We love creativity. That is why we are absolutely enthralled by this new popular trend in event design: The Hanging Buffet. With just some simple platters and some ties the Hanging Buffet comes alive and turns any food table into an impressive art display.
You can read more about the Hanging Buffet in the latest edition of Nesting Newbies magazine. In every issue Nesting Newbies shows you that cooking, entertaining and decorating can be easy, fun and affordable. It's one of our favorite sources of inspiration and we know you'll love it too. Check it out!
As party planners, we all know how much effort goes into planning the perfect event. So when the tables turn, and you are the one being invited to a great event, it's always nice to reward the efforts of your host or hostess with a small token of your appreciation. We've gathered some of our favorite host/hostess gifts to inspire and aid you in your gift-giving abilities.
1. Ice Buckets: What event planner can't use an ice bucket? Particularly one as cool (pardon our pun) as the ones from iomoi. You can select from a variety of unique icons or create your own custom ice bucket. These ice buckets are $68 and available online at iomoi.com.
2. Stationary: Handcrafted paper in the form of notecards, letterhead, greeting cards and the like never go out of style, especially for a party planner. Stationary designers these days are true artists when it comes to creating beautiful paper works of art. There are many wonderful places to find great stationary. Our picks are The Stationary Studio and if you are in the Seattle area, check out Paper Fling, All About Weddings & Celebrations, and Moxie Papergoods and Gifts.
3. Paulette Macarons: Who can turn down a sweet treat as divine and decadent as the macarons from Paulette? We don't hear anyone volunteering. Their signature giftboxes make Paulette macarons the perfect gift for any occasion. Select from our “champ de macarons,” just as you would pick a colorful bouquet from a field of flowers. From flavors like caramel, vanilla, pistachio, almond and lemon, these sweet treats will have your gift recipient making sure you are at the top of their party-invite list every time.
4. A Night Out: After planning a party, your host/hostess may just be happy to veg for a night. Giving someone a dinner gift certificate where they can take a night off once in a while is never a bad idea. Take this opportunity to share your favorite local hot spot with your party planner and they will be certain to appreciate your thoughtfulness. If you are in the Seattle area, check out this local dining hot spots.
Free Webinar Announcement: Planning in a Tough Economy
Webinar Annoucement! Date: January 27, 10 a.m. Pacific Speaker: Joan Eisenstodt Topic: Event Planning in a Tough Economy With companies cutting budgets and association attendance down, meeting planners must be more creative—with less—in these cash-strapped times. See how you can keep your head above water. Cost: It's Free, Register Here
What You'll Learn:
In today’s economy you need to plan like your job depends on it, because more than ever, it does! Learn ways to trim your budget without dampening the attendee experience, and how to show the savings you gained to the organization you plan for. Just by employing a few simple cost-cutting strategies from this webinar, you can provide a quality meeting without breaking the bank.
Some of the key points covered in this webinar will include the following :
How far out to plan--advantages and disadvantages
How CVBs can create efficiencies, supply free services and help you negotiate
How to staff your meeting to create maximum cost-effectiveness
The Theatre, The Theatre . . .who doesn't love it!
In the early 20th century, following the development of the entertainment industry, hundreds of theaters/auditoriums were built everywhere in the USA. Major entertainment firms and movie studios commissioned specialized architects to build grandiose and extravagant theaters. From the 60's, TV, multiplexes and urban crisis made them becoming obsolete.
Seattle was the last city to have a full-time vaudeville theater, The Palomar, which lasted until the early 1950s. The last act there was Sammy Davis Jr. You need only move down the street aways to still see the remnant of the once grand Coliseum Theatre. Starting in the mid 1990's, it became the home of The Banana Republic clothing outlet. During an extensive remodeling, the original terra cotta exterior was restored and the sloped theatre floor, proscenium and entire balcony were preserved. The possibility exists that a future tenant could restore the theatre to its original purpose. Over the years, the distinctive vaulted entrance dome was modified several times.
In Washington State alone, fortunately many historic theaters have been given a new beginning. Seattle and Tacoma were home to no less than 72 theaters by the end of the 1920's. We are now home to fewer than a dozen of these incredible structures, some of which are still in site of potential demolition. In Part II of our look at historic theatres, we are going to concentrate on one exceptionally important piece of the history of theatre in Seattle, The Paramount Theatre, The Moore Theater. If you are interested in theatre history, here is a link you will find fascinating we are sure.
Yes it is that time again so we decided to look around for useful and versatile ideas for resolutions for you for 2010. Take a look and give one or more a try. We put a list together that should allow you to try several - with the hope that at least some of them will stay with you.
Learn something new: Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? What is stopping you? Usually it's you... so start gearing up - write it down and get to reading on what to do to up your level of participation! Stop sweating the small stuff: There is just no need to run around worried about small stuff or things over which we have no control. Look in the mirror and remind yourself (yes out loud) that you are "not going to worry about it". . .
Get enough sleep: Give your body the time it needs to rest and recover. Find out how much sleep you need by making an appointment with your doctor, or even go on-line to a site such at Mayoclinic.com. Mom and your doctor were right. Get those eight hours of sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, then you have lots of company. This is a chronic condition that leaves a great deal of America physically less than their best. Get it under control and life will be something absolutely new to you!
Reduce stress: While some stress is necessary to help one perform to the best of their ability, too much stress can take it’s toll both mentally and physically. Stress has a big impact on the lives, from the way one treat others, to the way one treats themselves. Too much stress can actually makes you more vulnerable to sickness and disease. Reducing stress through relaxation techniques or identifying and modifying stressors will benefit the bodies in many ways, including a better outlook on life.
Drink enough water: Water is essential to good health, yet needs vary by individual. These guidelines can help ensure you drink enough fluids. How much water should you drink each day? A simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live. Though no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body's specific needs and limitations is key. Check out more on mayoclinic.com Recommit to a hobby: It's easy to let things you love fall by the wayside when life gets busy. Now is the perfect time to dust off old supplies and get back to something you really enjoy doing. Take the time to write, use up leftover art supplies, finish projects, or start using your tennis racket again. You'll either remember why you loved it so much or figure out why you let it slide.
Create a Family Cookbook or Photo Book: Almost every family has a treasured recipe, beloved as much for the memories it evokes of family get-togethers or a special family member, as it is for its taste. Most families have many such recipes, handed down through generations, taught to children, or squirreled away on index cards or scraps of paper. There are several online companies that will all but do the work for you - you just need to provide the recipes and maybe some photos if you want. Go to Better Homes and Garden as an example. Photo books are much the same way with many more options actually - such as Kodak. These hard bound books are now affordable and easy to put together - thanks to the electronic online assistance.
Fight procrastination: Procrastination is the bane of people everywhere and admonitions to "Just do it!" aren't enough to help. Let this year be the year you follow a real plan to stop putting off things. Use your favorite resources, such as a notebook, or your I-phone to find the most helpful resource for you to fight your procrastination habit. This will require you to get a little more "organized" and by the way that is not a dirty word!
Recycle more: What if everybody continued to throw away old bottles and newspapers, littering the world with glass and plastic and tin cans that should be recycled and made into new products? Set a good example for kids by separating trash for recycling.
Need a little help getting started?
First: Be realistic by setting achievable goals. Winning the lottery, for example, is out of your grasp. Next: Describe your resolutions in specific terms. Instead of "I don't want to be lazy," opt for "I want to exercise regularly" or "I will cut down on my television watching." Next: Break down large goals into smaller ones. For instance, commit to losing weight by resolving to join a gym and improve your eating habits. Next: Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan. So you want to quit smoking but you smoked to relax yourself? What other forms of relaxation are available to you? Next: Above all, aim for things that are truly important to you, not what you think you ought to do or what others expect of you.
Sometimes called decals, this is a hot trend now for replacing the more traditional all over wall paper trend that is also back in vogue and we found a great company with tons of options called Wall-Tat. Deciding where to put one could be a problem just due to the versatility they offer. You can put them almost anywhere you can think of, from walls, ceiling, hard wood or sealed concrete floors, furniture, smooth metal, shower enclosure to windows, or cars. Yes Wall Tat also carries a line for automobiles, and glass. Whether for a commercial installation or not, the beauty of these - well you don't have to redo the entire surface if you change your mind, and we love to do that!
There is recycling and then there is redesigning/recycling the way MetroSofa does it. In creating their pieces, MetroSofa thoroughly restores and rebuilds the frames so they can truly continue use by the next generations to come. Their styling is anywhere from Classic to Modern - to well how about you design your own? In keeping with other 'Green' products, MetroSofa uses old and antique frames and continually recycles many components used in the production process. This truly is art inspired furniture. Art/recycling/design and style . . . everything furniture should ever be!
Hold off on the red stuff and bring on the orange - as the second most celebrated of holidays for Americans arrives at the end of this month, before the red holiday season begins after Thanksgiving. Halloween has a very old origin which is not necessarily why it is so popular today. October 31st is the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago. Have fun and be safe! Need a screensaver? Found a couple for you Apple-Orange.jpg Halloween_Ring_Screensaver.jpg Happy-halloween.jpg
Picture yourself the way you really feel on turning 40. Why not a Warrior Diva themed party? That is exactly what the request was for BreeAnn Gale of Pink Blossom Events one Saturday recently. The birthday girl's only wishes were to combine the Claymore Japanese character along with a long dreamed wish to have British tea sandwiches and scones incorporated into the menu. Lucas Mobley Photography captured some photographs of the event details as the party began. Sorry no photos of the actual birthday girl herself, but we send along a heartfelt Happy Birthday!
Whispy lines, curvaceous ceilings, and geometric adhesions - all used in architecture to surround you with subtle comfort, style and impeccable design. There are just not enough adjectives to describe the benefits to all of us in good architecture. We are surrounded by it every day, in every way, and everywhere, yet we tend to take it all for granted. It is impossible to tap even a microscopic peek at examples, so let us just say thank you, to all of you who work in and around this business, you fill our world with magnificence and we are in awe. . . . .
We are doing it! Take a look below - see one or more things you use on a regular basis? If you do, then give yourself a pat on the back. YOU are turing green in a good way and everyone should be following your example. There are so many little ways we are moving in the right direction. Whether you are a global warming advocate or maybe not, green is always a good color and someplace on that color wheel in your mind, it should be one of your favorite colors permanently.
Let's face it, living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Alaska, well, do we really need to say more? We already have an edge, we just need to make sure we keep it. Congratulations everyone. Keep it up. If you have any great green products or ideas, we would love to hear from you and feature you on our blog.
What to get? The most relative question for the most relative of people . . . Dad . . . Father . . . . Pop . . . . Daddy . . . or maybe it's a first name because he's like a Father to someone. We are here to see if we can add to the confusion of possibilities circling in your head. If nothing more, maybe we can spark an idea. We captured options from the ridiculous, to the sublime, to well - see for yourself and read on!
For now, Inada’s Sogno sets their chair as the pinnacle of massage chair development with a highly refined program starting with an infrared scan to allocate your “Shiatsu” spots, which then mark the reference for one of 106 predefined massage routines. The chair almost covers your whole body fingertip-to-shoulder massage program. Now that's ridiculous. We WANT one.
The Brocantique antique foosball table is created from brightly polished art deco figures strung on silver rods framed with dark wood and tanned leather. The German craftsman of Brocantique refine old pieces that already surpassed their climax from a brand named Swinnen Automatique.
Next is the Wolf triple watch rotator that features one of Wolf Designs innovative patents. The patented rotation routine simulates an authentic daily use with sporadic rotations and preset sleep phases to prevent occurring intricacies of over-winded movements.
The first hands free cell phone ski and snowboard glove, the Swany g.cell gives your wrist a noticeable shake after detecting an incoming call and with a push on the back of the hand it literally allows you to talk to your hand. Nothing mentioned about a wrist protection but the phone will last for 12 hours on standby mode or 4 hours of talking-hand time.
Originally designed to master the damp, hilly terrain of British links courses, the Remote Controlled Caddie reaches up to 6 mph and provides optimal traction and stability when ascending hills or traversing the rough, gravel, or concrete. The pocket-sized remote control propels the device has a 150' range, while navigating the caddie. The 12-volt battery powers the caddie for up to 5 miles (up to 27 holes) on a single charge.
This leather case protects and recharges an iPhone, providing up to 13 hours of additional talk time. The case can recharge an iPhone up to 2 1/2 times before the case itself needs to be recharged.
Ooms Wooden USB Stick: the sticks are picked from the woods and are manually selected on their natural beauty, professionally handmade by Dutch company OOOMS.
The PRIE Tunewallet a smart and stylish nappa leather carrying case with room on one side for your iPod nano and on the other for business cards, your driver’s license, a credit card and cash...
Archos recently introduced a stunningly slender 9-inch device that’ll boost the ordinary day with mobile entertainment and deft finger exercises. The Archos 9 is an ultra compact tablet PC that runs a full Windows 7 OS
The new BOSS Green collection reveals two bright green impressions that are armed to impress and to differentiate even in contrast to the greenest golf courts. Breathable materials and an absolute water-resistance are a feature as a matter of course as also modern green-friendly arranged and forged spikes.
Another great on-the-go IPod charger is this little white adaptor for a mere $39.00 Available at: most Restoration Hardware Stores
Harrods’ (yes the English hallmark) luxury Krug Trunk is the perfect piece to impress anybody in sight. This well-crafted case is attractive and sturdy and very durable as its corners, hinges and handles are built to last which means they’re corrosion proofed to ensure that the case maintains its stately appearance. The Krug ensemble consists of a trunk with a classic vivid red colored calfskin interior, an ice bucket originally designed by Francois Bauchet, three bottles Krug Grande Cuvee champagne and to complete an exclusive picnic it comes with a removable trunk lid which does have dual functionality — it also can be used as a table. ONLY a mere $54,000 - Get two!
This limited tough-as-nails Stanley Thermos will be there keeping you warm with a hot cup of coffee on those cold days of hunting and fishing. A forever faithful gadget for the gentleman. On sale right now at Restoration Hardware $29.49 (was $59.00).
Nordstroms - Guide to Mens Clothing: every prolific man has to realize it once, and has to admit that “dress for success” is not just a generic quotation, it’s proven truth. Designer Tom Julian details a myriad of illustrations enlightening the reader about insider jargon, pattern combinations, and how to create your own look. $19.95
This past April Seattle held the annual Seattle Dog Show. It is rumored Seattle has more dogs than children, so we felt we should provide all of the animal lovers and more especially the dog lovers a look at some of the nicely coif-'furred' entrants this Spring.
This is a great event to attend and if you have a dog, are even considering getting a dog, or even need to educate yourself about particular breeds, this is a show you should jot down on your calendar. Recently in the news we have had so many negative images of these incredible friends of ours, we wanted to persuade everyone to see the positive in our "best friends."
You can also watch many of these amazing creatures do field trials and actually some of them, a newer event, dance with their owners. Pet supplies abound, and so does an entire floor of various breeds animal rescue groups.
We indulged ourselves with a couple of our favorite breeds - one of which is the Scottish Terrier. In honor of one of the best friends we knew, who recently passed away, we bring this glimpse into the well-groomed world of the show dog. Aggie this is for you and we hope you are enjoying it. Aggie was a loving Scottish Terrier owned by our company President, Marion Clifton.
We were inspired by a book titled: The Most Beautiful Libraries of the World by Guillaume de Laubier (Author), Jacques Bosser (Photographer), James H. Billington (Contributor), Laurel Hirsch (translator) (Author). In the day and age of information, with the primary sourcing appears to be electronics and the internet, it is the "wow" factor of these incredible libraries that make us take a little step back. Here are just a hand full of the libraries we thought you might enjoy from the above book. Headed in the direction of any of these magnificant structures? Eco-tour idea: walk through and feed your eyes and your mind.
A: Bibliteca di Belle Arti Milano B: Stiftsbibliothek Klosterneuburg, Klosterneuburg, Austria C: Ruggs Library, Georgetown, NY D: Central Library - Seattle E: Suzzallo Library-Seattle F: Abbey Library St. Gallen, Switzerland G: Blioteca-general-da-universidade-de-coimbra-iv H: Melk Monastery Library, Melk, Austria I: Codrington-Oxford-England J: St Gall
The unemployment rate in the country seems to increase every week which means thousands of business professionals are finding themselves on the job hunting search once again. With so many out of work, how can you set yourself apart from the pack?
A rising new business trend for professionals is to create a video resume. A Seattle based company, 4th Avenue Media, is aiding professionals in the creation of video resumes. The team at 4th Avenue Media believes the only thing that sets you apart is your story. By integrating new media tools like web videos, websites, blogs and other social networking tools like Facebook, Linked In, Plaxo and others, you send a message to the employer that your technical and social skills will be an asset to their company.
The key to utilizing new media tools most effectively is to make certain that all content available online, including personal sites you may have on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter & MySpace, are professional and non-incriminating. Screen all your online personal content including friends sites that may have anything questionable about you and remove all content and images that may translate a message you wouldn't want a potential employer to receive.
Once you've verified that all your social memberships are professionally representing you, create your video resume and place it on all social networking sites. You never know how a contact may lead to a potential job. Also, email your video resume in advance of your interview to your potential employer along with a paper copy of your resume. Your video resume will certainly set you apart from all the generic resumes in the employers inbox.
Looking for a unique Valentine's Day gift for your loved one? We have a very unique idea for you. Let us introduce you to CharityBuzz. Through online auctions, CharityBuzz raises funds for a variety of organizations and causes. CharityBuzz works with non-profits founded by the most famous names on the planet, including Bette Midler, Andre Agassi, Rosie O'Donnell, Eddie Vedder, Petra Nemcova, Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy and Denis Leary, as well as with smaller charities that address particular needs in their local communities. While publicity efforts may logically focus on the big names, all charities — large and small — benefit from the increased traffic at our website generated by star power. Simply stated, great products partnered with celebrity causes creates "buzz" and generates sales and raises awareness for all of their charity partners.
Going on now through February 12 is a special Valentine's Day auction, with items for bid that you can give as a gift to your special valentine. Check it out. Some of the items are pretty outrageous but remember its all for a good cause.
The economy is calling for all of us to "think creative" - More and more people are riding the scooter scene which is loaded with character from the classic original "Vespa" to the hot new entries in the market. Don't stop there - why not show YOUR style if you ride or are thinking of riding. It's just not "vanilla" anymore. The local Vespa store website is: http://www.vespaseattle.com/
Since you can easily customize your scooter - why not the helmet?
The helmet company, Ruby, designed by Honet, has painted a schizophrenic character he named: Pale Rider vs Surfin' Zombie." These are the tree helmet views at the bottom of the photo. The price tag on this pure style component is running anywhere from $500 to $1100. These are exclusive designs of the famous helmet designer in Paris. If you haven't checked these out - feast your eyes on their website: http://www.ateliersruby.com/. One of the closest dealers on the West Coast is VESPA OF CALIFORNIA. Enjoy the ride!
Just because you are all grown and sitting in a meeting doesn't mean you have to act grown up. Create a different kind of meeting and save a few bucks along the way. Instead of price PER plate - why not see if your caterer has any equipment like a popcorn machine, pretzel machine or even a sno-cone machine? This is just plain fun and brings the best out in all of us. OK - so it is NOT the healthiest of all choices, but a little indulgence here and there never hurt anyone.
Now for that extra kick - and to promote interaction between everyone all you need is a photo booth at the meeting. Check out www.photoboothservices.com. They can work with any space and any type of event. Plus you're guests will have a great keepsake from the meeting.
Looking for some REAL holiday inspiration for yourself, your family or even your staff? Look no further - here are some GREAT ideas and places to go - don't worry - all you need to do is call, reserve your space, or show and the inspiration will be there waiting for you! Here are a few festive ideas! Have fun!
OPTION 1: Make a splash in your scrapbook with a family vacation at Great Wolf Lodge, conveniently located in Centralia, Washington between Seattle and Portland. And their Conference Center is also available for corporate and social functions for groups from 8 to 800.
OPTION 2: Get your tickets now for a Seattle tradition. The ACT's 33rd Annual production of A Christmas Carol is playing now. Calll the ticket office at (206) 292-7676. Special group prices for parties of 20 or more are available. Save up to 25%. Call (253) 839-4204 to book now!
OPTION 3: The Argosy Christmas Ship™ festival is a holiday celebration that has been a Northwest tradition for 59 years. Its main purpose is to bring communities together to celebrate the holiday season. Click here to watch a video.
OPTION 4: Book a table for fun, laughs and jaw-dropping acrobatics at Teatro Zinzanni. If this is your first time visiting, you are in for a real treat!
This time of year there is inspiration for your event planning decorations everywhere you look in the form of Christmas lights. Never underestimate the simple additions of twinkling lights to your event decor. And try to be creative in the ways you use lighting at your event. Think outside the box like some of these fabulous examples below.
Couture has been a huge buzz word in pop culture in the last couple of years. If you love couture, and goodness knows we do, then you'll love these completely original, and completely dazzling couture Christmas greeting cards and invitations from Enfin La Voila! Each design is custom created and looks like nothing we've ever seen before.
Enfin La Voila also creates custom stationary and invitations for just about any ocassion so if you have a need for something truly out the ordinar and ultra extraordinary check out the complete collection.
If you are looking to build morale within your own company consider looking toward your employees for inspiration. A local company out of Seattle called Noetix is doing just that. Noetix has taken life size images of the people that work there and created an employee wall of fame. Photos where taken at a company event and posted on one of the hallways at the company. Now when employees arrive, they are reminded how important they are to the company each and every day.
Our holiday inspiration boards continue with this easy to re-create and ultra spectacular Thanksgiving board. Planning an entertaining and family-friendly turkey day has never been easy.
Theme: Giving Thanks, duh! Colors: Stick to pale oranges, cranberry reds and sage green
The Decor: We like choosing simple decor items that can also carry you into the Christmas season. So stick with fruits and vegetables and dark greens as your design backdrop.
The Food: When it comes to planning a meal for a large group, don't try to do everything yourself. Ask your guests to bring a side dish, and don't feel like you are backing out of the responsibilities by asking others to help out with the meal. Remember, it is Thanksgiving after all, so let your friends give. Of course, there is always the main staple, the infamous turkey. If you are a Tom Douglas mini-me, go ahead and try to make your own frozen/thawed turkey with all the dressings. But if you are like us, consider a catered turkey or a pre-cooked turkey from Honeybaked Ham. Add your own garnishes, and be sure to throw away any evidence of a "store bought" bird so your guests will never know. And, if nothing else, ditch the canned cranberry sauce for the real thing. It's pretty simple to make and you can gloat that you made it from scratch all night long.
The Entertainment: How often do you have all your friends and family together? Not that often right, so make the most of it. Pull out some "family fun" games and stick Miracle on 34th Street in the dvd player. (Yes, we realize this is a "Christmas" movie, but the movie starts out depicting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, so work with us here).
The Mood: From the moment your guests step inside your welcoming home, make sure they are bombarded (that's right, we said bombarded) with the scent of the holidays. Our pick is the lovely scent of spiced pumpkin, which can also carry you right into the Christmas season. Create the scent with burning oil, candles and room sprays and add extra touches with scented soaps and lotions in the bathroom.
The Booze: Be adventurous and try out a new fall-themed cocktail like spiked hot cider, pecan martini or pomegranate mint mojito. What other time of year can you try something so festive?
The holidays are just around the corner, and chances are, you are busy as bee planning your company holiday event. How will you market it to your fellow employees? We highly suggest using online meeting registration and marketing to spread the word...here's why...
Company Meeting and Event Websites The Internet has quickly become one of the most efficient and cost-effective meeting marketing and communication tools. A meeting website, e-mail marketing campaign and online registration will boost attendance for almost any event, meeting or conference. Consideration for a unique event website might be applied as an incorporated part of your company or groups permanent website, or a standalone site or both! Effective meeting/event web site components you should consider including on the site could be:
On-Demand Attendance Reports
Email Invitation and Attendance Campaign
24/7 Meeting/Event Registration
Venue Information
Accommodation Details
Program & Agenda
Frequently Asked Questions
Web Casting (video options)
Content Archiving
Post-Event Follow-Up
Online Event Program Management Event planning online through use of on-line form submissions, emails and updates quickly and easily creates a unified affect that when done well, will narrow the physical or perceptive distance that might exist within your team(s).
You can track the progress of program development more easily.
Your team will communicate more effectively with each other and with the meeting presenters.
Much of the information in the program development system can be automatically used in emails and on web pages.
Online Meeting Registration Online meeting registration can increase registrations while decreasing registration costs! In fact, the simplicity and convenience of online registration is a critical contributor to assuring high attendance for many events. When considering companies to work with make sure they can offer you a visible proven track record for many unique types of events they have setup on-line registration within your company’s needs and details.
Do not overlook a company who is not a “known” factor.
Do your research. It will pay heavy rewards in the end.
Meeting Webcasting Web Casting and archived audio, video and presentation content enables expanded distribution of meeting content. It makes a very efficient tool to connect with those who may not be able to attend your meeting or event.
HOT Tip! You've all heard about eVite, but have you checked out PINGG? PINGG is an online event invitation and management service. And it's free!
Whoever said Halloween was for kids was clearly mistaken. We'd like to introduce our new "Get Inspired!" series of party planning inspiration boards to help you get your creative juices flowing for your own happening events. After all, we are entering the busiest season of all, jam-packed with one holiday after another. So let's get started with our first board of the season!
Theme: A Grown-Up Halloween Colors: Black and Orange
The Colors: Go classic orange and black. Since orange is not a color most people use often, select accent pieces like napkins, candlesticks and small decorations that are orange in color. Then choose black items that are more recyclable like your chairs, table linens and candlesticks to complete the look.
The Decor: Halloween is a pretty simple holiday to find decorations for. But if you have the time and energy, try simple crafts for your decorations like pumpkin carving, glittered votive candle holders and edible spooky snacks. Homemade decorations are far more interesting and impressive.
The Entertainment: What would a Halloween party be without a scary film? We checked AFI's top 50 horror films and the film Psycho topped the list. Even if you aren't all going to sit down and watch it intently, stick it in your dvd player and let it run. Just the screams and scary music will add to the overall abiance.
The Food: Plan a meal that allows people to gather around the table, talk and mingle. A formal sitdown dinner is just not appropriate for a Halloween party. Consider a fondue party with cheddar cheese dip. It's a fun and tasty activity, plus it matches your color scheme!
The Fun: Since it is a Halloween Party after all, costumes are a must! Give an award for the best costume and the most creative costume. It will turn your event into a competition, encouraging your guests to step it up a notch. And since you are the awesome party planner that you are, we suggest going as Mr. or Mrs. Incredible!
2008 Northwest Event Show Sponsor Highlight: Robinson Designs & Events
When you want to transform a room, decorate for a theme or style, or just create that one magical focal point for your ceremony or reception, call Robinson Design & Events!
Robinson Designs & Events, artists, designers, fabricators...long respected members of the Pacific Northwest event community, offers full-service décor for all kinds of social and corporate events. Our goal is to surprise and delight their clients and their guests.
Each year at the Northwest Event Show, Robinson Designs & Events creates new themed environments that simple amaze us. We can't wait to see what they come up with this year.
2008 Northwest Event Show Sponsor Highlight: WestCoast Drape
We are pleased to welcome WestCoast Drape as an exhibitor in the Northwest Event Show for the first time. Drape and fabric has the ability to turn an ordinary room into an extraordinary display of creativity and design. With WestCoast Drape your options are truly limitless.
On New Year’s Day 2006 Wes Walterman, opened WestCoast Drape with an idea of creating a premier drape company. Walterman joined forces with Scott Galloway as VP of Operations and Sales to develop and honor standards of product value, business integrity, and customer service designed to eclipse the competition. From their home base in Portland, Oregon, they began working to set a new standard in pipe and drape rental. Today, WestCoast Drape has seven satellite offices throughout the western United States including Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, and San Francisco.
WestCost Drape is the official drape provider for the 2008 Northwest Event Show. They will also be on hand to answer your questions and showcase their impressive portfolio and stock fabrics.
2008 Northwest Event Show Sponsor Hightlight: PJ Hummel & Co.
One of the best things about the Northwest Event Show is our amazing sponsor lineup. We have the best of the best in event design, production and execution in the business. And for one day, they all come together to show off their stuff. This week and next, we'll be introducing you to sponsors one by one, so you can get a head start in knowing which exhibitors are the ones you need to look for first.
Today, we'd like to highlight PJ Hummel & Co., one of the best known event decorators in the area today. PJ Hummel & Company, Inc. is an award-winning event décor and production company—creating impressive special events for private and corporate clients. A one-stop shop for your entire event design needs. In today’s world of doing more with less, you need to get maximum return on your event investment. With PJ Hummel, the only limitation you have is your imagination.
PJ Hummel & Company strives to provide the finest event design and décor, delivered with impeccable style and grace. Each event is carefully planned with a purpose to create unforgettable tangible experiences.
PJ Hummel & Company has been collecting authentic props, antiques, and theme décor for over 30 years. The company’s design studio and magical themed warehouse is located in Tacoma, WA on the Middle Waterway. PJ Hummel & Company’s magical themed prop warehouse makes the company unique. An interactive space with over 15,000 square feet, filled with ideas and promises of dreams to be. The Company’s warehouse is open to clients to experience and explore. A total of 10 multi-sensory vignettes are set for clients to view and touch, including lighting and special effects.
Look for PJ's designs the moment you walk into the registration lobby of the Northwest Event Show and also in the center of the show floor as she and her team of professionals create a stunning "rest area" for you to kick back and relax after a day of fun and eating!
But wait, have you registered yet? If not, head over to nweventshow.com and register today. Only those that pre-registered will receive validation for free parking!
As you know, the Northwest Event Show is going green this year and we look forward to presenting you with fresh ideas and inspirations to help you think outside the box in event design.
There is nothing more beautiful than nature, so it is no wonder that current trends in event planning design and decor are gathering inspiration from nature's finest elements. A key theme in event design trends for 2009 is to bring the outdoors inside in the form of floral centerpieces and room focal points.
Below we have provided samples from Los Angeles event planner Krislyn Designs. Krislyn Designs successfully uses natural shapes, colors and textures found in nature to create stunning and masterful event decor sensations. We particularly love the use of potted trees and plants as room centerpieces.
