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The venue is booked, the DJ is confirmed, and the invitations are out. Security is often the last thing on the list for a company holiday party, if it makes the list at all. It should be higher up. A holiday party mixes an open bar, a late night, a dark parking lot, and a room full of people who all know each other a little too well. Most go off without a problem. The ones that don’t tend to become an HR issue on Monday morning. Good corporate event security keeps the night relaxed for your guests and keeps problems small. Here is how to plan a holiday party in Kansas City.
These are planning examples, not quotes. Your venue layout and guest list will change the numbers. For the full method, see our guide to how many security guards your event needs.
Why Holiday Parties Need Their Own Security Plan
A daytime conference and a December party might both be corporate events, but the risks are very different.Alcohol
Most holiday parties have an open bar, and that is the biggest single factor in how much security you need.It gets dark early
By late afternoon in December, guests are walking to cars and rideshares in the dark.Winter weather
Ice in the parking lot and coats piled at the door both need to manage.Plus-ones and walk-ins
Spouses, partners, and occasional uninvited guests make the guest list harder to control.Senior leaders in the room
Executives are more visible than usual, and some guests may have something to say to them.A tense year
If your company has been through layoffs or restructuring, emotions can run higher once the drinks start.How Many Guards Does a Holiday Party Need?
With an open bar, a common starting point is one guard for every 75 guests. Then add a guard for each entrance and for any area that needs its own person, such as a parking lot or coat check. Always plan for at least two guards, so one can deal with an issue while the other stays at the door.| Example party | Crowd coverage | Extra posts Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 guests, restaurant private room, one entrance | 2 (the two-guard minimum) | None | 2 guards |
| 200 guests, hotel ballroom, open bar, parking lot | 200 ÷ 75 = 3 | 1 door, 1 parking lot | 5 guards |
| 500 guests, large venue, two entrances, valet | 500 ÷ 75 = 7 | 2 doors, 1 parking and valet area, 1 supervisor | 11 guards |
What Security Guards Do at a Corporate Holiday Party
The best corporate event security is hardly noticed. Guests should feel welcome, not watch. During the evening, guards typically:Check guests in
Match arrivals to the guest list, handle plus-ones, and politely turn away people who weren’t invited.Keep an eye on the bar
Spot guests who have had too much before it becomes a scene, and work with bar staff to slow things down.Watch the coat check and gift table
Holiday parties often have raffle prizes, gifts, and a pile of expensive coats.Cover the parking lot
Walk guests to their cars, keep an eye on vehicles, and watch for ice and slips.Handle the end of the night
Help guests into rideshares or taxis and stop anyone who is clearly impaired from driving.Step quietly
If an argument starts, move it out of the room before most guests notice. A quick briefing before doors opens helps. Tell the security lead who your key contacts are, which guests or executives may need extra attention, and how you want problems handled.Kansas City Details to Check
A few local factors can change your plan:Your venue’s rules
Many Kansas City hotels and event spaces set security requirements in the rental agreement. Some insist on their own staff; others require licensed guards. Read the contract before you book anyone.Catered alcohol in Kansas City, Missouri
If a caterer is bringing alcohol into a space that doesn’t hold its own liquor license, the city’s catering permit application asks for a security contract. It must show the number of security staff and the hours they will be present.The state line
Guards must be licensed for the side of the metro where your party takes place. A Kansas City, MO license doesn’t automatically cover a venue in Kansas City, KS, or the other way around.Early darkness and winter weather
It is dark around 5 p.m. in December. Parking lots, sidewalks, and garage stairwells need light and a watchful eye, and icy conditions make that more important.A busy December calendar
Holiday parties, sporting events, and seasonal events all compete for the same security officers, so availability gets tighter as December goes on.A Corporate Event Security Checklist for Your Holiday Party
Check out the venue, confirm guests, book guards, and prepare safety issues throughout the party by planning event security.As soon as the date and venue are set
- Read the venue contract for security requirements
- Confirm the guest count, including plus-ones
- Decide on the bar setup: open bar, drink tickets, or a cash bar
- Book security, especially for a Friday or Saturday in December
One to two weeks before
- Send the security company the guest list, the venue layout, and the timeline
- Name one person from your company as the contact on the night
- Arrange rideshare codes, taxis, or a shuttle for the end of the night
On the night
- Brief the security lead before doors open
- Check the parking lot lighting and walkways for ice
- Agree on how to handle anyone who has had too much
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we really need security for a company holiday party?
For a small, seated dinner with no alcohol, maybe not. Once there is a bar, more than a few dozen guests, or a venue that requires it, corporate event security is a sensible precaution. Check your venue contract first.
Should holiday party guards be in uniform?
It depends on the feeling you want. Uniforms are more visible and deter from trouble. Many corporate parties prefer guards in business attire, so they blend in with the guests. Ask your security company which they offer.
Armed or unarmed for a corporate party?
Unarmed guards are the norm for corporate events. Armed guards are usually reserved for specific threats or high-value situations.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, ideally as soon as the venue is confirmed. Friday and Saturday nights in December are the hardest for staff.
