Summer update

It's not easy keeping up a blog. Actually I haven't posted since last Summer and there is no excuse really.

The corporate event year has started again and it has been a busier start than last year. The warm winter meant that there were more outdoor events than usual. It's been the usual; treasure hunts, outdoor activities, spy themed events and the odd murder mystery.

Let's see what the rest of the year has in store.

Corporate event update

I've had to change the settings of this blog because there have been comments for people selling dodgy pills and worse. Spam is a real menace.

The 2006 season is underway after a bit of a late start, I think because Easter was later. I seem to have been doing a lot of water based events such as sailing and speedboat treasure hunts. This is probably because it's a very social activity and once you get to know one of the organisers you soon meet them all.

I have been learning about team building theory, for example Belbin, and want to learn more of this sort of thing. This is when events really get fascinating; when you start to see why they are needed.

I'm off to Paris next week to work on a big treasure hunt and that's quite exciting. The success of the DaVinci Code seems to have rubbed off on the corporate event industry and there's all sorts of themed events. Hopefully we won't upset any Catholics; I'm surprised that events would be based on such a controversial subject. Usually it's inflatable games, murder mysteries ... more trivial stuff.

Corporate Events in 2006

It's going to be a big year. The market for corporate events is very positive and there are plenty of external influences coming into play. Firstly the UK wining the Olympics has been a huge boost and naturally there are going to be many Olympic themed events over the next 7 years. One of the things that also influences the market is a new film release. This year we have a James Bond film coming out and that always influences themes, however this year we have a new James Bond and the film is being released in November, so it will have a huge influence on the Christmas party season. The most exciting point about this film though is that it is a remake of Casino Royale and this will be a boon for fun casino events. Casinos were in the news last year with plenty of television coverage and big growth in the popularity of poker, fuelled by the online casino operators. Casino Royale is just going to make it even more popular. Watch this space.

Corporate Events through the Summer

Well, the weather hasn't got much better. I did an event today and it hailed - in August! Some of the activities cannot be run in wet weather, for example the inflatables. This is because they're dangerous when they get slippery. One of the funny things about the summer is that you get to the stage when you just can't face eating another barbecue. It seems to be the staple diet of corporates when they have an event. It's a shame because it always used to be one of my favourite things about summer. Now if I go to a friend's barbecue I tend to take a trout!

What's with this weather?

What a strange year weather wise. I think it's been the driest winter in the last 100 years and then we seemed to have an early Summer. Now it's June and it's grey and raining. Bad weather always puts a bit of a spoiler of fun days and I feel sorry for the people it affects. I remember one event last year when it rained solidly all morning complete with distant thunder. The guests literally stood in the marquee watching it our down and because it was summer and still quite warm the atmosphere was horrid. Then at lunchtime it cleared up and there was brilliant sunshine for the rest of the day. At least they had some fun. I also remember a team building event when it rained all day but everyone just got on with it and it created an air of resolve. In the end it worked really well and everyone said it was the best event they'd had. Generally though bad weather is a spoiler. Apparently the late Summer is going to be a scorcher.

I've been busy

The year is off to a great start and I think this is going to be the busiest one yet. I had worried that the election would be a distraction and I know that corporates don't like change. Most people seem fairly sure that there isn't going to be any change anyway. I've been doing a lot of work at Coltsford Mill, which is a great venue for corporate events close to London.

As ever Treasure Hunts are extremely busy and Progressive Resources have one called The Parmesan Job which is based on The Italian Job and uses Mini Coopers. I was on an event recently with 12 of them it we all travelled to the event in convoy. That was great fun.

I've got a pretty full diary and I'm looking forward to the season.

New Year, new events

Well Happy New Year. I've been a bit negligent in posting, but the second half of last year was extremely busy with some amazing events. It's A Knockout tournaments seemed to be very popular; big events with a range of inflatable games of which Human Table Football seemed to be one of the most popular. Then as Winter approached the party season began and I found myself being everything from a Murder Mystery actor to a paparazzi press photographer at an Oscars Ceremony themed night. I had a good Christmas break and now I'm back to see what the events industry will throw at me for 2005.

September Corporate Event work

August was a bit more relaxed; I even managed to have a short holiday. September is looking extremely busy though, I could have filled two diaries. I am running a Laser Shoot on Monday but apart from that there's not much on this weekend. Bank holidays tend to be quiet. I have decided to get qualified in archery. This is done through the Grand National Archery Society.

James Bond Theme

I worked on a large James Bond theme event for 500 people in a marquee at Beaulieu last night. There was an excellent tarot card reader - spookily relevant. There were also lookalikes of James Bond, Dr Evil and Odd Job. The James Bond lookalike is called Donald and he's a big chap, very larger than life and charismatic. The ladies certainly enjoyed him. There were casino tables, as there usually are at these events. It was quite hot, which is a problem in marquees in the Summer. The worst bit for me was having to pack down all the kit and load it in a van afterwards. I was knackered by the time it was all over. The event was organised by Progressive Resources who have a website for their evening events at this link. They are always looking for good instructors and event staff.

Greetings!

Well, this is the first posting on my blog. I am interested in corporate event management - team building, corporate entertainment, treasure hunts, murder mysteries etc. I work as a freelance event manager for such companies as Progressive Resources and Wild Events.