Social media is the place to keep up with the events scene from Instagram-ready wedding shots to invitations and shout outs on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Portfolio Events Catering, the Northamptonshire firm that has over 20 years’ experience in creating innovative menus and seamlessly managing the logistics of an event, is adept at using social media to full advantage.
It’s not just the keen hosts that want to showcase the beautiful dishes they’re serving to their guests, the Portfolio team themselves stay active through a number of platforms, running competitions, offers and incentives to spread the word about how they can make any occasion a memorable one.
Mat Norris, Managing Director of Portfolio Events, said: “Something we are really passionate about is engaging with our couples and followers through social media. We have never loved the salesy approach to marketing, especially on social, so it comes quite naturally to us to be as playful and genuine as possible through our posts and stories.
“We love to come up with different themes, and we often get playful with our name using PE to drop into slogans as an eye-catching twist. And we love to play on the traditional British element of the business as much as possible.”
Recent campaigns have included PE My Valentine, PE G & Tea for the company’s Christmas gift, which was tea infused gin, and a London-themed mug with cute iconic illustrations, which were given to venues in the capital to help promote business in London.
For two years running, PE My Valentine involved a Valentine’s Day Biscuit Decorating Competition for all clients that were in the process of planning their weddings. Portfolio Events sent out biscuit decorating kits to the couples and asked them to pipe designs onto heart shaped shortbread biscuits. All they then had to do was post their masterpiece on social media and tag Portfolio Events. Instagrammers got to vote for their favourite and the couple whose biscuit got the most likes won a romantic getaway.
Portfolio Events also loves hearing how it has made wedding days special, so couples were asked to send in a video testimonial. The best ones were shared on social media, and from those shared, a winning couple were treated to an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at a choice of four hotels. The winners chose The Varisty in Cambridge.
The couples were also asked to nominate their catering manager, with the winner receiving a £250 John Lewis voucher, giving them a way to say thank you to the teams that work so hard to make every event run smoothly.
Mat added: “We also love a little healthy competition amongst the staff. Our most recent competition was to come up with a number plate for our next van, and the winner won a cash prize. Then we have baking competitions, and who can take the best pic for social type competitions. Anything we can think of to incentivise staff to get involved in our marketing.”
Portfolio Events works with clients across the county and the surrounding areas, including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, East Anglia and the Midlands. The company has gained a listing with the Royal Maritime Greenwich.
Whatever the occasion and location, Portfolio Events always lives up to its reputation for using only the finest seasonal ingredients, sourced locally wherever possible, with menus drawn up and delivered by a committed kitchen team, backed up by dedicated event organisers and waiting staff. The team prides itself in delivering a professional service to clients and their guests, from a drink on arrival through to clearing up afterwards.
Mat said: “We recently did a shoot at Dibbins Wood, which is a gorgeous tipi set up. Working with Teepees and Tents, Ferri Photography, stylists from Nerissa Eve Weddings, Jenna Claire Stationery and florist Julia Dilworth Florals, we put on a spread of sharing platters, as this relaxed form of dining works perfectly for this venue. The photoshoot ended with an open day for couples to see how a wedding would look all set up.
“We are passionate about what we do and we often take part in this type of photoshoot with our supplier friends and venues we work with. It’s such a good way to get great photos of our dishes, in a beautiful set up, and build strong relationships with the suppliers we work alongside.
“Much of today’s marketing is on social media and we know how important it is to get creative and do something that grabs the attention and adds value for our customers, and attracts potential customers to find out more about what we do.”
To find out more about Portfolio Events Catering call 01604 215606, email team@portfolioevents.com or visit their website.
Credits (Instagram):
Tipi: @teepeesandtents
Photography: @ferriphotography
Videography :@skyphotographyuk
Styling : @nerissaeveweddings
Stationary: @jennaclairestationery
Florist: @juliadilworthflorals
DJ: @strobediscoroadshow
Catering: @portfolio_events
Cake: @mylittlecakestudio
Photobooth: @hoofbooth
Lawn Games/Props: @rusticandvintagecartsandprops
Ice cream: @your_cool_wedding_ice_cream
Magician: @revilotwistmagic
