My company recently held a black-tie corporate event in which we had a renowned Salt Lake City caterer provide the food and decor. And while finding the perfect caterer was no easy feat, it brought to the light importance and often underestimated need for a phenomenal caterer to really make your event a success.
- Make sure the caterer has had (recent) experience catering corporate event as opposed to weddings or family gatherings. Corporate events tend to be on a much larger scale so it’s important to ensure the caterer is experienced and equipped for your event.
- Does the caterer have all the proper licenses and insurance coverage necessary to adequately operate? If not, your company could be held liable if a catering employee were to get injured on the job or other similar situations.
- This may seem obvious but select a corporate caterer that serves quality, delectable food - the food served will make or break your event and it’s often a feature that many guests will remember. Setup a taste testing with potential caterers before you make a final decision.
If you are planning to open a retail shop, you will need to establish a relationship with a supplier who will provide the merchandise. There are a myriad of suppliers to choose from:
Importers – Given the widespread globalization of today’s world economy, importing products and buying overseas is easier than ever. You can purchase directly from a foreign company or importers; however, make sure you understand the requisites of doing so – the required paperwork, shipping time, costs, etc.
Manufacturers – Many retailers are able to purchase wholesale clothing and other goods directly from the manufacturer. However, many will only sell their goods in bulk or set a minimum number that must be purchased. If there is a particular product or line you want to sell, see if the manufacturer will sell directly to dealers – if not, find out where you can purchase the product.
Distributors – A distributor is one who sells products within a certain classification, such as distributors of Apple products. Their prices will be slightly higher than the manufacturer but the advantage of purchasing through a distributor is there’s generally no minimum amount requirement.
Liquidators – There are also a myriad of wholesalers who don’t sell just one type of product by actually a myriad of products – closeouts, pallets, or truckloads of merchandise that are often quite cheap. Make sure you know the terms and conditions of purchasing such items.