  Spidergirl Member Username: Spidergirl Post Number: 218 Registered: 12-2004 |
I've been asked to help put together our office holiday party this year, and I'm trying to pull some ideas together. Any suggestions on a place that 500+ people can fit into that will accomodate food and open bar (anything other than a hotel ballroom)? Any good entertainment/event ideas for the evening? We'd like to stay in the CBD and/or Midtown area... Please help!! | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 2024 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'd call the convention & visitor's bureau for a party that size. They'd be able to provide you with a list of unique places that can accomodate 500+ people, help with selecting a reputable caterer, help with logistics, etc. As far as places that come to mind off hand that can hold 500+ during the winter, usually I'd recomend the DIA but it's half closed for renovations. The muesum district would likely be your best area to focus on: History Museum, Wright Museum, Science Museum, etc. | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10723 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Detroit Club. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3831 Registered: 10-2003 |
Damn, I lost that bet. I was sure SS was going to recommend the Zoo on Congress.  | ||
Spidergirl Member Username: Spidergirl Post Number: 219 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks Bvos...I was thinking about the museums too, but was having a hard time figuring out which one would interest everyone - it's just so hard to please that many people. Although it is the holiday party...they'll all be wasted anyway! | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10724 Registered: 10-2003 |
(wondering is spidergirl will be a wounded gazelle herself) | ||
Spidergirl Member Username: Spidergirl Post Number: 220 Registered: 12-2004 |
...like the sculpture on Belle Isle? | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2211 Registered: 10-2003 |
ssport said:
Are you asking since you had so much success with the one at the Detroit club? | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10726 Registered: 10-2003 |
...says the guy with his wounded gazelle. | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 622 Registered: 08-2004 |
I would definitley recommend the Science Center. You'd be amazed what they can do with the place. It's different and really cool. Also, one of the caterers has a "Streets of Detroit" strolling dinner option that is awesome. They do Greek, Mexican, Polish and Soul Food stations and the dessert is all Detroit items like stroh's ice cream, etc. And you could have something playing at the IMAX for everyone to watch while they're wasted Oh...ND and SS...you guys are funny | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 240 Registered: 04-2006 |
The International Center/Antheneum Hotel has a great spot on its top floors that are goof for large meetings. we had about 250 for a sit down dinner, drinks, dancings and mingling for our High School Reunion and it was only crowded around the bar! Cobo Riverfront ballrooms are nice too. Would your budget allow Ford Field? Would DAC be able to accomodate that many? You could wait till next year and do the Casinos too. | ||
Thursdaynext Member Username: Thursdaynext Post Number: 343 Registered: 04-2006 |
Check out The Max. http://www.detroitsymphony.com /main.taf?p=10 The company I used to work for had their holiday party here a couple years back. They had different food stations on every floor and a room devoted to just desserts (yum!). There was a much larger room as well, where they had hired a band for entertainment. Lottsa room here, I thought it was a great choice. Someone suggested the Science Center. They held a holiday party there as well and I wasn't very impressed. Not much to do as it's really more of a place for kids. Can't even remember what movie they were playing. I also felt it was very dark inside and the layout wasn't the greatest for mingling (sp?). Not a bad place, but I think you could do better. Have done the Ford Field party as well, which wasa very nice. Oh, just remembered, the first holiday party I attended at this company was held at the Fox Theatre. They held a Vegas night there. So there were black jack tables, roulette tables, etc. and you had tickets that you traded in for chips so you didn't spend your own money. They also hired an Elvis impersonator and you got to have your photo snapped with him by the Christmas tree, rather than with Santa. Cheesy, kitschy but a lot of fun. Again, different levels had different food and dessert stations plus you have all the little bars on the 1st floor. Hope this helps or at least gets some ideas flowing. | ||
Belleislerunner Member Username: Belleislerunner Post Number: 275 Registered: 12-2003 |
I second the Science Center. We had our Christmas party there two years ago. Rave reviews. The ability for people to wander through the exhibits, view a film at the Imax and dance, all while muching on food stations throughout the complex makes for great conversation starters. You can't get that at the DSO, DAC etc. Last year's was at the Henry Ford and equally as nice, but outside the D proper. Everyone valets at the Science Center so parking isn't an issue. | ||
Spidergirl Member Username: Spidergirl Post Number: 221 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'll have to check out The Max and the Science Center... We thought about Ford Field, but would need some type of entertainment so people aren't just standing around. Thanks for the ideas!! | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10729 Registered: 10-2003 |
Perhaps Bouzouki's could cater in some dancers? | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 660 Registered: 12-2003 |
I don't know how many it would accomodate, but the Guardian Building Ballroom might be worth looking into. The Kresge Court at the DIA might also be another option. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 353 Registered: 06-2005 |
Consider the Boll Family YMCA on Broadway. They have held large events there in the past year. It's right at the Broadway People Mover station and the Opera House Garage is across the street. | ||
Lakesuperior Member Username: Lakesuperior Post Number: 141 Registered: 06-2005 |
i second the max. there are multiple spaces you could use and if you need entertainment, they have various ensembles that you can hire. the ensembles are students from the DSA and they are extremely talented-- and not expensive... | ||
Andysrc Member Username: Andysrc Post Number: 121 Registered: 07-2005 |
Thursdaynext and I must have worked at the same place. I actually really enjoyed the Science Center and The Max. The Science Center gave you a few other options of things to look at and do. We had one at Ford Field after it had just opened. But you would need to find some sort of entertainment because a tour of the field only lasts so long. Last year was at Stroh River Place and they brought in a band and some arcade games. Again, it was kind of a cool, unique evening. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1799 Registered: 11-2004 |
You could probably do the Great Hall and Rivera Court at the DIA, but I don't know if any other spaces can handle 500+ people there. That is a beautiful setting for a party, however, and generally the DIA can have galleries open (although you can't take food or drink into them). The Masonic Temple also has some interesting spaces and I am sure can accomodate that number. Their catering is surprisingly decent (I guess that doesn't sound like much of a compliment, but we did an event there and were expecting the worst). | ||
Spidergirl Member Username: Spidergirl Post Number: 225 Registered: 12-2004 |
The DIA was tops on our list, but they can't host a group on Fridays as they are open to the public that night. We liked the DIA because it also provided something for people to do...while renting out an empty space like the Max or the Masonic (as nice as they are) still leaves us in with trying to figure out what kind of non-cheesy entertainment we can get. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 253 Registered: 04-2006 |
Does the parade company still rent out space? Might be fun to get liqoured up, put on the giant Coleman Young head and play smash up derby with the floats against big-head Bob Segar! | ||
Thursdaynext Member Username: Thursdaynext Post Number: 344 Registered: 04-2006 |
Andysrc, by the sounds of it, we sure did work at the same place, however, they laid me off not to long ago so no holiday party for me this year. If you're still there you will have to fill me in on this years party place of choice. Any chance you were there for the party at Cranbrook that was engulfed by a snow storm? It's legendary. | ||
Andysrc Member Username: Andysrc Post Number: 122 Registered: 07-2005 |
Thursdaynext - I think they sent out the Save the Date email for this year's party, but nothing about the location yet. I missed the one at Cranbrook, I think just by a year or two. But I have heard the stories. It sounds like it was quite an...interesting...night. I almost wish I had been there! Ford Field was my first party there. Have you been able to find work elsewhere? What department were you in? It's been such a rollercoaster there the last year and a half. | ||
Thursdaynext Member Username: Thursdaynext Post Number: 345 Registered: 04-2006 |
Anydysrc - I was in media buying, 17 of us in the dept. were laid off. I'm still looking for a job and as far as I know so are about 13 others. The 2 people I assisted just got jobs 1 about a month ago and the other 1 week ago and she had to move to San Francisco to get one. I don't want to hijack this thread with my employment woes , so if you want to chat shoot me an email at alleyimpromtu@yahoo.com Spidergirl, if you have to hire valet service make sure they are reputable / on the ball and also pick a venue where people won't get stuck trudging long distances through snow if you should happen to get hit with a winter blast. Snowstorm combined with poor valet service = the horror that became the office party at Cranbrook. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 2038 Registered: 10-2003 |
Detroitplanner has a fantastic idea with renting out the Parade Company warehouse. They've specifically designed it to be able to host parties while also acting as a warehouse to store the floats in. Now that would be an original, only in Detroit holiday party! Have Faygo, Vernors, Better Maid, a local brew pub provide beer, etc. etc. etc. and its a Made In Detroit Christmas Party! |
