Grand Connection

My 11 Year Old Consultant

The other day I sat down on the sofa with my 11 year old and watched her making photo collages on the Ipad.  I asked her for a lesson ~ she was so excited to teach ME something.  With a few quick swipes over the device, fingers and thoughts speeding along, she began the lesson.  Moments later and more swish-swish of the little glitter painted magic fingers and there we were with a lovely photo collage. Who knew all this time that living amongst me was a wonderful little design consultant who works for free (or in trade for lots of praise and love).  We don't need her to know yet that people charge a lot of money for this kinda stuff.  Next I have to figure out how to put registration and meetings management into photos, this may require video blogging and the help of my 13 year old.   ROTFL or whatever they say (insert emoji here). LOL.  Okay GTG.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combining Live Arts with Events

Things I loved about this event we just completed...

Using artists at work in an event space while guests mingle and dine.  I was inspired by attending Artprize 2012 and seeing the Elephant piece http://www.artprize.org/adonna-khare/2012/elephants.

Having a "blank canvas" space like this with an entire wall that's a writing surface!  Event planners have dreams about this kind of space.  They might also dream about lights designed by George Nelson:-)  Thanks to Kristy, our event designer who pushed the use of the lighting.

Working with talented musical artists like Matt Giraud who didn't win American Idol but a lot of us think he should have.  I didn't know that he learned how to play piano because there was a piano in his dorm when he started at Western Michigan University!

Planning a 100 year anniversary gala was special and according to Google purple is the color for a 100 year anniversary incase you are wondering!

 

Making an exhibit hall work for a gala dinner--10 secrets shared!

1.  Keep the lights down low and use everything you can that glows. 

2.  Use a circular stage in the center of the room, nobody even looks at the walls. 

3.  If you have the budget use carpet, otherwise turn the lights down lower!

4.  Use soft seating areas and don't forget the pillows, it adds a comfy feel.

5.  Dramatic large hanging pieces as focal points.

6.  Fabric swags to bring the ceiling height down and sheers to bring walls closer.

7.  With the dim lighting don't forget to use spot lights for entertainment & speakers.

8.  Use statement pieces at the entrance, it defines the theme & is welcoming.

9.  Just because the ceiling is high, don't feel like you have to go tall  on centerpieces. 

10. Why not do a balloon drop, you've certainly got ceiling height:-)

A little sneak peak

Here's a little look at the event this past weekend.  More to come, I just couldn't wait to post a few photos.  In case your wondering...marshmallow roaster made by my husband!  When you can't find something build it yourself.  Or I guess I should say, when you can't find something ask your handy husband to make it, right Kristy!? All wood styling pieces were made by Kristy & Carl Stites:-)  Just a little side job for our husbands.  This is my 4th venture into the world of weddings in 13 years!

 

Smoke House Themed Event

The latest event we helped plan was a company wide family picnic for a local corporation's 100 year anniversary.  What a blast it was to work with this committee and be a part of such an amazing milestone event!  The "event of the century" as it's now being called.  I'm not really sure the exact attendance but I know that we had 9000 + wrist bands that went out.  The inspiration for the dinner venue we created actually came from my many visits to Busch Gardens Smoke House and my daughter's obsession with pigs. Somehow those things we do as a family, outside of work, weaved their way into my "day job".  Special thanks to Kristy Stites for helping me carry out the vision and style the event, another event completed with the help of very talented friends.  As for my daughter's obsession with pigs...by the end of the week I'm afraid we will have a new addition to the family!  Her name is Fern and she is a "tea cup" pig.  There's a really good joke in there somewhere, I'm just not sure I can find humor in it just yet. 

 

 

Beach Party in a Ballroom

With very little money (2,000), we were recently challenged to transform a very elegant ballroom into a Michigan Themed Beach Party for a large conference.  Let me clarify, a "Michigan Beach Party".  So no palm trees, coconuts, shells--you know, the stuff you can get pretty easily for most beach parties.  By working with my friend, an interior designer, we were able to pull some strings and use a local Outdoor Furniture Company's display stock for the cost of delivery and pick up (and of course some sponsorship display).  Along with a few visits to Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby and local Big Box store...we were able to transform the space and work within the budget.  I know I say this all the time, but events like this are just part of the "conference planning package" that we provide.  It's just that the images are so boring of registration websites and hotel contracts.  These pictures are way more exciting.

These are my friends, 'cause that's what you do when you don't have money in the budget to hire help, you set up and tear down yourself, and you recruit your friends! 

Digital Grafitti

So a few years ago (more like 4-5) I was in St. Petersburg at the Renaissance Vinoy where we were managing a meeting.  I was walking around at night and came across something very cool.  Some kids were projecting images onto buildings and playing great music.  I was dying to ask them if they could do this at my next event!  When I was just in Florida this week--I saw information about this festival and looked them up online http://www.digitalgraffiti.com/ Projection art is another term I've heard used to describe what's going on here. I predict the newest trend in events!

 

 

 

Concerts. Can they make you a better event planner?

Speaking of art as inspiration (per my last post).  I was lucky enough to see this tour over the summer and I will never look at general session lighting and staging the same.  Peter Gabriel is a master at staging and lighting, I try not to miss his shows.  Ever.  It's just good food for the creative soul, at least that's how I justify expensing the tickets (just kidding).  Not much more to add, just watch the clip, it's pretty cool, huh?

   

Artprize Top 10: An Event Planner's Pick

Artprize, the American Idol competition for the art world happens right here in my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  There is so much inspiration going on this week for event professionals that I should keep it all to myself and spring it on the event world in a big shock and awe reveal.  I'm just to proud of my city not to share what magical things are transpiring here.  Incorporating artists into my work has always been a priority; I understand that my strengths are more in the logistics of an event.  I stand in awe of these artists. Pictures do not do them justice, you need to come to Grand Rapids and see for yourself.  There's inspiration just waiting for you.  Inspiration found in the LIKELIEST of places, and best of all....it's totally free.  For tips on planning your trip check out our visitor's bureau website http://www.experiencegr.com/events/artprize/.  You can click on these photos to get a better/larger view.

This container unfolds to offer up the most amazing pop-up hipster bar.  I walked by as it was opening and there was smoke coming out!  All of a sudden like magic there was a bar, stools and servers.

 

 

This is just so beautiful in person it moves, shimmers and shines.  I don't know how I might use something like this yet but I'm sure I'll figure something out.

 

 

There's some discussion about whether these guys are really art...Hey as an event planner...LOVE 'EM.  Can't wait for the next construction theme.  Oh, these are real dudes playing an elaborite game of statues.

 

 

I love these sunflowers made with re purposed water bottles.  Now this is decor I can feel good about.  I hear the artist is selling these off on the final day of Artprize...would love a few.  

 

Ever plan a beach theme event?  Oh wouldn't this be great to have on display...hard to see here but the placement is great...complete with sand and simulated water on the floor of the convention center. 

 

 
 
 How about something like this as the entrance to your next lawn party.  It just makes me smile.

 

 
Hang these little critters from your ballroom truss?  I dare you!  Who does not love Monkeys in a Barrel?  Scatter the game around on the tables for conversation starter.  Wallah--party in a barrel.

 

And then there's Yellow Man.  Never thought of doing a Lego build as team building until I saw this.  I'm sure others had different thoughts but that's how my brain works.

 

 
You can bet I picked up this guy's contact information.  I saw him do a bust of a local broadcaster in under 30 minutes.  I thought hey, I'm gonna remember this guy.   

 

 
Last but not least check out this amazing ceiling treatment.  Why didn't I ever think of this?  This takes my breath away.

If you've stopped by here and been inspired, please do me a favor and follow me on Twitter and like us on Facebook

No really. THIS was the best Team Building event ever!

First of all I just have to say how we do love technology!  You have to understand that when we started in the travel industry we were still handwriting airline tickets, receiving curly paper faxes, keeping track of event information in binders and the secretary (yes, that was me...) was the only one that knew how to retrieve the email.  So back in the day when we would do a photo road rally we had teams use Polaroid cameras.    Times have certainly changed.  Christina just ran a team-building photo scavenger hunt for a client who was celebrating a milestone business anniversary.  Now that almost everyone has smart phones the teams were able to take the pictures and email them to Christina back in the office in real time.  When the teams checked back in with her at the end, she was able to gather the paperwork, score the teams & put the photos on a thumb drive and deliver them to the company dinner within 30 minutes where they were shown in a slide show while the winner was announced.  Some of the photos were really crazy; teams in hot tubs, with a horse, in shopping carts & cooking at restaurants...fun stuff!  Another fun activity we arranged was setting up the Rock Band Wii ON STAGE.  I know they have day jobs, but I think a few of these people were meant to be Rock Stars!  This was really cost effective way to provide fun entertainment. 

You may not know the way we really make our money is by booking the hotel rooms for conferences and building websites to register the attendees (remember, 10 or more rooms...call us).  But this is the fun stuff that we can do as a bonus for your next sales meeting or customer training!   For events like this I'm always willing to share my resources and time, so if you don't have the budget to hire us, just give me a call and we can help you put together a fun event just like this one.  I forgot to mention that I also designed some word searches and word puzzles about the company history for bonus points.  This was a photo worth 10 points, cartwheels in front of one of the companies old locations.