When you choose to plan early, your holiday office party can be one of the easiest and most rewarding projects you’ll take on all year. Here, we cover everything you need to know about the best Chicago event venues and how booking early can make your annual Christmas party a hit.
Why Should You Start Planning Now?
As soon as fall arrives, Chicago event spaces start booking up for the holidays, and the best venues always go fast. By planning early, not only will you have first pick of all the best holiday party venues in Chicago, but you’ll often also end up with better pricing, more flexible options, and a chance to actually enjoy the process. Generally, early planning gives you a chance to be thoughtful about your theme, the experience of your guests, and your team’s preferences, which will all show up on the day of the event.
Tips for Early Corporate Holiday Planning
Here, we cover some of our top tips for early corporate holiday planning.
Pick Your Date Early
To get started, you’ll want to nail down a date for your event, since the closer you get to the holidays, the harder it’ll be to coordinate everyone’s schedules. If you want to make sure everyone can attend, you might consider hosting your annual Christmas party on a Thursday or midweek, since those days tend to be less busy than weekends. However, planning early also means you get your pick, so don’t be afraid to claim a weekend!
Choose the Right Venue
When it comes to office holiday party venues in Chicago, you’ll want to choose a location that works with your party’s theme and budget. When touring spaces, remember to ask about included amenities like AV equipment, decor, and catering packages. Many venues offer full-service event planning, which can take a lot of the stress off your shoulders. Additionally, don’t forget to look into accessibility and transportation. If your office is centrally located, you can choose a venue nearby to make it easy for everyone to get there. Alternatively, if you’re planning something farther away, consider booking a shuttle so no one has to worry about parking or driving home.
Get Creative With the Theme
A good theme can make your office holiday party extra memorable, and when you plan early, you’ll have time to put something wonderful together. Some of our favorite theme ideas include winter wonderland (white lights, faux snow, and elegant, sparkly accents), a holiday movie marathon (cozy lounge seating, holiday classics played on big screens, and themed snacks), and a speakeasy night (jazz band, craft cocktails, and vintage decor). Even for those on a budget, the theme doesn’t have to be extravagant as long as it sets the tone and helps guide the night!
Think About the Food and Drinks
Good food can make or break your annual Christmas holiday party, so we suggest choosing a venue in Chicago that offers in-house catering to take away the stress and help make your evening run smoothly. Before coordinating, gather information about your guests’ dietary needs, such as whether you’ll need vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options. If you want to keep things relaxed, you can plan passed hors d’oeuvres and grazing tables, or for a more structured evening, a plated dinner or buffet-style setup always works.
Add Entertainment
Entertainment is often the trickiest part to plan, but you’ll be ahead of the curve when you book your venue early. Hire a DJ or live band, set up a photo booth, or plan a few themed activities. Alternatively, if you want to take an item off your plate, look for company holiday party venues that come with built-in entertainment options. That way, you don’t have to coordinate extra vendors, and instead, your guests can just jump in and start having fun.
Communicate With Guests Early
Once everything’s booked, don’t forget to share the details! Send out digital invites early, then follow up with reminders as the date approaches. Include info on the dress code, parking, and what to expect. If you’re inviting plus ones or planning a gift exchange, make those details clear, too. The more information you provide upfront, the smoother everything will go.
Why Wintrust Sports Complex is the Perfect Office Holiday Party Venue
Wintrust Sports Complex is one of the best corporate holiday party venues in Chicago, with many in-house options and setups to fit your group.
On-Site Catering
If you’re planning a party, it always adds complexity dealing with external vendors, but everything at Wintrust Sports Complex is handled in-house. We offer on-site catering that allows you to choose from a variety of menu options, or you can work with our chefs to create a personalized one.
Flexible Spaces
Whether you’re throwing a large event or a small one, we have options for mingling, dining, and games throughout our 72,000-square-foot center. Additionally, all of our options can be customized to fit your preferences.
Family Friendly
Looking to host a family-friendly corporate party in Chicago? Wintrust Sports Complex welcomes guests of all ages. Kids and adults can enjoy a range of activities, including our 4,000-square-foot arcade and laser tag arena, no extra setup necessary.
Full Access
We offer all-inclusive packages that make planning easy. Instead of piecing together food, activities, and entertainment separately, you can book a deal that covers access to our games, activities, and equipment. Additionally, every one of our amenities is ready and available when you are, so there’s no extra coordination, setup, or stress. All you have to do is show up and let us take care of the rest.
Experienced Event Coordinators
Our Wintrust Sports Complex team is here to help with your corporate holiday planning. We’ll work with you to understand your plans and make them happen, including coordinating with vendors, managing timelines, and addressing last-minute changes. Don’t have a plan? That’s okay, too! Our venue offers many built-in amenities that are already in place for you.
Contact Wintrust Sports Complex for Corporate Holiday Planning
Ready to get started? Contact Wintrust Sports Complex today to learn more about our corporate holiday planning services!