Planning a corporate party that’s equal parts fun and professional can be tricky. You want something memorable but still on-brand. Luckily, planning your Central Illinois corporate party doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re thinking sleek and modern or laid-back and casual, we’ve got tips to help!
Start with a Vision
First things first, what’s the tone? A swanky gala? Or maybe a relaxed networking happy hour? Maybe a party with a theme? Setting the vibe early helps guide everything—from venue selection to dress code. If you’re unsure where to start, think about what will best reflect your company culture.
Create a Holiday Party Checklist
For holiday parties, a checklist will be your best friend. Start by choosing your date and securing a venue. Then, lock in catering, décor, and entertainment. Don’t forget essentials like invitations, seating arrangements, checking with your employees on dietary restrictions, and any gifts/favors you want to hand out. Keep track of timelines to avoid last-minute stress—having a solid checklist keeps you organized and ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
Find the Perfect Venue
Location is everything! Whether you want something outdoors, downtown, or in a unique local hotspot, the venue sets the tone. Make sure it’s equipped with the amenities you need, like A/V setups for presentations and plenty of parking for guests. Need recommendations? We’ve got connections with some of the best venues for corporate events in Central Illinois!
Plan for the Food & Drinks
Keep everyone full and happy by serving delicious food and drinks. Consider catering from a local restaurant to keep things fresh and fun. Whether you’re doing a farm-to-table spread or cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, good food makes any event better. You can add a personal touch by offering a signature cocktail for your guests.
Decide on Entertainment
Deciding on entertainment is key. Want something unique? Try a casino night, paint-and-sip, a trivia night, a murder mystery party, or even hire a magician or caricaturist for added fun.
A DJ sets the mood, whether it’s laid-back or full of dancing energy. Even if your event is just cocktails and dinner, sans dancing, Complete Weddings + Events can provide the perfect DJ for your vibe. Plus add on photo booth for fun snapshots of everyone. Capture every moment with professional photography and videography, ensuring you have high-quality images for social media, future newsletters or company presentations.
Personalized Touches Make a Difference
Customized items, like t-shirts, signage, or branded swag, give your event a professional yet playful feel. Support local for things like printed materials, custom décor, or branded gear. Imagine your logo on everything from cocktail napkins to party favors! Below are our favorite local vendors for swag:
- Custom shirts, backpacks, stickers, notebooks, socks, beanies, water bottles, etc: Swag
- Custom napkins, koozies, cups, etc: Sip Hip Hooray
- Rental/ Decor: I Do Events
Final Touches
Finalize those last details—think seating arrangements, awards, catering, and drinks. With all the big pieces in place, you can focus on making sure your team has the best time.
Complete Weddings + Events Central Illinois – Event DJs, photographers, videographers & more!
Planning a corporate party doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you know where to start. Complete Weddings + Events in Central Illinois can handle the logistics of entertainment and media so you can enjoy the party stress-free.
Contact us today for special corporate pricing on DJ, photo booth, photography, and videography services.