For a corporate event it is important not just to entertain but to pick a format that fits team size, budget, venue and the character of the group. Here is an honest selection of 15 options, grouped by type. For each: who it suits, approximate price range and the main pitfall. Most ideas also work for a New Year corporate party.
Intellectual formats
Company or industry quiz. Questions about history, products, employees and clients. Price from 15–30 thousand. Suits medium and large teams where people know each other. Pitfall: only part of the room actively participates, the rest listen.
Detective game or indoor quest. Guests receive roles and tasks and search for clues around the venue. 20–50 thousand. Good for 20–60 people. Pitfall: requires a prepared venue and time for moving around.
Active formats
Sports day or rope course. Relays, obstacle courses, team tasks outdoors. From 30–80 thousand depending on the site. Suits active teams and summer events. Pitfall: splits people into teams; introverts and less athletic people often drop out.
An alternative that involves everyone without splitting into teams is in the unusual team building article.
City quest or photo hunt. Route around the city or inside the building with tasks and photos. 15–40 thousand. Suits 10–100 people. Pitfall: weather, logistics and time spent moving.
Creative formats
Cooking masterclass. Guests prepare a dish under a chef. 20–40 thousand per group. Suits teams that enjoy eating and talking at the table. Pitfall: needs a large table or several stations, allergies and preferences.
Pottery, painting, recording a track. 15–35 thousand. Good for small groups of 10–30, gives a physical result. Pitfall: the quality of the result depends heavily on the facilitator and time.
Show formats
Cover band or live music. 60–120 thousand for an evening in Moscow. Energy and dancing. Pitfall: during dinner the hall stays passive.
Illusionist or LED performers. 25–60 thousand for 5–15 minutes. Bright visuals on stage. Pitfall: the hall watches, does not participate. Detailed comparison in the show program overview.
Light show created by the whole room. Guests raise their phones and create a shared picture. From 10,000 ₽. Everyone participates, works in any hall, no props. Suits companies of any size. More about corporate events and weddings on the Corporate events and weddings page, comparison of immersive formats in the immersive show overview.
How to choose for your team
- Up to 30 people and budget 15–40k: masterclass, quest, illusionist
- 30–100 people, want everyone involved: light show, quiz with shared questions
- Budget from 60k and need a stage wow effect: cover band or LED performers
- Active team that likes movement: sports day or city quest
- Want shared emotion without splitting into teams: light show for the whole room
The most common combination in practice: a short performer number in the middle of the evening and a light show as the finale. More mechanics without props in the how to surprise guests article. Corporates and weddings in the Corporate events and weddings section.
