Putting together a corporate event is not a small feat. You can be throwing an intimate get together with corporate partners where the goal is to let loose with the boys, or the purpose of the event may be networking on a large scale where it’s all business.
When you live in a large city, it’s easy to throw a corporate event that fits just what it is you are trying to accomplish. From Go Kart racing to schmoozing outside on the patio at an upscale hotel, there are plenty of venues to set the mood for your corporate event.
Starting small, a popular corporate get together is to do a fun activity together, like bowling or Go Kart Racing. The goal here is to let off steam, meet some other people outside of your department, and have a good time. This is really good for company morale, because those that play together work together better. It is proven that once office mates, and people from the same office park, get to know one another, more conversation happens. When more conversation happens, ideas grow. That is good for the company. People, no matter what age, love to act like children every once in a while. When you feel like a child, you loosen up and talk to people you normally wouldn’t. This is, however, a great idea for the young, hard workers at desk jobs in big companies.
If the event calls for fun, but on a larger scale, there are many options. There is always the club route. There are even clubs that offer superior audio-visual capabilities for companies that want to share project videos, show pictures from past events, or promote their own agendas all while sipping on drinks and dancing. If a club is too loud and the corporate event calls for a bit more of a sophisticated vibe, rooftop lounges are very popular. It is easy to rent out a rooftop lounge on the top of a hotel and it allows for the same club feel without the loud music reverberating off the walls. It also provides a calming view and cocktails, so you get a mood that fosters mingling with others. Here at the Warehouse at EBE, we can provide the best of both worlds. Our Warehouse is designed for you to feel as though you are renting your own private night club, while our roof deck offers stunning views of the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge.
For the large corporate event there are lots that can be rented out. These lots are the perfect canvas for setting your own corporate theme. Usually these lots are around 4000 square feet and can accommodate a lot of people. It offers great options for lighting, catering, and photo opportunities. This can be a great place to hire a band, a magic show, or some form of entertainment since there is so much room to work with. These venues tend to be used by people who want to transform it. You get a warehouse feel but with insulation, heat, and good lighting. High ceilings and wide open floor space welcome a happy group of people to a large party. It has that artist vibe but with out all of the art.
However, when a cultural element is needed, there are always art galleries, museums, and even a cultural center. Depending on the guests, you can tailor that even more to a specific place, like an auto museum. All three of our local sports venues offer great event space, so they are certainly worthy of checking out too. People love to be in places where they can look around and discuss what they see. It is a great icebreaker and for the more mellow, formal crowd, a nice evening out.
For the fancy events, there are several manor homes that are now being rented out for private events. There are places on a beach that can be rented out, so you can sip your martini and watch the sunset. Another option is to book your function in one of the downtown spaces with event space on the thirtieth floor or above. When your guests are watching the lights twinkle in the surrounding buildings, they will appreciate the unique opportunity to view the city from such a unique vantage point.
One last location to consider is the great outdoors. Sometimes an outdoor event can be a wonderful respite from the confining walls of corporate life. It can be a formal, catered event with tables and a band, bocce ball, and croquette. Or, it can be a family friendly event where big blow up jumping houses and clowns with balloons are there to entertain while you mingle with adults. No matter what your corporate events, there are venues to fulfill that idea you have of the perfect party.
At the Warehouse at EBE, we have hosted many corporate functions that gave definition to the term “business before pleasure!” Imagine a setting where you have the space to first hold your corporate meetings/information sessions, then break for lunch and conclude with the EBE Game Show. This is an unbelievable team-building activity where you can reinforce everything you had just taught your employees, but in an incredibly fun environment. The keyword again is team-building, because the camaraderie that will exist cannot be beat!
