Not every event needs a theme

Quite often clients come to us seeking inspiration for event themes however, not every event needs a theme. Some events and their intended audience simply aren’t suited to any kind of event theming format and some clients just want to keep it simple with a solid focus on excellent food, drinks and entertainment!

One of our many fantastic clients chose to go down the no theme road for the second year in a row recently and the Instinct Events team took on the challenge, delivering a cocktail format with a difference allowing the 330+ guests options in their event experience.

Guests were offered a combination of canapés and hand held food items as well a large grazing station and the option of a sit down restaurant experience which was accompanied by beer, wine, spirits and cocktails via a central pop up bar for the duration of the evening.

Corporate Christmas Party Event Planning

The space chosen to host the event was AERIAL in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct and by using the venue to its full extent allowed for two distinct “zones” to be utilised.

On arrival to the main event floor guests were greeted by styling to suit the season with greenery, ferns, festoon lighting and a large and open central bar. Throughout the night the area around the bar was utilised to create a massive grazing station which was attended and re-stocked throughout the night.

This floor plan allowed one side of the venue to offer a central bar and grazing station, large dance floor and stage for the band, DJ and formalities.

Corporate Christmas Party | Choosing Style over Theme

Without any clear theme to drive the entertainment or influence styling the focus became about creating an atmosphere conducive to delivering an amazing event complimented by entertainment which was appropriate for the guests.

With this focus in mind the ultimate goal was to inspire a response in guests through both the environment and interactive entertainment.

Cocktail Event? Sit Down Dinner Event? Why not have both?!

On the “other side” of the venue styling included furniture creating a “spot restaurant” which offered guests a sit down eating experience. This allowed a choice of a grazing station offering hand held foods on one side and a restaurant on the other.

Operating in the restaurant section were Comedic Hosts styled as 1950’s American diner waiters and taking bookings for the 5 restaurant sittings offered throughout the evening. The Comedic Hosts entertained guests on the restaurant side while a DJ, Clearview Cover Band and a roving magician set the scene for a party on the other side.

The event itself was a huge success with guests jumping at the opportunity presented by our comedic waiters to enjoy a sit down dining experience with a few laughs and continue the party on the main dance floor as the night rolled on

Great events combine complimentary styling and entertainment

The glue of the no theme event is combining the right styling to hold the event together with entertainment suited specifically to the demographic of the guests in attendance. On this occasion we were presented with a white marble venue to which we added greenery and colour.
On the restaurant side a hanging garden was used with matching greenery and living plants around the main bar area and the addition of festoon lighting to deliver a summery atmosphere and party vibe.

The services Instinct delivered for this Corporate Christmas Party

• Concept Creation and Development
• Event Management, Project Planning, Budgeting & Reporting
• Technical Production Management
• Stage Management, Show Calling & Direction
• Room Styling & Design
• Event Entertainment & Talent Sourcing and Event Management

Entertainment delivered by Instinct included

• DJ Emma
• Clearview Cover band
• Comedy Hosts / Concierge
• MC Richard Sayer