Over the years, you’ve built a solid following. Your profits have gone through the roof, and now you have money to spare to express your gratitude to those who supported you. So, we have put together a list of our favorite customer appreciation party ideas and information on how to pull each theme off!
Having organized hundreds of company events, we’ve found that throwing an awesome customer appreciation party is always a good idea and more effective than other customer appreciation ideas like giving gift cards or offering loyalty programs.
You are giving your customers a memorable and fun experience that will be hard to forget if you decide to go the party route.
Customer Appreciation Parties: 4 of the Grandest Ways to Say “Thank You”
Say “thank you” with these party ideas:
1. Grill and Chill
Barbecue and music make for a rustic, memorable outdoor spring or summer event. Gather up grill masters and musicians in your area and give your customers a lighthearted time in the sun.
A barbecue party/live music show resonates with a wide range of customers. Host it in a park or a cool outdoor venue and encourage invitees to bring their friends and family. Get local restaurants or food trucks to take a spot at your event to give your customers a diverse variety of food.
Before the party
- Send out invites and collect RSVPs
- Secure an awesome venue
- Book musicians
- Place orders for food and drinks
- Purchase additional games
- Check the weather
Food
- Grilled and/or smoked meats (ribs, smoke sausage, chicken)
- Grilled veggies (zuchini, eggplant, onion, bell peppers)
- Sides (fresh salads, truffle mac & cheese, corn on the cob)
- Vegan food truck option for those with specific dietary restrictions
Drinks
- Beer and chilled wine
- Specialty mixed drinks
- Sodas and sparkling water
Entertainment
- Local musicians
- Yard games (horseshoes, frisbee, cornhole)
2. Dine and Dance
Spice it up with a theme, but make sure it will appeal to your audience. An upbeat beach bonfire is a great idea for customers with families, a 20s themed formal dinner party that will resonate with an affluent client base, or a club party will keep younger customers dancing into the night.
If you are going the more formal route, you may want to enlist the help of an event management company. There are a lot of moving parts to this type of soiree and there are professionals out there who can help you pull it off.
Before the Party
- Send out invites and collect RSVPs
- Secure a venue that fits your theme
- Book a DJ that fits into your theme
- Book a caterer and approve the menu (make sure you ask guests to include dietary restrictions with their RSVP)
- Purchase drinks and decor
- Decorate the venue
Food
- Hors d’Oeuvres (crab and avocado toast, bruschetta, stuffed olives)
- Course 1 (stuffed mushrooms, butternut squash and goat cheese ravioli)
- Course 2 (fresh salad, savory soup)
- Course 3 (main dish)
- Course 4 (dessert)
Drinks
- Wine (reds and whites)
- On-theme mixed drinks
- Spirits (bourbon, vodka, etc.)
- Sodas
- Water (sparkling and still)
- Some beer
Entertainment
DJ and dancing
3. Block Parties
If you serve a specific location or neighborhood, then a big block party is the way to go. Not only will you forge a deeper connection with your customers, but you’re also giving them an opportunity to get to know each other.
You don’t want block parties to be too stuffy. Keep things light and have a bunch of fun games for kids and adults to play.
You also don’t have to get too fancy with the food. You can opt for trays of sandwiches and chips or take a look at our grill and chill list above for some bbq ideas.
As usual, we do suggest that you make sure you have a few vegetarian and vegan options available for those who don’t eat meat. You also may want to bring in a few gluten-free food options.
With a block party you can ask people to RSVP, but chances are you will have quite a few people who don’t and show up anyway so make sure you buy plenty of food and drink.
Block parties are perfect for real estate professionals. They foster a sense of community and put a human face to your brand. With big families on your guest list, a block party will give you a chance to build contacts and relationships!
Before the Party
- Create invites and distribute them in the neighborhood
- Call party rental companies for quotes on carnival games and set up delivery time
- Book live music
- If you have emails, send reminders via email a week before
- Place order for drinks a few days before the event
- Place food order 48-72 hours before and ask about delivery
Food
- Sandwiches (meat, meat-less, and vegan)
- Chips (different varieties)
- Fruit and veggie trays
- Consider doing a BBQ or booking a food truck
Drinks
- Beer
- Wine or mixed drinks in cans
- Sodas
- Bottled water
Entertainment
- Carnival games (plinko, balloon darts, dunk tank – don’t forget the prizes)
- Yard games (see grill and chill list)
- Live music (chances are a neighborhood Dad knows someone with a band)
4. Seasonal Events
Throwing a party that fits the season gives the impression of a well-thought-out event. Celebrate the coming of spring or fall by throwing a tasting party or barbecue at a local farm.
Did your holiday or year-end sales go well? Give back to your customers by planning an intimate holiday party. Give your Halloween marketing a personal touch by hosting a costume party or pumpkin-carving event. Let your ideas run wild to keep your loyal customers happy and engaged year-round.
The key here is to make sure you give your customer’s plenty of notice about the party you are throwing. If you are choosing a specific holiday, try shooting for the week before or after the actual date. Most people aren’t as busy then and you can still have a good turn out!
Before the Party
- Send out invites well in advance
- Choose activities that fit the theme and buy supplies
- Find a venue
- Put together a menu and place a food order (depending on the holiday and food you choose, you may have to do this up to 3 weeks in advance)
- Purchase decorations
- Purchase drinks
Food
- Appetizers and snacks (meat, meat-less, and vegan options)
- Seasonal entrees (if dinner is served)
- On-theme desserts
Drinks
- Beer
- Wine
- On-theme mixed drinks
- Sodas
- Water (sparkling and still)
Entertainment
- Seasonal and holiday-themed activities
- Dancing
When hosting a customer appreciation party, make sure you straddle the line between genuinely thanking your customers and acquiring new leads. But do the latter carefully. Your aim is to connect, not sell.
Encourage your attendees to bring a friend, family member, or colleague to spread awareness of your brand.
Above all, keep context in mind. Find a way to discreetly but effectively communicate your brand identity and values throughout the event.
Most businesses rely on the Internet to acquire leads and build customer relationships. Connect with your local audience and get to know them on a deeper level by hosting a customer appreciation party today. The event not only creates intimacy, but it also helps you rise above your competitors.
Let our experienced event planners at MTI Events help you throw a successful event and reap the rewards of your investment. Whatever your vision or budget is, we can make it happen.
