Are you planning a charity event? Here are five tips to make sure your charity event impresses your guests

1. Pick the right venue

Make sure the venue you choose has the right capacity for your charity event. For example, a venue holding a standing reception event will be able to accommodate significantly more guests than a seated charity event . City Central includes two different sized spaces, perfect for charity events large and small. If you have any queries over capacity, please do get in touch to find out more about other fundraising events we’ve held.

2. Choose an imaginative theme

The more exciting your charity event theme sounds, the more guests you are likely to attract. If you give them something that they’ve never experienced before, they’ll have no reason to miss it. However, you should make sure your attendees understand what the purpose of the event is and how they can make their own contribution to your cause. Remember why you’re doing the event! Are you looking for new sponsors, new working partnerships or more collaboration with your current customers? It can be easy to get carried away when planning an event, especially one with an exciting theme, but remember to have your objectives in mind at all times.

3. Showcase your brand

Organising a charity event is a great opportunity to demonstrate your brand values. Charity events can enable you to build your profile and show your customers how your business is making a positive contribution to the environment and society. If you are inviting guests that have already supported your charity endeavours, hosting a charity event is also an excellent way to show your appreciation for their loyalty.

4. Decide on your catering

Choose a more informal buffet theme if you’re thinking of a standing reception, or opt for a more formal seated dinner for prestigious fundraising events. Create Food & Party Design, our renowned catering partner, will help you make the best statement. Create has extensive experience in catering for charity events and provides delicious, innovative cuisine.

5. Get your guests talking!

A successful charity event is all about sharing ideas and insights, so it’s important that your guests feel comfortable and are ready to talk! A standing reception gives you more freedom to move around and meet other guests. However, with a dinner reception, you can make sure you are seated next to (or on the same table as) individuals you want to network with.

Are you planning a charity event in London and searching for the perfect fundraising event venue? Don’t hesitate to contact our team, we can help you find the ideal space and plan a charity event to impress.

Have your next corporate away day at City Central at The HAC

Are you planning corporate away days and looking for some inspiration? Company days out and team building days give your staff the opportunity to switch off from their day-to-day work routine, learn new practical skills, how to work with different personality types and have fun.  It’s also an opportunity for professionals to improve their decision-making skills, problem-solving, planning and time management.

Outside space

City Central has over five acres of outside space which is overlooked by the Honourable Artillery Company. This private space is perfect for outdoor activities – we’ve seen inflatables, races and good old fashioned games of rounders. This private lawn is ideal for any outside activity.

Funfair

Another exclusive to City Central is the private funfair for your guests. It’s probably one of the only funfairs within a few minutes walk from Moorgate station, so why not make the most of it!  The funfair will bring out everyone’s inner child as they enjoy the ferris wheel, the dodgems, merry-go-round and numerous side stalls with prizes to win. This could be a team building activity or it could be a time out zone for colleagues to relax.

summer entertainment

Inside City Central

The Artillery Garden has huge capacities – up to 2,400 guests can be accommodated for a standing reception. If you’re looking for a smaller corporate away day, the reception area is ideal for up to 500 guests. The venue includes screens, projectors, staging, PA systems and state of the art AV so whatever indoor activities you decide on you will have everything you need.

Other ideas

Taxi Treasure Hunts Challenge

This has already entertained more than 200 companies. This game involves a special hunt where teams must figure out where to go in different locations in London before finishing at a secret lunch or dinner destination. It’s a very good test of strategic planning, problem-solving, time management and delegation, and can be easily customised to your company.

The Music Challenge

Another exciting game, this challenge can be played by up to 1,000 people and is a great way to immerse your team in London’s world-class music scene. Each team will sign an artist before creating an album cover and a music video, shot in the stunning backdrop of London, with a mixture of famous sights and hidden gems. This is another superb team-building exercise that will encourage your team to think creatively and come up with quick solutions.

Or how about the Graffiti Challenge, T-shirt making, Race Car Driving Experience, the Wine-Tasting Challenge, the Dragon Boat Racing?

Do you have another team-building or corporate away day theme in mind? Just let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

The Marketing Society hosted its Excellence Awards at City Central at The HAC. Over 500 of the society’s top marketers were invited to this esteemed awards ceremony to acknowledge the best of the best in the industry.

The awards ceremony made full use of the fantastic potential of City Central at The HAC, utilising both the purpose-built structure and the venue’s outside space. The interior of the venue was transformed into an awards ceremony space aided by state of the art audio-visual equipment.

On arrival the guests enjoyed a Pimm’s and cocktail reception on the private lawn overlooking the Honourable Artillery Company.

Gemma Greaves, Chief Executive at The Marketing Society welcomed all guests before a sumptuous three-course meal by Create Food and Party Design was served.

The stunning menu included a starter of plum tomato and mozzarella saladette with mozzarella cream, balsamic and rapeseed glaze, fresh pesto topped with granola of puffed rice, pine nuts and grated parmesan. The main was rendered duck breast with duck liver bonbon and a hazelnut crumb, creamed savoy cabbage, smoked pineapple gel, kohlrabi and carrot with a brown butter and blackberry vinegar. The meal was finished with a Tonka bean panna cotta verrine, apple jelly, apple crisp, granola crumb, Tonka bean syrup and linseed crisp.

Ronan Dunne, Chair of Judges spoke about the high calibre of entrants this year and the importance of acknowledging these influential marketers. Host Russell Kane was then invited to the stage to start the awards ceremony.

As the ceremony drew to a close, guests moved to the dance floor to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Find out more about purpose-built summer and Christmas party venue City Central at The HAC here, or fill in our quick enquiry form to organise a site visit at this unique City space.

The London Comedy Lunch will be back again for the seventh year in a row at City Central at The HAC with headline act Jason Manford.

Well known for his hilarious appearances on TV shows including 8 out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo, QI and Would I Lie to You, Jason has also enjoyed phenomenal success as a top-flight touring comedian (his ‘Off on Tour We Go’ and ‘First World Problems’ tours both sold out) and an actor on both stage and screen. This year we also have Tom Stade and Jarred Christmas!

Inconnection will be hosting some of the best UK comedians at this exclusive corporate hospitality event that raises vital funds for children’s charity The Rainbow Trust.

The event takes place on Thursday 7th December at City Central and has been a runaway success since year one providing a great opportunity for guests to network with peers, entertain key clients or just a great excuse to thank the team who are key to the success of your business.

Last year the London Comedy Lunch was a sell-out, to avoid disappointment book now. To secure your table today please contact Martin or call him on 0161 482 8222 or 07793-680198.

If you’re in charge of planning a summer party, you might be thinking of some entertainment ideas that can make your party fun for your guests. Summer is the season to be outside and enjoy the warm weather. It’s the season to kick back, relax and soak up the sunshine before the Autumn. If you need some entertainment ideas for your upcoming summer party, check out our list below of different options that you might want to consider for your event.

Fun Fairs

Who doesn’t love a fun fair? Adding a fun fair to your event can take it from nothing special to extra special. Unlike other venues around the city, City Central has a private fun fair that is exclusive to their venue. The fun fair includes a big wheel, a carousel, dodgems and even side stalls with games and prizes.

summer entertainment

Magicians

Magicians can be a great addition to your summer party, especially if children and family will be on the guest list. Magic shows can be incorporated into your party in a variety of ways: upon arrival as a welcome for your guests, either before or after dinner or you can even have multiple shows spread out throughout the event if you are going to have a large enough attendance.

Aerialists

If you want your summer party to have a dramatic ambience or surreal theme, aerialists can add that WOW factor you’re looking for. Aerialists can perform in the background throughout the event or they can give a special performance at any point throughout your party. Aerialists will mesmerise your guests and create a magical experience for people of all ages to enjoy.

Photo booths

Photo booth rentals have increased in popularity over the years and are a great entertainment add on for a summer party. Many photo booth rentals will come with a set of props which will allow your guests to let lose, be goofy and ultimately have some fun. Plus, your guests will get a party souvenir that they will always have to remember your party.

DJs

Sometimes DJs are the preferred method of music for an event for many reasons. Sometimes the genre of music you need played isn’t easy to find with a live band and sometimes live bands are not within your budget.

Sometimes when you’re looking for the perfect venue for an event, the best venue may not be a permanent structure! City Central at The HAC is a great solution for many different types of events, from corporate events, charity dinners, award ceremonies, private parties, summer parties or Christmas celebrations.

It’s a little bit different

Who doesn’t enjoy an out-of-the-ordinary experience? Conveniently located a moments walk from Moorgate and Liverpool Street Stations, City Central is a hidden gem in the heart of the City. Surrounded by buildings and overlooked by the historic Armoury House, City Central has acres of land where a private funfair is also held.

 

 

Customisation and versatility

The Artillery Garden is incredibly easy to customise and caters for a range of capacities. For smaller events, The View can be utilised for drinks receptions, which shuts off the larger dining area. For mid-sized groups the dining area size can be reduced with the use of drapes.  The Artillery Garden also offers a dance floor, but if this is not required this can be sectioned off.

Protection from the Weather

Marquees are 100% waterproof and are also UV resistant, so no matter the weather, the party will go on! The stretch fabric used to make marquee tents is durable and made to last so you can rest assured your guests will stay protected under the strength of the marquee.

For any Occasion

Marquees act like a huge blank canvas so they can be used for any kind of event. They can be dressed up and decorated to transform into a luxurious gala dinner, charity fundraiser, Christmas party, summer drinks reception or they can remain minimal with a simple layout for edgy product launches.

 

Accessories

The Artillery Garden comes with ambient lighting (including up-lighting, pin-spots to tables, colour wash and break-up throughout), furniture and production (including projection screen, stage and PA System suitable for background music and speeches).

Book your event

The Artillery Garden is purpose-built for events and entertaining which means it’s perfect for any event. A stage can be constructed for awards ceremonies, or an ice cream truck can be brought in for a summer party – there’s a whole host of opportunities for this venue so get in touch today to plan your event.