A Magical Employee Party

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Last Saturday, we held our company's twentieth birthday party. We hold this party annually in lieu of a holiday party, so that more of our employees and their significant others can attend. It was held in various rooms throughout the Michigan Historical Museum because we wanted to hold it at a significant location for this significant birthday. Wine, beer, and hors de ouvres, accompanied by a classical guitarist, preceded dinner which was prime rib and chicken in a tree-filled atrium. We watched the snow gently drift through the trees onto mosaic tiles while we ate.

Moving to the auditorium, we watched a well-done video of various employees talking about the company and passed out service awards for employees. A couple of brief celebratory speeches later, we moved up another level to a dessert lounge with guitarist, a photo gallery for couple pictures, a wine bar, a beer station, a cocktail bar, euchre tables, and a dance band.

All of this was located throughout the museum so employees would explore Michigan history while they celebrated. It is difficult to describe the magic of the evening in the surroundings of the museum. Subdued lighting and decorations were everywhere. Picture 40 foot trees towering over a blue lighted dance floor.

And, we provided a late night snack and sandwich buffet with coffee before the employees headed to an afterglow or home. It's also important to note that the planning committee provided taxis in case employees over-celebrated. I don't know if they were used, but I have expressed my thoughts on company party drinking. This concern aside - these are trusted adults, after all - the evening was truly magical.

At TechSmith Corporation, we think of this annual celebration as a way to thank our employees for their dedication and hard work. We celebrate all of our success together and we reaffirm and celebrate our values. It is one of the benefits of working at our company. I trust that there are many more both inherent in the work and in the relationships employees build with each other. And, all the activities we sponsor for our employees and their families are well-attended and build a strong team. From baseball games to the summer picnic, ice skating to the employee soccer team, you know that I am a huge fan of company sponsored events that honor employees and create company traditions.

I have noticed this year that we have a number of employees dating each other and nowhere is this more evident than at an adult dressup party like Saturday. So, just in time for Valentine's Day, I did an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, about employees dating - it's always interesting to see the writer's take on the interview. The writer was surprised, however, by my support for employees dating when they are in non-reporting relationships. (Reporting staff is a whole different story - called potential harassment, of course.)

Where, I asked the interviewer, does a young person have the opportunity to meet people who live near each other, are in the same age range, share at least one major interest, share education levels, and spend lots of time getting to know each other. These are guidelines I'd offer the employer, Human Resources, and the dating couples. In two words? Act professionally.