When you're involved in corporate sports event planning, take into account the number of employees you have and the type of business you run. For small businesses with only a handful of employees, your sports event will likely be on a smaller scale than if you're planning for a large corporation with hundreds of employees.

Determine whether or not alcohol should be a part of your office sporting event planning. If your business is moderate or sells alcohol, you should consider including a bar; if your business is staid or promotes healthy living, alcohol may not be appropriate.

1. Make sure your business sports event planning service includes caterers.

2. Hire a professional corporate sports event planning service.

3. Remember the officiating when planning your sporting event.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make caterers a priority in your office sporting event planner list of things to do

Be aware of dietary concerns when discussing menu options with caterers. Include healthy foods and vegetarian dishes and avoid foods that may cause allergic reactions such as shell fish and peanuts. Consider appetizers rather than full meals as a way to offer quality food while keeping the budget under control.

I recommend: National Catering Business and National Catering Company offer full-service catering for indoor or outdoor events. Eventective provides you with the means to locate local caterers so you can find exactly what you're looking for.

Rely on a professional corporate sporting event planner

Save yourself the time and stress of attempting to plan your sporting event on your own and trust a reputable professional party planner to guide you through the process. The professionals will make sure nothing slips through the cracks by providing you with a list of options for you to choose from. Otherwise, it's up to you to remember every detail.

I recommend: The Creative Impact Group has over three decades in corporate event planning and will provide you with everything you need to achieve the perfect sporting event. Professional Event Solutions is a professional planning company that will help you make your corporate event the best it can be.

Include quality umpires or referees when finalizing your sporting event planning

Determine how many referees or umpires you'll need to officiate your sporting event. Find skilled officials to make sure your event is fun and fair for everyone who participates. Contact your local parks and recreation department, your local high schools or your local sports teams to find officiating for any of the sports you have planned as a part of your corporate event.

I recommend: Mid Atlantic Officials will provide you with the referees or umpires you need to make your sporting event fun and fair, be it baseball, softball, or volleyball. If you want to referee your own event, make sure you know the rules. You can get sports-specific resources from the National Association of Sports Officials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep a notebook to collect information about your sporting event planning progress. Add price lists, food selections and fliers in the book so all of the information about your business sporting event planning is in one location.