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The company that parties together...

By MEGAN V. WINSLOW
Special to the Sun

Just days after Info Tech Inc. employees clinked their glasses at the annual holiday office party last year, Geri Farah, the company's sales and marketing assistant, began planning this year's soiree.

Sound a tad exaggerated? Not necessarily.

As with many holiday traditions, the office party can rank up there with other stressful events if you don't get an early start.

And if businesses haven't secured a rented location for the holiday party by now, chances are they're out of luck.

"Now is the time, or even before to book your event," said Glenda Miles of Party Time Rentals in Gainesville.

Savannah Grande's Andrea Stivender said the reception facility is completely booked through December - except for a handful of Mondays.

Savannah Grande will host about two events a day - lunch and dinner - for the entire month, she said.

Some companies try to alleviate party planning-related stress by making arrangements well ahead of the masses, sometimes even up to a year in advance.

Last year was the first time Info Tech, the computer software development company, held its holiday get-together at Sweetwater Branch Inn. The event was so successful that company management decided to use the same venue for its Dec. 16 party, Farah said.

Which is why Farah and Valerie Riley, Info Tech communications manager, recently toured the inn with Cornelia Holbrook, Sweetwater Branch manager, before going over this year's menu.

Spanakopita and stuffed Portobelo mushrooms are on the list as is "Joe-Joe's Molten Chocolate Cake," a signature creation of Sweetwater chef Joe Donaldson. "We're actually repeating a lot of what we did last year because it was so good," Riley said.

Many corporate get-togethers become an annual tradition that employees look forward to.

For about 30 years, managers at the Gainesville Regional Utilities downtown Kelly Plant have celebrated the holidays with an employee appreciation luncheon at the main plant maintenance shop.

"It's been fun because it's been going on for such a long time," said Gary Swanson, Kelly Plant manager. "Nobody can actually put a finger on when it started - it kind of melded into this."

The event takes place on a workday during lunch, and employees are encouraged to bring their families and a covered dish.

Invitations for retired employees are mailed out just after Thanksgiving, said Angie Osteen, Swanson's secretary who spearheads the holiday party management team.

Although there is a holiday theme, GRU attempts to "dove-tail" the fun with a little bit of business, and performance awards and service pins are distributed to outstanding employees during lunch.

"It's just good camaraderie," Osteen said. "It brings everybody in the plant hopefully together, and it brings out goodwill."

This year's get-together is scheduled for Dec. 16 and will feature a main course of barbecue ribs and chicken cooked by the GRU maintenance crew, Osteen said.

Companies with smaller staffs tend to take a more low-key approach to the holidays.

Terry Van Nortwick, president and founder of Pro Ink Corporation, a Gainesville marketing and public relations firm with six full-time employees, hosts a get-together at her house every year, but she hasn't started any extensive planning yet.

"When December rolls around, we typically try to pick a date that's good for everybody," she said.

While Van Nortwick handles the decorations - she sets up between six and eight Christmas trees - her husband, Ken, is in charge of grocery shopping and cooking. The menu this year will include shrimp cocktails and an artichoke dip, Van Nortwick said.

For entertainment, Pro Ink employees engage in a gag gift swap and sing Christmas carols as Van Nortwick and Karen Cain, Pro Ink business manager, play the piano.

Entertainment at holiday office parties can vary, although karaoke is generally popular, said Miles of Party Time Rentals.

"I've even known companies to play the adult version of musical chairs," she said. "Believe it or not, it's loads of fun."

The Info Tech party will take place in two different settings: one in the main banquet hall with deejay-selected tunes and one in the inn's main building with recordings of soft classical music.

Info Tech tries to add a personal touch to every party, and this time around, some employees are expected to sing and another will play the violin.

"You know you're walking into the Info Tech holiday party and not just a generic holiday party," Riley said.

As to the party-planning process, Holbrook said it is enjoyable but requires a lot of hard work.

"It's just like ballet - you have to make it look easy, but really it's wonderfully difficult," Holbrook said. "It's a challenge, but when it comes together, it's like a well-choreographed dance."

How to make your company party a success

As featured in The Gainesville Sun • November 13, 2005