“The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.” ~Ashley Montagu

Think of surprise the next time you plan an event. This video provides great fodder and inspiration for an event. An unexpected event is likely to put its hooks in our memory.

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
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I came across Strange Fruit on Adrianna’s blog
Photo credit: aardvark via Flickr

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

If you live in or near a big city, you’ve probably witnessed a scene just like this…

A street preacher stands aggressively on the sidewalk, with a bible in one hand, shouting holy scriptures at passerbyers. People rush past him trying not to make eye contact so they can continue on their busy way. Oblivious to the lack of response or perhaps passionate about his message, he continues to preach…and preach…and preach.

There may have been a time, a long time ago when this method of evangelism would result in crowds of curious onlookers, but today it’s seen by the majority as invasive and belligerent.

Now switch gears for a second and think about how it makes all the difference when you go to church to seek out the preacher. He’s quoting the same psalms as the street preacher, but now you listen…willingly. Why? Because you opted in to the message.

And that is a critical lesson in social media. Many people join a social media site to connect with friends, listen to thought-leaders or dialogue with like-minded people. Nary a person joins a social media site so they can be sold to. If you go there to preach, you’ll be ignored. Don’t be a social media street preacher.

Image via Flickr

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

I will be speaking at Web-Com Montreal on October 22nd and my topic will be 24-7 is the new 9-5: How Social Media has changed the way we do business. In preparation for this seminar, I’d like to get your perspectives on this topic. So please fill out the form below and enter for your chance to win an EYEBALL HD AUDIO & VIDEO USB WEBCAM ($140 value).

How the winner will be selected
To determine the winner, each entry will appear in a Google Docs list in the order in which they’re entered by the participant. I will filter out any entries that did not participate in the contest (i.e. they did not provide their contact details). Using Research Randomizer, I will select one random entry according to their entry number. This entry will be determined as the winner of the EYEBALL USB WEBCAM.

I will contact each of the winners about their prize via email or phone #, and will announce the winner on this blog soon after.

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

When Disney does Alice in Wonderland the results are magical…

Images via Brainstorm9. Photo credits /Film and JohnnyDeppNews

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

Holding an event in NYC with out-of-town guests? Thrill the ladies with these chic and functional metro cuffs. Not only will they look great, but your guests won’t get lost in the subway.

And not to worry, new cities will be added soon.
Order these bracelets via Design Hype Inc. – $25 USD

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network