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If you've been to one corporate event, you've been to a million. They are a great way to show gratitude for a great team of employees and practice team-building skills. But they tend to be so boring that many employees dread the thought of having to attend another monotonous corporate gathering. If you're getting ready to plan a new event, it's time to shake things up a bit. Check out these 9 unique ideas that will make employees excited to attend your corporate event.
Plan a Scavenger Hunt
Split your employees into various teams and get them moving with a fun scavenger hunt. Whether you do it around your  corporate campus or around your city, it's a great way to get people outside and not have to spend a lot of money.If you want employees from different departments to get a chance to know each other, have them draw teams from a hat. A scavenger hunt will get your employees working together on team-building skills while still having a good time.
Host a Costume Party There's no need to wait for Halloween - you can host a costume party any day of the year. Silly costumes are a great icebreaker and a great way to get people interacting. They're also an easy way to turn a traditional corporate event into a fun, relaxed occasion. You will undoubtedly have some employees who don't want to dress up or don't have time to find a costume. To make it easier and get everyone involved, provide a costume box with simple accessories such as masks, feather boas, and silly glasses. That way, everyone can get in on the fun. Attend a Cooking Class Rather than planning a traditional team dinner, try cooking dinner together instead. Another great way to build your team, attending a cooking class can bring your group together and leave you with some skills you can use at home. For a small team, check out Sur La Table. They host in-store cooking classes that include holiday recipes and how-to lessons. If you have a larger group, check with local culinary schools and colleges to see if they offer classes in your area. Throw a Cook-Off If attending a cooking class isn't feasible, try throwing a cook-off in the office instead. This is a great way for your employees to show off their favorite and most famous recipes, and it's a great way to enjoy a little friendly competition. A classic cook-off theme is the chili cook-off. You can award prizes for different categories such as the best chili, the spiciest chili, and the most colorful chili. Have everyone in the office vote anonymously so that even those who haven't cooked can get in on the action. Sweat It Out with a Fitness Class There's no better way to blow off some steam than with a high-energy fitness class. Corporate events tend to encourage gluttony, as they're usually loaded with food and drinks. If your office is filled with fitness-minded employees, take the opposite approach and gather your team for a spin class or a yoga class. Prefer to do something at a beginner level that all employees will enjoy? We love the idea of indoor rock climbing, aerial yoga, or a beginner kickboxing class. Create Art Together Painting parties are becoming more and more popular, and you don't have to be Picasso to enjoy one. Painting parties, as well as pottery classes, can be thrown just about anywhere, so you can even host one in the office. Just make sure you invite a pro as an instructor and have the necessary supplies on hand. Head to a Shooting Gallery Heading to a shooting range or a shooting gallery for target practice is a fun and exciting activity that employees of all ages can enjoy. Most people have never done it before, so it's a good way to get people out of their comfort zone and try something new while being safe under supervision. If guns just aren't your thing, try archery lessons or ax-throwing. There's a good chance that no one in your group has ever done either of those two things. Host a Science Fair If the majority of your office has kids, there's a good chance they're worked on a science project or two in the recent past. Host an adult science fair by organizing employees into teams and encouraging them to create an exhibit. It can be as simple or as complex as you like, and it's a fun way to get co-workers interacting in an unexpected way. Have everyone bring in an exhibit and let your employees walk around and ask their coworkers about their projects. If your employees are competitive by nature, offer a prize to the group with the best exhibit. Egg Drop Challenge Similar to the science fair, an egg drop challenge is sure to get your employees in the competitive spirit. It's another classroom favorite that adults can have fun with too, just make sure you provide some key supplies. Create teams, let your employees build their designs, and then head up to the roof. Whichever team can drop their egg without breaking it on impact wins. Think About What Your Employees Would Love It goes without saying that not all of these activities are ideal for every company. Choose one that makes sense for your business and make sure it’s one that most of your employees will enjoy. Select an idea that will get your team out of their comfort zone, but do so within reason. If budget is a concern, the egg drop challenge and the scavenger hunt are very inexpensive options that you can do on the cheap. If you've got a decent budget, consider reserving space at a shooting range, an indoor rock-climbing wall, or a cooking school for the afternoon. Whether you choose an activity from this list or take inspiration and come up with your own idea, it's all about doing something memorable. With these ideas and a bit of your own creativity, you're sure to plan a corporate event that your team will actually want to attend!  Author Bio
Lisa Clapper is the Owner of Copper Mugs. She has an extensive marketing background in all facets of marketing but a true entrepreneur at heart. Her interests and experience in home design and decorating has led her into the housewares industry where she designs and sells copperware for Copper Mug Co. http://www.midwestmeetings.com/featured-stories/9-unique-entertainment-ideas-that-break-the-mold |
