events
industry chef. Tom Gore, offers
his expert insight.
The supplement also looks at
case studies and offers tips on
how to make the most of the
tools at your disposal.
Of course, whatever you
decide to do this year, it is
important to keep your staff
safe. While there are no crystal
balls, ask your chosen venue
what procedures are in place.
I hope you enjoy it, once you
have rolled your eyes with
customary indignation and, of
course, the boss has signed off
the budget.
Merry Christmas. Sort of.