{"id":2823,"date":"2025-05-23T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/?p=2823"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:50:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:50:35","slug":"planning-corporate-summer-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/corporate\/planning-corporate-summer-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a Corporate Summer Party"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Planning a corporate summer party? Whether you\u2019ve been officially assigned the task or just happen to be the most organised person in the office, it\u2019s time to turn ideas into action. From choosing a theme to finalising the entertainment, a little planning goes a long way in creating a memorable day for your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Hire a Corporate Entertainer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this article, we\u2019ve broken down the planning process into simple steps to help you organise a brilliant corporate summer party without the stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Know your Audience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you dive into the details, start by identifying who the corporate summer party is for. Your guest list will shape everything from the venue to the entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are three common audience types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Employees only<\/strong> \u2013 A chance to thank your team and boost morale. You may or may not choose to include partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Employees and families<\/strong> \u2013 A more relaxed event that caters to both kids and adults, often with a fun, festival-style feel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Key stakeholders <\/strong>\u2013 An opportunity to build relationships with clients, suppliers or business partners in a more informal setting.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The tone and atmosphere of your summer party will vary depending on your audience, so it\u2019s worth getting clear on this early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Estimate your headcount<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    You don\u2019t need final numbers right away, but having a rough idea of attendance will help you plan effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The easiest way to estimate is to look at past events. Consider your industry, company size, team demographics and culture, these all influence turnout. Final numbers usually come together in the last couple of weeks, but you\u2019ll need a ballpark figure to book venues, plan catering and arrange entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Set your budget early<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to planning a corporate summer party, the budget is often the trickiest part. It can feel like a tug of war between the people organising the event and those signing it off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to clarify the budget as early as possible. There\u2019s no point planning your ideal summer party only to discover it\u2019s not realistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re working with limited resources, the key is to prioritise. Focus your spending on what your guests will value most, whether that\u2019s great food, live entertainment, or a unique venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Choose the date and time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Unlike Christmas parties, a corporate summer party gives you more flexibility when it comes to picking a date. Here are a few things to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Time of year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Ideally, you want to have the party right before everyone leaves for the Summer holiday. This will change depending on who your audience is. In most cases, late spring or early summer works best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Try not to leave it too late, or you might find people are already away. You\u2019re aiming to strike a balance between good weather and strong attendance (although \u201cgood weather\u201d is, of course, notoriously unpredictable in the UK and Ireland!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Weekdays vs Weekend<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Next, decide whether your party will fall on a weekday or over the weekend. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the most popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Each option has its pros and cons. Friday and Saturday events can feel more relaxed, but guests might already have other plans. Mid-week parties can work well too, especially if your team gets the following morning off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Midday vs Evening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Afternoon parties tend to suit family-friendly events best. Evening gatherings are often better for adult-only celebrations or when entertaining clients and partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Location & Venue<\/strong> of your Corporate Summer Party<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

     Next, you\u2019ll need to consider the event venue and location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Capacity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Start with the basics. Based on your initial headcount estimate, what size venue do you need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Location & accessibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This is key. If you want people to attend, the venue needs to be easy to reach. If guests are unsure how they\u2019ll get there, or more importantly, how they\u2019ll get home, they may choose not to come at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Indoor vs outdoor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s a summer party, so an outdoor setting is usually ideal. However, you\u2019ll definitely need a backup plan in case the weather turns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We know both the Irish and the English tend to be optimistic about summer forecasts\u2026 Sure, it was sunny last year, so why not this year too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Food & Drinks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When planning your corporate summer party, it\u2019s a good idea to check the catering options<\/a> while you’re researching venues. Most venues will either provide onsite catering or have preferred suppliers they regularly work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These events are often informal with standing service, but you can absolutely opt for a seated meal if that suits your team better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Caterers usually charge on a per-person basis rather than by the total amount of food. This can add up quickly, but it does make budgeting easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re working with a tight budget, food planning can be a bit of a challenge. At the very least, aim to offer some finger food – guests will get peckish after a few drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Smaller companies might consider asking guests to bring something along, such as desserts, to help keep costs down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And don\u2019t forget about dietary requirements. Make sure there\u2019s something for everyone, including vegetarians and those with allergies or intolerances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As we\u2019ve discussed previously on the blog, there are multiple ways to handle drinks. Again, drinks aren\u2019t always compatible with a tight budget, but they are always appreciated. Options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n