Holiday parties are probably one of the most consistent special events that event and meeting planners are expected to organize each year. And, despite the economic news that hit the markets in the second half of 2008, most employers are planning to host some sort of business holiday party this year.
Now for the bad news around holiday events, according to information from the 2008 Battalia Winston (BW) Annual Survey of Corporate Holiday Celebrations:
- Only 81% of businesses intend to host some sort of celebration.
- Only 71% will offer alcoholic drinks (down from 90% in 2000).
- Only 42% of financial services and manufacturers will host parties.
- Only 62% of businesses anticipate giving year-end bonuses.
- Only 40% anticipate offering employees a holiday gift.
The economy is driving many of these decisions, the survey finds. In fact, 37% of companies indicated to BW that the economy has impacted their corporate holiday parties, a number that is two times higher than those who flagged economic concerns in 2008.
And 2007 holiday party data reflected 85% of employers indicated they will host an annual party. The 2008 reduction is significant because it represents the lowest number in the 20 year history, and is lower than the that of the post 9/11 parties in 2001 and the recession of 1991, BW data reflects.
So, where will employers hold their annual holiday parties this year? BW identified the following:
- 56% will host evening events.
- 44% will host lunch events.
- 77% are hosting the event off-site.
- 22% will host the event at the office.
Of course, 2008 isn’t all gloom and doom. 42% indicate that employees are planning on giving gifts to each other as part of a corporate gift exchange this year. And 74% of companies plan to participate in charity efforts this year through some form of donation, including money, food, clothing, gifts, volunteer hours, etc.
BW is an international search firm headquartered in New York City, and the firm has been surveying employers about their annual parties since 1988.
