FOOD FOR FÊTES
Interactive cocktails gets guests excited, like this added injection at an event by Your Jubilee Weddings. Photo courtesy Noa Giffel
feel taken care of.” He also recommends the event manager keep things moving smoothly. “There’s nothing worse than a
guest! For larger events, drink charms or lapel pins could serve as both name identifiers and conversation starters,” suggests Costantini. Cheers to success At the end of the day, your creativity and effectiveness will make even the smallest reception memorable. “Details, details, details,” emphasizes Sanchez. “A successful corporate cocktail reception isn’t just about food and drinks; it’s about creating an unforgettable guest experience. Thoughtful touches, seamless flow, and well- planned branding will leave guests talking about the event long after it’s over.” Pifferrer notes, “We saw a marked change (especially with corporate clients) during and after the pandemic. Cocktail parties were always popular but not seen as an alternative to a sit-down dinner. During the pandemic, the trend was to plan cocktail parties, as they allowed people to space out and avoid groups seated at tables for prolonged periods. Everyone got used to this, and it has become much more common.” Cocktail receptions are no longer a preamble; they are main event material and deserve to be treated as such. Work with your caterer to cover all your ground and get creative with ways to make the reception impact every guest. “Planners need to maintain a detailed run-of-show schedule to ensure everything runs on time, and a pre-event walkthrough with venue staff will help avoid last-minute surprises. After the event, gathering feedback from the client is a valuable way to improve future events,” says Costantini. If we learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that we as humans long for connection, and one of the easiest ways to make that happen is over a well-crafted beverage in an inviting space. Get creative with your cocktail receptions, and connection will follow. Cheers!
slow line or a guest who can’t get a drink.” Managing alcohol
One thing to be mindful of from the start is controlling alcohol consumption. Especially if there’s an open bar and smaller bites of food, it can be easy for guests to lose track of their drinking habits. Remember, overserving is a liability that can harm you and your business. You can get ahead of it by placing water stations around the room. “If everyone’s driving, then yes, make sure to have ride-share partnership or taxi vouchers on hand,” suggests Sanchez. “I always say it’s better to over-prepare when it comes to guest safety.” Hello, my name is... There are other small touches you can add to make guests comfortable, especially if networking is the main object of the reception. “Nametags can be fun and functional,” observes Sanchez. “Engraved or printed tags on stylish lanyards or pins can double as keepsakes, and if you’re feeling techy, digital nametags with wearable tech add a modern twist. It’s about making something mundane feel intentional and aligned with the event’s tone.” You can take other actions to make guests feel comfortable if networking is the reason for the event: set up a check- in table, host an icebreaker portion of the event (or weave icebreakers into the fabric of the event), and work with the client to understand the guestlist ahead of time. “Consider incorporating QR codes that link to LinkedIn profiles for easy networking or nametags designed with fun facts about each
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SPECIAL EVENTS
WINTER 2024
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