Navigating the delicate balance between professionalism and enjoyment can be a formidable task when organising corporate events. The quest for ‘fun’ takes on a nuanced meaning as event organisers take on the challenge of delivering an inspiring and engaging event with diverse tastes and preferences.
At ICC Belfast, we recognise the importance of planning events that not only meet professional objectives but also leave a lasting, positive impact on attendees. This guide offers ideas and examples tailored to inject joy into corporate gatherings. From innovative team-building activities to entertaining party ideas and hybrid event options, we have curated a collection that promises to transform your events into memorable experiences enjoyed by all.
What is a Corporate Event?
A corporate event is a planned gathering organised by a company for its employees, clients, stakeholders, or customers, aimed at achieving specific business objectives or developing professional relationships. These events can take various forms, ranging from conferences, seminars, and workshops to team-building retreats, product launches, and celebratory parties.
Typically, participants include employees at various organisational levels, clients and industry partners, depending on the event's purpose. Corporate events serve as platforms for networking, knowledge sharing, and team cohesion, contributing to a positive company culture and achieving strategic business goals. Examples of corporate events encompass annual conferences, training sessions and awards ceremonies.
Why are Corporate Events Important?
Corporate events are important for celebrating success, boosting business morale, and providing incentives to employees. They create opportunities for networking, team building, and knowledge sharing, developing positive working relationships. These gatherings contribute to a cohesive company culture, enhance employee engagement, and align teams with organisational goals, driving overall success and growth.
12 Fun Corporate Event Ideas
The team at ICC Belfast have curated a comprehensive list of fun corporate event ideas by drawing on their vast industry expertise. Each suggestion, from workshop events to award ceremonies, will detail insights and creative approaches for planning and executing these events, ensuring a rich resource for event planners.
- Professional Workshop Events
- Corporate Sports Events
- Business Networking Events
- Corporate Murder Mystery Events
- Charity Auction Corporate Events
- Live Music Corporate Events
- Corporate Gala Dinners
- Corporate Bingo Events
- Food & Drink Tasting Corporate Events
- Corporate Seminar Events
- Corporate Award Ceremonies
- Comedy Corporate Events
1. Professional Workshop Events
Hosting a professional development workshop event offers companies a unique opportunity to enhance both individual and collective growth. These workshops not only facilitate skill development among employees but also promote team building and group bonding. By encouraging a collaborative learning environment, companies can improve communication, increase employee morale, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.
How to make it fun:
- Get creative with ‘paint and sip’ workshops - Get creative with ‘paint and sip’ workshops by encouraging participants to express themselves artistically while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere, inspiring creativity and camaraderie.
- Get physical with corporate self-defence workshops - Corporate self-defence workshops incorporate hands-on activities and practical techniques, making the learning experience interactive and empowering.
- Upskill employees with storytelling workshops – These interactive workshops use real-world examples and collaborative storytelling to make the learning process engaging, memorable, and directly applicable to the workplace.
2. Corporate Sports Events
Corporate sports events offer a dynamic platform to encourage competitiveness, team collaboration. Beyond the physical health benefits, these events contribute to mental wellness by providing a break from routine, reducing stress, and enhancing overall morale. The friendly competition not only celebrates individual and team talent but also reinforces a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the organisation.
How to make it fun:
- Host a sports event for all levels - Hosting a sports event for all levels that incorporates a variety of activities will ensure inclusivity and provide options for both competitive and recreational participants.
- Think about escape room options - Think about escape room options by infusing elements of problem-solving and teamwork challenges into the sports event, adding an engaging twist to the traditional format.
- Establish teams across different departments – Encourage cross-functional collaboration by promoting interdepartmental teams. This will create a sense of unity and shared achievement during the sports event.
3. Business Networking Events
Business networking events serve as invaluable platforms for strengthening connections and gaining new perspectives. These events offer delegates the opportunity to expand their professional circles, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Additionally, the relaxed and social atmosphere can often lead to more authentic connections, making them a unique avenue for professional development and business expansion.
How to make it fun:
- Introduce speed networking sessions - Introduce speed networking sessions to inject energy and dynamism, allowing participants to make meaningful connections in a short timeframe through structured and focused interactions.
- Include high profile guests or keynote speakers - Including high-profile guests or keynote speakers will elevate the prestige of the event and attract attention, adding an extra layer of excitement for attendees.
- Break the ice with food and drink – Break the ice with food and drink by incorporating casual dining or interactive food and drink stations, providing a relaxed environment that fosters conversation and camaraderie among attendees.
4. Murder Mystery Corporate Events
Corporate murder mystery events offer a unique blend of entertainment and team building, making them suitable for both clients and employees. The immersive nature of these events encourages strategic thinking as participants engage in a shared mystery-solving task, promoting better communication in a fun and unconventional setting.
How to make it fun:
- Choose a theme - Themes create an immersive and engaging atmosphere, allowing participants to fully embrace the storyline, and enhancing the overall experience of the corporate murder mystery event.
- Include event hospitality with a sit-down meal - Hospitality provides a social and relaxed setting, encouraging networking, and allows participants to discuss clues and share theories while enjoying a communal dining experience.
- Enlist professional actors – Enlist actors to elevate the authenticity of the murder mystery, ensuring a captivating and well-executed storyline that keeps participants entertained.
5. Charity Auction Corporate Events
Charity auction corporate events offer a multifaceted approach to corporate engagement by blending socialising, corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, and community support. These events provide a unique platform for employees and clients to come together for a common cause. Charity auctions stand out as effective tools for promoting teamwork, social connection, and a shared commitment to philanthropy, enhancing the company's reputation and employee morale.
How to make it fun:
- Make it a hybrid event with mobile bidding - Hybrid events enhance accessibility and engagement, allowing participants to bid from anywhere in the world.
- Provide a variety of high ticket and locally sourced prizes – Variety in prizes will appeal to a diverse range of interests, creating excitement and competition among participants while supporting local businesses and artisans.
- Hire a professional host – Professional hosts bring energy, charisma, and expertise to the event, offering an entertaining auction experience that captivates participants, encourages bidding, and contributes to the overall success of the event.
6. Live Music Events
Organising a live music event as a corporate celebration offers a unique and vibrant experience, catering to a diverse audience of clients, customers, and employees alike. These events can be accessible to a broader audience, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendance. Live music not only entertains but also serves as a powerful tool for creating memorable moments that resonate with attendees.
How to make it fun:
- Go big with a corporate festival event – Curating a diverse lineup of musical acts offers a range of genres, and creates a dynamic, festival-like atmosphere that appeals to a broader audience.
- Inject fun with tribute acts - Tribute acts bring a unique and entertaining element to the musical event by paying homage to well known artists, capturing nostalgia, and adding a light hearted touch to the celebration.
- Cater to different music tastes – Offering a variety of musical genres ensures a customised and inclusive experience that resonates with diverse preferences among participants.
7. Themed Gala Dinners
Themed gala dinners offer a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere, providing a unique platform for networking and celebration. With a focus on formal attire, fine dining, and entertainment, gala events create a memorable and prestigious experience, elevating a company's brand and reputation.
How to make it fun:
- Make it a seasonal gala - Make it a seasonal gala by aligning the theme, décor, and menu with the current season, creating a dynamic and visually cohesive atmosphere that resonates with attendees.
- Encourage fancy dress - Encourage fancy dress to add a playful and interactive element, allowing participants to express creativity, fostering a light-hearted atmosphere, and making the gala event memorable for everyone involved.
- Include immersive and engaging activities – Include immersive and engaging activities such as live performances, interactive installations, or themed experiences to captivate attendees, creating a dynamic and entertaining environment that goes beyond traditional gala expectations.
During the 2020 AstraZeneca annual kick-off meeting, attendees enjoyed a gala dinner with a captivating Game of Thrones theme, creating an iconic Instagrammable moment. As delegates traversed through hedged entries, they were greeted by thatched dragons, on loan from Ulster Museum, the iconic dire wolves of the Stark family, and the infamous throne, creating a captivating atmosphere. This immersive experience transported attendees into a medieval world, exuding energy and offering an exhilarating sense of thrill.
8. Corporate Bingo Event
Hosting a corporate bingo event offers a slightly unusual blend of entertainment. Beyond the traditional workplace setting, bingo events create a fun and relaxed atmosphere, promoting a positive company culture and strengthening interpersonal relationships. The simplicity and inclusivity of bingo make it accessible to all, contributing to a sense of unity among participants.
How to Make it fun:
- Include interactive entertainment - Including engaging hosts, themed rounds, or live performances will enhance the overall excitement and energy of the corporate bingo event.
- Offer a variety of prizes – Prizes can range from coveted company perks to fun and light hearted items and will cater to diverse tastes and add an extra layer of anticipation and enjoyment for participants.
- Make it a hybrid event – Leverage virtual platforms to allow remote employees to join the fun. This will create an inclusive experience that transcends physical boundaries and enhances participation in the corporate bingo event.
9. Food & Drink Tasting Events
Hosting food or drink tasting events offer a delectable and interactive experience that goes beyond traditional business gatherings. These events provide a space for team building and networking in a relaxed setting. With the potential to customise themes and pairings, food or drink tasting events stand out as a distinctive way to celebrate achievements and contribute to a positive company culture.
How to make it fun:
- Support local hospitality providers - Collaborate with nearby restaurants, caterers, or breweries, showcasing regional and local tastes and flavours.
- Make it interactive, with mixology or cooking classes - Engage participants with hands-on experiences that not only entertain but also educate, creating a dynamic and memorable tasting event.
- Provide take-home recipes and gift bags – Offer attendees the opportunity to recreate the culinary or mixology delights experienced during the event, at home by offering take-home recipes and gift bags.
In 2023, Belfast played host to 230 international TATA Genuine Parts employees from Mumbai who gathered in the city for their eagerly anticipated annual distributor conference—a flagship event for the division. Illustrating a dedication to excellence, ICC Belfast's catering partners, Hospitality Belfast, went above and beyond in their meticulous planning, ensuring that their attention to detail extended beyond taste to include presentation and cultural authenticity. Through a collaborative effort with the award-winning restaurant Nu Delhi, Hospitality Belfast crafted a distinctive Indian menu, providing guests with a culinary journey that transported them to the heart of India.
10. Corporate Seminar Events
Corporate seminar events contribute to thought leadership within the organisation by providing a forum for experts to share insights and industry trends. With the potential for interactive discussions, skill-building workshops, and networking opportunities, corporate seminars create a culture of continuous learning. The focused and informative nature of seminars makes them a strategic tool for keeping teams informed, engaged, and inspired within the ever-evolving landscape of their respective industries.
How to make it fun:
- Select topics that resonate with attendees - Identify industry trends, address current challenges, and tailor content to meet the specific needs and interests of the audience, ensuring relevance and engagement.
- Hire an event venue with dedicated seminar facilities - Hire an event venue with dedicated seminar facilities equipped with modern audiovisual technology and comfortable seating, creating an environment conducive to learning and fostering an immersive experience for participants.
- Make it a multi-day seminar event – Organising a multi-day seminar event allows for in-depth exploration of topics, ample networking opportunities, and a more relaxed pace that facilitates meaningful discussions.
11. Corporate Awards Ceremonies
Corporate award ceremonies serve as a powerful means of recognising and rewarding hard work. These events offer unique marketing opportunities, allowing companies to highlight achievements, reinforce brand identity, and strengthen industry positioning. By celebrating accomplishments and promoting a culture of acknowledgment, corporate award ceremonies become a distinctive tool for talent retention, recruitment, and overall brand enhancement.
How to Make it fun:
- Think about ‘Live Streaming’ - Live streaming will extend the reach of the award ceremony, ensuring remote or global participants can join in real time.
- Get employees involved in ‘employee choice’ awards - Employee awards create a space to nominate and vote for peers, creating a sense of ownership and camaraderie that enhances the meaningfulness of the recognition.
- Hold an open mic – Provide a platform for recipients and attendees to express gratitude, share anecdotes, or showcase talents, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the award ceremony, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone.
ICC Belfast was the chosen venue for the Digital DNA Awards 2022 and 2023, an annual celebration of Northern Ireland's Tech and Digital community. In 2022, the live event made a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus, drawing in over 700 guests. The competition was fierce, with 140 companies submitting a remarkable 336 entries across 14 categories, and over 80 of these earning a coveted spot on the shortlist.
12. Comedy Corporate Events
Hosting a corporate comedy event not only guarantees a night of laughter but also supports local talent. Beyond entertainment, laughter has proven benefits for mental wellbeing, making comedy events a strategic investment in employee morale. By creating an environment that encourages laughter and light-heartedness, corporate comedy events stand out as a memorable and effective tool for team building, stress relief, and reinforcing positive workplace relationships.
How to make it fun:
- Consider event production requirements – Think about technical aspects like lighting, sound, and stage setup which can all contribute to an immersive atmosphere that complements the comedic performances and enhances the overall experience.
- Include local comedy acts - Include local comedy acts to showcase and support talent within the community, providing a unique twist to the event while reinforcing local pride and connection among attendees.
- Consider hosting a workplace ‘Roast’ - Channel your company’s inner Dunder Mifflin and consider hosting a workplace ‘Roast’ to add a personal touch, creating a light hearted environment where colleagues can share good-natured humour about each other.
Corporate Events at ICC Belfast
Boasting state-of-the-art facilities, including versatile meeting spaces and cutting-edge technology, ICC Belfast offers a dynamic and customisable environment to cater to the diverse needs of fun corporate events. We have a commitment to sustainability, aligning with your corporate social responsibility goals and offer a central location to ensure easy accessibility, making it convenient for both local and international attendees.
Whether hosting professional workshops, gala dinners, or conferences, ICC Belfast's dedicated team ensures seamless event execution, allowing organisers to focus on the content and engagement of their corporate events. Plan your next gathering here for an unparalleled experience that merges sophistication, convenience, and sustainability.
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