Event Manager’s Handbook – Stages Of Organizing A Retirement Party
People who are ending their professional career in your company deserve a farewell party, a nice way of saying “Thank you for your effort and cheers!” Endeavour in organizing a memorable event thinking that your employees spend more time in your company than with their families.
The entire event organization comes down to planning and choosing:
Theme and venue
Take the theme and venue as an opportunity to show the specific employee that you care. Ask the people close to them about their interests (if you already don’t know them). If your employee is a golf fan, a passionate chess player or a fisherman, it would be great for the event theme to be in accordance with that. On the other hand, if it is a woman in question, you will take a different approach.
Once you specify the theme, it will be clear whether the venue should be the office or a facility outside the company.
Finally, you might find that the theme event is inappropriate and a restaurant dinner will suffice. In such case, make sure to book a reservation in some nice restaurant or the one that, soon to be retiree, prefers and feels comfortable in.
Food and drinks
There is no good entertainment without quality food and drinks. Even refreshments can be related to the topic of the event - a fishing party with quality clam chowder and maybe some rum. Originality aside, caterings offer a number of options, you don’t even have to think about it, but (giving clear instructions) leave it to them.
Suitable entertainment program
Hiring a band, a DJ or just setting up a playlist are only some of the options. The preferences of the guests will help with making decisions on the actual program. In case you do not want to burden talented employees with sharing their skill of playing an instrument, you can rent a karaoke machine.
Team buildings usually show who enjoys employing their talents so don’t hesitate to ask.
At least one of them is a comedian and that can be an excellent ice breaker for the start of the event or the speech later.
Invitations
Since circular e-mails can be too "cold", it would be momentous to throw in a good word about the celebrant or make an actual invitation to reinforce the importance of the overall event. Of course, details on the invitation linked to the theme are always a good idea (or listing a program for the occasion).
Special guests
Unquestionably, all the guests are special; however, surprise guests like members of the family or old colleagues and workmates would make a nice touch. Emotions brought up in this way make everyone cherish the time spent in the firm and remember it forever.
A gift
Retirement is a big deal and therefore an appropriate gift must follow.
Sometimes, it is best to leave picking out the gift to the refined taste of a woman.
It goes without saying that it will be something related to the personality of the person you are throwing the party for. Nonetheless, if you do not come up with anything more original, there are always the watch and a plaque of appreciation.
Photos
More than once, we talked about the importance of photographs of events in our articles. (this one will be no exception). Don’t bother yourself and your workers with taking pictures but have a photographer do it for you, and put an accent to spontaneous moments which will later be framed and placed in the cafeteria or hallways. Show the employees who are staying in the company that their efforts will always be thought of and valued.
Speech
Give a chance to everyone who wishes to say something.
Let the CEO be the first to start, while managers and close colleagues follow. In the end, have the very star of the event speak.
Speeches shouldn’t be long, rather short and effective, reminiscent of good and dear times; maybe a situation where the guest of honour did something extraordinary or even funny. Whatever it is, ensure bonding with family like moments which show gratitude and respect for your colleague.
The focus of the event should definitely be on the career and retirement of the colleague and the key to throwing a successful retirement party is doing it cheerfully and respectfully, which applies to the very end of the event. Have everyone leaving satisfied and light-hearted, while the retiree feels joy, appreciation and content knowing that they will surely be missed.