Having guests mix and mingle
at reception-style events
continues to be the trend for
holiday gatherings.
Caroline Seymour, director of
catering & convention services, Hotel
Arts Group in Calgary, says, "It is
becoming more and more important
for companies to promote networking
amongst departments, versus each
department being segregated by
sitting together at rounds for a
traditional dinner. Reception-style
events naturally provide space (and
conversation starters!) that
stimulate intermingling."
With changing corporate values,
diversity in the workplace and shrinking
budgets, holiday season celebrations are
becoming less about ornament-laden
trees and poinsettias, and more about
employee appreciation, strengthening
corporate culture and celebrating
successes of the year past.
Calgary-based Dustin Westling, CSEP,
managing partner, OneWest Event Design,
says there are less themes and more
well-thought-out concepts that integrate
company values throughout events, adding
that personalization is key: it's about who
your attendees are and what they like to do.
