| GUEST QUESTIONS 12.04.07 1:41 PM |
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| At Skanska Holiday Party, Employees Dig Dry Land, Dancing |
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It's corporate holiday party time, so we're heading out into the cold to ask employees what they think about their companies' bashes. (That's the point, right?) Here's our first report of the season.
On Friday night, we watched about 215 engineers, project managers, and their spouses let their hair down at the annual holiday party for the New York office of Skanska USA Building Inc. (The firm is a division of Fortune 500 construction company Skanska, which is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.)
Bedecked in blue and silver decorations, the Broad Street Ballroom was the site for the four-hour-long party put together by planner Christine Brower. The guests—an older and, perhaps, more mature crowd than the MTV folks we polled last year—had some pretty detailed opinions about the specifics of the party. Here's what they had to say:
"I have to say, I like this party better than last year. You know, solid ground and all—last year was a dinner cruise with some poker games and such. I think I was too old for it. This is a much more traditional party, though it would be nice to have some activities like a roulette wheel to get people engaged and active. But I've been with Skanska for 23 years, and this is a great event."
—Val, security department, age 58
“The centerpieces have an enchanting quality; however, when I sat down or stood up at my table, I was conscious of the candlelit pieces hanging down off the white branches. For tall people, candles as part of a centerpiece are hazardous, or at least a nuisance.”
—Tina, 32
“I think it’s hard to get it right for everyone. We have employees who are as young as 25 and as old as people in their 60s. Music choice is probably the biggest factor in that, and this party actually isn’t too bad. It started out with some modern music to get the young people dancing, and then brought out the old folks like me when they started on 'Love Shack.' What a classic.”
—Joe, project engineer, 52
“The setup is more festive and surprising than last year’s cruise party. I like the blue and white snowflake lighting on the walls. The big confetti finale was a fun and unexpected part of the evening.”
—Susan, 30
“The best part of the evening for me was the dancing. You must have dancing at a holiday party so the employees can let loose.”
—Nicole, estimator, 29
“It was convenient that the coat check was right by the door and moved quickly and easily. Also, since it was one big room with a door right to the street, it was nice for us smokers—easy to grab my coat and step out for a minute and not miss too much of the action. Little things like that are nice.”
—Edward, design engineer, 27
“The large columns are a nice part of the room, because you can easily avoid the awkward hookup you had at the last holiday party.”
—Anonymous, 29
“The disco and R&B music is too loud now. Earlier, the [sound] level was more appropriate so the person next to you could be heard. It would be better if the sound were controlled at two different levels in the dancing and mingling areas. Also, the tables are a little too close together.”
—Engineer, 40
“The entrance into the party is great because there’s not a lot of maneuvering or trying to figure out where you’re supposed to go, no dealing with people traffic. You walk through the doors and you’re there.”
—Andy, project manager, 38
"The venue's nice. It's big and airy so you don't feel crammed in. There is plenty of room for dancing and eating, but there's still a lot of small tables and room on the outskirts for people like me, who don't know many people here, to hide! I'm here with my girlfriend; she's a mingler."
—Jack, director of business development for a graphic design company, 33
—Claire Hoffman & Lauren Matison
RELATED TOPICS
Skanska USA, Corporate Holiday Parties
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