Category Archives: Corporate

5 Creative Corporate Event Ideas

Activities, Corporate, EventsApril 2020

It can be tricky to think up ideas for corporate events that will be memorable in all of the right ways, while genuinely furthering your organisation’s broader objectives.

 

Here at Château Bouffémont – an enchanting private venue for such events on the outskirts of Paris – is perfect for organising activities within a wide range of settings. These corporate events can include anything from internal meetings, parties and team building events, through to client events, conferences and awards. Whether it is a small one-day event or a large week-long conference, you can find some suggestions below to assist in making your next corporate event one to remember.

 

Why Château Bouffémont is perfect for conferences and business meetings

 

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The Château Bouffémont Vlog: 7 Pro-Tips for Organising the Perfect Wedding

Corporate, Video, WeddingsJune 2019

 

As we know, the best weddings give a sense of the couple they portray – your taste, style and personalities can all be reflected in the stylistic choices you make together as newlyweds. With this in mind, we offer an exclusive look at a wedding editorial photoshoot held at the Château Bouffémont, complete with the seven most important things to remember while organising a wedding.

 

The shoot is organised by Nancy Twickler, an international wedding photographer based in Rotterdam. Nancy takes a romantic and dreamy approach to her work, with an instantly recognisable style that exudes timeless elegance. The editorial shoot is supported by a fleet of other high-class wedding vendors, including a wedding planner, florist and makeup artist, for a flawlessly executed day. Read on below to hear our vendors’ best tips and tricks for organising the perfect wedding – or watch the full video to see the team in action.

 

 

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How Important is Location When You Come to Plan a Corporate Event?

CorporateJanuary 2019

If you are presently organising a corporate event for your own or someone else’s brand, you will probably not need to be reminded of the critical role that the most suitable venue can play. Indeed, the venue is the most influential ingredient in any event’s success other than the event itself.

However, some of those planning company events such as a product launch, meeting, seminar or conference can occasionally be guilty of underrating the importance of their chosen venue’s location – and in particular, also not properly understanding the many ways in which location is crucial.

The location dictates so much else about your event

To get a sense of just how profoundly the small matter of location can shape an event’s structure and success, one only needs to contemplate the corporate event space here at Château Bouffémont.

Yes, it is true that this private venue appeals strongly to the heart, this monumental stone-built former residence of the Marquise of Preignes and Baron Empain exuding no shortage of aristocratic charm, to say nothing of the extraordinary wider setting provided by its spectacular manicured French gardens.

Nor do we serve up merely one corporate event space, but instead – in effect – five grand reception halls and nine magical suites which, together, lend themselves to the kind of remarkable versatility that you may not have expected from a historic French chateau.

These elements are certainly advantageous in isolation. But no less significant is the role that they are likely to play together in the structure your corporate event can take, and what opportunities you have to woo and cater to the most specific requirements of your attendees.

A well-situated corporate event space can make all of the difference

One of the most powerful reasons to hire Château Bouffémont for your organisation’s next corporate event, however, is the simple fact that it is located so close to one of the truly great global capitals – Paris.

Indeed, when enjoying the festivities of your corporate event in the tranquil setting in the heart of the Montmorency Forest, you and your guests will also be a mere 30 kilometres from the centre of the City of Lights – that’s just a 40-minute drive away.

So, not only will you be well-placed to attract residents of Paris and its environs to whom your corporate event may be relevant, but the city’s world-beating restaurants, art galleries, museums and historical sites may also serve as additional attractions enticing otherwise reluctant guests. Such visitors may be interested to read Time Out’s rundown of 50 of the finest Paris attractions right now.

Factors like these are why event planners routinely advise their clients to select a private venue located near a major centre of population.

Another thing to bear in mind is that larger towns and cities tend to incorporate extremely well-developed transport links by their very nature; sure enough, when you opt for Château Bouffémont as your corporate event space, you will be just a 20-minute journey from Charles de Gaulle Airport. This is likely to be a significant convenience for guests seeking to reach your venue from overseas, as well as return home by air once the event has concluded.

We are a simply incomparable chateau venue near Paris

Yes, there are other factors to contemplate other than pure location when you are attempting to choose the private venue that will deliver the best results for the event you are planning.

However, when you pick Château Bouffémont as the venue of your corporate event, there is no need to compromise as far as both location and non-location elements are concerned. Instead, you and your attendees can discover a true fairytale venue that will reflect positively on the taste of everyone partaking in the event.  

Contact our corporate events team now, and you will be able to learn more about why a company event held at our magnificent heritage venue could be one that every attendee remembers with affection for many years to come.

What Makes Château Bouffémont an Unforgettable Site for a Fashion Show?

Corporate, VideoOctober 2018

 

 

 

The task of selecting the most befitting venue for your brand’s planned fashion show may seem a deeply unenviable one, on account of the wealth of factors and priorities that must be borne closely in mind. There are certainly not only one or two aspects that may guide your choice of venue for a high-profile fashion event.

We, therefore, decided to take a closer look at some of the reasons why your brand could stand to make the greatest impact by staging its next show at Château Bouffémont.

You are a stone’s throw from the world’s undoubted fashion epicentre

The world of fashion may have evolved considerably in recent years, with the traditional big-name fashion magazines and designers not dictating the tempo of every element of the industry in the way they once did, but some things don’t change over the centuries. One of those is the continued pre-eminence of Paris as the fashion capital to which everyone looks.

Even amid the inevitable, but also unpredictable shifts inherent to fashion, the City of Lights continues to wield considerable clout and hosts many of the world’s most eagerly watched catwalks. As explained by the Culture Trip website, for all of the competition and challenges of successive generations, Paris retains its status as the place to be seen for all things fashion.

Furthermore, by selecting Château Bouffémont in France as the site for your fashion show, you can be sure of the festivities being held a mere 30 kilometres from the centre of Paris, and 20 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport. That has to be conducive to luring many of the biggest hitters and most important customers in your corner of the fashion industry to attend your event.

Even by the standards of a chateau in France, Château Bouffémont utterly resplendent

If there is any reason why you may be averse to contemplating the hire of a French chateau for your next fashion event, it may simply be that it appears too obvious an option.

However, there are very sound justifications for the sustained evergreen appeal of such historic and idyllic venues as the Château. Château Bouffémont resoundingly redefines the term ‘impressive surroundings’ with its spectacular manicured French gardens to the exterior, as well as internal furnishings that speak of refined elegance for the most sophisticated clientele.

There can simply be no finer – and no more indelibly haute-couture – backdrop on which to host a prestigious fashion exhibition than the splendid halls and suites of the Chateau in France. That is not least the case as these spaces are also flexible enough to lend themselves to a kaleidoscope of inspiring and stimulating atmospheres within a single well-attended event.

The right venue will serve as an integral focal point for your show

One other serious factor to consider when on the lookout for a fashion event venue, is that the most suitable site will play a key role in setting the tone and narrative for the day or weekend’s festivities, effectively tying every element together into a coherent whole.

Château Bouffémont accomplishes this in part by appealing to the ardent fashionista’s well-honed visual and atmospheric sensibilities, providing a unique and luxurious setting for the shows of unique and luxurious brands.

However, the chateau in France also connects this requirement for romance and decadence to more practical considerations, such as the possibility for guests to spend the daytime hours marvelling at the presentations of your brand’s latest collections, followed by a delightful dinner party into the evening.

We are proud to declare that the noble, historic and perhaps surprisingly versatile property affords your brand the maximum opportunity to make the finest impression with its next fashion show – whether at a modest or magnificent scale.

So, why not enquire to our corporate events team today to learn more about our venue’s suitability to stage a truly magical fashion exhibition.

5 Tips For Corporate Event Photography

Corporate, NewsSeptember 2018

Corporate Event Photography

A corporate event such as a product launch or fashion show affords your brand many opportunities
to showcase its relevance to the market and highlight how engaged it is with its audience.

However, it is the way your event is photographed that will largely dictate its success, which is why
you mustn’t ever be complacent about the standard of your organisation’s corporate photography.
Here are some tips for ensuring the best results.

 

Consider how the images will be used

It is very easy, in your first discussions with a prospective event photographer, to suggest to them
that you will use the images ‘everywhere’. But it is also true that knowledge of the exact context in
which your images will be used may greatly influence your photographer’s choices.
Instagram images, for example, are often square so a photographer who knows you will be using
the photos here – rather than on Facebook or physical posters – may shoot in a way that allows the
images to be cropped without being ruined.

 

Select an intriguing and varied venue

There are, of course, many factors that will dictate the venue that you choose for your next
corporate event, such as its proximity to important transport connections and the price of the rental.
However, another aspect that must be considered is how the given venue will work from an event
photography perspective. Does the site that you are contemplating give your photographer a variety
of interesting backdrops and angles to work with?

 

The sheer variety and resplendence of the prestigious stone-built property – Château
Bouffémont – is a firm reason why it is are such a popular choice for corporate venue hire in France.
Whether you are seeking a refined interior with crystal chandeliers, or large grounds of spectacular
manicured French gardens, we can give you all of the advantages of such striking settings.

 

Brief your photographer on who will be attending

If you are engaging a professional to take your event photography rather than attempting to do so
yourself, it is easy to forget that they won’t know all of your attendees. They could, therefore, miss
out on taking a good image of someone who you wish to be photographed.

 

This is why it makes sense to provide your photographer with information about your event guests
in advance, complete with headshots, so that they can recognise those people on the day and be
sure to take some really interesting images.

 

Emphasise natural, rather than artificial lighting

As Eventbrite’s VP of Design, Brian Beaver has previously advised: “Where possible, capture natural
lighting, and avoid artificial lighting and flashes. Unnatural light makes your image inherently feel like
a photograph, and takes viewers out of the moment.”

 

Remember that you will want to make anyone viewing your event photos to be able to easily
imagine themselves there, and artificial lighting can be rather detrimental to this aim.

 

Don’t take photos of people eating

One only needs to think back to some of the famous cringe-worthy examples of politicians being
photographed in awkward poses while eating – as documented in this article by The Culture Trip – to
be convinced of the wisdom of taking a break from photography once guests start dining.
The fact of the matter is that you are unlikely to produce many – if any – usable shots of people
while eating, and many of your attendees will probably be uncomfortable with you attempting this.
Contact the Château Bouffémont team today to request the corporate brochure and find out more
about why our private venue provides such a suitable and memorable setting for all manner of
events – potentially including yours.

10 Essential Ingredients for a Successful Corporate Video Shoot

Corporate, VideoMay 2018

 

 

The filming of a corporate video may be theoretically made easier by a suitably inspirational backdrop – such as that provided by the elegantly furnished function rooms and spectacular manicured French gardens of Château Bouffémont. However, that doesn’t mean you can be anything less than utterly diligent in the approach you take to your brand’s latest video. It is in such a spirit that we present to you 10 of the ingredients that should be present when you are putting together a corporate video, as can be done at this video shoot space in France.

Detailed planning

It is often said that those who fail to prepare should prepare to fail, and one should certainly never underestimate the complexity of a corporate video shoot. Attention to detail at the earliest stage is vital if you are to produce the best result from your company’s shoot.

Clear aims and objectives   

There is little point in reaching for a camera until you have a clear sense of your video’s purpose and how it will be used. Will the video be used as a TV advertisement, for example, or perhaps as an online testimonial or a ‘how to’ video to be posted on a video-sharing platform?  

A firm grasp of your audience

The matter of who you will be aiming the video at will naturally be informed greatly by the insights gained during the process of determining your aims and objectives for the footage. Once you know your audience, you will be able to tailor the video’s content to address their pain points.

A strong story to tell

The fact that videos tend – by their very nature – to be about images at least as much about text or script, doesn’t mean you can neglect the story element of your video. Indeed, it simply makes a compelling story all the more vital, as you otherwise won’t know what to shoot.

A venue that makes the right impression

The question of the best location in which to shoot your corporate video hinges greatly on such factors as facilities and the aesthetic you desire for your video. This is precisely why you need to think carefully about location and how a given venue will support and strengthen your final video, instead of simply settling for whatever venue may be cheapest or geographically closest.

A ‘recce’ to the intended shooting location

Even the most seemingly insignificant or subtle visual touches or background noises can impact on the suitability – or otherwise – of a given corporate video shooting location. It is therefore strongly advised that you pay a visit, if possible, to the venue prior to the actual filming dates.

The most appropriate narration

Is there a particular style of narration that you feel would best suit the intentions you have for the video or your company’s wider brand ‘voice’? Perhaps you’re thinking of utilising a voiceover, text titles or talking heads? Remember that each of these can have a very different effect on the feel of the resultant corporate video.

A well-defined style

You won’t want your corporate video to end up with an overall ‘style’ that feels rather different to what you had in your head prior to filming, all because you failed to define that style properly from the beginning. Are you interested in taking a cinematic or documentary approach, for instance, or would you prefer something more ‘down to earth’ and ‘humble’ for your brand?

A budget that you stick to

The limits of your budget will shape what approach you take to your corporate video, so this is something that should be absolutely clear to everyone from the earliest stage.

A clearly stated deadline

Specifying a deadline before filming starts will help to instill urgency and assist you in your efforts to formulate a realistic shooting schedule. Your deadline should be realistic and not overly rigid, but not so loose that you risk overspending and your video shoot never being truly finished.

Get in touch with our experts in corporate venue hire today

Could the enchanting setting of Château Bouffémont help to make it the best choice of video shoot space in France for your own brand’s requirements? If you suspect the answer to this is “yes”, don’t hesitate to contact our corporate team to learn more.

 

5 Reasons to Choose our Chateau for your next Corporate Retreat

CorporateFebruary 2018

 

 

Organising corporate retreats can be invaluable for enabling your employees to bond in a face-to-face setting. The benefits can be especially strong if these employees usually work in segmented teams based in disparate locations. However, the venue that you choose can prove crucial to your retreat’s success.

It is imperative that the venue you select ticks an array of particular boxes – and an unorthodox choice of venue can do so especially well. Here are several reasons why CHÂTEAU BOUFFÉMONT has strong merit.

 

Your workers can relieve stress resulting from day-to-day tasks

Sometimes, employees can become so preoccupied with their daily routines that they don’t give themselves sufficient time to step back and take in the bigger picture of their firm’s future.

However, allowing your workers to retreat to the Château can afford them the time to do exactly this. With the building set amid Montmorency Forest and spectacular manicured gardens, the members of your team can be spared irritating distractions while they put together their new game plan.

 

There’s the opportunity to explore somewhere new

Often, we travel for leisure purposes because it lets us explore exciting new places. A corporate retreat at a significant distance from a familiar setting can also psychologically benefit your workers, as Inc. reveals – but where can you find interesting but unchartered territory?

The answer: right here at Château Bouffémont. Your staff can spend time admiring the refined decor and beautiful fabrics of the stone-built residence, which includes five grand reception halls and nine suites.

 

Château Bouffémont is easy to reach

Despite what we have urged about choosing a venue that will enable a fresh and unexpected experience, settling for a venue in an overly obscure location can prove counterproductive. You have to consider, for example, how easily your employees will be able to make the journey.

Fortunately, you can enjoy the best of both worlds at the chateau – as, despite its secluded setting, it remains just 30 kilometres from central Paris and 20 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

 

You can escape the office in more ways than one

While it is standard practice to hold retreats in staid conference rooms, you are not obliged to follow this practice yourself. In fact, it could hinder your team’s attempts to think creatively, Inc. implies.

You wouldn’t reap maximum returns from a retreat if you took your workers away from an office, to merely somewhere else that feels like an office. Fortunately, the chateau, with its aristocratic charm and magnificent heritage features, can spare you a ‘work from work’ feeling.

 

There’s a pleasing scope for spontaneity

In a Fox News article, Janet Fallon of the Washington, D.C.-based public relations company PR Options advises that those organising a corporate retreat forgo a bland space in favour of a “visually busier, interesting space to get the creative juices flowing”. Your staff could be easily kept busy themselves at the chateau.

Opportunities here for playing golf and tennis and trying dancing or cooking help to explain why Château Bouffémont is perfect for a corporate retreat – and our own chateau, especially so. For more information on how Château Bouffémont can help organise your corporate retreat or to download a brochure, click here.