Forbes has named 2018 “The year of Employee Experience.” To get employee experience right this holiday season, many businesses are focusing on breathing new life into their annual company holiday party.

Lackluster conference room potlucks and “Secret Santa” are becoming ghosts of office Christmas Party past. This year more companies are recognizing the value of taking the holiday party away from the usual work environment, and boosting staff morale by celebrating in inspiring spaces.

Southeastern Wisconsin offers numerous options to host corporate events. If you are looking for an inspiring location for your office party, Chivaree on Park is one of hottest new venues to check out. Named ‘Best of 2018’ Newest Venues by Wisconsin Bride Magazine, Chivaree on Park features a stunning design blend of industrial-glam and nostalgic elegance.

Bring the employee experience to your company holiday party by booking a unique venue and party with a business goal! Here are 5 fun team-building ideas for your company holiday party:

1. Christmas Carols and Holiday Jingles Contest

Keep the bar from becoming the main entertainment at your holiday party - foster group participation and harness spontaneity, with a Christmas carols and holiday jingles contest.

Chivaree on Park’s Grand Ballroom features an iconic build-in stage - ideal for speeches, awards, professional Christmas Carolers or a group of your talented employees! A speaker with microphone is available for teams to use with printed music sheets or karaoke machine for holiday team building singing.

2. Break the Ice: Awards recognition with a twist.

Company holiday parties are a great time to acknowledge employee achievements and celebrate company success. Add a little fun, energy and encourage co-workers to get to know one another by creating funny, non-discriminatory, funny work place awards such as, neatest cubical award, most coffee consumed, most pens collected award, social butterfly award, etc.

3. Holiday Desert Stations

From hot chocolate bars, Christmas cookie decorating to old-fashioned eggnog – desert bars at are this year’s hottest event food trend. Opting for these sugary stations at your next Holiday Party or Corporate Event will get employees out of their comfort zone, and encourage communication among departments. Food and desert stations can also be a great way to control guest flow.

At Chivaree on Park, your guests have exclusive access to our entire two-level banquet hall. Combined with full service amenities, such as onsite catering, floral design, event planning and professional bartenders - our venue is the perfect choice to host your company holiday party!

4. Holiday Photo Booth

Build trust and foster growth when teams are selected from alternating departments or satellite offices to set up a group photo using holiday props – lights, tinsel, santa hats, etc. Photo booths can be rented for teams to use DIY festive backdrops and props at company holiday events.

5. Book in January

For many, December schedules are jam-packed with shopping, baking, school concerts, traveling, etc. Booking your company holiday party in the new year could improve attendance, especially for companies that have satellite locations and remote employees.

Start off the new quarter with a bang. Boost morale after the holidays, build excitement about the new year and save money in the process by booking your company holiday party in January!

Many venue’s offer lower rates for January bookings, and have prime dates available. Chivaree on Park generously accommodates up to 720 people for larger corporate events or smaller company gatherings. Our on location amenities include floral design, event planning and catering with an expansive list of great food and beverage options as well as entertainment packages!

Whether your business is located in Watertown, Johnson Creek, Nashotah, Merton, Hartford, Delafield, Hartland, Oconomowoc or anywhere Southern Wisconsin, Chivaree on Park is a premier corporate event venue to host a memorable company holiday party.

Contact our event planner to learn more about booking your next company event at Chivaree on Park.