Whether you are having a meeting or conference with a message for your employees, or just throwing a company party to boost morale, planning the event around a theme makes it more fun for everyone.  Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

1. Heroes – Looking for a theme that will make your employees or colleagues think a little?  A heroes theme is a great idea for an event where you will be discussing leadership qualities.  Ask attendees to come dressed up as one of their heroes, and let them know ahead of time that one of the subjects of discussion will be why that person (fictional or real life) is their hero.  They don’t have to be serious or business heroes, so you can have some fun with a theme like this: Think comic books, favorite movies, etc.
2. Jungle theme – Here’s another theme you can have some fun with, but also work it into a productive lesson for employees, if that is your wish.  “It’s a jungle out there,” the popular saying goes, so this is a great theme to use for an event meant to teach skills needed in the workplace and the business world, and/or to reinforce the importance of ongoing education and learning.  Green streamers, exotic flowers, fruity drinks, island cuisine, and new age music all play into the jungle theme and get your employees or colleagues excited about the event’s message.
3. Roaring Twenties – If you are just looking to throw a good party, choose a theme that is popular and fun.  Roaring Twenties-themed parties have become popular in the last few years, as anyone can see from a quick Google search for party theme ideas.  Employees are sure to get excited about dressing up in 1920s garb and playing the part.  If you plan on serving alcohol at the party, you can style your party as a 1920s speakeasy, and require secret passwords in order to get in the doors.  Best yet, a speakeasy theme makes it easy to hold the party anywhere you please, allowing for more affordable venues or even the ability to have the party in the office cafeteria or break room: Speakeasies were usually just basements or warehouses with live music and illegal liquor.
4. Fun in the Sun – Of course, you can’t forget the classic company picnic in the summer.  Good weather is a great excuse for a corporate event, and even better, barbequing outside makes for a relatively inexpensive event.  You might need a permit if you plan on holding the event at a local park, or for a smaller company, you might hold it on the office lawn or even in a dedicated manager’s backyard.  (Volunteers, anyone?)  Encourage everyone to bring folding lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and all you’ll have left to provide are hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, and soda — making it easy to stay on budget. Consider covering picnic tables with wholesale tablecloths – the classic red and white checkered!

Themed events are more fun for employees, which makes it more likely that they will come and be excited — and that they will pay attention, if the event has an educational bent.  What themes have you used, and how have you tied them into the company message, if there was one for that event?