Case Studies

Below is a selection of case studies to show the overall picture of how an event enquiry grows into a full event solution.  

Alternatively, you can click here to view our testimonials page. 

 

Napp Pharmaceuticals

Client

Based in Cambridge, Napp Pharmaceuticals is an independent company with over 800 employees, developing vital new drugs for more than 50 years. To motivate and inspire a higher level of team cohesion for a chosen department, they wanted to organise a fun challenge and also a reward for all their hard work.

Brief

Napp came to Office Events with a good idea of what they wanted to achieve and the type of the event they were looking for. The team building day ideally needed to be physically active and a lot of fun. The evening event and overnight stay was to be a real treat. The itinerary was to be kept secret from the 100 participants who were predominantly male. For most, this was the first time they had been on a corporate event of this nature and there was a degree of apprehension. The budget was not extravagant but allowed for a high standard of accommodation.

Challenges

• To create an event that immediately put everyone at ease and encouraged willing participation
• Napp had started the process of venue sourcing, but weren’t finding what they needed. Office Events needed to come up with a venue ideally suited to the entire event concept and client requirements

Event Solution

Keeping in mind that Napp wanted to treat their employees and create the ‘wow’ factor on arrival, we came up with the beautiful venue, Dunstan Hall in Norwich. The grounds provided the ideal space for the ‘It’s a Knockout’ tournament we decided on for the team-building aspect of the event, as well as a stunning location for the Murder Mystery dinner event and overnight accommodation.

During the 2 months of planning, the event itinerary had been kept secret from the staff and as the coach arrived in Norwich, people were nervous of what to expect. This atmosphere was diffused immediately when they were welcomed by the consummate host of the original ‘It’s a Knockout’ TV show, Stuart Hall. He took charge with grace and humour, outlining the itinerary for the day, causing hilarity and leaving everyone excited about the challenges they faced.

Under Stuart Hall’s expert direction the 7 teams enthusiastically tackled the various games that necessitated coordinated teamwork. Running a course in giant penguin outfits, managing multiple pairs of legs on a pair of giant skis, and game involving giant pizza, soon broke down barriers and proved great fun.

As lunch was served on the patio, spirits were high and everyone was looking forward to the second half.  The ‘England’ team triumphed at the end of the day and were awarded with medals, kudos and champagne.

The evening meal was presented as a secret society awards ceremony, during which a heinous murder was committed. Guests were given characters, props and cryptic clues and were set the mission of solving the crime and identifying the perpetrator. This again was well received and at breakfast the talk was full of the previous day and evenings antics.

The Results

The event exceeded the participants’ expectations, which was very clear from the change in attitudes, and achieved the objective of building the level of teamwork and staff morale. The staff went back to work with a new level of enthusiasm and the feeling that their efforts at Napp Pharmaceuticals were appreciated and that they were invested in as valued team members

What Napp said

Office Events were helpful right from the start in terms of planning the event to the finish.

They listened to our requirements and helped turn ideas into a great feasible event that was enjoyed by all.

During all my dealings with Office Events if  there were any queries, big or small there was always someone at the end of the phone or an email away.

All the staff said that they had a very good time, and how well organised, everything was.

Sarah Goodin - Training and Development, Production and Supply Chain Administrator

 

Kenwood

Client

Since the 1950s, Kenwood has been famous the world over for innovation, quality and great product design. In 2007, Kenwood had their 60th anniversary and wanted to celebrate the occasion with a landmark event that demonstrated their appreciation for all the staff.

Brief

To be held in June, the event was to cater for staff and their families; a total of 300 people. Having seen the ‘It’s a Knockout’ event on the Office Events website, Kenwood contacted us for further ideas. The challenge was to provide a fun day with activities for all ages at a venue with easy access from the head office in Portsmouth. It needed to be a truly memorable day ending with an awards dinner and celebration. All this was to be achieved within a relatively modest budget.

Challenges

• To keep toddlers, children, and adults of all ages entertained throughout the afternoon and into the evening
• To locate an accessible and versatile venue that provided options for both inside and outside entertainment, as well as permission for evening firework displays
• To ensure that Kenwood staff had a fantastically fun day they would be talking about for years to come

Event Solution

Working to budget, we had great fun creating an event plan the Kenwood  team were really excited about and couldn’t wait for the all the different elements to unfold on the day.

As the guests arrived, the sun was out and the scene was set. Welcome drinks in hand, staff and families greeted each other in the beautiful grounds of the venue. The coconut shy and other fairground stalls were an instant hit with adults and kids alike and the popcorn and candyfloss stall was a popular place to be. The healthier options of the fruit fountain and the smoothie stall (celebrating the famous Kenwood Smoothie Makers) were a big draw. For the tiny guests, there was a crèche to give the parents a break and for the older children there was an organised treasure hunt around the grounds, led by friendly pirates, and the inflatable castle also provided endless entertainment.  

The main theme of the day was a school sports day and we had the Headmaster keeping control throughout the event. After being fortified with a delicious hog roast lunch, teams were formed and scores were kept as the competitive spirit kicked in. Hilarious antics were caught on camera as staff competed in an’ It’s a Knockout’ contest, complete with the essential inflatable pool of foam and Nordic skis. A series of sports day races brought back school memories, and archery and laser clays tested target accuracy.

To celebrate the 60 years of Kenwood, a display of the products ‘through the ages’ had been set up in the foyer of the marquee where, as evening approached, guests were directed to the bar and their tables for the evening meal. Speeches, awards and the presentation of a branded anniversary cake were followed by the Headmasters team quiz challenge and a live band.

The evening finished with a bang as an impressive firework display brought the anniversary day to a close.

The Result

The day came together beautifully on the day and guests were relaxed, happy and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The event design allowed for guests to be as active or chilled out as they liked, so everyone was satisfied and felt included and catered for.

What Kenwood said

“The event was a fantastic success and was widely appreciated as making staff feel part of a special company with a special history. Office events were attentive to Kenwood’s requirements, were superb at finding the right venue and on the day ensured all went smoothly. I would not hesitate to use them again in the future.”

Helen Neatherway - Marketing Manager

 

Cable & Wireless

Client

Cable & Wireless is one of the world’s leading international communications companies, providing high quality managed IP services to the largest users of telecoms services across the UK, US, continental Europe and Asia. After a successful business period, Cable & Wireless wanted to show their appreciation for their staff by organising a Family Fun Day Extravaganza.

Brief

The afternoon event was to cater for up to 400 staff and family members in Norfolk. The client definitely wanted to include a funfair in the event, a barbeque meal and bar facilities, but had seen a variety of options on the Office Events website and wanted further ideas to make the event a true extravaganza.

Challenges

• To source a venue that catered for 400 guests with inside and outside space, and gave permission for a funfair to be constructed in the grounds.
• To entertain and cater for all ages from babies through to adults throughout the afternoon

Event Solution

After working closely with the team at Cable & Wireless and bouncing ideas back and forth, we designed a Family Day that combined kids and adult entertainment that promised to be lots of fun, and most importantly stayed within budget.

The venue sourced was the Norfolk Showground, perfect for the funfair and Circus theme that the event concept was built around.  As guests arrived, the weather was attempting to dampen enthusiasm, but positive attitudes, some wet-weather contingency plans, a break in the clouds and a welcome glass of Pimms, all came together to ensure the day went ahead at full steam. The funfair rides – particularly the Dodgems – provided hours of fun, and the Laser Tag tent was a new experience for many of the guests. Competition was fierce for the prizes on offer! Traditional side stalls and entertainers all added to the atmosphere.

A permanent structure was transformed into a circus themed space, where clowns and stilt walkers taught both children and adults a variety of circus skills. Fairy-costumed face painters were a hit with the kids and an expertly staffed crèche provided a safe and entertaining space for the smaller guests.

By the time the hog roast was served, the delicious cooking smells had thoroughly wet everyone’s appetites and a review of the official photographer’s images at the end of the day showed everyone having a really enjoyable day.

The Results

Staff and families had a fun and memorable afternoon and felt valued by their employers. With the help of Office Events, Cable and Wireless created a really successful event that achieved their objective of rewarding their employees.