Planning Guide - Tailgate
Play-by-Play Guide to Corporate Tailgating
Tailgate Season is fast approaching. If you listen close, you can almost hear the stadium cheers! Whether you are a Bulldog or a Gamecock, a Packer or a Bear, cheering Roll Tide or Geaux Tigers, millions of fans are ready to cheer on their favorite team, and your employees are no exception! Tailgating is a perfect opportunity for a fun company gathering, but also offers huge advertising potential, which makes tailgating a no brainer! With your team decked in cool corporate apparel and accessories, your brand is sure to make a statement in the parking lot and the stands! To help make your next stadium-side feast a home run with your employees, we’ve put together a guide detailing:
Picking a Winning Team, Essential Equipment, Food & Drink Must Haves, When to Party, and How to Stake Your Spot.
Pick A Winning Team
Putting together a winning team is the first step to throwing an epic tailgate party for your employees! Remember to have enough help to set up, a handful of grillmasters, enough people to handle food and drinks, interact with the party goers, and help breakdown before you head into the big game.
Essential Equipment
We’ve put together a list of equipment that you won’t want to leave in your garage!
- Tables & Chairs
- Cups, Napkins, Plates, Utensils
- Propane or Charcoal Grill (Extra propane & charcoal just in case!)
- Serving Dishes and Utensils
- Coolers (2-3 recommended) and extra ice
- Tent or Canopy for Shade
- Tailgate Yard Games
- Speakers to Play Your Favorite Team’s Fight Song
- Cleanup Gear
- Wet Wipes
- Garbage Bags
- Towels
- Containers for Leftovers
- Gameday Branded Apparel and accessories for your Tailgate Crew
- Company shirts
- Caps
- Jackets
- Stadium seats
- Stadium blankets
- Gameday Giveaways for Parking Lot fans that will surely want to join the fun
- Noise makers
- Footballs
- Beads
- Seasonal Extras
It’s All About the Food & Drink: A stadium-side feast can take a tailgate from good to game changing! Some stables for you to bring are:
FOOD
- Meat to Grill
- Hamburgers
- Hot Dogs
- Brats
- Sausages
- BBQ Chicken, Pork, Ribs
- Chips
- Dips
- Salads
- Potato Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Garden Salad
- Fruit
DRINK
- Beer/Wine
- Liquor and Mixers
- Water
- Soda
When to Party: Picking the right game for your company tailgate is essential for maximum brand exposure and employee hype! You should research your team’s most attended games so your tailgate is guaranteed to draw in the biggest crowd.
Stake your Spot Early: These big games are where everyone comes to party and the tailgating spots are HOT, so make sure you reserve a spot well in advance. The best tailgating spots can start being snapped up a year in advance, so start researching now! Keep in mind that premium spots are important for your brand’s visibility.
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Here are some extra Tailgating Hacks to take your tailgate over the top!
- Chill out!
Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs in your cooler. When the bottles melt, you’ll have extra water to drink.
- Hands off the meat!
Label your coolers so it’s easier for your guests to find the drinks they’re looking for.
- Seasoned Pro!
Reuse your six-pack carriers as condiment holders.
- Good clean fun!
Let’s be honest, tailgating is a messy business. Create a handwashing station using a jug of water, a bucket, paper towels, and soap.
- Tailgating? Alpaca the red solo cups!
Bring plastic drawers to store all your essentials- cups, napkins, utensils, etc.