company bbq

Written on . Posted in Uncategorized.

5 Reasons an Annual Company BBQ is Good for Morale

We get it.

You’re the boss. You’re working hard to hit goals and crush deadlines. You run a tight ship because you and your employees have lots of work to do every day of the week. The last thing your team needs to be doing is goofing off outside, right?

Studies show that might be exactly what they need the most!

A company BBQ is the perfect way to celebrate your team’s accomplishments and regroup. If you want your team to continue to work hard, reward them by giving them the chance to play hard!

Keep reading to discover five reasons a company BBQ is one of the best ways to boost morale:

1. Builds Better Communication

No matter what industry, members of your team need to be good at communicating with each other.

It’s easy to go through the motions and get lost in daily tasks at the workplace. But in a relaxed, work-free environment like a company BBQ there is nothing else to do besides communicate!

Team events outside the office remind everyone to listen to and learn from each other. Personal stories shared around some drinks might be just the encouragement a team member needs to no longer feel intimidated by their peers.

Coworkers often realize they have more in common with each other after fun work events after hours. Nothing boosts morale like knowing you’re part of a team that knows you well and cares about your story.

2. Networking

Networking isn’t just building relationships with important people outside of your company. Internal networking is the best way to find hidden talents within the team you already have.

It’s important entry-level employees feel acknowledged and valued by middle and upper management. At team building activities, nobody is less approachable than anyone else. New team members are more comfortable sharing their ideas over a good plate of food than over a conference table.

A company BBQ encourages meeting other people you don’t normally interact with at work. Without inclusive team events like these, you might never meet the person perfectly suited to help you with your next big project.

When someone is personally acknowledged by their peers and higher-ups, they’re more likely to give their all on Monday.

3. Encourages Healthy Competition

Healthy competition is a catalyst for innovation and improvement. When team members are motivated by their own desire to improve themselves, they’re more invested in the work they do.

The annual company BBQ is the perfect place and time to do team building events that encourage fun competition. Although some people will always be more naturally competitive than others, a friendly setting with fun prizes encourages everyone to push themselves a little more.

Not everyone is motivated to work harder just because their manager would like them to. Figure out what kind of fun rewards your team is motivated by, like free merchandise or extra vacation time. Host a casual sports tournament at the next company BBQ with interesting prizes, and watch people you thought were shy come out of their shell.

Experiment with healthy competition during team days. Then continue to apply that to work-related goals back at the office, and watch morale skyrocket.

4. More Personal Investment

When you trust and enjoy spending time with the people you work with, you are more likely to stay engaged while on the clock.

Requesting to spend time with your employees off the clock sends the message you are personally invested in them. If you only cared about your employees hitting deadlines, why would you invite them over for ribs and lemonade?

Give your employees a personal stake in your company. Show your employees you want to spend time with them. Ask them for their input on how to run the company BBQ this year. Ask them to bring their favorite home-made dish.

Relaxing over some food is the perfect time to talk about the big picture with your employees. Let them know the larger vision of your company. Ask for their input. Start a conversation about how to reach larger company goals within the next 6 months.

Include your team of employees in your long-term business goals at the company BBQ. Help them get excited about the same things you get excited about.

5. Rewards Creativity

Creativity is key to business survival in 2018. Businesses like Blockbuster and Border’s Books failed to innovate within their industry, and where are they now? (Not in their industry anymore!)

When you host an annual event like a company BBQ, you give members of your team a chance to express themselves creatively.

Even though you might see each other at the office every day, it’s good to spend time with your coworkers in new settings.

Company events outside of work give everyone a chance to wear clothes they normally don’t get to wear. They create openings for people in the background to step up and volunteer more.

Most of all, when you give your team chances to express their creativity they care more about their work. They know they are valued not just for the work they’re paid to do, they’re an irreplaceable part of a team.

Host a bonding event outside of work at least once a year. You’ll show your employees you care about them and their ideas as much as the money they make for you.

Planning the Company BBQ

Now that you’ve decided to throw a party, the real fun begins!

What’s the perfect location? Who’s bringing dessert? Should you hire a caterer?

Give your team a party they’ll never forget, and book an ice cream truck for your next corporate event!

For more helpful tips on how to run a flawless company outing, check out our blog. Or better yet, contact us today to let the professionals handle the logistics and leave all the partying for you.

summer party

Written on . Posted in Party.

Everything You Need for a Cool Summer Party

Are you prepared to throw the summer party of the year?

If you want to impress your friends and family with a great summer party, you’ll need to have a plan and some supplies on hand. Anyone can throw a party, but to really impress the crowd, it takes a bit of prep work.

If you’re ready to make the most out of the summer season, we’ve got what you need. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to have a hit party for any occasion. Keep reading and get ready to soak up the sun!

1. Send Out Invitations

Party invitations aren’t just outdated traditions that need to be reserved for weddings and graduations. A great invitation can raise the level of your party even before it gets started.

And by “invitation,” we don’t just mean an invite to a Facebook event. Modern technology is incredibly convenient, but the flip side of that is that it’s also very impersonal. So if you want your party to stand out, make it personal!

An old-fashioned, mailed invite will let guests know that your party is something really special. These invites don’t have to be stuffy – they can be modern, cool, and funny too.

This also lets you consider your theme early. From stationary to stamps, you can play up your party theme in the invite and get guests really excited for the event.

Summer is high time for parties, so make sure to get on people’s calendars early with an invite. If they’re thinking about it early, they’re more likely to come to your summer party – and to have a great time.

2. Set the Table

Whether your party is casual or fancy, guests appreciate the details. A nicely-set table shows you want to go above and beyond for the attendees of your summer party.

You don’t need anything fancy for a nice table. Count up how many guests you have, and see what you have at home to make place settings with. Or, if you’re doing something more casual, focus more on decor like centerpieces than on full place settings.

Get creative – you can find great table decor at thrift shops, as well as inexpensive new items online. Having a color scheme goes a long way, even if you’re using paper plates and plastic forks.

3. Decorate With Natural Touches

Flowers – even fake ones – can make any party feel classier. Plus, they’re the perfect touch for a summer party, since so many flowers are in season.

If you have a garden, cut a few flowers just before your party. You don’t have to make full bouquets – a single flower can do wonders to dress up a table or counter. Use cool, mismatched glassware for your vases – just make sure to choose items that you won’t miss if you get broken.

No garden? No problem. Pick up a cheap bouquet or two at the grocery store, or scan local craft stores for fake flowers that match your color scheme.

If flowers aren’t your style, use other summery natural elements, like seashells. You don’t need a lot of money, just plenty of creativity.

4. Plan Your Seating

It’s easy to overlook one of the biggest necessities for a summer party: having enough seats for everyone. Make sure you plan ahead so your guests don’t have to play musical chairs!

Do a thorough inventory of your furniture while you’re planning. If you’re having an outdoor party but you only have a few patio chairs, commission some of your indoor chairs for use. You can also use stools and ottomans for extra seating.

On a nice day, you can even put some quilts on the ground and let your guests sit picnic-fashion. If it’s an indoor party, think about getting some comfortable floor cushions that guests can sit on if seating starts to run out.

Still don’t have enough seating to go around? You can actually rent chairs! Renting isn’t too expensive – you can usually pick up folding chairs for the day for about $2 each.

While you’re at it, you can also rent a grill, speakers, coolers, and other things you might need. Some vendors even offer free drop-off and pick-up, so you won’t have to worry about hauling items.

5. Consider Lighting

Lighting can make or break your party’s ambiance, so give it plenty of thought while putting together your summer party.

You don’t need a lot of lighting, though – keep it dim and ambient, and let people’s eyes adjust.

For an outdoor party, try stringing lights across tree branches, or the fence. Round globe lights will give you the most visually appealing glow. Use tealights or hurricane lanterns for extra light on the areas that need it most, such as the dinner table.

Be careful with the placement of your extension cords, though, since they can easily trip guests. If you’re running cords along the ground, pin them down using bits of wire bent into a U-shape. Place the wire over the cord and hammer it into the ground, so the wire is flat and doesn’t create a trip hazard.

6. Plan for Photography

Today, everyone with a smartphone has a camera in their pocket at all times. People will almost certainly be taking pictures at your party – why not plan ahead to make sure those pictures are amazing?

While you’re picking up your decorations, consider grabbing a few fun things that guests can wear, like sunglasses or paper hats. These make for the perfect silly party selfies.

You could even set up a “selfie booth” area with accessories, lighting, and a backdrop to encourage your guests to document the moment. Once those pictures hit social media, everyone will be talking about your summer party.

Planning a Summer Party?

As you can see, putting together a stellar party is easy. It just takes a bit of planning and attention to detail to do it right.

However, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. There are plenty of party planning and catering companies that can help you take things to the next level.

Want to beat the heat with catered ice cream? Check out our event catering services here!

ice cream party

Written on . Posted in Ice Cream.

5 Occasions That Call for an Ice Cream Party

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Let’s be real. Is ice cream ever a bad idea? We don’t think so. In fact, we’d like to think it’s completely acceptable 365 days a year (366 if it’s one of those special Leap Years).

With that said, an ice cream party turns into an absolute must-have for a few special occasions.

Let’s get on with them!

Birthday Parties

Birthday cake, shmirthday cake, right? It’s time to take a newer twist on your birthday dessert. After all, when was the last time you saw someone stoked on a boring sheet cake?

Whether you’re turning 5 or 95, you’re never too old or too young for an ice cream party. Besides, what better way to celebrate another year of life than with your favourite sweet treat?

Take your birthday party extravaganza to the next level by offering your guests handmade ice cream sandwiches, mega shakes, or classic popsicles and treats.

We think this is the perfect treat if you have an outdoor party or pool bash either in a home-based or location-specific party (like at the park).

Think of it this way: less planning, organization, and commitment on your end. You just hire out the truck, and the rest is up to the company. Simple as that!

Weddings

They say that people go to weddings for two things: an open bar and the food.

Chances are, you’ve already planned out your alcoholic beverages and your meal catering services. Have you thought about adding in a unique dessert that everyone’s guaranteed to love?

Attending a wedding isn’t cheap, especially after you factor in the cost of travel, transportation, attire, and gifts. If you’re in the bridal party? The price jacks up considerably more- upwards to a thousand dollars for your day.

That’s why it’s so important for you to make your guests feel special and appreciated on your happy day.

With many weddings extending several hours to half a day, it’s important to keep them fueled on tasty foods throughout the party.

Your wedding is a perfect occasion for an ice cream party. It’s time effective, stress-free, and budget-friendly! It’s also a creative dessert- people will be talking about it long after the wedding day is over.

Plus, imagine the joy and surprise on everyone’s faces when the ice cream truck rolls around! It’s that same look of sheer happiness children have when the truck cruises down their street.

And, in case you were wondering if you had to choose between a traditional wedding cake and an ice cream, don’t worry! There’s no rule that says you can’t have both, and we bet most guests would be happy to have their choice.

Corporate Events

Are you in charge of coordinating your company’s next corporate event? Do you have any input on the menu and budget? If so, skip the traditional affair and make it way more memorable and interesting for your colleagues.

When it comes to planning a killer corporate event, you want to make sure that you’re keeping your colleagues entertained and appreciated. Otherwise, it’ll feel like just another work meeting obligation.

With that in mind, you’ll also likely need to adhere to a strict budget. Fortunately, an ice cream party fits into those requirements, with most packages costing less than $5 per employee.

Lighten up the mood by kicking it old-school with everyone’s favourite ice cream. Who knows? Maybe you’ll learn that your boss and you equally love the same flavor.

Graduation Parties

Got a high school graduate in the house? What about a college or graduate school graduation?

No matter the occasion, it’s always a great idea to celebrate a special graduation with a special ice cream treat. Since these events usually take place near May or June, it’s optimal weather for your favourite ice cream.

Graduation is a time of celebration- it took the person a lot of time, work, and discipline to get to that milestone.

And, with more and more people throwing extravagant, large events for graduation, incorporating ice cream is a great way to keep all your guests entertained.

Grand Openings

If you’re in charge of a business, you may be considering the virtues of officially opening your doors with a grand opening.

Grand openings serve many exciting purposes. They generate buzz and media publicity around your store, and they can attract plenty of new customers. Plus, they’re great for the community, as they help you establish yourself and network with other small businesses.

With that said, you want to take your company’s grand opening seriously. It needs to be fun, dynamic, and compelling- otherwise, you’re not only wasting time and money, but you’re giving your business a pretty bad impression.

And, let’s be real: just like with most events, food is absolutely going to be your selling point. After all, no matter who your target customers are, they’re going to want to eat.

You can incorporate your ice cream party as a surprise, or you can build hype by announcing it on your flyers and social media.

No matter how you choose to do it, people will eat the ice cream and they will be introduced to your company. Talk about a win-win for everyone.

And, what to

Final Thoughts on Your Ice Cream Party

No matter what kind of event you’re hosting, ice cream will always take your party to the next level.

Ready to entertain your guests with unforgettable fun and sweet treats? At Mega Cone, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today, and let us help serve the sweetest party of your dreams.

sweet 16

Written on . Posted in Blog.

How to Throw an Epic Sweet 16 Party She’ll Never Forget

Want to make your teenager’s sweet 16 bash to be as special as she is? We’re here to help you!

Learn how to throw an epic party that she’ll never forget (while keeping your sanity in check!).

Set Your Own Budget

If you’ve ever seen an episode of My Super Sweet 16, then you know just how over-the-top this teenage milestone can be.

Before you even sit down with your teenager, you need to determine a budget that you’re comfortable with. This budget will include everything from invitations to food to activities.

Your daughter is old enough to know your budget, so once you have a figure in mind, share it with her. This will help the both of you to narrow down your planning process.

Decide on the Party Size

It goes without saying that the number of guests will largely determine the kind of sweet 16 party your daughter has.

Larger guestlists will require bigger venues, and smaller, intimate gatherings can take place in the home or backyard.

Talk to your teenager to determine what she wants before diving headfirst into planning!

Does she want to invite everyone in her class? Just her close friends and relatives? Just 1-2 friends to do something really extravagant?

Choose The Activites

What is your teenager into? Does she love the outdoors? Music? Dancing? Sports? It’s important that you sit down and choose the kind of activities (if any) she wants to have at her party.

Maybe she’s into having an awesome backyard pool party with a makeshift DJ (hello, Spotify, fun floaties, and an ice cream truck.

Or, maybe she’s into dressing up for a night on the town and riding in a limousine to a fancy restaurant with a friend.

Or, maybe she’s into having a classic game night with all her friends- complete with old-school music and costumes.

Let your daughter come up with the ideas, and you do the research for price and scheduling. Together, you’ll make a terrific team.

Find the Right Venue

We’ve all heard that infamous phrase, location, location, location. As it turns out, location does matter when it comes to planning the ultimate sweet 16.

Again, this will largely depend on the number of guests and the type of party your daughter is going for.

With that said, popular venue options include:

  • your own home
  • restaurants
  • parks
  • beaches
  • entertainment centers
  • community centers
  • hotels

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and don’t be afraid to shop around for different quotes!

Find Your Contracting Services

If you’re going all-out for the sweet 16, you’re going to need the right professionals to tackle the job.

Music

Many teenagers like some option for dancing at their parties. If you have a big group, you may want to have a DJ to keep the music flowing well throughout the party. Ask around for recommendations and make sure that your daughter can meet with him or her in person- they need to have a strong connection before you sign the contract.

If you want to save money, making your own playlist can definitely do the trick. If you have your own speaker, just hook up your phone or computer with downloaded or streamed music onto it.

Photography

Your daughter won’t be 16 forever (though this may also be a good thing!). With that in mind, you’ll probably want to be able to cherish the special memories of her party for years to come.

Even though many parents put it on themselves to photograph the party, you may miss out on all the fun.

You can consider hiring a professional photographer, as most charge per hour. If you’re looking to save money, see if you can commission a photography student or a trusted family member.

Want to get even more pictures of the special day? Make a sign with a designated birthday hashtag and encourage everyone to upload their own pictures to social media using that tag.

Catering

There is no shortage of options when it comes to food. Talk with your teenager to get a feel for what she’s interested in eating.

You can either use a catering company to provide the meal or you can DIY. If you’re hosting the sweet 16 at a restaurant, you’ll already have food covered.

PS: Don’t forget the dessert! It’s everyone’s favorite part of the meal, anyway!

Create a Timeline

Coordinating a party can take a lot of work, but having a schedule keeps your event on track.

You’ll want to give guests up to half an hour to arrive before starting any major activities (someone will always be running late).

You’ll also want to plan enough time for each activity with enough time for relaxing and socializing. Don’t cram too much in, and talk with your daughter to make sure that she’s on board with the itinerary as well.

Expect about a half-hour to an hour to unwind and wrap up. Make sure that you give guests plenty of time to gather their belongings and send their best wishes to the birthday girl. If you have music playing, this is the time to lower the volume, which signifies that it’s time to get going.

Give Out Favors

The party doesn’t have to end just because everyone leaves. Give your guests something symbolic and special to commemorate the unforgettable day.

It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Fun favor ideas include:

  • Monogrammed candy
  • Fidget spinners
  • Water bottles
  • Keychains
  • Baked goods

Even though party favours aren’t a necessity, they can leave a lasting impression on all your guests.

Final Thoughts on Planning the Ultimate Sweet 16

It may be hard to believe that your little girl is already a full-fledged teenager! Give her the time of her life with the party of your dreams!

Want to sweeten the event even more? Contact us today for the best ice cream truck rentals in town!

After all, what 16-year-old says no to ice cream?

grand opening event

Written on . Posted in Blog.

How to Plan a Memorable Grand Opening Event

Marketing and growing your business today means working in a whole new landscape. Over 90% of consumers find ads more intrusive now than a few years ago.

There’s no longer any room for lackluster marketing plans. You need the smartest tactics to grab the attention of consumers. A grand opening done right can achieve wonders.

Social media, smartphones and other revolutionary advancements changed how consumers react to businesses. But a grand opening event executed with a pro’s touch will be sure to get you the desired attention.

Discover these effective ways to put together an opening event to remember.

Know Your Goals

Like any marketing plan, determine specific goals before doing any other planning work.

Why are you holding a grand opening event?

It could be as simple as getting more people to buy from you. There’s nothing wrong with that.

But money isn’t always the end goal. A grand opening isn’t just effective for profit. You might have a message you want to convey.

Do you want people to know about a product that’s unavailable anywhere else in the area? Do you have a specific message you want people to tie to your brand? Do you want to reach out to the community and get to know people?

Your grand opening only happens once. Be as specific as possible and know your purpose. Make sure the whole team knows what the brand message is all about.

When you’ve determined your message, it’s time for the next steps.

Specify Your Budget

The budget for your grand opening will depend on your own marketing budget. There’s no fixed amount but there is a recommended minimum.

We suggest dedicating 20% of your business’ marketing budget for the first year. A minimum of $6,000 is ideal.

You might be thinking, “20% of my marketing budget for the first year sounds a lot for one event!”

It’s not. And we’ll explain why.

First off, your grand opening event is a one-shot deal. There’s no such thing as a “Second Grand Opening.”

You want your target market to walk away from your event with great stories to tell. Fill their bellies and give them entertainment. The money will be well spent.

Second, you need to spend money to get people to know about your grand opening event.

In the realm of branding and marketing, repetition is key. You need a decent amount to reach target customers more than once.

Most people will discard an ad when seen for the first time. Remember how we began by talking about technology and smartphones? Media, personal messages, and other sources bombard consumers today.

In a nutshell, you’re competing for attention. And there are plenty of hungry sharks competing against you.

People have to see your ad more than once. Put yourself in their shoes.

While you’re scrolling Facebook or driving around, ads greet you from all corners. If you’re like most people, you’ll soon notice the ads that pop up repeatedly.

Work with Other Businesses

For your grand opening event to be successful, you can’t (and shouldn’t!) do everything yourself. This goes for you and your team.

Your whole team can’t do everything well. And that’s fine. We all specialize in different things.

This is where working with other businesses and people comes in.

One advantage of working with other people is placing different tasks in the hands of professionals.

For example, if you’re not in the food business, have the food catered. Hire a caterer or food truck.

Not in the entertainment business? Hire a band, a singer, magician, or whoever fits your target audience and message. Hire professionals that give life to a corporate party.

Your grand opening event deserves the best within your budget. People will expect yummy treats and fun entertainment.

Another advantage of delegating tasks of the event-planning is time.

Hiring other businesses will free up your time, allowing you to focus on what you’re good at. After all, everyone specializes in very different things.

Market Online

Should you market the grand opening event online? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Everyone and their mothers are online nowadays.

The targeting allowed by online marketing is astounding. You’ll be able to reach your target audience and grab their attention this way.

For instance, if you want the attention of dog-lovers in a specific city, Facebook will do all the work. Input your budget and you’re set.

Another great thing about online marketing is you can create creatives on the cheap.

Sites like Canva and apps such as Rhonna Design churn out social media-ready photos on the cheap.

Instagram is another great place to grab people’s attention.

Have stunning photographs ready and promote your grand opening event on the platform. Thanks to phone cameras today, and apps like Snapseed, almost anyone can create beautiful photos.

Use Hashtags

Don’t ignore Twitter. Use the power of hashtags.

Let’s say you’re preparing the grand opening event for a vegetarian cafe. Log into Twitter and see what people are talking about. Use hashtags like “vegetarian” and “plant-based diets”.

Accessing Twitter from a browser will give you hashtag suggestions. Also, you can jump in any conversation on Twitter. It’s acceptable behaviour on this platform.

Once you’ve found accounts of your target audience from using hashtags, comment on their accounts. Tell them about your event. Make sure you got the right hashtags.

If you’ve targeted them right, they’d love to hear about the grand opening. And why not? With the hashtag approach done right, you’re reaching out to people whose interests share a relation to your business.

The hashtag tactic also works for Instagram.

Grand Opening Event Day

Planning a grand opening people will love is more than possible. You can achieve it with ease.

These tips are sure to keep people raving about your business.

And who doesn’t love ice cream? Contact us and we’ll roll in and out. You won’t worry about cleaning up afterward.

Focus on what aspects of event planning you want. Let us handle the sweet tooth needs of your guests.

  • Mega Cone Creamery Inc London Food Truck Association
  • Mega Cone Creamery Inc London Chamber Commerce
  • Mega Cone Creamery Inc BBB

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