by Danelle Dodds
As 2023 whizzes toward the end of the year, corporations are rolling out their final events to celebrate their teams. Unlike the tepid, careful events of the post-pandemic years, 2023 closes with a slightly more optimistic tone.
According to a recent Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. survey, 64.4% of companies plan to have in-person holiday parties. That’s up from 27% from 2021. Despite cautionary worries about the economy, the pulse check suggests that teams are ready to celebrate again. With that enthusiasm, how are some of them choosing to pop the corks as they close the calendar?
On-Site Office Events
Keeping the teams close is a theme this year. According to the same survey, 32% of companies plan to hold their end-of-year events on company premises. These events range from potluck lunches to catered affairs, complete with ancillary enhancements, including photo booths and scattered entertainment.
Without the engagement of a new environment, companies need to work a little harder to transform their workplace into a holiday celebration. Unless hiring outside assistance, dedicated internal teams shoulder the weight of responsibility, which is counter-productive to the event concept.
Engagement is critical to maintaining energy at these events. Incorporating a theme, interactive games, and music lays the foundation for fun.
Off-Site Events and Corporate Retreats
Conversely, 33% of companies are investing in their teams with more significant year-end celebrations. Half of those are splurging for outside caterers and stocking the bars for toast and cheers. These celebrations are not limited to employees and include team members’ spouses and friends. Blow-out, end-of-year events range from off-site dinners to multi-day events to bolster enthusiasm for the year ahead.
Corporate holiday retreats are a perfect example of the latter. Some companies are combining getaways with light company rhetoric, creating an atmosphere of team bonding in a relaxed atmosphere. Not only does this combination foster relationships while celebrating success, but it also tees up engagement and loyalty for the new year. Forbes sang the benefits of corporate retreats in an early 2023 article. Investment in an end-of-the-year company retreat can lay the foundation for a successful 2024.
Mid-Day “Darties”
A popular phrase on college campuses, “darty” refers to a day party. It is an event that occurs when the sun is still high and usually involves interactive games. The concept is gaining popularity in corporate circles, as some planners take advantage of earlier start and end times.
According to a recent article in the New York Times, afternoon events are blooming to cater to employee’s after-hours responsibilities. Rather than cutting further into the time their staff is giving to the company, these events are held on company time and end early enough for guests to return to their own lives.
The Common Theme
If there is a common thread between the survey and these corporate holiday engagements: time. For some corporations, their celebrations are a gift of time back to the employee. For others, time is a valuable opportunity to further build company engagement and connectivity. In all cases, companies are closing the calendar with the concept of time in mind in hopes of preparing for a prosperous new year.
