We’re On A Boat: Meeting Planner’s Tips to Yacht Events in Newport Beach, CA
Experiencing the beauty and luxurious side of the coast by taking your event to the water! There are few places across the country where you can hold an event aboard a private yacht and Newport Beach, CA happens to be one of those spots! The harbor is surrounded by coastal bluffs and dotted by seven islands, which makes the three mile cruise out to the Pacific Ocean a picturesque excursion. Whether you’re organizing a corporate event, an annual meeting or an awards banquet, holding it aboard a private yacht in Newport Harbor is sure to elevate the experience.
In order for you to get the most out of a luxury yacht event, we spoke with several meeting planners who shared their ideas for creating a yacht experience you won’t forget:
Events That flow
Ask yourself this: Will you need full seating or more of a reception style? Buffet or plated food stations? Are your guests eating at the same time due to presentations or do you want meals to be on a flow, with Hors d’oeuvre served as they arrive? How about a main course on the second deck and dessert on the upper deck?
Most private luxury yacht companies offer full catering, which is great if you prefer your venue to be all-inclusive. However, if you have a hotel food and beverage minimum to meet, you may want to choose a yacht company that allows outside caterers.
Pro tip: If the yacht company is allowing your hotel to keep the catering, they will most likely want to retain the bar. Avoid last-minute surprises by double-checking!
Dream Themes
While the Newport Harbor is a coastal dream theme of its own, having a direction to take in terms of food, entertainment and decor will make things much easier when planning. Rather than relying solely on the yacht itself as the primary source of entertainment, reach for a theme that ties everything together. Most yachts tend to lend themselves to a casino night, which it’s an easy theme to pull off as there are a few directions you can head. For example, a refined and upscale ‘Monte Carlo’ or a casually fun ‘Viva Las Vegas’, are usually a hit with both corporate and social events. Hollywood themed events are also a natural for yacht events and are fairly easy to pull together with a red carpet, champagne entry! to Hollywood icon look-a-likes or even the Rat Pack mingling with guests. And finally, there’s always the prestigious yachting elite crowd played out in a Gatsby inspired themed event! The ideas are endless! Choosing a theme can make the entire yacht experience truly come to life in a unique and engaging way.
Picture-perfect
Although it’s a must in our books, many meeting planners find that a detail often overlooked is hiring a professional photographer to capture the event. People love reliving moments, but this is especially important if it’s a networking or awards event! Sharing candid, yet professional images on social media will be a huge hit.
Pro tip: You can use the photos as a branded follow-up or digital party favor. Combine several images and create an online card or photo book to send to guests!
Less Stress: All-inclusivity
As briefly touched on before, many luxury yacht charter companies offer all-inclusive rates which include décor, sound system, table set up, insurance and tax, and catering and wait staff (if applicable). Although it seems like a lot, organizing a yacht event can actually be fairly straightforward, considering the majority of necessary items are included in the yacht rental fee – just be sure to ask about an all-inclusive contract!
