Book early
Late November and early December Fridays and Thursdays go first, for venues and entertainment. If you're reading this in October, lock in your date this week.
Keep the formal part short
- One welcome speech, one thank-you from leadership, then awards if you're doing them.
- Put formalities early, before people have had too much to drink.
- Give every award a walk-up song. It turns a list of names into a moment.
Plan the energy curve
Arrival music you can talk over, a lift for speeches and awards, then a proper dance set. The switch from dinner to dancing is where most work parties stall, so plan it: a big song, lights down, the DJ inviting people up.
Add one thing people will talk about
- A live sax player over the DJ set
- A photo booth or 360 booth
- Cold sparks for the awards finale
- A themed dress code with music to match
Give your suppliers a run sheet
Times, speakers, award names and pronunciation, walk-up songs and who's in charge on the night. Your DJ, venue and AV team should all work from the same page.
Planning your EOY party?
Corporate DJ hire