We’ve all been part of a corporate event at least once in our workplaces, and traditionally, they have been morale boosters for the workforce. Now, they’re much more than that. They’re planned and designed in a way that fulfills goals, strengthens the overall culture, and boosts engagement within the company and the workforce’s personal lives.
As per Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace report, employee engagement in 2024 dropped to just 21%, costing the global economy about $438 billion in lost productivity. This is why organizations can’t afford to consider corporate events as mere perks. They should be planned strategically to not only improve the workplace productivity, but also keep employees content and thriving.
In this article, we’re talking about the top, most engaging, and innovative ideas to host corporate events. We will be tackling the “why”, the “how,” and the “proof” with each idea to help you choose the ideal ones for your organization.
Benefits of Innovative Company Events
Engagement & Culture
About 58% of people, according to Wildgoose, consider happiness to be more important than their paycheck. Corporate events are a great way to facilitate that because one of their biggest benefits is the connection they build. Employees who are active at these events perform better in teams, feel more recognized, happy, and perform with purpose. Not only are they more connected to the company’s values and morale, but they’re also aligned when it comes to retention and when putting in efforts.
Collaboration & Trust
Corporate events that have challenges held in groups, such as scavenger hunts and innovation sprints, build trust among teammates and establish a sense of collaboration. It helps encourage behaviour that is focused on accelerating delivery timelines, clarifying roles, and innovation.
Innovation & Speed
Event challenges such as hackathons, shark tank-like pitch shows & creative idea sprints help team members think more innovatively, with speed. Not only are these activities fun during the corporate events, but they’re also great drivers of creativity after the game events.
Customer Proximity
In corporate events, customer-based challenges can also be organized that are based on what actually matters to users. For example, challenges like mystery-customer labs, product hunts, and roadmap ones are a great way to introduce the team members to what the end customers want and need from your organization.
Wellbeing & Burnout Prevention
Not all events need to have mind-sharpening activities. Some of them can be based on employee wellness, where they have a chance to relax, reset, and escape the mundane. This helps reduce stress and improve presence in the organization in the way forward. Wellness events represent care for the team and are a must-have every once in a while.
Why Corporate Events Matter
Corporate events don’t just give the employees a break from their day-to-day, mundane work culture; when they’re done right, they can be a huge strategic tool that helps you keep the workforce more engaged, retained, and performing well.
According to a Gallup meta-analysis, when businesses have high employee engagement, they benefit in several ways, including:
- 23% higher profitability
- 14% higher productivity
- 78% lower absenteeism
- up to 51% lower turnover (in low-turnover organizations)
Basically, engaged teams perform better and stay longer.
Several research organizations support the notion of correlating employee engagement and business outcomes:
- According to SHRM, employees who are highly engaged turn out to be more productive, more loyal, and more aligned with a business’s goals compared to ones who don’t feel so involved. Their 2024 insights mention that organizations that focus as well as invest in building work culture and improving engagement have a higher chance to retain top talent and have productive as well as innovative work environments.
- Furthermore, peer-reviewed research from PMC also shows that when employees are more engaged at the workplace, they’re more likely to be highly satisfied with their job, be committed to the organization, and have better overall performance. This is because employees feel included, supported, and purpose-driven when they’re engaged.
So, Where Do Events Fit In and How Do They Make A Difference?
Events are a great way to drive engagement. They help organizations by connecting the workforce, encouraging them to think fresh, and reenergizing teams across all departments participating in the events.
Creative experiences can boost attendee engagement significantly and keep employees content in the long run. It’s not just about having events for the sake of having them; it’s about having moments that will bring people together and convert them into memories that they cherish and support their ambitions.
Team Building Fun Corporate Event Ideas for Employees
1. Team Workshops: Learning and Growing Together
Hosting a professional development workshop is an excellent way to re-engage your employees and encourage continuous learning. These workshops provide an opportunity for employees to expand their knowledge and skills while enjoying an educational and interactive activity. Consider offering a range of workshop topics that align with the interests and needs of your employees. Whether it’s a session on leadership development, communication skills, or personal growth, these workshops will not only enhance their professional development but also strengthen the bond among team members.
Pro tip: You can design modules that are about 45 to 90 minutes and have a clear learning objective, hands-on exercises, and a micro-assignment that teams can complete in the next two weeks. This can help you measure how successful or engaging the event actually was.
Real example: Atlassian’s ShipIt regularly hosts workshop sessions that gives engineers and cross-functional teams a space to innovate and create in real-time. It started as a basic team-building activity and turned into something that helps the company have better outcomes, product features, and process improvements.
KPI connection: Some of the top KPIs you can track during and after hackathons or team workshops are the learning application rates, the number of workshop-driven product ideas implemented, and internal promotion readiness.
2. Escape Room: Collaborate and Solve Puzzles
Escape rooms have gained popularity as a team building activity, and for good reason. These immersive experiences challenge participants to work together, solve puzzles, and achieve a common goal within a set time frame. Whether you set up an escape room at your event venue or take the team to an off-site location, this activity encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You can even customize the theme of the escape room to align with your business or employees’ interests, creating a more personalized and engaging experience.
Pro tip: You can try creating puzzles that are role-based and map them to their real workplace skills. For example, if a puzzle requires a budget decision, it can be guided to a finance team member. This makes people collaborate better and understand who is responsible for what within the organization as well.
Real example: A lot of large companies, such as Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and Yahoo, partner with companies like Outback team building to host branded virtual escape rooms. This helps them greatly with their team-building efforts.
KPI connection: In escape room events, you can check how teams are collaborating with each other, which departments are collaborating better, how quickly teams are solving problems, and what the average time-to-decision is.
3. Scavenger Hunt: A Friendly Competition
A scavenger hunt is a classic team-building activity that never fails to generate excitement and engagement. It’s a simple yet effective way to promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Organize a scavenger hunt within your event space, giving participants a list of items to find or tasks to complete. You can divide them into teams or let individuals participate. As the hunt progresses, display the points on a leaderboard to fuel the competitive spirit. Offer unique prizes or rewards that align with your company culture and values to make it even more memorable.
Pro tip: To make scavenger hunts more interesting, you can combine geolocation tasks, photo/video proof, and company-trivia micro-challenges so that participants who are joining virtually or remotely can also join with the help of digital clues. Additionally, you can have live leaderboards that will make the teammates be more involved.
KPI connection: Measure employee engagement score, number of new inter-team connections formed, and internal social platform activity spikes.
4. Comedy Show: Laugh Out Loud and Unwind
Laughter is the best medicine, and incorporating a comedy show into your company event is a surefire way to create an atmosphere of joy and relaxation. Hire a professional comedian who can cater to the tastes and preferences of your audience. A well-delivered comedy set will entertain your employees and help them unwind and forget about work-related stresses. Laughter is contagious, and when shared among colleagues, it builds a sense of camaraderie and strengthens relationships.
Pro tip: To make sure these workshops or events are engaging and non-offensive, you can use short, inclusive improv exercises that make sure the audience is still engaged. Additionally, you can cap the sessions to 60 minutes and include a safe word for sensitive topics in case things don’t go as planned.
KPI connection: In such events, you can monitor psychological safety scores, NPS for internal meetings, and customer-facing response quality metrics.
5. Photo Booth: Capture Memories and Encourage Social Sharing
Events are all about creating memorable experiences, and a photo booth adds an element of Fun and nostalgia to your company event. Set up photo booths throughout the event space, complete with props and backdrops. Encourage attendees to take pictures with their colleagues and share them on social media using a custom event hashtag. This not only captures memorable moments but also promotes social sharing and engagement. Consider printing the photos on-site and allowing attendees to take them home as souvenirs. The photo booth becomes a focal point of the event, creating a lasting impression and encouraging connections among employees.
Pro tip: You can have themed booths instead of the general company-themed booths to boost engagement around that area. Keep in mind that you have to make people want to “click and share” more.
Real example: Leading brands often have a photo booth rental for all their events, such as Luxe Booth. They help in making branded photo booths that can generate a lot of authentic internal social media content that helps promote the company as well after the event, and make everyone remember what they attended.
KPI connection: Track event satisfaction, internal content shares, and social wall engagement.
6. Social Wall: Encourage Interaction and Networking
A social wall is a live content feed where participants can share their event experiences, photos, comments, and other content relevant to the event. Incorporate a social wall into your virtual event platform to encourage interaction and networking among attendees. It serves as a virtual community board where employees can engage with each other, share their thoughts, and keep the conversations going even after the event ends. Consider displaying the social wall on screens at your in-person event venue to bridge the gap between virtual and in-person attendees.
Pro tip: You can add prompts that are moderated so that people will be more willing to participate and have high-quality posts. For example, you can have a prompt such as “one moment you’re proud of this quarter”.
KPI connection: You can measure the engagement while the event is going on, what the overall employee sentiment was and and the volume of actionable feedback captured during the time.
Holiday Themed Fun Activity Ideas For Corporate Events
7. Holiday Gift Bags: Show Appreciation and Spread Cheer
During the holiday season, it’s important to show appreciation for your employees’ hard work and dedication. One way to do this is by handing out holiday gift bags at your company event. These gift bags can contain a variety of items, such as company swag, gift cards, personalized notes, or even small tokens of appreciation. The act of giving and receiving gifts fosters a sense of gratitude and creates a positive atmosphere at the event. It’s a simple gesture that goes a long way in boosting employee morale and spreading holiday cheer.
Pro tip: Before distributing or curating the gift bags, you can collect recipient preferences with the help of a brief form. You can also set a budget tier as per the participant and include clear dietary/allergy tags in the gift bags.
Real Example: Marigold & Grey, a premium corporate gifting company, designed welcome gifts for the Detroit Lions’ Premium Partners visiting New Orleans. They made it personalized for their brand entirely, and it helped the company make people feel more welcome.
8. Holiday Karaoke Night: Sing and Let Loose
Take a break from the traditional corporate activities and host a holiday karaoke night. This fun-filled event allows employees to showcase their singing talents, let loose, and enjoy the festive spirit. Create a playlist of popular holiday songs and encourage everyone to participate. To add an extra element of excitement, consider hiring a live band or DJ to provide the music. Karaoke nights are a great way to break down barriers and create memorable moments that employees will cherish.
Pro tip: You can create optional private booths for people who want to involve specific teammates only or for those who don’t wish to enjoy a karaoke session publicly. A rotating “duet” pairing system can also be created to mix departments and virtual rooms for remote performers.
KPI connection: You can check how well departments are interacting in this event and which ones collaborate better after-hours.
9. Secret Santa-styled Gift Exchange: Surprise and Delight
Organize a secret gift exchange, also known as Secret Santa, to add an element of surprise and Fun to your holiday company event. Have employees draw names randomly and ask them to shop for a gift within a specified price range. During the event, create a moment of anticipation and excitement as everyone unwraps their gifts. This activity not only encourages employees to think about their colleagues’ preferences but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and appreciation within the team.
Pro tip: Instead of gifting random items, you can use curated wish-lists, budget tiers, and anonymous reveal events.
10. Holiday Baking Contest: A Delicious Competition
Tap into the holiday spirit with a friendly baking contest at your company event. Encourage employees to bring their favorite holiday treats and compete for the title of the best baker. Set up a panel of judges, which can include employees or external experts, to taste-test the baked goods and determine the winners. This contest not only brings out employees’ creativity and culinary skills but also creates an atmosphere of friendly competition and celebration. It’s a sweet way to bond over delicious treats and create lasting memories.
Pro tip: You should offer practical categories such as no-bake, gluten-free, and cultural specialties so that everyone feels involved according to their diet and skills. Additionally, you can livestream judging panels while collecting recipes for an internal cookbook so people can feel more involved.
KPI connection: You can measure participation rate, cross-cultural engagement, and post-event sentiment lift after the bake-off contest.
11. Holiday Charity Event: Giving Back and Making a Difference
The holiday season is a perfect time to give back to the community and make a positive impact. Organize a holiday charity event as part of your company’s corporate social responsibility efforts. This event can take various forms, such as a fundraiser, auction, toy drive, or volunteer activity. Involve your employees in the planning process, allowing them to contribute their ideas and passions. By working together for a good cause, employees will feel a sense of fulfillment and pride in their company’s commitment to social responsibility.
Pro tip: Each team should be given the choice to select causes, and as the company manager, you should make the outcomes of the charity volunteering public via social media or within the internal communication channels to support more engagement in future events.
Real example: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation consistently has employee volunteering programs that are linked to its CSR goals.
KPI connection: Not only can you monitor the participation rate, you can also look at the overall success of such volunteering programs in your company’s rapport.
12. Ugly Sweater or Costume Competitor: Laughter and Fun without hustle of looking Good
This theme can be perfect for the Christmas holiday or Halloween corporate event and will bring out the element of laughter and Fun for all. You can use this idea for fundraisers and auctions as well. Just ask everyone to wear the ugliest sweater or the costumes they have or the sweaters they want to auction off. Set up a ramp and let the Fun begin with cat walks and rating the outfits individually. Honestly, this activity will unite the company community, build common interest through favorite characters, and work as perfect icebreaker for many employees.
Pro tip: These events should involve remote staff as well. You can make it more interesting by having anonymous peer voting and spotlight stories that are inspiring or very creative.
Annual Events & Dinner: Most Creative Corporate Entertainment Ideas
13. Casino Night: Roll the Dice and Have Fun
Transform your event space into a casino for a memorable and entertaining company event. Let your employees try their luck and enjoy their favorite casino games, from blackjack to roulette. Whether you play for real prizes, charity, or just for Fun, a casino night adds an element of excitement and camaraderie to your corporate event. Consider hiring professional dealers to create an authentic casino experience, and don’t forget to provide mock currency for those unfamiliar with gambling. It’s a creative idea that will leave a lasting impression on your employees.
Pro tip: You can use play-money that can be converted to charity or prizes so people remain interested in the event. Additionally, play tables can have a mix of teams and departments to encourage networking.
KPI connection: You can check the amount that has been fundraised, cross-department participation, and participation/engagement rates.
14. Paint and Sip: Unleash Creativity and Relax
Sometimes, artistic expression is the best way to break the ice and foster connections among colleagues. Organize a paint-and-sip activity where participants can unleash their creativity while enjoying some tasty drinks. This relaxed and engaging activity allows individuals to step outside their comfort zones, try something new, and bond over shared experiences. Provide all the necessary painting supplies, guide participants through the process, and encourage them to let their imaginations run wild. By the end of the event, everyone will have a unique piece of art to take home as a reminder of the fun-filled company event.
Pro tip: Use a guided format and assign mixed-skill pairs to foster peer coaching; capture finished pieces in a virtual gallery for ongoing pride and recognition.
KPI connection: Measure creative confidence, mentorship interactions, and event satisfaction.
15. Live Music or Karaoke: Set the Stage for an Energetic Atmosphere
Music has the power to uplift spirits and create a vibrant atmosphere. Hire a live band or singer to perform at your company event and set the stage for an energetic and memorable experience. Choose a musical act that aligns with the preferences and tastes of your employees. Live music adds excitement and entertainment to your event, whether it’s a popular local band or a well-known artist. It creates a shared experience that brings people together and leaves a lasting impression.
Or if you want to have the employee perform then Seek for the Karaoke option. All you must do is set up a machine and let the employees sing their heart out. It really doesn’t have to be a forceful or public experience, just let the people come up to the machine or have a designated booth for anonymous singing.
Pro tip: Blend scheduled showcases with open slots, record highlights for internal channels, and use short artist spotlights to celebrate contributors.
KPI connection: Track internal media engagement, psychological safety scores, and creative activity submissions.
16. Virtual and Augmented Reality: Engage and Delight Attendees
Incorporate virtual and augmented reality experiences into your company event to provide attendees with immersive and interactive activities. These event technologies allow participants to engage with content in a hands-on and exciting way, rather than just passively listening to presentations. Virtual reality can be used for various purposes, such as custom training sessions, workshops, or even virtual scavenger hunts. Augmented reality, on the other hand, can enhance the event experience by overlaying digital content onto the real world. These cutting-edge technologies create a sense of novelty and adventure, keeping attendees engaged and entertained throughout the event.
Pro tip: Provide low-tech alternatives, pre-brief accessibility considerations, and a structured debrief focused on empathy and insight translation to work.
KPI connection: Measure product onboarding time, demo readiness, and knowledge retention.
17. Mixology Class: Shake Up the Evening with Fun Cocktails
Add a twist to your company event by hosting a mixology class during happy hour. Invite a professional mixologist to teach participants how to create delicious and visually appealing cocktails. This hands-on activity allows attendees to learn new skills, experiment with flavors, and socialize with their colleagues. Provide a variety of ingredients and tools, and let participants get creative as they craft their own signature drinks. It’s a unique and interactive experience that will leave a lasting impression on your employees.
Pro tip: Always include non-alcoholic alternatives, provide tasting cards that map sensory language to business storytelling, and run small team challenges.
KPI connection: Track descriptive language adoption rate, customer-facing content quality scores, and event satisfaction.
18. Fish For your Food: Get everyone excited with Fun and unforgettable dinner/lunch
Start with setting up a pool full of ornament balls. Each ball will have the dish that the guest or employee will be eating tonight. Hand the guest the fishing pole and let then fish out the dishes for the dinner. This event dinner idea is super fun and will help everyone to explore different palates. Or you can also introduce the “fish your 5 ingredients” type of game for salads, sandwiches and many more. But for it, you might have to set up a live cooking station. Let the guest get creative and you might discover some of the funniest combinations to eat as well.
Pro tip: Use dietary tags up front, create team-based menu reveals with storytelling prompts, and rotate seating to make sure new connections are made as much as possible.
KPI connection: Measure conversational density across teams, shared-meal interaction count, and experiential satisfaction.
Unique Virtual Corporate Event Ideas For Clients And Employees
19. Virtual Trivia: Test Knowledge and Foster Team Bonding
Bring the Fun of trivia nights to your virtual company event and engage remote employees. Host a virtual trivia session where participants can test their knowledge and compete for prizes. Use online platforms that allow participants to answer questions in real-time and keep score. Trivia nights work event ideas are not only entertaining but also foster team bonding and healthy competition. It’s an excellent opportunity for remote employees to connect with their colleagues and showcase their expertise in a fun and engaging way.
Pro tip: You can run multi-week leagues with consistent team rosters to build a sense of community in your organization, rotate topics and include work-themed rounds to make sure the workforce also gets to know more about your company.
KPI connection: Track weekly active participation, retention of remote employees, and short-term morale spikes.
20. Virtual Wine Tasting: A Toast to Togetherness
Organize a virtual wine tasting session to bring remote employees together and create a sense of togetherness. Send participants a selection of wine bottles before the event and schedule a live virtual session where an expert sommelier guides them through the tasting process. Such kind of business event ideas for businesses allows employees to relax, socialize, and learn about different wine varieties from the comfort of their homes. With virtual breakout rooms, participants can continue networking and discussing their wine preferences even after the tasting session ends.
Pro tip: Ship curated kits with alternatives, record a masterclass for asynchronous teams, and include breakout rooms for small-group tasting discussion.
Real example: Multinational firms use tasting sessions as executive-hosted rituals to thank high-performing teams across time zones, improving perceived recognition.
KPI connection: Measure perceived appreciation, remote engagement, and follow-up social interactions.
21. Virtual Awards Ceremony: Recognize and Celebrate Achievements
Recognizing employees’ hard work and achievements is crucial, even in a virtual work environment. Organize a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate your employees’ accomplishments and show appreciation for their contributions. Create a formal event atmosphere by inviting everyone to dress up for the occasion. Present awards in various categories, such as “Employee of the Year” or “Innovation Excellence.” Allow winners to make acceptance speeches in front of their colleagues, creating a sense of pride and recognition. A virtual awards ceremony not only boosts employee morale but also strengthens the sense of community within the remote workforce.
Pro tip: Combine data-driven awards (sales, impact metrics) with peer-nominated culture awards, use short documentary-style nominee videos, and celebrate with surprise moments.
Real example: Tech companies use high-production virtual award shows to recognize remote contributors, which increases nomination volume and peer recognition frequency year over year.
KPI connection: Track nomination counts, recognition frequency, and recognition satisfaction scores.
22. Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Engage and Connect Remotely
Translate the excitement of a traditional scavenger hunt into a virtual experience that engages and connects remote employees. Use virtual event platforms to set up a scavenger hunt where participants search for items or solve puzzles within the virtual event space. Display the progress on a leaderboard to fuel healthy competition and create a sense of shared experience. Virtual scavenger hunts encourage active participation, problem-solving, and teamwork. It’s a creative way to keep remote employees engaged and connected during your company event.
Pro tip: Create rounds that require quick collaboration, use micro-prizes to make sure that all the teams stay in momentum, and include a debrief to check and show how different teams created different strategies.
KPI connection: Measure product knowledge quiz improvements, virtual collaboration frequency, and remote engagement.
23. Online Cooking Classes
Invite a professional chef to conduct a virtual cooking class for your employees. Send them a list of ingredients beforehand so everyone can cook along during the session. This activity not only provides a fun and interactive experience but also allows your team to learn new recipes and culinary techniques.
Pro tip: You should provide clear ingredient lists in advance, accommodate for limited kitchens with no-cook options, and record a recipe card for internal content.
KPI connection: You should track event satisfaction, cultural-awareness metrics, and repeat participation.
24. Virtual Talent Hunt
Give your employees a chance to showcase their hidden talents with a virtual talent show. Encourage them to share their skills, whether it’s singing, dancing, comedy, or any other talent they want to showcase. This activity promotes self-expression, creativity, and camaraderie among team members.
Pro tip: You can make it more inclusive and engage more people by offering them coaching clinics, accepting pre-recorded and live entries, and celebrating every contributor publicly to build confidence and variety.
Creative Themes For Corporate Parties
Corporate parties are a great opportunity for employees to relax, socialize, and let their creativity shine. By incorporating creative themes into corporate parties and employee event ideas, companies can create an atmosphere that encourages innovation and fosters a sense of camaraderie among employees. Here one of the best ideas is to have a theme parties. Here are some creative themes for corporate parties:
25. Masquerade ball
Encourage employees to unleash their creativity by organizing a masquerade ball corporate party where they can dress up in elaborate costumes and masks. It is one of the most popular ideas not just for corporate dinners but also for the auctions and fundraising too.
Pro tip: Add creative pre-event workshops (mask-making, choreography) and schedule short storytelling segments that highlight colleagues’ journeys.
26. Sci-fi extravaganza
Create a futuristic atmosphere by organizing a sci-fi themed party where employees can dress up as their favorite sci-fi characters. Not just that, add an element of Fun to Virtual and augmented reality setup. Let your employees and guest experience their favorite sci-fi, making the event unforgettable for all.
27. Roaring twenties
Take employees back in time to the era of the 1920s by organizing a Great Gatsby-style party with flapper dresses, jazz music, and vintage decor. This unique corporate event activity will definitely catch the attention of many people and will be one of the most anticipated corporate event your company’s employees and peers will looking forward to attend.
Pro tip: Align curated stations with company narratives or innovation themes and run short role-play scenarios that surface creative problem-solving.
KPI connection: Measure the number of innovation submissions after events, idea-quality ratings, and event immersion scores.
28. Around the world
Celebrate diversity and cultural exchange by organizing an around the world themed party where employees can showcase their cultural heritage through food, music, and costumes. You can celebrate the ethnicities of many countries and honestly it is the best way to welcome the diversity in your company as well. You can finally let the people from different ethnicity have the spotlight and use this opportunity as an ice breaker too.
Pro tip: Give teams the option to design their own booths that include food, short performances, and personal storytelling; schedule moderated storytelling slots to deepen understanding.
Real example: Global companies run cultural fairs during Diversity & Inclusion weeks to celebrate employee backgrounds; these events reliably improve inclusion survey scores in follow-ups.
KPI connection: Track inclusion index change, participation by country/region, and cross-cultural mentorship matches.
29. Hollywood/Bollywood glamour
Roll out the red carpet and organize a Hollywood/Bollywood glamour themed party where employees can dress up as their favorite movie stars. Let them dress up and have them pose the most iconic scenes from their character’s movie. Honestly, we love this idea and want to attend any of such parties.
Pro tip: Host an internal short-film contest with clear themes, provide simple editing templates, and premiere finalists with Q&A to spotlight the creative process.
KPI connection: Monitor employer-brand sentiment, internal content engagement, and creative-skill adoption.
Outdoor Work Event Activity Ideas
30. Outdoor Sports Event: Let out the Athletes in your Team
Outdoor company events offer a refreshing change of scenery and provide an opportunity to connect with nature. One idea for an outdoor event is a team-building retreat in a natural setting. This can include activities such as hiking, canoeing, or camping, which promote teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. Outdoor sports tournaments, such as soccer or volleyball, can also foster friendly competition and team spirit.
Pro tip: Mix competitive and non-competitive activities, ensure inclusive rules, and provide family-friendly options and hybrid viewing for those who can’t attend.
KPI connection: Track wellness program participation, team cohesion scores, and reductions in reported workplace stress over time.
31. Picnic or Barbeque: Outdoor Cooking Frenzy
Another outdoor company event idea is a picnic or barbecue. Gathering employees in a park or garden setting allows for relaxed networking and a casual atmosphere. Companies can organize team-building games, provide outdoor games like horseshoes or cornhole, and offer a variety of food and beverages to make the event enjoyable for everyone.
Pro tip: You can create themed seating to intentionally mix seniority and functions, program short story circles or mentor speed-dates, and keep the tone relaxed overall to make sure it is a peaceful and memorable event.
KPI connection: You can measure cross-functional interaction rate, number of new mentorship pairings formed, and event satisfaction.
32. Community Service or Marathons
Organizing a volunteering or community service event outdoors can contribute to a positive company image and create a sense of purpose among employees. Whether it’s a beach cleanup, a tree planting activity, run a marathon for a cause or a charity run, these events allow employees to give back to the community while bonding with their colleagues.
Pro tip: Allow teams to choose causes, set clear impact KPIs, gamify milestones, and publicly celebrate results to reinforce shared purpose.
Real example: Colgate hosts a “Colgate Cares Day” every year, where it encourages its workforce to give back to the community.
KPI connection: You can track CSR participation, fundraising totals, post-event collaboration metrics, and employee purpose alignment with the help of these community service events.
Budget-Friendly Creative In-Office Work Event Ideas
Organizing a memorable corporate event doesn’t have to break the bank. There are several budget-friendly ideas that can create a unique and engaging experience for attendees. One cost-effective option is to utilize the company’s own facilities or office space for the event. This eliminates the need for venue rental costs and allows for creative customization of the space.
Another budget-friendly idea is to leverage the skills and talents of employees. Organize a talent show or a showcase where employees can share their hobbies, talents, or artistic skills. This not only creates a sense of community and appreciation but also eliminates the need for external entertainment expenses.
Potluck-style events, where employees contribute homemade dishes, can be an affordable and inclusive way to provide food and beverages. Additionally, partnering with local businesses or sponsors can help offset some of the costs in exchange for brand exposure or promotional opportunities. By thinking creatively and being resourceful, companies can create impactful corporate events without straining their budget.
Incorporating sustainability in corporate events
In today’s environmentally conscious world, incorporating sustainability into corporate events is not only responsible but also creates a positive brand image. One way to promote sustainability is by choosing eco-friendly venues that prioritize energy efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling. Additionally, selecting local vendors and suppliers reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Reducing paper waste is another important aspect of sustainable corporate events. Utilize digital invitations, event app software, and online registration systems to minimize the need for printed materials. Implementing recycling stations and providing reusable or biodegradable utensils, plates, and cups also contribute to a greener event. Look for more sustainable event ideas here.
Furthermore, consider incorporating sustainability-themed activities or workshops into the event program. This can include educational sessions on sustainable practices, interactive demonstrations, or even team-building activities focused on environmental conservation. By incorporating sustainability into corporate events, companies demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices and inspire attendees to make a positive impact.
How to Choose the Right Event Idea
The best way to select the best event idea for your company is to design backward. So you should use the GOAL → AUDIENCE → FORMAT → BUDGET → KPI workflow that makes sure every activity in your event leads to a purpose and is inclusive as well as measurable.
- Clarify the GOAL - You can write just one primary business goal, such as improving cross-team collaboration, reducing stress, etc., and translate them into success metrics.
- Know the AUDIENCE - Thinking about the audience is key when it comes to hosting events. Think about the work modes (on-site/hybrid/remote), time zones, accessibility, dietary needs, and comfort levels (on-camera, physical activities).
- Match FORMAT to the goal - You should look at an event format that helps you reach your goal the most. For example, hackathons can be held for innovation, customer labs can be held for customer insight, and so on.
- Budget where it moves the KPI - You should have a clear budget in mind to make sure the event is accessible and inclusive to all, including hybrid teams.
- Decide KPIs and instrumentation early - Before the event even starts, you can pick some KPIs that are the most relevant to your company and event.
Choose Eventify To Organize Your Next Corporate Event
Corporate events can easily be one of the greatest assets for your company to achieve your goals and keep employees more engaged and involved. Especially when you create the right event format to your KPIs and goals, you can make sure all teams, including the ones working hybrid feel more involved.
This is where Eventify removes the friction for your organization.
We plan with clarity: We provide you with goal-based templates, custom RSVP fields (dietary, accessibility, time zone), audience segmentation and automated reminders.
We help you run the event with confidence: Everything from branded microsites, QR check-ins, live polls, Q&As to leaderboards, social walls, and room screens are managed by us so that there is parity between on-site and remote attendees.
We help you prove impact: Not just during the event, pre/post pulses and participation telemetry are consolidated in Eventify’s dashboard so that attendance, engagement, satisfaction, and adoption metrics can be easily tracked.
Scale what works: We can help you clone successful agendas as templates, track outcomes across quarters, and keep a cadence of micro-rituals between all your events.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should my company event have a theme?
We believe theme parties are more fun than formal corporate events for employees. The theme party, on the other hand, brings out creativity and Fun within the company. Every event should have a theme, by which we mean that each event should have a defined objective that guides the theme. Your corporate event’s menu, decorations, entertainment, and every other aspect should serve the event’s objectives. Your business event theme is created by combining these components and grasping the attention of the employees and guests.
2. Is it important to hire a corporate event planner rather than going to it by the employees themselves?
The answer depends on the people coming to your corporate party. If you organize mid- to large-scale corporate events, retaining an experienced event planner on staff is unlikely to be cost-effective. But if you are planning to have in-housing planning, then keep in mind the workload of your peers. Mostly, the event planning becomes stressful, so having a professional handle is better. A competent corporate event planning firm can handle the logistics of any size event, allowing you and your staff to focus on having Fun and meeting new people.
3. What distinguishes employee or staff events from promotional activities?
Employee activities and promotional events are comparable in many ways. Ultimately, you want to demonstrate to your guests that they made the proper choice by keeping them amused and satisfied by participating in your business. However, we give every event we organize our own twist. Product launches and branding events must highlight your business and your distinctive products, whereas employee appreciation events are primarily about team development. We know how to make every corporate event authentic to its objective thanks to our years of experience.
4. Should I host a holiday party at my place of business?
Employees may experience stress around the holidays, so hosting a party at this time of year can be a welcome relief. Showing your employees an excellent time is also a wonderful approach to demonstrate your concern for them in the giving spirit of the holiday season.
5. Should I get feedback on the event?
Yes, it is important to have feedback to measure the success of the event. You can have an in-house survey of the employees. In this way you can prepare for your next corporate part, or fun activities for corporate events for them as well. This will not just give you insight into the employees’ thinking but also give you an initial outline for the next event.
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