Three, Two, One… Launch Party!
Planning a launch party in the Bay area? Maybe it’s a product launch. A website launch. Or a startup business launch. Shoot, maybe it’s even a rocket launch.
Whatever kind of launch it is, you’re ready to release your creation. And that means a launch party!
And that means you’ll need a caterer.
I already know that I want Tony to cater my launch party.What is a launch party?
Usually a launch party is an event that introduces a new product, website, or business to the world, or maybe only to a specific audience. This event creates publicity and awareness. It also promotes the business name and brand. Often there are product or service demonstrations.
Here in Silicon Valley, a launch party is often around something technical — the release of new software, a tech startup, an app — but it could just as easily be a new product, patented chemical, a refreshed brand, or Tony’s newest world-wowing culinary creation (just kidding).
Although this party is often more of an unveiling (think media) than a celebration (congratulating your team and their work), you’ll still need the same elements as many parties, including catering. Especially if don’t want to stress about the event itself. (And let’s face it: you don’t hear much about potluck launch parties.)
Except there’s a specific objective, usually a marketing one.
So here’s a launch event checklist to help you with your launch event planning:
Launch Event Checklist
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Determine the goal.
If you’re really good, determine how you’ll measure the success of the event. Think of it like a marketing campaign, because it is.
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Decide on a launch party theme.
Deciding a party theme is like determining the location and time in which a play takes place. The theme could be from a play. Or a movie. But it’s like “aliens” or “1920s Paris” or “the Wild West.”
Obviously, the closer the theme integrates or at least coordinates with the product or thing you’re launching, the better.
If you need help with launch party ideas, Tony is great at this — especially because the theme ties the venue, the food, the decor, the activities, and maybe even costumes together to whatever you’re launching.
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Pick a venue.
Make sure it’s available for the dates you want. (Here are Tony’s preferred venues in the greater San Francisco region.)
The venue sets the backdrop of the stage for your launch party “play.”
One of Tony’s top venues in San Jose that he loves is The Tech Interactive. Because there are so many big rooms, people can experience product demos in a space that has a lot of audiovisual capabilities, then move on to the galleries for an actual party.
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Choose a caterer.
This is easy! Just call Tony at (408) 263-4366 or contact him to get a quote.
Ideally even the food feeds the event theme. (And the guests, of course!) So get creative.
If you need some menu inspiration, just talk to Tony. This type of creativity — the theme and how everything else plays into it, including the food — might be Tony’s biggest strength.
Without knowing your exact needs, he can see how a chef-led sweet and savory crepes chef-led station, salt-block ceviche prepared to order on the spot, or a passed tray of appetizers (by a costumed server?) could go well in The Tech Interactive, especially for a tech launch.
Help me out here, Tony.
I want the launch party food to go with the theme.-
Plan activities.
What are you launching? Show it off with live demonstrations, speeches, games… whatever gets your guests excited about it!
Consider chef-led food stations as activities too, such as Tony’s taco bar or curry cart.
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Invite the guests.
Launching to the masses or even just internally in a large company? Tony’s ready to make your multi-thousand person launch event happen!
But he could also help you impress just a few dozen very VIP press members and influencers, if that’s what you need your launch party to do for you.
The invitation itself is critical as well, since it might be the first impression you make on your guest, ever. Just like a good branding campaign, be sure it reflects the theme.
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Promote the launch event before, during, and after.
Social media, traditional media, livestream. However you do it, leverage the launch party experience to reach as far and deep as you can!
