Hosting a corporate networking sundowner can be a great way to bring people together, build connections, and create opportunities for collaboration.
But all successful business networking events are the result of some careful planning and execution.
And one of the key elements to any event or work function, is the food and refreshments. At Cherry’s Catering and Events we have helped plan and cater for literally hundreds of corporate networking sundowners.
So here are some tips to help you plan a successful event.
Planning your corporate sundowner
Here are our top 5 tips on hosting a Corporate Networking Sundowner
1. Event logistics
Just before we get to the best bit – the food! – let’s just highlight some general event planning tips:
- define your objectives (what you hope to achieve from the event)
- choose a venue, time, date
- create a guest list and send out invitations
- plan the agenda or how the event will be structured
- consider providing name tags as a helpful way for guests to identify each other and start conversations
It’s also a good idea to plan how you might follow up with guests after the event.
Right, now on to the fun stuff…
2. Bite-sized food pieces
Our number one tip is to make sure you serve ‘easy to eat’ food (i.e. bite-sized) because it is easy to eat with your hands while walking around. And avoid anything with fillings that are going to spill onto guests. 
3. Vary the food options
It’s a good idea to select a mix of meat, chicken, fish, and vegetarian and remember to cater for special dietary requirements i.e. vegetarian/gluten-free (we would always suggest including at least one vegetarian or gluten-free option).
We can help you plan out a mixed menu to suit everyone, and ensure there is a variety of choice for your guests to enjoy.
4. Serve the food
Plan to have wait-staff walk the food around to ensure all guests are fed. We don’t recommend grazing tables for this style of event as we find the majority of guests don’t approach the food table. Therefore, by having wait-staff serve the bite-sized food, everyone can be fed well!
Cherry’s Catering has a team of professional, friendly, and experienced wait-staff to help you host your event in style, so get in touch with us if you would like to book catering for any business event.
5. Decide on the drinks
Are you serving alcohol at this event? Our advice is to keep the drinks simple: bubbles, white, red wine, non-alcoholic drink options & water.
Drink catering by Cherry’s
And – this is important – make sure the people serving drinks follow RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol).
A good general rule for being a responsible host if alcohol is being served is to make sure there is enough food to go with this (minimum 6 pieces pp).
At Cherry’s Catering & Events, we offer Licensed Drinks Packages which we can perfectly pair with all our menus and will include our professional service staff certified with Responsible Service of Alcohol. Our Special Facilities Licence enables us to supply and serve your selected drinks package anywhere along with food.
Essentially, if you choose a menu that caters to a variety of tastes and dietary requirements – and if you include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options – you’ll be on your way to hosting a cracking networking event.
However, if you really want to take your event to the next level, then keep reading…
Take your event to the next level
Here are some ideas to really make your event memorable for all the right reasons:
- get in a local gin company for gin tasting
- or plan a cheese tasting
- or a beer tasting
- consider entertainment such as a magician/clown/caricaturist etc…
- plan a ‘get to know each other’ game where guests are asked to share something such as “What’s your favourite movie?”, “How long have you been in your current work role?” or “What is a charity you support, and why?”
- take advice from ‘The experts in the field’ i.e. your caterer
A successful business networking event can help you to build relationships, promote your business, and foster collaboration with other business owners.
So let us help you plan a great event to get people networking in style.
Professional and friendly catering
Are you looking for a professional and friendly catering service at an affordable rate?
Book your catering with Cherry’s! Let our professional uniformed service staff serve you and your business guests in style!
Contact us to find out more menu ideas or to book your catering.