Holidays are well and truly over and work is in full swing with a very exciting 2013 looming ahead of us.  If you're anything like me and easing back into the new year with doing some planning, it will help you to know that Functions & Events is here to take the stress out of organising all those off site meetings, workshops and seminars you need to get booked in.  With 17 venues in Auckland and one in Christchurch, Functions & Events has plenty of options to ensure your year is well planned out.  Contact us today to see how we can help you info@functionsandevents.co.nz or call us on 09 573 0078.

We we’re finally getting over our Christmas food coma only to discover that we had more food in the office to enjoy as we worked between the holidays.  So as we munch on a slice of chocolate cake thanks to The Flying Moa we thought we’d let you know some of the best places to check out for New Years Eve 2012.

The Zookeeper’s Son in Royal Oak is celebrating its second New Years and this year are bringing back retro!  Wear your coolest retro outfit and receive a complementary glass of bubbles, house wine or tap beer to help you toast the end of a great year.  They’ll have a DJ playing all the best disco hits and best of all there is no cover charge!  Check out the event on Facebook.

For those that like something slightly low key but a bit special Moreton’s has something special planned for you this year.  Join them for a delicious two course meal for two including a bottle of sparkling wine priced at only $120.  Call them today on 09 575 9969 to make a booking.  They’ve also got live music from 9pm-midnight.  Check out their Facebook event here.

Degree is definitely the place to be in the Viaduct if you are keen to continue partying till the sun comes up!  Resident DJs David James and Steve D are joined by special guest DJ Russell H, to bring you a not to be forgotten night.  Resident VJ Simon has an innovative countdown to bring in the New Year.  Entry is free before 9pm.  Book a table for dinner by calling 09 377 1200.  Check out the Facebook event for more information.

Or perhaps you are staying over the bridge on the North Shore?  It’s become the favourite local for many people in Takapuna and The Elephant Wrestler isn’t planning to let anyone down this New Years.  Join Resident DJ, Russell H, as he takes you through to the countdown.  They’ll also have double loyalty points 8pm-10pm, so make sure you head to your favourite larger than life local this New Yaers.  Reserve your table now by calling 09 489 8030 or email events@elephantwrestler.co.nz  For more information check out the Facebook event.

Glenfield’s newest local, The Postman's Leg, is making a splash this New Years with their own party including DJ Mark H.  Join them as they toast in a new year and christen the bar with its first New Years.  They have plenty of drink specials including $5 bubbles and $2 off pints of Tui when you swipe your loyalty card.  Check out the Facebook event here.

Partying on the peninsula this year?  Head to Whangaparaoa’s newest bar JAC’s Trading Co. and join them as Take Note take the stage from 9pm.  Tickets are $5 or $10 on the door.  Check out the Facebook event here.

Or perhaps you are down in the South Island?  Head to The Running Bull in Christchurch as they hold their last party for the year.  There are plenty of Drink specials including $10 Vodka and Red Bull and $5 Sol or if you are feeling hungry grab a Traditional pizza for only $12.  Resident DJs Frofessor and Vladikul have some special treats lined up so make sure you check out the Facebook event here.

In my recent conversations with people organising corporate Christmas events, the general consensus is the majority of people want to do an activity along with their lunch or dinner.  It seems people aren't content anymore to just eat and drink, they require a team bonding activity as well.

 As such, I've come up with some great ideas for activities you can do before or after going to a Functions & Events venue for your delicious Christmas meal:

1. Paddle boarding on Takapuna beach followed by lunch or dinner at The Elephant Wrestler
2. Bowls at the local bowling club followed by lunch or dinner at your local
3. A stunt driving session at Drive Rush in North Harbour Stadium followed by a meal at The Merchant Bar & Kitchen
4. A tennis lesson or inter-company comp followed by a meal and drinks at your local
5. A pub quiz in a private function room while you enjoy your meal
6. Loads more options - just let us know what sort of things you'd like to do

We've got loads of great ideas so all you need to do is contact us and let us do all the hard organisational work for you.  Call Functions & Events today on 09 573 0078 or email info@functionsandevents.co.nz

Get organised for 2012 Christmas and book your Christmas function at Degree with these great Early Bird offers. 

Book and confirm your Christmas function with a deposit before the end of September to receive:

1.  Two complementary platters to greet your guests with upon arrival (for bookings with a minimum spend of $750).

2.  Complementary arrival cocktails for your group, plus a $50 Degree voucher to use on a returning visit (for bookings with a minimum spend of $2,500).

Enquire now info@functionsandevents.co.nz

Check out the Degree website here

Like the Degree facebook page

Happy New Year everybody! The teams at Functions and Events are ready for another big year and have a lot of things in the pipeline.

We are already working on packages for Auckland’s big events coming up such as pre-game hospitality packages for the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park and the New Zealand v Ireland rugby match, we have function space in the heart of the Viaduct for the Volvo Ocean race allowing those who get in quick enough to book prime location to welcome those for the Auckland stopover not to mention we will also be at convene to showcase the many venues we have throughout Auckland and Christchurch.  It’s going to be an exciting year and with the help of our clients we hope to make it a memorable one.

Handy Tip:  Social Functions – When organizing a function, ask for input or ideas from your guests. You don’t want to be booking a venue that half your staff or colleagues despise or find it hard to organize their transportation to and from. Also, think about the smaller things, do people have enough time to get there after work, does everyone know the dress code and what time do you expect everyone to arrive? As the last thing you want is for the bulk of the food to come out when barely any of the guests have arrived.

What a fantastic year we had last year at Functions and Events!

Rugby World Cup turned out to be a great success for our venues and was great for those corporates that organized their functions from multinationals such as DHL right through overseas agents from England, France and South Africa to name a few. With events such as corporate hosting on the viaduct, pre-game hospitality only a stone’s throw away from Eden Park right down to dining in exclusive dining rooms all over Auckland for those who wanted something a bit more intimate while watching those last teeth clenching knockout matches.

With Christmas queries coming through by the dozen shortly after the final whistle there was no time for the team at Functions and Events to wind down – with all kinds of events such as cocktail parties in The Elephant Wrestlers sun kissed courtyard, social drinks and nibbles in the bustling viaduct, ladies lunch in the new Merchant Bar and Kitchen in Albany right through to intimate sit down dinners for 60 in the stunning Bridgman Room with Valley Rooftop Terrace our clients definitely found themselves spoilt for choice.

BUT IT DOESENT STOP THERE!

With 2012 bringing wonderful and exciting new things the team at Functions and Events are working hard at offering client packages for Bledisloe Cup and other Eden park Events not to mention day time corporate and business meetings in our fully equipped and exclusive function rooms if you’re planning something this year and want to have a stress free time doing it – contact us now and let us cater to your taste, needs and budget!!!

Handy tip for the New Year: When dealing with clients in today’s modern society, too many people are hiding behind their emails while trying to build relationships. Try giving your valued clients a courtesy call to see how things are and if they are happy with the service they are currently receiving– you will be surprised at the new opportunities that will arise. These may be referrals for companies and contacts that are interested in your services through to finding out further details about your client and what processes they make when making decisions which will help you find ways to further apply your goods and services to their company.