The pandemic scuppered the corporate Christmas market in 2020 and 2021 as parties had to be postponed, cancelled, or migrated online. After such a prolonged period of working from home, diaries full of zoom meetings, and networking via a screen, it was demoralising for teams to miss a face-to-face get-together, and for venues, suppliers, and agents it was a frustrating end to a difficult two-year period.
However, the ending of restrictions in February brought about a more buoyant air to the events sector and enquiries have continued to flood in since; events look set to go through the roof as the value placed on face-to-face gatherings returns two-fold, and companies take advantage of the warmer months to bring their teams back together.
Summer parties are naturally more informal than a big end of year celebration, making them perfect for a company get-together that will support workplace morale and staff retention, boost team bonds, and reboot company culture.
The pandemic has taught the wider hospitality industry a big lesson; restaurants can get amazing food to us pretty instantaneously and we can entertain in our homes and gardens. If we go out – we now want to go out out. We want experiences and things we can’t replicate at home. We’re happy to learn online, but we’re hungry to get together to chat, re-build team bonds and spark new ideas.
‘Build Your Own’ summer party package
This is one of the reasons we’ve re-launched our ‘Build Your Own’ summer party package, which prioritises getting teams back together to spend some well-needed time in each other’s company in a relaxed, laid-back environment. We want to make sure organisers are able to personalise the event experience and focus on what their staff or clients need or want from a summer get-together– whether it’s a fun evening spent with colleagues enjoying different food stations, drinks interspersed with some subtle teambuilding to boost morale, or a sit-down dinner to recognise and reward. Whatever the reason, this summer is the perfect time to bring teams together – after all, summer is undoubtedly the season for socialising!
With lead times for events getting ever shorter post-pandemic, our ‘Build Your Own’ package aims to ease the burden of arranging your summer party venue in London, the set-up, and F&B, so you can spend more time on the event objectives in order to create an event experience that will encourage a deeper company or brand connection.
As part of the ‘Build Your Own’ offering we’ve a range of exciting F&B options – including canape menus, food stations, a BBQ or three-course dinner – courtesy of our catering partner CH&CO, which can be selected as a standalone package, or in conjunction with another to suit budget and taste.
You’ll also have a choice of three architecturally stunning event spaces, including the Florence Hall and terrace, RIBA Gallery, or Aston Webb room to suit your event. For a more intimate ‘thank you’ event, you might choose the Aston Webb, for a larger party the Florence Hall is the perfect option, whilst the terrace is the ultimate summer party spot for drinks or casual dining/food stations.
Christmas parties have been cancelled and postponed in their droves over the last two years, but with the ending of restrictions, confidence has returned, and a summer party is a perfect occasion to reignite relationships that have been lived out online over the last few years.
Looking to enquire about the ‘Build Your Own’ package at RIBA? Just ask eve.