Holiday Party Tips

Your business is not separate from your personal life, no matter how much you want it to be. Jason Cupp, president of Highland Outdoor, Olathe, Kan., embraces this fact and takes it to another level with what he calls a “merging of the worlds” party every December.

In short, he throws a holiday bash.

“It’s a great event – a lot of fun,” Cupp says of the party, which he has hosted at his home the Friday before Christmas for the last five years. “I invite my clients, my employees, my family, my friends, my neighbors. I invite everybody because I look at this as being a collaborative effort. I haven’t built this business on my own.”

Cupp estimates he spends $3,000 to $5,000 on the party, depending on the number of guests. Unlike a lot of “corporate” parties, Cupp doesn’t ask his vendors to kick in as sponsors. “This is their party, too,” he says, noting it’s a great opportunity for them to meet the clients – the end users they ultimately serve.

Cupp offers the following guidelines for throwing such a soiree.

1. Merge the worlds – friends, family, clients, vendors and professional associates. “It’s pretty cool to watch my friends play foosball with one of my biggest clients,” he says. “It’s neat to watch my mom and dad interact with one of my employees.
2. Have it at your home, NOT at your office. It makes you real to your clients and they can appreciate you entertaining them on your turf.
3. Don’t forget the details: great food and drink, good music and incredible decorations. Hire a bartender.
4. Make sure your staff can spend time with all the guests – not just with the other staff members.
5. Use an outdoor heater so that your guests can go into your backyard and enjoy your incredible design/build project.