We planned a culture-first party. Here’s how you can too

At first glance, it’s just a party: a bit of dressing up. Some neon lights and questionable dance moves. But zoom out, and something more powerful comes into focus.

“Internal events aren’t just ‘nice to have,’” says Laura Barbour, MOO’s Head of Culture and Communications. “We treat them as a powerful lever for connection. They help us celebrate performance, reinforce our values, and shape the employee experience, especially in a hybrid world.”

This year’s 80s-themed summer party was designed to do all of that and a little bit more. From collaborative planning to playful design, it became a shared experience that helped strengthen our culture from the inside out.

Read on to discover the steps we took to make it happen and steal a few of our favorite takeaways to help you plan a culture-shaping event of your own.

Step 1: Let your team choose 

“We wanted global continuity across our offices,” says Zoë Thompson, Office Manager and main party planner. “So we asked everyone to vote on the theme. ‘80s won, obviously. 

From there, things quickly got collaborative. Letting the team decide the theme gave people ownership from the start and also meant the event didn’t feel top-down or overly curated”.

Step 2: Make the internal brand fun and meaningful

After the theme was chosen, MOO designer Abi Harrison started bringing it to life. “The creative direction began with a nostalgic nod: the layout and aesthetic of a blank VHS tape sleeve,” Abi explains. “From there, we pulled the design into the world of MOO with a few playful twists: a refreshed 80s-style MOO logo, a cheeky Calvin Harris lyric, and clear guidance for guests to ‘go big (hair) or go home.’”

Fun, yes. But also strategic. “We design our internal experiences with the same care as our external ones,” says Abi. “Our internal palette is more flexible, so we can dial up the energy without ever losing our identity.”

Step 3: Connect the dots across departments

An event like this doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s all one big collaborative effort.

“We wanted the experience to feel unified,” says Zoë. “From the invites to the photobooth challenge Postcards, everything came together with intention.”

Even the behind-the-scenes work is full of heart. “People love putting decorations up,” Zoë adds. “Not so much taking them down. But that’s where the real bonding happens, right?”

Denise from Customer Service agrees: “MOO already puts a lot of effort into helping people connect across departments, but events like this take it even further. They let people mingle, have genuine fun together, and they really do bring everyone closer.”

Step 4: Measure the impact (not just the vibes)

It’s tempting to think of a party as a break from the ‘real’ work. But parties should be part of the strategy. 

“Events like this help employees feel connected. Not just to each other, but to our bigger picture,” says Bryony Gilhooly from the People team. “They give energy to a message, whether that’s a DEI campaign or our annual strategy.”

And yes, we measure it. “We go in with a purpose,” Bryony continues. “Are we celebrating? Collaborating? Educating? Then we gather both formal and informal feedback to see if we hit the mark.”

The goal is to make every moment count, whether it’s a balloon arch or a team Q&A.

Step 5: Build on the magic 

Once the disco balls settle, reflect on what made your event feel special. We asked the MOO team what they enjoyed most about our 80s bash.

For Hannah from Sales, the photo booth was a highlight. “The pre-printed Postcards with their prompts were such a simple yet brilliant detail,” she said. “Everyone was laughing, experimenting with props, and genuinely enjoying themselves.” 

Denise from Customer Service agreed. “The photo booth was such a hit! But also the table games were so much fun. Everyone really committed to the theme and that made it even better,” she said. “This party showed how much can be achieved when everyone participates, even if it’s just with an outfit or a pose in the photo booth.”

“These parties remind us that we’re all humans first – beautiful, ridiculous humans – and that MOO’s culture thrives when we make space to be a little silly together.”

Felix from our Product team called it “less of a teambuilding exercise and more a shared fever dream with snacks and synths.” He added, “These parties remind us that we’re all humans first – beautiful, ridiculous humans – and that MOO’s culture thrives when we make space to be a little silly together.”

So take notes. Collect stories. And let those memories help shape what comes next.

Culture isn’t just about how you work. It’s about how you come together.

You can’t force culture. But you can help it flourish through real, shared experiences.

“Employees who feel connected are more likely to be engaged,” says Bryony. “And events give us a chance to connect.” Internal events are a way to actively shape your culture, especially in hybrid environments where spontaneous connection is harder to come by. 

So yes, throw the party. Lean into the fun. But know that when you do it thoughtfully, you’re doing something bigger. You’re investing in people, and that’s always worth celebrating.

MOO’s top planning party tips:

If you’re planning an internal event of your own, here are some of the things we learned from our MOO summer party that can help you bring your team together and turn a simple gathering into a culture-shaping moment:

• Run a staff poll to choose the theme or format.
  
• Ask different teams to own a small part of the day. Then make it official with a Sticker and a title. (e.g., “Vibe Queen” or “Chief Confetti Officer.”)
  
• Create a shared inspiration wall using printed Postcards or moodboard-style prints.
  
• Create inclusive invites that match your company tone.
  
• Use creative signage to bring a theme to life.
  
• Celebrate the behind-the-scenes crew. A public shoutout or thank-you card goes a long way.
  
• Make setup and cleanup part of the experience. Throw on a playlist, bring snacks, and turn it into a bonding moment.
  
• Spark delight with some surprise elements like a mystery game, or an unexpected guest.
  
• Print a stack of feedback Notecards and dot them around the venue. Keep it simple: “What did you love? What could we do better next time?”
  

Ready to start planning your internal event? MOO can help.

Bring your brand to life with thoughtful internal events. With MOO Business Services, you’ve got a dedicated team ready to support your print needs for parties, pop-ups, and everything in between. To get started, fill in this simple form, and one of our team members will be in touch.