The Events Company

Evening of Jazz Gala

2011-11-06T11:40:00.000-05:00

The Syracuse Community Health Center hosted their Evening of Jazz Gala after a 4 year hiatus. The goal was to bring the Gala back bigger and better. Well, I think we accomplished that. From the moment guests arrived in the parking garage they were greeted by friendly SCHC Staff. We created a dramatic entrance that screamed special event.

Guests walked into the cocktail area to the sounds of Ronnie Leigh.

We built the event stage in the middle of the room and had an amazing backdrop that separated the stage into 2 sides. We incorporated the Cocktail Reception sponsor's logo onto the stage set with a gobo. Cocktail tables were scattered on the dance floor and then removed when it cam for the dancing portion of the evening.

A 16' high white fabric wall separated the cocktail area from the dining area. Sections were draped open to allow for guests to walk between the spaces. We treated the fabric with uplighting for a dramatic effect.

I didn't capture great photos of the dining area and the amazing performance of Freda Payne (who rocked the house with her Band of Gold), so will share those when we get shots from the professional photographer, Cindy Bell.

We spiced up the black spandex chair covers in the dining area with white feather boas - we knew guests would make use of them as the evening progressed. And they did, which made the after hours party even more fun.

A few more event shots from the cocktail/after hours party area.

Great Colors for Fall

2011-08-12T10:07:00.000-04:00

As event professionals, we are always keeping an eye out for the latest trends in events, fashion, interior design, you name it. Fun new color stories are a great way to keep an event looking fresh and exciting from year to year.

This autumn is all about pairing bright, fun colors with calm neutrals. Here we've pair turquoise with copper. Love the way it embodies the fall season with sophistication and vibrancy.

Dinner with Ben, Franklin Square

2011-08-04T14:39:00.000-04:00

Downtown Syracuse has lots of unique outdoor space that make for great settings for an event. We had some fun and created an intimate evening with Ben (Franklin) in Franklin Square. This is a beautiful urban setting with a sense of history and nostalgia.

Our inspiration (besides the space) was the Apple Garden Toile Linen, which we popped with Coral Lamour.

Our centerpiece was a tablescape of old books, topiaries, and globes. Each place setting had a terry cloth apple green napkin (washcloth) granny smith apple, and a pair of Ben Franklin sunglasses to add whimsey to the party.

By adding white fabric panels to frame the pergola and filigree containers with votives hanging from the pergola, we made the space more intimate and framed the party.

No party is complete without the people. That's truly what makes an event come to life.

The little touches and attention to detail are what make an event special. Franklin Square has a 'Secret Garden' feel to it and we used our special touches to draw the eye in and appreciate the uniqueness of this space. We added pretty pillows, books, and draped linens to the benches and lanterns and votives where Ben Franklin quotes were carved into stone.

Event Team:

Design and Planning: The Events Company

Floral Design: Backyard Garden Florist

Photography: Meghan Thomas Photography

Weekend Picks for Syracuse

2011-07-15T07:14:00.000-04:00

The weekend is going to be hot and sunny so splitting time between outdoor activities and cooling off in air conditioning.

Friday 7.15: Tents were up in Clinton Square yesterday for the Empire Brewfest tonight from 5:30p-10:00p.Tickets $39 and $19 for Designated Drivers. If you like beer this is the place to be. Go early and then hit the local downtown establishments for a bite to eat.

Saturday 7.16: You might be seeing lots of interesting cars on the road, the Syracuse Nationals are in town at the NYS Fairgrounds. Even if you're not a car buff, you can't help but admire the love and care the owners put into these vehicles. Price of entry is low $5 adults/$2 kids. Live entertainment and vendors.

I will definitely head into the coolness of a local theater to see the final installment of Harry Potter. Will buy my tickets on-line and show up early to get a good seat.

Sunday 7.18 Our new thing we've been doing on Sundays is exploring Central New York waterways in our canoe. On Sunday, check out the Salt City Music Festival from 2:00p-7:00p in Johnson Park in Liverpool. The line-up includes: Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand Band, E.S.P. Contemporary Jazz with special guest Julie Falatico, The DeSantis Orchestra with Joe Riposo, Keith Condon, Isreal Hagan & Maria DeSantis. Bring your lawn chairs and a cooler - or buy on site.

Weekend Picks for Summertime Fun

2011-07-08T07:26:00.000-04:00

The weekend forecast is sunny and 80's - summer doesn't get better than this, folks. Our top picks for the weekend are:

Looking for some rackus and rauchy fun? Head to the Sterling Renaissance Festival where lords and ladies have as much fun as the jesters. Knaw on a roasted turkey leg while knights joust. Join the merriment of a pub sing-a-long. There are 15 stages in action and plenty of interactive fun along the way, as well as artisans demonstrating their craftsmanship (and of course selling their wares).
The elephants are back at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in their newly expanded exhibit. We are fortunate to have such a zoo in our backyard. My personal favorites are the penguins, monkeys, oh and the bears, and the lions - I guess I enjoy it all. This is a place you can commune with the many species on this earthly world of ours.
And to round out the weekend, some great blues at the NYS Blues Festival (back after a 1 year hiatus). The festival has moved to the Syracuse Inner Harbor (I'll walk there from my downtown flat) and besides the great music, there will be family fun - so bring the kids on down. The festival is free, but if you want prime viewing and complimentary food and beverages invest in the Blues Club Ticket ($75) Corn-Bred and Los Blancos are playing on Sunday.

Put your sunscreen on and head out for some weekend fun!

Weekend Picks for Syracuse

2011-06-24T08:14:00.000-04:00

If you're not consumed with graduation festivities we have a few suggestions to keep you from cleaning the house and yard work...

The obvious choice is the M&T Bank Jazz Fest so I won't delve further into that, other than to mention that it's on the OCC Campus and it's FREE.

If you feel like having a good laugh, we have a couple of comedians in town this weekend. Wise Guys has funny man John DiCrosta on stage tonight and Saturday. You can do Dinner and a Show ($60 presale only) or just the Show ($30). On Saturday Anna Phillips will be at the Orange Line Theater at CNY Jazz Central. Only $15 for lots of laughs.

We had so much fun at last week's 60 in 60 event that we're heading back to the Everson Museum of Art to see local artist and accidental potter David MacDonald for the Power of Pattern. The opening reception is tonight from 5:30p-8:00p. Members are free and $10 for non-members.

Looking for sports? There's always baseball - the Rochester Red Wings will be in town tonight. And there is only 10 days left of the USBC Women's Championship bowling at the Oncenter. If you haven't checked it out, pop in before or after your visit to the Everson. It's free to watch.

Seriously, if you're one of those people who say there's nothing to do around here, then you must spend your life in a hole. I suggest you get out of it and explore. Enjoy!

The Good Ol' Days - Part 2

2011-06-22T07:19:00.000-04:00

For the 75^th Anniversary of the Freeman Bus Corp., we set out to create an event that was unique from anything they had done before.

In an earlier post, we talked about the vintage carnival Freeman Bus Corp. held at The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park during the day, as a way to include the community in their celebration.

But the party didn’t stop there. That evening employees and guests of Freeman Bus were invited to a 1930’s Soiree, celebrating 75 years of serving the upstate community. The twilight picnic included signature cocktails from the Prohibition era, and a menu inspired by classic 1930’s fare served on enamelware plates.

In place of the standard awards presentation, we created an old fashioned radio-show, complete with all the horns and whistles…literally. The stage was full of props used to make all the old time radio sound effects, as well as cue cards that required audience participation. Sponsors of the evening got to participate in their 'on-air ads,' and even a few brave souls who participated in the shows entertaining installment of “Nick Charming, Circus Detective.”

The employee awards section of the program was woven into the radio show and was a great way to keep everyone entertained and involved throughout the evening. After the show concluded, the tent was filled with the big band sounds of the Mario DeSantis Orchestra.

One of our favorite ways to add 'living decor' to an event is to encourage guests to dress in attire inspired by the them of the event. And for this evening the majority of guests had a great time plotting their attire.

The part that nobody saw after this spectacular event, was the heavens open up and a torrential downpour ensued all throughout the load-out of the event. Thankfully, the rain held off for the event, but boy were we wet by the time we were finished with the event strike. - All in the day of the life of event professionals...

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Things to Do in Syracuse; Weekend Pick

2011-06-17T07:59:00.000-04:00

We had a lot of feedback from our weekend pick post last week and will continue to provide our suggestions to keep Syracuse off the couch. Weather looks good.

The Everson Museum is hosting it's 60/60 event tonight (6.17). 60 artists create a piece of art in 60 minutes and then the artwork is raffled off. Wine and food sampling as part of the fun. The event takes place in the Everson Plaza under tents.You can still buy tickets at the door for $30. Hope to see you there! Then head to Bittersweet for a post-event dessert and cocktail.

Saturday we suggest heading to Clinton Square for the Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth is a celebration of diversity and understanding and shares African American culture through music, food, dance, artisans. You won't want to miss the Wassa PanAfrika Dance Ensemble performing at 5:00p on Saturday (6.18) then stay for a while. No matter the color of your skin, you'll enjoy the music (Gospel, Soul, Blues, R&B). So come on down! Oh, and the event is free.

Sunday is Father's Day, a perfect reason to head to one of our many parks and beaches. Green Lakes State Park is our pick. A round of golf, a picnic lunch, nap and then hike around the lake - it's an easy trail with a great view of the lake most of the way.

PS: The highlight of last weekend's pick was moe. giving a shout out to the short but well-lived life of Sean Samolis.

The Good Ol' Days

2011-06-15T15:24:00.000-04:00

Freeman Bus Corp. was a recent client of ours looking to celebrate their 75^th Anniversary with a bang. To really set their celebration apart from their standard employee appreciation events, Freeman Bus wanted to include the Watertown community by inviting them to a day at The NewYork State Zoo at Thompson Park.

To tie in the company’s 1935 roots, we transformed the zoo into an old fashioned carnival, complete with…well, just about everything. Guests were greeted by a look-alike of the company’s late founder, Henry Freeman, and a barbershop quartet.

Once inside the zoo, we worked to take visitors back in time and provide with a new experience at every turn. Strolling performers such as the Three Stooges and Charlie Chaplin wandered around the zoo acting out skits and interacting with guests, while jugglers and hand illusionists wowed guests with their tricks. Our fun photo station let guests dress up in old fashion accessories and take home a souvenir picture.

We set up old fashion vending carts that served hot dogs, cotton candy, ice-cream, lemonade, and kettle corn. Carnival and field games were positioned throughout the zoo. Visitors played vintage games like ring toss, can smash and high striker. In an effort to keep everything looking as vintage as possible, we used old ten gallon steel drums and old fashioned soda bottles to create our carnival games. Potato sack races and tug-o-war brought out the kid in everyone as families competed against each other.

The sounds of Dixieland, ragtime and bluegrass played as guests sat on picnic blankets by our Vaudeville stage and took a break from all the action.

All in all, it was a spectacular day (over 3,000 guests enjoyed the zoo) and Freeman Bus solidified their reputation of being a committed community partner to Watertown and the North Country. The Events Company was thrilled to be part of such an amazing day.

Things to Do in Syracuse; Weekend Pick

2011-06-10T08:18:00.000-04:00

Summer in Syracuse is a wonderful time of year. The sun is shining and the rays warm on the skin. We have an unending list of great things to do, so get out and explore!

The Events Company produces events and when we aren't planning, we like to have fun.

Last night we went to Greek Fest and had a wonderful time with old friends and some new ones. The food is excellent, the lines may look long, but this team of volunteers has their system down pat and the line moves fast. The music is lively and you just want to get up and dance. Be sure to take time to watch the dancers in their traditional attire. The event runs through Sunday.

On Saturday, we're going to the Balloon Fest. I'm embarrassed to say this will be the first time we will attend this long standing festival. They have a pretty interesting musical line up. We're specifically going to see moe. in honor of our son and TEC team member, Sean, who loved going to music festivals. One of Syracuse's favorite bands, Los Blancos takes the stage at 6:30p and then moe. at 8:30p. .38 special performs on Sunday at 9:00p (more my era). Of course there are hot air balloon launches (weather dependent) at 6:00a and 6:00p and 7:30p daily. Festival runs Friday-Sunday.

We look forward to seeing you out this weekend!

40 Years of Success translated into a Decades Show

2011-05-09T18:01:00.000-04:00

For the past 6 or so years we've worked with a client on their annual Sales Awards event. Bob is a creative guy and is always game for just about anything, which makes working with him and his team really fun. The event is in February and usually around September we start brainstorming ideas. We start with what his message will be to the company and use that to drive the concept.

This year the company was celebrating their 40th year and took a look back to what they had that made them successful - what was their mojo? Although I avoid doing themes that are overused, a decades concept worked in this particular case. But we had to make it unique.

The show is tied into lunch, so we use the stage set as a focal point to the room but also make sure the guest tables look great and bring the theme/brand together. As lunch was wrapping up we got guests energized with an interactive team approach to a trivia game - pitting competitive people against each other is a sure way to get the room pumped up. Our 70's era game show host and lovely assistance kicked things off.

Then we had professional dancers perform an upbeat dance montage to songs that most anyone in the audience should recognize. Guests were up and dancing by the end - now we're ready to begin the show.

Sample Gourmet Foods and help stop hunger!

2011-04-28T08:48:00.000-04:00

The Events Company is excited to share with you an awesome event -Savor Syracuse. This is the premier gourmet tasting gala to benefit the Food Bank of Central New York. During the event, guests will be able to enjoy delicious tastings from more than 46 of the region’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries.

SavorSyracuse helps the Food Bank raise community awareness about their hunger-relief mission, and to raise funds in support of our programs and services. Last year, SavorSyracuse raised more than $54,000 in net proceeds and welcomed more than 800 attendees. This year, as we deal with the harsh reality of our troubled economic climate, your support could not be more important!

It’s a win-win situation: Buy a ticket to SavorSyracuse on Thursday (April 28th) and you A) graze for two and a half hours on a gourmet buffet of sample-size servings and B) support the mission and programs of the Food Bank of Central New York.

The food: Tasting stations showcase some of Central New York’s most interesting restaurants, including Zabroso (Spanish-Latin American cuisine), Kabuki (sushi/Japanese) and Mai Lan (Vietnamese). Newcomers this year include Francesca’s Cucina and Peppino’s Restaurant and Catering.

Several CNY-based food producers will also be offering samples, including C’s Cheese (cheese balls) and Ramona’s Dressings.

The beverages: A selection of Finger Lakes wineries will be offering pours (Heron Hill, Fulkerson, Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars and others, etc.) as will brewers like F.X. Matt (Saranac) and Ithaca Beer Co. Need a little pick-me-up? Sample some Paul de Lima and Starbucks coffee.

The chefs challenge: A panel of top chefs representing participating restaurants will try their creations on a panel of judges (myself included), who will decide a favorite. The winner takes home a flat-screen TV plus a table top item from Oneida Limited.

The details: Savor Syracuse takes place 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn, Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. Tickets cost $70 (a portion is tax-deductible) and can be purchased online in advance or at the door.

Red Carpet Movie Premiere

2011-04-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

We love it when we get to work on unique events.

On April 2nd we helped author Donna Woolfolk Cross bring the movie adaptation of her novel Pope Joan to the big screen in Syracuse, New York. The movie has been released and well received in numerous countries. However, the US distributors feel the movie does not have a wide appeal for US multiplexes. I hope we convinced them otherwise after selling out the VIP event and a second showing.

Donna came to us with the challenge that she needed to have a full theater for her Red Carpet Premiere at the Palace Theater. She hoped that she and the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation (benefactor of the proceeds from the event) had that many friends.

Our first action was to approach media outlets to promote the event, in return for tickets (a great way to help fill the seats). Thanks to Syracuse New Times, Eagle/Syracuse Woman Magazine, Rochester Woman Magazine, Scotsman/CNY Today's Woman, and Clear Channel.

Well they did have that many 'friends,' because before we even started the event marketing the VIP event was sold out. The event was on it's way to overwhelming success. This posed the need for creative solutions:

Sold out before the marketing kicked in... (we didn't want to kill the marketing because the interest generates book sales, which generates income for Donna). Solution: Add another showing - did the Palace have the space available? Yes. Would Constantin Films allow a second showing? Yes. OK, pitch the client.
VIP Tickets were limited to the capacity of the upstairs event space, but demand was high and you hated to say no to raising money for the Gage Foundation. Solution: realign the flow of the evening - hold the VIP event throughout the entire theater and do the book into movie talk in the theater. Capacity - sell as many as you can. We sold over 200.

Because this was not the opening movie premiere we wanted to recreate the excitement of the Red Carpet. Of course we had the red carpet, but then we brought in our own paparazzi, event security, and June and Marissa Rivers - all actors hired to play the parts and provide an interactive experience for the guests who were the celebrities walking the red carpet and being interviewed and sharing 'who they were wearing.'

Cinematicme: The Events Company Dream, revisited

2011-04-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

Part 2 of Brett Culp at ISES NE REC was after reconnecting with your story you need to return to your dream.

As kids we have dreams. As start up companies we have dreams, too. At The Events Company I had a dream to create extraordinary events. The dream was seen through a mist as the idea was a new one and I really didn't know what it meant. My only true experience with planning an event was my wedding. The visions that kept appearing in my dream were all the things I enjoyed; the love of being with people and entertaining, the desire to make people happy, and the ability to see beauty in all things.

Over the past 15 years I think we've been true to the dream and have challenged ourselves to create amazing events with our clients by being involved in our industry and local community, constantly watching for the next great item to offer and translate into an event, and striving to exceed expectations.

It took a number of years to articulate our mantra, but have always lived by it and make sure we stay true to our dream of creating extraordinary events.

Our Mantra: Event professionals with creative ideas and solutions to the meet the needs and challenges of our clients' meetings and events. Create a WOW! experience, Ease their pain, and Achieve ROE (return on event).

CinematicMe: The Events Company Story

2011-04-06T15:42:00.000-04:00

Inspired by Brett Culp to share The Events Company story and what makes us 'uniquely us.' Today, I'm going to reconnect with our story and how we came to be...

It was not a life long goal to be an event entrepreneur but my entire life was aligning to be just that. As a child (so my mother says) I was always going off and joining in other people's fun and activities - precocious. As I got older I loved being involved in all sorts of activities and would try anything at least once - outgoing. Because I was involved in an assortment of activities I had a diverse group of friends - people oriented.

I was good in math and science (except physics) but had no intention of following into engineering (the predominant family career path) but much preferred fashion. Kal Ruttenstein of Bloomingdale's was an icon and my goal was to have his job. Thus I pursued a degree in Fashion Design and Business that included a year of study in Paris France. My pursuit of higher education also led me to my husband (of 23 years) who I married 1 month after graduation.

I spent 9 years in retail management, working mostly for May Co. stores while raising our two adorable sons. By the time our youngest entered Kindergarten I was ready to move to a career that allowed greater flexibility with school age kids. Event planning still was not on my radar.

As I explored my options for a career make-over I bought a book on creating a consulting company - but what would I be an expert on? The second book I purchased on up and coming industries connected me with the world of events. This I could do - it seemed the perfect fit with my design degree, merchandising background, and love of entertaining.

So, pre-internet I did a lot of research, wrote a business plan, joined ISES and the local chamber, got into the Yellow Pages (when they mattered) and secured my first 2 clients. With rose colored glasses I convinced myself that if I could get 2, I could get more - optimism.

And for the past 15 years, I (and my team) have been passionate about creating events where the client and their guests have an eventful experience in transformed spaces that awaken the senses and evoke emotion.

Inspiration to Execution in David Merrill Style

2011-03-15T16:49:00.000-04:00

Inspiration is the air that event planners can't live without. At The Events Company we constantly look for inspiration. Sometimes that includes attending industry conferences. Our team spent the last 2 days at the Northeast ISES REC. David Merril of AOO Events shared his top 10 tips of Inspiration to Execution. It was a refreshing presentation and represented much of our mantra and how we help our clients meet their event goals.

10. Constantly search for inspiration. We find inspiration everywhere and look at ways that we can take inspiration and translate it into an event element.
9. Learn How to Edit. Loved this, as designers we can get caught up in our creativity and forget about ensuring profitability. At the end of the day we have to make money otherwise we won't be in business to continue helping our clients.
8. Event Design is NOT Egocentric. Too often we can get so psyched about our design that we forget that the person writing the check has to be the one who likes the design. If the client or the event committee doesn't buy into the concept, then the excitement for the event is diminished and can be detrimental to the success of the event.
7. The biggest risk in life is to not risk anything at all. Playing it safe will never make an event memorable. We pitch ideas that are out of the box and I know we push our clients out of their 'comfort zones' but they trust us and are willing to take that risk. My son, Sean, lived his life by this mantra.
6. The devil is in the details. The smallest details can make the biggest impression.
5. Learn to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In Steve Merrill's words "There are no small budgets, just small ideas." One of the biggest ways we help our clients is to help them maximize the bang for their $.
4. Satisfy the Senses. An event experience isn't just about the visual, give the guest a multisensory experience that they can participate in.
3. Stay Cutting Edge. We've built our company on staying on the cutting edge. It's our job to know what the latest and greatest elements are that we can bring to our clients. It's our job to know how to source them.
2. It Takes a Village. We're only as good as the event teams that we build. Our second core value is 'Respect our Vendor Partners' - we share our vision and then use their expertise to help get us there.
1. There is no such thing as an Original Idea. Translate ideas and make them your own.

Frustrated New York State Business Owner

2011-03-09T07:44:00.000-05:00

When did New York State decide to protect employees to the point of insanity? An employee resigned her position with us about 10 months ago to go work for another company. She also started working for a catering company and started her own business. I'm counting three sources of income, but guess what I get in the mail? Yup, an unemployment claim, which we contested; because she's not unemployed. And guess what, NYS does not see having 3 jobs good enough reason to deny the unemployment claim. REALLY?

So, the real kicker in this situation is that we hired this person, trained her on event planning and our entire business operation and the company she is forming is in event planning. So basically I am paying her unemployment benefits so she can build her business and compete against me. REALLY?

I didn't fire this person, she quit and I'm being penalized. Small businesses are the economic engine of this state and country so why not protect us just a little? So, I'm asking my elected officials to bring some sanity back to the unemployment system and at least sometimes find in the case of the employer. PLEASE!

The Last Hurrah - planning end of life celebrations

2011-02-18T18:41:00.000-05:00

We've toyed with the idea of creating a division where we will plan end of life celebrations (funerals). Little did we know that the first one we would plan would be for our son, Sean (age 19).

This seems like an unimaginable undertaking, but I found great comfort in planning a celebration that would capture the essence of Sean; a free-spirited, live-in-the-moment being.

We suddenly found ourselves climbing out of our grief to find the perfect venues - for calling hours (no ugly, old funeral home) and the reception (a place where his friends could celebrate in style fitting their age as well as a place for the 'grown-ups').

Our first stop was Eaton-Tubbs-Schepps. We opted out of the traditional prayer card and guest book and turned to our friends and colleagues to create something very special. The guest book was a leather bound album with customized cards where guests left memories and messages of comfort. Posters with images of Sean with friends and family with heartfelt messages taken from posts on The Life of Sean Samolis Facebook Fan Page (now up to 645 fans). Sean's friends created a music mix that was more suiting to Sean than Muzak. His cousin Clare and Meghan made tie-dye ribbons for people to take and wear.

Holy Cross Church and Father John Ahearn were wonderful and allowed us to do pretty much whatever we wanted. The entire mass was planned to be a tribute to Sean.. Again, his friends selected music, we selected readings, family members did the readings, cousins brought up the gifts (including Sean's leather jacket, concert ticket stubs, rugby ball, and dog sled racing medal). A neighbor, coach, and friend gave wonderful eulogies.

Then we partied at The Palace Theater. We had "the life of Sean" on the marquee and guests could have popcorn as they came in. The theater was for the 'kids' where they had a garage band and could just celebrate and remember Sean while images of Sean's life scrolled on the big screen. We served Sean's favorite foods (including a Mac N Cheese bar) and a big candy bar. We brought in Tie-dye linens and again had the look fit Sean's style.

We know Sean was with us that day and is watching over all of us as we reside in this earthly world missing him every single moment.

"The world was not meant for one so beautiful as you."

Super Bowl Party Ideas

2011-02-03T18:19:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl Fury is building as the showdown on the gridiron approaches. Whether you're a Packers Fan, a Steelers Fan, a (fill in the blank) fan, or not a fan at all, The Super Bowl Party is as American as hotdogs and apple pie. If you're the one with the biggest t.v. (my house could now qualify) then by default you are the one who is expected to step up and host the party.

After the Big Screen TV, what you serve is what will keep friend coming back each year. Tired of the pizza, wings, and nachos? You can be creative and keep it simple at the same time. Going self serve will ensure that you won't miss the big play (or the best commercial).

Beverages can be put on ice in tubs/or use a cooler and keep the lid up.
Serve a hearty vegetable soup, a spicy turkey chili, and a cheesy Mac n Cheese that can be kept warm in crock pots. Add a smorgasbord of toppings (shredded cheese, corn tortilla chips, scallions, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes...) so guests can customize their meal to suit their taste-buds or dietary needs.
Keep in mind anyone who might have food allergies (gluten, dairy) and have a platter of fresh vegies and fruits with dipping sauces on the side.
To keep yourself from being overwhelmed, ask your guests to bring a dessert and then have an extra table set up where they can be laid out for consumption.

The last element is a little decor. Fluff you food and beverages tables in the colors of the teams or generic football motif. Bring out the kids' footballs or dress you own table to look like the grid iron.

If you want to have some added entertainment create a trivia game and divide guests onto teams to compete. This is a great ice breaker if you've got guests who don't really know each other.

Party Penalties by MyRecipes.com

Don't get penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct when you're hosting a football party. Here are some tips that keep you from getting benched.

Buy more beer than you think you'll need and keep it cold.
Stock up on extra chips and in case the game goes into overtime.
Let your friends contribute to the spread. There's no point in you doing all the work.
Keep cold foods cold and hot food hot so that no ones goes home with a food bug.
Serve buffet-style and let guests use lap trays so that everyone can be in front of the television screen. That is, after all, the point of the party.
Have another room available for those who don't care about the score and just want to talk and eat. This will bring cheers from those who do want to pay attention to the game.
Rethink the idea of fondue if you've got a rowdy crowd. Sharp fondue forks and flames don't pair well with beer drinking.
Turn your party into an over-nighter if some of your guests over-imbibe when their team wins or loses. They'll thank you for it later.

Recipe Friday: A Mean Clam Chowder

2011-01-28T07:34:00.000-05:00

After watching Bobby Flay throw down a salmon chowder. I figured I would share that I make a mean chowder and it can be ready in about 30 minutes.

I never use a recipe and each batch varies in flavor (usually because it's that meal I whip up when I haven't been to the grocery store in a bit), but here is the gist of my method...

Sauté 1 chopped onion and 4 celery stalks.
(If you want you can start with cooking bacon until it's crisp and using some of the fat to sauté the vegetables.)
Drain 3 cans of minced clams and add the juice to the pot.
Dice 3-4 red potatoes and add to the pot (add water to cover the potatoes if needed. Bobby Flay roasts his potatoes, which I might try).
Season with a little pepper
While the red potatoes cook, dice 2 sweet potatoes and add to the pot. They add a sweetness to the chowder.
Once the potatoes are almost cooked through add 2 or so cups of light cream
Once heated through add 1/2 a bag of frozen corn and the minced clams.
Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce
Simmer a few minutes then serve.

Recipe Friday: Savannah Red Rice

2011-01-14T09:50:00.000-05:00

I'm in Hilton Head producing a conference. Any time I'm in a destination where attendees are coming from around the country/world I like to make sure that the food being served is reflective of the area's cuisine. A simple item that I tasted for the first time will become a quick and easy staple in my ongoing repertoire: Savannah Red Rice. (Savannah is only 45 minutes away)

This is Paula Deen's recipe that I found on Smithfield's sausage website.

Serves: 4
Cook Time: 45 Minutes

Ingredients

1 cup diced Smithfield Smoked Sausage (or any other Andouiille style sausage)
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can crushed tomatoes with juice
1 can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup water (here I would use a low sodium chicken broth in lieu of the bouillon cubes)
3 chicken bouillon cubes
Salt & Pepper to taste

Steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion and bell pepper in butter. Add sausage; heat until mixture is slightly browned. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, hot sauce, white rice, water, and bouillon cubes. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish, cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with cornbread.

Holiday Party, 007 Style

2011-01-10T14:04:00.000-05:00

Post Holiday rush is a great time to host your corporate holiday party.

After a great 2010 experience at the MOST, our client wanted to give her guests something that would be just as great. We started with a teaser e-invite to the event that alluded to the evening. Using the Landmark Theater as our backdrop (the guests like to hit Armory Square post event) we pitched a Casino Royale concept that would include casino gaming and other interactive elements. The Landmark Theater is a fabulous environment that requires subtle decor to compliment it's opulent beauty.

The evening started with valet service and formal coat check. Guests were then greeted by our 'Bond agent' and offered a signature cocktail being served by our 'Bond Girl' Living Table. Guests could play black jack, roulette, and craps and turn their chips into chances to win great prizes. A strolling slight of hand illusionist kept the crowd guessing 'how he did that,' and our tarot card reader offered glimpses into the future, with the sounds of jazz wafting through the space.

We designed the decor to enhance the color scheme of the space without detracting from its beauty while bringing in some touches for a casino atmosphere.

The presentation of the food stations acted as visuals - loved the way the Shooters and Shakers (soup and salad) presented itself. Of course the mashed potatoes had to be piped in martini glasses. Diamond Catering did a great job of designing the menu and working with our vision for the presentation.

Recipe Friday: A Great Holiday Cocktail

2010-12-03T17:23:00.000-05:00

I discovered Kyr Royale in Paris as a student in college. This wonderful cocktail is so festive and great for any special occasion. It's blush color makes it seem more special. For added 'wow' add drop a raspberry in the glass.

Kyr Royale became popular as a pre-dinner aparatif at the end of World War II. It's made with two basic ingredients: a very dry champagne and creme de cassis (black currant liqueur). The more creme de cassis you add, the sweeter the drink. I like mine with just a hint of sweet.

A votre sante!

Theme Idea: NASCAR

2010-12-01T09:21:00.000-05:00

Today's sports headline say fewer people are watching NASCAR; it's still a popular theme and a lot of fun to play with. You can do it outdoors or in.

There are a number of racing interactive entertainment options. One of our favorites is the micro reality racing, where 6 racers drive miniature cars around the track using their own stick shift, gas pedal, and steering wheel. We like to have our NASCAR babes cheering the racers on.

You can have a lot of fun with the decor - bright colors, car paraphenalia, etc.

Have fun with the food. A barbecue fits in well. We like to call the bar the Pit Stop.

Maximzing Your Guest Experience

2010-11-23T16:57:00.001-05:00

A lot of factors go into creating a positive guest experience at an event. One of the most critical is having enough space to hold the event. As an event planner, I get frustrated when we are brought into the planning once the venue has been selected. Once that contract is signed we are stuck with what we have.

Too often we see our clients being trapped in spaces that are too small for their needs. We are working with a national conference that hires a company to negotiate their venue contracts (this is our 4th year watching this process) and most years we walk away knowing that the client never should have been sold that property. We are as vocal as we professionally can be, but really? We struggled with a bridal client using a vineyard for their wedding for 115 guests and had to get creative with the layout (which included removing tables to clear the dance floor)to accommodate their numbers. We just met with another client using the same vineyard for 115 guests and their caterer swears he's fit that many people in the one room before. Sure, if there is no space for guests to move around. Why diminish the guest experience by squashing them into a space?

We find the same thing with rental companies wanting to put the event into the smallest tent possible, maybe to save the client money, but not every client wants to scrimp on space to save $.

A venue rarely is too large for an event - there are ways to create intimacy and bring the walls in. You can mask unused spaces with fabric walls or with lighting. I love creating progression to an event; using one space for cocktails, another for dining, and a third for dancing and after hours. You can always make a large room smaller, but you can't make a small room larger.

Guests who can get up from their seat and move about easily helps make for a positive event experience.

Not sure if your venue will be comfortable for your event? Ask the venue to provide you with a scaled drawing of the event space. Be wary and do not accept a floor plan where the tables are hand drawn in. We love creating event flow and room layouts. If you need help we'll create a CAD drawing for you for around $200. Well worth the investment to save the mistake of contracting a too small venue.

Recipe Friday: Clare's Broccoli Cheese Casserole

2010-11-19T12:39:00.005-05:00

By this time next week, we'll be in full Holiday Season mode. I love the season and enjoy gathering with friends and family. Thanksgiving for us is a traditional meal that has to include the usual standards: Aunt Sandy's Fruit Salad, Maggie's Cherry O'Cream Cheese Pie and my kids' favorite is my mother-in-law's Broccoli Cheese Casserole.
Clare always had great tasting, but really easy recipes. Her repertoire wasn't large and cooking was not a passion, but this one is always a huge hit.
2-3 bags of frozen broccoli cuts (do as many bags as you want, but the more the better)and place in a casserole dish.
Slice a brick of Velveta cheese (yup, Velveta...) and scatter the slices over the broccoli.
Melt 1 stick of butter in a large saucepan, remove from heat and then add 2 sleeves of crushed up Ritz Crackers and mix. Sprinkle cracker topping over broccoli and cheese. (this can be done up to 1 day in advance)
Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes (until topping browned and cheese melted through.
I told you it was easy. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Minute to Win It Challenges at your next event

2010-11-06T21:11:00.006-04:00

Keep your event lively and interactive by staging your own "Minute to Win It" challenges. Whether you're the challenger or spectator it's great fun.

Think stupid human tricks...Blow up a balloon and use the air to blow paper cups off the table. Use challenges from the show or make up your own.

Great for almost any kind of event:
Brand the challenges to your company or product and use at a trade show to drive traffic to your booth.
Have multiple challenge stations at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah and kids and adults will be completely engaged.
Use as an icebreaker at your next meeting.

Everyone is trying these in the privacy of their homes. Let's take it to the party!

Send us your ideas...

The Living Red Carpet Idea

2010-10-29T13:56:00.003-04:00

We get a lot of requests for the red carpet entrance. Here is a new spin; a living red carpet. Who wants to be the first to order it?

Another Idea from BizBash Expo

2010-10-29T12:52:00.003-04:00

The BizBash Expo tabletop competition gave us this idea to create an M&M mosaic centerpiece. Great idea for bar/bat mitzvah or go ultra creative and have artists create artful mosaic's for a gala.

Inspiration from BizBash Expo

2010-10-29T11:43:00.004-04:00

We work at staying on the cutting edge of events. Always looking for ideas to translate for our events. We like this one.

Abigail Kirsch catering was showing a festive candy and dessert bar with covered marshmallow lollipops propping them up with containers of sprinkles. Loved the idea of the sprinkles to hold up lollipop cupcakes, lollipops, or rock candy sticks.

Keeping the Creativity Flowing

2010-10-26T18:50:00.004-04:00

Creativity is critical to designing events. We are often times asked, 'where do you come up with all of your ideas.' Not by sitting in our office waiting for the next great idea to pop into our heads.

I look for inspiration everywhere; I'm not sure if I trained myself or it comes naturally, but I can look at something and see how it can be translated into an event element. It could be a unique color combination or an interesting way to drape fabric.

I tell our clients that it's not their job to know what the possibilities for their events are, it's my job to know that. I make sure that my team and I stay exposed to what's going on in the industry, what new products are available, food trends, unique entertainment elements...

Tomorrow, we're heading to NYC for the BizBash Expo and looking forward to catching up with colleagues and checking out some of the hottest venues and vendors. We'll take that and see what we can bring back to Central New York to make your event the one people talk about for a long time.

I'll report back...

Friday Recipe 2: Awesome Grilled Cheese

2010-10-15T07:59:00.004-04:00

As a kid I hated grilled cheese sandwiches and still to this day am not a huge fan of cheese. But, a chef once prepared a mozzarella grilled cheese for me and it was quite tasty. Here's my version...

Start with a really great loaf of fresh, soft bread - Wegman's Country Boule is one of my favorites because it gives great surface area to grill.

Heat griddle to medium low heat.
Saute leeks to a nice golden color, add fresh baby spinach and wilt down a little.
Slice mozzarella,slice tomato, and begin building your sandwich:
Place butter-side-down slice of bread on the griddle, layer the cheese, tomato, and leek spinach mixture and top with another slice of bread.

Slowly brown on both sides and cheese is soft and melting. Cut in half and serve.

Evaluating Your Event

2010-10-15T07:38:00.005-04:00

The planning is finished, guests have come and gone, invoices are paid and you're ready to put the event from your mind until it's time to start planning for next year's event.

But wait, you have not completed the event cycle. Evaluation is an important and ofter overlooked aspect of an event. Even if your event off without a hitch and guests had a great time, you still need to evaluate the effectiveness of the event.

Did you achieve your objectives? How could the planning process be improved or tweaked? What worked well at the event? What could be improved upon? What was the response from attendees? Did the facility meet your needs?

As you do your evaluation be sure to include your internal and external stakeholders as well as your guests/attendees. Take this information and build it into your event plan. Then, when you begin working on the project for the following year you will have the base to have an even more effective event.

Case Study: Keeping Your Annual Event Fresh

2010-10-13T14:08:00.003-04:00

A client came to us last year needing to host a fabulous holiday event to make up for the disaster of the previous year (the venue had no heat and did nothing about it).

The person responsible for the event was extremely nervous that the event be a great experience (and restore the events reputation). We met and exceeded their expectations and employees still talk about the event 10 months later.

The client came back to us this year, stressing again with "how do we top what we did last year?" My response, "you give them a completely new experience."

This is a challenge that all annual events face; keeping the event fresh while maintaining the elements that work.

In this case, we are moving the event from the MOST to the Landmark Theater (but maintaining a downtown location per the client's request). The change in venue gives a completely different look and feel, although if a venue works for your group you don't need to move locations, just give the space a different look through the decor. So, for this event we'll build our rental and decor elements to enhance the already beautiful ambiance of the Landmark Theater.

Next we'll change up the interactive entertainment; in lieu of the science activities we're bringing in casino gaming, tarot card reader, and strolling hand illusionist. The music last year was well received, so we'll keep a similar genre but bring in a different group.

Food is an important part of any event. Last year during cocktails we paired hors d'oeuvres items with beers and wines and was a huge hit. This year we'll build on the success of this and do micro-stations and beverage pairings.

Valet Parking and formal coat check helped set the tone and we'll maintain these elements. As guests entered we offered a signature cocktail and mocktail in a branded glass. We'll do this again, but the glass will look different and the overall presentation will change.

Don't forget to use your invitation as a way to allude to the experience and build excitement.

Keeping it fresh by giving a different experience will ensure that your guests will come back year after year as well as give positive feedback creating buzz about your event being a must attend event.

Friday Recipe 1

2010-10-08T15:20:00.003-04:00

Chicken Florentine Pastabake

Need a quick meal idea that tastes great and is a crowd pleaser?

Saute diced Prosciutto in a large saute pan with olive oil
Add thinly sliced leaks and chopped garlic - until beginning to carmelize.
Season with pepper, basil, and sea salt (just a little)
Add chicken break cutlets (cut into bite size pieces)
Once chicken is almost cooked through add fresh baby spinach and let it begin to wilt.
Remove from sauce pan and hold into a bowl while you make a bechmel sauce.

In the same sauce pan add a couple tablespoon of butter; once melted add 1/4 cup of flour to create a roux. Add 3 cups of light cream and whisk until smooth, continue stirring until sauce thickens. Also if you like you can add some shredded smoked mozzarella for an even smokier flavor.

Return chicken/spinach mixture to the sauce pan and stir together. Add your favorite pasta (I like mini penne for this dish) and toss. Pour into a great looking casserole dish (I like using a nice pottery piece). Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella over the pasta and put into the over for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Or, if you're rushed for time, put it under the broiler until cheese is melted and browned.

Serve with a wonderful salad, crusty bread, and bottle of wine. Bon appetit!

Support the Samaritan Center; Volunteer!

2010-02-25T16:37:00.004-05:00

We’ve been in our 2,000 sq. foot showroom for 10 months now and really love our space. It’s an eclectic mix of event elements and has become our own event space that we’ve nicknamed The TEC Lounge. We stock beer, wine, and snacks and we’re always ready for spontaneous gatherings.

We just hosted the Corporate Volunteer Council’s Signature Project Kick-off reception and press conference. This fit in with our core value of supporting our community and for an added bonus we made some great new connections that could result in business. That’s what I call a win-win.

The Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) is an entity of the United Way providing a conduit for companies to structure their volunteer programs. 2010 is the first time that the CVC is doing a signature project where member companies will volunteer for the Samaritan Center. 39 companies (including The Events Company) have made the commitment to support the Samaritan Center. Pretty cool. http://www.cvc-cny.com/projects.htm

The Samaritan Center served 100,000 meals last year. Many individuals/families choose to go without food in order to pay the mortgage, rent, electric bill, car payment, or other necessary expense. The Samaritan Center is their safety net. And the Samaritan Center staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring that they are always ready with a meal.

No one should have to go without food. Join in the effort and help stop hunger today. http://www.thesamaritancenter.com/

Not your ordinary Awards Event

2010-02-13T14:42:00.003-05:00

One of our clients does an annual awards event for their top sales people. This is always a 'show' that is more than talking heads giving out awards.

We start with meeting with the client to learn what the "message" is they want to get across to their guests. This year our message would be strong, stable, resilient. After pitching a couple of different concepts the client settled on our Great Pyramids concept; symbols of strength, stability, and resilience. We wanted to drive that message home and brought historical figures to life and used their words to inspire.

For the first time in history Vince Lombardi, Abe Lincoln, and Winston Churchill were on the stage together empowering with their words.

"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing." - Vince Lombardi

"Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition. Whether it be true or not, I can say for one that I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem... I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." - Abraham Lincoln

"You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things out far worse than they are; yet without imagination not much can be done. Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist; certainly many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination... Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in." - Winston Churchill

What does an event planner do? - defined by SU hospitality students

2010-01-30T09:07:00.008-05:00

I teach an advanced event and meeting management course at Syracuse University. During the first class I asked the students (mostly juniors and seniors)to share what they thought an event planner does. I like to ask this question; it allows me to see what other people's impressions are. Here's what they had to say...

'An event planner creates an experience. The event manager works with the client and irons out the details of the event, from vague to extremely finitic. The event manager acts as a type of stage manager to the client and must be extremely flexible, proactive, and willing to break a sweat. Communication is key to successful events'

'An event planner listens to their client. It is your job to guide your client in the right direction.'

'make people's lives easier'

'The event planner handles details the common person would forget about or leave out. Event planners are there to serve the client and create the atmosphere the client requests. As you mentioned, the allusion of a perfect and flawless event is the goal. Event planners must think of everything that could go wrong in advance and have solutions to solve those problems.'

'An event planner helps individuals plan the event that they have come up with. A lot of people have very good ideas, they just don't know how to make them happen. That's what we are here for, to turn our customers' thoughts into a reality, and even to expand them and make it better than they imagined.'

'An event planner needs to be very customer oriented. Whatever they are doing should be geared towards their customers' interests and wants.'

'-develops an experience for a client based on criteria, ideas, or requirements that exceed their expectations. - develops new ideas and back-up plans when things go wrong.'

'from the beginning of the planning they focus on every detail of the event to make sure that it is perfect. Also, an event planner is pretty much the field general during the set-up of the event because they know exactly where everything goes and how everything should be.'

'An event planner works with all parties involved in an event to help make sure things are on schedule, problems are minimized, and the client's vision is realized.'

A marketing brochure couldn't say it any better. I think it's going to be a great semester.

A Renaissance Experience

2010-01-24T13:00:00.004-05:00

We had the extreme pleasure of working with the Renaissance Nashville team for a Conference. Every interaction I had with the property's team was great.

We arrived at the property at 2:00a.m. to check-in and were greeted by a friendly reservation attendant and our car was valet parked. We were given access to the VIP Lounge where Tim and Heather took great care of us.

Our primary contact, Melissa C. was attentive to our needs, accommodating to our requests, and always accessible (prior to arriving on site and while we were on site). Each manager went out of their way to inquire if we needed anything and asked if we were satisfied with everything. This friendly and helpful attitude was consistent throughout the entire staff; room set-up staff, wait staff, banquet captains, housekeeping staff, maintenance staff...

We pushed them on layout of the space and a few other details and were never met with a 'no, we can't do that.' They even went so far as to let us know that we made them look good and thank you for pushing them.

If you ever have the need to do an event in Nashville think of the Renaissance first. The added benefit is that they are only 2 blocks away from the Honky Tonk bars (Tootsie's being my personal favorite).

What are we becoming?

2010-01-12T19:31:00.008-05:00

I’m a social person and like face to face interaction. I like to meet new people, I like meeting with our clients, and spending an evening with family and friends is a great night. I like to try on clothes before I buy them, I like going to the movie theater, and if I’m going to plant something I want to physically put it into the soil.

I’ve embraced social media and use it to market my business. But when I see young people (if you’re under 30 I consider you a young person) texting even as they sit next to each other, when I am offered a gift of a fruit tree on Facebook, and when I see video games where you score points for killing someone and then kicking their dead body I question if we are becoming society that can’t communicate on a personal level, lacks the ability to feel compassion, is losing the desire to make deep connections.

But then you watch a Utube video like this one from the Antwerp Train Station http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k and realize that we are becoming a society that wants to be connected to a community larger than the one we live in. We want to make a difference and change our world by doing our part, which may be small for each individual but the sum of the whole can be powerful. We want to inspire and bring hope and happiness to all of mankind.

The lesson this video taught me? We aren’t drifting apart but becoming a part of something bigger than we could ever have imagined. Could this lead to world peace? Now, that would be something.

Resolutions for 2010

2010-01-02T10:57:00.003-05:00

For many 2009 is a year to forget and optimistically anticipate the hope and promise of 2010... The Events Company had a great 2009 and are excited about the possibilities that 2010 has for us.

As we reflect on the past year, we realize that our clients' are the reason we are here and thriving. We thank each one of you for choosing us to be your event partner. We appreciate the confidence you have in our abilities, we appreciate your loyalty, and we thank you for allowing us to to be part of your events.

Our success can also be attributed to the dedication of our internal team. Our small team of efficient and creative planners (there are 5 of us) worked on about 200 events this year! Our growing scenic crews (there are 20 of them) helped us install and remove those 200 events. Without their dedication we couldn't maintain the high level of customer service that we pride ourselves on.

As we look forward to 2010, we resolve to:

Continue providing exceptional service to our clients,
Continue researching the trends in fashion, interior design, travel, and pop culture, and translate them into fresh ideas and keep your events on the cutting edge,
Bring our services to more clients who want to have great events but don't know where to turn for help.

Afro-Chic Theme

2009-09-26T14:21:00.009-04:00

The For the Children Gala, a fundraiser in its 8th year had an extreme makeover and it was a huge success! Inspired by a video art piece by Carrie Mae Weems titled Afro-Chic.

The invite used still images to reflect "Afro-Chic" and used 60's mod language to reflect the mood of the event as being a "funky, urban party."

The invite image became the inspiration for the event decor. Walls draped in deep red satin fabric, black linens for cafe tables with black chair covers and zebra print ties, zebra print linens for large guest tables with black chair covers and turquoise ties, turquoise linens for hi-boy tables. The color combination was hip.

Guests were encouraged to express their inner "Afro-Chic" and did they! There were some big 'fros, some natural and others not. For those not prepared we had colorful Afro wigs available.

The menu was Afro-centric featuring Caribbean, Creole, and Soul foods. The music was disco featuring About Time Band (www.abouttimebandmix.com). We had a runway coming off of the stage for guests to strut their "Afro-Chic" that became an addition to the dance floor. Guests loved it (I kept my fingers crossed that no one would fall off).

The proceeds from this event support youth development programs for urban youth. This event if "for the children." So we incorporate the talents of the youth. As guests enter the building the Eradication Drill Team was performing their dance drills - very cool to watch. Over the summer youth worked on photography projects and this was displayed at the event. And finally, we wanted the teens to express themselves and had them make protest signs that was reflective of their thoughts and who they were. We had them as "living statues" on the runway as the party was getting kicked-off.

The whole event was fun, high-energy and the night ended with guests wanting more and excited to come back next year. This is how you grow a fundraiser. Make it an experience that keeps guests coming back and bringing their friends with them.

Day 2 & 3: Nashville Site Visit

2009-09-14T17:50:00.003-04:00

Nashville Site Visit Day 2

There is always some down time to explore and play during a site visit. It's good to do this so you can get a true feeling of the locale and discover places the locals frequent.

On Saturday we visited the Parthenon in Centennial Park; an exact replica of The Parthenon complete with Athena (one big chick). We explored outside the city and visited Traveler's Rest Plantation. I was expecting a "Gone with the Wind" plantation and my initial reaction was mild disappointed in that it didn't appear much different than a large homestead in New England. The guide reminded us that this was the frontier and initial structures were built with speed and then added onto over the years.

We left the tour a little early to go find some local barbecue, but ended up at an amazing local Mexican cafe not anywhere near a touristy location. And the food was awesome!

Later in the afternoon, we drove to Franklin, a quaint village about 30 minutes from Nashville; home of a number of country music stars (or so they say). We didn't see any, but then again, I wouldn't recognize them if I did bump into them. Franklin had its own Jazz Festival going on in the town square. So after a great dinner we hung out with the locals listening to some great Jazz. Our evening ended with a nightcap in the hotel lounge watching an Alabama vs. Virginia college football game - we rooted for Alabama as was most of the people in the lounge.

Day 3: We had just enough time to have brunch at Monell's located in the Germantown neighborhood of Nashville. Monell's is a must for any traveler. This lovely restaurant is located in an old home. Above the door is a sign that reads, "enter as strangers, leave as friends." Patrons are seated with other patrons until a table is full (about 12 people) and the food is served family style (complete with Southern Hospitality) and keeps coming until everyone has had their fill; buttermilk biscuits with gravy, cinnamon rolls, baked apples, cheese grits, corn pudding, scrambled eggs, pancakes, roasted potatoes, ham, bacon, sausages, and their famous fried chicken. I tried it all, sparingly but still left completely full.

Day 1: Site Visit to Nashville

2009-09-07T12:54:00.004-04:00

One of the fun parts of being an event planner includes conducting site visits for meetings/events being planned outside of our market. For the third year, we're involved in a national academic conference (USASBE) in Nashville in January and spent Friday and Saturday in Nashville doing our research (and having some fun along the way). I'll spend the next couple of days blogging about the visit...

We flew in on Friday and toured the host property, Renaissance Nashville Hotel. The hotel had gone through a renovation since my last tour 3 years ago (we had another group in Nashville in 2006) and I was pleasantly surprised by the updates and changes. The hotel has 673 sleeping rooms of which USASBE attendees will use the majority and all meeting spaces will be used by the group giving us "run of house." This allows us to pretty much take over the hotel and bring the conference branding and sponsor recognition throughout the common areas. The hotel is also just 2 blocks away from the "honky tonk" bars and great event venues.

After the tour, we met with our client to share some of our thoughts on how to best utilize the space, branding elements that will give maximum impact and minimum drain on the budget. She liked our ideas and mirrored our excitement for really adding the "wow" to the conference. Sure, the conference content is important but it's the memorable moments and connections that keep attendees wanting to return year after year. Our client had attended the USASBE conference as an attendee in San Antonio and what she remembered most from that conference was the long-horn steer we had greeting guests at one of the evening receptions. That's what I mean by "WOW!."

Our next order of business was checking out the night life in Nashville. Our 'night' started around 5:30p at Tootsie's, one of the most famous of the honky tonk bars. These bars are where hopeful musicians/bands play for tips with the hopes that they will be 'discovered' and make it to the big time. The 4 piece group playing on Friday had the place packed. The lead guitar/vocal appealed to the women in the crowd and his fiddler appealed to the men in the room. During "sweet home alabama" the bar was cleared for women to get on and start dancing. Being a good sport, I hopped from a barstool onto the bar and joined in.

It was a lovely evening, warm with a breeze and no humidity. As you walk along Honky Tonk Row, the music wafts onto the street and you decide which places appeal to you without having to step foot inside. Now, most of the musicians are amateurs and some better than others, which is also indicative of the size of the crowd inside. The allure is that you never know when a 'star' will come in and jam during the evening.

Our next stop was BBKing's, which has various spaces for events. I like using off-premise venues for the evening functions as it offers a taste of the local scene and built in ambience that you can't truly duplicate in a hotel ballroom. At BBKing's there was a great blues band playing(http://www.bartwalkermusic.com/) that we enjoyed with our "porktato" appetizer. This is an extremely large baked potato topped with barbcued pull pork, chopped tomatoes, and chives. Yummy. Watch for both at next year's NYS Blues Festival...

We continued to walk around and explored the river front, which was getting ready for a jazz and blues festival. We finished the evening at a dueling pianos bar where patrons write a request on a piece of paper and place on the top of the piano (with $). It's amazing the depth and breadth of music these musicians know and the speed with which they transition from song to song and with humor thrown in. A bit of college rivalry ensued with the first points were scored by Tennesee State (2 points = $2). Followed by 5 ($5) points from Virginia. We New Yorkers stepped right up with a 10 points rooting for SU. Chicago jumped in with 11 points, but we won out with another 20 points, which allowed the 'Rockettes' to come up and do a kick line to New York,New York led by yours truly.

watch for Day 2 highlights...

Question to ponder

2009-08-29T14:35:00.002-04:00

Last week I attended an event as a guest and was pleasantly surprised when the banquet manager asked the table how our dinners were and if the tenderloin was cooked the way each of liked it. It suddenly occured to me that this is the first time I've ever experienced the check-in at an event but it (almost) always happens when dining in a restaurant.

So, here is my question... why doesnt the banquet server ask if the guests are satisfied with the meal put before them? The guest may not be leaving a tip, however they have a powerful voice when sharing a positive or more importantly a negative review. Why doesn't the caterer require the service staff to ask how everyone is? Why do they wait for a guest to "complain" to them?

Maybe the real question is when did we start being okay with a banquet meal being mediocre. How many times have we heard "you don't go to the event for the food." That should be one reason why you go.

I'm not saying every event/banquet dining experience is mediocre but I think the attending public has lowered their expectations. We expect so much more from a restaurant. I pledge that we will require caterers and banquet venues to instruct their staff to inquire about guest meal satisfaction and to care about it and respond accordingly.

Refreshed and Rejeuvenated

2009-08-18T12:57:00.005-04:00

Finding time to take a vacation can be challenging for an event planner and business owner. There never seems to be a perfect time to be away, but every year my husband's siblings, dad, neices and nephews block out 5 days to spend in the Adirondacks. This is sacred time that for the past 10 years has had 100% participation.

The beauty of these 5 days is that we are totally removed from the world and technology. It's what is called primitive camping (that means no showers, no bathrooms, no electricity, and you get to your campsite by canoe).

It starts with packing everything you'll need; food, clothing, sleeping bag, tackle boxes, fishing poles, toilet paper... and oh don't forget wine, beer, and Bailey's. All these items are put into wanagans (these can be any covered box or plastic tub) or waterproof bags that will keep everything dry if it rains or falls out of your canoe. Although I suspect if it falls out of your canoe, it's at the bottom of the lake and who cares if it stays dry or wet.

Once you arrive at your destination you then portage all your items to the edge of the water (this is usually anywhere from 1/4-1/3 mile). Portage means you carry all your items on your back or in your arms (see photo). You then pack everything into your canoes and paddle to your site.

This really is fun.

Your site consists of hopefully a flat space to put your tent and a ring of stones that is where you can build your fire. Then you make it "home." For the past 3 years we've added cots to our load and has made bedtime a much more pleasant experience.

This really is fun.

The next 3 days are spent hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing (I don't fish), reading a book by the camfire, playing card games, and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings, smells of the forest and peaceful sounds of the wilderness (unless of course a screech owl spends his evening on a branch above your tent).

Breakfast and dinner are communal meals and each family takes a turn prepareing one breakfast and one dinner. Pancakes are my specialty (I make the batter, Kevin does all the cooking). We eat well and have plenty of alcohol. We even tried bringing in icecream sandwiches this year. I had my famous "dirt" dessert as back-up and the back-up dessert was needed.

On the last day, we pack everything up (garbage included) and load-up the canoes, paddle out and portage all the items back to our vehicles and drive back to the hectic pace of our lives with a renewed sense of ourselves and what really matters.

This really is fun. Really.

Our Social Marketing Plan

2009-08-07T07:45:00.005-04:00

I've been watching the explosion of the social media marketing and despite my anit-techy personality I'm very intrigued. 3 years ago at the WPO conference I attended the "social networking" session expecting something completely different but listened to what they were saying. It reminds me when email came on the scene. I'll sign up and see where it goes...

We at The Events Company strive to always be leaders in our industry and so we are embracing social marketing. We held our mid-year road map review this week and this is a big part of our marketing approach. We've always used relationship building as a way to secure new clients. So, this isn't too different, just building the relationship through cyber space.

Our approach:

Post a weekly blog on our website http://www.theeventscompany.com/
Update weekly our home pages with photos from our latest events, new things we're working on, and invites to events in our showroom
Our Decor Divas will post a weekly blog on our event design website http://www.teceventdesign.com/
Daily Tweets from various team members: NicoleSamolis, TheEventsCompany, and DecorDiva.
Facebook Page and Fan Page - Kate and Mallory (our millenials) are working on this
Each of our team members will have a Linked-in page and will update what they are working on daily as well as add 10 new connections weekly. I also just learned you can do a company Linked-in page. Watch for this.
Join groups. I currently belong to 3 industry groups.
Participation in wedding forums on syracuse.com and syracuseweddings.com providing bridal couples with professional answers to their questions and recommendations for great service providers.

Through a strategic approach we can gain a presence in cyber space without spending endless hours. Each team member will spend 15-20 minutes daily. We'll track our success. Success to us means being the go to people for any event need or question.

Ready or not, here we go!

Employment and Internship Opportunities Update

2009-07-16T17:46:00.005-04:00

The Events Company has an internship program. We offer unpaid internships to college students interested in learning more about the event industry.
We have one intern opening for the fall semester. The best overall learning experience is being able to commit a minimum of 30 hours per week and working in a minimum of 5 hour time blocks.

It is a true learning experience. Our interns become integral members of our team and work on real projects, receive hands on training, participate in business development and strategic planning.
We accept only one intern each fall and spring semester and winter and summer break. Slackers need not apply. Please see our blog post on April 2, 2009 for additional information.

A Designer's Moral Obligation

2009-07-01T16:43:00.002-04:00

The Events Company provides event design and decor services for our clients. Not all clients hire us to fulfill all their decor needs and we find ourselves in situations where some of the decor elements (not provided by us) are much to be desired.

This past weekend I found myself in such a situation. A client rented linens and chaircovers from us for her wedding. Great color story: burgundy with apple green, which looked awesome with the floral arrangments (sorry, no photo we forgot the camera).

Anyway, I brought sample linens from our showroom in the bride's colors so that I could dress the cake table. An added bonus the client didn't ask for but it's our mantra to give 'em more than they expect.

Back to my story... the venue set up a small backdrop behind the sweetheart table, which is to hide a service door. This was the "ugly Betty" of all backdrops and I could not leave until I had a solution to making it look better. I got the venue to access their a/v store room for a couple of par cans with gels. It made a tremendous difference and I could leave knowing that the I had fulfilled my moral obligation as a designer.

Live Free or Die

2009-06-29T17:12:00.000-04:00

As the 4th of July weekend approaches keep in mind how fortunate we are to be Americans. I have the freedom to post this blog, send a tweet, or comment on my linked-in and facebook pages without threat of retaliation for my opinions and thoughts. The people of Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan and other repressionist nations do not have these luxuries, which is why we need to speak out against the injustice.

So celebrate this weekend with stars and stripes. Hang your flag with pride. Serve that strawberry, blueberry, and cool-whip dessert with fanfare. And clap louder and longer as you watch our American military personnel march by at your local 4th of July parade. These men and women put themselves in harms way to protect our freedom and safety and give the hope of freedom to those who live without it.

Happy 4th of July!

Chic Cocktail Lounge

2009-06-17T15:55:00.000-04:00

Our client was looking for a chic white and black cocktail lounge. Using the adage of "a picture is worth a thousand words."Here's what we created.

Gov. Palin Visits Seward House Museum

2009-06-09T06:58:00.000-04:00

The small city of Auburn was filled with energy and excitement over the weekend with Governor Sarah Palin and some of her family in the area to celebrate the Seward House Museum's Seward Salutes Alaska event.

William Seward was the dealmaker in the US purchasing the Alaskan territory, which became our 49th state in 1959. Some added history; Seward was President Lincoln's Secretary of State, and the night of Lincoln's assissination an attempt on Seward's life was made as part of the conspiracy. (suggested reading Manhunt by James Swanson).

Anyway, back to the event. The gardens at the Seward House were in full bloom, the day was warm and full of sun and a great time had by all. Guests sipped champagne as they strolled the gardens finding delightful refreshments and entertainment. The Founders' level guests had their photo taken the Governor, who is a friendly and warm person. The Governor then addressed the event from the south porch of the house before departing.

Visit the Seward House Museum this summer, you'll be in for a treat.

www.sewardhouse.org

An Upscale Corporate Lunch Reception

2009-05-07T15:33:00.000-04:00

We had the pleasure of producing an event on the 10th floor of 100 madison 120 (formerly AXA towers) for the building owners to showcase the renovations to the towers and their commitment to being a part of revitalizing downtown. This was unfinished space that proved to be the perfect canvas for an event. The floor is completely surrounded by windows offering a 360 degree panorama of Syracuse; Onondaga Lake, the hills of the valley, the SU hill, and city center.

An upscale lunch reception featured passed hors d'oeuvres, Sushi Display with tamarind noodle salad, a Kaleidoscope Station offering carved tenderloin, baked salmon, and chili lime marinated breast of chicken. The highlight was the spoon wall of Ahi tuna, scallops ceviche, and shrimp cocktail.

We captured the new branding for the towers using wall graphics and our decor elements played out in the brand colors.

Another satisfied client: Nicole, Just want to thank you for your expert coordination, assistance and ideas today! Best regards, Anne

Employment and Intern Opportunities

2009-04-02T11:52:00.001-04:00

Think you're interested in a career in event planning and production? The Events Company is interested in hearing from you. Below is our guidelines for submitting an employment or intern request.

Internship and Hiring Guidelines

The purpose of these guidelines is to assist individuals seeking an internship or employment with The Events Company.

Numerous federal, state and local laws prohibit discrimination in employment, and those laws apply to every phase of the employment relationship, including hiring. The federal laws, which apply to employers in all 50 states, generally prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, gender, pregnancy, national origin, religion, disability and age.

All persons seeking an internship or employment are required to submit a resume and cover letter.

Research about The Events Company. Your resumes and cover letters should show an understanding of our business and industry.

Email to us your resume and cover letter as a Microsoft Word document. We ask for it in this format so we can review your formatting skills.

The subject line should be specific, for example “Smith Seeking Internship with The Events Company.”

In your email to us, include a summary of who you are, what position you are seeking, and how you found out about The Events Company. We ask this to see how well you compose your thoughts in an intelligent and thoughtful manner. Please note that we view emails as an important business communication tool. Proper sentence structure and email format is important.

Your resume does not have to be on one page. Please include all relevant information.

Include references with complete contact information and their relationship to you (e.g. former employee, family friend, etc.).

Typos and grammatical errors are considered a serious lack of attention to detail and should be avoided.

We recognize that opportunities to intern in a special events production company are limited in Central New York. As such, we believe it is our professional duty to teach and develop up and coming event professionals. We have had many interns over the years and find the experience rewarding. We take pride in seeing former interns develop into leaders in the field.

Include in your cover letter the conditions of your internship as it pertains to the number of hours and hours per week. Generally, we prefer interns who are able work over 30 hours per week as we found this provided the best overall experience for the intern.

Move Ad $ to Events

2009-03-29T12:29:00.000-04:00

An article in the Sunday paper talks about the ripple effect of company's reducing their ad buys in traditional media, the financial challenges newspapers, television, and radio are experiencing with reduced revenue, and the resulting layoffs of employees.

I have two thoughts regarding this topic:

The first, is that it is proven that during tough economic times innovation increases. Company's have to think differently, pursue new business differently, develop new services and products. The company's that do this will not have just survived the recession, but thrived during it. So, are you the type that tightens your belt and just keep hoping things get better, or are you going to look for new opportunities?

The Events Company is projecting 19% growth for 2009. We are aggressively growing our "themes, decor & more" division with amazing results. This division focuses on adding the "wow," which is all the cool branding, decor, and entertainment elements that make for a great event without getting involved in the planning. We're creating new events that I will share at a later date. But, let it be said that we are pumped for 2009 to be a successful and profitable year. Are you?

My second thought regarding the reduced ad buys in traditional media is that company's should not scale back their advertising. Maybe they aren't, maybe they just aren't spending it with traditional media... A trend over the past decade is that more marketing dollars are being spent on events. Events are an effective way to get one on one face time with your target market. Think about your product or service, is everyone reading the newspaper or listening to the radio your target? How many times do they need to see or hear your ad before they buy? Events can evoke emotion and appeal to all the senses in an interactive personal experience. So, have you included events in your marketing plan?

Top 10 Ways to Incorporate your Brand into your Meeting/Event

2009-02-28T15:39:00.001-05:00

Top 10 Ways to Incorporate your Brand into your Meeting/Event

10. Ambient room lighting in your corporate colors

9. Logo’d helium filled balloons covering the ceilings of hallways leading to meeting or event space.

8. Event staff wearing branded apparel.

7. Branded water bottles. Be sure to recycle or better yet provide a reusable container that can be filled at the water cooler.

6. Lighted towers with event brand or message strategically positioned at entrance and other high traffic areas.

5. Airtubes in corporate colors (logo imprinting also available). Can be used on exterior of the meeting/event location, as directional indicators, in exhibit areas, or other large spaces that need some pop.

4 Custom gobo on your logo projected in strategic locations. Glass gobos allow for an exact full color replica of your logo. They will cost you around $500 but will last and are easy to pack (it’s the size of a peppermint patty). Steel gobos cost around $100 and have a limited life.

3. Removable wall graphics of your logo or message that can be temporarily adhered to windows, walls, or any smooth surface. They are easy to remove and cause no damage. Even put them on the bathroom mirrors.

2. Spandex chair covers in your corporate colors.

and, the number 1 way to incorporate your brand…

1. Branded Stage Set, forego the black drape and vinyl banner and create a focal point to your space.

So, leave the banners in the storage closet and have some fun!

Behind Every Great Event is a Professional Planner

2009-01-30T08:28:00.000-05:00

Did you ever experience a great event and wonder how that experience came to be? Most people have experienced at least one great event in their lifetime. But, very few people actually think about the amount of time, effort, and energy that was expended in creating that experience.

Behind every great event is a professional event planner… Our Achilles heel is that we make it look easy. I field at least one call per week from another person who thinks they would make a great event planner. They’re organized, creative, and a great people person. Their friends tell them they throw great parties. That makes you a great host, not necessarily a great event planner.

I’ll admit, when I started my event planning business 12 years ago, I stumbled across the industry and discovered that I possessed many of the skills and characteristics that make for a great planner. But I also pursued my newfound profession with abandon. I joined the industry’s professional organizations, I subscribed to industry trade publications, attended industry conferences, and I purchased books and read anything I could get my hands on. I worked hard at becoming not just an event planner but an event leader. And after 12 years, I continue pursuing knowledge.

The event industry has seen tremendous growth over the past 20 years, with a real explosion of independent or third party planners in the past 10 years. I see it in the Central New York market. Where there used to be 2-3 companies there are now well over 10. Some are true professionals and others are “posers.” So how do you know who to hire and how do you know if you are hiring a professional?

The International Special Event Society (ISES) is the leading professional organization for the special events planning industry. The ISES Guide to Hiring a Special Event Professional is a great tool to use in finding the true professionals. (http://www.ises.com/GuidetoHiringaSpecialEventsProfessional/tabid/127/Default.asp) ISES is the accrediting organization for the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). I am the only professional planner in the Central New York region who has earned this designation and the only company who maintains membership in ISES.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the leading professional organization for the meeting planning industry. MPI is the accrediting organization for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). My husband (who is also my business partner) is the only independent planner in our market to have earned this designation and again, we are the only independent planning company who maintains membership in MPI.

The Events Company is dedicated to being a leader in the event industry and working with our clients to create an amazing event while achieving the desired outcomes.

OUR MANTRA
Producers of WOW!
Professionals providing creative solutions to the needs
and demands of our clients’ meetings and events.
Create a “WOW” experience
Ease the clients’ pain
Achieve “ROE” (Return on Event)

OUR CORE VALUES
Be the BEST
Care about each other
Respect our vendor partners
Belief in the value add of our services
Obligation to support our Community
Have FUN!

So, if you are thinking of hiring a planner for your next event be sure to do your due diligence in hiring a professional who has the expertise and experience to produce your desired results.
Do they have a web presence?
Do they respond to your inquiry within 4 hours?
Do they have staff or are they a team of one? Being a team of one is okay, but who is their back-up in case of an emergency?
Do they charge a fee for their services or are they taking a percentage of the budget or doing it for free with a commission from the service providers they contract?
Do they have a proven track record? Anybody can hang out a shingle and call themselves a professional event planner. If you’re not sure, call me and I’ll give you an objective answer. I don’t claim to be all things, we often times refer business to our colleagues if it does not fall into our realm of expertise.

Transforming a gym into an elegant event venue

2008-12-27T14:46:00.000-05:00

One of the functions I want to use The Events Company blog for is sharing our events in cyberspace.

We had the pleasure of working with Onondaga Community College Foundation and their Campaign for OCC kick-off event. We were charged with transforming the OCC gymnasium (your typical college gym) into an event space where we could create an extraordinary experience that would reach beyond the evening to motivate prospective donors to fully support the campaign and its mission.

You can see before and after photos that show what we started with and what the end product became. Creating an event is like a painter starting a new painting. After listening to the client share their objectives, goals, and must haves we take the blank canvas and sketch the event elements to share with the client for their approval. With this particular event we had the challenge of masking basketball hoops, protecting the hardwoods, and creating a special event venue.

We accomplished this by bringing in infrastructure:

carpeting to soften the space, protect the hardwoods, and absorb sound
lighting trusswork suspending from steel beams in the ceiling for ambient lighting to light the stage and wash the room with soft lighting
fabric draping to mask not-so-attractive walls and hide basketball hoops
black velour to wall for a dark space behind the stage and projection screens

Once the infrastructure was installed we could work on the "pretty stuff;" stage set, linens, chivari chairs, centerpieces, chargers, etc. achieving our objective of creating an elegant venue.

Our client shared their impression with us. "As your disclaimer states, you are indeed the "Producers of WOW!" That could not have been more true than in the total (and some said magical) transformation of the Onondaga gymnasium for the very successful launch of our Reach Beyond Capital Campaign." - Thomas A. Burton, Executive Director, Onondaga Community College Foundation.

Entertaining during the Holidays

2008-11-30T22:01:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving has come and gone. The media reported Black Friday sales 3% over last year. And now the holiday season is upon us...

This is my favorite time of year. I like sending and receiving Christmas cards, although I'm never timely enough to get the family portrait printed on the card. I like decorating my tree while enjoying a good glass of red wine and some Christmas music. I like shopping for the perfect gift and receiving one, too. I like wrapping presents, complete with coordinating paper and wired edged ribbon. I like spending a day with my nephew making Christmas cookies. But most of all I enjoy spending time with family and friends in celebrating the season ful of hope and peace.

As an event planner, I enjoy being the hostest and entertaining comes easy to me. Below are a few of my secrets for easy entertaining:

Create a warm and welcoming entranceway. I like to put lighting lanterns along my walkway and front steps.
Set-up a self-serve beverage station. Place glasses out on a sideboard or table with beverages on ice in an attractive watertight tub, pre-open bottles of wine, leave out a bottle opener, and have a small bowl for easy disposal of bottle caps and corks.
Choose a menu that can be prepared ahead of time so you're not in the kitchen while your guests are in the livingroom.
Prep items in advance, go ahead and set the table the day before, pull out the serving pieces you'll need. Enlist your husband and kids to help with prep and clean-up.
Dress-up your dining table with pretty linens (you can rent them from our showroom) and a tablescape. This could be fresh flowers from your florist, an eclectic mix of candle holders amidst fresh evergreen branches, assorted glass containers or apothocary jars filled with Christmas balls. You can get great ideas walking through Pottery Barn or Pier 1 Imports.
Be environmentally friendly and use china, glassware, and silverware. Don't worry if it all doesn't match, mix and match with colors that work together and bring those colors into your centerpiece or tablescape.
If doing a sit-down meal, have placecards so guests know where you would like them to sit. Names printed on a decorated sugar cookie or ornaments enhance the overall look of your table.
Don't be afraid to rent tables and chairs if you don't have enough or like matching chairs.
Have some soft music playing in the background. This helps create ambiance and fill in lulls in conversation.
Remember to have fun and enjoy the time with your guests. Don't sweat the small stuff your guests are there because they want to spend time with you.

Thank you for spending time on my blog and feel free to share comments or other easy entertaining ideas or recipes. - Nicole

The Events Company Blog Introduction

2008-11-26T13:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to The Events Company Blog. We will offer advise on event planning, tips, and recap recent events. Please feel free to ask us questions nicole@theeventscompany.com