How to Host a Successful Corporate Dinner

Aside from celebrating your company’s achievements, hosting corporate dinners is also a great way to start networking with other people—whether they are your colleagues or future clientele.

But as fun as corporate dinners are, there is no denying that setting up an event like this is an intimidating task. From planning the menu to figuring out who gets an invitation, it’s so easy to overcomplicate things.

This is why we’d like to share some tips and tricks to save you the headache—and the cost— of handling the nitty-gritty details of throwing a successful business dinner. Eager to know what they are? Keep on reading!

1. Plan the Menu and Note Diet Restrictions

One of the most important things to do before planning the menu is to ask your guests if they have any food allergies or sensitivities. Not only is it proper etiquette for social events, but asking people for any diet restrictions is an excellent way to prevent life-threatening events during your business dinner.

Additionally, planning the menu options to feature only one to two dishes can help your guests relax by removing some of their decision fatigue. Most venues or restaurants will offer packaged dinner menus or pre-fixed bundles for you to choose from, depending on the size of your event.

On that note, pre-select the wine options but let guests choose their own cocktails. For budget-savvy hosts and hostesses out there, work out with the venue or restaurant the kinds of liquor they can offer that are still within your budget. Let your guests know that they can also order their drinks a la carte during the party.

Table setting for a formal event

2. Print Out Agendas and Choose an Appropriate Time

Business dinners usually last for two to three hours at best. Make sure to start at a reasonable time, so the event also ends at an appropriate time. One way to ease the planning process is to print out an agenda for your guests to know what to expect before, during, and after the event. To that end, try to keep presentations short and sweet so guests can focus on their meals.

Depending on the time dinner is served, try to squeeze in around 30 minutes of networking time. This will give people the chance to meet each other and socialize for a bit before sitting down for welcoming remarks or presentations. It also gives people the leeway to arrive on time before the event proper in case they get caught in traffic.

This also means that you, as the host, should arrive first. This will give you enough time to check if everything is in place before guests arrive. It also lets you greet your guests properly and show them their seats.

3. Business Dinners Need Appropriate Dress Codes

When planning a corporate dinner, it’s important to clearly state what the dress code is. Not only does it help your guests easily prepare what to wear, but it also helps give a “cohesive look” to your party.

When in doubt, business casual is the best choice for corporate dinners. If the party you’re hosting is a little more formal, then inform your guests to prepare semi-formal attire.

Pro-tip: Subtly tell guests that dressing up is always better than dressing down.

4. Choose the Perfect Corporate Event Space in Toronto

The location is one of the most important factors in the success of any business dinner. Some of the things to consider are:

Accessibility – Whether the place has enough parking and if the commute is convenient for everyone.
Atmosphere – A nice atmosphere helps guests relax and engage in livelier conversations.
Budget – Sticking to the budget should also be a main priority.

The Loft on King’s event space

Host A Successful Corporate Dinner at The Loft on King

The Loft on King offers a versatile and customizable space—making it an ideal setting for business dinners. Its location (right in the heart of downtown Toronto) makes it accessible to anyone. Our venue is also a historical site; built in 1844, it is part of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural significance—this tidbit is definitely a conversation starter!

Impressing your guests has never been easier. Contact The Loft On King now for quotes and special packages!