Failing to meet your marketing goals? Maybe it’s time to consider your party policy. That’s right; showing your clients a good time could be the sought-after boost your business needs. From maintaining important relationships with big spenders to enticing new clients to change suppliers, corporate event hospitality is a 24 hour, 365-day job and can actually play a significant role when it comes to meeting both your marketing and wider business aims.
Below, we find out why corporate hospitality is so important and provide you with some sought-after sensational event ideas and inspiration! Regardless of whether you want to build client loyalty or gain a greater understanding of how your customers think, we discover how throwing a party for your partners can really pay off.
What is corporate hospitality?
By definition, corporate hospitality refers to the “entertaining of clients by companies in order to promote business, especially at sporting or other public events.” These private events are frequent occurrences for large businesses and corporations and can be used to impress and/or reward clients, stakeholders and employees. As a result, they can be utilised for a number of reasons including boosting staff retention, increasing sales and cementing new business relationships.
Still not sure what ‘corporate hospitality’ means? Well, being ‘hospitable’ refers to being welcoming to guests and even strangers when they enter a place that you, as the host, reside over. Often, good hospitality is viewed as putting on a good spread of food, offering your guests a range of beverages and can even stretch to putting on some entertainment.
With regards to corporate events, hospitality means the exact same thing. The only difference is that you’re welcoming, feeding and entertaining business clients rather than friends or family members. Therefore, the tone of the get together may be a little more formal while the fare, beverages and entertainment may require rethinking if you really want to impress your guests.
How to connect with customers and build loyalty
There are many ways that you can create a good rapport with your customers and thereby encourage them to return time and time again. From creating a tempting loyalty scheme/card to avidly collecting and acting on valuable customer feedback, there’s an endless list of methods and initiatives that you could choose to implement.
However, if you really want to connect with your customers and encourage them to work with you, then you need to understand them. What motivates them? What are their business goals? Do they prioritise one type of work over another? Are they keen to showcase their corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy? Or do they place more value on socialising, company culture and supporting one another?
As the host, it’s your job to figure out what makes your clients tick. Once you have a better idea of their aims and values, you can show off your corporate hospitality with a tailored event. If they have a passion for taking risks and thrive off excitement, why not put together a casino-inspired corporate event? Alternatively, they might prefer charitable functions, in which case a sponsored fun run, auction or competitive contest is likely to impress.
Corporate hospitality ideas that will impress your clients
Stuck for corporate event hospitality ideas and inspiration? Luckily, we’re here to help! Having hosted a wide variety of successful corporate events at all five of our sought-after locations, we know a thing or two about pulling off memorable meetings and unforgettable parties for professionals. Want to follow in our footsteps? Below, we list our top ten corporate hospitality ideas that are sure to knock the socks off your clients!
Bring out their competitive side!
Sporting events are a great way to get two different teams on the same page. Regardless of whether you’re a Manchester United fan and your client loves Liverpool, taking a valued customer to a big football game, racing event or tennis match is a sure-fire way to create conversation and build a fun yet professional relationship.
Even if your budget doesn’t stretch to a to private box at Wembley, you can still host fantastic live viewings at a bustling venue with a friendly and lively atmosphere – just like The Bierkeller! Simply order a few refreshing beer towers, pick the perfect spot in front of a HD TV and get ready to root for your favourite team.
Place your bets!
Another corporate event that adds a little competition to proceedings involves taking a gamble! Whether that means taking a trip to the grand national and placing a bet on your favourite horse or hosting a classy casino night at a magnificent venue, this adrenaline-pumping activity is a great way to connect with customers and release some workplace stress.
Taste some tipples
It’s no secret that a drink or two can encourage the conversation to flow and nor is it uncommon for business relationships to be toasted with a tipple, so why not base your next corporate hospitality event around a few bracing beverages? From cocktail-making masterclasses to wine and whiskey tasting, there’s no shortage of alcohol activities to get stuck into.
Alternatively, if you want to avoid over-indulging, then learning how to mix mocktails can be just as much fun without the hangover the next day – ideal if you want to sign that contract or host an early morning meeting the day after the event! The Bierkeller, for example, boasts an inviting selection of drinks including tasty cocktails, steins of ice-cold Pilsner and those oh-so irresistible bottles of bubbly!
Create a united team
An ideal option if you want to show a united front and encourage partners to work with you, why not try out some team building activities? Teambuilding is designed to show off your staff’s ability to collaborate and work effectively together, thereby highlighting some of the best features of your business. Scavenger hunts, puzzle-solving activities and trust-building exercises can all help to promote client bonding and let off some steam!
Take full advantage of any good weather
In the UK, we all know how rare a spot of sunny weather can be, so we recommend making the most of any amiable outdoor conditions while you can and luckily, there’s no shortage of sun-seeking options. From spending the day outdoors enjoying a glorious round of golf to finding a suntrap beer garden in a vibrant and entertaining venue, there’s numerous ways to soak up that vitamin D.
Best of all, a spot of sunshine tends to encourage a more optimistic and cheerful mood which can be incredibly useful if you’re trying to close a tense business deal or repair a fractured professional relationship. Finish with plenty of refreshing drinks and tasty dishes and you’re sure to be onto a winner!
Feeling festive?
No matter what time of the year it is, it’s always important to show your clients just how valuable they are and what better time to do this than during the jolly winter holidays? While company Christmas parties are common, how many businesses invite their clients to join in with the festive fun? Taking the time to communicate with your valued customers and involve them in these celebrations can help to build closer relationships.
Embrace five-star dining
If you really want to impress your clients, why not roll out the red carpet with a meal they’ll never forget? Whether that means delighting your guests by taking them to a Michelin start restaurant or choosing a venue with an outstanding view and all the latest facilities, there’s a wide range of dining delights you can explore no matter your budget.
While bottles of champagne are luxurious canapés are often the go-to choice for celebrating, there’s no reason why you can’t thrill your clients without splashing too much cash. When it comes to toasting a new partnership or simply building your rapport with an existing client, there’s no reason why you can’t divulge in some high-quality comfort food and drink – juicy burgers and ice-cold beer tend to go down well!
Tap into the local culture
Cultural corporate events are a fantastic way to unite companies based in the same area. Local music, food and drink festivals all help to bring the community together, so why not take advantage of these events and invite some of your closest clients to join in? Not only does this type of event encourage a closer bond but it could even turn into an annual tradition, helping to secure business for years.
Book a bar with a difference!
If you want to retain the relaxed and casual feeling of a bar for your corporate event without compromising on entertainment, then we suggest opting for an action-packed bar just like The Bierkeller. Bars like us (not that there are many!) put the emphasis on more than just the food and drink – we aim to show you a good time, too.
At many of our energetic venues you can find pool tables, virtual darts lanes and of course, our live oompah show entertainment. This beloved combination of entertainment, food and drink can introduce a more exciting edge to any brainstorming session over a beer or two.
If you’d like to find out more about our facilities and corporate event packages, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today!
Think outside the box!
If all the above corporate hospitality event ideas seem a little conventional for your liking, then we recommend getting creative and choosing something unique and memorable that will amaze your clients. Ever considered suspending your guests 150-feet in the air and hosting a dinner in the sky? Or maybe an awe-inspiring hot air balloon trip is the best way to grab their attention? However you decide to connect with your clients, these extraordinary corporate event ideas are sure to get a response!
The perfect way to show your clients some love
At The Bierkeller, we’ve hosted countless business bashes, innumerable corporate celebrations and welcomed many a professional punter into every one of our five major locations. Regardless of whether you like to splash the cash on bottles of bubbly or put on a more relaxed and entertaining syndicate soirée, our talented team can help you to show your clients just how much you care!
Instead of feeling stifled and dull in a bland boardroom, why not get in touch today to find out how we can banish boredom from your monthly meetings and corporate events? At The Bierkeller, we believe beer towers go down far smoother than lengthy progress reports, which is why we recommend showing off your company personality with a little corporate hospitality and letting the numbers speak for themselves.
With five prime-location Bierkeller venues to explore, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Not only are our city centre locations ideal for providing remote employees and non-local clients with a convenient travel route, but they also offer a plentiful supply of nearby amenities and an impressive selection of beverages and dishes to both refresh and satisfy.
Unlike uninspiring hotel meeting rooms, The Bierkeller goes against everything mundane without compromising on class or comfort. Boasting top of the range facilities and an abundance of space as well as contemporary and luxurious surroundings, impressing your clients just became so much easier.
With a helping hand from our talented team, we can make a wide range of alterations and additions to our function rooms to ensure they meet, or even exceed, your event expectations! Vibrant, energising and well-equipped, our venues are eager to make your acquaintance. Why not get in touch today to discuss your corporate event needs with an experienced member of our team?
Offering premium packages, unparalleled customer service and a lively atmosphere, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our venues. You can find us in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Halifax. You choose the location; we’ll roll out the red carpet!