In a month or so, the office buzz will probably begin to focus on the end-of-year function.

Where should we go? What should we do? How do we make it so crazy cool that it will be unforgettable?

Like most things, planning for these events often happens at the last minute, leaving little room – or venues – for your company’s staff party. Just ask Nina van Deventer from NVD Property, a local property and project management business:

Every year we get hundreds of enquiries for year end functions – most of them very last minute. And each year the planners tell me: “Next year, we will start planning earlier!”

Needless to say that hardly ever happens and I’ll yet again get frantic phone calls in October and even as late as November and December asking me for availability.

No one wants to end up having a party on a Monday, and there are only so many Fridays and Saturdays in the last two months of the year. After that, Cape Town closes up shop until next year comes around.

To assist you with those #staffpartygoals, Nina dished out a few “pro-tips” for planning the end-of-year celebration:

• What? Cocktail celebration vs. sit down dinner & dance
• Who? Number of attendees you need to accommodate
• Where? Cape Town CBD vs. Stellenbosch wine farm
• When? Would you like your event during the week (day or evening event) or on a weekend. Most popular day during the week is a Thursday, and the most popular day during the weekend (especially for a formal sit down) is a Saturday night.
• How much? There’s always a budget. Ask your finance department to give you an indication. Exclusive venue hire in Cape Town varies between R20 000 & R185 000 so consider this when taking into account your overall budget for the event.

Still stuck on the “what” part? Well, Nina suggests the Cartel Rooftop at the Ideas Cartel. A New York-style rooftop in the heart of Cape Town, it has all the views, finishes and supplies you need – basically the most cost-effective rooftop in the city.

Capacity:
Cocktail Style – 200 pax
Seated dinner & dance – 120 pax

Take a look for yourself:

That could do very nicely, don’t you say?

Managed exclusively by NVD Property, the Cartel Rooftop at the Ideas Cartel is not just a place to party with your colleagues – it also acts as a suitable venue for engagement & birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and even weddings:

How’s that for a super cool inner city extravaganza, no matter what the occasion?

Don’t be that work colleague who left things to the last minute. Be better, yo.