Weddings and festivals are brilliant, but they're seasonal and weather-dependent. Corporate events run year-round, often midweek, and typically pay 30–50% more than private bookings. The catch? Getting your first one is the hardest part. Here's how to make it happen.
Why Corporate Events Are Worth Pursuing
- Higher budgets: Companies have allocated budgets for staff events, client entertainment, and team building. Price sensitivity is lower than private bookings
- Midweek bookings: Corporate events fill your quiet Tuesday-to-Thursday gaps
- Repeat business: A company that books you for a summer BBQ will book you for Christmas, team days, and product launches
- Advance planning: Corporate clients often book months ahead, giving you certainty in your calendar
- Professional interactions: Less emotional, more transactional—clear briefs, prompt payments, fewer last-minute changes
What Corporate Clients Actually Want
Corporate clients have different priorities to wedding couples or festival organisers. Understanding this is key to winning the work.
Reliability Above All
An office manager booking catering for 200 staff is putting their reputation on the line. They need absolute confidence that you'll turn up, set up on time, serve the right food, and leave no mess. Your track record and professionalism matter more than your Instagram aesthetic.
Dietary Inclusivity
Corporate events must cater to everyone. You'll need to confidently handle:
- Vegetarian and vegan options (not afterthoughts)
- Gluten-free alternatives
- Halal and kosher requirements
- Common allergen awareness and labelling
- Clear communication about ingredients
Professional Documentation
Corporate clients expect:
- A proper quote (not a WhatsApp message with a number)
- Terms and conditions
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Food hygiene certification
- Risk assessment (especially for outdoor or on-site events)
- An invoice with your company details and VAT number if applicable
💡 Pro Tip
Create a "Corporate Pack"—a PDF with your menu options, pricing tiers, dietary capability, certifications, and testimonials from business clients. Having this ready to send within minutes of an enquiry immediately sets you apart from vendors who reply with "what's your budget?"
How to Find Corporate Opportunities
Direct Outreach
Don't wait for corporate clients to find you. Go to them:
- Business parks: Visit local business parks and introduce yourself to reception or office managers. Leave a card and your corporate pack
- LinkedIn: Connect with office managers, PAs, HR managers, and event coordinators in your area. Share content that positions you as a corporate catering option
- Local networking groups: BNI, local Chamber of Commerce, and business breakfast clubs are full of people who organise company events
- Universities and colleges: Large institutions run frequent events and often use external caterers
Event Agencies
Many corporate events are organised by agencies rather than the companies themselves. Getting on an agency's supplier list can be a steady source of work:
- Search for "corporate event planners" in your region
- Offer to do a tasting or trial event at a reduced rate
- Be prepared for lower margins—agencies take a cut—but the volume can compensate
Venue Partnerships
Hotels, conference centres, and coworking spaces often need external catering for events. Introduce yourself to venue managers and offer to be on their recommended supplier list.
Pricing for Corporate Work
Corporate pricing is different from private event pricing. Key principles:
- Per-head pricing: Corporate clients think in per-head terms. Structure your quotes accordingly (e.g., "£12.50 per person for a two-course BBQ menu")
- Tiered packages: Offer bronze/silver/gold options. Clients love choosing—and they usually pick the middle one
- Include everything: Setup, service, breakdown, disposables, dietary options—corporate clients want an all-inclusive price with no surprises
- Minimum spend: Set a minimum (e.g., £500) to protect yourself against small bookings that aren't worth the logistics
- Payment terms: Corporate clients may need 30-day invoice terms rather than upfront deposits. Factor this into your cash flow planning
Delivering at a Corporate Level
Presentation Matters More
At a festival, paper plates and plastic forks are fine. At a corporate event, the standard needs to rise:
- Branded tablecloths or clean, matching linens
- Proper allergen labelling on every dish
- Staff in clean, matching uniforms (even just matching black with branded aprons)
- Professional setup that's photo-ready before guests arrive
Communication Standards
- Reply to emails within 24 hours (ideally same day)
- Confirm all details in writing
- Send a pre-event confirmation 48 hours before
- Have a contingency plan for common issues (weather, power, access)
- Follow up after the event with a thank-you and request for feedback
💡 Pro Tip
After a successful corporate event, ask the organiser for a LinkedIn recommendation and permission to list the company as a reference. Corporate clients check references—having recognisable company names on your website builds immediate credibility.
Your First Steps
- Create your corporate pack (menu, pricing tiers, certifications, testimonials)
- Set up or polish your LinkedIn profile with corporate-friendly content
- Identify ten businesses, agencies, or venues in your area to approach
- Reach out to three this week—an email, a visit, or a LinkedIn message
- Offer your first corporate booking at a slight discount in exchange for a testimonial and photos
Breaking into corporate events takes persistence, but once you're in, you're in. One good event leads to two, then five, then a steady calendar of midweek bookings that transforms your business from seasonal to sustainable.
