One of my co-workers is an artist who owns a gallery. So, this year, after promising to buy him a case of beer for use of his space, we will be having our Kick-Off party there. We've had it at a banquet room in a restaurant in the past, but with the tables and chairs set up, people (especially new people) would just sit down somewhere and never move and never talk to anyone who wasn't at their table. I went to each table and talked to everyone, but they pretty much stayed put. This year, we're making them mingle. :) We'll have a table of eats and few chairs. So mingle, you must! :) But we'll probably have a section in the corner with a few chairs for people to sit and chat.