| The company picnic is a beloved tradition at many | | | | company's parking lot, offsite |
| firms.It's an opportunity for employees to mingle | | | | venues can make people feel more relaxed. If |
| and "let down their hair."A well organized company | | | | you're on a strict budget, one option |
| picnic with planned activities can help integrate | | | | is a nearby state park. Many have large pavilions |
| employees with each other. This is particularly | | | | ideally suited for such events.I've also been to |
| important if the company has | | | | company picnics given at the home of the firm's |
| undergone recent reorganization. As such it | | | | CEO or owner. This |
| functions as a "team bonding" | | | | kind of setting adds a homey touch to the |
| mechanism.A company picnic can be held for an | | | | festivities. In some instances, facilities |
| entire firm of thousands or for a single | | | | were set up so that the guests attend to their |
| department of 30.In my role of party entertainer | | | | needs without entering the host's |
| (and prior to that corporate employee), I have | | | | private home.An excellent option to consider is a |
| attended countless such events. | | | | venue that is set up especially for hosting the |
| Here are some observations, tips, and ideas I | | | | company picnic. Generally these picnic parks |
| picked up along the way.General Considerations | | | | come complete with in-house catering |
| Like any other type of event, you need to | | | | and lots of games and activities for kids both big |
| decide what you want your picnic to be | | | | and small. Some day camps rent |
| like and how much you want to spend.As with | | | | out their facilities on weekends when they are |
| any event, it is important to keep the needs and | | | | otherwise not in use.Amusement parks and river |
| tastes of your attendees | | | | cruises are other options.Tip: Have a Plan B in the |
| paramount.Allow yourself sufficient time to book | | | | case of rain.Some Plan B options include: |
| your venue if the picnic is offsite. Demand for | | | | - A tent with walls or access to an on-site |
| some venues is at a premium during peak | | | | building |
| periods. It is not uncommon to make | | | | - Event insurance |
| reservations several months or more in advance | | | | - A rain date Keep in mind that if you opt for a |
| of a given date.You'll need to plan food and | | | | rain date, your vendors and entertainers may |
| beverages, and activities and entertainment and, | | | | require additional payment to reserve the second |
| in | | | | date. That is because they have to |
| some cases, transportation to the picnic | | | | turn down other clients during the busy summer |
| site.Allow enough time so you can give your | | | | season to keep that time open for |
| employees sufficient advance notice to | | | | you.Food and Beverages |
| include the picnic into their plans. This is especially | | | | If you choose to have the food catered, you |
| important if you'll be inviting | | | | don't have to worry about preparation or |
| family members or if it is held on a | | | | cleanup. Many venues such as picnic parks have |
| weekend.Company picnics and company picnic | | | | in-house catering. And many |
| ideas can range from the very simple to a | | | | caterers specialize in handling company picnics.The |
| pull-out-all-stops extravaganza. My observation is | | | | best part of picnic fare is that it is simple and |
| that people have a good time at | | | | satisfying. Hot dogs and |
| both.Do you want to have a theme? A theme is | | | | hamburgers are extremely popular at picnics. But |
| fun! Plus it makes it easier to organize | | | | they are not compulsory and |
| food and activities.WHEN do you want to hold | | | | caterers will cater to your every whim.Keep the |
| you company's picnic? | | | | menu flexible enough to accommodate those with |
| Here, in the Philadelphia area, companies hold their | | | | special needs and |
| picnics beginning in June | | | | preferences. These days you'll find many meat |
| through early October.Considerations such as | | | | eaters and vegans, not to mention |
| your company's workflow, availability of a desired | | | | devotees of Atkins, South Beach, and other |
| venue, | | | | diets. Muslims and Jews may not wish to |
| etc., will help you determine the date. Employees | | | | eat pork.So having at least one non-pork and |
| are less apt to be away on vacation | | | | non-meat option is an excellent idea. If your |
| in June or September, but they will really enjoy | | | | picnic has a theme, your menu can reflect |
| the chance to kick back in July or | | | | that.Decide whether you want to permit alcoholic |
| August.There are pros and cons to weekday | | | | beverages. If so, make sure there is a |
| picnics versus weekend picnics.Company picnics | | | | way to ensure that anyone who drinks a bit too |
| held during a workday will ensure a greater | | | | much makes it home safely.Have age appropriate |
| attendance for | | | | activities and games |
| employees when they would normally be in the | | | | Some venues such as picnic parks make it a |
| office. And, they don't cut into | | | | point to supply many activities. |
| precious personal time.But spouses and children | | | | Nonetheless, you may want to supplement them. |
| are generally more available for a weekend | | | | Entertainers such as DJs, caricature |
| date.WHOM do you want to invite? | | | | artists, Tarot card readers, magicians, face |
| Staff only? Members of the employee's | | | | painters, clowns are some popular |
| immediate family? What about significant | | | | additions.Door prizes are a cherished company |
| others, friends? Decide where to draw the | | | | picnic idea at many firms. Door prizes work |
| line.Family picnics are a great way for employees | | | | both as employee appreciation and an incentive |
| to meet co-workers' families. It | | | | for the employees to linger.Examples of some |
| humanizes co-workers by allowing them to relax | | | | prizes I've seen include certificate good for a |
| their at-work personas.On the other hand, single | | | | dinner for two at a |
| or divorced employees can feel like the odd wheel | | | | local restaurant, gift certificate at a local |
| at a | | | | department store, a day off with pay, even |
| very family oriented event. That can be | | | | a free vacation complete with round trip airline |
| overcome by planning activities suitable for | | | | tickets.These are some company picnic ideas and |
| people of all ages.Activities that require | | | | planning tips to get you started.But the most |
| participants to form groups can help integrate the | | | | important tip is the one I save for last. |
| attendees. | | | | After you've worked so hard to organize and |
| And it keeps your guests occupied.WHERE do | | | | plan your event, be sure to go and |
| you want to have your company picnic? | | | | enjoy the festivities yourself! |
| While many picnics take place under a tent in the | | | | |