Event Planning with Intention

One of the things I pride myself on is that I try to be intentional with every aspect of my corporate event planning. I know “intentional” is one of those buzzwords that is often overused and flippantly tossed around, so I wanted to delve into that a little more and give you an example.

Unlike weddings, whose guest lists generally consist of large pods of friends and family members (i.e. people who already know each other), corporate events are typically made up of groups of people who have either never met, have met only virtually, or have been together in large office buildings and are usually only interacting at a professional/impersonal level. Obviously, at these events, the guests still have to behave professionally; however, gathering for an extended time outside the office usually encourages attendees to get together on a deeper level (you know, like my constant summer camp references!).

While some personalities thrive on these types of occasions, there’s usually a larger contingency of folks who would rather do anything other than walk into a room of virtual strangers and pretend to have a good time. Many guests at these corporate events are shy, introverted…dare I say “socially awkward?”…and are uncomfortable at best and miserable at worst. But they’re usually also highly intelligent and extremely successful in their roles, so events that require networking and team-building activities are routinely required and necessary for folks looking to advance their careers.

One of my favorite ways to make everyone feel included and give the guests some common (non-work) ground (i.e. icebreaker) is by working with a creative, talented catering team. It’s safe to say that at some level we all love food, and by creating a menu that delights ALL the senses, it gives guests something to get excited over and instantly sparks a conversation. And there are so many great options! Whether you’re planning a seated dinner, thinking of creative stationary foods, or curating a menu of beautiful passed canapés, adding a creative flair will go a long way. Guests will appreciate not only that the foods are delicious and that you’ve taken every dietary restriction into consideration, but on a deeper level, they’ll also appreciate that you gave them something to talk about and connect over.

Take a look at the images I’ve selected below. You’ll see that some of the meals are beautifully and uniquely plated, while others are cooked over an open flame and add a dash of intrigue. Some selections are presented at true interactive stations that allow people to laugh and let their guard down, and still others are simply strategically placed in areas where guests can sit down and relax in the lounge.

Intentional planning…the food edition. An easy way to make every corporate gathering one to remember.

**All images by Dani Fine Photography. Caterers highlighted include The Swell Party, Acquolina Catering, Oysters XO and Pinch Food Design.