Creative meetings: themed corporate meetings bring new life to business events.

• Author: Morgan, Barbara

Whether it's a murder mystery, or a survivor theme, corporate meetings can be fun, educational and meet the goals of an organization.

Instead of a traditional meeting with a standard meal, try one of the following fun events of create one of your own.

NO FORKS!

Joann Spears, catering director at the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage, has been offering themed meals and menus for functions this last year.

One corporation planned a survivor theme for its annual meeting. Participants were divided into different groups called tribes. No silverware was set out for the meal. The groups had to work to get silverware for their group. The manager of each department was the head of that particular tribe.

Another themed meal Spears offers: Hawaiian luau with a roasted pig. "Some of our cooks have lived in Hawaii and prepare authentic dishes," says Spears.

The Mexico Trade Industry chose to do a Mexican theme with decorations. Their event happens once a year in October.

One tour group has chosen to have a barbeque theme for the whole summer. Tables and chairs and linen are set outside, the chefs cook outside, and the weekly tour groups enjoy the outside atmosphere of float planes, blue skies, fair weather and a sniff of barbeque.

The standard cookies and sodas are not as popular any more, so Spears has new items on the menu and they have had a good response.

The Sunday Shoppe Theme offers scooped house-made ice cream with different toppings-caramel, strawberry, nuts and whipped cream-also sodas and coffee service.

An old-fashioned popcorn machine comes with the Seventh Inning Stretch-also ball franks, pretzels, mustard and red vines-for an afternoon break.

The healthy break choice includes granola and pretzels.

These types of themes are all encompassing instead of a la carte.

Martini bars provide an upscale idea for weddings, rather than just a hosted bar. Nonalcoholic options, of latte/espresso beverages, are also good choices.

High Tea is still popular for woman's functions-with scones, Scotties and finger sandwiches.

While the hotel catering business may have seen some decline in past years, retreats are now rebooking. Spears notes more holiday parties booked this last year than the previous year.

INCENTIVES

Carol Hart, President of Insight Services, says many corporations are holding meetings with incentives. One group recently had a miniature golf theme based on incentives and team building. Another group had a survivor theme with incentives-groups had...