BUSINESSES TO HOST “INVISIBLE” CHRISTMAS PARTIES TO SUPPORT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

A number of businesses across the UK are teaming up to mark the festive season a little differently this year by hosting a unique kind of Christmas party – an invisible one. 

With traditional company celebrations set to look very different to normal PR agency, Ready10 is teaming up with Hospitality Action to encourage other businesses to support those who need help at what should be the industry’s busiest time of the year.

Each company will make a donation to the charity and ‘host’ an invisible party on Friday 18^th December, aka Mad Friday – traditionally the last big party night before Christmas. The link to donate is live from today and businesses can sign up online. 

Those involved are also encouraging more companies and teams to join in by signing up their workplace – all donations are private with 100% of funds going to Hospitality Action and their work to support members of the hospitality industry who need it most. Many of the firms are planning virtual or alternative celebrations for their staff already and are hosting an Invisible party in addition to other plans they may have.

Hospitality Action, who previously ran the Invisible chips campaign at the start of the Pandemic, was established in 1837 and distribute funds exclusively to those working in the industry. In 2020 alone they have given out over £1m in grants and support is needed more than ever.

Mark Lewis from Hospitality Action says, “Since lockdown began we’ve been bowled over by the generosity people have shown towards the hospitality industry. As the second phase of lockdown begins we’ll realise all over again just how much we’re missing the joy hospitality brings to our lives. 

Whilst the invisible party concept is largely symbolic, many of the teams will be marking the day on December 18^th  by hosting a virtual celebration for staff and handing over their social channels to messages that support the work of Hospitality Action.

David Fraser, Founder of Ready10, the agency organising the initiative, said, “This is going to be a Christmas party like no other comprising 0% booze, 0% embarrassing dancing and no arguments with Sandra from accounts, but it will be 100% charity. We’d love as many companies as possible to join us and thank those who have already come on board – we appreciate that many in the industry are experiencing hard times themselves and we want this to be as inclusive as possible, so all donation levels are confidential. The more the merrier!

“The PR industry and many other industries spend millions on entertaining clients, media and staff but that has all dried up in 2020 and the effect on the hospitality industry and those who work in it is enormous. With the prospect of any real-life festive celebrations looking bleak we wanted to do something to help.”

Whilst the invisible party concept is largely symbolic, many of the teams involved will be marking the day on December 18^th by hosting a virtual celebration for staff and handing over their social channels to messages that support our work.

To host an invisible Christmas party, and for more information on how to get involved click here. Those wishing to sign up can also email party@invsiblexmasparty.com and follow the campaign on twitter at https://twitter.com/invisiblexmas