CASE STUDY
Bain Xmas Party (Copy needed)
A firm-wide celebration, designed to connect
Annual all-hands celebration
Private equity firm | British Science Museum, London
Once a year, this firm steps away from the spreadsheets.
The annual celebration brings together 450 colleagues from London and across Europe for an evening that marks the year’s progress and reinforces the culture they’re building together.
For this edition, the brief was bold: transport the entire firm into the electric world of the 1980s. Not as a gimmick, but as a way to level the playing field. Remove the day job. Remove hierarchy. Create an atmosphere where conversations happen naturally.
It was an event that strengthened connections across teams and reminded the firm what it looks like when everyone shows up in the same room.
The venue was split across two distinct environments. A high-energy Club Tropicana and a more relaxed Retro Lounge to give people different ways to participate. Some found their way to the dance floor. Others found space to talk. Both were intentional.
Entertainment was chosen to spark interaction and reduce the distance between departments. An ’80s tribute band set the tempo. Retro arcade games introduced some friendly competition. A custom DJ booth, styled as a vintage radio station, allowed guests to “phone in” with shout-outs and song requests.
Food stations were positioned to encourage movement and mixing. Interactive zones, from karaoke to a vintage photo booth, created shared moments that travelled back into the office long after the event ended.
The result was more than a themed party, it was a shared experience. And it was one that strengthened connections across teams and reminded the firm what it looks like when everyone shows up in the same room.
Some headed for the dance floor. Others found the lounge.
Making the AGM fully virtual wasn’t about broadcasting the meeting, it was about making it easier for members to take part and engage.
Our Approach