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Friday, June 26, 2009
Environmental Graffiti
Since 1983, colourful giant animals have been spotted around the world. Some seem to emerge right out of the water, while others hang in the balance like some kind of animal laundry between close-knit buildings. Still others stand guard atop historic landmarks and downtown balconies while top predators revert to their basest instincts in a bid for survival. Created using recycled plastic bottles by Cracking Art Group, these animals represent the art collective’s strong social and environmental ethic while bringing accessible contemporary art to the masses. The art group, which consists of six members from Italy, France and Belgium, derived their name from the term used to describe the transformation of petroleum to plastic, called ‘catalytic cracking’. All six artists use the medium of plastic to give rise to their own interpretation of “our contemporary problems and tensions.”
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
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
Every office has one. You either love them or you hate them, but the office prankster is always planning his or her next attack. If you are looking for a laugh to kick of your day, head over to Best Office Pranks. Some pranks are harmless, and some are just down right mean, but most are good for a laugh or two.
Here are just a few of some of the pranks that surprised us.
Disclaimer: banquetevent.com does not endorse or recommend any of these pranks for your own office. If you or anyone you know decides to pull a prank in your own office, the responsibility for its outcome is on you.
For our Seattle based event planners, we will be starting a new weekly feature to help you get to know your city better. Check back every Thursday for more local ideas, tips, and advice. Just look for the "We Love _____" icon on each weekly post for local guides and resources.
Budgets may be a little tighter these days, but everyone needs a vacation right? If you are like us and are craving a little R&R these days, consider some hotel and resort options just around the corner. Staycations are a great way to take advantage of the utterly fantastic hotels and resorts in your neighborhood. After all, people come from afar to stay at some of the area's hottest and luxury hotels, and because you live within driving distance, you'll take enjoy the ritz and glam of a four star hotel, but without the cost of airfare, rental cars, and other travel expenses. So this winter and spring, do what we do, and plan your very own staycation. Here are some of our favorite hotspots you should check out.
Plan The Perfect Valentine's Day With Some Oldies But Goodies
When it comes to Valentine's Day and sharing it with your loved one, planning some traditional activities is always a winning movement. Here are some quick ideas to help you prepare for February 14th.
Plan 1: Stay In. If you plan to stay in for Valentine's Day, make the most of it by preparing everything from scratch. Make a sweet dessert and prepare a Valentine's menu. If you are not a great cook, no fear. Most of the restaurants around town offer take-out so call ahead of time and order your favorite meals for two. Finish the night with a romantic movie like "An Affair To Remember" and enjoy the company of your sweetheart.
Plan 2: Hit the Town. We suggest a dinner and a show option. Find out what is playing in your area and plan a night at the theatre, comedy club, jazz club or ballet. Your best bet is to find a place that serves food while you watch like Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle, WA. Be sure to dress the part in your best duds and make the most of this holiday that only comes around once a year.
Plan 3: Couple's Spa Day. Often Valentine's Day is best celebrated when you and your love can take a step back from the everyday stresses of life to recharge and rejuvinate. What better way to energize yourself than with a spa package for two?
Looking for a fun activity this weekend? Head over to the Parlor in Bellevue, WA for some comedy and laughs with Mark Curry from "Hanging With Mr. Cooper." Plus mark your calendars for more activities coming up including comedy shows, dualing piano shows, and even a Super Bowl Party this weekend.
The Parlor is also great for large groups. The Parlor Collection provides the right space for any event. Whether you’re looking for a fun spot to host an after-work gathering, a corporate team building event, a celebratory product launch, or a private party, The Parlor Collection has what you’re looking for. Private executive suites, semi-private ultra lounges, or select sections of billiards tables are available. From casual to elegant catering and exceptional first-class service, your guests will enjoy an environment like no other.
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!
REMINDER! Meeting Planners Are from Mars, Speakers Are from Venus!
Comet relays this message from Santa. This meeting of planners and speakers is a step towards world peace. This is one of his most special gifts that took extreme care to organize. Santa asks you to picture the following scenarios:
The speaker demanded two wireless mics and a sound check 1.5 hours before the program. That’s an extra $150 per wireless microphone, plus we now need to have the AV guy to set it up which is $60 an hour. Our other speakers don’t have these requests. She also needs help to set up. Next, she will ask us to polish her tiara. What’s up with her?
Your out of town speaker, keeps asking you questions about the audience he will be addressing in his full day customer service program. It is annoying. We hire him to do his program, not to evaluate the personalities of everyone here. I feel like I am doing more work sharing with them, than he is doing. Argh!
Do you ever wonder why your speakers are adamant about trivial details? This is the time to ask professional speakers “why?” Plus this is a chance to share with your speakers the scope of your job as a planner and how the speaker fits into the big picture.
This is first time planners and speakers get to hash out their confusion about each other’s job and how to make each other look great for the client.
Meeting Planners Are from Mars, Speakers Are from Venus! An event hosted by NSA Northwest
Like Fred and Ginger, Franklin and Eleanor, even Kermit and Miss Piggy, Meeting Planners and Speakers have a classic relationship but frequently “Just don’t get it!” when working together. Like many a romance, we often fail to ask important questions at the beginning and assume we know each others’ needs, often resulting in a Ricky and Lucy explosion on Event Day: Meeting Planner: "Speaker! You got some splainin’ to do.” Speaker: " Waaaaaaah!”
And vice-versa. Truthfully, both Meeting Planners and Speakers want the same thing: a successful event with raves from audience members and clients requesting encores. Here’s how we’ll get it every time!
Within three hours, we’ll address the essentials of this partnership, and explode the myths on both sides of the speaker hiring question. This is an opportunity for professionals on both sides of the contract to get instant clarity and an edge over their competitors. In both panel and town hall formats we’ll address such burning issues as:
Meeting Planners: What are your responsibilities as a meeting planner? Where does a speaker rank in the hierarchy of venue, food, etc? What makes an ideal speaker?
Speakers: Which information is vital to get from the planner? Why floor plan, seating arrangements and food service affects your presentation. How other activities and topics in the schedule affect your program.
In addition to our discussions, we’ll have the opportunity for a few speakers to do a mini-showcase and get immediate feedback from people with the power to hire. Both Mars and Venus will leave with immediately applicable tools as the planets spin once again in sync—-and accomplish their shared goal of a memorable and compelling meeting for every audience, every time. That’s amore!
Members $30 Affiliates $45 First Time $40 Guests $75 Meeting Planners $20
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!
The Seattle Hotel Association's (SHA) 59-member hotels is proud to announce that H.S. Wright III and Kate Janeway are the honorees of its 12th annual fundraising dinner and gala auction, the "Evening of Hope." The highly anticipated gala will once again raise funds for Plymouth Housing Group, which provides supportive housing for more than 1000 individuals who would otherwise be homeless in downtown Seattle. The event will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
Learn more about this great cause and you can attend by clicking here.
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.
Nothing can take you away from the stresses of life like the movies can. That's why with all the hustle and bustle of the holiday approaching, Hollywood gives us a little escape in the form of blockbusters. Here's the buzz on the season's most talked about feature films...
Twilight
The Plot: In her new town of Forks, Washington, misfit teenager Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) falls for her alluring and mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). As it turns out, Edward belongs to a lineage of vampires, although he doesn't fit the typical vampire mold. As their passion reaches dizzying heights, can Edward resist his natural urges, and will he be able to defend Bella from his family members who have come for her? Our Pick!
Watch the trailer...
Four Christmases
The Plot: A comedy about a married couple (Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn) from two divorced families who are tasked with attending four Christmas Day celebrations.
Australia
The Plot: Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man (Hugh Jackman) in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand. Our Pick!
Watch the trailer...
The Day The Earth Stood Still
The Plot: Aliens land on Earth with an important message for its citizens. A remake of the classic 1951 sci-fi film directed by Robert Wise.
Seven Pounds
The Plot: A professional man (Will Smith) who is close to suicide for his role in an auto accident that claimed the lives of seven people finds a reason to live, and to atone, when he falls for a woman (Rosario Dawson) who wants to help him deal with his grief. Our Pick!
Watch the trailer...
Yes Man
The Plot: What happens when you agree with everyone and say "yes" to everything? Carl (Jim Carrey) is about to find out when he chooses to become overly agreeable for an entire year. Our Pick!
Watch the trailer...
Revolutionary Road
The Plot: A young couple (Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio) raising a family in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s look to break free from their frustratingly mediocre lives.
Valkyrie
The Plot: Near the end of WWII, Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) leads to group of fellow German army colonels in an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler; the event would later be called the July 20 Plot of 1944.
Marley & Me
The Plot: An impossibly cute, but impossible-to-live-with yellow Labrador retriever named Marley teaches his newlywed owners (Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson) a thing or two about patience and parenthood.
Last Chance Harvey
The Plot: During a weekend in which Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) travels to London for his daughter's wedding, her first learns that he's lost his job back in New York, then he discovers he won't be the man giving away the bride at the ceremony. The one good thing that happens -- his meeting Kate (Emma Thompson), a prickly but nevertheless enchanting Londoner -- might be the beginning of some much-needed change in Harvey's life. Our Pick! Watch the trailer...
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Plot: Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) was born under unusual circumstances. As everyone around him grew older, he aged backwards, making the challenges of life such as creating friendships, finding a job and falling in love all the more difficult and heartbreaking. Our Pick!
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.
Get ready for a day of turkey day gorging with the annual Turkey Trot fun walk. Proceeds from the Turkey Trot held November 16, will not only benefit your waistline, but also the Hopelink organization that provides emergency services for low-income families in east and north King County during the winter months when they faces added pressures such as higher home heating costs and additional food needs. Hopelink anticipates an increase by 20% of those visiting food banks this year, and the money raised through the Turkey Trot will go toward providing those in need with the resources they need.
Registration for the fun walk begins at Noon on the 16th at Carillon Point in Kirkland. The walk starts at 1 pm. You may also pre-register to receive a $5 discount.
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?
On The Plane, On the Train, In A Boat, While You Float
When it comes to event planners, we are often on the go, go, go, so reading the next great novel isn't always an easy task. Until now. It's already been endorsed by Oprah as her new favorite thing, and we must admit, the new Amazon Kindle is worth all the buzz.
Utilizing a new high-resolution display technology called electronic paper, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white screen that resembles the appearance and readability of printed paper. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. It reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, Kindle can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.The screen never gets hot so you can comfortably read as long as you like.
Last week we blogged about the sales of political Halloween masks and how their sales can often predict the winner of the presidential election. Now comes another, so-called "predictor" from 7-11 convenience stores. Let us introduce you to the 2008 7-Election, where 7-11 coffee drinkers show their support for one candidate over another by drinking from their respective choice's coffee cup.
Now you may be like us and wonder if any of these "predictors" are really accurate. Well, according to 7-11, during the 2000 7-Election, the George W. Bush cups outsold the Al Gore cups by just 1%...and we all remember how that election turned out. 7-11 also states that during the 2004 7-Election, the results tracked identically with published national election results: 51% George W. Bush and 49% for John Kerry (within a few percentage points of actual poll results in many states!).
So where does the 7-Election stand today? According to the national results tallied thus far, Barack Obama leads John McCain 60% to 40%. In Washington State, Obama also leads McCain 68% to 38%.
Can this all be true? Time will tell. Click here to track the results yourself.
Hey all you voters? Want to spread the word that you will be voting come this November? Send in your "I Will Vote" photo to the Secretary of State website. Check out some of the great photos we've found of local voters pledging to vote.
If you have children in grades K-12 and want to teach them about the importance of the upcoming election, encourage them to vote in the Washington State Mock Election. Voting starts at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 27 and the polls close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31. Results are posted after 5:00 p.m.
When voting begins, students participating in the Mock Election must "register to vote" by submitting their name and school. They will immediately receive a unique voter ID number, a printable voter registration card, and their ballot. Ballots are cast online. Election results will be available after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
Students will vote on all the same issues facing adults and will also vote to elect the next President and Vice President of the United States as well as local Governor.
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!
Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who Is The Scariest Of Them All?
It has often been said that people's choice of political Halloween costumes can often predict the winner and loser of the presidential race. You may predict that the most purchased political mask of the year would equal the candidate the voters think is the "scariest" option. After all, this is Halloween and the time for spooks and tricks. But, surprisingly, that is not the case. According to online costume retailers, the quantity of political masks purchased predicts the winner, not loser of the presidential race. In fact, they say that they have been able to predict the winner of the last seven elections, simply by mask sales!
So who will win this year? According to a recent article featured on AOL.com, so far, Barack Obama masks are outselling John McCain masks in Spirit Halloween and iParty stores and online at Amazon and BuyCostumes.com.
Will mask sales predict the winner? We'll just have to wait and see.
Emerald City Applause Awards Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM at the Columbia Tower Club 701 5th. Ave, 75th. Floor Seattle, WA 98104
Celebrating the Gems of our Industry
The entries are entered, the judges have judged, and the excitement is building in anticipation of the 4th Annual Emerald City Applause Awards!
Join your colleagues and friends in honoring the best of the best in Washington’s event industry! Your presence is requested to come and savor the excellent work done by some of the top companies in our industry.
NACE AUCTION October 21st Annual Auction RSVP by October 16th 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 RSVP by Thursday, October 16th at www.TacomaNACE.net Sharon McGavick Student & Conference Center Clover Park Technical College 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Building 23 Lakewood, WA 98499
The Tacoma/South Puget Sound Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives invites you to our annual auction Cooking up Success! benefiting Clover Park Technical College's Culinary Arts and Floral programs & the NACE education program.
Murder Mystery aboard the historic Steamship Virginia V November 1, 2008 7-10 p.m. Departs from Seattle's Lake Union Park 860 Terry Avenue North Seattle, WA. 98109 For a cruise around Lake Union and Lake Washington
Join Events on the Edge and the historic Steamship Virginia V for a special Halloween theme murder mystery celebration and adventure aboard the High Seas, with a 3 hour Dinner Cruise around Lake Union and Lake Washington. Halloween costumes are welcome but not required! Time: Boarding/cocktails 6pm. Mystery & Dinner Cruise 7-10pm Cost: $85.00 per person plus $2.00 fuel surcharge for Buffet Dinner, Mystery & Cruise (does not incl tax or gratuity) Tickets: Available online at www.virginiav.org or call 206.624.9119 Parking: Lot & street parking is available at Lake Union Park.
To assist you in planning for 2009, Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau invite you to participate in the Umbrella Tour. Specifically designed for meeting and event planners, this two-day event is sure to get you acquainted with Thurston County as a meeting and event destination.
RSVP TO: Heather Antanaitis, Membership & Marketing Development Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitior & Convention Bureau Toll Free: 877.704.7544 Email: marketing@visitolympia.com
Whether you have never been to the area or it is been a while since your last visit, this Familiarization Tour is sure to give you a fresh perspective on what the region has to offer. You will experience our finest attractions, explore restaurants and enjoy two complimentary room nights at the Phoenix Inn & Suites/Red Lion Olympia.
Please join us for the Umbrella Tour November 15-17th. Space is limited, so we ask that you RSVP by November 5th.
We think you'll love this local website that helps you connect with local teachers so you can learn just about anything. Meet teachstreet.com where you can search for teachers of a certain craft in the Seattle and Portland area. So if you want to learn to sail, cook, sew, dance, play the piano or just about any other craft you can think of, Teach Street helps you find the skilled professionals in the area that can turn you into a pro yourself.
Once you have found a teacher you can then go onto teachstreet.com and write a review that will help others find a teacher that is right for them. We also like how the site recognizes what craft you want to learn and offers books about the similar trade that are available for you at Amazon.com.
Check out Teach Street and let us know what you think.
Check out this upcoming event at Castle Bridge Winery, a boutique winery in Kent , WA. Come for music, wine, chocolate and fun!
Wine, Chocolate and Live Music September 27, 2008 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm Location: Castle Bridge Winery 7645 South 180th Street Kent WA 98032 Contact: Linda Phone: 425-251-0983 Email: cbwinery@earthlink.net RSVP required
Tickets: $10.00 per person/$18.00 couple At the door: 15.00 per person/25.00 couple Relax and Indulge Live music by Suzanne Brewer
Thank you to all of those that attended the 2008 Northwest Event Show. It was a HUGE success and we are already planning ahead for next year's show. Check back tomorrow as we get back to work, bringing you more great event and business planning tips, ideas and inspirations.
Sneak Peek: Attend the 2008 Northwest Event Show Tomorrow And Receive the 2009 Event Resource Guide - FREE!
That's right, just by attending the 2008 Northwest Event Show tomorrow at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, you'll receive the 2009 Event Resource Guide as our complimentary gift ($14.95 value). The Event Resource Guide is jam-packed with tools and resources for the event planner in the Pacific Northwest. From caterers to venues to entertainers and speakers, the Event Resource Guide has it all.
B&E has published the Event Resource Guide for over a decade, but the 2009 edition is our first to be printed in full color. And we don't mean to brag or anything, but it's our best guide EVER!
Those that don't attend the Northwest Event Guide will have to wait for their copy, so come to the show and get yours hot of the press.
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: Hollywood Lighting Inc. & PNTA
Don't you just love options? One of the greatest parts about the 2008 Northwest Event Show is that it presents you with so many qualified businesses and services that will meet your needs. Two of our sponsors, Hollywood Lighting Inc. and PNTA, for example, can take your event to new levels with regards to event production, lighting, sound, staging, and design. Just come to the Northwest Event Show, this upcoming Tuesday, for just a taste of what these two incredible companies can do.
A little more about them:
Hollywood Lighting has been a staple of the Northwest Event Show for many years, and each year they continue to amaze with their creativity and knowledgeable staff. Talk to anyone in the business and you'll learn that Hollywood Lighting will exceed your expectations. In 1994, they opened a Seattle office to service rentals and sales for the area. Today, they have a 9200 square foot showroom and warehouse between Safeco Field and Boeing Field. The showroom will make more supplies, expendables and equipment available for rental and sales to the theater, church and event community of Puget Sound. In 2002 they opened a Production Lighting Department in Seattle and now provide those services to the theater and corporate world.
PNTA may be new to the Northwest Event Show this year, but they are certainly not new to the world of event production. From their humble beginning in 1975 as the local, Seattle-area supplier of theatrical equipment and consumables, PNTA has expanded our staff and capabilities over the years to provide a wealth of services for customers across the country. While they still sell supplies and equipment for the theatrical and entertainment industries, now they do it both online and at their spacious new warehouse location at 615 S. Alaska Street. They also rent and repair equipment. PNTA's technical service people are experts at integrating and retrofitting system components to keep lighting control, sound and special effects equipment up and running. They also provide theatrical drapes and soft goods. Corporate, non-profit and private clients alike choose PNTA’s Event Services to help them host memorable events with a flair for the dramatic and a watchful eye to the details.
Come see these two incredible companies at the Northwest Event Show, September 23 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Register NOW!
The Northwest Event Show Partners with PCMA and MPI Meetings Industry Summit
MEETING THE CHALLENGEGaining... Networking... Sharing7th Annual Meetings Industry Summit
For the first time in the show's history, the Northwest Event Show will be held in conjunction with the 7th Annual Meetings Industry Summit, hosted by MPI and PCMA.
One day. Two spectacular events!
Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center Schedule: 7:30am - 8:00am: Check-In & Networking 8:00am - 11:30am: Breakfast and Program 11:00am - 5:00pm: Tour the Northwest Event Show Floor and enjoy all the delicious samples Cost: $75 for Summit, Pre-registration is required, Free to attend the Northwest Event Show For a student discount, please email Jessica@apulent.com
Come network with Industry leaders and experts and participate in interactive discussions on the hottest industry trends.
Keynote Speaker: Enabling Change with George Myers, Partner Effectiveness Institute
Also Featuring: Tom Norwalk, President and CEO of Seattle's Convention & Visitors Bureau presents "State of the Industry"
Panel of Industry Experts include: Moderator: Michael McQuade, Director of Sales & Marketing, Washington State Convention and Trade Center Panelists: Richard Moore, Co-Founder TPN Events Jeanne Berry, Principal, RealTime Productions Debra Vasseur, Travel and Meetings Manager, Starbucks Coffee Company Rachel Hall, Operations Manager, Hollywood Lighting Services
Thank You to the Summit's Presenting Sponsors: Aramark Blue Danube Hollywood Lighting PJ Hummel & Company, Inc The Extreme Group The Production Network Washington State Convention & Trade Center WestCoast Drape
2008 Northwest Event Show Sponsor: Destination Hotels & Resorts
The wonderful part about living in the Northwest is that true getaway destinations are just a short drive away. And fortunately for us, we have three of the finest destination resorts around exhibiting at the Northwest Event Show. And fortunately for you, just by attending the show, you'll have the chance to win a trip for two to each of these fabulous destinations.
Skamania Lodge, a magnificent mountain resort nestled on 175 wooded acres, is located in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The rustic yet elegant, grand mountain Lodge is located just 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
"Skamania" is the Chinook Indian word for "swift water". The resort, which overlooks the Columbia River is aptly named, as there are also over 70 waterfalls nearby, including the famous Multnomah Falls, which, at 620 feet, is the fifth highest waterfall in the United States.
Surrounded by Cascade peaks and set alongside the Cle Elum River, Suncadia offers the ultimate luxury mountain resort experience, combining year round outdoor recreation and luxurious accommodations and amenities. From championship golf, spectacular hiking, fly fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing, to spa treatments, and fine dining, Suncadia is a place for friends and family to relax and reconnect.
Suncadia's luxury lodging can accommodate groups of any size. The Inn at Suncadia is an intimate, elegant lodge in a mountain setting with golf course views and stunning Northwest-style design. The Lodge at Suncadia is a lodge in the grandest Northwest tradition, featuring majestic architecture, panoramic river and mountain views, and all the amenities of a full-service luxury hotel and conference center. A collection of custom, Cle Elum vacation rental homes is also available at Suncadia.
Sunriver Resort, located 15 miles south of Bend, Oregon on the dry side of the Cascade Mountains, is a AAA Four-Diamond award winning property. With a unique blend of full-service resort amenities, personalized service, year-round world-class recreation, natural beauty, and the Pacific Northwest ambiance, Sunriver Resort is the Northwest’s premier destination resort.
For a memorable golf outing, quality family vacation, that important corporate meeting, or a rejuvenating spa getaway, discover why Sunriver Resort is the Heart & Soul of the Great Northwest®
2008 Northwest Event Show Sponsor Highlight: Stella Color
We'd like to introduce you to another newbie at the Northwest Event Show this year, Stella Color. At Stella Color, it's all about making big ideas come to life, and doing it with eco-friendly techniques.
Stella Color has been a leader in the digital large format print industry since 1988, and is now helping to lead the way in exploring eco-friendly green printing processes in the large format digital printing world.
They offer a broad variety of digitally printed products and services. They print and produce convention and trade show displays, exhibit displays, indoor and outdoor signage, custom wall coverings for business and home, poster printing, advertising graphics, custom window displays, retail wall displays, vinyl vehicle graphics, and much more!
All of the signage at the 2008 Northwest Event Show will be printed by Stella Color, so we urge you to pay special attention to their quality and start thinking about the ways you can utilize Stella's services for own events or business needs.
Only three weeks now until the 2008 Northwest Event Show takes place at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center on September 23. Have you registered yet? If not, here are just a few of the reasons why you should...
It's 100% free to attend. That's right, the Northwest Event Show is free for all qualified meeting and event planners. Heck, even if you only plan one event a year, or have never planned an event before but have a major one coming up, this show is for you!
Not only is it free, but we'll also give you free stuff! Just for attending the show you'll receive the 2009 B&E Event Resource Guide as our complimentary gift. The guide retails for $14.95 in bookstores, and truly is the most comprehensive planning tool around. The best part is, the 2009 edition will be in FULL COLOR for the first time ever. And you'll be receiving it hot of the press!
The Northwest Event Show is occurring in conjunction with the 2008 SUMMIT INDUSTRY Meeting, also a first. If you are planning on attending the SUMMIT you'll get two great shows on one day.
You'll learn the latest Green Event Planning Tips. This year's event is going green and we have the best ideas and inspirations in town so you can plan greener events too.
Chances to win three weekend getaways to Skamania Lodge, Suncadia Resort, and Sunriver Resort complete with the royal treatment.
The exhibitors are top-notch! With over 250 booths you'll never get another chance like this to meet with the area's top event planning professionals, in one place, on one day. They are the best of the best in design, catering, entertainment, team building and more!
All the food your belly can take, and then a little more. You'll get to sample the best food Northwest caterers have to offer. It's definitely not a day to wear tight pants!
Have we convinced you yet? If so, head on over to nweventshow.com and register for the 2008 Northwest Event Show! You cannot afford to miss this spectacular event!
Have you ever noticed that the city you live in is the one city you hardly know? In other words, when you go on a vacation to another place you find out what the main attractions are and plan sightseeing tours or trips to go see them. But in the own city you live in you often get caught up in your day-to-day agenda and neglect its own attractions and so-called "touristy" activities.
With a three-day weekend coming up, here's your chance to get re-acquainted with your city. For those of you who live in the Seattle area, here are the top six tourist attractions according to About.com to get out there and explore!
1. An afternoon on Broadway in Capitol Hill Capitol Hill is the most densely and diversely populated neighborhood in Seattle. Broadway, the main thoroughfare, has the most active sidewalk scene, day or night, in the city. It is a bustling area that is home to the entire cross-section of Seattle’s population. A trip down Broadway will basically introduce you to everyone you share the city with. It also has many diverse shops and restaurants worth visiting. Spend an afternoon shopping on Broadway and grab an inexpensive lunch.
2. Starbucks at the Space Needle When is the last time you took the 41-second ride to the top of the Space Needle? Do you even remember how beautiful Mt. Rainier looks from there? If not, its time to pull out the $17 (yeah its still a little pricey) and make the trip up the Seattle icon. Once you're at the top, make sure to enjoy a local favorite Starbuck's cup-a-joe.
3. Washington State Ferries (WSF) WSF offers an inexpensive way to see Seattle from the water. You can catch the ferry to Bremerton at Pier 52 for $6.50 round-trip as a passenger. It will cost an extra $7.60 each way to take your car. The ride is 60 minutes each way with a 20-minute stop in Bremerton. It offers excellent views of Blake Island, the naval shipyard in Bremerton, and downtown Seattle from the water upon your return. Pack a lunch and enjoy a better time than you would have had on an expensive Elliott Bay Cruise. If you live in the northend, you could also try the Edmonds Ferry or the Mukilteo/Clinton Ferry. The rides are much shorter, but offer the same beautiful sights and fun places to explore on the other side.
4. Pike Place Public Market You know we had to add it to the list. Pike Place Market is still one of the most famous Seattle hot-spots and for good reason. Adults love it. Kids love it. Dogs love it. What is not to love. Pick up a local bouquet of fresh flowers. Watch fish flying through the air. Shop around the local craft stands. Sit and people watch. The Pike Place Market is rite of passage for any true Seattle native or adoptee and is truly the place that defines the city.
5. Pioneer Square and Underground Tour In 1853, Seattle was founded in the area now known as Pioneer Square. An area of about ten square blocks serves as both the center of Seattle's nightlife and history. You can see and learn a lot without covering much ground by taking a Walking Tour of Pioneer Square. Go on Bill Speidel's Underground Tour first. The 90-minute, $11 guided-tour will help you get your bearings and allow you to experience things in chronological order. It is the best activity in Seattle that nobody knows about.
6. Bumbershoot Bumbershoot is of course not a permanent fixture in Seattle, but it is certainly one of the main attractions during Labor Day weekend. Venture to Seattle Center, the 74-acre park located in the heart of the Pacific Northwest to find a festival that has it all. Bumbershoot, as the name implies, umbrellas a number of artists from different genres representing the best in music, film, comedy, theater, spoken word, dance, visual, performance and literary arts.
We were recently informed of this great idea for an upcoming event in Seattle by one of our clients, Foodz Catering. If you love to cook and think you have what it takes to join the chefs of Foodz Catering in a friendly cooking competition, join the "Iron Chef Acalia" competition. Just like the Food Network show, Iron Chef, a secret ingredient will be revealed and the two teams lead by Chef Shelby and Chef Sarah will decide what dishes to prepare on the spot.
After all the items have been created the food will be presented to the panel of judges including Seattle's Kathy Casey. Sign up online at www.foodzcatering.com or call (206) 297 - 9634 to learn more. Entrance fee is $ 75.00 Foodz Catering will also be on hand at the 2008 Northwest Event Show. Come check out their booth to see what is new for 2008 in catering like their newest outdoor concept: "The Satay Bar."
Football season is just around the corner and you know what that means...Tailgating! If you are the king (or queen) of tailgating, we have just the thing for you. Tailgating Innovations was born of necessity. People are tired of spending their time preparing and cleaning up at sporting events rather than enjoying themselves with friends and family. Tailgating Innovations went to work researching just what makes a great tailgating experience... the ultimate tailgating experience - now you can have that too!
Tailgating Innovations trailers are decked to the nines with a tongue mounted grill with a pivot arm, satellite dish, rear and side doors for easy internal access, rubberized coin flooring, cabinets for storage, electrical outlets, internal e-tracks for secure hauling, internal lighting, smooth aluminum exterior and wheels. The trailer also comes with a 1080p (FHDTV) flatscreen and a high-tech sound system to wow the socks right off your friends.
Prices start at $12,500 as everything is fully customizable.
It is our pleasure to announce Tillicum Village’s participation in the Native American Honor Days 2008. Tillicum Village is offering a special sailing today, the 20th of August at 4:30 p.m. and the 24th of August at 11:30 a.m. to help celebrate this special occasion. Along with the traditional Tillicum Village salmon feast and dance ceremony, they are delighted to offer an Honor Circle Ceremony and the opportunity to sign a petition to make Native American Honor Day a national holiday. On these special days, there is an extraordinary rate offered of $59.00 per adult.
Tonight, there is a special performance by the TwoBirdz Singers drum group, and on the 24th Native American Flute Player Michelle Grace will be featured. In addition, there will be a special art exhibit for viewing on the island. Tillicum asks that you pass on this information to your friends, family, and coworkers; or anyone you know as we would love to have them celebrate this event with us. Please call ahead and make reservations as spots are filling up fast.
Contact Information:Tillicum Village & Tours Inc 2992 SW Avalon Way Seattle, WA 98198 (206) 933-8600, (800) 426-1205 Fax: (206) 933-9377 www.tillicumvillage.com
In three years the Boeing Classic has established itself as one of the top stops on the Tour for sponsor/spectator attendance, player experiences and charitable dollars raised, raising over $2.4 million for Greater Seattle charities including The Heart Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center, The First Tee of Greater Seattle, and the Nutrition and Fitness for Life Program.
The Boeing Classic made history in it’s third year, with a 7 man play off on Sunday afternoon- naming Denis Watson the 2007 Champion. No other PGA Tour, Champions Tour or Nationwide Tour has had more than a 5 man play off.
The tour returns to the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge August 18 - 24, 2008, with the field vying for $1.6 million purse. Ticket Prices: Daily Grounds Pass: $20 Tournament Pass: $40 Weekly Pass: $60
College is a great time for any young (and sometimes, not so young) person. But, with all the rising costs, college and all the expenses that come along with it can make you feel pressed for cash. So, whenever a student can pinch a few extra dollars and save them for a rainy day, they are more than willing do what it takes to save.
If you know someone about to enter college this Fall or know someone who is already in the thralls of learning, we have a completely fantastic online tool you NEED to share with them.
Meet Flat World Knowledge. Flat World Knowledge preserves the best of the old textbooks by leading experts that are rigorously reviewed and developed to the highest standards. Then they flip it all on its head. All of their textbooks are free online. They offer convenient, low-cost choices for students – print, audio, by-the-chapter, and more. The textbooks are open for instructors to mix, mash, and make their own. The other part this is great about Flat World Knowledge is that an online social learning network is automatically created every time you open a chapter to read, because you can also see who is reading the same chapter (even if they are across the globe) and ask them questions if you need help understanding what you are reading. How cool is that?
To learn more about Flat World Knowledge, watch the video below.
Auctions have more than gained momentum over the past few years. Although many companies have been using auctions for many years, due in large part to the popularity of Ebay and their on-line auctions, the growth of companies and organizations turning to auctions for revenue involvement has more than tripled.
Most auctions can be pretty simple and are believed to date back to Babylon in 500 B.C. What are they? Simply put an auction is the process of buying and selling things by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder
In economic theory, an auction is a method for determining the value of a commodity that has an undetermined or variable price. Auctions can be with reserve or minimum, or without minimums, or absolute or no reserve. In reserve auctions, there is a minimum bid or reserve price; if the bidding does not reach the minimum, there is no sale (but the person who puts the item up for auction may still owe a fee to the auctioneer or auction company). In absolute or no reserve auctions, the sale is guaranteed, with only the price left to be determined. In the context of auctions, a bid is an offered price.
Primary types of auctions
In terms of security/privacy, there are two main types of auctions:
Private auction: In a private auction the identities of the bidders are hidden, so anyone that buys the item can remain anonymous. This is normally done for either security reasons such as rare gems or art, or to avoid embarrassment if the item is more risk. In a public auction, the bidders' identities are not hidden and anyone is welcome to attend the auction.
Public auction: In a public auction, the bidders’ identities are not hidden and anyone is welcome to attend the auction
Breaking Down the Most Popular Auction Options
Vickrey auction A Vickrey auction is a type of sealed-bid auction, where bidders submit written bids without knowing the bid of the other people in the auction. The highest bidder wins, but the price paid is the second highest bid. The auction is believed to have been created by William Vickrey. This type of auction is strategically similar to an English auction, and gives bidders an incentive to bid their true value.
English auction This is the type of auction commonly used by the English auction houses like Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips. Participants bid openly against one another, with each bid being higher than the previous bid. The auction ends when no participant is willing to bid further, or when a pre-determined "buy-out" price is reached, at which point the highest bidder pays the price. The seller may set a 'reserve' price and if the auction fails to have a bid equal to or higher than the reserve, the item remains unsold.
Chinese auction Basically, a raffle.
Dutch auction In the traditional Dutch auction the auctioneer begins with a high asking price, which is lowered until some participant is willing to accept the auctioneer's price, or a predetermined minimum price is reached. That winning participant pays the last announced price. The Dutch auction is named for its best-known example, the Dutch tulip auctions. ("Dutch auction" is also sometimes used to describe online auctions where several identical goods are sold simultaneously to an equal number of high bidders.
All-pay auction An auction in which all bidders must pay their bids regardless of whether they win the prize. The highest bidder wins the prize. The all-pay auction is often used to model lobbying (bids are political contributions), or other competitions.
Sealed Bid Auctions
Sealed-bid first-price auction Also known as Sealed High-Bid Auction or First-Price Sealed-Bid Auction (FPSB). In this type of auction all bidders simultaneously submit bids so that no bidder knows the bid of any other participant. The highest bidder pays the price they submitted.
Sealed-bid second-price auction, also known as a Vickrey auction: This is identical to the sealed first-price auction, except the winning bidder pays the second highest bid rather than their own. This is very similar to the system used by eBay.
Silent Auctions Where bids are written on a sheet of paper, and at the predetermined end of the auction, the highest listed bidder wins the prize. This auction variant is often used in charity events, and many items may be auctioned simultaneously. Participants submit bids normally on paper, near the item. Other variations of this type of auction may include sealed bids. The highest bidder pays the price he or she submitted.
Auction Catalog An auction catalog is a catalog that lists items to be sold at an auction. Each entry typically includes a "lot number" identifying each item uniquely, a detailed textual description, and either an estimated price, or a "reserve" price below which the item will not be sold. Photographs may appear with the entry, or grouped into a separate section of the catalog; for mass-produced items like postage stamps, the textual description may be considered sufficient.
As a combined information source and "sales brochure", an auction catalog must tread a fine line between accuracy and promotion. For instance, any damages or flaws must be described exactly, so that buyers cannot be claim to have been deceived, but at the same time the description will typically include words playing down the bad points (as in "brownish spot that does not detract from appearance" or "faint crease, as is common"). Similarly, special characteristics are also called out, such as "one of only four known examples of this type", or perhaps a photograph of an item of jewelry being worn by a famous person.
Auction catalogs may be sent gratis to favored customers, but the better catalogs will cost, sometimes as much or more than a regular book. These kinds of catalogs may in turn be sold by bookstores, or even appear as items in book auctions.
Some time after the auction is concluded, recipients of the auction catalogs will receive a "prices realized" document, a bare listing of the lot numbers and the prices for which each was sold.
On-line auctions……King of the Hill: eBay
When one thinks of online auctions they typically think of eBay, the world's largest online auction site. Like most auction companies, eBay does not actually sell goods that it owns itself. It merely facilitates the process of listing and displaying goods, bidding on items, and paying for them. It acts as a marketplace for individuals and businesses that use the site to auction off goods and services. EBay was the first company to popularize the notion of conducting an auction over the Internet. The auction software that EBay uses is proprietary and not available to the general public.
Using Mission Fish as an arbiter, eBay allows sellers to donate a portion of their auction proceeds to a charity of the seller's choice. Some high profile charity auctions have been advertised on the eBay home page, and have raised large amounts of money in a short time.
Auction Houses If you prefer to have professionals setup and run your auction, then you will need to find an Auction House. No matter where you live, auction houses are always around and have been as long as auctions have been held. Remember auctions were more popular in the mid-twentieth century than they are now.
Auctioneers There is usually always a need to consider a professional Auctioneer. Even if you decide to setup and create your own auction in-house, keep in mind that good auctioneers can bring much higher prices, for profit or charity proceeds than an amateur.
The party employing the auctioneer pays a commission regardless of whether he or she procures a sale, unless the auctioneer is responsible for the failure of the sale. The auctioneer is entitled to a reasonable sum unless a statute or contract provision determines the amount.
Depending upon what type of auction you are considering, a good place to look for additional information on auctions and auctioneers is Answers.com and Wikipedia.
Be sure to check out the 2009 Event Resource Guide, available at the 2008 Northwest Event Show. A special new section on auctioneers has been added to our collection!
After four years, the summer Olympics have returned in all their glory. Tonight marks the occasion of the Opening Ceremonies, and as usual, we are certain they won't disappoint. So what does this all mean for those watching with anticipation from our livings room? It's time to throw a party!
Gather your friends and invite them over for a day of rooting for the US of A. To complete your festivities, head to your local Cost Plus World Market store for global delicacies and decorations to complete your theme.
Hey all you iPhone users....Did you know your iPhone can actually help you save gas by tracking your mileage. In this day and age, we are all penny-pinchers. Wherever we can save a few extra dollars we try to take advantage of it. There are three applications available for your iPhone that can actually help put money back in your pocket. Here are our favorites...
AccuFuel Fuel Efficiency Tracker - Monitor fuel use by tracking how your driving habits affect your fuel efficiency. You can even track more than one car.
Price $0.99
CarStat - CarStat is a replacement for that little white book that all of our dads used to keep track of the car's mileage. Anytime you fillup your car or take it in for service, record what was done. You can then have CarStat compute a number of different stats on the data.
Price: $1.99
FuelGauge - FuelGauge is a simple little app that does about what you would expect, it helps you keep track of the milage you are getting out of your vehicle. The Miles Per Gallon.
Save the Date: Social Media Conference NW 2008 - The New Word of Mouth Marketing
Social Media Conference NW 2008 - The New Word of Mouth Marketing Date: Sept 10 & 11, 2008 Location: Whatcom Community College 237 Kellogg Road Bellingham WA 98225 Contact: Tami Eastwood, 360-733-4014, ext. 111 or Tami.Eastwood@wwu.edu URL: www.socialmediaconferencenw.com
Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, WA 'Word-of-Mouth Marketing has expanded from the town square to the digital village. The "buzz" about your business is now online, measurable, search able, and permanent. Come to learn why you must and how you can participate in the conversations that are your market. Explore how your business or organization can benefit from this marketing opportunity and take it to the next level. Hear from leading social media marketing pioneers and practitioners. Walk away with practical plans and resources. This conference organized by Western Washington University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Technology Alliance Group (TAG), and Whatcom Community College has been designed for small-to-medium businesses and organizations interested in learning how to use social media to generate revenue. The conference, held at the Whatcom Community College campus in Bellingham WA, will feature six plenary sessions and 21 breakout sessions featuring presentations, discussions and hands-on labs. A few of these include: bottom-line reasons for businesses to blog; social-media research and marketing strategies; podcasting, vodcasting, and crosscasting; bulletproofing your organization for social media; the risks of ignoring social media; Google adwords; building online communities that matter most to your business; and ways to determine return-on-investment for social-media efforts. Early registration is $198 until Aug. 27, and $275 after that. To register for the conference or to learn more go to http://www.socialmediaconferencenw.com/ or contact Tami Eastwood at the Small Business Development Center at (360) 733-4014, ext. 111. Tickets are limited. Sign up early to secure a seat!
Once you find the perfect vendor for your event, the next step is to negotiate a contract. Here are some tips and considerations during this process.
NEGOTIATION AND CONTRACTS Facility negotiations sound serious, but they don't have to be intimidating. These are important conversations because negotiations build relationships, which will lead to contracts. Contracts are serious business and when you, as a planner, enter into a contract, you want to be sure you have all the knowledge and information you need. Keep in mind that negotiable items and practices vary between areas of the country, so what may be standard procedure on the East Coast is not necessarily the same on the West Coast.
HOMEWORK PAYS OFF! Before you begin negotiating, you need some tools! If you have done your homework (refer to the first section), you'll be set! You need your meeting profile or prospectus, a history of your meeting or event, the value of your meeting to the facility (your budget), and a profile of your group. If you know your requirements, they will dictate the specific items you can negotiate.
NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE WIN-WIN Don't get bogged down in sleeping room rates! Rates are only one item that can be negotiated. The list of negotiable items may be as long as you want ...it never hurts to ask! But, in order to have a successful meeting, negotiations should be a win-win process. For example, if you get the hotel to provide complimentary meeting room space, but in order to afford this, the hotel cuts back on service staff for your meeting...who wins?
CONTRACTS The most important things to remember are that contracts should be written with an equal amount of risk for both parties, and that all your discussions are put into writing so there will be no confusion when it's time for your event.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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 Bomber exhibit and picnic. When: July 1-5 Location: Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $7.50-$13 Website: www.museumofflight.org
Fourth of July bash What: Picnic buffet, dancing, karaoke, games, indoor and outdoor view of the Lake Union fireworks Time: 6:30 pm Location: Swedish Cultural Center - 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle Cost: $33 adults, $12 ages 9 & younger RSVP: 206-523-9570
EASTSIDE
Bellevue Family 4th What: Family fun and fireworks Time: 10 pm for fireworks Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue Cost: Free Parking: Free parking at Bellevue Square after 6 pm Website: www.bellevuedowntown.com
Kirkland 4th of July Festivities What: Fireworks Location: Juanita Marina Beach Park - 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland Time: 10 p.m. Website: www.ci.kirkland.wa.us
Fourth on the Plateau What: Fireworks Show Location: Sammamish Commons Park, 801 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish Time: 10:15 p.m. Website: www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/4thjuly.aspx Carnation Celebration What: Fireworks Show Location: Tolt-MacDonald Park - Carnation Time: Dusk Website: www.carnation4th.org/
SOUTHEND
Fireworks Over Des Moines What: Fireworks Display Location: Des Moines Marina, 22307 Dock St., Des Moines Time: 10 p.m. Website: www.desmoineswa.gov
4th of July in Renton What: Fireworks display over Lake Washington Location: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton Time: 10 p.m. Website: rentonwa.gov
Fourth of July Splash What: Fireworks display accompanied by Rainier Symphony Location: Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent Time: 10 p.m. Website: www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts
Red, White and Blues Festival What: Old-fashioned games, soccer, flag football, volleyball, preschoolers' play area, entertainment on two stages, food vendors, dance, fireworks display Location: Celebration Park, 1095 S. 324th St., Federal Way Time: 6-10:30 p.m. Website: www.cityoffederalway.com
Tacoma Freedom Fair and Air Show What: Outdoor market, international food fair, Lost Boys Pirate Cove children's activities, Camp Patriot to honor community heroes, car show, entertainment, fireworks display Location: Waterfront Park, Tacoma Time: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Website: www.freedomfair.com
NORTHEND Family 4th of July What: Music, children's activities, food vendors, fireworks show at dusk Time: 7 - 10:30 p.m. Location: Evergreen Playfields, 22400 56th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace Website: mltrec.com An Edmonds Kind of Fourth What: Fireworks show Location: Edmonds Civic Stadium and Playfield, Sixth Avenue North and Bell Street, Edmonds Time: 10 p.m. Website: www.edmondswa.com
Fourth of July Fireworks What: Parade with dancers, drill teams and musicians who represent world cultures; all-day festival with food, children's activities and music, fireworks show over Port Gardner Bay Time: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Location: Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd. at Marine View Drive, Everett Website: www.everettwa.org
We'd like to thank PartyBluPrints.com for the scoop they sent us on a free party planning manual for the 4th of July. Party Blue Prints has put together a 17-page "how-to" to guide you through the steps of planning the ultimate 4th of July picnic. From invitation ideas to recipes, the manual has it all.
Here is a sample of what you'll find inside...
Make this picnic easy as A, B, C! Keep Your Guests Comfortable & Clean:
a. Banish the bugs – 1 hour before guests arrive, light bug bomb and citronella candles. Set out individual bug spray wipes and/or spray for guests' convenient use.
b. It's a picnic, so while you're “roughing” it, offer your guests the opportunity to “wash up” with wipes and/or hand sanitizer – a must have at a picnic!
c. Give your guests a place to kick back: Provide plenty of clean and comfortable seating (chairs, blankets, benches, etc.)
Keep Waste to a Minimum:
a. Mark your beverages. Use ClinQ™s , these clever peel off stickers adhere your to drink (whether it's a glass, bottle, disposable cup or plastic bottle). Each has a different symbol so you can identify your drink from the rest. This avoids waste as guests inevitably forget where they set their drink – all they have to do is remember their symbol.
b. Put out a recycling bin for empties.
c. Use renewable dinnerware or acrylic dishware and cloth napkins (for fun you can purchase flag bandannas and use them as napkins).
Keep it Cool & Wet:
a. Ice, Ice and more Ice: There's nothing worse than lukewarm or hot beverages on a hot day. Make sure you have more than enough ice to continually replenish the supply. General rule of thumb is 2 lbs. of ice per person.
b. Hydrate your guests: Have plenty of non alcoholic beverages on hand - make sure to consider all your guests: adults, children, elderly.
c. If your yard offers no shade, create some with a few umbrellas. You can also purchase a fan or two that mists while it cools – now that's cool!
We love trivia. Here are some fun facts gathered from Pier 1 Imports about the 4th of July
Over 74 million families will barbecue on this day. Will your family be one of them? Who wears the apron in YOUR family?
Over 150 million hot dogs will be eaten on the Fourth. That’s one hot dog for every two Americans. Please make mine with mustard and onions.
The most popular sides at the 4th of July BBQ? Potato salad and baked beans.
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826.
The only American president born on the 4th of July was Calvin Coolidge (b. 1872).
The Liberty Bell weighs 2000 pounds and cost $225 to make.
In 1959, the very first Pepsi 400 race was held. This event is hosted by NASCAR every 4th of July or the Saturday of 4th of July weekend
In 1916, four immigrants are said to have been arguing who among them was most patriotic on this 4th of July. The four decided to settle the dispute with a hot dog eating contest, thus sparking the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held annually on the 4th in Coney Island.
In 1870, Congress made July 4th a national, but unpaid, holiday for all federal employees.
America has its own places of patriotic pride, as shown by the multitude of places within the United States with patriotic names. For example, at least thirty cities include "liberty" in their names, such as Liberty, MO and Iowa's Libertyville, North Liberty, West Liberty and New Liberty. The United States also is home to thirty-two "Eagles," eleven "Independences," five "Freedoms," and even a "Patriot" (residing in Indiana).
Music plays such a huge role when it comes to planning any get together. Even when it's lightly playing the background, choosing festive songs to match your party theme is a must. And now with music programs like iTunes, you can make your own custom mixes with just the click of a mouse.
Here are some great 4th of July tunes to set tone for your big bash...
Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
1812 Overture - Tchaikovsky
Proud to be an American – Lee Greenwood
America – Neil Diamond
America the Beautiful – Ray Charles version
Ballad of the Green Berets – Barry North
Color Me Red, White and Blue – Dolly Parton
God Bless America – Kate Smith or Celine Dion (our favorite Canadian!)
Living in America – James Brown
My Baby is American Made – Oakridge Boys
Peaceful World – John Mellencamp
Some Gave All – Billy Ray Cyrus
Star Spangled Banner – Jimmy Hendrix, Whitney Houston and a host of others
This Ain’t No Rag – It’s a Flag – Charlie Daniels Band
This Land is Your Land – Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary
Looking for a unique gift to send a client as a thank you? Here is a great idea that is completely green. Put together yourself or talk to your local gift basket company about sending a "green" gift consisting of a planters box, soil, seeds and gardening gear. Give the gift of life, plant life, that is.
CREATE THIS LOOK...
Planter:Smith & Hawken Windsor Window Box Crafted from durable resin to lend the appearance wood without cracking or rotting. Price: $169
Trowel: Smith & Hawken Trowel Guaranteed for life, our English trowel is ideal for excavating, shaping and digging small holes for planting. Price: $25
Hand Fork:Smith & Hawken Hand Fork Guaranteed for life, our English hand fork is ideal for light weeding and digging in shallow soil. Price: $25
Gardening Gloves:Essential WorkArmor Gloves from Target Save Your Hands with this Gardening Glove Set. Great for the Green Thumb in Your Life. Made of Resin Price: $29.99
Planter Starter Kit:Buzzy Porcelain Kitchen Herbs Grow Kit This do-it-yourself growing kit makes it easy to enjoy cooking with fresh basil, parsley, chives, marjoram and thyme. Price: $12.99
Can you believe the 4th of July is only a few weeks away? There is not time like the present to start gathering ideas and making plans for America's favorite holiday. Here are a few simple tips to get your creativity and patriotism flowing...
It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t got a Theme! The best part about the 4th of July is that the color scheme and entertainment are already in place. You know you'll be decorating with red, white and blue, and of course you'll be watching fireworks, so a lot of the pressure of planning the details are relieved. All you have to do is get the decorations ready and plan the ultimate summer menu. When it comes to the 4th, you can't go overboard, so we say bring out the stripes and stars and go flag and streamer crazy.
Plan the Menu Did you know that on the 4th of July, 74 million families will barbecue their meal? You will probably contribute to that number so planning the ultimate BBQ meal is key. Prepare one or two meat offerings like southern-style sliced brisket, slabs of meaty baby back ribs or smoky-sweet chicken. Delicious sides like potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans and of course, corn-on-the-cob are traditional favorites. We also suggest making red and blue tinted cocktails for the adults and non-alcoholic kool-aid drinks for the kids. Head over to the Food Network and search under 4th of July for hundreds of recipes that you can easily prepare for groups large and small.
Take a Picnic to the Park These days many people live in townhouses and condos so throwing a backyard bbq is out of the question. But just because you don't have a backyard, doesn't mean you should spend the day indoors. Head outside and pack up a blanket, food, and decorations and head to a local park. Start the partying early in the day and organize a group softball, volleyball, or bocce ball game and then stay for the public fireworks. It will be a lot easier to find parking if you head out early.
Go Coastal with a Beach Potluck Fresh air, cool water and the sand in your toes! Call your friends, organize a potluck menu and gather together your beach gear. Everyone should bring their favorite dish along with their bathing suits, towels, blankets, frisbees, beach balls and – of course - the sunscreen. Grill hotdogs and burgers or have a traditional clambake! Finger foods work best here – like chips and fresh fruits as well as canned sodas and beer. Build a campfire (if your beach allows them) and roast marshmallows or make s’mores for a fun dessert treat. Don’t forget a trash bag! You definitely want to leave the beach as clean as you found it! If you live in Seattle, head to Alki Beach. For those willing to travel, head to Lake Chelan in Central Washington. Our pick...Wapato Point.
How often have you played a round of golf, and by the third hole you begin to get anxious for the food and beverage cart to make a visit? It happens all the time. There is something about golf (perhaps it's all the yelling at the ball to stay in the fairway and not the bunker) that makes you parched after just a short while. If this sounds familiar, let us introduce you to the Designated Driver. The Designated Driver is a nifty golf club drink dispenser. The head of the Designated Driver Kooler Klub looks just like a real club! The shaft of the club champ fits easily into your golf bag and holds 48 ounces of cold or hot beverages (enough to satisfy a thirsty foursome). A keg-like pump mechanism on the cooler club dispenses the juice from the insulated drink caddy out the top.
When you plan an event, retreat, team building activity or the like you should always have a first aid kit with you on site. Here is a sample of the ultimate first aid kit perfect for work, events or even your home.
The IntelligentFirstAid "talking" kit, designed by medical and educational experts, combines supplies, visual instruction cards and now an audio module for verbal guidance to manage the most common injuries, at home, at work, or at play. The kit is separated into individually labeled and color-coded injury packs so the user has all the supplies and easy to follow instructions for managing a specific injury. The audio module in each injury card takes the technology a step further. By the squeeze of a button, the module narrates step-by-step instructions to manage the injury, pausing and repeating when necessary for accurate response.
Obviously this kit is not an excuse not to take a first aid course as well, something we definitely recommend, but the kit does help eliminate the panic of feeling like you don't know what to do.
The 4th of July is just around the corner, and since the weather has been less than stellar as of late, now is a great time to dive into your movie vault and pick out some films that truly capture the heart of the American spirit. You'll be singing the "Star Spangled Banner" in no time at all. Here's what's on our list right now...
The Patriot: Starring Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. Movie Tagline: Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heros. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom. Why we love it: Oh the drama! If you like war pictures, The Patriot is one of those films that leaves a huge impression on your heart. Combine the war scenes with the tear jerking portrayal of a father-son relationship and even grown men will be crying with this one.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Starring Jimmy Stewart & Jean Arthur Movie Tagline: Romance, drama, laughter and heartbreak ... created out of the very heart and soil of America. Why we love it: Is there anything more American than Jimmy Stewart? Enough said.
Yankee Doodle Dandy: Starring James Cagney Movie Tagline: A musical portrait of composer/singer/dancer George M. Cohan. From his early days as a child-star in his family's vaudeville show up to the time of his comeback at which he received a medal from the president for his special contributions to the US, this is the life-story of George M. Cohan, who produced, directed, wrote and starred in his own musical shows for which he composed his famous songs. Why we love it: Don't worry, this movie has nothing to do with the New York Yankees. An old-fashioned musical with James Cagney. It’s all red-white and true blue through and through!
Saving Private Ryan: Starring Tom Hanks Movie Tagline: In the Last Great Invasion of the Last Great War, The Greatest Danger for Eight Men was Saving... One. Why we love it: Yes, the first 30-minutes are very hard to watch and yes, you'll probably cry the entire movie. But, this story of a brave band of WWII soldiers and their mission to save one young man is a must-watch, must-cheer, must remember film. A heartbreakingly honest tribute to The Greatest Generation.
Independence Day: Starring Will Smith, Harry Connick Jr. and some pain in the you-know-what aliens. Movie Tagline: On July 2nd, they arrive. On July 3rd, they strike. On July 4th, we fight back. Why we love it: There’s no turning on your heart strings here, just some good, old-fashioned alien whopping – on the Fourth of July, of course!
1776 Movie Tagline: In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants. Why we love it: Yes, it’s a musical. But it’s also a great way to learn about the birth of our nation. And you’ll be humming the tunes when it’s over.
Rocky I, II, III, IV: Starring Sly Stone Movie Tagline: His whole life was a million-to-one shot. Why we love it: It's all about the American dream as we watch a fighter from the streets of Philadelphia achieve his dreams. We get pumped just thinking about it.
Pride of the Yankees: Starring Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig Movie Tagline: It's the Great American Story! Why we love it: You can't celebrate American movies without highlighting the greatest baseball film of all time. Sorry this one happens to be about a "New York Yankee," but more importantly about a man with the true American spirit. Lou Gehrig ended his career on July 4, 1939 with his now famous speech. This film celebrates good-old American values without a whole lot of flag waving. A great watch.
Did we miss your favorite patriotic film? Let us know!
Go green, that is, hit the greens this Father's Day. We've found some great samples of golf inspired party decorations suitable for any father, grandfather, uncle, brother or significant person in your life. Golf is a great theme for any Father's Day because most anyone can play. Who cares if you are not Tiger Woods! Who is? Just get out there, and enjoy an activity everyone can try. And if playing an entire 18 holes isn't your style, consider renting portable miniature courses from Golf-To-Go, featured in further detail on banquetevent.com. But if the real thing is more your speed, read about Oki Golf's courses featured at banquetevent.com as well. As a side note, if you are planning an upcoming golf tournament this summer, read our how-to on how to put together a successful event.
Top Row: Floral arrangements by Aria Style Bottom Left: Golf luggage tag favor from Beau-Coup Bottom Right: Personalized Golf Balls from Beau-Coup
Top Left: Golf cocktail napkins from Plum Party Top Right: Rent portable greens from Golf-To-Go Bottom Left: Golf invitation from Doriann's Bottom Right: Golf Ball Truffles from Plum Party
There are thousands of Father's Day cards to choose from each year. Finding the card that says exactly how you feel can be a daunting task. So this Father's Day, give a card that also gives back.
Check out these cards from Hallmark in their (PRODUCT) RED™ line. These cards literally help eliminate AIDS in Africa. There's no extra cost or special effort from you. The contributions to Global Fund comes right out of Hallmark's profits. Make a difference. Choose Hallmark (PRODUCT) RED™ and see how far a card can go.
Here are just a few samples of the Father's Day cards available at your local Hallmark right now.
THESE CARDS ARE MADE WITH RECYCLED PAPER. 20% recycled fiber.
Walk the red carpet with the stars at the premiere of “Battle in Seattle” at the 34th Seattle International Film Festival opening, May 22 at Seattle Center.
For 25 days, the film festival presents more than 400 feature, documentary and short films as well as discussions, forums and special events throughout local theaters. The festival kicks off with the “Battle in Seattle” premiere and gala party. The film’s star, Charlize Theron, director Stuart Townsend and other actors from this ensemble dramatization of the 1999 protests of the World Trade Organization are expected to attend. Tickets for film festival showings, May 22- June 15, as well as the SIFF Opening Night Gala at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall are now on sale.
Also happening this weekend at Seattle Center:
Play, sing, taste, dance, learn and participate at the Northwest Folklife Festival, May 23 – 26 at Seattle Center.
This annual celebration of the rich fabric of Northwest cultures and communities is one of the nation’s largest community arts festivals. Hundreds of performances and interactive events are held throughout Memorial Day weekend for the expected 250,000 guests at this quintessential Seattle event. Highlights this year include a Friday night square dance with local favorites “The Tallboys” and a Brass Band Showcase. Admission is FREE 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Donations are suggested to continue this Seattle tradition.
Who doesn't like a great summer flick? And, even though they are a dying breed, drive-in theaters are still a great summer past time, especially when you can gather a group of friends or family, pack snacks and blankets and watch a great double-feature. If you like the nostalgia of the drive-in theater, you may also be the type to venture to your local park for evening showings on inflatable screens. (Check out Marymoor Park's summer lineup or the Comcast Outdoor Cinema brought to you by Epic Events).
Now you can bring the drive-in experience to your own backyard. With The Backyard Drive-in you can purchase your very own collapsible projector screen. Available in two sizes, the projector screen is easy to transport and set up. It makes a great addition to any summer party, event or wedding. You can even use it for other business projects, tradeshows, meetings and more.
See samples of the two available sizes below.
If you like the idea of hosting outdoor summer movies, but feel the need to purchase your own screens, you can rent them from Epic Events or Easterday Promotions.
This Memorial Weekend , check out one of the outdoor movie locations in the Northwest:
PUGET PARK DRIVE-IN: Only 20 minutes north of Seattle is Everett's Puget Park Drive-In, which shows first-run movies while you tune in on your car radio. Ticket prices: $8.50 for adults; $3.50 for children 6 to 11; free for children under 5. First show at dusk. Open through mid-September. Showing this weekend: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull & Iron Man
VALLEY-6 DRIVE-IN: Located in Auburn at 401 49th St. N.E., Auburn, WA 98002. Ticket prices: Adult $7.50; 12-15 (with parent), Seniors (60+) $4.50; Children 5-11 $1.00; Children under 5 are free. Showing this weekend: Screen 1- Iron Man and Never Back Down, Screen 2- What Happens In Vegas and Jumper, Screen 3- Speed Racer and 10,000 B.C., Screen 4- Narnia Prince Caspian and National Treasure, Screen 5- Baby Mama and Forgetting Sarah Marshall
BLUE FOX DRIVE-IN: Located in Oak Harbor at 1403 Monroe Landing Rd. Ticket price: Ages 11 and older $6.50, Children 10 & under $2.00. Showing this weekend: Speed Racer, Made of Honor and What Happens in Vegas
Mark your calendars for the following movies in the park...
Can You Point Out Cochabamba On A Map? Neither Can We.
If you knew that Cochabamba is the third-largest conurbation in Bolivia, kudos to you, but if you are like the rest of us and thought Cochabamba was a type of dance featured on Dancing With The Stars, you'll be super impressed with the latest winner of the 20th Annual National Geographic Bee, 11-year old Akshay Rajagopal.
Akshay's correct answer capped a two-day event in which he got every question right. A sixth-grader at Lux Middle School in Lincoln, Neb., he won a $25,000 scholarship.
We thought it might be fun to test your own geographical knowledge. Click the image below to take the National Geographic Quiz.
Everyone loves a good Cinco de Mayo party. Cinco de Mayo is all about color, and the brighter and more bold, the better. We've gone on the hunt to find the perfect solutions to your Cinco de Mayo event decor. Check out our super finds.
Accent your Cinco de Mayo table decor with colorful lanterns and candles. The below samples are great because they are battery operated so you don't have to worry about finding an outlet. These colorful and affordable lanterns can go just about anywhere.
Every Cinco de Mayo party must have authentic and delicious regional foods and beverages. Be sure to set your table with colorful dining, serving and bar pieces to create the ambiance of the festive event.
Choose colorful textiles in tablecloths, runners, napkins and placemats and don't worry about matching. Just pick bold colors and the richness of the patterns and tones will coordinate perfectly with each other.
Finalize your table design with a colorful umbrella. Even if you have to hold your party indoors, the brightly colored umbrella will be enough to make your guests fantasize about the warm summer sun.
April 26 , 2008 - BioLyle's Biodiesel Workshops (Saturday), 10 AM - 3 PM. South Seattle Community College Class Fee: $59 Register by calling 206-764-5339 For more information visit http://biolyle.com/workshops/index.html Learn to make your own fuel from used restaurant oil! Discover the chemistry and tricks of making quality biodiesel, as well as experimenting with different vegetable oils, catalysts, and pH indicators. Various reactor designs will be presented, with an emphasis on the appleseed reactor (made from an electric water heater) which will be operated in class. Other topics include myths and cacts about biodiesel; quality control, washing, cold weather issues, local availabilty and what's going on nationally and locally.
April 26, 2008 - Crooked Trails Annual Fundraiser Museum of History & Industry, Seattle 7 PM Crooked Trails, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting culturally and environmentally responsible travel, will host its annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle. The celebration will feature world-fusion appetizers, Chilean wine by PengWine, northwest microbrews, global rhythms and both live and silent auctions.
The theme of this year’s event is “Share Yourself: The World Is Waiting to Meet You” – a reflection of Crooked Trails’ belief that by sharing ourselves we are enriched and inspired. Crooked Trails believes that everyone on the planet has something to share, whether it be time, knowledge, skills, energy, or enthusiasm. Through this sharing we make new connections that help us learn, grow, and change. Crooked Trails’ explores the ways in which we can share ourselves with the world and celebrates the endless possibilities this sharing can hold.
Past Crooked Trails fundraisers have been extremely popular, and a sell-out crowd of 200 guests is expected. All are welcome to join the festivities in order to learn about and support Crooked Trails’ partnerships with communities around the world. Pre-registration is required through the Crooked Trails website, http://www.crookedtrails.com/. The cost of the event is $50 per person.
More About Crooked Trails Crooked Trails is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve cultural, ecological, and economic conditions around the world by changing the way people travel. Crooked Trails believes that travel should happen with host communities, not to them. If done properly, and with consent and management from the communities involved, tourism can bring much-needed community development as well as cultural sharing. Crooked Trails programs enrich the lives of both participants and the communities they visit. In addition to tourism activities, every Crooked Trails program includes a community service component. Participants may work on building a school in Kenya with a Maasai warrior, helping to make a documentary film in Peru with a Quechua shaman, digging a community well in the Himalayas with a Nepali farmer, or rebuilding a Thai coastal community destroyed by the tsunami. Crooked Trails also works to promote responsible travel through educational outreach programs in the Seattle area. Co-founders Christine Mackay and Tammy Leland are popular speakers and consultants on responsible travel and community-based tourism.
Do you have a great recipe using wine as a base? Participate in the latest Food Network Challenge in conjunction with Bobby Flay to submit a top notch and original recipe using a Columbia Crest wine and other fine ingredients fresh from Washington State.
Judges include Columbia Crest winemaker, Ray Einberger, Seattle Times restaurant critic Nancy Leson and celebrity chef Bobby Flay. The top finalists will fly to New York City to cook the winning dish with Bobby Flay and dine at one of Flay's top restaurants.
The Northwest Event Show was designed for event planners, by event planners. This once a year event, blends entertainment, food, decor and networking to create an incredible and interactive display of innovation and design.
This year marks the 13th Anniversary of the Northwest Event Show. This year's theme for the show is GLOBALLY GETTING GREEN. In today's highly interactive and fast paced world, nuances in both design and interaction are infused in the event planning world to utilize eco-friendly tools in the planning of incredible events. Come to the Northwest Event Show to gain insight into the ever-evolving world of event planning. The Northwest Event Show is always one step ahead of the curve in presenting the latest trends and newest services available to you. But don't take our word for it, come and see for yourself.
Show Details: Date: September 23, 2008 Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free for meeting & event planners
Looking for a unique group activity that practically anyone can enjoy? Consider taking Ping Pong lessons at the Washington Table Tennis Center in Bellevue's Evans Industrial Park. The vision of Yiyong Fan who is currently the U.S.'s top-ranked ping-pong player, The Washington Table Tennis Center offers leagues, group and private lessons, and kids camps. Plus, you're being trained by a true professional! We bet you didn't know... ...table tennis is the most popular racquet sport in the world. ...more than 10 million players compete in tournaments each year. ...table tennis inspired the first commercially successful video game, PONG. ...top players can hit a ball at speeds of 100 mph.
I'll Have A Double Tall Latte With My Glass of Wine Please
A new coffee shop called Voxx Coffee recently opened on Eastlake Ave in Seattle. Yes, we realize this may not sound like new news in our coffee obsessed city, but this particular java shop has an unexpected twist. Voxx Coffee also serves wine. This funky shop has our vote for a hot new spot! Check it out.
Since 1983, colourful giant animals have been spotted around the world. Some seem to emerge right out of the water, while others hang in the balance like some kind of animal laundry between close-knit buildings. Still others stand guard atop historic landmarks and downtown balconies while top predators revert to their basest instincts in a bid for survival. Created using recycled plastic bottles by Cracking Art Group, these animals represent the art collective’s strong social and environmental ethic while bringing accessible contemporary art to the masses. The art group, which consists of six members from Italy, France and Belgium, derived their name from the term used to describe the transformation of petroleum to plastic, called ‘catalytic cracking’. All six artists use the medium of plastic to give rise to their own interpretation of “our contemporary problems and tensions.”
