Each and every company has a annual tax allowance for staff entertainment of £150 inc Vat pp. Regardless of the recession, your company is still entitled to this, and if your company is profitable surely it is more efficient to spend this on developing and motivating your team than to simply give it to the tax man?

If you are clever and shop around, you will find that within this budget you can book some truly remarkable Christmas Parties, or you could improve team work, efficiency and morale by booking one of our fantastic team building packages.

If your company is profitable and you are told ‘Christmas is cancelled’ go and see your finance department and ask them why they have chosen to give an extra £150 per employee to the tax man rather than spending it on developing the morale of the workforce?

If you dont believe me, there are lots resources available on this, available on the internet have a look at Square Meal’s take on things by clicking here

Alternatively view accountants Carter, Backer Winter’s take on things by clicking here

I found this really interesting article on the New York Times website, critiquing the stage sets of the Democrat and Republican party conventions…

In these uncertain times it seems it is exceptionally important to communicate your message through every medium available, including your stage set! With some quite brilliant messages used by the Democrats in this example!

Now we might not all have audiences quite as large or as impassioned as could be found at these events, however we will certainly be involving some the ideas and concepts in the next conferences sets that we designing helping our clients really deliver their messages!

Message in the Convention Sets - New York Times

talkback THAMES make some of the best TV going so when it came to their annual summer party Impulse were given the task of showing that we are not an Apprentice but can deliver Grand Designs!!!!

Their award winning architect designed building in the west-end provides an incredible setting in which to host the companies 100’s of employees, freelancers and talent!

The building and desired atmosphere screamed Brazil, so thats what we did! Transforming the space from this…

To a full blown Rio street carnival complete with authentic Brazilian cuisine courtesy of Roastmaster who BBQ’d literally thousands of chicken, lamb, beef, fish and veggies skewers!

Yellow, Blue & Green draping covered the building along with Palm trees and the effect was finished with festoon lighting for that auhetic street look! The atmosphere was kept alive with LED lighting to the outside areas and a specially designed sound system to keep the tunes pumping…

Caipirinha’s were mixed long into the night, whilst service bars were spread throughout the building to make sure everyone could pick up a Brahma!

The buildings studio space was transformed into a real rave space complete with lasers!!

We think it was one of the best parties that we have ever produced and re-wrote the rule book on office parties!

Since the beginning of the year there has been a lot of talk within the creative event industry regarding the credit crunch and its effect on the industry. Whilst it would be remise to dismiss the possible effects of a ‘tightening of belts’ we have to remain positive, and the simple fact is that as a company, Impulse Events are 25% per cent up on last years first quarter Christmas party sales.

Yes, some companies are cutting back, particularly those with American owners, however, many large companies are still reporting record profits (Shell, Tesco etc) and many more recognize the importance of their events and in particular the annual Christmas party.

In tough times, a major challenge for companies is to keep their staff motivated, one way not to do this is to cancel the one event each year specifically arranged to reward the staff and show them how much you appreciate them. For many employees the Christmas party represents their only opportunity to ‘have a drink‘ on the company’ and perhaps the only time during the year they may get to speak with senior management in an informal setting. What’s more, the Christmas party done well is not only great fun, but a fantastic way of showing staff how much you appreciate them.

I always find that a quick, heart felt, thank you from the MD at the Christmas party rather than a boring hour long presentation is a wonderful way making staff feel truly valued.

Having said this, Christmas Party organisers have to be aware that there will be many companies who still simply cannot afford their party this year, or else will have to cut the budget. For this reason, Impulse Events have frozen their 2007 Christmas party prices for 2008. What baffles me, is why so many Christmas party organisers have increased their prices, some venues are charging in excess of £150 + vat for a decorated venue, a meal and drinks? This is even more than the tax allowance of £150 inclusive of vat, and frankly cant be justified.

Our venues are priced at between £99 and £120 + vat pp and I feel represent excellent value for money, especially as we have added additional entertainment to the packages, and increased our production budget.

Our answer to the credit crunch… offer a premium product, at a competitive price.

The Impulse Events website has today (21/2) been updated.

Details have also been released of our 2008 London Christmas party venues, this year we will exclusively operate:

Lord’s Cricket Ground

The HC

The Grand Hall

Click through for more details on these and more fabulous London Christmas party venues.

We have also added details of seven recent corporate events we have planned click here to view them.

Following several team meetings, and several failed attempts, Impulse Events are proud to deliver their new Mission Statement.

Impulse Events Mission Statement

Impulse events are an independent, passionate and innovative event management company, who hold an enviable position within the event industry.

We use our exceptional knowledge of the very best venues & suppliers to deliver phenomenal events ensuring our clients total peace of mind.

We employ and work with the finest talents in the industry to provide a truly personal service, working with our clients to deliver a responsive, enjoyable and long lasting partnership.

Bringing together our clients aspirations and objectives, whilst complementing these with our knowledge and creativity, Impulse Events are able to add substantial value to each and every event.