What About Catering Arrangements?

A reception:

To open the conference for you and to allow the participants to meet each other, mingle and relax? Should you have soft rather than alcoholic drinks and a good range of finger snacks for all tastes including diabetics, vegetarians, those on diets and special diets for health reasons? Should it be held at the venue, at the overnight accommodation or somewhere more important, perhaps?

Breaks:

Throughout the programme? To provide breathing space and a chance to unwind? Should you provide tea, coffee, orange juice, apple juice, soft drinks (but not fizzy ones) biscuits, Danish pastries, possibly, and anything else which is light and easy to digest?

Lunches:

To begin the event? At midday, typically? At the venue or elsewhere? Will participants want to socialise or discuss issues covered to date? Should you provide non-alcoholic drinks – so participants remain bright and alert? Bite-sized, easy-to-handle food which is simple to collect without having to queue? Or will you provide prompt and efficient service?

Dinners:

Halfway through the event, maybe, or in the early evening before a social activity starts? To socialise again and talk over the day’s programme? Should you supply a limited range of alcoholic drinks (at last!) Should there be plated meals of three or four easily digestible courses, making due allowances for special diets? Service should be swift and discreet throughout. Should the dinner be at the venue, at the overnight accommodation or at a restaurant possibly?

A banquet:

To close the event? Held in the evening (into the early hours!) A last chance to socialise, strike deals and put across your message, and a final opportunity to eat, drink and be merry? There should be alcohol available and good food suited to the participants’ tastes. Should the banquet be held at the venue, at the overnight accommodation or somewhere extra special – the best restaurant, or a medieval hall perhaps?