11 Launch party ideas to plan the perfect kick-off
After the hard work of starting a business or creating a new product, the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time worrying about launching it. But a successful launch party isn’t just a fun event—it can make a huge difference in your venture’s future. From making professional connections to branding opportunities, launch parties are truly what turn an idea into a business.
To get some insider advice, we’ve asked Aimée McAvoy, Events Consultant at Black on Grey, about how to throw a launch party guests will never forget. Check out her professional event planning tips and recommendations as well as several launch party ideas that’ll bring the whole event together for your new venture, service, or product.
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11 launch party ideas
What’s more fun than a party theme? Whether you’re launching a new business, product, or service, here are 11 stellar launch event ideas, complete with recommendations for launch party invitations, refreshments, party décor, and entertainment.
1. Launch party cocktail hour
For a semi-formal business or product launch event, you can’t go wrong with a professional cocktail party. Guests dress up and let loose—all while chatting about your brand-new idea.
- Invitation: Send out the “Feeling Bubbly” invitation by Paperless Post
- Food and drink: Cater with light appetizers, and serve a signature cocktail that fits your brand or new product
- Décor: Set out paper linen cocktail napkins for an upscale touch, or use your products as décor around the venue for a branded feel
- Entertainment: Hire a live band or DJ to play popular songs and ask them to add your product or business name into songs for a funny touch
2. Expert speaker panel
You’ve done your homework with your latest venture, so show off your knowledgeable resources with an expert speaker panel. This launch event idea showcases the brains of the operation, adds credibility to your launch, and impresses potential investors.
- Invitation: Invite guests to your business launch with the “Flowering Mimosa” invitation by Oscar de la Renta
- Food and drink: Serve a seated dinner before the speaker panel is scheduled to begin
- Décor: Decorate banquet tables with sparkling confetti placemats
- Entertainment: Include your speaker’s name and bio in marketing materials (or in a Speaker Block beneath your Paperless Post invitation) so guests look forward to the panel
3. Concept art show
If you’ve worked with talented artists on imaging and concept art, feature their work at an art gallery launch party. Guests can wine, dine, and marvel over the creative talent you’re fostering in your new venture.
- Invitation: Set an artistic tone with the “Round About” invitation by Paperless Post
- Food and drink: Serve easy-to-carry appetizers like charcuterie cups so guests can view the art display while they eat
- Décor: Set up a gold “hooray” balloon banner to celebrate the event before guests view the art display
- Entertainment: Set up an art station for guests to try their hand at their own brand concept art, using your product as the inspiration
4. Launch party luncheon
If your nights are booked, consider hosting a product launch event luncheon instead. It’s a low-key but elegant way to thank contributors and invite collaborators to join in the next steps.
- Invitation: Send out the “Eventide” invitation by Paperless Post
- Food and drink: Serve mimosas with a seated lunch or lunch buffet
- Décor: Apply stickers with your business logo to colorful celebration crackers for guests to take home or set off at the end of the lunch
- Entertainment: Encourage luncheon tables to engage in discussion (and possibly games) by leaving conversation cards or samples of your product on each place setting
5. Book reading and signing
If you’re launching a new book, the best way to celebrate is with a launch party. Choose a local bookstore or other venue and invite the author to read a section of their book and have them sell signed copies. It’s a win-win for everyone—especially your guests.
- Invitation: Invite guests to your launch party with the “Konfetti” invitation by Kelly Wearstler
- Food and drink: Offer passed-plate appetizers like stuffed mushrooms, and provide an open bar
- Décor: Keep your event festive with gold party fans placed around the room
- Entertainment: Serve refreshments named after your company or product before the book reading so guests can pay attention during the main event
6. Sip and shop
For product launches where making sales is your goal, a “sip and shop” is the perfect choice. Guests sip their drinks and peruse your wares, gaining familiarity with your brand and enjoying the exclusivity of being one of your first customers. Plus, a little liquid courage always helps coax out the credit cards.
- Invitation: Let everyone know that drinks will be served with the “Champagne Tower” invitation by Rifle Paper Co.
- Food and drink: Serve Champagne or cocktails like sparkling French martinis with light appetizers that are easy to hold
- Décor: Hang a sparkling gold chandelier for that extra glimmer on event day
- Entertainment: Hold a raffle with prizes for anyone who buys an item
7. Private film screening
Launch parties and screening parties have a lot in common. They’re both designed to give small, select groups a sneak peek at the next big thing. Whether you’re launching a film, a business, or a new service, no one’s going to complain if you feature a film as your event entertainment.
- Invitation: Give guests the celebrity treatment with the “Reel to Reel” invitation by Paperless Post
- Food and drink: Serve wine, beer, and bowls of ranch popcorn for a flavorful twist on a movie classic
- Décor: Drape red paper linen table covers on tables for a red carpet-esque detail; use your product or brand logo as centerpieces
- Entertainment: If you’re not holding the launch party for your own film, find a popular film to screen—or choose one that fits your brand
8. Launch party award ceremony
Business launch parties put a lot of focus on the founders and the investors, but what about the team that carried the project forward? Host an awards ceremony for members of your team, from C-Suite to Dev, and help put faces to names for your new customers.
- Invitation: Get the launch party started with “Our Story” invitations by Crate & Barrel
- Food and drink: Serve a plated dinner with a dessert course, such as individual molten lava cakes
- Décor: Hang a gold tinsel fringe garland for some extra glamor
- Entertainment: Include fun awards in your ceremony, such as “Most Likely to Decorate Their Room in Spreadsheets” or “Least Likely to Respond to a Slack Message”
9. Launch party concert
What’s more memorable than a concert? Invite guests to an event that serves double duty as a launch party-turned-concert, and they’ll always associate your brand with a good time.
- Invitation: Upload your professional logo to the “Space Star Age” invitation by Sugar Paper
- Food and drink: Serve bottles of beer and hard seltzer before the concert begins, and feed guests something casual like barbecue chicken sliders
- Décor: Feature a gold balloon arch over the concert stage or entrance
- Entertainment: Book a band that matches your business aesthetic. For more formal parties, consider hiring an orchestral quartet, while casual events may call for rock concerts.
10. Collaborative launch party
Launch parties take time, money, and resources—some of which may be in short supply as you open a new business. Find another new business and host a joint launch party where you share costs and hosting duties. Extra points if the other venture is a venue space, such as a restaurant or art gallery, or sells refreshments.
- Invitation: Upload your professional logo to the “Diadem Dots” invitation by Sugar Paper
- Food and drink: If you’re collaborating with a food or drink company, serve their refreshments and feature the labels
- Décor: String a cosmic balloon garland above the party to set an out-of-this-world vibe
- Entertainment: Hire talent that would make your event even more memorable, such as a local band or popular magician who can use your product as part of the act
11. Holiday launch party
Your business is reason enough to celebrate, but pairing it with a holiday adds just the right amount of sparkle. Winter launch parties do well as Christmas or New Year events, but don’t sleep on Halloween launch parties, 4th of July launch parties, or Valentine’s Day launch parties for something unique.
- Invitation: Customize a holiday-specific invitation to your business launch event needs
- Food and drink: Design a food and drink menu that best suits the holiday you’re celebrating, from witches’ brew for Halloween to Christmas hot toddies
- Décor: Peruse the Party Shop Holiday Collection to decorate your launch party based on the time of year
- Entertainment: Depending on the holiday, you can have seasonal songs playing in the background, holiday games, and even costume contests—but be sure to add your brand or product to the festivities so everyone remembers who’s hosting
How to plan a launch party
Once you have your launch party idea ready, it’s time to get to the event planning. Aimée McAvoy’s tips will help your party take off as seamlessly—and memorably—as possible.
Nail down the timeline and venue
Like planning most big events, the schedule is key, and creating a detailed event planning timeline and run of show will be invaluable to your process. But how far in advance should you plan?
“I think about the venue and suppliers first, and the other things you have to produce, like a video or printed marketing materials,” says Ms. McAvoy. “Everything has a lead time.”
Establish (and follow) a budget
Creating an event budget isn’t as hard as it looks—but it should be as detailed as it can be.
“Forecast a budget that includes absolutely everything you can think of,” says Ms. McAvoy. “Get a quote and make sure that you have a contingency in your budget. The last thing you want is to not be able to afford something your client has said is a non-negotiable.”
Get guests’ attention with invitations and marketing
Marketing is crucial for a successful launch party, but according to Ms. McAvoy, every marketing channel won’t be effective.
“You need to reach people where they are,” she explains. “Don’t rely on the same channels if they don’t match your target demographic. If you’re trying to find senior leaders, don’t use Instagram. If you want a private or intimate event, don’t blast it through all your channels. Try to make it feel exclusive.”
When you design, send, and track invitations with Paperless Post, all that work is done for you. Ms. McAvoy agrees, “It feels personalized, and you can respond to people in the inbox really quickly,” she says.
Put your branding on display
Don’t let anyone wonder what brand you’re promoting. Ensure branding is part of your budget and add your logo to balloons, napkins, and all the swag your guests can carry.
You can also add your logo to Paperless Post’s array of launch party invitations for an initial branding experience, as well as your invitation’s email.
Make it interactive
Given a launch party is all about what your business or nonprofit is selling or promoting, make sure to get your offering in front of your guests’ at the event, including interactive elements like videos, product demos, and experiences.
“Give people a reason to interact with your product,” says Ms. McAvoy.
But the most important job of any product launch is to help people remember what you’re selling. “People should leave being excited about an idea or product,” she agrees. “It’s your job to ensure they see value.”
How to make the most of your launch party
Launch parties are celebrations of your hard work and future goals—and they’re also excellent opportunities for networking. Just beneath the festive surface are chances to make connections, garner investments, and gain insight from your guests.
Give out VIP exclusives
Everyone wants to be on the ground floor of the next big thing—and you’re giving them that chance! Offer VIP exclusives to your launch party attendees, including:
- Discount coupons
- Referral offers
- Collaboration opportunities
- Invites to future events
Boost your social media presence
If you haven’t built up your venture’s social media presence, now’s the time. Spend time after your event following guests who attended your shindig and sending thank yous to their DMs.
Add pictures from the event and tag participants. Make splashy, image-heavy posts with your company’s hashtag, logo, and branding clearly visible. Let your platform be your guide!
Collect contacts
Don’t let guests exit without giving you some way to reach them. Options include:
- Email sign-up list, so you can follow up with thank you notes or newsletters
- Phone number list
- Business card raffle
- Contests that require follow-up with guests
After collecting contacts, don’t let your guest list go cold. “Make sure you follow up with people and share photos and videos,” advises Ms. McAvoy.
Once your event is over, attend other launch parties and events to get your brand out there. Find mentors from successful companies and schedule time to pick their brains—or better yet, invite them to speak at your next event. Let their success become yours!
Have fun
It sometimes ends up last on the list, but enjoying yourself at your own event is actually one of the most important parts of hosting a professional party.
“The guest experience is a lot better if they get a happy person at the front door,” says Ms. McAvoy.
From launch to lift-off with Paperless Post
You’re ready to launch—and we’re ready to help. From party décor to event management tools, Paperless Post has everything you need to settle on and execute any launch event idea. Because if your launch party is successful (and we know it will be!), you’ll have many more big events to plan in the future. And we’ll be there for those, too.
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Hero image via PartySlate.
