We asked local event planners to share some popular themes for corporate events, and ideas to make it your own.

1 : Black Tie (Cape Optional)

Black tie attire is classic, but why not spice it up a bit? Guests can embrace their inner Batman by adding a cape to their suits. That’s what Abbott Northwestern Hospital invited guests to do at an employee appreciation event designed to raise funds for an emergency department renovation. Mason Creative’s founder Char Mason says the hospital’s leadership group wanted to showcase the emergency department staff as heroes, so the theme directly connected to the mission. Most of the 600 guests played along, donning capes and, in some cases, even masks, and posing next to a Batmobile.

#2: Storybook

Children’s Hospital Minnesota hosted an annual gala in March with fundraising efforts going toward its Child and Family Services department, which is dedicated to therapy dogs, arts and crafts, and story time. BeEvents used that beneficiary as inspiration for a pop-up storybook theme, with scrolls of text hanging from the ceiling. Walking into the Depot in downtown Minneapolis, guests felt as if they were stepping into the pages of a book, says Caroline Correia, director of business development for BeEvents. The goal, she says, was to capture the wonder of childhood.

#3: Color-Based Themes

Color-driven events are gaining popularity, event planners say. Take it from D’Amico, which recently produced a “Golden Hour” themed staff appreciation event for a local corporation. There were gold powdered donuts, gold flatware, and gold decor—all intended to highlight that the company’s staff is “golden.”

Shades of light green and white complimented the gold and yellow scattered around the park area where the event was held. The menu drew on ingredients from the client’s gardens and summertime favorites suggested by D’Amico, says Christie Altendorf, the catering company’s senior event planner. As for timing of the party? You guessed it: the invitation called for golden hour— when the sun begins to set—creating a dreamy backdrop in the sky.

#4: Under the Sea

Coral pieces and decorative shells on the buffet, brightly colored macarons, and seafood all tied together the “Under the Sea” holiday party for Minnetonka-based Fields Law. Employees at Fields Law came up with this theme for their annual holiday party to give it a unique twist, and Chowgirls marketing manager Annie Pennings Edmond said it was fun to help out with the event since it was outside of typical holiday themes. The 150 guests at the event enjoyed entertainment, like the live “mermaid.”

#5 Summer

Seasons never go out of style, and “summer” offers plenty of uplifting potential. Bright colors and eye-catching flowers popped at a recent summer-themed event held at Machine Shop to announce the Minneapolis venue’s partnership with D’Amico Hospitality. Foods range from compressed watermelon pearls in oyster shells to cucumber cups with lobster salad and Fresno chili. The signature drinks incorporated flavors of pomegranate, lime, passionfruit, and elderflower. Summer is a great time to experiment with fruit-focused desserts: D’Amico created pies in unexpected combinations like key lime blackberry, strawberry rhubarb meringue, wild blueberry, and honey ricotta with fresh fruit.