Have you ever been bored out of your mind at a networking event?
Us, too.
But corporate events don’t have to be cheesy, awkward, or dull. You just need to think outside the box to give your corporate events some extra oomph — and that’s why we’ve created this guide.
At Eventbrite, we’re all about creating unique experiences. That’s why event organisers from all over the world use our platform to create, promote, and run once-in-a-lifetime corporate events.
Read on to find out why corporate events are so important, and get 28 corporate event ideas that’ll create engaging and unforgettable experiences.
CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL CORPORATE EVENT IDEA
Business event ideas for wowing customers and clients
Best corporate event ideas for remote workers
Creative corporate event ideas
Entertainment ideas for corporate events
Why host special corporate events?
As an event organiser, corporate events represent a great business opportunity.
First off, corporate events are in high demand right now. People are looking for unique experiences — and more importantly, they’re willing to pay for them.
In fact, spending for corporate events will grow by over 10% per year over the next few years.
But hosting corporate events also enables you to have a positive impact on company morale and business culture. As an event organiser, you can be at the centre of those changes, making corporate event planning both rewarding and good for business.
Fun corporate event ideas
Yes, corporate events can be a bit dull. Shake up your events and toss in excitement with these five fun corporate event ideas.
1. Kidult day
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This kind of event works well outdoors, and you can organise as many fun games as you like. Some businesses that usually host kids’ parties may let you host your kidult day in their venue.
You can include a large bouncy castle, arcade games, and an obstacle course so adults can relive their best childhood moments.
💡Pro tip: Set the tone by curating the perfect playlist for the soundtrack to your corporate event. Adding competitions in different kids’ games could also turn this into a kind of Olympics to accompany a trade show or networking event.
2. Quirky-themed banquet
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Transform an ordinary charity benefit or networking event into a quirky meal for your attendees. Include a theme, such as an icebreaker for guests, and choose a venue with kitchen facilities.
For lessons in best practice, check out The Globe Inn and their Bruce 750 Celebration Banquet. With its Scottish theme, this is one event idea guests will love.
💡Pro tip: Make your event even more distinctive by theming your corporate banquet around a specific country or cuisine.
3. Silent disco
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Adapt a silent disco to suit a wide range of event venues or different types of events, and integrate it into a networking event as an icebreaker activity, kick off a trade show, or even anchor a charity fundraiser.
IPL Sports Bar offers a great example with their Silent Disco ft Ultrabeat.
It’s also a great idea for a corporate event to let people choose their own music, allowing dancers to be their own DJs.
💡Pro tip: You can also get as creative as you like by giving your disco a great theme, whether it’s an elegant masquerade ball or a fun ’90s party.
4. Corporate cocktail party
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Cocktail parties are a fun way to get people talking to multiple businesses or clients at a networking event.
A cocktail party is also flexible to integrate into a number of venues, and you can hire expert mixologists to double as entertainment.
For inspiration, look at Cocktails & Conversation’s event at The Mandarin Oriental event. With a great DJ, a unique chef-tasting experience, and plenty of space to socialise, this is a cocktail party with something for everyone.
💡 Pro tip: Leverage existing business connections by collaborating with venues or professional bar companies. Food and drink partnerships like this simplify the event planning process and make your corporate event more unique.
5. Corporate “backyard” BBQ
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A BBQ is the perfect setting to help clients relax and mingle — and if you need inspiration, look no further than Emma Tilley’s Bank Holiday BBQ, which includes live music entertainment and games while guests snack on delicious BBQ food.
You can experiment with any entertainment idea you wish — hire a speaker, incorporate a karaoke machine, or up your culinary game with a fine-dining BBQ experience.
💡 Pro tip: Everybody loves dessert. So rent an ice cream truck or bring in food vendors to complement your BBQ. It’ll add a festive atmosphere to your event and give guests a delicious treat.
Business event ideas for wowing customers and clients
Business events are the perfect opportunity to woo your existing customers and generate excitement for future events. Try these five ideas to really wow your guests.
6. Industry conference
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An industry conference is a type of corporate event that brings together professionals from the same field to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities within a specific industry.
It’s also a great business move. Spending on business-to-business conferences and trade shows in the UK is rising year on year — and they’ll also give you opportunities to connect with new vendors and forge business partnerships that’ll boost other fun events you’ve got in the pipeline.
For lessons in best practice, check out event organisers CDI and iCeGS at the University of Derby and their National Careers Leaders Conference event. The conference promises to bring together like-minded professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders — including a great speaker lineup that’s definitely going to pack the house.
💡 Pro tip: To help everyone have as much fun as possible, set up engaging activities like virtual tours where participants can get a first-hand look at what goes into creating the products and services on offer.
7. Gala dinner
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Looking for a way to bring people together to form new professional connections? A gala dinner is the perfect way to do it.
Gala dinners are a great way to connect multiple clients, let them mingle, and share in an unforgettable (and often fancy) experience. Just look at CHEXS and their CHEXS Charity Summer Gala. It’s a great way to let your clients get dressed up and enjoy a night of socialising and dancing.
💡 Pro tip: Take your guest back in time with a 60s theme and encourage attendees to dress the part. You can also decorate the venue to fit the theme, and don’t forget about the little details, like plates and table decorations.
8. Awards night
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If just dinner isn’t enough, hosting an awards night can add excitement while keeping the formal atmosphere intact.
You could even spice up your awards ceremony by giving it a unique theme. That’s what the CReART-Collective CIC has done for their Woman’s Award Celebrating 5 years of CReART Collective. The glamorous night lets attendees enjoy an evening filled with awards, music and inspiration.
💡 Pro tip: For a fun twist to your corporate awards night, consider incorporating fun activities into the evening, such as trivia quizzes or special performances by comedy troupes. These will break the monotony while still maintaining a formal atmosphere.
9. Charity fundraiser
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With a charity fundraiser, you can hold an exciting and formal corporate event while keeping what matters most in mind.
There are a lot of unique directions you can take for a fundraiser. Just look at the Charity music festival inspired by country music and its event, The Big C – Country against Cancer. When you think of a typical corporate fundraiser, a rodeo bull and line dancing might not be the first thing to come to mind — but the unconventional approach sets it apart.
💡 Pro tip: Explore charities operating in your area ahead of time. Not only will this give you some ideas of the areas and types of people to target for your event, but you may also find new charities you’d like to connect and collaborate with.
10. Festive party
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As an event organiser, festive parties are a great option because they’re easy to integrate into venues of any shape or size.
They also work well if you’re planning for one client or a networking event for multiple clients, and festive parties are a great way to generate profit because people in the UK spend a lot around the holidays.
For inspiration, check out 20/20 Speed Networking and their 20/20 ‘Christmas Parties’ speed networking. With a formal dress code, great music, and an amazing-looking meal, this is a holiday party that’s got it all.
Ready to start planning your next corporate event?
💡 Pro tip: Spread the holiday spirit with holiday-themed games like a themed trivia quiz or a gift exchange. Remember to respect local holiday traditions and try to incorporate them into the themes.
Best corporate event ideas for remote workers
Trying to connect clients on opposite ends of the country? Try out one of these four ideas for unique virtual event ideas for remote employees or hybrid workers.
11. Online auction
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Auctions are great for virtual corporate events because they allow you to show off unique talents and raise money for a good cause.
💡 Pro tip: Create an unusual theme for the online auction, such as decorating your space like you’re at the beach, complete with beach chairs and your website with beach shells. Something different is more exciting!
12. The ultimate online pub quiz night
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Virtual quizzes offer a unique networking opportunity for you to help break the ice between leaders across different companies. That means your trivia night can double as a cool networking event.
If you’re looking to target a particular industry or group for your online quiz, you can turn your quiz into a themed event your audience will know a lot about.
💡 Pro tip: Put a modern spin on proceedings by designing interactive slides and incorporating custom animations. You could also combine your quiz with another event like corporate awards.
13. Virtual horse racing
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Everybody loves a day at the races — and this one is simple to set up. A virtual “bookie” explains the rules and the odds on each horse, and attendees can choose which one to back using “fun money”. You can even integrate giveaways or virtual raffles with real prizes in between races to keep guests engaged.
💡 Pro tip: You can make a whole Royal Ascot theme! Have everyone dress up in their best clothes and serve mint juleps. Give a prize to the person who can think of the wackiest name for their virtual horse!
14. Virtual bingo
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Virtual bingo is a fast and easy way to engage a large group of participants. It gets people chatting and is a great way to connect multiple businesses virtually, which is an effective icebreaker to promote networking. You can even spice up your virtual bingo event with a quirky theme.
💡 Pro tip: Raise the stakes by connecting with local vendors and businesses to donate unique prizes for the lucky winners. This could also help you forge business connections for future events.
Creative corporate event ideas
Want to start thinking a bit more outside the box? Build unique event concepts with one of these five creative ideas.
15. Corporate casino night
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A casino night is a fun idea that you can integrate into a wide range of event spaces or venues — and you can even double your casino night as a fundraiser for a local charity.
To create a more memorable experience, collaborate with entertainers or hire a band so you can transport your guests to Las Vegas for the night.
Want something a little more interactive for your guests? Check out BU Synergy Entertainment’s Casino and Murder Mystery Night @ CR1 Lounge
💡 Pro tip: Use the Eventbrite Organiser App to check people into your event so you’ve always got accurate numbers on who’s in your venue. This will enable you to better position your games staff and waiting staff and redeploy them if necessary.
16. Treasure hunts
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Treasure hunts can help you enjoy the great outdoors, build relationships, and keep groups entertained while fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork.
For lessons in best practice, take a look at London Guided Walks and their Knights Templar Treasure Hunt series. The events are a cross between a team-building event and a walking tour — enabling guests to see amazing sights, socialise, and have fun.
💡 Pro tip: Match up clients who don’t know each other to create networking opportunities and give everyone name badges if people aren’t sure who’s who.
17. Pop-up market
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Start a pop-up market where you and your clients can gain a new appreciation for local vendors.
Pop-up markets or shops bring together a variety of vendors selling handmade food and goods. You build partnerships with local vendors, give everyone a fun activity to do together, and could even expand local awareness of your business.
Take a look at event organiser Ljp small business and crafters markets and their Pop-Up Market event, where attendees can enjoy a fun and unique shopping experience and support local vendors.
💡 Pro tip: Celebrate the local community by offering spots to small businesses and artisans in the area, or create a globally-influenced food truck festival to get your attendees tasting and talking.
18. Craft workshop
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Craft workshops make great parties because they have a built-in interactive experience — but they’re also perfect for large-scale corporate events.
Hire a large venue with dedicated tables filled with all the crafting essentials guests need to prevent hundreds of people from walking around looking for what they need. Or create multiple stations. The host can perform their tutorial, which is filmed live onto a screen for everyone to see.
A great craft workshop example is Jessica Slender and their Beltane herb crafting workshop, which focuses on creating balms and lotions. You can be as experimental as you’d like with the crafts! Make cards, hair shampoo, mocktails, decorate phone cases, and more.
💡 Pro tip: Tailoring your event idea to the company is a great way to engage both clients and staff. Consider a themed craft workshop, where the end product has to reflect a company product or value.
19. Wine tasting
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Looking for a more refined corporate event idea? Try a wine tasting. Your tasting can even double as a mixology class to teach guests wine-related skills.
Take a look at Vicolo Del Vino and their Wine Tasting – Around the World! event. With lots of different wines to try from different regions around the world, your guests will surely find one they love to make for a memorable event.
💡 Pro tip: Want to include clients that can’t make it to your venue? Send them a couple of bottles without the labels and livestream the hybrid event. The guests have to guess what wine they’re drinking, and they win a free bottle if they’re correct!
Unique corporate event ideas
Want to make your next corporate event stand out from the crowd? Try one of these four innovative ideas.
20. Corporate karaoke battle
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A karaoke night is perfect if you have access to a large indoor event or bar space. It’s also easy to set up and low budget to organise if you partner with a karaoke venue, which has all the necessary equipment included.
You’re also creating a better guest experience by letting them loosen up, get on their feet, and choose their own soundtrack for the night.
💡 Pro tip: Reach out to registrants ahead of your event to get a feel for what types of songs or genres they’re into to make sure your karaoke options hit the nail on the head. All you’ve got to do is create a short pre-event survey and dispatch it via email for quick responses.
21. Cooking demonstration
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A hands-on corporate cooking class event is ideal if you’re looking for a way to involve a wide range of customers and clients.
A large cooking class puts you and your clients on common ground, learning how to make delicious food together. Everyone comes home with new skills, full stomachs, and a shared experience of learning together.
A cooking demonstration is also a great way to introduce guests to new flavours. That’s what organiser Chat+Learn has done with their Learn Punjabi Cooking with Bal. This hands-on session promises to introduce guests to a range of unique aromas and spices — our mouths are watering just thinking about it!
💡 Pro tip: Try using Eventbrite to connect with innovative chefs or cool event spaces to find out who’s able to offer cooking classes or a working kitchen big enough for your guests to get involved.
22. Art show
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An art show can be a great corporate event as it is a fantastic opportunity for companies to showcase their creative side while supporting local talent.
Art shows can be held at a variety of locations and can establish the brand’s image as a supporter of local talent and creativity. It also creates an opportunity for networking as attendees get to interact with each other and the artists.
For example, check out THE HOLY ART and their IMMERSIVE – Art Exhibition in London. The exhibition includes video art as well as 2D and 3D dimensional works — a surefire way to get your guests talking.
💡 Pro tip: Create a fun twist on the art show by incorporating activities such as live painting, interactive installations, or even a mini art auction. Consider sponsoring art that features the company’s logo as well.
23. Corporate comedy night
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A comedy night is a great way to loosen up guests at a corporate event and get them laughing and mingling. Best of all, demand for comedy events is on the rise, which means it’s a great business move for event planners and organisers.
If you need inspiration, take a look at The Wild Boar Pub and their Comedy Night event. This looks like a barrel of laughs guests won’t forget anytime soon.
💡 Pro tip: Once you’ve firmed up your event space, use Eventbrite to set up a venue map and create a seating plan. This will ensure your stage is the focal point of your venue.
Entertainment ideas for corporate events
Not sure how to entertain your guests? Here are five of our favourite corporate event entertainment ideas.
24. Guest speaker series
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Find the most engaging speakers in your industry and invite them to share their insights in an ongoing series of guest speakers.
Guest speakers can offer knowledge as subject-matter experts in your industry. They can also engage guests with entertaining examples of their work and provide insights about industry-wide trends.
To see how it’s done the right way, look no further than Impulse Capital Ltd. Their Property and Development (PAD) Networking Event with Guest Speaker includes a trio of incredible minds to get people talking about critical race theory — and it looks incredibly thought-provoking.
💡 Pro tip: Add an interesting twist to your guest speaker series by organising a Q&A, a roundtable discussion, or a debate. Just make sure you get the guest speaker’s permission first!
25. Interactive masterclass
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Bring everyone together to learn something valuable with an inspiring masterclass.
Consider what your clients might be interested in — maybe they’d like to learn about photo editing or writing their first novel at a workshop run by organisers like The Writers Workshop. Everyone can learn something new and bond at the same time.
💡 Pro tip: Make sure you’re collecting registrations for your class ahead of time to make sure you’ve got accurate numbers so you can get the correct supply levels.
That’s where it pays to set up an event page using Eventbrite — you’ll always have accurate numbers so you can forecast what you’ll need for the event.
26. Jam session
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A jam session is a lively, interactive live music event where you can gather to jam and create music together with guests. Bring various instruments and collaborate to let attendees create and perform music together, often improvising and experimenting with different styles.
Camden Open Air Gallery and their Sunray Sessions: Live Music, Art, Jam Session event is a great example. With amazing food, drinks, and the chance to make sweet music, we love the sound of this one.
💡 Pro tip: Add to the excitement by hiring a local professional musician to jam alongside everyone else. To create a more competitive atmosphere, you could also set up a “battle of the bands” made of guests.
27. Lunch and learn
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Everyone learns a little better on a full stomach.
Where a speaker series or leadership development seminar can feel like a formal event that requires more commitment, lunch and learns are shorter, more casual learning sessions.
Need inspiration? Take a look at Together Culture Cambridge and its Lunch and Learn event. Not only will guests enjoy a great lunch and do some networking, but they’ll also get to learn about the organisation and why they should get involved.
💡 Pro tip: It’s important to keep everyone fully engaged throughout the lunch and learn, so consider adding a competitive component like giving bonus points to participants who answer questions correctly.
28. Outdoor cinema screening
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Outdoor movies are a chance to get to know your clients better while everyone’s entertained and enjoying a pleasant outdoor experience.
If you have access to an outdoor space, bring clients and employees together in an atmospheric location. You can also encourage guests to bring their own blankets and chairs — which means less money spent hiring furnishings.
💡 Pro tip: Going to the movies isn’t the same without snacks, right? Collaborate with local food trucks or restaurants ahead of time to arrange drop-off catering or give guests the chance to buy their own treats.
Let’s put these corporate event ideas into action
Corporate events are in high demand right now, and they’re an incredible way to engage clients and build new relationships. You’ve just got to make sure you’re keeping it fresh with great ideas — and partnering with an event management software that’ll help you go the extra mile.
That’s where Eventbrite comes in. With Eventbrite, you can create custom event pages, create and sell tickets, build custom seating arrangements and multiple ticket classes, control your marketing campaigns, check your guests in at the door, and everything in between.
