We think you'll love the DIY website creator, Wetpaint. Wetpaint lets you build a rich, online community around whatever-it-is that you’re really into. Utilizing the best features of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks, Wetpaint mixes everything you need so you can create, collect, and organize content on your own social website. The best part is you can create a completely advanced and sophisticated website and it's all FREE. What better way to chronicle your upcoming event than to build a community around your efforts and allow other event planners to pitch in?
If you don't feel like building your own website, you can also join a pre-existing site that is already created by another person with your same interests. Just use the search box up in the top right-hand corner and see who’s already started a page around any particular topic you would like to get involved in. Wetpaint is a great way to connect with other event planners and share ideas and experiences.
Click the video below to learn more about Wetpaint...
Living green is really about taking advantage of alternative methods of doing everyday activities. Whenever we hear about a new and improved way of doing ordinary things, we just have to share them with you. We recently heard about a company based out of Orange County California that is changing the way families and business pack and move to new locations. Meet EarthFriendlyMoving, the do-it-yourself pack and move solution that allows you to rent packing eco-friendly packing supplies. EarthFriendlyMoving recycles all of those hard-to-recycle colorful plastic bottles from under your kitchen sink, laundry room and garage shelves- like bleach bottles, household cleaning products, dishwashing and laundry detergent to make the famous: RecoPack™
The word RecoPack™ is short for "Recycled Ecological Packing Solution." Made in five consumer friendly sizes, these lightweight, stackable containers are rented to relocating households for a buck a box per week.
Following the move, the Recopacks are picked-up at customers’ new home by a fleet of vegetable oil powered trucks, cleaned, sanitized and then rented out to another customer.
EarthFriendlyMoving is currently operating in Orange County and Long Beach, and will expand throughout Southern California and then nation wide over the next three years. To learn more about EarthFriendlyMoving, click here.
I love gadgets! I’m always on the lookout for the next great digital device that I just can’t live without. Now although it’s nice to have a bunch of fancy gadgets, it’s not that great when you can’t remember where you placed them, or worse yet, if they were plugged in to be charged.
Now I’ve found a great digital gadget to help me out with all my other digital gadgets! It’s called “The Sanctuary” made by Blue Lounge. This clever device gives you a common place to keep all of your personal items such as your keys, wallet, cell phone, Blackberry, Bluetooth headset and iPod. Not only is The Sanctuary a sleek looking tray, but it also has adapters to charge all of your digital devices simultaneously in one location! The simple and compact design conceals a universal charger compatible with over 1500 electronic devices from most major brands and a USB port allowing hundreds more electronic devices to be charged using just The Sanctuary.
How it works
01. Plug AC adapter (100v ~ 240v) into the mains, lift inner tray and plug the adapter into The Sanctuary power socket.
02. Select your device connector(s). Replace inner tray with selected connector(s) on top of the inner tray.
03. Plug in your electronic devices and charge. Add keys, wallet and watch as desired.
04. OPTIONAL: Plug-in your own USB charge cord to the built-in USB socket and wind surplus cord length around the integrated cable management pins. Then plug-in and charge also Bluetooth headsets, portable game consoles, and hundreds more such USB devices.
The Sanctuary is great for your nightstand, hall table, office desk, or kitchen counter. All of your devices will be located in one place and they will be fully charged. Not to mention you will no longer have to hunt around the house or office to try and find an available outlet to plug in your devices!
Since Seattle and other Northwest cities like Bremerton and Everett rest along the shores of the Puget Sound, we have the opportunity to watch cargo ships enter and leave our ports, attributing to our area's economy. Our offices are located in West Seattle, so each day we drive parallel to Elliott Bay where hundreds of goods are transported each day. With as much action as our waters undergo, one has to wonder what effect each ship has on our environment. Recently we came across something quite unique that could change the way cargo ships travel from port to port. Meet SkySails. That's right, just like a sailboat moves through the waters by the force of wind against its sails, now the same energy source is being used to move large vessels.
It's a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most cost-effective offshore energy source. Yet, despite its attractive saving potential, it is not presently being used by cargo ships - for a simple reason: so far no sailing system has met the requirements of commercial shipping.
SkySails is now offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which, for the first time, meets the requirements of shipping companies. By using the SkySails-System, a ship‘s fuel costs can be reduced by 10- 35% on annual average, depending on wind conditions. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be reduced by up to 50%.
So the next time you drive past a water port, be on the lookout for a "sailing" ship. You never know what the wind might bring.
If you've ever seen the CBS show Survivor you've probably seen the contestants travel to a water source and boil the water they collect before they can drink it in order to decontaminate and filtrate the water from bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens. You may have even gone camping before and had to do this yourself. Now, for the first time ever, comes a water bottle that produces filtered sterile drinking water quickly and easily. The LIFESAVER bottle is the first ultra filtration water bottle that incorporates LIFESAVER systems’ unique failsafe technology (another world first) which shuts off the bottle’s cartridge upon expiry, preventing contaminated water from being drunk. With LIFESAVER bottle there is no need for tablets, boiling, chemicals, tubes, shaking, scrubbing, waiting or effort. LIFESAVER bottle produces clean, sterile drinking water with no foul taste - fast!
The LIFESAVER bottle was developed as a response to the tragedy that unfolded due to lack of safe drinking water after the tsunami in December 2004 and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The LIFESAVER bottle has been designed to help save lives supplying people with clean pathogen-free drinking water.
The LIFESAVER bottle retails for $229, which may sound expensive, but as important as clean water is to your health, isn't it worth a few extra dollars?
We recently got a tip from one of our readers about a great new party ice-breaker called Mikon Mixers. Mikon Mixers are iconic stickers that event attendees and party-goers stick on their nametags that describe their personality traits and skills. They make great conversation ice-breakers. The website has a simple drag-and-drop application and thousands of images to choose from. (See below).
There are two ways to use MikonMixers at your event... (1) Free Form: At large events like Conferences, they are used a personal identifiers and people can freely meet other attendees. (2) Mixers - Meet and Greet: At smaller networking or social events you can use a more structured technique to encourage guests to meet. Click here to get the instructions. Generally, the attendees are asked to select the stickers that match them and the organizer instructs the group to find another person, and pick a mikon sticker and talk about it. The organizer should limit each conversation to 7 to 10 minutes then have the guests rotate to another person.
Today we have a completely non-business and non-event planning story for you all -- just for fun. We at banquetevent.com love animals (as most people living in the Northwest do) so when it comes to one our own pets, we basically consider them family members. This week, one of our staff members, Alexis, went through quite an ordeal with her cat, Gus, also known as "The Fat One." Gus was staying at a friend's house for the week, because Alexis is selling her house and she was worried he might sneak out during an open house. This is where our story begins.
Alexis' friend, a city dweller, lives in a 4-story condo unit on a very busy street. She also lives on the top floor. (See picture below). When she returned home she saw that her window, which she had left about a foot open, was missing its screen. That wasn't the only thing missing. Gus was gone too.
In a panic, she called Alexis and her husband and asked them to hurry over to start looking for Gus. When they arrived, and to make matters worse, Alexis' car broke down and at 10 o'clock in the evening they had to get it towed across town. After a few hours, and to no avail, Alexis and and her husband returned home, Gus-less.
For the next four days, "missing" posters were placed around nearby blocks, the shelters were notified, and the veterinarian offices were contacted, but still no Gus. By the end of the week, they were pretty much certain Gus was gone.
That afternoon, however, Alexis' friend got a call from a neighbor in her building saying they had found a black and white cat nearby and had placed him in the building's large recycle bin so he wouldn't escape. Alexis' husband hurried over and sure enough, sitting in a pile of filth, was Gus, the flying wonder cat.
Now, anyone who knows Gus, knows he's a tad (okay, alot) overweight, sweet but not active, and would much prefer lounging the days away sitting in the sunshine, rather than jumping out of 4-story buildings and cruising around the city for a week. It's most likely that he fell or slipped and suddenly found himself on the outside looking in. We're all just amazed that a cat could fall that far and survive, but animals are amazing creatures.
After taking him home and giving him a bath, Gus seems to be very happy to be in the safe compounds of his own domain, and we're pretty sure, he's been sharing his adventure, in cat language of course, to the other household pets. It all goes to show you the animals we consider to be our little angels must have angels of their own.
We're not here to debate whether cats or dogs are better than the other, because quite frankly, they are both delightful in their own way, but here is a little perspective on the difference between how cats and dogs see the world. This Diary was sent to us a while back and we hope you get a kick out of it as much as we did.
Dog Diary & Cat Diary
DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing! 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing! 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing! 12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing! 1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing! 3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing! 5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing! 7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing! 8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing! 11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of, however, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Jerks!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
Hello everyone! First off, let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Verner and today I'm the guest blogger for the EVENTive Event Planning Blog. I'll be stopping by each week to blog about event ideas, innovation and inspiration. I'm new to the blog, but I'm not new to Banquet & Event. I've done photography for Banquet & Event over the past several years, and I'm really looking forward to the 2008 Northwest Event Show. Have you registered? This year it's all about going Green! So save the date! September 23, 2008 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.
I'm an avid photographer and I'm always looking for innovative ways to show off my photos. I recently came across a product that allows photographers of every skill level to show off their best shots. Moo.com allows you to upload your favorite photos and print them out on different and unique cards.
One of their unique products are their minicards. They are a different type of business card. One side is a full color photo, while the other side can be used for your business information or any message you wish to print! They are unique in the fact that they are about half the size of a standard business card, so they will definitely stand out from the rest of the crowd! Most business card printers only allow one photo to be printed on all your cards, not Moo! Moo wants you to be creative and different. You can use up to 100 full color photos or designs on your mini calling-cards. So every card will be unique and special.
Moo.com also offers standard business cards. Just like the mini calling-cards, you can choose up to 50 different images to display on your business cards. Not only do you get to create unique, personalized business cards, but you can also do your part in helping out the environment by choosing to have your cards printed on recycled paper.
Minicards and Business Cards are just the beginning. You can also create postcards, greeting cards, notecards and stickers with your personal photos! So no matter what your photography skill level may be, use Moo.com to capture all those great memories and business opportunities!
Introducing The New and Improved Washington State Convention & Trade Center
As you may have heard us mention, once or twice, the 2008 Northwest Event Show is going green! In honor of our Emerald City, the Northwest Event Show will showcase green event planning methods, decor, tips and trends to make your own green event planning ever the more simple and easy-to-do. To start off, the 2008 Northwest Event Show will be held in one of the greenest event venues in the city, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Located in the center of one of the most environmentally progressive cities in the nation, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (Center) has long been an industry leader in energy conservation and recycling.
Here is the short list on how the WSCTC stays green...
1. They continue to invest our resources into renovation projects to make the facility even more efficient
2. The Center’s lighting systems to replace older equipment with more efficient fixtures, resulting in savings of over 3,000,000 kWh per year
3. New touchless faucets and self-flushing toilets are being installed throughout the facility to reduce water consumption
4. Tons of food scraps, food soiled paper and disposable service items are separated from
trash and recyclable materials and sent for composting instead of to local landfills
5. The new meeting facility at 800 Pike will achieve LEED Silver Certification following completion of renovations in 2010
The Washington State Convention & Trade Center is doing their part to preserve the city and world we live in. To read even more about what the WSCTC is doing, click below for their "GREEN NEWSLETTER."
LeMay – America’s Car Museum® will hold the 31st Annual LeMay Museum Car Show & Auction, presented by AAA Washington, at the Marymount Academy and the LeMay grounds in Tacoma, WA on Saturday, August 30, 2008 from 9am to 5pm. Visitors will be able to see over 1,000 vintage, classic and specialty automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles from the LeMay Collection, plus hundreds of unique, local collector cars and other vehicles. In addition to the cars, there will be many interesting vendor displays, including our ever-popular "Flintmobile" photo car which makes for a memorable snapshot to take home! There will also be a classic car auction hosted on-site by Mathers Inc. Auctioneers. Entry donations are $10 for adults, $20 for a family of 4, $5 for children under 12, and $5 for active-duty military. Free parking will be available offsite with free shuttle bus transportation between the parking lots, the Marymount Academy and the LeMay grounds. For more information call (253) 536-2885.
Date & Time: August 30, 2008 9 am. to 5 p.m.
Location: LeMay's America's Car Museum 325 152nd St. E, Tacoma WA 98445 Contact Info: Phone: 253-779-8179 Contact Person: Trudy Cofchin Email: trudy@lemaymuseum.org Website: lemaymuseum.org
Have you ever wondered how green the hotels in Seattle are in comparison to each other? Now you can easily find this information available at RezHub.com. Hotels around the globe are making a huge effort to lower their energy and water usage, and reduce solid wastes. They are installing energy efficient lighting, low flow showers and toilets, participating in recycling programs, and contributing to the local communities. What's even better is whether you're looking for a luxury suite, or something a little more budget friendly there are green options for you and they are all reviewed for you with price comparisons in RezHub's Green Travel Hub section. You can also find information for other cities, plus search for Green Rental Cars, Green Flights and read the Green Travel Blog.
Check below for a quick comparison of the greenest hotels in Seattle.
Have you ever wondered which hotels in the Seattle area are the greenist?
Sometimes in this new green-friendly world, it is easy to wonder what part you can make as an individual. But the truth of the matter is that the best way to make your contributions to sustaining the earth is to make small commitments and changes to your every day lives. Here is one way to start.
Let's face it, Seattleites love their morning cup of java. Whether you get your cup at Starbucks or Seattle's Best or Tully's or even the local stand in your office, each time you order a piping hot cup of joe, your barista most likely also includes a cardboard sleeve to protect your hands from being burned. Just think how many of these paper products are used and thrown away each day.
Now comes a reusable alternative to the cardboard sleeves. CupKozy, available through Etsy, creates new cup sleeves made of felt, chosen for its superior insulating properties. They will fit most 12, 16 and 20 oz. disposable coffee cups, and the best part is they are reusable day after day.
And we think they are pretty darn stylish too. See what you think below.
Whenever we hear about a company that is conducting green business practices, we like to toot their horn a little for them. The FritoLay Company, known for salty snacks and chips, has made huge changes in their everyday business methods to conduct greener practices. Since 1999, FritoLay has reduced their use of water by 39%, natural gas by 30%, and electricity by 22% for each bag of snacks they make. They have also dedicated Green Teams at all of their manufacturing facilities who are focused on finding ways to optimize operations and reduce consumption of resources. By making changes to their overall facilities and fleet, they are able to prevent over 96 million pounds of CO2 emissions from reaching the atmosphere each year.
And if you are still thinking that FritoLay's tasty snacks are still really bad for you, think again. You may have noticed the introduction of FritoLay's natural line including the American classic, Cheetos. That's right, Frito-Lay now makes “natural” Cheetos with organic corn meal, and no preservatives or artificial colors. Sure, a carrot would still be a better choice, but if you ever get the craving for a cheesy bag of goodness, at least you don't need to feel as guilty.
In June, the City of Seattle launched a new program called Bike Smart Seattle, a campaign designed to encourage more Seattleites to ditch their cars for their two-wheeled rider. This summer Bike Smart Seattle will bring neighborhoods an exciting program of group rides, repair clinics, and special bike-oriented events to help Seattle residents overcome hesitations about cycling and promote it as a transportation option.
At its onset, Bike Smart will start in the northwest and central east sections of Seattle, but will eventually be implemented citywide. If you live in these areas, you may have already received a postcard that can be returned for a free bicycle kit containing a calendar of events, citywide bike map, safety information and other helpful materials.
“With the high price of gas and climate change concerns, bicycling should be a transportation option for local trips,” said Grace Crunican, director of SDOT. “Bike Smart Seattle will help create excitement about using bicycles to get around - whether going to the library, meeting a friend for coffee, or picking up groceries at a farmer’s market. As regular riders already understand, bicycling is a fun and healthy way to experience your neighborhood.”
For more information about Bike Smart Seattle, contact Serena Lehman at 206-957-4439.
All of us at banquetevent.com love technology. So whenever something new and improved, hit the market, we're all over it. This new television design from SONY is one of our newest favorites.
Sony's OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV, the XEL-1, is truly the next big thing in television technology. It boasts a 3 millimeter thin panel and offers unparalleled picture quality with amazing contrast, outstanding brightness, exceptional color reproduction, and a rapid response time. OLED creates unmatched color expression and detail and enables rapid response times for smooth and natural reproduction of fast moving images like those found in sports and action movies. The XEL-1 features the latest connectivity options including two HDMI™ inputs, a digital tuner, and a Memory Stick® media slot for viewing high-resolution photos.
Why is the OLED so thin? OLED TV’s are incredibly slim because organic material directly emits light so OLED display panels do not require a thick backlight or complex construction like other flat panel technologies.
What is so great about OLED? What’s so great about OLED– Lots! Blazing fast response times, wide viewing angles, exceptional color reproduction, outstanding contrast levels, and high brightness. The nature of its technology lends itself to extremely thin and lightweight designs along with the ability to use it in a variety of different applications. OLED is the holy grail of TV display technologies!
How much does it cost? Quite frankly, too much (for now). The 11" OLED costs roughly $2500.
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, TrailsFest 2008 is the event for you! This outdoor extravaganza features clinics on everything from wilderness first aid to hiking with kids to backcountry cooking. Take a guided hike, tie a fly on, or climb a rock wall.
Event Details: Saturday July 19, 9am - 4pm at Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend
TrailsFest is a hands-on event for all ages, providing families and other adventurers with a fun and safe environment to explore the outdoors. Been wanting to explore the North Cascades? Attend a clinic with Craig Romano, author of Day Hiking – North Cascades published by Mountaineers Books. Learn how to whip up a tasty backcountry meal in no time from the author of Freezer Bag Cooking. Want to be a responsible hiker with your dog? Check out the clinic on hiking with dogs and trail etiquette. Wanting to try backpacking? Go to Hilleberg the Tentmaker’s clinic on smart packing and learn how to take less, still be comfortable and safe, and have lots more fun!
The event is over, but the work is not. For many meeting and event planners the final wrap-up is the biggest struggle. Not only have you ended months of preparation, now you have to finalize the billings, check the invoices, distribute the monies, etc. The wrap-up may not be fun, but it is crucial.
START THE PROCESS IN THE BEGINNING Good planners start this final process long before they get on-site. They plan with their vendors how they will verify services during the event, when payments will be due, and what kind of documentation will need to be completed in order to take care of matters in a timely way.
THINGS TO MAKE THIS STEP EASIER Ask to get all function bills the day of the event so you can verify their accuracy while things are still fresh in your mind. When verifying charges, ask yourself:
Were you charged for the correct number of people? Are there any charges you cannot identify? Are there charges you did not anticipate?
DAILY DIARY Make a daily diary notation of things that worked and didn't work, notes for next year, and things to remember. Write it down or it won't be remembered. Follow-up should include making arrangements in advance to have materials returned or disposed of.
THANK-YOU NOTES Determine who will receive thank-you notes. Verify addresses, spelling of names, facility, and vendor contacts. Make a note of those people who were especially helpful to you or your attendees!
MEETING WRAP-UP Schedule a wrap-up meeting in advance with the facility's major department heads, or for small events, your contact. The purpose of this meeting is to find out how well EVERYONE performed, and what could be done differently in the future. This is also a time to ascertain whether you provided the facility and other vendors with appropriate information and instructions. Did you schedule enough time for activities on the agenda? Did you guarantee enough meals within the deadline? Should you have ordered another bar, larger room, or extra servers?
FEEDBACK While you are evaluating, make sure you ask the attendees what they thought of the event, the facility, and the program? Do they have ideas or suggestions for next year? Their feedback can be one of the most important tools to help you plan the next event. Take time before the event to design questions that will solicit answers that will help you plan future events.
REWARD YOURSELF! Last, but not least...reward yourself! Many planners make this their first task of the meeting or event. They plan what they will do after the BIG DAY. Whether it is a bubble bath or an island cruise, plan something for yourself--you've done a great job and you deserve it!
Weekend excursions are a must during the summer months. And the best part about living in Washington State, is you don't have to go far to feel like you've left the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R&R. One of our favorite places to visit and only about 2 hours north of Seattle is Skagit Valley. With its rolling hills, lush landscapes, seafront shores and fresh markets, Skagit Valley brings a sense of quiet peace to us city dwellers.
If you haven't visited Skagit Valley lately, here are a few of the highlights we recommend you check out.
For Food:
BreadFarm Breadfarm is a hand-formed, artisan bakery located in the small village of Edison, Washington. Just off of Chuckanut Drive, you can find them nestled at the bottom of Blanchard Mountain in Skagit Valley. Each loaf is hand formed and carefully tended through each stage of the baking process. Breadfarm delivers fresh baked bread to their customers daily.
The Oyster Bar On Chuckanut Drive For fresh seafood, there is nothing better than the Oyster Bar On Chuckanut Drive. The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive had it's earliest beginnings in the 1920's when E. N. Steele and J.C. Barnes formed the Rockpoint Oyster Company on Samish Bay. Their slogan coined in 1946 still rings true today: "The oysters that we serve today slept last night in Samish Bay."
Rhododendron Cafe Stop by the Rhody Cafe for the best brunch in town. Taste the Smoked Salmon Benedict or the Wild Mushroom, Spinach & Provolone Scramble served with Homemade Crepes paired with Fresh Berries and Orange-Almond Syrup. The Rhody Cafe blends Northwest recipes with extra ethnic flairs.
For Scenery:
Visit the oyster shell-encrusted lighthouse (left) at Taylor Shellfish Farms. Located on the Samish Bay, the lighthouse can be found just outside the store where you can also pick up fresh Dungeness crab, mussels, clams and Pacific oysters.
Places to Stay:
Benson Farmstead B&B Benson Farmstead B&B is a 1914 Scandinavian farmhouse that was restored in 1981 and has been operated as a B&B by Jerry & Sharon Benson since 1991. The 3 acres of grounds include a granary now used as a family cottage, a well house which is used as a guest suite, a water garden, farm machinary garden, orchard, playground and many flowers.
Katy's Inn Katy's Inn is one of the oldest homes in La Conner, and when opened in 1984 was the first bed-and-breakfast in town. The Inn sits high on a hill only two blocks from the beautiful artistic town of La Conner with easy access to sightseeing, shopping and dining.
Queen of the Valley & Spa Located just 1/2 mile from the beautiful waterfront hamlet of La Conner, with four luxurious rooms with en-suite baths, as well as a huge two-bedroom suite perfect for families, girlfriend getaways, or couples traveling together, the Queen offers all the amenities of a luxury hotel along with the personal attention and care of a bed and breakfast.
The 2008 Northwest Event Show postcard invitations have been mailed and we want to make sure you received yours! If you didn't get your copy of the invitation, that means you are not on our list, which quite frankly, is a crying shame!
Join our network automatically by registering to attend the 2008 Northwest Event Show. You'll be added to our mailing list to receive all banquetevent.com updates and industry alerts. Be in the know from the very start!
You can also join our network by signing up to receive the 2008 Event Resource Guide. If you don't already have your copy, order yours soon, before the 2008 edition completely runs out, making way for the 2009 Event Resource Guide, which debuts September 23 at the Northwest Event Show. And stay tuned for a sneak peak at the cover of the 2009 Event Resource Guide...coming soon!
This Friday the newly priced and improved Apple iPhone 3G will be released featuring two size options, one 16 GB ($299) and one 8 GB ($199). With fast 3G wireless technology, maps with GPS, support for enterprise features like Microsoft® Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more amazing features in your hands. iPhone 3G also has a sleek new design and is available in black or white. And just like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one—a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod®, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and full web browsing. According to Apple, this mobile device is the ideal phone for conducting business.
We're curious, of those who have already purchased the Apple iPhone, what are the features you like the most? Is it really as revolutionary as the ads say?
Weigh in below.
Click here to find out what you need to do before purchasing the Apple iPhone 3G.
Still undecided as to where you will spend the 4th of July. See what's happening in your neighborhood.
SEATTLE
WaMu Family 4th at Lake Union What: Daytime and evening activities include a spectacular fireworks show Location: Gas Works Park - 2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle Cost: Free Website: familyfourth.org Time: Noon - 11 p.m.
Fourth of Jul-Ivar's What: Fireworks show Location: Elliott Bay - Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way W., Seattle Cost: Free Website: ivars.net Time: 10 p.m.
Museum of Flight's 27 Flags Show What: Aircraft fly-ins, children's activities, Wings of Freedom
We think you'll love the DIY website creator, Wetpaint. Wetpaint lets you build a rich, online community around whatever-it-is that you’re really into. Utilizing the best features of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks, Wetpaint mixes everything you need so you can create, collect, and organize content on your own social website. The best part is you can create a completely advanced and sophisticated website and it's all FREE. What better way to chronicle your upcoming event than to build a community around your efforts and allow other event planners to pitch in?
I'm an avid photographer and I'm always looking for innovative ways to show off my photos. I recently came across a product that allows photographers of every skill level to show off their best shots. 
