A corporate event rarely fails because of the programme. It fails because of the planning: unclear goals, booking too late, three suppliers who do not coordinate. Here is the order that works, with budget ranges for Zurich and a fully costed example.
Step 1: Define the goal
Team building, celebrating, inviting clients or a kick-off? The goal decides the programme and the venue. Team building needs a shared task, celebrating needs a bar and food, clients need quiet to talk. An escape room covers the first two, the third only partly.
Step 2: Budget per person
| Format | Zurich, guide per person |
|---|---|
| Apéro in a bar | CHF 40–70 |
| Programme + apéro (e.g. escape room) | CHF 105–130 |
| Programme + dinner | CHF 200–260 |
| Venue hire + catering + programme | CHF 250+ |
Step 3: A venue with everything under one roof
The fewer changes of location, the less goes wrong. Ask about: capacity at the same time, meeting room, catering on site, invoicing, a contact person, parking, public transport. At Escape City in Altstetten: six rooms for up to 36 people at once, a meeting room with whiteboard and TV, a bar & lounge with 100 seats, apéro up to flying dinner, invoicing, one contact person, free parking, 8 minutes from Altstetten station.
Step 4: Programme with a timetable
One block of 60 to 90 minutes is enough. Longer tires people out, shorter has no effect. Afterwards, at least as much time to talk as the programme took.
Step 5: Decide on catering
Snacks for the apéro, pinsa or a 5-course apéro riche from 20 people, or an 8-course flying dinner. State vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free at the enquiry stage, not on the evening.
Step 6: Put the schedule in writing
- 4:00 pm meeting room: kick-off, 45 minutes
- 5:00 pm escape rooms, six teams in parallel, 60 minutes
- 6:15 pm bar: compare times, apéro
- 7:30 pm flying dinner, eight courses
- 10:00 pm end, S-Bahn from Altstetten
Example: 30 people, escape room with apéro pinsa
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 5 rooms with 6 people each, CHF 210 | CHF 1,050 |
| Apéro with pinsa, CHF 89 × 30 | CHF 2,670 |
| Staff and service fee up to 40 people | CHF 400 |
| Total | CHF 4,120, or CHF 137 per person |
The enquiry calculator on the event page shows your amount immediately, with your numbers.
Checklist
- Goal and budget per person in one sentence
- Date with two alternatives; book December by the end of October
- Number of participants, language, dietary requirements
- Split the teams in advance
- One contact person on each side
- Schedule with times sent to everyone
Enquire about a corporate event
Frequently asked questions
How much does a corporate event in Zurich cost per person?
Apéro alone CHF 40 to 70, programme plus apéro CHF 105 to 130, programme plus dinner CHF 200 to 260. At Escape City the enquiry calculator shows the amount immediately.
How many people fit into a corporate event at Escape City?
Up to 36 people play at the same time, up to 60 in two rounds. The bar & lounge has around 100 seats.
How far in advance should we book?
Four to six weeks; for December, by the end of October.
Is there a meeting room for a workshop beforehand?
Yes, with whiteboard and TV, CHF 240 for half a day or CHF 480 for the full day, including water.
Can the company pay by invoice?
Yes. Corporate events are handled by invoice, with one contact person for the planning and the evening.
