How to throw a party¶
- Find someplace close. The closer the after party is to the workshop site, the more likely it is that people won't get lost or distracted between leaving the workshop and arriving at the party.
- Case likely sites ahead of time A week or more before the party, visit the likely location(s) to see if it would make a good meeting place. You need a place that has enough unoccupied space for the whole group to gather and mingle. A deserted bar is ideal, a casual restaurant is also good and allows you to order appetizers (or you can always bring snacks to a non-food bar). Most workshops end at 4:30 or so on Saturdays, which tends to be a slow time for bars and restaurants, but it pays to check.
- Mention the afterparty early and often Some students will fail to read the instructions, some will arrive too late for the opening presentation, and some will finish their coursework early and miss the after-class gathering. The more times you mention the fact and location of the after party the less likely it is that people don't come because they don't know about it.
- Make arrangements with the host location ahead of time Some places will offer specials (free drinks, extra food) to entice large groups but even those that don't should be informed before a horde of people descend on them.
- If a potential host demands a minimum bar tab or rental fee, go elsewhere Plenty of places don't but some places are in the business of hosting parties. This tends to run $1000 and up, which is too expensive unless you have a sponsor.
- If at all possible, get a sponsor It can cost several hundred dollars to host a party and also it's much easier if someone else is dealing with the location/arrangements/etc.
See also: Sample budgets