International Women’s Day at work: ideas and planning for a successful company event

March 8 is a chance to gather teams around a sincere moment. Format ideas, running order, decoration, gifts and mistakes to avoid when celebrating International Women’s Day at work.

On March 8, many Moroccan companies mark International Women’s Day. Done well, the celebration strengthens team buy-in and the company’s image; done badly, it rings hollow. The difference lies in the sincerity of the message and the quality of the organisation. Here is how to prepare an International Women’s Day event at work that people appreciate.

1. Start from a message, not a gift

Before choosing a format, decide what the company wants to say: thank, highlight careers, open a discussion on equality, or simply offer a friendly moment. The gift and the decor come after; they serve the message.

2. Choose a format

• Breakfast or brunch: light, easy to run during the working day.
• Lunch or afternoon tea: friendlier, leaving time for conversation.
• An evening: more festive, with music and entertainment, outside working hours.
• A round table or talk: testimonies from colleagues, an outside speaker, an exchange with management.
• A workshop: wellbeing, beauty, creativity, personal development.

A mixed format is often richest: a short official part (words from management, tribute, handing out flowers or gifts) followed by a friendly time.

3. Decorate without overdoing it

Flowers, company colours, roll-up, personalised photocall: decoration should set a warm and refined atmosphere, not a theatrical staging. A simple, polished decor consistent with the company’s visual identity beats a busy one. See our themed decoration service.

4. Gifts

A useful, personalised, quality gift beats a generic object. Plan the exact quantity, careful wrapping, an individual note if possible and a handover that exposes nobody. Avoid gifts that rely on clichés.

5. Entertainment and tone

Background music, a warm host, short testimonies, a slideshow of the company’s faces, a moment of thanks: choose what fits your company culture. Tone matters more than decor: avoid condescension, dubious humour and stock phrases.

6. Catering

A seasonal buffet, light dishes, Moroccan sweets and non-alcoholic drinks suit most teams; think of special diets. See the questions to ask your caterer.

7. If the company has several sites

Running the same moment across several sites takes rigorous logistics: one shared concept replicated identically, a schedule that lets the team visit each site in turn, briefed local managers and a message from management relayed everywhere (in person or by video). Everyone must experience the same level of quality: that avoids the feeling of a “head office” event and a “branch” one.

8. Images

A photographer and, for companies that communicate, a short film for social media and internal communication. Ask for people’s consent before publishing. See our photo and video service.

9. The countdown

• 6 weeks before: message, format, budget, date.
• 4 weeks before: concept, decoration, catering, gifts, entertainment.
• 2 weeks before: internal invitations, programme, briefing of site managers.
• The day before: set-up, sound and video tests.
• Afterwards: thanks, photos, feedback from teams.

10. Mistakes to avoid

• A purely decorative event, with no message or gesture from management.
• Stereotyped or unsuitable gifts.
• A programme that makes people stay outside working hours without saying so.
• Very different quality from one site to another.

We have done it

Faghloumi Events organised five Women’s Day celebrations within one company: decoration, organisation and atmosphere, with the same level of care at every site. Tell us what you want to celebrate: we propose a concept and a detailed quote, free and with no obligation. See also our gala and corporate evening planning page.