Alcohol and Events
Naturally alcohol is an important part of many events. People
associate having a few drinks with relaxation and enjoyment.
Obviously participants must not drink before taking part in
dangerous activities, particularly motorised and shooting
events. All insurance companies specify that no alcohol at all
is taken before or during any such events. It is impossible to
police a situation where people are allowed 'one or two' so
usually soft drinks or tea and coffee is provided during
activities. When activities have finished then teams typically
head off for a barbecue or meal and then drinks.
Consumption of alcohol can be a problem on events and it is
those drinking sessions which continue on into the early hours
which are better avoided. If you have exclusive use of a bar
area ask the hotel to close it at a sensible time, say 11 p.m.
If you don't have exclusive use then you can ask the hotel to
set up a separate area which you can control and say that drinks
purchased in other public bars must not be charged to the
company account. This way you can also restrict drinks to wine
and beer and steer away from spirits. This will encourage
delegates to get to bed early and have a good night's sleep. If
having a drink is important in your company culture then have a
longer night on a Friday after a conference so that people can
make their way home on Saturday morning with a hangover. To
start a conference in a fresh state of mind choose a country
house hotel with access to good walking territory and have a
team building walk after breakfast. Often teams start a
conference after a large breakfast having not left the centrally
heated environment of the hotel building; not the best way to
get yourself going. You might arrange a light hearted aerobic
session before an event; nothing too strenuous, primarily fun
but out in the open and designed to get the blood flowing to the
brain.
This point made in the majority of organisations will be
perceived as a professional approach to a potential problem that
most people do recognise. The delegates will thank you for any
controls you put in place the next morning.