Benefits of Hosting a Company Holiday Party

Benefits of Hosting a Company Holiday Party

The holidays are a time to celebrate! 

There is no better time for employers to commend their team for a job well done. After all, it is the combined work contributed by all employees that build a successful company.

This is the perfect time to reflect on the past years’ trials and victories.

So, how would an employer benefit from hosting a Holiday Party?

Employee Retention

A good employee can be hard to keep. When employees feel as if they are appreciated and respected they are more inclined to be loyal to their employer.  An end of the year party to celebrate all their hard work is the perfect occasion! Socializing creates bonds.  A holiday party will strengthen the bond employees have with their peers, managers and the organization, which has a strong impact on employee retention.

Better Work Productivity

Co-workers are given a chance to talk about their personal interests outside of their jobs.  They may find they have some commonalities that can strengthen an office relationship and lead to better work productivity.  When you have an amicable workplace, all co-workers are working diligently together to help one another achieve the best possible outcome for the company. Ultimately, the company comes out as the winner.

Feel Connected

This is a great opportunity to have employees invite their significant other to the celebration.  Everyone knows in the office it is very common to chat about your personal life and the people in it. When your employee’s co-workers have the opportunity to finally meet that person they have heard so much about and put a face to the name, it makes each person feel more connected.  

Calls to All

A holiday party calls to all!  You will be sure your staff members who are always socializing and forming after work get togethers will be there with no doubt.  However, for the individuals who do not customarily participate in group work activities, this is the one time of the year they will most likely join in on the fun! Whether it be due to the delightful cuisine, the enticing libations, great music or to simply enjoy amicable conversations, this event will bring your team together.

A Night Out Together

When at work, you and your employees see each other in either formal business attire, business casual or casual dress. Having a company holiday party out on the town will give your company an opportunity for management and their teams to put on that elegant dress or that dashing suit and step out of the office to share a night out on the town.

Recognition by Awards

Throughout the year members of your team are sure to demonstrate exemplary performances or achieve extraordinary results. Perhaps one of your employees got that big client, solved the never-ending problem, created a new product or procedure, never called in sick, stepped up to cover a position or train the new employees. These accomplishments better your business. This is an opportunity to showcase those amazing employees and emphasize your appreciation of the individual’s efforts by presenting them with a personalized award.

Demonstrate Company Culture

What is your company’s culture? Do you demonstrate your culture in the office place? Are your employees aware of what your culture is? Is your company quirky, creative, adventurous, high profile and elegant? A holiday party is the perfect time to demonstrate your company’s culture and show what you are all about.

Positive Word of Mouth

Consider the word-of-mouth your holiday party will generate. When your employees have a fantastic time, they will be more than happy to share their word with others. Positivity is shared with your customers whether through the phone or in person. It can be delivered through conversations with potential new hires, with family members and friends and even with the press.

Team Success

Getting to know your staff as people, not just employees, is essential for team success. A holiday party can create an opportunity for comfortable and open communication. Maybe your team members have a great idea but feel intimidated at the office to share it. The casual setting and the casual communications can make individuals feel more like a team. Holiday parties are the perfect channel to achieve that goal.

Tax Deduction

Don’t forget about your tax deductions that are available to your company when you host a holiday party. It would be a good idea to contact your tax accountant to confirm what the current deductions would be.

Just Plain Fun

Holiday parties are fun!  The happy energy, talking, laughing, dancing, eating, drinking, meeting new people and making new friends. Call Jelsie Events to help you create a memorable event for your company!

Crissy Knox, Jelsie Events

crissy@jelsie.com | (707)292-9775
www.jelsie.com

© 2017 JELSIE EVENTS

Pennsylvania Winery

Thistlethwaite Vineyards

This past summer I had the pleasure of visiting a friends winery in a small country town in Jefferson Pennsylvania.  I took a short 15 minute drive from my home in Carmichaels Pennsylvania through green rolling hills and charming countrysides.  Below is a picture of the beautiful winery that sits on 208 acres of farmland.  About 5 acres are dedicated to vineyards.  The first acre of vineyards was planted in 2000 and Thistlethwaite is Green County's first winery!  

Due to the cold and wet weather in Pennsylvania they do not have the luxuries of optimum growing conditions as we do here in California.  Therefore, they grow french hybrid grapes. Within their very high deer proof eight acre fence line, you will find 10 varieties of grapes.  They include Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Seyval, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Chambourcin, Villard Noir, Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Riesling.  The pictures below show veraison beginning on the Leon Millot berries and a row of vines showing their VSP (vertical shoot position) trellising system.  As you can see, the berries on these vines are very small. The harvest at Thistlethwaite Vineyards is all done by hand and the winery produces between 1100 and 1200 cases per year.   

The winemaker extraordinaire is Jamie Thistlethwaite. I love the story that Jamie shared with me on how he decided to start his winery.  He shared that he was telling his dad about how he had a dream of being a winemaker.  Shortly after their discussion, with his fathers blessing and encouragement, he went to Missouri to study wine making.  Once Jamie arrived at the Missouri winery that he had his mind set on, the owner turned him away stating they did not need any help. Jamie had perseverance!  He was there every single morning ready to work until the owner agreed to invite him in for a volunteer internship.  This internship lasted 5 years.  Jamie returned to Pennsylvania and continued his education.  Jamie collaborates to this day with his wine making peers.  Jamie stated, "I believe in artisan wine and sharing of knowledge so everyone can make great Pennsylvania wines!"  With his fathers help, Thistlethwaite Vineyard opened their tasting room doors in 2008.

The tasting room walls, floor, and bar are made from cherry wood and the Vine Room is surrounded by Beech wood from the farm.  The trees were turned into boards using a portable saw mill.  

  

My mom, Nelda Lee, Jamie Thistlethwaite, and me (Crissy Knox) walking in the vineyards!

Thistlethwaite Vineyards holds many events throughout the year at their winery.  Please visit their website Thistlethwaite Vineyards or visit their Facebook page to join in on the festivities offered and learn more about Thistlethwaite.

Jelsie Events Networking Mixer

Networking Mixer

As mentioned in my previous article having a networking event at a winery offers so many great opportunities for the wineries branding and possible wine sales as well as a great ambiance for the guests to enjoy while connecting with other business people. 

My company, Jelsie Events, is hosting a networking mixer for the Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce.  I am on the Women In Business Committee and our program offers a complimentary networking mixer every other month and they are hosted by one of  its chamber members at the members place of business.  The goal is to bring members and non members to the hosts place of business giving the opportunity for the host to showcase what they do, how they do it and why they do it.  Since our work is done for winery owners at their place of business, I have chosen one of my favorite wineries, Matanzas Creek Winery to allow guests to experience what type of work that we do at Jelsie Events.   For us at Jelsie Events, this is our opportunity to bring awareness of our companies brand to the community.  We will be having take home wine glasses with our logo, there will be prizes available to win imprinted with our logo, and you will see our logo and colors being used throughout the event.  Our goal is to imprint our logo and business in your mind.

What:  A complimentary networking mixer.

Who:  Men and women, chamber members and non-members 21+ years of age. 

Where:  Matanzas Creek Winery 6097 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA  95404

When:  Tuesday July 12th, 2016  5:30pm-7:30pm

Why:  Build business connections with other people in your community.  Experience the work of Jelsie Events.

How:  Space is limited!  Register at:  Eventbrite

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Matanzas Creek Winery, wines by Matanzas Creek, music by Dustin Saylor and appetizers by Grapevine Catering Company.  

Don't forget your business cards!

       

                 

                                        

See you there!!

Hosting a Networking Event

Host a networking event at your business.

Are you looking to build your business and brand awareness?   Have you thought about hosting a networking mixer at your place of business?  This is a very effective way to drive traffic into your business.  

If you are a winery, you can host an industry party.  These are very popular in the "wine world".  Let me list a few of the benefits of hosting an event like this at your winery:

• This is a great opportunity to bring folks from other wineries and establishments that have the capability to refer business to you to your winery.  
• The guests that visit your winery and experience your wines and what you have to offer are your free walking ambassadors.  How cool is that! 
• The guests who attend your event will most likely come back with their friends and family. 
• Give little samples of different experiences that you offer.  This will entice your guest to want to come back another day and enjoy the full experience.
• If you have beautiful grounds you would like people to know about and experience.  Create different stations throughout your property.  Perhaps a trail to follow.
• When you have a cool event, it is all over social media.  Free advertising!

• Any marketing you do for this event is bringing brand awareness for your winery.

• This all means..... SALES$$

You may be spending a little money on marketing, decor, food, and using your wine (at your cost) to host this event but the benefits are worth it!

If you are in the industry I know that you have heard of Wine Road.  Here is a list of their private industry events.  You could be listed too!

These hints are specifically for wine industry parties.  However, if your business is not a winery same rules apply for other types of businesses. 

Feel free to call me, Crissy Knox at Jelsie Events to help you design your companies event!

707-708-2161  

www.jelsie.com

Have a great day!
Cheers!

Wine Club Dinner in the Garden

Wine clubs are very popular in Sonoma County.  One of the main reasons a wine lover will join a wine club is for the special events the club members have the opportunity to attend.  Below is a wine club dinner that was created in the gardens of one of my favorite wineries. The event began with hors d'oueuvres, wine, and socializing under the beautiful walnut trees. The oysters on the half shell with the sauvignon blac was a hit! There was a kitchen set up among the vegetation were the chefs created a tantalizing 4 course dinner. This was served to the guests seated at picnic tables along the garden pathway. There were umbrellas and trees to shade for the afternoon sun. After watching the dazzling Sonoma County sunset, the umbrellas were lowered and the twinkle of the party lights strung above the tables, romantically lit the event.  The guests left with happy bellies and smiling faces!