Celebrating your company’s 10th, 20th or 50th anniversary in Marseille

Why celebrate your company’s anniversary?

Ten years is proof that a company has made it past the early days. Twenty or fifty years is a story spanning several generations of employees. The anniversary is a way to thank them, to show clients and partners that the business is solid, and to strengthen your employer brand. It is also a rare chance to bring together people who never meet: retirees, founders, first clients, local elected officials.

The first decision: one evening for everyone, or two formats. Many companies hold a formal cocktail reception at the end of the day for clients and partners, then a festive party just for employees, the same day or the next.

How does a company anniversary evening run?

1. 6.30pm, welcome: an exhibition of archive photos, a screen showing the live photo wall, a saxophonist in the background.
2. 7.30pm, speeches: the managing director, a founder or a long-serving employee, then a five-minute film.
3. 8pm, dinner or cocktail reception with food: background music, a quiz on the company’s history between courses.
4. 9.45pm, the cake: brought in under cold sparks, a group photo of all the teams.
5. 10pm, dance party: a DJ who gets three generations dancing, with hits from the year the company was founded.

What budget for a 10th, 20th or 50th company anniversary?

The biggest item is the venue, especially if you are aiming for a landmark site. Hiring a prestige venue such as a museum ranges from €1,600 to more than €13,000 depending on the space and the time of day. A complete evening in Marseille, including venue, catering, drinks and entertainment, generally comes to €65 to €130 per person. For entertainment and images, here are our net prices:

Which venue should you choose in Marseille?

The venue should say something about your story. For a company focused on the Mediterranean and trade, the Palais de la Bourse or the Mucem carry that message. For a more offbeat atmosphere, the Château de Forbin, backing onto the Calanques National Park, lends itself well to festive evenings. And many companies choose to celebrate at home, in the workshop or warehouse dressed with lighting: it is often the most moving option.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• A thirty-minute retrospective: beyond five to eight minutes of film, attention drifts.
• Too many speeches: two or three are enough, the rest can go on video.
• Forgetting retirees and former staff: they are often the ones who give the evening its meaning.
• Music so loud it stops people catching up during the cocktail reception.
• Planning nothing for afterwards: the photos and film serve your communication all year round.