Hotel agreements can be extremely intimidating but if you know what concessions can be negotiated you can save your clients thousands of dollars. 1. Sleeping Room Nights – In addition to negotiating a low attrition rate on our sleeping room block, we negotiate 1 complimentary sleeping room for every 40 sleeping rooms booked by our… Read more »
Wedding Planning Tips – 7 Mistakes Couples Make When Planning Their Wedding
Congratulations… you’re engaged!! Now it’s time to plan your special day. Understanding what goes into planning a wedding is so important but it’s NOT just about the details. There are many important things to consider. Here are 7 wedding planning tips to help couples avoid making mistakes when planning their wedding. Not putting together a… Read more »
7 Tips for Dealing With Difficult Clients
As first published in Special Events Magazine. As a service-based event business, we have had our fair share of difficult clients from the know-it-alls, last-minute-changers, Prada-ideas-on-a-Wal-Mart-budgeter, can’t-make-a-decisioner, never-happys, the polite-and-pickies, and the fighters. High-maintenance clients are never easy but here are seven simple but powerful strategies you can use when dealing with difficult clients. 1…. Read more »
Important Steps for a Sellout Event
On any given night, people have numerous options regarding how they’ll spend their time and money. If you’re hosting an event, obviously you want more of those people to give those things to you. However, planning a sellout event is not something that just happens naturally. The entire marketing strategy surrounding the event must tie… Read more »
Event Lodging: The Next Best Alternative
When it comes to lodging for an event, most people automatically assume their only option is a hotel, especially if there is a hotel room block available. If you want room service, a business center, gym, and all the other amenities that come with a hotel then that is the best way to go. However,… Read more »
7 Tips For Hiring Event Staff
The success of an event can be a disaster if you don’t hire the right event staff. Start Your Search Early On It’s always best practices to have your event staff in place as early as possible. Quality and experienced staffers are in high demand and it’s inevitable that there will be some staffers who… Read more »
TSE 2015 Recap
I just returned from the 2015 Special Event Conference & Tradeshow the other day. This year (I think I’ve been the last 10 now… I’ve lost track.) I taught 3 classes: The TRUTH about Planners and Vendors! How to Be REALLY Profitable Do You Want to Know What I Know? I have to say I really loved… Read more »
The Stages of Great Event Sales
As most of you know, selling event tickets is no easy task. One thing you must keep in mind while selling is the entire marketing and sales funnel. Doing this effectively should create a happy customer base that will be much easier to sell to the next time. Stage 1: Prospects Okay, so you’ve got… Read more »
5 Risky File Sharing Habits to Avoid
Sharing files with my colleagues and clients has become a very important part of running my event planning business efficiently. It is extremely important to make sure that you are using the right file-sharing systems and policies so you are not at a security risk. Here are a few file sharing habits to stay away… Read more »
Top Questions Every Event Planner Should Always Ask At A Site Visit
We all know there’s a million details to handle for any event. One of the most important meetings you can have when planning is the site visit. Based on past experience, we’ve compiled a list of the questions you need to be asking at this visit with your venue. Can I bring in my own vendors?… Read more »
Why Events Are Great For Employee Morale
It’s hard to keep your employees happy these days. It’s been shown that happy employees are more productive with greater longevity. Why else would Google and Facebook go to such extremes to make their offices so employee-friendly? One thing we’ve found is that events are a great way to improve company morale. Here are a… Read more »
Recap of Michael Cerbelli’s Hot List 2014
ARIA About Entertainment Danny Bergold (424) 201-5428 dbergold@about-entertainment.com Scott Fields, Craig Hendry, Liam McLachlan and Jason Short make up the unique group. Offering a blend of pop and opera they take classical sound and make it their own. Blake Band E Three NYC Evan Tyler (212) 354-6460 etyler@ethreenyc.com Playing music from the 1920’s through today’s… Read more »
Top 12 Trends For Today’s Bride For The New Year
Trend #12 – The Ring Brides are shying away from the traditional engagement ring. The latest tweak on tradition include cool cuts, intricate settings, dazzling different tints and modern styles that forgo the solitaire altogether. A platinum setting and simple diamond are no longer the norm. Bigger is better. Vintage is back. Lots of color,… Read more »
Questions Your Event Team Should be Prepared To Answer
When planning and producing an event your event team is expected to have answers ready for any questions attendees may have. Prior to an event, it’s important that all of the event team be given any information that could help them answer any questions that may be asked by attendees. As with any helpful checklist,… Read more »
7 Terrifying Tips for a Spook-tacular Halloween Party!
The Halloween season is upon us and everyone is starting to plan their frightening festivities. Whether you are a seasoned veteran and looking to spruce up your annual party or you have always wanted to throw a Halloween party and decided this is the year to do it, we have some great tips for you!… Read more »
6 “Must-Capture” Photos at Your Next Event!
Everyone knows that it takes a lot of work to plan an event. One of those important elements is to put as much work into making sure you have captured all of the important elements of your event. Whether you will be taking your own photographs or you have hired a professional photographer, below is a… Read more »
5 Important Things to Remember When Networking
How many times have you heard, “It’s all about who you know”? I think I’ve lost count. Here are a few tips that will help you make sure you are going to the right events and making the right connections. 1. Focus on giving vs. getting. Whether or not you believe in karma or that everything comes full… Read more »
PATRIOTIC PARTY PLANNING
Tips and Tricks for Throwing a Great 4th of July Party Memorial Day may be the summer kick-off, but 4th of July is the star of the show! By July, the summer is in full swing and everyone is ready to celebrate. The kids are out of school, beach bags are full of sand, and… Read more »
GREAT NYC RESTAURANTS TO HOST AN EVENT
New York City is one of the largest cities in the world, and luckily that means there is no shortage of great restaurants here! If you’re looking to host an event (wedding, birthday party, business meeting, etc.), check out the list I’ve put together of great restaurant venues in various parts of NYC. Isabella’s An… Read more »
10 TIPS ON ACHIEVING THE PERFECT EVENT ATMOSPHERE
One of the most important parts of a successful event is the atmosphere! A great atmosphere allows your guests the ability to relax, interact with other guests and enjoy the festivities of the events. Below are ten steps to managing a great event! 1. Strategy Development and Having the Right Support When planning an event, an… Read more »