Company Christmas party or holiday event planning made easy -- Useful Tips

Boris Cherniak, entertainment and corporate event planner provides useful tips for holiday function planning.

Party planners have an enormous task of fitting into ever-shrinking budgets, while keeping attendees happy. Enormous effort goes into holiday entertainment planning, long before the CEO says thanks for a job well-done," says Boris Cherniak, comedy hypnotist and corporate event planning professional.

How do we make the holiday event an affair to remember?

Here is a helpful function planning checklist:

1.    Budget. Spend it wisely and know your limitations.

2.    Attendance -- estimate number of people expected.

3.    Book banquet hall with easy access and parking facilities.

4.    Food and catering -- dinner / lunch, drinks or buffet -- ensure enough choices for all tastes.

5.    Schedule and timing. Length of speeches, time to bring out the food or attendees arriving late. Plan accordingly and have a contingency plan.

6.    Entertainment -- comedian, hypnotist, juggler, psychic, magician, DJ, band and dancing, party games. Entertainment leaves a lasting impression. Many performers have web sites. Agencies have a roster of suggested performers. Also, look within your organization for talent. Entertainers are busy during the holiday season -- don't leave booking until last minute.

7.    Sound, lighting, projection equipment and audiovisual materials -- Have a run-through before your guests arrive.

8.    Accommodations for out of town guests, transportation to and from the airport.

9.    Taxi for guests that over-indulge in open bar concept and to avoid liability.

10.    Registration -- name cards, open seating or pre-arranged seating plan.

11.    Awards, door prizes and giveaways can be donated by your suppliers or provided at their cost.

12.    Party theme and décor -- color scheme, chair covers, centerpieces, flowers, ice sculptures.

13.    Dress - formal, casual or business attire.

14.    Invitations or company newsletter announcement.

15.    Contracts. Be ready to commit and put it in writing - halls, performers and caterers have limited availability.

16.    Presentations -- keep speeches brief and speakers to a minimum. People are there to socialize and not to be lectured.

17.    Having your party not on a Saturday may greatly reduce expenses. Consider having your function early afternoon - a lunch is cheaper than a seven-course dinner.

18.    Include a crew table - they make sure your event runs smoothly. Make them a part of your celebrations.

19.    In a seasonal business, consider holding your function in November or January instead of December.

20.    Make sure suppliers have venue address and phone number for last-minute emergencies.

Your function will be attended by people from many backgrounds - politically correct term is Holiday Party. Make it chic, memorable and fun."

Boris is a comedy stage hypnotist and appears in almost 300 live performances yearly. He authors a popular ezine power words and phrases" through his web sites www.comedywood.com or www.IncredibleBORIS.com or www.HypnotistShow.com

Boris self-hypnosis Relaxation and Motivation CD is available through his web site or as a giveaway to complement his performance at your companys function.

Happy Holidays.