Don’t shoot the messenger! Now that we have our gorgeous spring weather, of course we have to remind you to plan for your Christmas party.

Event planning. Say those two words and see how fast your coworkers run for the door. But you’re game. And fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. We are award-winning, event
planning experts. We plan all aspects of any kind of event, no matter the size or circumstance. From extremely small to a cast of thousands, we’ll keep our eye on the details so you don’t have
to. Simply Elegant – Event planning that makes you look good.

Party Planning
You’re thinking: great friends, great time, great party. We’re thinking: great parties come out of great party planning. It’s hard to believe that something as fun as a party can take so much work. But it does… Always. Of course, great hosts make it look easy. Great hosts rely on great people. We’re your people. Your party planning people. We’ll do the planning. You have the fun.

The rewards of a successful Christmas party will carry on throughout the year. There are many steps to planning leaving it to the demands and challenges of the holiday season is a recipe for headaches. Here are some tips to lighten the burden in planning this years parties:

Things to think about in planning this year’s Christmas party:

Use task lists and schedule deadlines to complete all your planning on time. If it’s an office party, then the location, budget, and date all three are usually determined by management so you’re working within limits already. Be mindful of your corporate culture in planning on food and entertainment. (IE food restrictions due to religion)

It is never too early to start organizing. In fact, numerous 500 guests or more companies have completed this planning already. Many of the large facilities are pre-booked on an annual basis with first come first served for the smaller ones.

Book your facility now. The larger the number of guests, the less number of local facilities are available. Why not look at unique locations such as a museum, garden or cultural centre. The environment in these locations create the base decor and give a refreshing feel to the festivities.

Re-think your theme. Successful parties create a common thread that tie everything together using the budget as your guide. Coordinating the entire Christmas program with the menu, decor and entertainment allows for a memorable celebration. An example of this is an international Christmas theme with world food/action stations with matching decor and entertainment.

Poll your employees as to what type of theme and entertainment they would like this year? You could make it a competition! Instead of the comedy show, perhaps they would like to experience a cirque show or a Christmas themed murder mystery? Focus the opportunity for an engaging and interactive party this year.

Guests love to take the dinner table centrepiece home. Why not set up a centrepiece creation competition between departments where the pieces are raffled off to generate money for your favourite charity. Remember to make a note in the invitation that there will be a prize for the department that decks out the most ingenious Christmas centrepiece.

Promote the designated driver concept and these alternative forms of transportation in your invitations. Let’s face it – drinking and driving never mix. Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages for the designated driver and others who prefer not to drink alcohol. If preparing an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base like fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream faster with a carbonated base. Provide for for alternative modes of transportation for guests range from shuttle, limousine service or passenger vans taxi fare for the end of the evening. Don’t forget to budget for this!

Save a tree and go green e-invites for your event.

Planning a party is a lot like buying a house. You do the research, crunch the numbers, think ahead – and you put the best possible team around yourself to help you achieve your goals. When party disasters happen, it usually comes down to poor planning. And many smart, capable social committees just plain and simple don’t think through some of the basic details that will make or break their party. That’s what a planner is for.

Call Simply Elegant if you need support with some or all of your Christmas event. It’s what we do best. From planning, to decor, to entertainment, to catering, we work hard to ensure that every facet of your corporate event says what you want it to say. After all, this isn’t just some corporate event. It’s yours. It reflects back on your Company — and on you. Every detail has to be on message. You wouldn’t let an email go out that didn’t look good on the Company. You’re sure not going to let your company look bad through a poorly thought out or executed event.

Ultimately here are the Top Ten Signs You’re at a Bad Office Christmas Party according to CBS
– Late Show with David Letterman

10. Eggnog smells suspiciously like Liquid Paper.
9. Anyone caught under mistletoe gets choked by Latrell Sprewell.
8. Because of corporate downsizing, Santa is only 120 pounds.
7. Only food available is something called reindeer kebabs.
6. Last time you saw this much sucking up was on the Tommy Lee-Pamela Anderson videotape.
5. Christmas tree is just a fat intern in a green sweater.
4. For the 16th year in a row, the Canadian band leader has passed out in the eggnog.
3. Thanks to the alcohol-free punch, not a single butt gets photocopied.
2. Boss offers to give you a raise, and hes not talking about money.
1. Its held every year on July 23rd.

Simply Elegant / Bayer CropScience

Bayer CropScience really knows how to take care of their key clients! From a fabulous spousal program of art classes and spa retreats to a beautiful Valentine’s Gala – this event was magical for all.
Special thanks to Faby Martin for the lovely photographs!

Your holiday office party planning starts with great food and drink.  Usually the hardest part of planning a party is what to serve.  Some parties feature appetizers, some offer full sit-down meals, and others will have a buffet that could include separate stations for each food type i.e. a salad, meat, seafood or dessert stations.

While you’re in the office party planning stage, keep in mind that the time you schedule your party for  will directly affect the type of service and quantity of food required and staff expectations.  But…the most important factor that will determine the style of catering you choose is your budget.

Holding your Christmas party in the office means space is a consideration.  A sit down dinner requires room for tables and chairs.  Before you plan on it, be certain your budget will accommodate this style because you will need to hire serving staff.

A buffet style gathering will require tables for catering equipment, and if you choose to have traditional turkey or roast beef, space for the chef carving station is a must. Presentation tables for an appetizer party are needed unless you decide to have wait staff serve guests as they mingle.

You will still require a preparation area. Your staff kitchen could do the trick for this choice.

If your holiday office  party planning budget is very small,  opt to have the caterer drop off your menu choices. Then all you’ll need is a table to set up the presentation.

Here are a few more tips as you finalize your Christmas office party planning:

-       Know your office party food etiquette. If yours is an office of women, serve food that is pretty and always add chocolate something.   Perhaps you are a construction company; you will want to fill the gap with delicious home-style portions.

-       Be sensitive. Keep in mind the ethnic and religious requirements of your colleagues.

-       How much food is needed will depend on how many people will attend and the time of your party. Luncheons typically require less food then evening parties.

Office Party Planning For a cocktail style party:

• Light: 3 to 5 pieces
• Medium cocktail party: 5 to 8 pieces
• Full meal cocktail party: 8 to 15 pieces.
• Dinner style cocktail parties require 15 to 20 pieces per person.

-       Renting China, Glassware, Cutlery will make any party planners life much easier and is eco-friendly. You should be able to rent them from your caterer.  If you want disposable, choose a caterer that has eco-friendly items available. Have the order delivered the day before to ensure you are ready for the set up the day of the event.  If you are missing items, early delivery gives you time to make wrongs into rights.

-       Double up on everything if you can. People tend to leave their glasses, plates, and cutlery wherever they wander.  Plan on having as much as twice the amount as the number of guests.

-       Serving. If you are not hiring serving staff, a buffet is the way to go. Stack plates at the start of the buffet line, and place cutlery and napkins at the end. Guests will then have less to balance while they serve themselves.

-       Consider setting up the food in several spots if you have the space. That way everyone won’t be crowding around the same buffet table at once. Make sure there are plenty of napkins and plates at each station.

-       Choose a theme.  You can theme any party from décor to food to menus.  How about a Winter Wonderland with an elegant colour theme of purple and gold.

Fire & Ice: think ice sculptures and icicles combined with fire torches (fake of course!) or candles and a red Christmas tree.  Or choose a Victorian Christmas to add warmth and charm to your office gathering.  Themed parties add great value that will provide your office with an unforgettable experience.

-       The wow factor. If you have the budget go with butler service and provide your staff with an elegant experience that says they are the best.

Looking for some company picnic ideas? After all, July is National Picnic month, and what better way to celebrate than by having a picnic?  We Calgarians are especially fortunate to have all kinds of fabulous picnic areas and hiking trails.  And so we have some helpful tips to help make your event “picnictastic.”

There are plenty of good reasons to have a corporate picnic.

- They lift staff’s spirits and company morale
- They show appreciation for employees
- They demonstrate a commitment to employees and their families   
- They build teamwork
- They’re fun

These days, picnics are no longer about a single basket filled with soggy sandwiches, warm drinks and ants. Today’s picnics can be innovative and creative.

Here are five important things to remember when you think through your company picnic ideas.

1. Location, location, location. Not only do you want it to be scenic but it also should be  close to where the majority of your workforce live. You’ll need to think about transit routes, or consider options such as taxi vouchers or car pooling.

2. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered. On-site power, permits, washrooms, tents (anything above 600 square feet needs a building permit), tables and chairs, set up, strike down, and recycling are just a few of the many things on the picnic-to-do list. 

3. Put lots of “fun” into the day’s agenda. You’ll want to ensure there are plenty of games and activities. You don’t want everyone sitting around with nothing to do – what is this, the office? (kidding). When thinking through your company picnic ideas and activities, remember to consider your employees’ interests (not everyone likes softball).  And make sure the kids have plenty to do too.

4. Theme your picnic. Today’s picnic events can have their own themes with corresponding menus that can be custom designed. Remember to incorporate the theme through the entire event, from the invitation to the décor, food, activities, music and entertainment. Make sure that your entertainment compliments the day and the activities. 

5. Food. We’re thinking barbequed burgers, hot dogs, chicken and ribs. And while they will please most of your guests, remember to include plenty of vegetarian options. Avoid foods that spoil quickly in the heat (hello, mayonnaise and seafood). Make sure you’ve got the appropriate refrigeration for drinks and food. Water and fruits will keep everyone hydrated. 

Calgary picnic site bookings can be made in advance by contacting the City of Calgary:

Check out their website or email: facilitybooking@calgary.ca You can reach them by phone at: Customer Service Center 403-268-3800 and in person at: Customer Service Center, 2808 Spiller Road S.E., Calgary, AB.

Now the question is – where to go for a day of picnicking?

Don’t ever say we never done nothin’ for ya. Here is a comprehensive list of Calgary picnic areas and their locations, including playgrounds, off-leash dog parks, natural environment parks as well as the outdoor resource center.

Coming up with company picnic ideas is just the beginning. There are a huge number of details to work through. In fact, you might want to consider hiring an event planner who can also cater your event to make sure all potential obstacles are covered. A professional planner can’t stop it from raining but they can make sure that none of your guests get wet. 

While you’re at it, check out Simply Elegant’s Summer Packages. They’re designed to ensure your event is exactly as you want it at a price you can afford.

Planning in advance and taking care of the details will ensure your outdoor experience is relaxed and stress-free.  So bring your company picnic ideas to life! Get out there and have a fun day in the great outdoors. Oh, and don’t forget to bring the sunscreen.

Sometimes, you need a venue that offers a little bit of everything: accommodation, dining and an elegant space for an event. Kensington Riverside Inn could be exactly what you’re looking for… 

Kensington Riverside Inn

1126 Memorial Drive NW,
Calgary, AB T2N 3E3
Phone: 403.228.4442
Fax: 403.228.9608
Toll Free: 877.313.3733
www.kensingtonriversideinn.com
info@kensingtonriversideinn.com

Kensington Riverside Inn is a premier luxury 19-room boutique inn that combines upscale accommodations with an intimate charm. Located steps from Downtown Calgary along the banks of the picturesque Bow River, it’s a chic and stylish venue with a warm and personal feel.

The whole place has an upscale Bed & Breakfast feel to it. The inn’s superb 40 seat restaurant that was voted Best Hotel Dining in 2009 (Where Magazine), and was voted one of Canada’s best new restaurants for 2008 by enRoute Magazine.

Originally designed by award-winning architect Richard Lindseth, the Kensington Riverside Inn exudes an upscale residential charm with an ambiance that is light, airy, gracious and inviting. The stylish rooms were all individually decorated to make guests feel at home.

The 19 rooms and suites feature triple-sheeted Frette linens, heated towel bars, 42” flat-screen plasma TVs, personal wine cabinets, high-speed wireless Internet, voicemail, high-end furnishings, independent climate control and windows that open. Some rooms also feature gas fireplaces, double jetted Jacuzzi tubs, balconies and patios.

Because of the intimate nature of the inn, parking is limited, but not a deal breaker. The dining room can only hold 40-70 people for sit down dinners, and 80 people for a cocktail style reception wedding, so it’s only suitable for certain types and sizes of events.

For those looking to combine sophisticated elegance with intimate charm, Kensington Riverside Inn provides the perfect marriage of both.

You either love it or hate it, the breakfast meeting. Mostly it comes down to whether or not you’re a morning person and how good the food is. We seriously can’t help you with the first part but we’ve totally got your back on the second.

Two words for you: Hot Breakfast.  And we’re not just saying that because it’s National Hot Breakfast Month. I mean, it’s also Responsible Pet Owners month, and nowhere here will you see a recipe for goldfish. That’s just how we roll…

Breakfast meetings can be a great way to energize a group and get a great deal of work done before the regular work day begins. But not if your group is lagging and barely functioning. What you’re saving in serving a breakfast meeting menu vs. what you’ll spend by having a nice lunch menu is moot if the group resents being there or just isn’t engaged.

And yes, you’ve heard before but only because it’s true: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It jump starts your metabolism, regulates your blood sugar and otherwise gets the blood going for the day. As an aside, if you’re trying to lose weight, you have a better shot if you eat breakfast than if you don’t. But don’t tell your guests that. They’ll just think you’re having a breakfast meeting because you think they’re fat. Maybe you do. But that’s none of our business.

Yes, you will save money by having a breakfast meeting instead of a lunch meeting. But when you are cutting into people’s sleep time or otherwise asking them to give up their personal time, you really need to show them that you respect their time and are giving something in return. A good hot breakfast is a strong signal to your group that they are valued and that their time and energy is respected.

Pastries and an assortment of cold cereals can be part of it– but you will stimulate more brain power through hot breakfast options. Crepes and waffles are always popular. Scrambled eggs, sausage and traditional breakfast entries generally serve well and keep meetings well fueled – and for a twist, serve traditional meals with a Mexican or other ethnic flare.

Coffee, both regular and decaf, is a must as are other hot beverages, including various types of teas. It may not be sexy but try having hot oatmeal on hand. Chances are good some of your managers are of a certain age where heart health is important – and frankly, it’s never too early to take preventative measures. The health benefits of oatmeal are such that a single serving per day can actually prevent some of the possible damage from bad cholesterol consumed throughout the rest of the day.

You might also serve elements from a traditional Japanese hot breakfast for your breakfast meeting. Steamed asparagus, sautéed tomato and mushrooms make a fresh alternative to more bready options and are a wonderful way to start the day.

While most people recognize that breakfast is important from a health perspective, they primarily eat it for enjoyment. If your breakfast meeting has hot food that is both delicious and healthful, your meeting is bound to be more productive.

Now go get your cat spayed if you haven’t already. Let it not be said we didn’t do anything for Responsible Pet Owners Month.

Planning Corporate Events Key to Success

Whether you are planning a convention, seminar series, awards dinner, ceremony or any other kind of corporate event, early planning is always advised. It’s not always possible, of course, but longer lead times allow for better problem solving and contingency plans.

The more you’ve got at stake, the more likely it is you will need an events company to help you in the planning of your corporate events. If you are thinking of relying on your in-house team, ensure you assess the skill set of yourself and your team honestly. Planning corporate events is one of those things that looks much easier than it is.

In fact, planning corporate events requires great efficiency, devotion to detail, imagination and the ability to find innovative solutions when everyone else is stuck on the problem.

Keeping your eye on the prize helps. Your event should have a stated goal. If it’s just happening because it’s always happened, that’s a great reason to question if your event is even necessary. A good corporate events company can help you define your objectives for an event — and meet them.

Successful events engage minds, win hearts, sway votes, make leaders, secure business and close deals. Everything you do, order, book, create and plan around your event should be working towards your specific goals.

When all is said and done, you want your event to:

• be unique, memorable and professional
• obtain objectives
• be personal and branded from conceptualization to execution
• be able to obtain and maintain strong relationships; business and/or personal
• meet the measures of success you’ve set for it.

Make sure any events company you are considering is a good fit for your corporate culture. They must also have the necessary skill and experience to deliver all of the planning and logistical elements that will help you achieve your specific business goals.

it’s important to interview them in advance and ensure they are capable of supporting both your vision and all of the necessary elements you require when planning corporate events:

The Basics

• Budgeting
• Venue Selection
• Creative theme proposals for your event
• Décor planning
• custom centerpiece creation
• Catering services
• Lighting
• Laser shows and fireworks
• Tents
• Customized gifts and awards

Logistics

• Destination management
• Conduct physical site review for final selection and recommendations
• Contract negotiation and supervision
• Set-up
• On-site management- staffing, etc
• Equipment Rental
• Audio-visual requirements
• Photography and video
• Accommodation arrangements
• Travel and transportation arrangements
• Permits
• Security

Affiliated Services

• Public Relations

• Communications Strategy
• Media relations
• Sponsorship Relationships
• Graphic design; including logos, brochures, annual reports, invitations and display material
• Printing
• Website design and maintenance
• Fundraising-consultation and materials
• Entertainment & talent search (Music/Sound, bands, DJ’s, entertainers & speakers)
• Entertainment contract negotiation

Yes, planning corporate events is a huge amount of work and it can be very stressful. A beautifully  planned and executed corporate event, however, can motivate staff, drive sales, reward hard work and engage an audience the way almost nothing else can.  It might just be the best investment your company can make to distinguish itself in times like these – and that can’t be bad for your career either!

A corporate event is a chance to send your company message out to the world. It may signal that you are ready to do business. It can galvanize your employees, engage new customers, reward your existing clients, launch new products and grow your bottom line.

Your company message may say  “hire us,” “buy from us,” “thank you,” “you are awesome,” and “we are worthy of you.”

If corporate events are not done correctly, however, the company message could be “leave us alone,” “you still here?” “we’re better than you,” and “your job is hanging by a thread; by the way, so is the company.”

The fact is, no matter how big or small your corporate event is, it is actually the forum for a very important conversation you are having with your target audience. Before you make any decisions around your event, you need to be very clear on who you are trying to reach and the company messages you want to leave with them.

A good Corporate Events company can help you through this process but it’s something you can begin on your own as well. A productive place to start is by determining who you want your corporate event to engage.  Who your event is for will determine how you communicate with them through your event, both directly (demonstrations, shows, announcements, speeches, invitations, brochures, website, etc.) and through subtle choices like colours, themes, staging and food, if that is part of your equation.

The questions you need to answer depend on the circumstances but, at the very least, you need to think through the basics on the members of your target audience, including:

• How old are they?

• What do they do?

• How familiar are they with your company, product or service?

• How far have they had to travel?

• What is their income bracket?

• How educated are they?

• Are they predominantly female? Male?

• And what time will they be eating?

When you have a good sense of who you are talking to, you need to think through what you would like them to do as the result of your corporate event. In other words, what are the goals of your event and what is the company message?

Far too many businesses undertake corporate events for vague reasons: they’ve done them before, their competitors are doing them, they feel they should do them…. Unspecific reasons lead to unspecific results. Successful corporate events come from setting specific goals you want your target audience to do, feel or think.

• Are you rallying existing customers around a new product or service?

• Are you winning back clients who have left you for competitors?

• Are you establishing your position in the marketplace?

• Are you mitigating the delivery of bad news to stakeholders?

• Are you helping your workforce redefine itself after restructuring or downsizing?

The more you understand about your audience, the more successful your event is likely to be.

Once you know who you are talking to and what the goal of your event is, you need to think about what your company message(s) will be to your target audience through your corporate event.

An event with a message that says “your business will improve by joining our exclusive club” looks very different than “we have reinvented ourselves to be immediately relevant to you and responsive to your needs” which looks different again to “you are the staff that are the lifeblood of our company and we value you.”

Your company message will be as unique as you are and the people you are trying to connect with. No matter what else is going on, corporate events are about connection and about people.  Everything you do at your corporate event sends a subtle message, from the colour of the drapings to the type and quantity of food (if any) you serve.

The point is to make all of your corporate events work for you and not against you. And yes they can work against you. With advance thought, clear objectives and an understanding about who you are targeting and what you want to say to them, however, your corporate events can be an effective tool to for your company message to connect more resonantly with those you need to reach.

It’s the first mall to have opened anywhere in Western Canada in the last 20 years, so of course it’s a big deal and OF COURSE Simply Elegant was a part of it!

Simply Elegant Mimosas and chocolate covered strawberries helped VIP’s celebrate what is a whole new consumer experience featuring six shopping “neighbourhoods,” including: Fashion, Ranch, Resources, Fossil, Sport and Entertainment.

Congratulations CrossIron Mills Mall! We’re glad you’re here!