11 Awesome Corporate Event Ideas, Activities and Venues in Melbourne to Consider for Your Team
Corporate events in Melbourne offer a range of options, from casual dinner parties at local restaurants to impactful workshops that can greatly benefit your team. Regardless of the type, corporate events are essential for any team.
Forbes emphasises the importance of these gatherings, particularly for companies with remote or hybrid workforces.
Instead of infrequent large-scale parties like end-of-year celebrations, smaller, more frequent events are recommended. These smaller gatherings foster connections among team members outside of the office environment, facilitating easier collaboration on work projects.
In short, corporate events contribute to happier teams. To help you choose the most suitable activities for your team, we’ve compiled a variety of activities for a successful corporate event!
🎨 Creative Corporate Events in Melbourne
We’ve curated a selection of activities for creative souls in the office who enjoy showcasing their handmade artwork or delight in sharing a slice of their homemade pie with colleagues. These activities provide opportunities for bonding with like-minded colleagues or those who simply love trying something new!
💁🏽♀️ You may like: Top 11 Team Building Activities & Outings in Melbourne
1. Paint and Sip
- Price: From $65 per person
- Group size: Up to 40 people
- Venue: Pinot & Picasso
It’s no secret that wine has a magical way of turning strangers into friends in mere moments – or should we say after a few glasses? Coupled with your colleagues’ contemporary artworks, the fun will surely be doubled! At Pinot & Picasso Brunswick, the combination of art and team bonding has never been more fun!
Whether your colleagues are budding artists or simply in it for the complimentary pinot, a paint and sip class provides the perfect opportunity for employees to mingle, exchange stories, and foster connections while discovering their artistic talents, one glass at a time.
2. Pottery Class
- Price: From $60 hire fee per hour
- Group size: Up to 20 people
- Venue: Mud Flame Studio
Getting your hands dirty is relaxing and quite the confidence boost! Give your team the chance to mould something beautiful they can proudly display at home or on their office desk. Pottery classes allow team members to chat, learn, and socialise over a creative experience they’ll remember for years.
To spice things up, consider adding a friendly competition for the best pottery artist and a fun prize for the most original creation!
Who knows, you might unearth the next ceramic Picasso in your office!
3. Lunch and Learn
- Price: Depends on the venue
- Group size: Varying group sizes
- Venue: Any location of your choice
Lunch and learns, also known as brown bag meetings, are easy to organise and informative. And, who doesn’t love free food?
These events are fantastic for sharing knowledge, fostering a supportive environment, and improving communication among colleagues. Whether it’s cross-training, updates on company changes, or learning new skills, these sessions are engaging and beneficial to teams.
Plus, you can host them anywhere: the office, a nearby restaurant, or a dedicated meeting room.
4. Cooking Class Competition
- Price: From $578 – $1,268
- Group size: Up to 40 people
- Venue: Otao Kitchen
These classes offer more than just cooking know-how; they’re an opportunity for employees to hone skills beyond the office, from mastering advanced techniques to gaining confidence in the kitchen. Throw in a bit of friendly competition, and everyone will be eager to flaunt their inner Ratatouille.
Start by dividing your team into groups and enrolling them in a cooking class led by seasoned chefs where they’ll learn how to prepare a dish.
Next comes the fun part: the cooking competition! Each team presents its creation to the chef, who judges it based on taste and presentation.
Moreover, cooking isn’t just about culinary skills; it fosters qualities like patience and problem-solving, which are invaluable assets in any workplace.
🙏 Meaningful Corporate Event Ideas in Melbourne
Are you looking to shake things up with your corporate events? It’s time to move beyond the usual and create experiences that show your team that they’re valued.
Meaningful corporate events can work wonders for morale, leaving your staff with smiles that last long after they’ve left the office.
These experiences boost team happiness and create stronger bonds among colleagues, giving way to a more cohesive work environment. From elegant gala nights to fun-filled experiences in the local zoo, we’ve curated a list of top picks to help you make your next event memorable!
💁🏽♀️ You may like: 7 Tips for Stress-Free Corporate Event Planning
5. Throw a Gala Night
- Price: From $82 per person
- Group size: 50 people or more
- Venue: Cargo Hall
This event is perfect for remote teams looking to trade in their pyjamas for fancy outfits. After all, office life is more than just coffee runs and meetings; it’s about building relationships, and a gala dinner is a great way to do that.
These dinners can be a key part of your team-building activities, especially if you have the budget. They help new and existing employees connect, making collaboration in the workplace smoother.
Gala dinners serve various purposes, whether celebrating a company milestone or rewarding your team for their hard work throughout the year. Typically, these evenings feature a three- or four-course meal, complete with entertainment like cabaret shows, presentations, and, of course, a dance floor!
Shall we make your upcoming corporate event a gala dinner?
6. Donate to a Cause
- Price: n/a
- Group size: Varies
- Venue: Varies
While some employees prioritise community impact over fun activities, it’s no secret that companies with a philanthropic edge garner more respect.
Philanthropy sends a powerful message to employees: their company values the well-being of its community.
While profitability remains a top priority for any business, organising a fundraiser, sponsoring a marathon, or simply donating to a cause your employees care about can foster strong bonds with your staff. It helps people within the company learn about the struggles of others or simply partake in something that matters to the employees.
Here are a few local charities worth considering:
💁🏽♀️ You may like: 9 Unique Ideas That Will Make Your Fundraising Gala a Success
7. Plan a Party at the Local Zoo
- Price: Flexible
- Group size: Up to 500 people
- Venue: Melbourne Zoo
Organising an event at one of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks is a wonderful way to showcase the city’s beauty to your staff. It offers them a chance to explore or rediscover important places in the city and exchange knowledge with each other!
Fortunately, the Melbourne Zoo in Parkville stands out as one of your team’s most exciting landmarks and corporate event venues. Here, they can mingle with meerkats or enjoy the company of frolicking seals!
Whether for family days or team lunches and dinners, your team can unwind while enjoying great food, refreshing drinks, and the company of adorable animals. Let the fun roar!
🦦 Exciting Corporate Event Ideas in Melbourne
Who doesn’t enjoy a good time, especially when it’s on the company’s tab? From complimentary drinks to hotel stays, private dinners, or escape hunt challenges, there are many ways to keep employee stress at bay when organising corporate events. So, let’s explore our top picks for fun corporate experiences in Melbourne!
8. Try an Escape Hunt
- Price: $39 per person
- Group size: Up to 500 people
- Venue: The Escape Hunt Experience
Escape rooms offer an excellent opportunity for corporate team building, stimulating brainstorming, and improving problem-solving and communication skills that can be transferred to the workplace.
At The Escape Hunt Experience, employees can get creative and tackle mind-boggling challenges in immersive adventures! It’s a chance for your team to break free from routine and dive into an engaging, fun experience. (You almost thought we’d say ‘presentation’, didn’t you?)
To boost engagement, consider breaking larger teams into smaller groups, allowing them to compete against each other and race against the clock!
9. Attend a Beer Crafting Class
- Price: Flexible
- Group size: 2 or more
- Venue: The Beer Factory
Is there anything more satisfying than sipping a fresh Hahn or Tooheys under the Melbourne sun? Probably not, unless it’s your very own concoction brewed by you!
Jump on a unique team-building experience by ditching the typical wine tasting and opting for a beer crafting class instead.
Your team will be able to brew ginger beers, ciders, and chemical-free microbrews!
Don’t worry if you need more experience; the expert team will guide you every step of the way.
Ready, set, brew!
💁🏽♀️ You may like: 8 Fun Team Building Activities & Ideas to Improve Your Team’s Morale in 2024
10. Throw a Casual Dinner Party
- Price: From $60 hire fee per hour
- Group size: Up to 19 people
- Venue: The Nook
Sometimes, outstanding ideas are optional for a successful corporate event; a simple, casual dinner party at a comfortable location can work wonders!
Offering delicious food and beverages while your team chats about their hobbies, passions, likes, dislikes, and even work-related matters is an effective way to foster camaraderie and enjoy a satisfying time together!
To keep things interesting, consider organising dinner parties around various culinary themes, cultures, or each employee’s favourite cuisine. This adds an extra layer of engagement for all participants and makes it a regular, enjoyable affair!
11. Plan a Summertime BBQ
- Price: Flexible
- Group size: 5 or more people
- Venue: Your choice
A summertime BBQ is the perfect opportunity for everyone to dress comfortably in casual summer attire. This informal setting encourages employees to relax, engage in casual banter, and network across different departments, building relations that don’t feel overly formal or corporate.
When it comes to food, simplicity is key. Serve classic BBQ fare like burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and corn on the cob, or opt for a potluck-style approach where everyone contributes.
Keep the beverages easy with a cold beer or lemonade, or mix a refreshing cocktail like mint juleps for a touch of elegance.
To add to the fun, consider organising outdoor games such as croquet, badminton, or cornhole. Yarra Bend Park and Studley Park Picnic Area are excellent spots for a BBQ.
At the same time, You Yangs National Park and Dandenong Ranges National Park offer fantastic picnic facilities for a great time.
💁🏽♀️ You may like: 30+ Indoor & Outdoor Team Building Activities That Aren’t Cringeworthy
Conclusion
Corporate events are often associated with dreaded product launches or conferences, but they don’t have to be.
Whether celebrating company milestones, fostering team-building experiences, or showing appreciation through simple activities, there are numerous ways to demonstrate to employees that they are an important part of your company’s success.
Organising regular small events, like lunch and learns, trivia games, or award ceremonies, can connect employees to a larger purpose, inspiring active contributions to projects and goals.
When planning corporate events in Melbourne, it’s important not to get carried away with crazy ideas. Focus on the essentials, keeping the event’s objectives and benefits for employees and the company in mind.
Conducting surveys to understand team challenges and preferences can make events more inclusive and engaging.
FAQ
How can I ensure the success of my corporate event?
To make your corporate event a success, consider these key points during the planning process:
1. Begin early by obtaining approval from the company or department heads.
2. Start planning as soon as possible to allow ample time for necessary preparations.
3. Gather information from employees regarding their preferences for the event.
4. Review past events and employee surveys to avoid repeating unsuccessful activities.
5. Make a list of essential party elements such as the venue, decor or entertainment, and be prepared to compromise on budget, timing, or objectives when necessary.
6. Finally, gather feedback from attendees following the event to get valuable insights for future events.
How can I find ideas for a corporate event?
Explore various sources of inspiration. Browse through our corporate parties and team building events sections for inspiration. Use platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see what other companies have done. Brainstorm ideas with colleagues.
Consider event planning companies to organise the event if you can afford to. Choose a theme for the event, such as Star Wars or the company’s colours, to make the event more interesting. Avoid getting carried away with too many ideas; sometimes, simple activities like trivia games or karaoke parties are enough to show appreciation to your team.
What are some budget-friendly activities for a corporate event in Melbourne?
Opt for team building exercises in local parks, picnics, outdoor sports competitions, or volunteer work for charitable causes. Melbourne offers beautiful parks, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Yarra Park, and Fitzroy Gardens, for hosting picnics and outdoor team building activities. Organise nature walks or hikes in places like the Dandenong Ranges or the Great Ocean Road for refreshing team-building experiences.
Contribute to the community by organising volunteer days in parks or gardens, including planting trees or cleaning litter.
