Corporate caterers that complement your business event

image of catering food Like advertising, a corporate function communicates something about your business and it speaks about values, attention to detail and your commitment to innovation, which is why hiring corporate caterers can complement your event.

So how can an event with corporate catering help you generate new business and retain existing clients?

The handshake

For potential clients, a corporate function might be their first look at your operation. There are many reasons to invite potential new clients to talk shop over a drink or two:

Raise awareness about products and services you offer
Introduce a new CEO or key staff member
Celebrate the launch of a new product
Build relationships with innovative new suppliers or partners
Build familiarity that fosters word of mouth, which can be your best salesperson
Build trust, which is key to entering any new business

Renewing relationships

As well as generating new business, your function can build on relationships with existing clients. While the finger food circulates, a corporate catering event allows you to:

Discover new skills, products and services among existing partners, which enhance your business's efficiency
Express gratitude for a successful working relationship
Get out from behind the telephone and put faces to names
Show other businesses how you can help them - networking should be mutually beneficial

Costs of corporate catering

The beauty of organising your own corporate catering event is that you decide the cost. Corporate catering and events companies should give you a fixed-price quote, usually per head.

For example, a standard cocktail party for 50 people might cost $2500 all up, while a lavish networking occasion for a major corporate might cost over $2000 per head.

Whatever your budget, here's where your money is likely to go:

Room hire, including marquees for outdoor events
Peripheral infrastructure - carpets, heaters, loudspeakers
Entertainment - from an MC to bands, DJs and other performers
Name badges, corporate gifts and showbags
Food, drinks and wait staff - a significant part of the cost
Flowers or themed decorations: for example, a car parts manufacturer might choose a Formula One theme

Keeping costs down

If you are working to a tight corporate catering budget, consider:

Finding a rent-free space for your event
Keeping one-off expenses, like signage and printed materials, to a minimum
Using simple table settings and flower arrangements
Asking for contra deals with suppliers, such as providing a rent-free space if an advertising banner can be displayed
Giving attendees disposable cameras instead of hiring a professional photographer
Sending invitations electronically rather than printing and mailing them