Employees of some companies might be in for a pleasant surprise when they show up at their corporate holiday parties this year. Two out of three planners say that they're planning bigger parties for the 2003 season than they have in the last two years, and big budgets for winter bashes are back.
Take Vibe and Spin, for instance. Executive assistant Arlene Ramos has about 15 percent more money in the budget this year to plan the magazines' holiday event for 150 at Cielo. "In addition to a full, top-shelf open bar, we'll have hors d'oeuvres for our employees all evening," Ramos says. It's an improvement over last year, where food service ended before the party did. "We booked the hottest space in town, but we still want it to feel cozy, like a good, wholesome house party."
Some venues—like Industry Food and the eight W hotel bars in the city—say that competition for bookings is fierce between now and New Year’s Eve. Andrew Wintner, special events director of the Midnight Oil Company, which owns and operates the W bars and others, says that the bars are hosting parties for Elektra, Dateline NBC, Morgan Stanley and others. The new venue Romi booked several parties in the first two weeks it began accepting reservations, even though less than a third of the 7,000-square-foot space will be open and available before the new year.
Planners are especially busy arranging holiday events in the retail and publishing worlds. Crate & Barrel will host its annual holiday party for 700 guests at the Altman Building with food from The Catering Company, M.A.C. will make merry at PM and Estee Lauder will host its annual event at the Metropolitan Club. Hearst Magazines will celebrate at Tavern on the Green, Harris Publications at Eugene, Glamour at Cielo, Vogue at Spice Market and Teen Vogue at the Soho House.
So what are planners doing to make their parties unique? Alison Brod took the employees of her eponymous PR firm to see a stand-up comedy routine at Gotham, where the comedian worked jokes about the company into the act. MTV Networks distributed invitations with perforated pull-out dance cards for its party at the Hammerstein Ballroom for 3,000. Account executive Katie Karoussos says that her company, Ettus Media Management, is booking magician Steve Cohen of ChamberMagic for many corporate parties this year. "His strolling magic act is a great icebreaker for employees who don't know each other well," Karoussos says. Chuck Prescott of Sweet Concessions, who planned the party for 100 Disney Theatricals employees at the New Amsterdam Theater, sees a return to traditional decorations, like Christmas trees and menorahs, in corporate holiday events.
Technology company Corsis will transform Splashlight Studios into an arcade for its party, complete with Pac Man video games and race car simulators, appropriate entertainment for the group of 50 techie types. It seems planners think their guests are never too old for some kid-style holiday cheer—as long as their companies still have the budgets to provide it.
But not everyone does. Some industry pros report that with corporate budgets down, some companies are not having as many elaborate events this year. Staff of Primedia's business-to-business publications wishing to attend their company holiday party have to open their wallets. Women's Wear Daily reports that Primedia management requires that each employee chip in $25 for the party.
"Companies don't want to look like they're spending a lot of money," says Mary Cleaver, president of caterer Cleaver Company. "And they don't want to do it either." PR director Darlene Pergola of the new Lower East Side lounge 6's & 8's adds that many companies are waiting until the last minute to book their parties and requesting cash bars for part of the evening rather than footing the whole bill. Time Inc. will forgo official parties for its magazines as a cost-cutting measure again this year, but its employees may not be too disappointed: Last year, each employee received a $100 gift certificate to Target stores instead and they're expecting similar bounty this year.
Karrie Goldberg of Splashlight Studios estimates she had to turn down 30 requests for parties from companies whose reduced budgets she couldn't accommodate, but Splashlight has a packed holiday season nonetheless. Urban Events and the Advertising Photographers of America are among the many companies hosting December parties at the space, in addition to Corsis. "People don't want to go to a party that is the same every year, so they're turning to raw spaces for their holiday events," Goldberg says. "With all the amazing events that have happened over the past 11 months, guests want to see that their company has put forth effort to throw them an unforgettable evening."
—Alesandra Dubin
Take Vibe and Spin, for instance. Executive assistant Arlene Ramos has about 15 percent more money in the budget this year to plan the magazines' holiday event for 150 at Cielo. "In addition to a full, top-shelf open bar, we'll have hors d'oeuvres for our employees all evening," Ramos says. It's an improvement over last year, where food service ended before the party did. "We booked the hottest space in town, but we still want it to feel cozy, like a good, wholesome house party."
Some venues—like Industry Food and the eight W hotel bars in the city—say that competition for bookings is fierce between now and New Year’s Eve. Andrew Wintner, special events director of the Midnight Oil Company, which owns and operates the W bars and others, says that the bars are hosting parties for Elektra, Dateline NBC, Morgan Stanley and others. The new venue Romi booked several parties in the first two weeks it began accepting reservations, even though less than a third of the 7,000-square-foot space will be open and available before the new year.
Planners are especially busy arranging holiday events in the retail and publishing worlds. Crate & Barrel will host its annual holiday party for 700 guests at the Altman Building with food from The Catering Company, M.A.C. will make merry at PM and Estee Lauder will host its annual event at the Metropolitan Club. Hearst Magazines will celebrate at Tavern on the Green, Harris Publications at Eugene, Glamour at Cielo, Vogue at Spice Market and Teen Vogue at the Soho House.
So what are planners doing to make their parties unique? Alison Brod took the employees of her eponymous PR firm to see a stand-up comedy routine at Gotham, where the comedian worked jokes about the company into the act. MTV Networks distributed invitations with perforated pull-out dance cards for its party at the Hammerstein Ballroom for 3,000. Account executive Katie Karoussos says that her company, Ettus Media Management, is booking magician Steve Cohen of ChamberMagic for many corporate parties this year. "His strolling magic act is a great icebreaker for employees who don't know each other well," Karoussos says. Chuck Prescott of Sweet Concessions, who planned the party for 100 Disney Theatricals employees at the New Amsterdam Theater, sees a return to traditional decorations, like Christmas trees and menorahs, in corporate holiday events.
Technology company Corsis will transform Splashlight Studios into an arcade for its party, complete with Pac Man video games and race car simulators, appropriate entertainment for the group of 50 techie types. It seems planners think their guests are never too old for some kid-style holiday cheer—as long as their companies still have the budgets to provide it.
But not everyone does. Some industry pros report that with corporate budgets down, some companies are not having as many elaborate events this year. Staff of Primedia's business-to-business publications wishing to attend their company holiday party have to open their wallets. Women's Wear Daily reports that Primedia management requires that each employee chip in $25 for the party.
"Companies don't want to look like they're spending a lot of money," says Mary Cleaver, president of caterer Cleaver Company. "And they don't want to do it either." PR director Darlene Pergola of the new Lower East Side lounge 6's & 8's adds that many companies are waiting until the last minute to book their parties and requesting cash bars for part of the evening rather than footing the whole bill. Time Inc. will forgo official parties for its magazines as a cost-cutting measure again this year, but its employees may not be too disappointed: Last year, each employee received a $100 gift certificate to Target stores instead and they're expecting similar bounty this year.
Karrie Goldberg of Splashlight Studios estimates she had to turn down 30 requests for parties from companies whose reduced budgets she couldn't accommodate, but Splashlight has a packed holiday season nonetheless. Urban Events and the Advertising Photographers of America are among the many companies hosting December parties at the space, in addition to Corsis. "People don't want to go to a party that is the same every year, so they're turning to raw spaces for their holiday events," Goldberg says. "With all the amazing events that have happened over the past 11 months, guests want to see that their company has put forth effort to throw them an unforgettable evening."
—Alesandra Dubin
