Tip #9: Entertain The Group

Participants look forward to the entertainment segment of a program. They want to have fun, enjoy themselves, and let their hair down, particularly after stressful and demanding sessions. So guess what? Your participants’ stress reliever now becomes your stress maker. You have a true responsibility to choose the right entertainment for your group. Some options include the following:

• Music: Your choices include a band with or without singers, a soloist (instrumental or vocal), a disc jockey, or even karaoke.

• Spectacle: Consider hiring a magician, juggler, comedian, mime or hypnotist.

• Theater: Arrange a dinner theater performance, a one-person act, a murder-mystery experience, or corporate theater (which involves using professional or amateur actors to dramatize a company’s image, a new product, or the history of an organization).

• Games: Involve your participants by planning individual games, such as a treasure hunt, or an event with a game show format, such as “Jeopardy” or “Hollywood Squares.”

• Video or slide show: A picture is worth a thousand words. For a retirement dinner, consider creating a slide show featuring the guest of honor’s accomplishments. For a sales meeting, provide a video demonstration
  Is It Time to Legally Register Your Trade/Service Mark?
  It’s very upsetting to find someone using your business name, or one that is “confusingly similar.” If you’ve taken legal steps to protect your name, you are in a much better position to protect your interests.* If you are successful, you will be copied.I learned this lesson the hard way. When my business partner and I started Tables to Teapots (a retail store in Acton, MA), we had no idea how successful we would be. After several years of hard work, a TV feature on Chronicle and a story in Inc. Magazine, our business was booming. Then one day, a customer came in and said, “I didn’t know you’d opened up in New Hampshire.” Well, we hadn’t opened up in NH. But, an enterprising copycat had opened a store and called it NH-Tables to Teapots.We were lucky. While we had the rights clearly established in Massachusetts, we had not filed a federal Trademark protecting the name in other states. By taking an aggressive position, I was able to convince the NH copycat to change the name of his business.Your job as an event planner doesn’t stop with the meeting in the company boardroom. You may be call upon to organize an employee appreciation event, an awards dinner, a product launch, the celebration of a company milestone, a gala recognizing a longtime employee’s retirement, an incentive event for the company’s sales force, a fundraising event, a holiday celebration…the list goes on and on.

  These types of affairs differ from your typical corporate business meeting, and you face unique issues and pitfalls when planning them. Rave program reviews are generally the result of the blood, sweat, and tears you devote to the project. A well-designed and well-orchestrated event is analogous to a good stage production. It’s all about getting your act together and performing the right show for the right audience.

  The following are 10 tips that zero in on the nitty gritty elements that can help earn your efforts glowing reviews (and make your mom really proud of you). As you begin each planning program, a key question to ask yourself is, “how can each activity engage the participant’s interest?”

  Tip #1: Decide When To Stage Your Event

  Timing is everything. The decision about when to hold your event is determined in large part by what type of event it is. Ask yourself, is the event better suited for the day or evening? Do you want to hold it during the week or on a weekend? If your event doesn’t have a deadline, would it be best to hold it during a specific season or time of year? Make sure to check that your event doesn’t overlap with any religious holidays, and it’s probably best to avoid scheduling during major sporting events.

  Tip #2: Map Out A Location

  The first order of business is to decide whether to hold your event indoors or outdoors. However, outdoor events have several major considerations, the elements being number one on the list. Think tents, portable flooring, electric generators, and space heaters, in addition to a well thought out contingency plan. Also, be aware that speeches and audiovisual presentations are notoriously difficult to stage outdoors.

  Tip #3: Consider Unique Environments

  Hotel meeting rooms can get old very quickly and the thought of a unique environment can immediately add interest and excitement. Consider retreat centers, cruise ships or yachts, museums, stately home, sporting venues, and theaters. Realize that many of these venues work well for special functions, but they don’t necessarily have adequate meeting facilities and equipment. Make sure you do your homework beforehand and abide by the “Meeting Planner’s Golden Rule” - never select a venue without having seen it in person!

  Tip #4: Set The Stage

  The program plan you choose stems from the purpose and participants. Your four main considerations include:

  1. What is the main emphasis of the program – educational, business or social?

  2. What are your financial criteria – generate revenue, break even, or be a company expense?

  3. What are your participants’ expectations?

  4. What is the optimum ration of educational, business, and social programming?

  Tip #5: Create The Right Atmosphere

  One key to a successful special event is to seek out entertainment or decorations that are unique and fun to spark excitement and add the right ambiance. Think outside the box and consider all sorts of amusements – strolling musicians, magicians, chefs’ demonstrations, palm readers…anything out of the ordinary. Novelty is the key to your success. Keep in mind that entertainment that rave about can also come in the form of an elaborate coffee bar or startlingly beautiful champagne fountain. Remember to check all decorating plans with the venue in advance because many have restrictions on what they allow. For example, many establishments forbid helium balloons.

  Tip #6: Create A Memorable Theme

  Creating a theme for your event helps make it easier to organize food, d?cor, and other accessories, such as giveaway items. Select a theme that fits your participants. Consider choosing from the following categories:

  • Fashion: The Roaring Twenties or An Evening at Ascot

  • History: The Garden of Eden or A Renaissance Fair

  • Politics: Fourth of July Celebrations or Women’s Lib (political and historical)

  • Popular culture: Wizard of Ox or An Evening with Dr. Seuss

  • The arts: An Italian Affair or A Night at the Oscars

  Tip #7: Integrate The Theme

  Don’t consider a theme unless you are prepared to follow it through your entire event. Don’t limit it to a few posters on the walls, which just add lip service rather than real ambiance. For the most impact, integrate it before, during and after the event. Reflect your theme in your invitations and in any party favors that guests take home. Your theme should complement the tone and content of your event. Advise speakers and discuss with them how they can incorporate, but not overuse it in their remarks. A few extras to consider when integrating your theme:

  • Make sure the theme is general enough that it is unlikely to offend anyone, and that it is meaningful to your group.

  • Develop a meaningful slogan or message to go along with the theme to add a little extra when you promote the event.

  • Consider having a special logo designed to enhance the theme and its possible message.

  Tip #8: Hire A Professional Photographer

  A photographer is a great addition to almost any event. Guests appreciate a visual reminder of the fun time they had at your affair. Arranging to have family portraits taken at an employee appreciation event shows your employees that you care about them as individuals. Guests at more formal affairs enjoy having their pictures taken while they’re dressed up for a night out. Decide whether you want a photographer to roam among your guests taking candid shots, to set up in a central location to take posed shots, or both.

  Tip #9: Entertain The Group

  Participants look forward to the entertainment segment of a program. They want to have fun, enjoy themselves, and let their hair down, particularly after stressful and demanding sessions. So guess what? Your participants’ stress reliever now becomes your stress maker. You have a true responsibility to choose the right entertainment for your group. Some options include the following:

  • Music: Your choices include a band with or without singers, a soloist (instrumental or vocal), a disc jockey, or even karaoke.

  • Spectacle: Consider hiring a magician, juggler, comedian, mime or hypnotist.

  • Theater: Arrange a dinner theater performance, a one-person act, a murder-mystery experience, or corporate theater (which involves using professional or amateur actors to dramatize a company’s image, a new product, or the history of an organization).

  • Games: Involve your participants by planning individual games, such as a treasure hunt, or an event with a game show format, such as “Jeopardy” or “Hollywood Squares.”

  • Video or slide show: A picture is worth a thousand words. For a retirement dinner, consider creating a slide show featuring the guest of honor’s accomplishments. For a sales meeting, provide a video demonstration o
    Top 4 Reasons Why Why You Should Start An Online Business
    Starting an online business is something that you should be doing. The numbers speak for themselves and if you think that you CAN'T do it...think again.1. Working from home has many benefitsHaving a home based business means reaping a ton of benefits. I mean , working from home is the ultimate situation that almost everyone WANTS to be in but few are WILLING to do what it takes to get there. When you work from home , you have numerous tax benefits , you get to work your own schedule , and the list goes on and on. When you figure out a way to produce income from the luxury of your own home , at the hours YOU choose , and doing so from your pajamas....it doesn't get any better than that!2. The internet has grown rapidly and steadilyUnlike the "offline" world , the internet offers many different ways to be successful with your own business. The numbers are out there and few dispute that the numbers of internet users are increasing and projected to reach the billions and billio
    a specific season or time of year? Make sure to check that your event doesn’t overlap with any religious holidays, and it’s probably best to avoid scheduling during major sporting events.

    Tip #2: Map Out A Location

    The first order of business is to decide whether to hold your event indoors or outdoors. However, outdoor events have several major considerations, the elements being number one on the list. Think tents, portable flooring, electric generators, and space heaters, in addition to a well thought out contingency plan. Also, be aware that speeches and audiovisual presentations are notoriously difficult to stage outdoors.

    Tip #3: Consider Unique Environments

    Hotel meeting rooms can get old very quickly and the thought of a unique environment can immediately add interest and excitement. Consider retreat centers, cruise ships or yachts, museums, stately home, sporting venues, and theaters. Realize that many of these venues work well for special functions, but they don’t necessarily have adequate meeting facilities and equipment. Make sure you do your homework beforehand and abide by the “Meeting Planner’s Golden Rule” - never select a venue without having seen it in person!

    Tip #4: Set The Stage

    The program plan you choose stems from the purpose and participants. Your four main considerations include:

    1. What is the main emphasis of the program – educational, business or social?

    2. What are your financial criteria – generate revenue, break even, or be a company expense?

    3. What are your participants’ expectations?

    4. What is the optimum ration of educational, business, and social programming?

    Tip #5: Create The Right Atmosphere

    One key to a successful special event is to seek out entertainment or decorations that are unique and fun to spark excitement and add the right ambiance. Think outside the box and consider all sorts of amusements – strolling musicians, magicians, chefs’ demonstrations, palm readers…anything out of the ordinary. Novelty is the key to your success. Keep in mind that entertainment that rave about can also come in the form of an elaborate coffee bar or startlingly beautiful champagne fountain. Remember to check all decorating plans with the venue in advance because many have restrictions on what they allow. For example, many establishments forbid helium balloons.

    Tip #6: Create A Memorable Theme

    Creating a theme for your event helps make it easier to organize food, d?cor, and other accessories, such as giveaway items. Select a theme that fits your participants. Consider choosing from the following categories:

    • Fashion: The Roaring Twenties or An Evening at Ascot

    • History: The Garden of Eden or A Renaissance Fair

    • Politics: Fourth of July Celebrations or Women’s Lib (political and historical)

    • Popular culture: Wizard of Ox or An Evening with Dr. Seuss

    • The arts: An Italian Affair or A Night at the Oscars

    Tip #7: Integrate The Theme

    Don’t consider a theme unless you are prepared to follow it through your entire event. Don’t limit it to a few posters on the walls, which just add lip service rather than real ambiance. For the most impact, integrate it before, during and after the event. Reflect your theme in your invitations and in any party favors that guests take home. Your theme should complement the tone and content of your event. Advise speakers and discuss with them how they can incorporate, but not overuse it in their remarks. A few extras to consider when integrating your theme:

    • Make sure the theme is general enough that it is unlikely to offend anyone, and that it is meaningful to your group.

    • Develop a meaningful slogan or message to go along with the theme to add a little extra when you promote the event.

    • Consider having a special logo designed to enhance the theme and its possible message.

    Tip #8: Hire A Professional Photographer

    A photographer is a great addition to almost any event. Guests appreciate a visual reminder of the fun time they had at your affair. Arranging to have family portraits taken at an employee appreciation event shows your employees that you care about them as individuals. Guests at more formal affairs enjoy having their pictures taken while they’re dressed up for a night out. Decide whether you want a photographer to roam among your guests taking candid shots, to set up in a central location to take posed shots, or both.

    Tip #9: Entertain The Group

    Participants look forward to the entertainment segment of a program. They want to have fun, enjoy themselves, and let their hair down, particularly after stressful and demanding sessions. So guess what? Your participants’ stress reliever now becomes your stress maker. You have a true responsibility to choose the right entertainment for your group. Some options include the following:

    • Music: Your choices include a band with or without singers, a soloist (instrumental or vocal), a disc jockey, or even karaoke.

    • Spectacle: Consider hiring a magician, juggler, comedian, mime or hypnotist.

    • Theater: Arrange a dinner theater performance, a one-person act, a murder-mystery experience, or corporate theater (which involves using professional or amateur actors to dramatize a company’s image, a new product, or the history of an organization).

    • Games: Involve your participants by planning individual games, such as a treasure hunt, or an event with a game show format, such as “Jeopardy” or “Hollywood Squares.”

    • Video or slide show: A picture is worth a thousand words. For a retirement dinner, consider creating a slide show featuring the guest of honor’s accomplishments. For a sales meeting, provide a video demonstration
      Discover the Perfect School Fund Raising Idea
      There is no better time to create a school fund raising idea than right now. There are some key elements that go into creating a great school fundraising idea that you should follow. This article will out line some keys to creating a winning school fund raising idea that is sure to bring you success.The first key to creating a solid school fund raising idea is to think of some themes. There are many types of themes you could come up with. Maybe you could create a school fund raising idea using a theme based on country and western or perhaps you could focus on the fifties, or maybe move ahead to the future. These are all good themes to start with.Once you have a few good themes to work with for your school fund raising idea you can now break each one down further. It might be helpful to think about the actual cause you are creating this fund raising idea for. Try to incorporate as much of the intended reason for raising the money as you can into your theme. Some themes may not be appropriate for cert
      nancial criteria – generate revenue, break even, or be a company expense?

    • What are your participants’ expectations?

    • What is the optimum ration of educational, business, and social programming?

      Tip #5: Create The Right Atmosphere

      One key to a successful special event is to seek out entertainment or decorations that are unique and fun to spark excitement and add the right ambiance. Think outside the box and consider all sorts of amusements – strolling musicians, magicians, chefs’ demonstrations, palm readers…anything out of the ordinary. Novelty is the key to your success. Keep in mind that entertainment that rave about can also come in the form of an elaborate coffee bar or startlingly beautiful champagne fountain. Remember to check all decorating plans with the venue in advance because many have restrictions on what they allow. For example, many establishments forbid helium balloons.

      Tip #6: Create A Memorable Theme

      Creating a theme for your event helps make it easier to organize food, d?cor, and other accessories, such as giveaway items. Select a theme that fits your participants. Consider choosing from the following categories:

      • Fashion: The Roaring Twenties or An Evening at Ascot

      • History: The Garden of Eden or A Renaissance Fair

      • Politics: Fourth of July Celebrations or Women’s Lib (political and historical)

      • Popular culture: Wizard of Ox or An Evening with Dr. Seuss

      • The arts: An Italian Affair or A Night at the Oscars

      Tip #7: Integrate The Theme

      Don’t consider a theme unless you are prepared to follow it through your entire event. Don’t limit it to a few posters on the walls, which just add lip service rather than real ambiance. For the most impact, integrate it before, during and after the event. Reflect your theme in your invitations and in any party favors that guests take home. Your theme should complement the tone and content of your event. Advise speakers and discuss with them how they can incorporate, but not overuse it in their remarks. A few extras to consider when integrating your theme:

      • Make sure the theme is general enough that it is unlikely to offend anyone, and that it is meaningful to your group.

      • Develop a meaningful slogan or message to go along with the theme to add a little extra when you promote the event.

      • Consider having a special logo designed to enhance the theme and its possible message.

      Tip #8: Hire A Professional Photographer

      A photographer is a great addition to almost any event. Guests appreciate a visual reminder of the fun time they had at your affair. Arranging to have family portraits taken at an employee appreciation event shows your employees that you care about them as individuals. Guests at more formal affairs enjoy having their pictures taken while they’re dressed up for a night out. Decide whether you want a photographer to roam among your guests taking candid shots, to set up in a central location to take posed shots, or both.

      Tip #9: Entertain The Group

      Participants look forward to the entertainment segment of a program. They want to have fun, enjoy themselves, and let their hair down, particularly after stressful and demanding sessions. So guess what? Your participants’ stress reliever now becomes your stress maker. You have a true responsibility to choose the right entertainment for your group. Some options include the following:

      • Music: Your choices include a band with or without singers, a soloist (instrumental or vocal), a disc jockey, or even karaoke.

      • Spectacle: Consider hiring a magician, juggler, comedian, mime or hypnotist.

      • Theater: Arrange a dinner theater performance, a one-person act, a murder-mystery experience, or corporate theater (which involves using professional or amateur actors to dramatize a company’s image, a new product, or the history of an organization).

      • Games: Involve your participants by planning individual games, such as a treasure hunt, or an event with a game show format, such as “Jeopardy” or “Hollywood Squares.”

      • Video or slide show: A picture is worth a thousand words. For a retirement dinner, consider creating a slide show featuring the guest of honor’s accomplishments. For a sales meeting, provide a video demonstration
        Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?
        Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of our lives and as our work is knowledge-based - we knowledge workers are not finished after 30 years on the job - Are we merely bored?There are three ways to develop another career: The first way is to really start a career. Our original career decision (at school or college) may have been simply around 'getting a job to make some money' or just to 'get into the job market' in some way. The advice and guidance that we received at this time may have been limited by their own knowledge of what's possible.In this case the people looking for second careers who have achieved a modest success in their first jobs may be looking to change organisations where they can find challenge. The house is empty with the children gone - they need income as well. But above all they need challenge.The second way to prepare for the second half of your life is to develop a career alongside your 'full-time' role. The classic example of this is working in a not-for-
        th Dr. Seuss

      • The arts: An Italian Affair or A Night at the Oscars

      Tip #7: Integrate The Theme

      Don’t consider a theme unless you are prepared to follow it through your entire event. Don’t limit it to a few posters on the walls, which just add lip service rather than real ambiance. For the most impact, integrate it before, during and after the event. Reflect your theme in your invitations and in any party favors that guests take home. Your theme should complement the tone and content of your event. Advise speakers and discuss with them how they can incorporate, but not overuse it in their remarks. A few extras to consider when integrating your theme:

      • Make sure the theme is general enough that it is unlikely to offend anyone, and that it is meaningful to your group.

      • Develop a meaningful slogan or message to go along with the theme to add a little extra when you promote the event.

      • Consider having a special logo designed to enhance the theme and its possible message.

      Tip #8: Hire A Professional Photographer

      A photographer is a great addition to almost any event. Guests appreciate a visual reminder of the fun time they had at your affair. Arranging to have family portraits taken at an employee appreciation event shows your employees that you care about them as individuals. Guests at more formal affairs enjoy having their pictures taken while they’re dressed up for a night out. Decide whether you want a photographer to roam among your guests taking candid shots, to set up in a central location to take posed shots, or both.

      Tip #9: Entertain The Group

      Participants look forward to the entertainment segment of a program. They want to have fun, enjoy themselves, and let their hair down, particularly after stressful and demanding sessions. So guess what? Your participants’ stress reliever now becomes your stress maker. You have a true responsibility to choose the right entertainment for your group. Some options include the following:

      • Music: Your choices include a band with or without singers, a soloist (instrumental or vocal), a disc jockey, or even karaoke.

      • Spectacle: Consider hiring a magician, juggler, comedian, mime or hypnotist.

      • Theater: Arrange a dinner theater performance, a one-person act, a murder-mystery experience, or corporate theater (which involves using professional or amateur actors to dramatize a company’s image, a new product, or the history of an organization).

      • Games: Involve your participants by planning individual games, such as a treasure hunt, or an event with a game show format, such as “Jeopardy” or “Hollywood Squares.”

      • Video or slide show: A picture is worth a thousand words. For a retirement dinner, consider creating a slide show featuring the guest of honor’s accomplishments. For a sales meeting, provide a video demonstration
        Freelancers and Taxes: An LLC's Perspective
        When I was laid off from my last “secure” paying job I mentioned to my wife that I wanted to go into business for myself. With two small children at home, a mortgage to pay, and enough other expenses hanging over our heads, this option seemed somewhat crazy. Fortunately, a severance package and unemployment helped to ease my transition to freelance work and I managed to have some additional work lined up to get me started.One of the first things I did was to set up my business as an LLC: a limited liability corporation. I used the services of LegalZoom to organize my company, saving myself some money over the services of a tax attorney. The advantages of running an LLC include: legal protection from suitors in the event I am sued for work that I have done. They can go after my business assets, but not my personal assets. In addition, the whole way of paying myself has changed: I don’t receive a paycheck, but I do make disbursements. These disbursements are not subject to social security taxes, but they ar
        ght out. Decide whether you want a photographer to roam among your guests taking candid shots, to set up in a central location to take posed shots, or both.

        Tip #9: Entertain The Group

        Participants look forward to the entertainment segment of a program. They want to have fun, enjoy themselves, and let their hair down, particularly after stressful and demanding sessions. So guess what? Your participants’ stress reliever now becomes your stress maker. You have a true responsibility to choose the right entertainment for your group. Some options include the following:

        • Music: Your choices include a band with or without singers, a soloist (instrumental or vocal), a disc jockey, or even karaoke.

        • Spectacle: Consider hiring a magician, juggler, comedian, mime or hypnotist.

        • Theater: Arrange a dinner theater performance, a one-person act, a murder-mystery experience, or corporate theater (which involves using professional or amateur actors to dramatize a company’s image, a new product, or the history of an organization).

        • Games: Involve your participants by planning individual games, such as a treasure hunt, or an event with a game show format, such as “Jeopardy” or “Hollywood Squares.”

        • Video or slide show: A picture is worth a thousand words. For a retirement dinner, consider creating a slide show featuring the guest of honor’s accomplishments. For a sales meeting, provide a video demonstration of a new product.

        Tip #10: Hire The Right Talent

        As you think about hiring your entertainment talent, find out where and for whom they’ve previously performed. Make certain that you view a demo video. Watch for the quality of their performance and the audience reaction. Check out their references and ask some pertinent questions:

        • Would you hire them again?

        • How flexible, reliable, and easy to work with were they?

        • How would you rate their act?

        • What do they do well?

        • What part of their act could use improvement?

        • What were the demographics of your audience? (You want to make sure that this act would be a good fit for your participants.)

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