Comments on: Company Activities: Lots Of Planning. Lots Of Fun? Not Always. http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/ The thoughts and experiences of Merrill Dubrow Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Merrill Dubrow http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-59755 Merrill Dubrow Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:09:33 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-59755 Quick update on a company activity that we had yesterday. Co-ed kickball. Seemed to go over very well - people enjoyed themselves and no one got hurt during the game......Although we had a team member (FS - speedy recovery) break not one but two fingers during a company practice. Merrill Quick update on a company activity that we had yesterday. Co-ed kickball. Seemed to go over very well – people enjoyed themselves and no one got hurt during the game……Although we had a team member (FS – speedy recovery) break not one but two fingers during a company practice.

Merrill

]]> By: Lydia Player http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58586 Lydia Player Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:14:30 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58586 I don't host an actual company event, but I'm always looking for a fun annual activity for a client appreciation event. It must be something that appeals to a wide variety of ages & personalities. Last summer I rented one of the theaters at the Studio Movie Grill for a private showing of the newest Harry Potter movie. I sent out the invitation 2 weeks before the movie came out and held the event 2 days after the release. The favors were 'muggle' mugs. We had a full house and a fun, memorable event. I don’t host an actual company event, but I’m always looking for a fun annual activity for a client appreciation event. It must be something that appeals to a wide variety of ages & personalities.
Last summer I rented one of the theaters at the Studio Movie Grill for a private showing of the newest Harry Potter movie. I sent out the invitation 2 weeks before the movie came out and held the event 2 days after the release. The favors were ‘muggle’ mugs. We had a full house and a fun, memorable event.

]]> By: Chau http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58060 Chau Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:52:22 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58060 The company I work for consist of about 100 employees and we know how to have fun. Top 5 memorable activities: - The company shut down half day and went to go play paint ball. - Went to watch the Rangers play during the day. To make it more entertaining, we had a contest on which group could accomplish the the most task: pictures with the players/mascots, getting autographs, getting onto the big screen, getting the game ball, and doing other things. - Converted half the building into a life size monopoly board game - Half day kickball tournament - Easter egg hunt in the office The company I work for consist of about 100 employees and we know how to have fun. Top 5 memorable activities:
- The company shut down half day and went to go play paint ball.
- Went to watch the Rangers play during the day. To make it more entertaining, we had a contest on which group could accomplish the the most task: pictures with the players/mascots, getting autographs, getting onto the big screen, getting the game ball, and doing other things.
- Converted half the building into a life size monopoly board game
- Half day kickball tournament
- Easter egg hunt in the office

]]> By: Nancy Domenichelli http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58059 Nancy Domenichelli Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:39:22 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58059 Back in my pre-digital days, when I had a local staff of transcriptionists, I treated my nearly burned-out staff and their significant others to night out during our summer slowdown. We caravaned up to Tanglewood in the Berkshires to enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the stars. We brought our own blankets and candelabras for our lawn seats, but I also arranged with a local establishment to provide gourmet picnic baskets and a few bottles of wine. It was a lovely evening, relaxed, and not overly social--important since not everyone wants to necessarily recreate with their coworkers. JFK, Jr's plane went down just a few days before, so it made for some bittersweet moments. The atmosphere lent for some deep sharing, which so many of us needed to do. So it was memorable in many ways and provided the much-needed relaxation for us all. Back in my pre-digital days, when I had a local staff of transcriptionists, I treated my nearly burned-out staff and their significant others to night out during our summer slowdown. We caravaned up to Tanglewood in the Berkshires to enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the stars. We brought our own blankets and candelabras for our lawn seats, but I also arranged with a local establishment to provide gourmet picnic baskets and a few bottles of wine. It was a lovely evening, relaxed, and not overly social–important since not everyone wants to necessarily recreate with their coworkers.
JFK, Jr’s plane went down just a few days before, so it made for some bittersweet moments. The atmosphere lent for some deep sharing, which so many of us needed to do. So it was memorable in many ways and provided the much-needed relaxation for us all.

]]> By: Jeffrey Lorber http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58047 Jeffrey Lorber Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:19:30 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58047 This is a theme near and dear to my heart - Best Ever award goes not to a particular event, but to a concept: How much money can we raise for the American Cancer Society? We set up teams and the company awarded the winning team with paid days off. We held bake sales, cook-outs, chili contests, raffles, yard sales, book sales, you name it. (Lots of food!) The beauty of this "event" is that it lasted for a month - so it wasn't a one time shot, we felt great satisfaction at raising thousands of dollars for a worthy cause, everyone was able to participate and contribute, we went outside of the "office" and raised money in the community, people got pretty creative coming up with ways to raise money - and it really served to unify the company across disciplines. This may be tough to do with multiple locations, but definitely worth the time and effort. A+ This is a theme near and dear to my heart – Best Ever award goes not to a particular event, but to a concept:

How much money can we raise for the American Cancer Society?

We set up teams and the company awarded the winning team with paid days off. We held bake sales, cook-outs, chili contests, raffles, yard sales, book sales, you name it. (Lots of food!)

The beauty of this “event” is that it lasted for a month – so it wasn’t a one time shot, we felt great satisfaction at raising thousands of dollars for a worthy cause, everyone was able to participate and contribute, we went outside of the “office” and raised money in the community, people got pretty creative coming up with ways to raise money – and it really served to unify the company across disciplines.

This may be tough to do with multiple locations, but definitely worth the time and effort. A+

]]> By: Pat Billups http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58044 Pat Billups Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:55:12 +0000 http://www.marcresearch.com/blogs/merrill/2008/04/02/company-activities-lots-of-planning-lots-of-fun-not-always/#comment-58044 Having been an event planner, I understand the challenges of producing an event that everyone enjoys and participates. The most memorable party I produced was themed around grade school. It was a birthday party for three men about 50 years young. They each chose their teams from the invited guests and then competed at a variety of games familiar from their youth. Games varied from dodge ball, kick ball, and relay races. The surprise hit was pin the tail on the donkey. We nearly went hoarse and deaf encouraging our team mate or impeding the efforts of our competitors during this event. People are still talking about it more than 10 years later. Having been an event planner, I understand the challenges of producing an event that everyone enjoys and participates. The most memorable party I produced was themed around grade school. It was a birthday party for three men about 50 years young. They each chose their teams from the invited guests and then competed at a variety of games familiar from their youth. Games varied from dodge ball, kick ball, and relay races. The surprise hit was pin the tail on the donkey. We nearly went hoarse and deaf encouraging our team mate or impeding the efforts of our competitors during this event. People are still talking about it more than 10 years later.

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