1. CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Graham Hill
Head of Venues & Events at Square Meal

2. Budget validation – don’t skimp,
it’s a false economy
• Internal marketing
• Networking & teambuilding
• Staff retention = lower recruitment costs
• Good morale = higher productivity
• £150 gift voucher or brilliant party?
• Tax deductible - £150 per person

3. Key Criteria
• Company / Department / Desk?
• Dinner / Buffet / Drinks & Canapés / Other?
• Lunchtime / Evening / Both / Overnight?
• Spouses too…?
• Package or Bespoke?
• Exclusive or Shared?

4. Timing
• Shop early for best dates and venues
• Be flexible and shop late for bargains
• What about January?

5. Attendance & Conversion
• Don’t assume acceptance = attendance
• 12% average no show
• Make the invitation attractive
• Give people plenty of notice
• Clear dress code – if themed, keep it easy
• Appoint departmental reps
• Get feedback

6. Avoiding Pitfalls
• Confirm all costs in writing
• Confirm all timings
• Write and share the itinerary
• Insist on a tasting
• Don’t run out of booze
• Avoid cloakroom horrors
• Get people home safely
• Don’t do it for the directors

7. Social Media
• Promotion
• Feedback
• Pictures
• Potential pitfall…?!

8. Alternative Ideas
• Dominion Theatre –
G38
• L’Atelier des Chefs –
M18
• All Star Lanes
• Hippodrome – A2
• Namco – E1
• EDF Energy London
Eye – D31
• West London Shooting

9. Party Portfolios
• Ultimate Experience – E10
• Crown Group, Venue Reservations – F30
• It’s The Agency
• The Finishing Touch (EX-Events)
• Awesome Events
• Merlin Events
• Searcys

10. Parties in London Restaurants
• Paramount & Century – E31
• D&D London
• Cinnamon Club – A8
• Caprice Holdings
• Corrigan’s & Bentley’s – R5
• The Folly & The Drift – R3
• Kornicis Group: Smollenskys – R20

11. Parties in London Bars
• Late Night London – A28
• Davy’s Wine Bars
• Kornicis: Jamies – R20

12. Parties on Thames River Boats
• Bateaux London – E32
• MV Harmony – E32
• City Cruises – H30
• RS Hispaniola – H30
• London Eye Barracuda – D34
• London Duck Tours
• Woods River Cruises
• HQS Wellington

13. Parties at Racecourses
• Kempton Park – B4
• Epsom Downs Racecourse – B4
• Sandown Park – B4
• Ascot Racecourse - JF
• Lingfield Park Racecourse – C25

14. Shared Christmas Parties
• PARTY PORTFOLIOS
• Old Vic Tunnels – D23
• Bloomsbury Big Top
• Merlin Events
• Altitude 360 – G21
• Bourne & Hollingsworth
• Vinopolis – G42
• Café de Paris

15. 1920’s & Great Gatsby Parties
• Bourne & Hollingsworth
• No.11 Cavendish Square
• The Fountain Room
• Vinopolis – G42
• RSA House
• The Deck

16. Circus & Cabaret Christmas
• Bloomsbury Big Top
• The Grand Hall
• Volupté
• Supperclub
• Café de Paris
• Cirque du Soir

17. Masquerade & Masked Balls
• Bourne & Hollingsworth
• The Royal College of Surgeons
• One Moorgate Place – G15
• The HAC – G37
• 28 Portland Place
• Law Society

18. Vinopolis
Stand G42
‘Great Gatsby’, ‘Northern Lights’ & ‘Secret Soiree’

19. No. 11 Cavendish Square
‘Fat Sam’s Speakeasy’

20. The HAC
Stand G37
‘Masquerade’

21. The Roof Gardens
Stand A1
‘Winter Wonderland’

22. Ironmonger’s Hall
Stand H21
‘New York Speakeasy’

23. Gibson Hall
Stand H11
‘Glitz & Gold’

24. Tower Bridge
Stand H15
‘Christmas Over The Thames’

25. The Deck
‘1920’s Cruise Liner’

26. BMA House
Stand F31
‘Traditional Christmas’

27. Senate House
Stand E21
‘Art Deco Christmas’

28. Altitude 360 & Skyloft
Stand G21
‘Christmas over the Capital’

29. Don’t forget to visit:
You can now earn points when booking
online, to spend on a wide variety of
luxurious rewards.