How to Create the Perfect Group Outing at PINSTACK

Birthday parties. Get togethers with friends. Corporate activities. Anniversaries and special events. PINSTACK is ready to welcome your large group no matter what the occasion. With a slew of fun activities, a full-service kitchen, and a quality bar, we are the ideal fun activities venue for any get together.

So how do you plan the perfect outing at PINSTACK? While the answer to that question depends on your personal preferences, there are a few elements that make up the perfect group get together. Whether you are using PINSTACK as a corporate event venue, looking for birthday party packages for kids or adults, or simply looking forward to dinner with your old college friends, here are the things that can make your group outing to PINSTACK a smooth, memorable, and fun event.

Purchase a group package ahead of time.

Can you show up unannounced at PINSTACK with a large group? Yes, but you are less likely to get the experience you want. Our group packages are designed to offer you a get together tailored to your needs and designed for convenience. Consider the benefits our group packages offer:

·         Reserved space for your get together

·         Guaranteed access to bowling lanes or guaranteed time in our attractions

·         Fresh, from-scratch menu items for guests

·         No wait times on getting your party started

·         Access to our on-site event planners’ expertise and support

·         Support of Group Services team members the day of the event

·         Amenities such as linens and party favors.

If you want to guarantee that your group has space, privacy, fun, and individual attention, purchase a group package when planning corporate team building activities, birthday parties, or other large get togethers. Our packages are diverse and designed for fun, allowing your group to enjoy a truly memorable time.

Budget for your group outing.

When you arrange for a group outing to any of PINSTACK’s fun activities venues, we will provide you with the payments and deadlines associated with your event. However, to help you better plan for your group outing, here is some helpful information:

• The remaining 50 percent of your bill is due the day of your event.

The first half is paid as a deposit prior to the group outing.

• You must purchase a group package in order to reserve space at PINSTACK.
• Events may be changed or canceled 7 days or more prior to the event date to receive a full refund of the deposit.
• There is a service charge covering gratuity, set up, and break down associated with every group event.

Take advantage of PINSTACK’s on-site event planners to tailor your event to your needs.

Party planning can be a lot of work. From major decisions like what activities you will offer to minor details like the color of the tablecloths, the hundreds of decisions that go into an event can be overwhelming if you have to make them all yourself. That is why, if you want to plan the perfect group outing at PINSTACK, you should take advantage of our on-site event planners who can help you both before and during your event.

First, when you purchase a group package, such as one of our birthday party packages, banquet packages, or corporate event packages, you will receive access to our on-site event planners. They will help you plan all of the details of the event, from making sure that the menu accommodates any allergies in your group to helping you understand what you can bring for decorations for a kids’ birthday party. With their help, you can put together the perfect event at PINSTACK.

Then, once you arrive at PINSTACK with your group on the day of the event, our Group Services staff members will ensure that your event runs smoothly. This means identifying opportunities to extend your event if you are late or want a little extra time, answering your questions, and meeting any onsite needs you may have. With their support, you and your guests can enjoy a hassle-free party.

Make as many decisions as you can ahead of time.

The smoothest events are those that are planned early. To help you craft the perfect group outing at PINSTACK, therefore, plan as much as you can ahead of time, with the assistance of our support services.

First, think about your needs before you buy a group package. For example, do you want a bowling birthday party package for kids, or a regular birthday party package? Do you want your co workers to meet in one of our VIP rooms in the restaurant, or would you benefit from a corporate event package that will allow you to engage in team building exercises?

In addition, set your head count early so you know how much you are paying. If you reserve space for the highest number of people you think you will have at the event, you can always lower the head count up to 7 days prior to your event, instead of worrying about not having space for extra guests the day of.

There are many other details you can deal with ahead of time that can make your time at PINSTACK smoother and more fun. From choosing decorations to selecting menus and deciding on activities, setting these details early will mean that there is no delay between arriving at PINSTACK and diving into the fun of your event.

Planning the perfect group outing at PINSTACK means planning ahead and purchasing group packages that fit your group’s particular needs. From purchasing a group package ahead of time to taking advantage of phenomenal on-site event planners, and making as many decisions as you can ahead of time, you can set your group up for an epic outing at PINSTACK.

A Guide to Planning a Company Holiday Party

With just a few months left until the holiday season, now is the time to start preparing for that season’s most revered corporate event: The company holiday party. Chances are, your employees are looking forward to relaxing for an evening on the company’s dime. But, as the party planner, you may be feeling a bit of pressure to put together a fun and memorable event.

Fortunately, there are really only 4 essential elements to a successful company holiday party: Location, food, drink, and entertainment. To help you nail each of them at your next event, here is a guide to planning a company holiday party that will ensure the maximum amount of fun with the least amount of stress for you and your planning committee.

Step 1: Select a date and time for your company holiday party.

Before you can commit to a location, you need to set the date and time for the party. This information will help you decide whether to have the party at the office or at a corporate event venue, will guide what types of food and entertainment you select, and will even help you pin down a theme. In general, you can choose either a shorter event during the lunch hour, or a longer event that is held during the evening.

The best approach to setting a date and time for your company holiday party is to look at what your company has traditionally done. For example, are employees accustomed to a lunch hour get together, or will they be expecting a 4-hour gala at a corporate event venue? Sticking with tradition can be a safe bet.

However, also consider factors such as (1 Have previous parties been well attended and received by employees? (2 What time slot will allow the most employees to attend? (3 What time slot will allow you to craft a corporate holiday party that meets your budget? (4 What time slot will allow you to have the most FUN and show the most APPRECIATION for employees?

Once you have settled on a time (lunch or evening), send out a survey or email with a variety of dates from which employees can choose. Follow up with reminders to RSVP. Then, pick the date that works for the majority of people in your company. That way, you will maximize attendance without needing to make the party mandatory.

Step 2: Select a location for your company holiday party.

Next, you will need a place to hold your holiday party. Lots of companies have the party right in the office, especially if it is taking place over the lunch hour. If you are going to go this route, however, you might want to invest in extra decorations to make your space look less like the office your employees spend most of the day in, and more like a destination for fun.

A better choice, however, is to actually take your party to a fun destination. A corporate event venue, restaurants with banquet rooms, or a fun activities venue make great choices for a holiday party. Not only do you give employees a chance to leave the office and relax, but you often receive amenities from the event venue that reduce your workload and make the party more fun.

Here at PINSTACK, for example, you and your holiday party can enjoy the following amenities, depending upon which banquet package you select:

• Private banquet room that seats up to 200 people
• Access to bowling and/or any of our other fun activities (Think laser tag, indoor bumper cars, a rope climbing course, and more)
• Selection of buffet menus
• Water and soft drinks
• Dessert packages
• Video games
• Customized packages to fit your company holiday party needs

Step 3: Select food and drinks for your company holiday party.

Providing a wide variety of good food and drink can go far in making your company holiday party a memorable and relaxing event. When it comes to providing food and drink, you have a number of options. For instance, you can stick with appetizers (depending on when you have the party), serve a potluck, order a plated meal, or offer a buffet. Whichever option you choose, strive for the following qualities that will ensure the enjoyment of everyone at the party:

• Provide ample amounts of food.

A good rule of thumb is to order food for 30 percent more people than you have attending the party. This ensures that everyone can eat their fill throughout the entirety of the event.

• Take allergies into consideration.

Chance are good that at least a few people within your company suffer from food allergies. In order to accommodate any allergies (even those of which you may not be aware), ensure that the menu includes several different types of food, including foods known to be allergen-free.

• Include a variety of drinks.

Similarly, ensure that there is a variety of drinks from which people can choose when at the company holiday party. For example, serve soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, and water so everyone in attendance can find something to eat and drink that they will enjoy.

Perhaps the easiest way to go about the menu for your company holiday party is to find an event space that provides the food and drink for you. Not only do you not need to worry about caterers and potlucks, but you may also save money by bundling your corporate event venue and food/beverage.

With the right venue, you can enjoy top notch food for that affordable price. For example, here at PINSTACK, we offer a variety of buffet menus from which to choose, from a company picnic to Texas BBQ to Southern Italian. Each menu features made from scratch foods that are designed by our chefs to be both seasonal and delicious.

Step 4: Decide whether and how to make alcohol an element of your corporate holiday party.

Alcohol can be a tricky element of a company holiday party. You want to avoid having employees becoming inebriated or acting inappropriately at the party. At the same time, creative cocktails and craft beers can make an already fun party even better. The choice regarding alcohol will be up to you (and perhaps be determined by your company’s policies).

However, if you want to have a limited amount of alcohol at your company holiday party, here are a few suggestions for incorporating alcoholic drinks in a fun and moderate manner:

• Create a signature cocktail or two for the party.

Choose from one of PINSTACK’s cocktails, or create one with a holiday theme.

• Limit drink choices to wine and/or beer.

PINSTACK’s wine and craft beer menus offer lots of choices without hard liquor.

• Provide drink tickets

This way, you can limit drinks to one or two per person.

• Cut off drink service an hour before the end of the event.
  
• Make alternative transportation available at the end of the night.

For example, comp people’s taxis or Ubers or arrange for carpools so no one feels the need to drive home after drinking.

Step 5: Select entertainment for your company holiday party.

Spice up your company holiday party with fun activities and events that show your appreciation for the hard work of your employees. Doing so can make the event more fun and give everyone the chance to get to know each other better.

For example, choose a corporate event venue that has built in entertainment. A fun activity center like PINSTACK, for example, gives your employees the opportunity to cut loose with bumper cars, bowling, indoor rock climbing, an arcade, laser tag, and more. Adding music, dancing, raffles, or karaoke can introduce a festive spirit that will keep everyone happy throughout the event, while adding an employee appreciation event and/or award ceremony can showcase your star employees and boost overall morale.

The best company holiday parties start with a great event space. Whether you need a fun activities venue in Las Colinas for a corporate event venue in Plano, PINSTACK offers space and banquet packages to fit any of your company’s holiday party needs.