Britainโs bracing for a heatwave and thatโs your cue to take corporate events outdoors. Think standout settings, bold summer styling, and business goals wrapped in sunshine. Liz Taylor, CEO of the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC) talks about her tried and tested ideas that will be a hit at your outdoor corporate event..
From alfresco awards to cocktail-fuelled networking, hereโs how to plan a summer event thatโs both effortlessly stylish and strategically sharp.
This isnโt just a party. Itโs your brand on show. Make it count.
Here’s how you can host the ultimate outdoor corporate event:
1. Pick a venue that feels like a destination
An event in the sunshine starts with a location that wows. Rooftop with city views? A walled garden tucked behind a stately home? Or perhaps a modern terrace that transforms at golden hour? But donโt be dazzled by looks alone.
Check the essentials:
- Power: Youโll need power for AV, lighting, catering and more. Check itโs available and practical for outdoor use. No one wants a jungle of extension leads and cable tape.
- Lighting: Plan for post-sunset atmosphere. Think festoon lights, lanterns, and candlelit corners. Not a sudden shock of fluorescent floodlights.
- Flow: Is the space intuitive? Can people move effortlessly between zones? And how far is the bathroom, really? Map it all out ahead of time.
TLC Tip: Shade is vital. Nobody wants to be networking with sunburn. Check for natural cover, parasols, or the option of a sail canopy. Bonus points for the organiser if there’s a seamless indoor Plan B.
2. Serve summer on a plate
Forget beige buffets. Go light, fresh and vibrant with chef-led grazing stations, zingy salads and Mediterranean flavours that bring lightness and luxury.
TLC Tip: A luxurious picnic basket per person feels delightfully different. Especially if served with a chilled flute of Prosecco and edible flowers. And donโt forget to keep it cool (literally). Refreshments should be constant, crisp and effortlessly flowing.
3. Cocktails are your branding moment
Never underestimate the power of a signature serve. Whether itโs a frozen margarita or a peach-and-thyme spritz, a house cocktail sets the tone. Name it after your business. Match the colour to your brand. Serve it with flair.
TLC Tip: Branded fans, iced mocktails in jam jars, or even a frosรฉ bar. These are the details guests snap, post, and remember.
4. Style with intent
Styling makes or breaks the mood. And outdoor events have the advantage of natural light so use it. From Amalfi-chic to Moroccan majlis, choose a look and go all in.
TLC Tip: Rattan furniture, draped linens, wild florals, and terracotta tones sing in the sun. Add statement installations (a floral canopy or curtain of lanterns) and youโve got an event that feels both elegant and effortless.
5. Sound, stage & speeches: get them right
The sun might be shining, but without decent AV, your big message could get lost in the breeze. Get your tech team in early. Wireless mics, shaded staging and acoustic advice are your best friends.
TLC Tip: Always test the mic outside at the same time of day as your event. Sun position and background noise change everything.
6. Prioritise guest comfort at your corporate summer event
Heat is no excuse for guests looking wilted. Offer SPF stations, facial mists, branded paper fans, and infused water bars. These thoughtful details are as functional as they are fashionable.
TLC Tip: Want to win extra points? Personalise the fans. Pop cooling wipes in goodie bags. Serve iced espresso martinis as the sun sets.
7. Create wow moments
Just because itโs a corporate event doesnโt mean it canโt have magic. An acoustic guitarist wandering between guests. A pop-up gelato cart. Cold towels handed out with silver tongs.
TLC Tip: These are the memories people will take with them, and associate with your brand.
And finallyโฆ plan for the rain, deliver sunshine at your corporate summer event
We are in the UK, after all. However glorious the forecast, make sure your event has a backup plan. Covered terraces, marquee extensions or even indoor-outdoor hybrids keep the glamour intact whatever the clouds decide.
When done right, an outdoor corporate event is more than just a meeting in the sunshine. Itโs a statement. A celebration of your team, your business and your attention to detail.
And if in doubt? Call in the professionals. Weโve planned events for everyone from rock stars to royalty and weโve never let the weather get in the way of a good party.
