Posts from — May 2009

I was working at the Omni in Atlanta this weekend – actually doing some exhibit work.  In the ballroom where they exhibits were being built were some water stations and do you know what they had at the water stations – Purell hand sanitzer.  I thought that was clever and if I was doing something that required a registration I would put some of that around registations.

That is my story for now on this Sunday night and I am sticking to it.

Claire

When writing theme menus really allow yourself to get creative.  How do you do that?  By visualizing yourself in the event. What does tht look like?  Also visualize yourself in each location of the theme of the event and that will help a lot when you are doing the writing.  For example I had to write a menu of  an event featuring foods from the East coast.  So that is what I did – I visualized myself in the New England States.  Did a salad with apples – big in Vermont; with Vermont Cheddar Cheese; Maine Wild Blueberry Cobbler with Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream – Yankee Pot Roast

Going to the Mid Atlantic States/Southern States BBQ of course/Shrimp and Grits

Going to Florida we did Latino.

Just put your self in the location of what you are writing to the rest comes naturally.

That is my story for now and I am sticking to it.

Claire

I was talking with my dad about another vendor who has a lousy attitude about his trade.  I was telling my father how annoyed I was at this individual because he has a crappy attitude and feels like he is owed I didn’t think he was putting forth his best effort wasn’t giving his clients good value.  I know this for a fact because a couple of his clients complained to me – as we have some of the same clients.  They said they were nickled and dimed and it got old quick. Especially in this economy where the best you can do is give value. Know what my father said…ATTITUDE equals ALTITUDE.  Your attitude will determine how high you go in any aspect of your life.  He is SO CORRECT.

I have learned that people that have them often look a lot older than they really are.

I am leaving PA this morning after being up here for nearly a week.  My oldest brother has his 4 and 7 year old up here visiting as well.  I was laying with my 2 nieces this morning on the pull out sofa trying to convince the 4 year old to come snuggle with me.  I told her if she didn’t I would take the candy back to Atlanta with me that my friend Brenda gave them. She told me no I can’t do that because if I did she would tell G-d on me!  I told her G-d has bigger issues to deal with and that he would want her to cuddle with me and spread the love.  Being the stubborn little gal that she is still said NO – rolled over and continue to play her DX.

Claire

One thing that is all so important as an event planner and yet we tend to “glaze” over it is properly communicating the timing of an event.  MORE IMPORTANT  when doing an event  timeline is taking into consideration our guests and how this timeline will affect them and their experience at your event.  Let me give an extreme sample of this.  WEDDINGS. I went to a little country wedding recently and the couple got married at 1:00 pm in the afternoon. Ceremony was over at 2:00 pm  - Catholic so they had to do mass – reception immediately following – but not so much. By the time pictures were taken, the bridal party did the 30 minute drive to the reception  – the introducted the bridal couple - bridal party did champagne toasts - the serving of the food did not begin until 5:00 pm.  So what about the guests?  Good question – what about them? 

If you are doing a wedding – corporate event – customer party etc. the planners or focal point of attention need to understand in order to be successful it isn’t all about them. Yup even at a wedding. Your guests and their well being has to be taken into consideration. I recommned that you plan an event from the guests point of view – from their eyes instead of your own and I think you will find from a timing perspective a more co-hesive palnned event – with much happier guests.

You may now kiss the bride.

That is my story for now and I am sticking to it.

Went to take my dad lunch today at the flying field. He and his buddies were up there flying there radio control airplanes. I got to watch my father do some amazing stunts with his plane as he was flying it when I arrived. Here are some pictures that I took today.

Claire

I am home in Kittanning and was sitting at Pam’s house last night. A bunch of us were sitting on the porch when her brother said look there’s the owl. Pam commented they haven’t seen the owl for awhile.  Another person told all of us the owl’s name is Ozzie. Makes sense to me. I never saw an owl – just hanging out on a telephone wire.  What sucked a bit about it is it was dark out we couldn’t get a clear view of the owl. What did surprise me is they have some “girth” to them but Ozzie didn’t look heavy on the wire.  Then Ozzie flew to a small tree branch – looking for a  midnight snack of baby birds and the tree branch barely bent.  We all sat very still for about 30 minutes watching in fascination this owl.  I felt really lucky as I never saw an owl outside of the zoo.  Finally the soda pop I drank earlier in the evening got the best of me and I had to break to the mood to go home.

That is my story for now and I am sticking to it.