Creative Food & Beverage for Meetings

Planning a meeting?

Need some creative ideas to freshen up a typical meeting?

Food and beverage can do just that and don’t need to break the bank!  

Here are a few options that can liven up even the dullest of meetings!

1. Kick Up the Water & Coffee Station!

You walk into the room.  Exhausted just thinking about the discussions needing to take place.  You immediately head to the water and coffee station to get you into gear.  

And what awaits you?

Bland coffee and tap water.  How many sugars is it going to take to make this cup drinkable?

Next time, give your beverage station some UMPH!  

Try:

– (3) tap water containers infused with different fruits/herbs such as strawberry and basil, raspberries and lavender, or watermelon and mint.  No need for added sugar is a bonus!

– an option of sparkling water with fresh fruit purees (raspberry, strawberry, and mango)

– (3) flavored coffee creamers or different types of milks (think soy, almond, hazelnut, and chocolate)

– or forgo the coffee and opt for a smoothie station!  Let guests select fruits and vegetables paired with a protein powder to give them energy and nutrients for clear thinking

These add-ons are typically inexpensive ways to help encourage people start off with a positive outlook and refreshed mind!

2. Put Health Front of Mind

We find that it may be cheaper and easier to add bags of chips and cookies to an afternoon snack offering, but consider the successful outcome by saving a few dollars.  

Rather than offering carbs and sugar, consider:

– fruit skewers sprinkled with shredded coconut, cinnamon, or dark chocolate shavings

– vegetable cups lined with hummus or dip on the bottom

– cheese around the world station with jams, olives, and specialty salamis

– make your own trail mix inclusive of dark chocolate dried fruit and a variety of nuts

Yes, it may not be what everyone is expecting.  But imagine the work that could get done from people not in a carb coma or experiencing a sugar plunge!

3. Keep Them Engaged to Refresh Their Minds

Huh?  Yes!  Keeping guests engaged during breaks and meals can help refresh their minds for work to be done afterwards!

What do we mean?

Think about some times that you had to attend a meeting in a conference room.  What happened at lunch time?  Did you sit on your phone catching up with the days’ news, have a little gossip time with another attendee, or did you find yourself inspired by the lunch, not thinking about your emails or texts and were engaged with the people around you?

What’s a more desirable goal?

We love it when meals and breaks are engaging with guests.  When they experience something new and something new TOGETHER we find that it can create a great bonding opportunity, even if the discussion is pushing people apart.

Need some ideas?  We love working directly with catering managers and chefs to create something unique.  It can take a little time, but express your desire for creativity within your budget and see what can be done!

Here are some that we find engaging:

– Learn to make your own!  Having a sushi chef teaching everyone how to make their own rolls or another chef giving tips on how to barbecue perfectly around the outdoor grill can be relaxing and fun for guests.  It gets them learning and discussing a new topic all the while clearing their heads for a minute.

– Tastings!  Consider an afternoon tea tasting with finger sandwiches (yes, even gentlemen can enjoy!), a dessert pairing with craft beers, or even a morning juice tasting based on different types of fruits or vegetables indigenous to the area (think different types of orange juices such as navel, blood, or pomelo oranges!).

Are you planning a meeting in Orlando or Central Florida are in need of help finding a venue and adding some creative ideas?  That’s my specialty and I would be honored to help.  

Please contact me at michele@michelebutlerevents.com and get your meeting all wrapped up!