The person who gets handed the company event usually already has a full-time job. Whether it’s an awards banquet, a client appreciation night, a seminar or a team celebration, the difference between a manageable project and a second job is how much the venue takes off your plate.
For corporate events, venues like Fleur de Lis Event Center typically manage essential services such as on-site catering, bar service with licensed staff, and providing room layout diagrams. The client usually retains responsibility for key decisions like menu selection, bar plan and budget, event agenda, and managing invitations and RSVPs. Fleur de Lis Event Center distinguishes itself by offering self-contained ballrooms, each with its own entrance, bar, and private courtyard, ensuring privacy and strong sound separation for simultaneous events. Additionally, the venue provides free on-site parking for over 175 vehicles, accommodating a significant number of guests.
Here is how to split the work, and what to confirm with any venue in Mandeville, Covington, Slidell or anywhere on the Northshore before you sign.
How do you decide the purpose and format of your corporate event?
The goal decides the format.
- If people need to hear something (awards, a sales recognition, a presentation), plan a seated meal so the room is settled when the program starts. In our experience, a seated format works best for about 100 guests or fewer.
- If people need to meet each other (client appreciation, networking, a team mixer), a cocktail-style event keeps guests moving. Our foyer, courtyard and ballroom areas can all support cocktail-hour use, depending on the plan.
What responsibilities does the venue handle for corporate events, and what do you still own?
| Part of the event | What to expect from the venue | What usually stays with you |
|---|---|---|
| Food | At Fleur de Lis, the meal comes from our on-site kitchen. Outside catering generally is not permitted. | Choosing the menu and sending a dietary list early |
| Bar | All alcohol is served by our staff under our liquor license. Outside alcohol is not permitted. | Picking the bar plan and setting the budget |
| Room layout | Floor plans and layout diagrams are available by request. | The agenda, head table and reserved seating |
| Setup | Our staff can help unload and set up what you bring, within the practical limits of the event schedule. | Signage, awards, displays and printed materials |
| Speakers | Ask what sound system and microphones are available. | Slides, speaker order and time limits |
| Guests | Free on-site parking for 175+ vehicles, plus overflow | Invitations, RSVPs and name badges |
The bar plan is worth deciding early. We can build it around the event: a full open bar, beer and wine, a cash bar, a signature cocktail or non-alcoholic and mocktail packages. Uniformed security is required with an open bar and is currently $220; it is optional with a cash bar or no alcohol service. See our bar and event policies for details.
Privacy matters for company events
Client events and internal awards nights both go better when nobody else wanders through. Fleur de Lis Event Center can host two events at once, but each ballroom is self-contained, with its own guest entrance, restrooms, bar, private courtyard and staff. The parking area is essentially the only shared space, and the former movie-theater construction gives strong sound separation; simultaneous events here haven’t created a practical noise problem.
For smaller groups, the Private Restaurant is booked as a completely private space for up to approximately 100 guests, with its own entrance, restrooms, bar, front courtyard and covered patio.
Pick the room for the head count
We have three event spaces: the Private Restaurant (up to approximately 100 guests), the Jazz Ballroom (approximately 50 to 300) and the Pontchartrain Ballroom (approximately 100 to 500). These are comfortable ranges, not contractual minimums; we do not impose a hard guest minimum.
The details your company will ask about
- Insurance: Fleur de Lis is insured. Your company may still choose separate event insurance for risks on its side.
- Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue, and the building is fully climate controlled.
- Location: We’re at 1645 N Causeway Blvd in Mandeville, visible from the main road and easy for out-of-town guests to find.
- Accessibility: Our primary event spaces are accessible without requiring second-floor access. Please contact us regarding specific accessibility needs; second-floor areas are accessible by stairs only.
- Short notice: If a room is open, we can book quickly. For example, we once booked an event on a Wednesday for the following Saturday.
Planning a holiday party? See our post on how early to book a company Christmas party venue.
What it costs
Pricing depends on the space, the date, the menu and the bar, so there is no single starting price. Call us with your date, head count and format, and we will put together a quote.
Questions to ask any corporate event venue
- Will another event be running at the same time, and what do we share?
- What sound system and microphones are available for speakers?
- What bar options are there, and is security required?
- Can we see a floor plan before we finalize seating?
- Is the venue insured?
How can you see the event spaces at Fleur de Lis Event Center?
Tours are normally available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday mornings. Virtual tours work well for planners coordinating with leadership in another office. Call 985-626-9118 to check your date.
Related: Event Spaces | Private Restaurant | Pontchartrain Ballroom | Jazz Ballroom | Plan an Event
About the Author: Taylor Thomas
