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Event Planning
Most Topular Stories
March 27, 2015: More Events May Leave Indianapolis Because of Religious Freedom Law, Ambitious McDonald's Promotion a Flop, New Live-Streaming Services Have Event ApplicationsBizBash News27 Mar 2015 | 5:15 am
7 Productivity Hacks for Event PlannersEvent Manager Blog25 Mar 2015 | 4:06 amDo you ever have trouble focusing or find yourself jumping from task to task in an attempt to keep things running smooth at your events? Finding a way to focus on projects and efficiently accomplish tasks is an important key to event planning career success. Here are 7 key strategies you can use to increase your focus and improve your productivity: 1. Organize Checklists One of the most important parts of the day is the 20-30 minutes you spend planning out the tasks you need to accomplish. Set aside time to relax, drink your coffee and plan out what your day needs to look like in order to be…
8 Steps to Improve Your Event With a Waste AuditEvent Manager Blog23 Mar 2015 | 4:07 amFrom saving money to reducing risk and helping the planet, there are many benefits to conducting an event waste audit. But how do you go about conducting your own? The following post outlines eight basic steps to conducting an event waste audit. 1. Identify the Goal Waste audits can do many things, including identifying redundant, excess materials and eliminating costs. So it's important you clarify what you want to learn through your audit. Once you've set the goal, it's important to share it with staff, vendors and other event participants who will be involved. 2. Set the Scope Be…
Is Event Planning Right For You?Event Planning Blueprint18 Mar 2015 | 6:00 amWhen I started planning events, it just kind of fell into my lap. At first, anyway. Then the hard decisions came later once I decided that I wanted a full time event planning career. I had virtually no experience – at least that's what I thought since most of the events I planned were for family, friends, or companies I worked for and I wasn't getting paid to plan them. If you're in the same boat now, today's video is for you. And, if you were in the same boat, listen up since Addie shares some great success tips that you can use. Whether you're trying to…
So You Wanna Blog? Here are 6 Easy Tips to Get Started!The Meeting Pool16 Mar 2015 | 10:24 amThis is a guest blog by Judi Holler, Personal Branding Expert, National Speaker, Improviser, Event Emcee, Read more
Event Manager Blog
7 Productivity Hacks for Event Planners25 Mar 2015 | 4:06 amDo you ever have trouble focusing or find yourself jumping from task to task in an attempt to keep things running smooth at your events? Finding a way to focus on projects and efficiently accomplish tasks is an important key to event planning career success. Here are 7 key strategies you can use to increase your focus and improve your productivity: 1. Organize Checklists One of the most important parts of the day is the 20-30 minutes you spend planning out the tasks you need to accomplish. Set aside time to relax, drink your coffee and plan out what your day needs to look like in order to be…
The Event App Bible v3 Is Out!24 Mar 2015 | 6:00 amThe highly anticipated third edition of The Event App Bible is out. Grab your free copy here. The Event App Bible has become the go-to publication if you are selecting or learning more about event mobile apps. 25,000 event professionals downloaded the first two editions. What that means for the team at EventMB is a continuous need to keep the content updated. The 2015 edition is once again a completely new document with unprecedented research and collation of the features of the best providers creating mobile technology for the industry. Let's look at why you should get your copy of The…
8 Steps to Improve Your Event With a Waste Audit23 Mar 2015 | 4:07 amFrom saving money to reducing risk and helping the planet, there are many benefits to conducting an event waste audit. But how do you go about conducting your own? The following post outlines eight basic steps to conducting an event waste audit. 1. Identify the Goal Waste audits can do many things, including identifying redundant, excess materials and eliminating costs. So it's important you clarify what you want to learn through your audit. Once you've set the goal, it's important to share it with staff, vendors and other event participants who will be involved. 2. Set the Scope Be…
How to Ensure Your Corporate Event Comes off Without a Hitch18 Mar 2015 | 4:03 amThere are many moving parts that take place when planning a corporate event. You want the event to come across as educational, inspirational, informative and, most importantly, enjoyable for those who attend the event. Nobody really understands the hard work that happens behind the scenes when planning a corporate event. There are numerous daunting tasks, checklists, vendors to wrangle and manage, and steps from beginning to end to get through while keeping your cool and making sure everything gets completed on time and seamlessly. Here are a few ways any Event Planner can ensure your…
#Eventprofs and Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn17 Mar 2015 | 4:27 amLinkedIn is the largest professional social network with 347 million reported users – over half of the 600 million professionals in the world. Perhaps surprisingly it is also currently the third fastest growing social network. It is however overlooked by many #eventprofs in their marketing and social media strategy. This post considers how Event Professionals, content marketers and bloggers can get the most out of the platform. How is the LinkedIn Audience Different to Other Networks? There are 187 million monthly unique visits to LinkedIn and 40% of users check the site daily. 41% of…
Fresh Event Tips
10 Questions You Should Always Ask Your Limo Company17 Mar 2015 | 3:46 pmThis article was submitted by Echo Limousine. They are the best-rated limo service company in Chicago, providing reliable and dependable car service with a wide range of customized packages suited to any needs and events. Thank you for your submission. Planning the details of a big event is both exciting and stressful. Catering, decorations, and attire - all must be carefully considered and determined well in advance. And then there is the matter of transportation - in a stylish limo. Unless you are an event planner by trade, it may be difficult to pull all of these pieces together…
Stripe Payments for Events26 Feb 2015 | 9:44 pmHave you heard of Stripe? The San Francisco payment solution has made it easy for thousands of event organizers to collect payments online. From charity golf tournaments, to school fundraisers to charity dinner tickets it's easier (and less expensive) than ever to collect your payments online. Setting up a Stripe account takes less than ten minutes. There are no hidden fees with Stripe - 2.9% plus $.30/transaction is all it takes to process a card. Once you have a Stripe account you can tie it into your custom a la Reg event forms with one step (below) to begin…
Power of Social Media at Events23 Feb 2015 | 9:58 amGuest Post: The power of social media is crucial to successful event planning. The very possibility of enabling users to ask, respond, and communicate is key to a well executed event. We are daily witnesses of how social media can change businesses and make them stronger. Also, when planning your event - you want to share it with the target group, potential clients, and the world - for everyone to know about it, talk about it and be a part of it. Here is what you need to know when it comes to event planning, in order for social media to work: Make a plan. Having a plan will keep you on…
Food Trucks, Restaurants or Catering: Which One?4 Feb 2015 | 8:37 pmGuest Blogger: Stephanie of Event Source. If you are hosting a large event like a wedding, corporate outing or a reunion, you have an important choice to make when it comes to food service. There are plenty of options including catering services, restaurants and food trucks. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The size and nature of your get-together will go a long way in determining which food service option is the best for your unique group. Yet each food service choice has specific characteristics that you should think about when making your decision. …
Star Trek Reality, & Lends a hand to Events17 Dec 2014 | 8:32 amGone are walkie talkies. In comes Onyx. If you're an event producer your eyes are on the stage and looking for the next step. Sometimes you don't have time to scroll thru a phone when you're trying to prevent the unforeseeable blunder, or cue the the slide that didn't appear. You need to communicate with your team in real time. Onyx, OnBeep's instant communicator, clips to your shirt for easy access and utilizes Bluetooth with your cell phone to allow you to talk with your team with a simple push of a button. From CNN Money: "Founder Jesse Robbins…
Meetings Podcast
{Podcast} 3 Key Tips To Get The Most From A Conference21 Mar 2015 | 10:23 am
{Podcast} 5 Office Hacks for Meeting Professionals13 Mar 2015 | 10:41 am
{Podcast} 4 Key Trends for 2015 in Meetings & Events22 Feb 2015 | 11:23 am
The Meeting Professionals Best New Tech Tool18 Feb 2015 | 12:24 pm
Perfect Event Proposals with Dave Ferguson9 Feb 2015 | 2:32 pm
BizBash News
March 27, 2015: More Events May Leave Indianapolis Because of Religious Freedom Law, Ambitious McDonald's Promotion a Flop, New Live-Streaming Services Have Event Applications27 Mar 2015 | 5:15 am
How a Conference Used Innovative Design to Serve Delegates27 Mar 2015 | 4:15 am
10 Best Ideas of the Week: Deconstructed Bloody Marys, Canine Phone Chargers, A Moonlight Feast27 Mar 2015 | 4:00 am
March 26, 2015: Hyundai Announces Major Sponsorship With L.A. Museum, Chicago's McCormick Place Sees Convention Attendance Boost, Alcohol Start-Ups Bring in Investors26 Mar 2015 | 5:36 am
14 High-Tech Ideas to Steal From SXSW26 Mar 2015 | 5:15 am
Velvet Chainsaw | Midcourse Corrections
Your Conference Needs To Adopt Design Empathy Practices25 Mar 2015 | 10:48 amThe group kept returning to this word. I thought we were finished discussing all of its nuances and implications. Then another small group would underscore its importance. It's as if this word was a floating bobber in a lake constantly tossed around due to wind and waves. It wouldn't disappear. Just when we thought no one would mention the word again, its concept and its real meaning jumped back to the center stage. And The Word Is… Recently, my colleague, Sarah Michel, and I spent a couple days facilitating a retreat for the leaders of a large not-for-profit health care organization.
Use Social Proof to Increase Conference Registrations25 Mar 2015 | 7:44 amMost of us don't read emails from people we don't recognize. We may skim the contents, but most of the time we just do the quick delete. Unless there's something that makes us look twice. So imagine you're catching up on email, you see one from an unknown conference trying to convince you to purchase. The organizer states, ABC Conference is a must attend for industry professionals. We're providing 70 education sessions and networking experiences. Does this make you want to attend? Do you trust this unknown entity? Now, imagine that you received that same email, but instead it…
Conference Attendance Growth Realized Through Group Plans20 Mar 2015 | 8:37 amMost of the time, we don't have a good handle on who is truly attending our conference. Seriously, we don't. But there is a way to glean insight just by using emails provided at registration. Mining Registration Data for Insights One way to mine attendance data is to scrub and normalize company names based on the URL domain from email addresses entered by each attendee. Exhibitors, staff, vendors and speakers are often eliminated from the list to base the analysis on "true" attendees. It takes time, but once done it's much easier to study attendance and revenue by company.
Four Deeds Your Conference Must Exploit13 Mar 2015 | 9:57 amYour conference should be something to be experienced! It should be an action verb, not a passive experience. It should be something that participants do, not consume. The following four deeds are how to create an active unforgettable transformative conference experience for your participants. You need these deeds to grow your conference. They are the fundamental nature of an amazing conference attendee experience. Hat tips to authors and researchers Thom & Joani Schultz for their insights about people's expectations for experiences today. Four Deeds To Catapult Your Attendees'…
Enabling Influence Trumps Spraying and Praying11 Mar 2015 | 11:11 amList buys and promotional email blasts rarely convince and convert the attendees you want for your conference or trade show. Today, you need to earn the privilege to be seen in a professional's email inbox. Attendance acquisition has shifted forever from push to pull marketing. While you want to be in it for the long-run…earning inbox access and protecting that privilege, you can accelerate that through partnering with communities who represent a demographic segment that you want to grow. What Partners Am I Talking About? Bloggers, online communities or list-serves, specialty associations…
Conventions, Business Travel Boycotts Called For Due to New Indiana Law29 Mar 2015 | 4:36 pmGovernor Mike Pence defends a law that some say could lead to discrimination Indiana Governor Mike Pence's signing of a law that could allow for discrimination against the LGBT community has prompted calls for boycott. But in the latest twist, "a clarification bill" may be introduced in the coming week, perhaps putting opponents' fears to rest. read more
Luminaries of the Meeting World Gather at Pharma Forum29 Mar 2015 | 4:55 amMeetingsNet and CBI held the 11th annual Pharma Forum at the Gaylord National in National Harbor, Md., March 22–25, welcoming over 700 attendees focused on planning and hosting meetings in the life sciences industry. Interstitial Ads Frequency: -1 read more
U.S. Fails to Make Top 10 (or Even Top 29) Best Airports27 Mar 2015 | 12:47 pmThe Changi Airport in Singapore (pictured) tops the 2015 list of passengers' favorite airports, and is one of six Asian facilities that made the top 10. The highest-ranking airport in the U.S. came in at number 30. Can you guess which city takes the honor? read more
Easy Carbon Calculator for Events27 Mar 2015 | 10:15 amMeetGreen now offers the TerraPass Event Carbon Calculator to help event organizers understand and reduce their event's total carbon emissions. read more
Name that Meeting Room27 Mar 2015 | 8:40 amThe Hotel Van Zandt, opening soon in Austin, Texas, is issuing a challenge to find just the right name for one of its meeting spaces. read more
Exhibitor News Network
Jason Hull Named Director of Sales, Meetings and Conventions for AEG Facilities25 Mar 2015 | 5:00 pmJason Hull has been appointed to Director of Sales, Meetings and Conventions for AEG Facilities, as announced by Chuck Steedman, Chief Operating Offic...
Hill and Partners Displays 20 Years of Branded Environment Expertise at EXHIBITOR 201525 Mar 2015 | 5:00 pmHill and Partners' team of branded environment specialists exhibited two decades of trade show production and professional design expertise at the recen...
2020 Exhibits Wins Two Portable/Modular Awards25 Mar 2015 | 5:00 pm2020 Exhibits was honored for their outstanding creative at EXHIBITOR Magazine's second annual Portable/Modular Awards. brbr The Portable/Modula...
PMMI and Koelnmesse GmbH Join Forces for New U.S. Processing and Packaging Show25 Mar 2015 | 5:00 pmPMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, and producer of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, has entered into an agreement...
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Mayo Civic Center Expansion25 Mar 2015 | 5:00 pmState and city leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony today for the expansion of the Mayo Civic Center, marking the beginning of the $79 million proje...
Special Events Magazine
The Last Word: Floral Designer Brenda Monteiro on Her Event Career25 Mar 2015 | 5:09 pmLisa Hurley Floral designer Brenda Monteiro has the world on a stem read more
The Bliss is Back: Royal Park Hotel Shares Trends in 'Ballroom Bliss' Showcase25 Mar 2015 | 3:09 amSpecial Events Staff The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Mich., shows off the top event trends at its latest 'Ballroom Bliss' showcase. Get ready for bruschetta 'smash stations,' craft cocktails and luxury linens. Interstitial Ads Frequency: -1 read more
What You're Reading: Top Special Events Articles for March 201524 Mar 2015 | 4:44 pmFrom top wedding trends to a spooky steampunk party, here are the most popular articles on SpecialEvents.com for March 2015. Interstitial Ads Frequency: -1 read more
Special Events Business News for March 25, 201524 Mar 2015 | 3:28 pmSpecial Events Staff Event business news this week includes a new director of convention services at the Paragon Casino Resort and director of sales at AEG Facilities read more
Protecting your event: A growing trend with insurance24 Mar 2015 | 11:22 amInsurance expert Daryle Stafford of Veracity Insurance Solutions gives tips on obtaining insurance coverage for partner vendors Special Events Blog read more
WordPress Tag: Event Planning
Apple of My Eye Baby Shower19 Mar 2015 | 6:00 amEarly in January I had the extreme pleasure of planning AND throwing a baby shower for both my sister-in-law and brother-in-law to celebrate the arrival of their baby boy Caleb. For Mom-to-be we went with a sweet "Apple of My Eye" theme that combined caramel apples (of course), fresh flowers, apple cider, and baby Caleb's nursery colors. When all was said and done, it turned into a quaint and happy celebration on a beautiful Californian Sunday afternoon. Pictures are below … Enjoy! xo Kate {Caleb's delicious cake with fresh berries on top! – Adorable…
Our Engagement Story18 Mar 2015 | 9:45 pmIt was perfect. It was every bit a surprise, and every bit my dreams come true. My hair was a wreck, my face was smudged with leftovers of yesterday's makeup that I was too tired to fully take off before bed, I was in a makeshift bathing suit that I created last-minute out of a cami and shorts that I wear under dresses to make me thinner (ladies, we all do this, don't lie), and I was really looking forward to my much-needed shower. And he wasn't much better off… The only reason I had yet to shower was because my boyfriend insisted that we take advantage of the…
Things to Consider when Organizing Private Functions18 Mar 2015 | 5:05 pmPhoto credit: Elliott Brown via Flickr Planning a private function need not be too stressful if you've got the right help from the right people. We're not only talking about event planners here — you can do all the planning yourself. When it comes to the food, however, this is where function catering services may come handy. While serving for a small group may seem simple enough, it's certainly a lot different if the event you're planning involves a large group of attendees. Apart from ensuring that your guests are well-entertained and given enough attention,…
Rainbow Reading 4th Birthday Party!16 Mar 2015 | 10:18 pmMy son turned 4 on February 27. Every year since he was one, he has chosen his birthday theme. For his first birthday, we took him to Party City to choose from the 20+ kids' birthday themes. He loved balls at that time. So, we would set out 4 sets of balls from 4 different themes. We would narrow it down and down and down again, until his favorite ball or "theme" was farm animals. So, farm animals it was! For his second birthday, he decided on a sports theme. He loved playing with balls still, but grew to love sports for a small season. So, he had a Soccer, Football,…
Birthday Planning16 Mar 2015 | 9:25 pmSo, I am assuming you've landed on this page because either you follow my blog or you need a little help planning a birthday party. Am I right? This post will walk you through a few basics about planning a birthday party. Some things to think about: 1. Who are you planning the party for? Seriously, is it for your glory, to impress someone else, or to celebrate someone? 2. Who will attend this party? 3. What kind of experience do you want the guest of honor and guests to have? 4. What is your budget? 5. How long do you have to plan? When planning a party, it's important to secure a…
HotelChatter -
Hollywood: First Look at Mama Shelter Los Angeles, Opening on May 1527 Mar 2015 | 2:29 pmVoilà! At last, we have a room photo of the forthcoming Mama Shelter Los Angeles located in the heart of Hollywood. We've been tracking this hotel's progress since we first learned of its existence (and exact location) back in August. But now, you can finally begin to plan your night with Mama in LA.Room rates will start at $139 a night on May 15. Currently, booking is not working on the hotel's website but we expect that to be in action very soon. The ground floor of the hotel is set to be a free-flowing reception area, lobby, bar and restaurant (from chef Benjamin Bailly of LA hotspots,…
Madrid: A Look Inside Madrid's Hotel Villa Magna27 Mar 2015 | 1:00 pmDont you love it when a hotel does a reno and decreases the number of rooms rather than increases them? The Hotel Villa Magna in Madrid (part of Leading Hotels of the World) renovated the property between 2007 and 2009 and we mean gutted it demolishing everything but the buildings façade and the floors and took the room count from 182 to 150 rooms and suites. This leaves you with some of the most spacious rooms in Madrid. Madrid-based interior designer Thomas Urquijo is the master planner behind the design, which is best-described as contemporary elegance. There's a…
Charlestown: Paradise Beach, a New All-Villa Resort, is Now Open in Nevis27 Mar 2015 | 10:00 amMove over Four Seasons Nevis! Theres a new luxury player in town, albeit a much smaller one. The boutique villa resort Paradise Beach Nevis is open for business and its seven three- and four-bedroom villas look like paradise indeed. The beachfront property is the former Villa Paradaiso, which had only a six-year run before it closed in 2008. Over the course of a two-year renovation, the roofs have been rewoven and furnishings updated under new ownership. Built with Indonesian-thatched roofs, hand cut exposed beams and 20-foot vaulted ceilings, the suites can accommodate up to…
Hong Kong: Why is There is a Bus Balancing Off the Roof Terrace of The Peninsula Hong Kong?27 Mar 2015 | 9:30 amWe are fans of cool hotel art, and even more so when its a contemporary and quirky installation on a historic hotel façade, like the one you see here displayed at the
Montevideo: This Could Be a Game-Changer: Inside Montevideo's Alma Historica Hotel27 Mar 2015 | 8:30 amLast month was it really so long ago? we showed you the view from the rooftop terrace of the Alma Historica, Montevideos newest hotel (it opened in January), and its first luxury boutique property. Appetites whetted? Hopefully so, because we promised to go inside. Lets do it. The Alma Historica is a restoration of a centuries-old palazzo with a couple of new floors (and that roof terrace) tacked onto the top. Where most hotels in Montevideo seem to be either new and slightly boring, or old and on the road to decay if, admittedly, often in a rather beautiful…
Marriott on the Move
Interviewed by a Millennial (Part 2)29 Mar 2015 | 6:13 amCornell University School of Hotel Administration students My Favorite Things, Career Advice & Online Dating My blog assistant, Ayanna, was so probing with her questions last week that we had plenty of good material left over. (If you missed it, here's Part 1.) As with all good interviewers, Ayanna waited...
Interviewed by a Millennial (Part 1)22 Mar 2015 | 1:05 pmThis week, I'm doing something different. Ayanna Alleyne, our social media maven at Marriott and my blog assistant, wants to ask me some questions. She's a bonafide Millennial, 60 years younger than me. I'm sure this will be like no other interview. So, here we go: Ayanna: Mr. Marriott, I've...
Consoling the Loss of a Pekingese15 Mar 2015 | 5:36 amI get a lot of great letters from our guests and here's how one letter began: Oz at the Henry Hotel "I am writing to praise your outstanding team at the Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan." Attached to this letter was this picture of a beautiful Pekingese sitting in the...
The Haiti Principle10 Mar 2015 | 5:23 pmMy daughter, Debbie Marriott Harrison, recently returned from the ceremonial opening of the Port-au-Prince Marriott Hotel in Haiti. Debbie is our company's global officer for Marriott culture and business councils. She was so moved by her trip that I thought it best for her to share it on my blog....
Destination Haiti1 Mar 2015 | 11:10 amI've worked on a lot of development deals, but none have involved a former U.S. President, celebrities and our associates. It's an incredible story of an inspired group coming together to build and now open the Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel in Haiti. Just five years ago on January 12, 2010, a...
ConventionPlanit.com Meeting & Events Blog
IMEX Frankfurt Hosted Buyer Opportunity6 Mar 2015 | 10:38 amIMEX Frankfurt is gearing up to be the largest yet, and qualified meeting planners can attend for free. If you are responsible for placing two or more international meetings annually (away from the US, Canada and the Caribbean), join ConventionPlanit.com at IMEX Frankfurt 2015 via the Hosted Buyer Program. IMEX returns to Frankfurt May 19-21, 2015. Don't miss your chance to be part of our Hosted Buyer Program and join this group of valued meetings organizers as a guest of IMEX. At IMEX Frankfurt, you'll meet suppliers from across the United States and around the world under one roof.
New Resorts Open in Riviera Cancun23 Feb 2015 | 6:18 amThe new Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa Award-winning Royalton Luxury Resorts has celebrated the opening of two new resorts in Riviera Cancun, Mexico. Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and the adults-only Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun are now welcoming guests to experience All-In Luxury™ services. Built alongside a magnificent and expansive white sand beach, the two resorts have distinct services and features, while continuing to offer Royalton's signature all inclusive amenities including the exclusive handcrafted DreamBed™, All-In Connectivity™, the Sports…
The Culture Map: How Cultural Complexities Will Impact Business in the Future17 Feb 2015 | 6:27 amAmong the most interesting educational sessions at this year's PCMA Convening Leaders was one included in the Globalization tract. In the past, education geared towards organizing a global event was centered on instructing planners how to know when to kiss, bow or shake hands in order to ensure a successful transaction. Now as today's business world becomes ever-more global and virtual, professionals are expected to work harmoniously together with counterparts from a broad array of starkly different backgrounds and cultures…without disastrous results! Erin Meyer, author of The Culture…
Pushing the envelope then…Propelling it even further today11 Feb 2015 | 8:16 amThe National Conference Center 40 years ago, this DC-area facility was purpose-built as a superior learning environment. Today, The National is expanding upon this rich history so your experience is nothing short of exceptional. A Look at the Big Picture From intimate training sessions to the grandest conventions, The National delivers everything you need: • A unique 1 million+ square-foot live-and-learn facility, encompassing versatile clusters of 250 meeting spaces with 917 guest rooms • West Belmont Place, a premium 55,000 square-foot events center featuring Northern Virginia's…
Meetings Make Money5 Feb 2015 | 8:52 amFace-to-face meetings are arguably the most cost-efficient form of marketing that exists today. Conventions, trade shows, and private corporate events are unique 3-D environments, combining elements of marketing, advertising, and sales. Meetings bring targeted buyers and sellers together at one place, and at one time. Events facilitate personal interaction, networking, education, branding, and can generate both immediate and deferred sales opportunities. Meetings are all about business: they develop relationships, generate leads, close deals, and create new customers. More than that,…
BusyEvent Mobile » Blog
BusyEvent Mobile to Exhibit at 2015 ASAE Springtime™ Expo27 Mar 2015 | 12:56 pmFriday, March 27, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE St. Louis, MO — BusyEvent Mobile announced today it will join hundreds of industry vendors as an exhibitor at the 2015 Springtime™ Expo, the largest one-day hospitality show for meeting & event professionals. Held annually at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, this year's event will take place on April 9. Produced by ASAE, Springtime™ Expo draws close to 3,000 participants annually, including meeting professionals, association and nonprofit executives, event producers, industry vendors, and press.
Must Read Articles: March 2020 Mar 2015 | 9:07 amOnce again, Happy Friday! We have our favorite event industry articles compiled here, for you reading pleasure… enjoy! This week's topics cover hybrid events, planning smarter meetings and some motivational quotes for you! 1. 10 Things to Think bout When Preparing for a Hybrid Event by Becki Cross Hybrid events are predicted to be a big event trend over the next for years. For many event professionals, this is new territory. Here are some thought-started to help you plan. http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/tips-preparing-hybrid-event 2. Three Steps to Smarter Meetings…
Ways to Save on Your Event Planning Costs16 Mar 2015 | 1:56 pmPlanning an event is a complicated task. From choosing a venue to dealing with dietary restrictions, there are a lot of decisions to be made. You want your event to be professional and engaging, but also to stay within budget. There are several ways you can save on your event planning costs without sacrificing the quality of your event. Be Flexible with Venue and Timing Venues come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Keep an open mind and consider all available options. It is important to keep in mind the number of attendees and make sure your event will adhere to…
President Obama Just Gave #EventTech A Real Boost!10 Mar 2015 | 11:55 amOne of the big challenges being in a city exploding with entrepreneurial opportunities is finding the talent needed to support our continued growth. And several years ago as St. Louis started to become what it is growing into today, we met with a number of people to discuss what was needed and how to retain the wealth of talented people coming out of our universities and Fortune 500 companies as they began to modernize. So, it's really cool that our company is part of the revitalization of tech education and employment in the United States. Yesterday, the President of the United…
How to Quickly Turn Around a Failing Event26 Feb 2015 | 7:39 amIt's naïve to expect that an event will go perfectly and you won't have to get through at least a few hurdles in the process. And the bigger the event, the bigger the chance that something will go wrong. And while sometimes that might seem like the end of the world, in the world of event planners it's nothing more than just another day's work. Professionals in the event planning industry are exposed to seeming disasters upon disasters, but most of the time they are able to handle the problems efficiently and without too much damage. How do they do it? Obviously, having multiple years…
WordPress.com News
The Business of Freelancing, Blogging, and Books, According to Author Jennifer Armstrong27 Mar 2015 | 8:16 amFirst, I should note: I am not related to Jennifer Armstrong. But! I have followed her writing closely over the years — first during her years at Entertainment Weekly, and more recently as the author of books like Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted (Simon & Schuster), which offered a definitive history of the classic TV series. Her blog also happens to be a must-follow on WordPress.com: She gives glimpses into her current work (she's doing a Seinfeld book next) and she's refreshingly transparent about the business (and hard truths) of being a freelance writer in 2015. I spoke with…
New Themes: Saga and Satellite26 Mar 2015 | 9:00 amHappy Theme Thursday, ladies and gentlemen! Let's take a look at our two newest free themes, Saga and Satellite: Saga Saga, designed by the talented Justin Tadlock, is a theme tailor-made for writers, by a writer. The theme's impeccable typography and attention to detail make for an enjoyable reading experience, and with support for large featured images and multiple post formats, Saga is flexible enough to be used as a photoblog, a personal journal, or a tumblelog. Read more about Saga on the Theme Showcase, or activate it on your site from Appearance → Themes! Satellite…
Press Publish Livestream25 Mar 2015 | 12:40 pmKathy Cano-Murillo will present on how she became A DIY Success. Press Publish, the very first blogging conference organized by WordPress.com, will be held in Portland, Oregon, this Saturday. (Psst! We'll be in Phoenix hosting Press Publish on April 18th, 2015.) Erick Prince-Heaggans will present Around the World in 80 Posts. Because this is the first event of its kind, we're eager to get as much feedback from attendees as possible. And since it's not always easy for people to travel to attend conferences, we've decided to bring Press Publish Portland to you (or at least to your…
This April in Blogging U.: The Return of Writing 101!23 Mar 2015 | 9:00 amThis April, we'll be offering Writing 101: Building a Blogging Habit. Writing 101 is a write-every-day challenge designed to help you create a writing habit and push you as a writer, while publishing posts that mesh with your blog's focus. What is Writing 101? Writing 101 is a four-week course that runs from Monday, April 6, to Friday, May 1, 2015. Each weekday, you'll get an assignment that includes a writing prompt and an optional "twist"; prompts are your topic inspiration for the day, while twists push you to experiment with writing techniques and tools. Who else is…
New Themes: Resonar and Scrawl19 Mar 2015 | 9:00 amHappy Theme Thursday, all! Today I'm pleased to present two new free themes designed especially for longform writing. Resonar Designed by yours truly, Resonar is an elegant blog theme with full-screen Featured Images. It's perfect for blogs about fashion, food, or design, and the layout works especially well for longform features with large images. The combination of gorgeous images and beautiful typography creates posts that make an immediate visual impact. Read more about Resonar on the Theme Showcase, or activate it on your site from Appearance → Themes. Scrawl Scrawl,…
Cvent | Cvent
Awesome Deals in Austin: Promotions in the Southwest27 Mar 2015 | 5:30 pmAustin, the Live Music Capital of the World, does not rely on music alone to get visitors whistling a happy tune. Among the city's other charms are an exciting restaurant scene; the youthful vibe that flows from the University of Texas; and three sparkling lakes around which to jog, bike, or walk, or upon which to go kayaking, paddle-boarding, or rowing. Event planners can tap into the city's joyful exuberance by snapping up any one of these promotions* for meetings in April-July: Even for Small Meetings. The 291-room Four Seasons Hotel Austin has announced Value Dates when…
Planning Foreign Events as Currencies Fluctuate26 Mar 2015 | 12:45 pmCanadian event planners who are in the process of planning foreign incentives trips, retreats, and other corporate events are facing a new challenge this year. The value of the Canadian $ against the US$ has declined steadily since the beginning of last summer and sharply in recent months. This trend is expected to continue until the summer. (The Canadian $ is affectionately called "the Loonie" because a loon has been pictured on the Canadian $1 coin since 1987.) For American companies, this means that they can stretch their budgets by selecting Canada as a destination for…
1-stop Shop for Continuing Education Scholarships, Research, and Travel Grants26 Mar 2015 | 11:00 amIn these cash-strapped times, do you ever wonder where you can find the money to continue your education? Let me introduce you to the Timothy S Y Lam Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to support research, education, and training by bestowing scholarships and grants to those seeking careers or advancement in the hospitality industry; and awarding research grants to those interested in blending academia with practical industry know-how. The Timothy S Y Lam Foundation offers scholarships to take the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation offered by the…
Introducing the New Facilities at The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC25 Mar 2015 | 2:01 pmThe Legacy Continues The development of all-new facilities marks a new era for The Sea Pines Resort, continuing a tradition of excellence. For decades, The Sea Pines Resort has set the standard for Lowcountry hospitality. The amenities and attractions in this iconic locale are world-renowned for not only their elegance but for the unique, casually sophisticated lifestyle they provide. Just as it has set that standard in the past, the resort has now raised the bar for discerning group and leisure guests through a series of magnificent new facilities available for all to enjoy. The Plantation…
The Cvent CONNECT Chronicles: Get Certified at Cvent CONNECT25 Mar 2015 | 1:59 pmThis year, Cvent is holding one of the industry's largest and most ambitious conferences: Cvent CONNECT. On June 14-18, we'll be giving event professionals and hoteliers the opportunity to learn new insights, gather unique perspectives, and make valuable connections. The Cvent CONNECT Chronicles blog series is your source for all things Cvent CONNECT. The series will cover our planning process, conference news, content previews, live coverage and recaps. Make sure you stay tuned! After working with Planner clients for years, I gained a deep appreciation for how fast paced and…
Free Meetings & Travel Magazines and Downloads from alltop.tradepub.com
Rock Your Business Meetings with Video Conferencing Software26 Mar 2015 | 12:00 amIn today's business environment, growing companies can quickly spread their operations across a nation or around the globe. But as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Despite all the changes, people still tend to work together better when face-to-face. And video conferencing is the ideal way to keep things personal when your business is on the move.Request Free!
12 Creative Uses to Take Video Conferencing Out of the Boardroom17 Feb 2015 | 12:00 amIn today's business environment, growing companies can quickly spread their operations across a nation or around the globe. But as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Despite all the changes, people still tend to work together better when face-to-face. And video conferencing is the ideal way to keep things personal when your business is on the move.Cloud-based video conferencing software offers an intuitive and easy to use experience that allows users to quickly learn how to use video conferencing and be more productive. Gain all benefits of video without…
Overcoming the Challenges of Pervasive Video3 Feb 2015 | 12:00 amFor several years now, video conferencing has remained a challenging technology to deploy, use, and manage for large corporations. Small and mid-sized businesses that want to use video collaboration have often been restrained by lack of financial wherewithal and internal IT resources. Expensive endpoints and infrastructure, complex management, and lack of interoperability have largely made video conferencing a loosely connected technology island with adoption limited to deep-pocketed, large organizations.The next generation of cloud-based services is addressing the complexity and cost issues.
Fulfilling Microsoft Lync's Destiny as a Visual Collaboration Solution3 Feb 2015 | 12:00 amRead this white paper to learn more about some of the missing elements in Microsoft Lync's approach to enterprise video conferencing and how many of these challenges in multipoint, interoperability, data collaboration, and federation can be overcome if users consider a third party service provider.Request Free!
How Will Mobility Change The Face Of Videoconferencing?25 Nov 2014 | 12:00 amWe've all heard the terms "BYOD" and "consumerization of IT" – these ideas are leading the charge as it relates to a mobile workforce. While it may be simple to understand the value of mobility, implementation doesn't come without challenges. With the growing number of heterogeneous platforms, interfaces, processes, and tools available, it can be a daunting task for both IT and users to find a single solution that works across the organization.Request Free!
Party Ideas Blog
Leap Year Bunco23 Mar 2015 | 8:46 pmOne year I had Bunco during a leap year February. We had Frog Visors, and other frog party favors. Labeled foods with Leap in the title. And since we
Scavenger Bingo23 Mar 2015 | 8:42 pmMake a list of items from around the house, neighborhood, or my favorite, a list of businesses in town. Drive them around and using your homemade bingo
Slumber Party Question23 Mar 2015 | 8:37 pmI am 9 years old and I am having a sleepover next weekend and I was wondering if you could give me some ideas for it and I have a really small room and
Dibble7 Feb 2015 | 9:04 pmGet a bottle cap (preferably a water bottle cap) and have someone throw it in the water while the other people look away. When the person throws it, the
Valentines Day Gifts7 Feb 2015 | 8:42 pmNeed ideas for the perfect gift for your special someone? Our site visitors have the best ideas! Take a moment to check them out, and add your favorite ideas to the list too.
Cvent | Cvent
Awesome Deals in Austin: Promotions in the Southwest27 Mar 2015 | 5:30 pmAustin, the Live Music Capital of the World, does not rely on music alone to get visitors whistling a happy tune. Among the city's other charms are an exciting restaurant scene; the youthful vibe that flows from the University of Texas; and three sparkling lakes around which to jog, bike, or walk, or upon which to go kayaking, paddle-boarding, or rowing. Event planners can tap into the city's joyful exuberance by snapping up any one of these promotions* for meetings in April-July: Even for Small Meetings. The 291-room Four Seasons Hotel Austin has announced Value Dates when…
Planning Foreign Events as Currencies Fluctuate26 Mar 2015 | 12:45 pmCanadian event planners who are in the process of planning foreign incentives trips, retreats, and other corporate events are facing a new challenge this year. The value of the Canadian $ against the US$ has declined steadily since the beginning of last summer and sharply in recent months. This trend is expected to continue until the summer. (The Canadian $ is affectionately called "the Loonie" because a loon has been pictured on the Canadian $1 coin since 1987.) For American companies, this means that they can stretch their budgets by selecting Canada as a destination for…
1-stop Shop for Continuing Education Scholarships, Research, and Travel Grants26 Mar 2015 | 11:00 amIn these cash-strapped times, do you ever wonder where you can find the money to continue your education? Let me introduce you to the Timothy S Y Lam Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to support research, education, and training by bestowing scholarships and grants to those seeking careers or advancement in the hospitality industry; and awarding research grants to those interested in blending academia with practical industry know-how. The Timothy S Y Lam Foundation offers scholarships to take the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation offered by the…
Introducing the New Facilities at The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC25 Mar 2015 | 2:01 pmThe Legacy Continues The development of all-new facilities marks a new era for The Sea Pines Resort, continuing a tradition of excellence. For decades, The Sea Pines Resort has set the standard for Lowcountry hospitality. The amenities and attractions in this iconic locale are world-renowned for not only their elegance but for the unique, casually sophisticated lifestyle they provide. Just as it has set that standard in the past, the resort has now raised the bar for discerning group and leisure guests through a series of magnificent new facilities available for all to enjoy. The Plantation…
The Cvent CONNECT Chronicles: Get Certified at Cvent CONNECT25 Mar 2015 | 1:59 pmThis year, Cvent is holding one of the industry's largest and most ambitious conferences: Cvent CONNECT. On June 14-18, we'll be giving event professionals and hoteliers the opportunity to learn new insights, gather unique perspectives, and make valuable connections. The Cvent CONNECT Chronicles blog series is your source for all things Cvent CONNECT. The series will cover our planning process, conference news, content previews, live coverage and recaps. Make sure you stay tuned! After working with Planner clients for years, I gained a deep appreciation for how fast paced and…
ABCey Events » Blog
Splash – The Best Event Management Platform!2 Mar 2015 | 2:46 pmStartup Monday is ABCey's weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! We recently came across Splash, a comprehensive event management platform that helps to maximize the impact before, during, and after an event.Splash makes it possible for you to control every aspect of your event making it easier and less stressful to organize. When using Splash, you can organize the perfect invite list –…
ABCey's San Francisco Weekend Lineup: February 27th – March 1st27 Feb 2015 | 10:04 amAre you wondering how to spend your upcoming weekend? This week ABCey's weekend lineup let's you know about the events that will get you laughing, sweating, and learning!SF DOWNTOWN COMEDY THEATER February 27th | 10 PM | 287 Ellis St. San Francisco | $10Begin your weekend with some laughter at the SF Downtown Comedy Theater. Their 30 seat comedy theater is a warm and friendly place to enjoy some stand up comedy. While enjoying a fabulous night of entertainment you are also supporting a great cause. The SF Downtown Comedy Theater uses their talents as a fundraiser for…
ABCey's San Francisco Weekend Line-Up: Feb 20th – 22nd19 Feb 2015 | 4:26 pmThis weekend there are plenty of exciting events that will broaden your art, cultural, and your undercover skills. ABCey's Weekend Line-Up let's you know about the best events in the Bay Area has to offer. We hope to see you out and about!PACIFIC ORCHID EXPOSITIONFebruary 20th–22nd | 10-6 PM| Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion | GA $14 (varies)"The Thrill of Discovery" is the focus for the 63rd annual show the San Fransisco Orchid Society. During this event you can take a stroll to discover special varieties of orchids that are rare within the United…
Startup Monday: BloomThat, A Flower Delivery Service1 Dec 2014 | 9:48 amStartup Monday is ABCey's weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey EventsBloomThat delivers flowers to whomever you want anywhere within the Bay Area. All you have to do is browse the website or app for the style you want, enter the recipient's address, and they will receive the beautiful bouquet within the hour! It doesn't get easier than that!Why We Love BloomThat: From bouquets to…
ABCey's Weekend Line-Up: San Francisco November 27th- November 30th, 201427 Nov 2014 | 11:47 amThis Thanksgiving weekend has much more to offer than just turkey and gravy! Get into Christmas mood, explore the night sky, or learn about culture! ABCey's weekend line-up shows you the best events to round up your holiday weekend!2014 Thanksgiving Sunrise CelebrationThursday, November 27 | 4:15-6PM | Alcatraz | Cost $14Join the presenters of current and past indigenous people for a unique celebration on Thanksgiving. Enjoy an evening of music, dance, and culture. You can learn about Indigenous people's history and struggles, while watching the sunset. The event is free but the boat…
Plan Your Meetings
Convene survey: Planners still seek respect24 Mar 2015 | 6:08 amThe survey, widely considered a reliable industry barometer, predicts incremental growth in attendance and declining exhibit space, but also that planners expect to be doing more meetings this year.
Crafting substantive budgets: The future is now23 Mar 2015 | 5:58 amRegardless of when your event is, there are some budget constants you can sketch out now. Here's how.
An alternative to sponsorship-only speaker selection19 Mar 2015 | 9:33 amThe more that attendees feel part of the speaker-selection process, the more engaged they'll be leading to and throughout your event.
March 2015: Meeting industry hires & promotions17 Mar 2015 | 6:04 amNew meeting and hospitality hires, promotions and honorees, here and abroad.
March 2015: Hotel openings, renovations, expansions17 Mar 2015 | 6:03 amWhat's new, what's happening at properties around the world.
Plan Your Meetings
Convene survey: Planners still seek respect24 Mar 2015 | 6:08 amThe survey, widely considered a reliable industry barometer, predicts incremental growth in attendance and declining exhibit space, but also that planners expect to be doing more meetings this year.
Crafting substantive budgets: The future is now23 Mar 2015 | 5:58 amRegardless of when your event is, there are some budget constants you can sketch out now. Here's how.
An alternative to sponsorship-only speaker selection19 Mar 2015 | 9:33 amThe more that attendees feel part of the speaker-selection process, the more engaged they'll be leading to and throughout your event.
March 2015: Meeting industry hires & promotions17 Mar 2015 | 6:04 amNew meeting and hospitality hires, promotions and honorees, here and abroad.
March 2015: Hotel openings, renovations, expansions17 Mar 2015 | 6:03 amWhat's new, what's happening at properties around the world.
Thoughtfully Simple
3 Ways to Up Your Game :: Instagram Tips23 Mar 2015 | 5:14 pmIf you follow me on Instagram, you might have already spotted these almost-to-cute-to-eat cookies. I ordered them from them from an amazing baker (shout out to Lisa!) for a recent mini-instagram class I taught. Every good party, class, or otherwise organized event (in my opinion) needs something cute and sweet (am I alone on this?). Well, I don't have any cookies left to share (they were gone FAST), but I wanted to share a few tips with you here that I gave the group. I'll share some of the big takeaways with you today. These tips are for anyone wanting to up your game a bit on…
Make It :: Flower Headband22 Mar 2015 | 1:43 pmCurious how to make flower headbands? This project was SUPER simple. My daughter Taylor and I whipped this flower headband up in about 10 minutes flat. Supplies you will need: Small faux flowers, 1 yard of lace, scissors, glue gun + glue stick. First, you'll need to trim off the little flowers from their stems. Next, you'll attach them to the lace using the hot glue. (Tip: Before you start, wrap the lace around your head to make sure you glue the flowers on the right area). Repeat! When you've secured your desired amount of flowers, you're done! We spaced ours about…
Serve It :: Cantaloupe & Prosciutto Small Bites12 Mar 2015 | 8:00 amThis post is sponsored by Kellogg's, all thoughts are my own. Last week I hosted a few girlfriends over for what we called a #girlboss session. I shared my inspiration board for the night which included a few really simple ideas. Since the point of the night was to gather for some productive creative business brainstorming … there was no reason (or time!) to fuss over over-the-top details. I made really, really simple small bites the gals could grab throughout the evening. And although they were really easy to make, they were very flavorful. Proof, that it doesn't need to be…
Take A Time Out (Daily)10 Mar 2015 | 9:16 pmDo you ever feel like you are in a perpetual state of juggling it all? Oh you know the drill: life, work, family + the 107 random things on your to-do list? This has been me lately but in the midst of it all I have decided to make a very conscious effort to hit that pause button, reflect, and recharge. Let me tell you, it makes a difference. Taking 15 minutes each day to savor some calm-time to reflect on the day and plan out the next has made a huge positive impact on both by actual productivity and definitely on my spirits. Good bye stress and overwhelm (I'm going to do my best to…
Entertaining Inspiration: Casual #girlboss Session26 Feb 2015 | 7:20 amThis post is sponsored by Kellogg's, all thoughts are my own. I have a hunch that many people don't entertain because it simply stresses them out. I've shared tips for easy entertaining with you in the past but it really is a passion of mine. My mission is to help you realize that hosting friends and family can bring joy to your life and does not require you to "go all out." Entertaining should bring you joy –not a case of the hives! I'm gathering inspiration today for a very casual get-together I plan to have next week. I'm hosting a few girlfriends…
Austin Social Planner
What to Wear: UMLAUF Garden Party27 Mar 2015 | 9:46 amIn a special edition of our What to Wear series, we have the perfect looks for the upcoming UMLAUF Garden Party straight from the Neiman Marcus runways. The Garden Party – Thursday, April 23rd – is the annual evening when we all walk through the gardens, enjoy bites from Austin's favorite restaurants, sip wine and welcome the beautiful spring weather with open arms. Garden Party Honorary Chair Deana Saukam and UMLAUF Sculpture Garden Executive Director Nina Seely hosted an intimate crowd at Neiman Marcus Austin for a fashion presentation targeted specifically for the…
What to Wear: SXSW 2015 with Neiman Marcus16 Mar 2015 | 12:26 pmBack again for SXSW 2015, Neiman Marcus has proven over the last few years that it knows how to connect with its customer outside of their stores or online. The Neiman Marcus Make Some Noise house party is an oasis in the middle of popular Rainey Street during SXSW. Neiman Marcus has partnered up with Atlantic Records this year to bring the tunes, but the party isn't just about the music. Each day kicks off with inspiring talks and panels from women really making difference in the world right now, including: Rebecca Minkoff, Shiza Shahid, Laura Dern, Rosario Dawson and more. RSVP…
RECAP: Celebration of Life Luncheon for Seton Breast Care Center11 Mar 2015 | 1:30 pmIn just one short year, the Seton Breast Care Center has provided thousands of services to women at their state-of-the-art facility in Austin. The brainchild of Susan Lubin and Marcia Levy, the Centerwas the primary beneficiary, along with the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, of today's Celebration of Life Luncheon. The crowd of over 600 enjoyed a spring/summer fashion presentation from Neiman Marcus spanning not just one, but two runways. Following the show, guests enjoyed a lovely trio of salads for lunch provided by the crack team at the new (and gorgeous) JW Marriott. Honorary event…
RECAP: 2015 Texas Medal of Arts Awards4 Mar 2015 | 8:00 pmOnce every two years, the Texas Cultural Trust puts on one of the most star-studded shows in the Lone Star State. Luminaries from El Paso to Texarkana make a point to attend the crown jewel of Trust fundraisers, the Texas Medal of Arts Awards. Think of it like Texas' own version of the Kennedy Center Honors and you get the gist. Throw in a dose of Dallas glamor courtesy of 2015 event chairs Gene Jones and Charlotte Jones Anderson and you can just imagine how high the fashion factor was last week at the Long Center. Even the Trust's Executive Director Jennifer Ransom Rice…
RECAP: St. David's Foundation Preludes and Accolades3 Mar 2015 | 12:30 pmDespite the wet and chilly weather Austin has been experiencing lately, nothing was going to stop the annual Preludes and Accolades extravaganza! The traditional kick-off to St. David's Foundation season-long fundraising series known as Toast of the Town drew a crowd of movers and shakers ready to get a first look at this year's lineup of private dinners and intimate experiences. Held at Bauer House, the Tarrytown home of the University of Texas System Chancellor, those in attendance were able to stay comfortable thanks to a tented pool and garden, keeping everyone cozy and…
How to Get Actionable Information from Post Event Surveys27 Mar 2015 | 9:14 amphoto by childrensdayton.org The event has ended. Now it's time to determine the event's overall success. Where do you begin? Nowadays it's quite common to receive customer satisfaction survey questions about your experience with a company after you've purchased a product or service. Most companies are interested in getting your feedback about your experience. In other words, they want to know how they're performing and whether or not changes, or improvements, are needed. And there is no better barometer to measure a customer experience than to go directly to the…
Choosing the Right Event Caterer for the Job26 Mar 2015 | 10:41 amcourtesy www.hinchliffes.com Selecting an event caterer to work with is one of the more crucial decisions an event planner has to make. When planning an event there are lots of important choices a planner comes face to face with. And when it comes to service and logistics it's key to go with the supplier that will not only enhance your event but take it to the next level too. Food and beverage and the job of preparing and presenting it is a vital part of any event. Event planners will tell you that when working on food and beverage events you have to depend on and trust the knowledge, skill…
This Company is Making Hotel Check in Time a Thing of the Past25 Mar 2015 | 5:11 amphoto by tripadvisor.com Hotel check in and out just got a lot easier. Do you often arrive at your hotel, tired after a long flight, only to find yourself waiting in a long line up to check in? Well now there's an app for that. Marriott has taken checking in to your hotel to the next level – a mobile check in, check out, app. With Marriott's mobile app you're able to book your hotel, confirm your needs and check in before you get to the hotel. And not only that, soon you'll even be able to order room service enroute. So once you arrive at your hotel, it's…
The Almost Complete Yardstick to an Event Planning Emergency Kit24 Mar 2015 | 11:28 amcourtesy of www.bestcordlessdrilltoday.com There isn't an event planner around that doesn't learn early on the importance of an Event Planning emergency kit. Sometimes we learn in class, sometimes we learn from our peers and sometimes like me we learn on-site. And I have found that once a crisis and solution happens on site you never forget. Like the scouts an event planner learns pretty fast that you can never be too prepared or too ready. Part of the job is first predicting what could go wrong and then doing whatever possible to ensure it doesn't. Planning an event is hard work. And…
Event Pricing – Transparency Is the Way to Go20 Mar 2015 | 10:39 amphoto by healthblog.ncpa.org In the meetings and events industry the way that an event is priced can be all over the map. It can vary from company to company. I'm not talking about the range of pricing here. Rather it's how the price is presented. Some companies, perhaps in an effort to avoid clutter, present an event's price as a per person cost. Others present the pricing by item line – showing the cost of each component of the event (transportation, food and beverage costs, entertainment etc.). Looking at a budget worksheet for an off-site event, you can see that…
P&V Enterprises
Have You Received Emails Like This?9 Mar 2015 | 12:18 pmHave you ever received an email with a personal salutation, that begins like this? "Thank you for visiting our booth at The XYZ Show last month." That's an email that I'll delete rather quickly. When I attend a tradeshow I am selective about which exhibitors that I visit. I prefer to visit exhibitors […]
3 Simple Tips for Working With Your Event Services Vendors19 Feb 2015 | 11:41 pm3 Simple Tips for Working With Your Event Services Vendors 1- Make the vendor part of your team. 2- Communicate clearly and often 3- Be responsive Ask me how we can be part of your team! firstname.lastname@example.com Tweet
Webcasting and Face to Face Meetings13 Feb 2015 | 1:39 pmAs a meeting planner you are probably adept at successfully planing face to face meetings. However, are you adept at Hybrid Meetings? Webcasting? I don't mean becoming a techie, but as a planner will you be able to help plan correctly so that your webcasting partner can produce a quality engaging webcast? Will you be […]
5 Tips For A Successful Hybrid Event20 Jan 2015 | 9:34 amYou have read, no doubt about the state of the economy. According to the NY Times article on January 19, 2014, by Patricia Cohen , the Oxfam Study Finds Richest 1% Is Likely to Control Half of Global Wealth by 2016 What does that have to do with this blog? Plenty!! When the Great recession […]
Is there such a thing as too much planning and preparation for an event or conference?14 Jan 2015 | 9:24 amIs there such a thing as too much planning and preparation for an event or conference? The answer is a BIG FLAT NO!!! Be the best planner that you possibly can. This simply means, planning as far ahead as possible. Why are your, your client or your boss holding this event? Determine the purpose and […]
Jennifer Ritchie
Art. Paris. Ballet.3 Mar 2015 | 8:04 am….Spine Tingling. Watch now. Subscribe to Nowness.
A Passion for Food6 May 2014 | 2:10 pmI recently saw this video clip about Irish food. It inspired me to think about everything good in food that I believe in. Local produce provides us with what we need the most of. For the restaurant business, my favourite quotes: "You need to be able to communicate with your audience, you need to able to tell them the difference between what you're doing and what's being produced commercially" ……….. "connecting the farmers to the customers" ………. Thanks to the very talented Imen McDonnell from http://farmette.ie/ for…
Rowan25 Sep 2013 | 2:39 pmEverywhere I go these days I see the trees laden with red berries: Rowan trees. I have a series of beautiful little books called Flower Fairies, and I want to share a pretty poem: "They thought me, once, a magic tree Of wondrous lucky charm, And at the door they planted me To keep the house from harm. They have no fear of witchcraft now, Yet here I am today; I've hung my berries from the bough, And merrily I say: "Come, all you blackbirds, bring your wives, Your sons and daughters too, The finest banquet of your lives Is here prepared for you"" And this a…
Getting cosy23 Sep 2013 | 2:14 pmIt is about this time of year when the days start to shorten and the leaves turn to orange, that I dream of an Autumn mini break to somewhere cosy and inspiring. It seems like weeks since we were swimming outside, and yet weeks more until the first snow. I like the in-between seasons, where everything mellows and we try to slow time down a little. Still sleeping with a Summer duvet, I keep warm by snuggling down with my hot water bottle. Ruby and Ed and slippers My favourite clothes are skirts with boots, keeping the Summer alive but preparing for the Winter while legs are still brown. Or…
My favourite blogs today31 Jul 2013 | 1:03 pmI was going for a slice of dark chocolate, when I changed my mind and opted for red, red wine, a delicious St Emilion ….. It seems somehow to go with my new change of look (and outlook? I dare …. !) So it is from blonde with pink lipstick to brunette with red lipstick that I have become. Hurrah! I love the change completely. So here I am and I wanted to share some of my absolute favourite blogs with you today. I can get lost for hours in the blogosphere, but there are a few who truly have me hooked every time: 1. Firstly and stand-out-of-the-crowd the best is: Greg Canty's…
Estate Weddings and Events
Why Should You Visit Europe In The Springtime?20 Mar 2015 | 10:31 amSpring in Andalucia, image via Bert Kaufmann Everyone has a favorite European season. Summer and early autumn are ideal in Southern Spain and Portugal's Algarve region. The Holiday season is magical in Paris or Switzerland or Germany's cities and towns. But most travelers overlook the best tourist season of all. There are several reasons why spring is the ideal time to visit Europe. First of all, the weather is pleasant on most of the continent. It is not overly hot and winter snows have mostly melted by April. All the plants and flowers are starting to blossom, so the summertime beauty…
Start Planning Your Spring Dinner Parties19 Mar 2015 | 3:59 pmSpring is in the air, as it officially kicks off tomorrow – March 20th, which means it is time to start planning your evening spring dinner parties! Below you will see a few things that caught my eye in which I will for sure be testing out this season, amongst a few other gems I spotted (can't reveal all the details just yet). First, we'll start with the centerpiece of this recommended tablescape! I love the clean look of this! Simple white flowers with the mix of sliced lemons to add texture to the arrangement. I love candles, what girl doesn't? I think these…
Behind The Scenes Of The #WhittWed Wedding18 Mar 2015 | 4:53 pmAs you all know, our fabulous Founders have tied the knot! Not only did they have a destination wedding, but it was a wonderful off the beaten path wedding in Valle De Guadalupe at Encuentro Guadalupe. We wanted to give you a quick behind-the-scenes look at this fabulous weekend wedding that not only was completely stunning, but a wonderful experience for all. Destination weddings in essence are mini vacations with your favorite people in which they are all invited to be a part of the new chapter in your life. As you can see not only was this wedding swoon worthy, the food was absolutely…
4 Weeks in South Africa and Beyond – The Honeymoon Itinerary17 Mar 2015 | 2:45 pmPlanning a trip anywhere, let alone your honeymoon, can be overwhelming as well as a whole lot of fun to. If you plan on heading out just after your wedding, a honeymoon planner may be something to consider. In our case, we did a whole lot of research and began to map out the best route to fit all of our needs. So what are we looking for? We wanted a good combination of relaxation, adventure, food and wine as well as a few days to just lay on the beach before heading home. The plan is to spend most of our time in South Africa while visiting a couple newer destinations. Although we still have…
What To Pack For Your Honeymoon16 Mar 2015 | 5:26 pmWith planning a wedding, the idea of packing and planning a honeymoon on top of it can be extremely stressful. Having a detailed list before you get started can help to making buying and packing a much more enjoyable and stress free process. Obviously a packing list really depends on where you are going but since the average couple typically honeymoons in places that are warm and beachy, we packed for just that. So here we go What To Pack For Her * A new stylish Carry on. I happen to love my Diane Von Furstenberg Carry on. You can spot it from a mile away and it goes with everything * A…
Endless Entertainment
Einsteins' Favorites: Get the Ultimate Social Media Guide for Event Professionals & Unlock Your Social Influence With Valuable Ideas about Headlines27 Mar 2015 | 11:46 amThis week Einsteins' Favorites gives you access to the ultimate social media guide for event professionals when it comes to using LinkedIn and Facebook. It also reveals specific ways in which you can unlock your social reach by crafting relevant headlines for your audience. How to Use LinkedIn – A Social Media Guide for Event Professionals Most often seen as less popular for content sharing than Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn has a great potential for reaching an audience you wouldn't reach otherwise. The largest professional social network out there, it currently attracts 187…
5 Special Abilities of Super-Productive People23 Mar 2015 | 6:43 amWe've been talking a lot about how you can become productive. But there's productivity and then there's super-productivity. Super-productive people have something as close to a superpower as you'll see in real life. They can turn whatever limited time and skills they might have into something amazing and great. The good thing about this superpower is you can have it too. We applied a bit of science and studied a lot of super-producers and figured out 5 special abilities that make them do more with less. Do you have these abilities? Read on and find out. 1. They Work Super Hard…
Best Event Talks: How to Get Event Sponsorships by Peter Poehle [VIDEO]22 Mar 2015 | 6:26 amWhen you look back at the last event you held, what do you remember? Do you realize the hectic but awesome times you had being at the center of things? Do you feel that all your hard work really paid off? And do you remember who made the event happen in the first place? I'm not talking about you or your team (though, of course, most of the credit indeed goes to you). I'm talking about your sponsors. Remember how you were able to get that sponsor on board? I'm sure that it wasn't easy to find them and woo them to back your event. Peter Poehle knows this well. He's the CEO…
Einsteins' Favorites: The Future of 3D-Printing Technology, How to Get the Most Out of Live Polling & How to Build Successful Relationships through Networking20 Mar 2015 | 6:50 amEinsteins' Favorites brings you this week the latest news about event technologies. You will find useful information on 3D-printing, live polling software and various apps that can help you get organized and productive. The Future of 3D-Printing Technology There has been a lot of talking about 3D-printing lately and rightfully so. Not as recent as one may believe, 3D-printing has become known to the wide public as an innovative technology only in the last years. It already has spectacular applications in fields such as medicine, architecture, aerospace, automotive, and industrial…
Importance Of Culture To An Event Company18 Mar 2015 | 7:00 amRewind 10 years and the word culture wouldn't be found anywhere among job hunters and organizations. We've entered a new era where businesses are dramatically changing how they work. Leading organizations are throwing around words like culture, holacracy, workplace freedom, and concepts that would have been unthinkable not too long ago. The one constant in all of this, however, are the two players in the game, employers and employees. These two groups are continually stressing their value to the potential talent lurking outside their doors. Culture is inching it's way up to the…
Fairplex Insider
Good News for Instagram, Facebook and Uber Users!25 Mar 2015 | 12:09 pmFacebook, Instagram and Uber users get ready for some pretty cool changes in these three mega companies! Instagram: If you love Instagram as much as we do at Fairplex, then you will be happy to know that Instagram will now … Continue reading →
First Food Truck Thursday of 2015 on the Horizon24 Mar 2015 | 5:20 pmWe heard your stomach growling, so we immediately knew what to do! Food Truck Thursdays are returning to Fairplex starting on April 2. Think about what this means…each Thursday we will have some of Los Angeles' most popular food trucks … Continue reading →
St. Patrick's Day is Here!17 Mar 2015 | 1:24 pm"May the luck of the Irish be with you." St. Patrick's Day is finally here! Hurray for wearing green, shamrocks, happy hours throughout the city and for the awesome food prepared on this global holiday. In case ye have no … Continue reading →
Fairplex Weekend Recap: Cars, Paint, Wine and Trains16 Mar 2015 | 1:40 pmWOW, what a great weekend! The rubber smell is still in the air, and we absolutely love it! On Saturday and Sunday, we celebrated horsepower and torque at the 2nd annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Machine & Muscle Car Nationals. … Continue reading →
March Events at Fairplex11 Mar 2015 | 2:20 pmIt seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating the New Year, and now we are in the second week of March? I guess it's true what people say about time going by fast when you are having fun! Speaking … Continue reading →
Creative Party Themes and Ideas
Easter Basket Ideas for Teens20 Mar 2015 | 11:29 amRemember how easy it was to fill an Easter basket for your kids when they were little? Now, finding myself the mom of two teenagers, things have gotten a little harder in the Easter basket department. Sure, there is always the filler candy, but I usually try to stick a few items in there to make things special. For the past few weeks I have been jotting down ideas of things that might be both useful and appreciated by my teenagers. Here is the list of Easter basket ideas for teens that I have come up with. Happy Easter! Sunglasses Ear buds Books Tee shirt Lanyard or Key chain Car wash coupon…
March Madness: Free Basketball Printables11 Mar 2015 | 10:37 pmCelebrate the Sweet 16, Elite 8, or Final Four basketball games of the NCAA Basketball Tourney. We've made some March Madness free printables for your viewing party. Download and print party circles here Download and print these bag toppers here. Fill bags with cookies and "Dunk it" in milk. Here are some ideas for other basketball party supplies We really like this wall size basketball tournament bracket that you can hang and reuse from year to year. It is available at Shindigz.com. Also, from now until the end of the month you can Save $10 on Basketball…
St. Patrick's Day Grasshopper and Grasshopper Pie!10 Mar 2015 | 2:43 pmWhen I was growing up, one of the best special desserts my mom liked to make was grasshopper pie. A delicious combination of mint, marshmallow, and chocolate, what's not to love! This pie is related to a yummy green cocktail called the grasshopper. Because both of these treats are a pretty green color, I thought they would be just perfect for St. Patrick's Day! Here are the recipes for making grasshopper pie and a grasshopper cocktail (along with a silly St. Patrick's Day printable for you to download). GRASSHOPPER PIE Ingredients: Crust: 1 cup chocolate wafer cookies…
St. Patrick's Day Pot O'Gratitude Activity and Printable6 Mar 2015 | 9:04 amDo you feel blessed and lucky? This St. Patrick's Day pot o' gratitude activity is a great way for you and your family to count your blessings in the weeks ahead and share them with each other on St. Patrick's Day! In our family, sometimes life gets a little crazy, and so I am always looking for a way to slow things down and reflect on all the good things we have going on. We started the tradition of the St. Patrick's Day pot o' gratitude when my kids were little. At the beginning of March we would put a bowl (although a cute plastic leprechaun pot would be even…
A Party Time Ice Cream Pizza2 Mar 2015 | 2:44 pmLooking for something a little different to serve at your next birthday party? Why not try this yummy ice cream pizza with a brownie cookie crust! Decorate it with your favorite toppings and slice it up for a delicious alternative to the traditional birthday cake! INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup finely chopped pecan bits 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter 3 oz. coarsely chopped unsweetened chocolate 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs (room temperature) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup flour 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 gallon of your favorite ice cream Canned whipped cream Assorted decorative…
Belvedere Events and Banquets
Bridesmaid Gifts – The Four W's of Bridal Gift Giving28 Mar 2015 | 7:39 amYour bridesmaids put a lot of time and effort into making your wedding day everything you hoped it would be, so naturally you want to give a little something back. Giving gifts to the bridal party is a long standing tradition, and it's something you don't want to forget. But finding the right gift for More» The post Bridesmaid Gifts – The Four W's of Bridal Gift Giving appeared first on Belvedere Events and Banquets.
7 Simple Tips to Prevent Wedding Cake Disasters21 Mar 2015 | 9:50 amYour wedding cake should be one of the stars of your big day. After all, a lot of time and effort will go into finding the right bakery, choosing the perfect flavor combinations, and settling on a stylish design. But there's many a slip that can befall a couple when choosing their wedding cake. Naturally, More» The post 7 Simple Tips to Prevent Wedding Cake Disasters appeared first on Belvedere Events and Banquets.
Wedding Planning 101 – Reconsidering the Day and Date13 Mar 2015 | 9:35 amYour wedding day is going to be one of the most exciting, emotional, and significant days in your life. It is also going to be one of the most expensive and nerve wracking. Planning a wedding can be a stress filled experience, particularly when it comes to costs and schedules. Naturally, you want a big More» The post Wedding Planning 101 – Reconsidering the Day and Date appeared first on Belvedere Events and Banquets.
A Groom's Guide to Shopping for the Engagement Ring4 Mar 2015 | 2:43 pmCongratulations! You've decided to pop the big question, and the time has come to ask the love of your life to be your bride. It's a big step, and no doubt you're more than a little nervous. That's only to be expected. But before you pop the question, have you considered the engagement ring? Choosing More» The post A Groom's Guide to Shopping for the Engagement Ring appeared first on Belvedere Events and Banquets.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Business Conference24 Feb 2015 | 8:36 amWe've spoken at length about how to plan a successful business conference. We've given advice on everything from budgeting to marketing, along with some actionable tips and tricks of the trade to make the planning process easier and more effective. But it's time to look at things from a different perspective. How about some handy More» The post How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Business Conference appeared first on Belvedere Events and Banquets.
Event Planning Blueprint
Are Money Beliefs Limiting Your Success? w/ Get Rich Lucky Bitch25 Mar 2015 | 6:50 amLike many others, I've had times in my life where I struggled with money. I've read many books on the subject and talk with friends about it often – it's actually one of my favorite topics to learn and to talk about even though there's still a stigma around discussing money. I believe I've come to have a healthy understanding and relationship with my money beliefs – even though they're always changing. I continue to educate myself and to improve my money beliefs, and I don't believe in the idea that there is a lack of money (for anyone),…
Is Event Planning Right For You?18 Mar 2015 | 6:00 amWhen I started planning events, it just kind of fell into my lap. At first, anyway. Then the hard decisions came later once I decided that I wanted a full time event planning career. I had virtually no experience – at least that's what I thought since most of the events I planned were for family, friends, or companies I worked for and I wasn't getting paid to plan them. If you're in the same boat now, today's video is for you. And, if you were in the same boat, listen up since Addie shares some great success tips that you can use. Whether you're trying to…
Common Legal Mistakes Event Planners Make11 Mar 2015 | 7:57 amShe's been on Marie Forleo and Danielle LaPorte, and today she joins us… Today's topic is something that we don't often talk about but it's vital to your event management business and it really should be taught in event planning 101. We often learn lessons the hard way, and as someone who has built a business from scratch – with little experience, virtually no money, but a willingness to take action with a git r done attitude, Jo-Na Williams shares some insights that I wish I had when I started my event management business in 2004. In today's episode…
How To Get Butts In Seats At Your Events4 Mar 2015 | 3:10 amDo you ever think, "I'd love to have a successful event management business," or you wish you knew how to promote your events? If you do, then I suggest you watch this video: How To Get Butts In Seats At Your Events. It's natural to doubt your abilities when you don't have the tools and a solid direction. I had them too. But once you're handed the knowledge and a roadmap, nothing can stop you. I often attend conferences to continue learning about various areas of business and then apply what I learned to my event management business, and my…
Branding Tips and How To Attract Clients To Your Event Management Business25 Feb 2015 | 3:25 amWarning – Before we get into today's video, I have to give you a heads up on some of the Australian slang used and dang girls, my boobs are hanging out! Oops! I've included translations for the Australian slang but there's no cover up for my ta tas. On to today's video… Branding Tips and How To Attract Clients To Your Event Management Business I was recently in San Diego and sat down with award winning marketing and branding expert and dear friend, Franziska Iseli, to discuss branding tips and how to attract clients to your event planning business. I met Franziska at a…
The Meeting Pool
How to Write a Winning Proposal23 Mar 2015 | 10:44 amThis is a guest blog by Dave Ferguson, Founder, Perfect Event Proposals. If you'd like to Read more
How Meerkasting will crush it for Event Marketers20 Mar 2015 | 4:34 pmWell it happened again. SXSW becomes the tech playground where an underdog app gets all Read more
So You Wanna Blog? Here are 6 Easy Tips to Get Started!16 Mar 2015 | 10:24 amThis is a guest blog by Judi Holler, Personal Branding Expert, National Speaker, Improviser, Event Emcee, Read more
New Report – GREAT EXPECTATIONS: The Evolving Landscape of Technology in Meetings20 Jan 2015 | 10:23 pmTechnology influences every aspect of global commerce, and new research released by American Express Meetings Read more
3 Creative Ways RFID Can Deliver Deeper Attendee Engagement At Your Next Event19 Jan 2015 | 7:40 amThis is a guest blog by Casey Cote, chief executive officer of Omnience. If you'd like Read more
The Evolero Blog
Mixergy Interview with Tal Shoham29 Mar 2015 | 5:04 amWhen Evolero CEO and Co-Founder Tal Shoham began her startup journey, Guy Gamzu introduced her to a fantastic entrepreneurial knowledge base. He showed her interviews with proven founders, and she has continued to watch them over time. getting ideas and encouragement. Today her own Mixergy interview about founding Evolero was published! How do you come up with a good idea? – with Tal Shoham POSTED ON MAR 27, 2015 How do you come up with a good idea? Well, over and over on Mixergy we hear that it starts with finding a pain. Because if you find a big enough pain, customers will be eager to…
7 Reasons Event Planners Are A Must For Corporate Events26 Mar 2015 | 5:00 amWhen Evolero CEO and Co-Founder Tal Shoham began her startup journey, Guy Gamzu introduced her to a fantastic entrepreneurial knowledge base. He showed her interviews with proven founders, and she has continued to watch them over time. getting ideas and encouragement. Today her own Mixergy interview about founding Evolero was published! How do you come up with a good idea? – with Tal Shoham POSTED ON MAR 27, 2015 How do you come up with a good idea? Well, over and over on Mixergy we hear that it starts with finding a pain. Because if you find a big enough pain, customers will be eager to…
8 Tips for Pre-Event Emails – Don't Forget the Obvious23 Mar 2015 | 5:03 amWhen Evolero CEO and Co-Founder Tal Shoham began her startup journey, Guy Gamzu introduced her to a fantastic entrepreneurial knowledge base. He showed her interviews with proven founders, and she has continued to watch them over time. getting ideas and encouragement. Today her own Mixergy interview about founding Evolero was published! How do you come up with a good idea? – with Tal Shoham POSTED ON MAR 27, 2015 How do you come up with a good idea? Well, over and over on Mixergy we hear that it starts with finding a pain. Because if you find a big enough pain, customers will be eager to…
8 Ways to Automate the Event Experience Using Smart Tech19 Mar 2015 | 3:15 amWhen Evolero CEO and Co-Founder Tal Shoham began her startup journey, Guy Gamzu introduced her to a fantastic entrepreneurial knowledge base. He showed her interviews with proven founders, and she has continued to watch them over time. getting ideas and encouragement. Today her own Mixergy interview about founding Evolero was published! How do you come up with a good idea? – with Tal Shoham POSTED ON MAR 27, 2015 How do you come up with a good idea? Well, over and over on Mixergy we hear that it starts with finding a pain. Because if you find a big enough pain, customers will be eager to…
Evolero Highlighted in Inc.com Article12 Mar 2015 | 6:54 amWhen Evolero CEO and Co-Founder Tal Shoham began her startup journey, Guy Gamzu introduced her to a fantastic entrepreneurial knowledge base. He showed her interviews with proven founders, and she has continued to watch them over time. getting ideas and encouragement. Today her own Mixergy interview about founding Evolero was published! How do you come up with a good idea? – with Tal Shoham POSTED ON MAR 27, 2015 How do you come up with a good idea? Well, over and over on Mixergy we hear that it starts with finding a pain. Because if you find a big enough pain, customers will be eager to…
etouches blog
Pony Up Planners…Event Food is the Cool Kid Now23 Mar 2015 | 6:51 amFrom the knife-throwing antics of Gordon Ramsay to Anthony Bourdain's global culinary treks of unknown lands, food and everything around it is (and has been for a few years), the star of the show. Whether a "Top" chef, "Master" chef or wannabe chef, the notion of the next rock star dinner plate is on everyone's to do list. But is it any wonder that while we strive to make that perfect soufflé at home, we event professionals still ply our trade deciding on whether a blueberry or chocolate chip muffin would be better for our attendees? So where do you sit? Is your food program…
What I Wish I Knew As A Planner Starting My Career17 Mar 2015 | 6:21 amIn my role managing a team of nonprofit event planners, I get to work with amazing young people who are just starting their careers in the events industry. We work hard to set our staff up for success and provide a lot of training and professional development. What a different scenario than I had when I first started out years ago! When I graduated college I started my career at (a different) nonprofit as a program assistant – doing a little bit of everything. I quickly gravitated toward event planning and soon made it into my career. That first job out of college taught me so much – I…
How to Use Pinterest and Instagram to Promote Your Next Event12 Mar 2015 | 5:01 amCreating awareness for an event requires a lot of time and a well-planned strategy. You simply can't create a Facebook event or send an email reminder. You need to create a well-planned strategy that will connect with your audience and encourage them to register for your event. When it comes to using social media to promote events, visuals are key for success. In fact, Pinterest and Instagram are two very useful tools for showing your audience what they can expect from your event and provide the information they need. If you're thinking about incorporating Instagram or Pinterest into your…
How to Create a Marketing Plan for Trade Show Success9 Mar 2015 | 11:22 amFor those of you who have exhibited at trade shows before, have you found the time and money put into the event worth it? Or did it seem like a waste of your company's marketing resources? Chances are, if you found events to be a huge letdown, you probably need a new marketing strategy. Even with everyone connecting and networking through social media, trade shows continue to grow in popularity because of the powerful effect face-to-face meetings with potential customers have. When people are able to put a face with a company, they are more likely to remember them when they are ready to…
3 Places to Find the Right Events to Attend4 Mar 2015 | 5:36 amThis post was written by Kristina Mirus, Marketing Associate at InGo. Thinking of attending a professional conference or exhibition this year? There are lots of reasons why it still makes sense to attend an event, even in today's world of digital learning and social connections. In-person events help you stay current in your industry, renew your enjoyment for your work, and meet and network with colleagues face-to-face. The good news is there are plenty of events to choose from, but that means every professional who decides to attend an in-person event has to answer the first basic…
The Grand Planner
Event Planners on Tech: Mary Greene, Development Events Coordinator at Park Avenue Armory20 Mar 2015 | 10:40 am
How Will the Apple Watch Change the Way You Plan Events12 Mar 2015 | 5:28 pmFor event professionals, there was one major standout at the Apple Event in San Francisco this week. No, it wasn't the new Game of Thrones trailer (although we were pretty excited about that as well). It was a closer look at the Apple Watch.
Get Inspired: 7 New Technologies to Engage and Delight Your Guests6 Mar 2015 | 11:02 amNo matter what kind of event you're throwing — a gala, a seated dinner, a cocktail party — the main goal should always be to give your guests a great experience. You want them to walk away at the end of the night having had a great time and give them something to tell their friends, colleagues, or spouses about the next day. What's the best way to do that? With a few creative technological touches. Here are seven of our favorite ways to enliven an event.
zkipster Wins 2 International Eventex Awards, the Oscars of the Event World26 Feb 2015 | 5:49 pmThe Oscars weren't quite the end of awards season this year — at least not for the event industry! This week, Eventex held their annual awards gala in Sofia, Bulgaria. zkipster was honored with two awards that night in the "Best Event Technology Startup" and "Best Event Mobile App" categories.
6 Trending Event Venues in Los Angeles for the Oscars20 Feb 2015 | 9:50 amNo city does glamor like Los Angeles. And never is the glitz and star power more on display than Oscar night. From the red carpet to screening parties to the afterparties that go until dawn, Angelenos know how to have a good time.
Collection 26
GUEST POST: "Great loves too must be endured." Coco Chanel13 Mar 2015 | 2:25 amToday we have a great pleasure of sharing with you a collaborative blog post with the lovely Hope Alcocer, keep an eye out for more of her inspired writing over the coming months. In the mean time why not visit Coffee with the Bride. Fashion does not have to prove that it is serious. It is the proof that intelligent frivolity can be something creative and positive" – Karl Lagerfeld There's something about the world of style and fashion design that makes us, fall more and more in love with all it represents. Perhaps because it's the picture perfect example of luxury and…
THE EXPERT EDIT: Let blossoming spring be your wedding day inspiration11 Mar 2015 | 2:50 amWhen you think of spring what do you see? We see new beginnings, fresh colours, crisp mornings and beautiful weather. We think of natural, refreshing colour pallets; spring is a gorgeous time of the year to wed.We're going to share with you today some blossoming ideas for a spring wedding.FASHIONSpring is all about looking natural, whilst still holding an air of glamour and sophistication, in this spectacular season you can be creative and playful with your bridal gown. We would look for a tea-length dress, with intricate detailing and a beautiful lace. Tea-length dresses allow for you to…
Jill and Barrie's Romantic and Rustic Countryside Wedding14 Feb 2015 | 2:30 amJill and Barrie came to us wanting to plan a romantic and family-orientated day. Together we created a rustic countryside wedding in the beautiful setting of Somerset, Babington house. Jill and Barrie shared with us a beautiful story and we were very grateful to help create the beginning to their new chapter. When designing the day we wanted to reflect their personality and create a romantic atmosphere to share this chapter with their treasured family and friends. Keeping in theme with the day our in house team designed beautiful pastel flower arrangements presented in rustic jam jars.
What to buy your Groom to be: The ultimate wedding gift list9 Feb 2015 | 2:00 amBuying presents for your man can seem like a difficult task – after all, you've probably already bought him the usual presents: aftershave, a wallet, a watch, clothes… you name it, you've probably already thought it.So, when it comes to buying your man a wedding present, it can prove to be a daunting challenge. You want a luxury gift that your man is going to love, a present that's thoughtful, unique and exquisite. You want a present that he's going to cherish forever and one that he'll be wowed by when you finally give it to him. But where do you start? Here are our suggestions…
The A-Z Wedding Guide29 Dec 2014 | 3:00 amHere's a fun and thoughtful A-Z of some of the things that you need to consider when planning your dream wedding. Let's get started…A: Attention to DetailAttention to detail is an absolute must; it's something that we take very seriously. If you want your big day to go to plan then every little detail must be attended too, in a professional and organised manner.B: BarGet the drinks flowing from a fabulous bar. Many people leave their drink choices till last minute but we advise choosing your beverages and ordering them in as soon as possible.C: CeremonyConsider how you want your…
Pearl Bailey26 Mar 2015 | 10:07 pm"What the world really needs is more love and less paper work." The post Pearl Bailey appeared first on Wedivite. Get your free online mobile wedding invitation at Wedivite.com!
Marguerite Duras24 Mar 2015 | 10:07 pm"It was the men I deceived the most that I loved the most." The post Marguerite Duras appeared first on Wedivite. Get your free online mobile wedding invitation at Wedivite.com!
Josh Billings23 Mar 2015 | 10:20 pm"Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope." The post Josh Billings appeared first on Wedivite. Get your free online mobile wedding invitation at Wedivite.com!
Henry David Thoreau21 Mar 2015 | 10:05 pm"The heart is forever inexperienced." The post Henry David Thoreau appeared first on Wedivite. Get your free online mobile wedding invitation at Wedivite.com!
Friedrich Schiller20 Mar 2015 | 10:23 pm"There is room in the smallest cottage for a happy loving pair." The post Friedrich Schiller appeared first on Wedivite. Get your free online mobile wedding invitation at Wedivite.com!
Latest News Entries
Oslo: Event Destination Overview24 Mar 2015 | 11:43 amFringed with forests, hills and lakes awash with opportunities to sail, ski and hike to your heart's content; Oslo presents a special combination of cosmopolitan city life and easy access to the great outdoors. With a fabulous reputation for being friendly, efficient and creative, Oslo has not only become a top tourist destination but also a hub for many different business ventures and activities. This has led to a unique mix of expertise in fields including telecom, finance, maritime industries, banking and shipping. In 2013 the Norwegian capital was marked as the fourth most expansive…
An Interview with a Spanish Event Planner23 Mar 2015 | 6:06 amCreative Spirit, Global Event Strategists who are 'passionate about production', are Spanish creative event specialists with offices in Barcelona, Cannes and Paris. We thought it would be a great idea to interview Creative Spirit's Project Manager during #vivaespana month to find out more about the blossoming events industry in Spain, a typical day in the office and what will be big in 2015. We started by asking Blanca Martin how she came to work in the events industry? I consider event planning to be the most powerful tool for brand communication. The way I see it, nothing can surpass the…
Robots Are Taking Over The Entertainment World!19 Mar 2015 | 10:27 amThere are numerous robotic expos held around the world throughout the year, and the most widespread of which - National Robotics Week 2015 - is due to hit off in all 50 American states from the 4th April! But robots are no longer just limited to high-tech expos where tech enthusiasts show-off their designs, they are also taking over the entertainment world appearing in blockbuster films and at every kind of event: corporate events, trade shows, exhibitions, night clubs, festivals and roaming events, you name it there is a robot for it! From actors dressed up as robots – with varying…
Corporate Event Destination Guide: The Canary Islands vs. The Balearic Islands18 Mar 2015 | 8:38 amSpain is a hub of commercial and cultural activity, boasting the 5th largest economy in the EU and the third biggest collection of World Heritage Sites in the world. It is currently ranked amongst the top three locations globally for meetings and conferences, and favoured by MICE professionals for its accessibility, climate and value for money. These factors are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why Spain is the ideal destination for hosting your corporate event, with its various archipelagos offering unique and beautiful settings for whichever business function you are planning.
Celebrating 50 years of the Sound of Music16 Mar 2015 | 10:10 amIn 2015 the iconic smash hit, "The Sound of Music" celebrates its 50th anniversary. The most successful sing-a-long musical in history; the five time Academy Award winning picture takes viewers on an adventure through the stunning Austrian Alps and invites all to sing a long with the Von Trapp family, several hundred nuns and of course, the beloved Julie Andrews. Besides travelling to Salzburg to visit the glorious film set of the Sound Of Music, we thought it would be rather fun to celebrate by showcasing our very best Alpine themed and lederhosen clad entertainment for…
DIY video greetings, invitation tips, party planning ideas and more - Inviter.com
Birthday Party Video Invitations26 Mar 2015 | 3:30 pmDresses, Festoons, Cakes and what's Next? Inviter Takes Care of the Rest.. Be it a small child, a dashing teenager or a tired oldie- birthdays are special for all! How to plan? How big the cake should be? How many guests to call? These are the frequently asked questions and if it is your tiny tot's special day, then more questions pop out. Amidst hasty planning, you may forget the basic requirement for birthdays. Yes! The Guests… Who will not get fussy about invites if it reaches them the last moment? How about a technique wherein one gets notified a week earlier and get reminded a day…
Trade Show Tip: Use Video Invitations14 Mar 2015 | 4:50 pmMarketing for trade shows can be pretty cookie-cutter. You use the show's platform to market to attendees, send email blasts, press releases, etc. That is all fine and acceptable, but what makes you stand out amongst other exhibitors? Sure, your product or maybe amazing. But how will anyone really know? You need to do something before the event to get some attention. You have a unique opportunity to use video in a new way to "speak" to attendees and even those who haven't registered yet. Remember, I advise that you should be conversational in your marketing efforts so…
St. Patrick's Day Video Invitations & Greetings11 Mar 2015 | 6:18 pmBack in when I lived in St. Louis, St. Patrick's Day was a pretty big deal. There were parties and all kinds of festivities. Well, St. Patrick's Day is next week. If you haven't already, you may want to get the party started this year a little differently. Create a one-of-a-kind, conversation starter now by shooting a video and then sending video invitations to all your friends to come join you while you drink green beer and enjoy corned beef and cabbage. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Creating video invitations is pretty easy. All you need a is smartphone and a…
Women's Day Video Greetings8 Mar 2015 | 8:09 am8th March, recognised globally as International Women's Day to celebrate women's achievement in Socio, Economic, Tech & Political fields. This year, International Women's Day themed as "Make It Happen", a much needed-call to raise voice on some of the biggest issues on women around the world. This message was echoed by Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in a video message, calling all countries to 'step it up' for gender equality so that world can see the gender equality by 2030. No matter which race or religion or continent we…
March Video Webinar: Creating Video Newsletters & Greetings7 Mar 2015 | 6:30 pmInviter's March webinar has been scheduled! Join me and Inviter on March 18th at 7:30 PM EST as I show you how to create a video newsletter and video invitation using the Inviter platform. I don't have to tell you the value of video for 2015. You've heard it all before from me and other marketers. It's the way to really connect with your market and engage them on a different, more personal level and build relationships on a massive scale without your efforts feeling so impersonal. I'm going to show you how to actually spend very little money (this isn't a…