Exclusive Collection gifts event organisers fresh take on the festivities
Corporate Christmas parties are evolving this year according to demand being seen by Exclusive Collection. After a two-year absence of company get togethers the traditional company bash is under review as corporates address the hybrid workplace, financial climate and acknowledge a heightened ownership around their employees’ health and wellbeing.
Stephanie Hall, group director of sales and marketing for Exclusive Collection states: “While there’s a pent-up demand to get back together and re-engage, we’re seeing new forms of entertaining and ways to reward employees this year. The trend is being driven from event organisers who, while they recognise the value of showing corporate appreciation and bringing people together, they are equally aware that the traditional Christmas party may need a refresh. After all, not everyone enjoys enforced fun and more so there’s greater responsibility around inclusivity at events”.
Prior to the pandemic Exclusive Collection’s festive season would have been made up of exclusive use Christmas parties with weekly sharer parties available for SME’s and their smaller teams. 2022’s returning seasonal celebrations continue in high demand with subtleties around the event formats:
Family time
A new demand for family friendly events. These events are less about individuals enjoying dinner, drink and dancing and more focussed on family friendly activities. Santa’s Grotto, afternoon tea and a small gift from the corporate employer bring families together and ensure high employee engagement and big brand talkability.
All inclusive
All inclusive used to mean dinner, drinks, and a well-stocked bar for unlimited beers, wines and softs. Today’s all inclusive focuses on the diversity of attendees, the diversity of diets and the growth in guests who demand a wide selection of low and no alcoholic beverages.
The gift of time
Some corporates are swapping the business bash for a personal gift or experience for their employees. Voucher sales for experiences within Exclusive Collection are in high demand as corporates recognise the gift of time and the positive impact it can have on their employees.
Summer is the new season to celebrate
Demand for summer events is up by 16% as corporates shift their employee engagement alfresco and with less formality. With more than 600-acres of open space, Exclusive Collection has developed and landscaped outstanding alfresco entertaining spaces with woodfired cooking and street food bringing conversation, conviviality and alleviating table plan tactics.
In addition to newly nuanced event formats, the demand for a more conscious festive celebration tops the organiser’s wish list.
“Provenance and seasonality are now par for the course; organisers want to know what happens to any left-over food from events” adds Stephanie. “We’ve been working with OLIO for more than a year now to ensure that all un-used ingredients and food is given to those in our local communities that need it most. And, where we can, we grow our own; South Downs Water is on our doorstep, we’ve a partnership with Ridgeview who not only are our house pour but we’re growing a vineyard together. Our commitment to sustainable business practices is engrained in our business practices and adapts in line with ever changing guest dynamics”.
As certified B Corp, Exclusive Collection has a rigorous approach to events and ensures that all purchasing decisions, products and services fulfil its obligations to being a conscious business focussed on limiting its impact on the planet and the people it reaches. It is a reputation earned over four decades, and most recently the family-owned company has also partnered with event:decision to further contribute to its B Corp certification.
