When you're in the midst of awards ceremony planning, take into account the number of employees you have and the type of business you run. For small businesses with only a handful of employees, your awards ceremony should be intimate and planned on a smaller scale than that of a large corporation with hundreds of employees.

Determine whether or not alcohol should be a part of your awards ceremony party. If your business is moderate or promotes the sales of alcohol, you should consider including a bar; if your business promotes healthy living or abstinence the presence of a bar may not be appropriate.

1. Include music as a part of your awards ceremony planning service.

2. Make sure your awards ceremony planner carefully considers your catering needs.

3. Consider hiring a professional awards ceremony event planner.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Remember music in your office awards ceremony planning

Consider the average age of your staff members and select music that is best suited to that age group. While variety should be offered, stick with songs that appropriate for the occasion.

I recommend: Gigmasters.com allows you to search for a DJ in your state, so you can cross music off of your awards ceremony planning list. DJs for Hire is a professional DJ service that can meet all of your awards ceremony musical needs.

Make caterers a priority in your awards ceremony planning

Be aware of dietary concerns when discussing menu options with caterers. Include healthy foods and vegetarian dishes and avoid foods that may cause allergic reactions such as shell fish and peanuts. Consider appetizers rather than full meals as a way to offer quality food while keeping the budget under control.

I recommend: National Catering Business and National Catering Company offers full-service catering for indoor or outdoor events. Eventective provides you with the means to locate local caterers so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

Turn the awards ceremony planning over to the professionals

When in doubt, save yourself the time and stress of planning your holiday party and trust a reputable professional party planner to guide you through the process. A qualified professional will pull everything together in a professional manner and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

I recommend: The Creative Impact Group has over three decades in corporate event planning and will provide you with everything you need to achieve the perfect award ceremony. Loco Lobo Events is a professional planning company that will help you make your awards party the best it can be.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep a notebook to collect information about your corporate awards ceremony planning. Add price lists, food selections and fliers in the book so all of the information about your awards party planning is in one location.
• •  Keep a notebook to collect information about your corporate awards ceremony planning. Add price lists, food selections and fliers in the book so all of the information about your awards party planning is in one location.