How to organise your company’s anniversary

Why celebrate your company’s anniversary?

A company anniversary does three things. It thanks: the employees, clients, suppliers and partners who have contributed to the story. It brings people together: recent teams discover where the company comes from, and long-serving staff see their journey recognised. It communicates: longevity signals solidity to clients and new recruits. Depending on the weight you give each of these, the event will not be the same, so settle this question before you look for a venue.

Which format should you choose?

Medium-sized companies often combine two formats: an internal party for the teams and a cocktail reception for clients, sometimes on the same day and in the same venue. For a highly symbolic milestone, a gala gives the scale you are after.

Who should you invite to the anniversary?

The guest list follows from the goal. For a celebration focused on the teams, invite all employees, whatever their site, and think of the retirees and former colleagues who shaped the story: they are often the most moved to be there. For an outward-facing celebration, long-standing clients, long-time suppliers, the bank, local partners and your town’s elected officials all have their place. The question of partners also arises: their presence changes the atmosphere and the budget, and needs to be decided early.

Either way, send a “save the date” three months ahead. An anniversary is also prepared in the guests’ minds: announcing that you are celebrating ten or twenty-five years makes people want to come, and some will spontaneously bring memories or photos.

How do you tell the company’s story?

This is what sets an anniversary apart from an ordinary party. The story must be present without turning into a lecture. A few ideas that work:

• A timeline along a wall or a corridor: key dates, first photos, first products, anecdotes.
• A testimonial video of three to five minutes: founders, first employees, loyal clients. To be filmed two or three months ahead.
• A looping slideshow on screen during the cocktail reception, with archive photos of the teams.
• An exhibition of objects: the first logo, the first catalogue, tools of the time.
• A tribute to the longest-serving colleagues, named and applauded.

Collecting archives takes time. Put out a call to employees and retirees at the very start of the project, appoint someone to digitise and caption the material, and check the rights to the photos you plan to show.

What highlights should the evening include?

1. The welcome: the timeline or exhibition as a common thread, music from the year the company was founded.
2. The speech: short, focused on people rather than figures.
3. The video: shown right after the speech, with the lights dimmed.
4. The cake or the toast: an entrance announced with music, cold sparks around the cake.
5. The party: a themed party recalling the founding year, then the dance floor.

What keepsake should you give guests?

The keepsake extends the anniversary well beyond the evening. Generic items end up in a drawer; personalised ones stay. A keyring engraved live with the anniversary logo on one side and the guest’s first name on the other, a photo printed on the spot, an online gallery where everyone finds their pictures, an anniversary book given to employees: so many options that bring the event back to mind.

What does a six-month planning timeline look like?

• 6 months before: goals, audience, format, budget; start collecting archives.
• 5 months before: book the venue; create an anniversary logo or signature.
• 4 months before: book suppliers; film the testimonials.
• 2 months before: invitations; edit the video and design the timeline.
• 1 month before: order the keepsakes, finalise a timed running order, rehearse the speech.
• 1 week after: thank-yous, photos and video shared internally and on your social networks.

What pitfalls should you avoid?

• A speech that lists turnover figures: guests remember stories, not percentages.
• Forgetting former staff: retirees and former employees are often the most touched guests.
• Starting the archive collection too late: the best photos always turn up in the final week.
• A celebration with no follow-up: reuse the video and photos in your communication throughout the year.