The corporate holiday party is making a comeback.
Despite tight budgets, Greater Hartford companies are planning fewer shortcomings for their holiday parties this year, recovering from the drop-off that started with the 2008 recession.
And that’s good news for venues like The Society Room and the Hartford Marriott Downtown, which are hoping for an uptick in business to end the year.
The Society Room on Pratt Street has 35 corporate holiday parties booked so far, according to Jessica Correia, corporate sales manager. Correia said the events are scattered evenly throughout the first three weeks in December, Monday through Friday. The venue has received numerous requests for Saturday bookings, but availability is limited, she said.
Among the companies scheduled to celebrate the holiday season at The Society Room are: Travelers, Aetna, Prudential, and UTC.
“About 80 percent of the events are repeat events,” said Correia.
Other venues in the city like the Hartford Marriott Downtown also expect to have a busy 2013-2014 holiday season.
John Fraher, Hartford Marriott’s general manager, didn’t say who would be holding their corporate holiday party at the hotel this year. He did say, however, they have about a half a dozen annual clients, who hold parties for 400 to 450 people.
The majority of business holiday parties at the Marriott are scheduled in December; however companies eager to hold a Friday or Saturday party will schedule their events in January to secure a weekend spot, Fraher said.
Meanwhile, some companies, Fraher said, are steering away from the traditional holiday party to cater to their more diverse employees who don’t celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah.
The Marriott is seeing more customers request year-end celebrations, and recognition and award events instead, Fraher said.
Another trend is new innovative services. Instead of the classic buffet set-up, for example, the kitchen staff at The Society Room will be making food at the guest’s table for certain events. Even the menu is getting a refresh. The Society Room has received various requests for upscale pub cuisine, including gourmet macaroni and cheese, and French fry options like sweet potato or green bean fries, Correia said.
Stephanie Simmons, director of catering at the Marriott Downtown, said companies are also looking to make their holiday party more interpersonal and engaging.
“While people have traditionally done plated sit down dinners, they are gearing more towards a cocktail reception,” which allows for more mingling, and provides an opportunity for companies to incorporate fun activities, she said.
Although Correia said she has not seen many companies going without a holiday party this year, some firms are scaling back. One of The Society Room’s 300-person events went from an evening dinner event to a lunch.
Murtha Cullina LLP is celebrating the holiday season differently this season. The company, with six offices in Connecticut and Massachusetts, will hold separate parties for its Boston and Connecticut employees, and spouses won’t be on the guest list, said Kate Ruppar, Murtha’s marketing communications specialist.
The company’s Connecticut holiday party — to be held for 100 employees at Gershon Fox ballroom on 960 Main St. in Hartford — will also get a bit more creative. She said attendees can possibly expect a photo booth and DJ at this year’s celebration.
While the desire for innovation is prominent, not all businesses are looking for change.
Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations will be continuing its charitable holiday tradition that its employees have carried out annually for many years.
Gene Sheehan, the firm’s managing partner, said employees will ride a bus to a nearby Wal-Mart or Target, and spend approximately $600 to $750 on a family in need. After they purchase gifts for each family member, the employees will take the bus to a restaurant where they enjoy a holiday meal together.
“It’s a great tradition. We all enjoy it and look forward to it,” Sheehan said.
