Planning a New-Year Kickoff or Company Workshop in Korea
A New-Year kickoff succeeds not through the CEO's speech but through whether employees leave treating this year's goals as their own work. And venue dates for January events are usually settled in November. This guide covers formats by purpose, the preparation timeline, venues and program design.
When to start
- Late October – early November: objective, headcount, budget range; check venue options
- Mid-November: venue contracted — a signed contract and deposit, not a verbal hold
- Early December: program structure and speakers confirmed
- Late December: run-of-show, materials, attendee communications
- Event week: rehearsal
Late December and the days around Seollal (Lunar New Year) are congested for venues and vendors. Seollal's date moves each year, so check the calendar first.
Format follows purpose
1. Alignment — sharing strategy and priorities. A half day (3–4 hours) is usually enough, followed by team discussion to define "our team's goals this year."
2. Connection — for organizations where teams rarely interact. Less presenting, more collaboration, meals and conversation. An overnight workshop works better.
3. Reset — after reorganization or a difficult year. Spend at least half the time on Q&A and open discussion; see our town hall guide.
Venues
- 50–150: an internal meeting room or a nearby seminar or culture space
- 150–400: hotel mid-size ballrooms and conference halls; Gangnam and Yeouido offer good access
- 400+: hotel ballroom or convention hall, with dedicated show-calling staff
- Overnight: resorts or training centers outside Seoul; include travel time in the schedule
Designing the program
- Keep the opening short — CEO remarks of 15–20 minutes at most
- Build in time to define team goals — otherwise the goals stay someone else's
- Make recognition specific — name people and say why
- Design meals and breaks as part of the program — relationships form there
- End with action — each team commits to one thing in the first 30 days
Budget
Ranges vary by type and headcount. A typical split: venue 25–35%, food and beverage 20–30%, production 15–25%, staffing 8–12%, fabrication 5–15%, contingency ~10% — the same shape as in our year-end event guide.
Common mistakes
- Booking the venue late — early January leaves only what is left
- All presentation — without participation, nothing sticks
- Ignoring travel time — especially for overnight workshops
- No follow-up — check team progress within 30 days
Frequently asked questions
When should we plan a New-Year kickoff?
For a January event, set the objective and budget in late October to early November and contract the venue by mid-November.
Half-day kickoff or overnight workshop?
Half day for alignment, overnight for connection. Decide the purpose first, then the format.
How long should the CEO speak?
Around 15–20 minutes, leaving more time for discussion and Q&A, which raise engagement.
Can we hold an event around Seollal?
Yes, but venues and vendors book up quickly. The holiday's date changes annually, so check first.
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