Conference News Supplements CN, Xmas party supplement, July/Aug 2018 | Page 7

7 Christmas The 12 tips of Christmas Eventist Group’s Jon Noonan offers his tips that no event planners should do without this Christmas Jon Noonan, group sales director at Best Parties Ever, part of Eventist Group, is no stranger to putting on festive extravaganzas. In an exclusive for CN, he offers advice on planning Christmas like a pro. 1. Spread the word Sending out fun, eye-catching invites gets people in the festive mood, plus i t ensures everyone has all the essential information they need. 2. The art of entertaining We focus on the essence of entertaining … our inventive parties are a little more on the wild side, think fire juggling, aerial acrobatics, live music, pirates! 3. The wow-factor Two of the most important ingredients for throwing an unforgettable party are lighting and entertainment. People will be talking about it long after the party has ended and AV brings the whole event to life. 4. Stay inspired Take inspiration from anything and everything; from the catwalk to Instagram and pop-culture. 5. Budget Get more for your money by using a party provider that can organise every aspect of your evening. Don’t write off the professionals. 6. Create conversation The goal is bringing people together, have this in mind when planning your event. 7. Get planning – now! Booking your party early will not only ensure you get your preferred date but will mean you can get the best price. 8. Food for thought If your party continues until late, consider keeping guests fuelled by offering additional snacks later in the evening. 9. Sharing is caring Consider a shared event, these are great for businesses of all sizes and provide higher quality packages for your budget. www.conference-news.co.uk 10. Choose a theme No party is complete without a theme to tie it all together so get creative. Christmas doesn’t have to be all snowflakes and elves, so rip up the rule book. 11. Organise transport Ensure people can get to and from the venue so things run smoothly and the evening is as hassle-free as possible for your guests. 12. Have fun Planning a Christmas party can be stressful, at Best Parties Ever we take the stress out of your event by doing it all for you. If you’re the organiser, don’t forget to enjoy it yourself!