Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by Ruby And The Wolf
Corporate events have a habit of blending into one another. Same setting, same format, same predictable flow. It’s no wonder guests start checking their watches halfway through the agenda.
But it doesn’t have to be like that.
You can still tick all the business boxes — team-building, networking, strategy updates — without it feeling stiff or scripted. The key? It’s in the details. The small things that shift the mood and create a more relaxed, memorable atmosphere.
Let’s look at how to break the corporate mould, starting with your setting.
Rethink the Venue
Corporate marquee hire should be your first consideration. And no, not the white wedding-style tent you’re picturing with plastic chairs and soggy grass underfoot. Think tailored, stylish, and designed around your vision.
A marquee instantly changes the tone of an event. It softens the edges of a typical corporate environment and introduces a sense of flexibility. You’re not tied to a conference centre or a hotel ballroom. You get to choose the backdrop — a rural field, a private garden, even the grounds of your own headquarters.
That kind of setting encourages guests to relax. It feels less like a lecture and more like a gathering.
With the right lighting, flooring, and layout, a marquee becomes whatever you need it to be. Formal or informal. Traditional seating or more lounge-style. You can even shift the setup mid-event, moving from a sit-down session to an open networking space without having to relocate.
And the best part? It tells guests straight away that this isn’t going to be your average corporate do.
Strip Back the Formalities
You don’t need to open with a CEO welcome speech or hand everyone a branded lanyard the moment they arrive.
Loosen up the format.
Think of your schedule as a guideline, not a strict timetable. Shorter talks, more breaks, and natural opportunities to connect go a long way. If people feel free to move around, chat, and take things at their own pace, you’re halfway to creating an event that feels genuinely enjoyable, not forced.
Instead of back-to-back sessions, try weaving in short bursts of inspiration, light-hearted group activities, or relaxed Q&As. It keeps energy levels up and avoids that glazed-over, post-lunch slump.
Play with Layout
The physical space makes a huge difference in how people interact. Ditch the row of chairs facing a stage. Go with curved seating, scattered sofas, or café-style tables that encourage conversation. Create zones: one for presentations, another for chats over coffee, and maybe even a quiet nook for people to take a breather.
This approach removes the feeling of being ‘on show’ or stuck in a formal programme. It helps people feel more like participants than passive attendees.
Create Atmosphere with Lighting and Sound
Lighting sets the mood faster than almost anything else. Warm, soft lighting will immediately make the space feel more intimate. You don’t need anything dramatic, just enough to move away from the clinical feel of overhead fluorescents.
Background music also matters. Not loud enough to interrupt conversation, but enough to give the space a heartbeat. Use playlists that shift throughout the day — softer for arrivals and meals, a little more upbeat for transitions and networking.
These touches are subtle, but they completely shift how the day feels.
Prioritise Food That Actually Gets Eaten
Nobody gets excited about beige buffet food or curling sandwiches. Good food is one of the easiest ways to elevate the feel of your event. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top, but it should feel considered. Local produce, variety, and plenty of options make people feel looked after and more inclined to stick around for the whole event.
Instead of a formal sit-down meal, you might opt for grazing tables, interactive food stations, or street-style vendors. This naturally encourages mingling and takes the pressure off the usual seating politics that come with big tables.
Also, don’t underestimate the importance of timing. Serving food regularly — even just small bites or snack stations — keeps energy up and avoids the dreaded post-lunch dip.
Give People Space to Be Themselves
One of the biggest reasons corporate events can feel, well, corporate is the pressure to ‘perform’. You can ease that by creating a more human-centred event. Build in pauses. Give people time to digest what they’ve heard. Provide quiet corners where they can check their phone without feeling rude. Leave enough breathing room in the schedule that nobody feels rushed from one thing to the next.
If your event is outdoors or in a marquee, think about chill-out spaces with bean bags, blankets, or relaxed seating. These sorts of zones often end up being where the most meaningful chats happen.
Rethink the “Corporate Entertainment”
No one’s expecting fireworks or a circus act (though, if that’s your vibe, go for it). But it’s worth putting thought into how you round off the day.
A low-key acoustic set, a local comedian, or even a shared group activity like a quiz or workshop can offer a memorable end without slipping into awkward territory.
The goal isn’t to impress with flash. It’s to leave people feeling like the event was actually worth their time.
Drop the Corporate Lingo
Language makes a huge impact. If everything feels loaded with business jargon, you lose people before the second slide.
Tone things down.
Write your signage, agendas, and handouts in plain, clear language. Speak the way your team actually speaks. It helps guests feel more connected, more included, and less like they’re at a seminar they have to endure.
If you’ve created a setting that’s warm, relaxed, and welcoming, your tone should match.
Make It Feel Thoughtful, Not Templated
That’s really what it comes down to. People can tell when an event has been copied and pasted from the same format used ten times before.
You don’t need to go big on budget or bold on design. Just focus on small, intentional choices. Choose a marquee over a boardroom. Opt for warm lighting instead of a spotlight. Let the format breathe instead of packing every minute.
When an event feels tailored, not templated, it stops being corporate in the way people dread. It becomes something worth remembering.