Get Your Game On! How to Plan a Company Picnic in 5 Simple Steps

A recent study revealed that companies where employees feel a sense of engagement enjoy 21% more profitability than those with apathetic workers. 

So if you place a high priority on getting your employees to experience fulfillment and a sense of purpose while going about their duties, you’re on the right track towards business success. 

One of the best ways to create a healthy company culture and increase employee engagement is with small tokens of appreciation, such as an annual company picnic. 

Here’s how to plan a company picnic to encourage, reward, and motivate your employees. 

1. Set Up a Budget

Setting up a corporate event budget and sticking to it is key to event planning success. You can’t start planning a single thing until you know how much you can spend.

Once you have a figure in mind, you should allocate at least 25% of it towards contingencies. Apart from these unforeseen extras, the bulk of your budget will consist of catering and event hire.

If you’re hosting your event at a distant location, providing transport for your employees will increase attendance, so include that in your budget too.

2. Decide on a Venue and a Date

By definition, a company picnic’s always held outdoors so you should always opt for a time of year when the weather is mild and pleasant. Be sure to choose a venue that can accommodate all your guests with an undercover solution in case of rain. 

It’s important to visit each venue on your list before you book it for the day. Make sure it has the infrastructure you’re looking for concerning seating and catering. 

3. Choose Company Picnic Games and Activities

If you want to plan a fun company picnic, make sure to incorporate some fun and games into the day. You can hire a team building company to help with this, or stick with the classics.

Team events like volleyball and horseshoes always go down well. You should also incorporate some attractions like a photo booth and entertainers into your company picnic planning.

If you’re inviting families along, remember to arrange activities for children too.

4. Arrange Awesome Catering

Hiring a caterer for the day takes a lot of stress out of planning a company picnic. Most caterers offer a wide range of options to suit your budget and the theme of your day.

You could have a swish barbeque with all the trimmings or keep it simple with classic hotdogs and hamburgers. Gourmet picnic baskets are a nice touch and you should also provide plenty of snacks and drinks.

5. Embrace Recognition 

It’s very important to address your employees on the day with a short speech of recognition for their efforts. 

While you have all your employees gathered together and having fun, it’s a good idea to hand out some fun awards for stand-out employees. Work with your team leaders and HR department to fine-tune this aspect of your day. 

More Tips for Business Success

A company picnic can help motivate and engage employees, but there are plenty of other ways to help your business grow and thrive. 

Keep reading our blog for more inspiration on how to succeed in the corporate domain.