So far in this current series of The Apprentice, Lord Sugar’s latest attempt to find a worthy candidate to go into business with, the teams have been set tasks including selling urban art to wealthy East London residents, creating a new fitness program and flogging fake tan in a shopping centre. But perhaps the toughest yet (and the one which neither team excelled at) was showcased on last night’s episode; to create an awareness campaign to promote English sparkling wine.

Fine wine investment company director Tom was in his element, commenting on ‘creamy vanilla notes’ in one particular tasting session. Yet market trader Adam was clearly out of his depth once again, stating ‘I can smell Christmas cake’ when contemplating the grape juice. Now we are no wine experts, but to declare that you can smell festive pud in a glass of the good stuff is probably a bit wide of the mark!

We’ll let Adam off though; we suspect that in a mad rush of excitement brought on by the light brushing of bubbles against his nose, he suddenly pictured the best Christmas parties London had ever known. He might have pictured sipping sparkling wine and enjoying a live animal encounter at London Zoo, or doing the same whilst watching live bands at The Roundhouse, or perhaps toasting the festive season surrounded by the fish at the London Aquarium.

For these are all things that Adam, and any London residents for that matter, could be enjoying this Christmas time in the capital. We are proud that before the summer has even really begun we are listing around double the number of events when compared to the same time last year. So, if Lord Sugar fancies taking a break from his multitude of business ventures, the Christmas parties 2012 season will most certainly be up to his high expectations!

Witnessing Mel Gibson back on the silver screen in a major production after a spectacular fall from grace and subsequent period in the cinematic doldrums, it is easy to see how the toils of divorce, accusations of various misdemeanours and smoking like a chimney have aged him. Gibson is 56 but could easily pass for a man ten years his senior.

The surprising thing is that ‘How I Spent My Summer Vacation’ is pretty enjoyable stuff. Although the self-indulgent swagger of the career criminal Gibson has been typecast as is all present and correct, a sensitive side to his character shines through in the film. He becomes emotionally attached to a young boy and his mother’s unique predicament.

It is the latest in a long line of action films being released this summer, headed up of course by The Avengers. Whilst the rain continues to fall across Britain you could be forgiven for thinking that summer had come and gone in the space of three marvellous weeks in March, meaning that it might not just be Mel Gibson taking a summer vacation this year after all.

If you are planning on remaining on British soil and work for a company who fancies treating you to mid-year bash then your summer parties needn’t be a washout. Thankfully we’ve been working on some super indoor themed balls such as The Bootlegger’s Ball, Cocktails & Dreams and Arabian Nights. The latter takes place in a Bedouin-style tent, one good reason why you’d want it to actually carry on raining, not that you need any excuse to head inside for this one!

Besides, who needs the sunshine to enjoy the summer? We ventured out to an old favourites of ours, Middle Farm, to pick up some organic cider and cheese on Sunday whilst the heavens opened above us. You can see photos from this and some of our other out-of-work summer activities over at the Eventa Facebook page.

Until next time…

Eventa: Could you tell us a bit about what you do in your current role at Eventa?

Keith: I’m in charge of all the marketing we do, whether that be online or offline. From the website that you find at the top of Google right down to the event plan you get for the party you’ve booked with us. I’m in charge of all the stuff you see on the website, plus the fun stuff with social media too. Everything!

Eventa: How did you break into the events industry? Did you go to University, did you get relevant work experience, etc.?

Keith: I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in marketing. At that point I didn’t know I was going to work in event marketing though. I got a lot of experience in small marketing agencies on how to grow a brand, which was my area of expertise. I then went to University and did two degrees back to back followed by working for small to medium-sized organisations, finally ending at up Eventa!

Eventa: What advice would you give someone wanting to break into the events industry?

Keith: I’d say putting yourself in a small or medium-sized company is a good option, as any good work you do gets noticed far better than it does in a large organisation. I’d also say to do your research, watch constantly what other companies are doing perhaps in other industries and bring ideas that you like and adapt them to your own situation. If they work and have a commercial purpose then you’ll get noticed for that and that’s how you develop your role.

Eventa: Would you say it’s a competitive industry?

Keith: Yes, definitely! From a marketing point of view the events industry is one of the most competitive. People think that you just stand about drinking Champagne and schmoozing clients but that’s not the case. There’s a lot of hard graft that goes into it throughout the year. Sure at Christmas time you get invited to a lot of corporate parties and you can do your Champagne drinking then but it is a very tough industry to work in.

Eventa: Can you describe your average day at Eventa?

Keith: It varies depending on the time of year but we are constantly checking the website to make sure the enquiries are coming through and that’s working OK, supporting the sales team to ensure the customers receive relevant information for the parties they are attending, interacting with people on social media is a big thing, plus having a bit of a laugh with our colleagues!

Eventa: Do you ever take your work home with you, either literally or psychologically?

Keith: Psychologically yes. You can never really switch off from a marketing role; whether I’m walking past a billboard or watching an ad on TV you are always seeing new ideas of how you can promote your brand. Literally, I have taken it home a lot in the past but I’ve now got two young kids and trying to type on your iPad when they are running about doesn’t really fit very well!

Eventa: What would you say are the three most important personal qualities to have in your role?

Keith: Honesty is one of the best ones; never over-promise and under-deliver in marketing. Always present what you expect the results of a campaign to be for a ‘worse-case scenario’. That way you get the praise you deserve if it does pay off. You’ve got to be concise when you do any kind of campaign: what worked, what didn’t, and how you can fix it. Quickness too, you have to be reactive. If you want to do something as an industry-first in terms of Christmas parties you’ve got to be aware that somebody else is probably thinking the same thing.

Eventa: How far ahead do you plan your career? Do you have a ‘five-year plan’ or do you work more on a day-to-day basis?

Keith: Everyone says they’ve got these plans. I said when I was 20 that I wanted to be a marketing director by the time I was 30, which is a big goal. Those kinds of goals are fine but I don’t think it’s worth making a long-term plan in marketing as there are so many changes – culturally, economically, politically – that can affect your original plan. It’s better to work out what you want to achieve in a year and break it down into months, weeks and days. That’s a lot more effective.

Eventa: Finally, what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Keith: I play a lot of basketball, I like to go to the gym and keep fit but I am the father of two kids so I do invest a lot of time with them. I run about throwing balloons at them and play hide and seek a lot!

We may only be in April but are thrilled to announce that our first Christmas bookings for 2012 are starting to come in. We believe the term is signed, sealed and delivered! The enquiries begun flooding in last week, leaving us with no choice but to recall our resident Mr. Christmas Jimmy Dean from his state of hibernation/role with our sister events company (delete as appropriate). Jimmy has been busy manning the phones, looking after your festive enquiries, dealing directly with the venues and generally taking the hassle off your hands. Welcome back Jimmy, it’s good to have you on board for the Christmas parties 2012 season!

In terms of packages that we’ve been asked to promote on behalf of our trusty suppliers so far, London has been getting in on the act as it seeks to stake its claim as the capital of company Christmas parties once again. Popular packages such as Christmas At The Aquarium and Studio 54 return for more high quality fun and frolics in 2012 and the famous London Dungeon shall be opening its gates once more for a blood-chilling evening of haunted delights with its Twilight Supper offering.

“Filling our London parties is a breeze, because there really is something for everyone,” states our man Jimmy. “Big companies with big budgets are catered for, just as small groups looking to have a great night on a shoestring are too. Christmas parties in London certainly aren’t the reserve of the lucky few.”

Thanks Jimmy, that’s good to know! We’ve already detailed in some earlier blog posts about how the rest of the country is vying for a place at the festive top table alongside our capital, but it would certainly seem on the face of it that for the most unique and mind-blowing Christmas parties London is once again the place to spend a night or two this December!

The long Easter weekend has come and gone and we are now full steam ahead with the party season! As well as beginning work on planning summer events for clients, we’ve been getting lots of Christmas party plans through from venues and suppliers across the country. Precise details will begin appearing on this very website over the coming weeks and months but we can reveal now that you are in for an absolute treat, no matter where you are enjoying your festive bash. Last year London hogged the limelight when it came to the most extravagant theming and entertainment and whilst the capital looks set to outdo itself yet again, Christmas party venues in places such as Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Derby are already telling us about what crazy stuff they’ve got planned. The likes of Zulu Sundance, Festive & Fabulous and Magical Montmartre are surely titles to get those festive juices flowing!

Christmas parties London style have always been about the notion of ‘bigger is better’ but this year it would appear that historic traditions and social events are shaping them more than anything. Early 20th century American high society is set to be recreated with ‘Gatsby’, held at the Tower Of London no less! ‘Venetian Carnevale’ and ‘Magical Masquerade’, held at The Northumberland, see elegant Venetian masked balls from the Renaissance period represented in the format of a luxurious modern day Christmas party, whereas The Regency’s ‘Cotton Club’ event is inspired by the illicit drinking and gambling of Prohibition in 1920s Chicago.

The reason that these nostalgic events are so popular is that there is the perception that in the good old days people threw a far more elegant and luxurious kind of party, with Champagne receptions and banquets, where guests made the effort to look absolutely stunning. The great thing about these particular Christmas parties in London is that they combine the historic side with a huge dose of contemporary cool, meaning you can expect things like cocktails, live bands and even dodgems.

Our parties are turning back the clock this Christmas, so hop onboard our festive time machine this year!

Well that was short-lived wasn’t it? After (correctly) predicting that the UK was about to bask in a heatwave a couple of weeks back, we were shocked to hear that temperatures were set to plummet and that snow was expected to render Scotland and parts of Northern England an icy shade of white. Did we hear that correctly? Snow?! It was only last weekend that we were in a t-shirt and shorts sipping cider and getting a tan in the garden.

Which is why we were shocked to hear that part of the M62 in Greater Manchester had been closed due to heavy sleet and snow, causing untold chaos for drivers. Maybe with all the white stuff around it’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas parties after all! Forecasters for the region said that between 6 and 8 inches fell over high ground in the Pennines, Peak District and Cumbria last night. Being southern fairies based in sunny Brighton the worst we’ve had are a few clouds and a spot of overnight rainfall, but we will be keeping an overcoat at the office just in case the weather should turn without notice. And let’s face it, being England, that could well happen!

In brighter news, loads and loads of new office summer parties have been added to our roster since we last blogged for you. Mayfair’s Dartmouth House is going to come alive over the summer with the ‘Director’s Choice’ series. Delicious canapés and cocktails are served in the venue’s unique courtyard and a string trio will be providing musical entertainment. Glory be!

But for now let’s watch with baited breath for the forever changing British weather’s next move. Will it be a scorcher of an Easter Bank Holiday, or will snow bring roads and railways to a halt? Perhaps quite apt then that we’ve just added a series of Bristol Christmas parties called ‘Fire & Ice’ to our roster. Just saying!

Whilst the UK basks in a welcome March heatwave, details of the first Christmas parties of 2012 have started to reach us here at Eventa HQ. To say that we are excited is an understatement. We can already reveal that this year’s events are looking bigger and better than ever as our wonderful portfolio of venues and suppliers seek to better the amazing parties they hosted in 2011. Some pretty amazing themes including Moonlit in Marrakesh, The Roaring 20s and Magical Montmartre are set to hit rooms up and down the country this December. London once again will be surpassing expectations, with amazing sounding Christmas party themes including Spectacular, Fairytale Of New York and Encore, Las Vegas all in the pipeline.

You’re probably thinking ‘why on Earth are they talking about Christmas parties 2012 when it’s currently hotter than Barcelona outside’? Well dear readers, there is good reason behind our apparently premature festive musings; companies are planning their festive bashes earlier and earlier each and every year, meaning party dates are filling up faster than ever before. Last year, the busiest booking period ran from June to November, dispelling the notion that a Christmas party is something you can plan a few weeks in advance. Many employees take time off over the summer, making it difficult to arrange suitable dates with everyone in the business, and once they have all returned in September it may be too late to bag that best deal on a date that is right for everyone.

When it comes to the most popular Christmas parties London is undoubtedly the frontrunner and therefore the place where prime events get snapped up the quickest. In light of our recently launched summer events offering, there’s now even better reason to get all of 2012′s corporate events planned at once, leaving you and the organisation free to concentrate on having a great year of business!

Sun worshippers are in for an absolute treat this weekend, with temperatures set to soar across the British Isles. In fact, with thermometer readings set to top 21 degrees centigrade in London, the UK will officially be warmer than Athens, Rome and Madrid. Even parts of western Scotland are set for a share of the sunny weather, something which will probably come as a surprise to local residents! Not everywhere will have it so good though, with eastern areas such as Suffolk and along the North Sea coast dropping to an Arctic eight or ten degrees. The Met Office have cited a sustained band of high pressure over the UK as being the reason behind the mini-heatwave and subsequent beach barbecues, garden parties and afternoons playing Frisbee in the park.

Now we here at Eventa aren’t ones to advocate deck shoes and shorts at the first sight of some sunshine (we were quite comfortably wearing a parka jacket just two days ago), but this is certainly cause for some excitement. For DIY summer parties London is probably the best place to be this weekend and we’d recommend finding a quiet corner of Finsbury Park, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoying a Champagne picnic with some friends. Any of the city’s royal parks are a safe bet throughout the whole summer, except for perhaps the area of Green Park alongside Piccadilly, which can get busier than an extremely packed tin of sardines on a hot day.

Being based in Brighton and currently looking out upon clear blue skies, we couldn’t resist a mention of our home town. The area between the two piers will no doubt be fairly rammed but the gently sloping greens of both Preston and Queens Park are ideal for picnics in this kind of weather. And let us not forget our corporate summer parties, set to swing into life over the next couple of weeks at venues in and around the town. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, enjoy the weekend weather!

After all of the talk of the approaching warm weather every time the sun comes out or people walk past our offices wearing a t-shirt and shorts (ill-advised), we are now just four days away from the official start of British summertime. We would also like to point out that the decision to write a blog about the impending summer parties season was in no way influenced by the fact that there isn’t a cloud in the sky today, possibly.

This morning we received the news that everybody’s favourite summery 90s pop group S-Club 7 are set to reform for a series of shows in the sunshine. The band have reportedly signed a seven-figure deal to reunite, a source explaining that the imminent summer Olympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has led to a ‘real British feel-good factor at the moment’. Whilst we of course agree, that feel-good factor might be a little dented by the outcome of the Budget later today. But we’re a fun corporate events organisation at the end of the day, so we won’t get into politics!

Also on the topic of summer, patriotism and pop music, former Spice Girl Geri Haliwell today launched a clothing range based on her famous Brit Awards Union Jack dress. The ideal way to really capture the nation’s mood before the summer games? You bet!

But enough about millionaire pop stars, let’s talk parties! Venues across the capital in particular are gearing up for a busy season to tie in with the games. Corporates are looking to impress both their employees and their competitors with big, bold events and we’ve got a feeling that rivals are going to be spending all summer trying to outdo each other in the party stakes. A few years ago the idea of a summer party was restricted to only the largest organisations as budgets were squeezed to within an inch of their lives. But now, with many affordable options available to groups, that is changing.

Click here to check out some of our themed outdoor events on offer this summer. The good news is that you aren’t tied down to a certain venue, so if there’s a fabulous country mansion or picturesque outdoor space that you want to make use of to bring one of these sophisticated soirées or roaring barbecue parties to life then we can make it happen. Let the good times roll!

Rob Hill, Managing Director of Eventa, enjoyed a successful end to 2011 by being included in the Sunday Times’ Business section in the highly coveted ‘How I Made It’ feature. The photo above shows him in his element, toasting groups of people enjoying parties everywhere and raising a glass to the future, which is looking increasingly rosier.

‘This particular article in the Business section has featured companies that are run by some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK, so to be included in the feature is an amazing achievement for the company,’ he said at the time.

The article focused on Hill’s successes in the corporate Christmas party world, yet had the interview taken place today it would surely have talked about Hill’s plans for summer parties, as his company are about to begin offering them to groups across the UK.

The ambitious move into the world of summer balls, outdoor events and team building days comes as a result of unprecedented growth, the company having doubled in size in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in history.

Eventa is now one of the largest Christmas party companies in the UK, employing 46 staff in its Brighton office and set to continue with a drive of recruitment as the summer parties offering takes shape.

Some of the themes to be included in the offering include the Masquerade Ball, Arabian Nights, Bling! and Murder Mystery events. If all goes to plan, the next time Hill and his company are featured in a national newspaper they could be talking about how broadening their horizons contributed towards them becoming one of the 100 fastest growing companies in the country. The future’s bright.