Author Archives: Lara McCulloch


Permalink to sunday spark . finishing the race

sunday spark . finishing the race

In honor of the 2010 Winter Olympics, I thought I’d share an inspiring video showing what it means to finish the race. Even if you’re not an Olympian, there’s a great lesson here…

Leaderboard 728x90 sunday spark . finishing the race

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Permalink to events asia 2010 . social media strategy

events asia 2010 . social media strategy

Join me at Events Asia 2010 in Boracay, Philippines, April 28-30th!

I’m very excited to be a part of this great event. I’ll be joining some fantastic speakers including Max Lenderman, author of Experience the Message. The event will be held at the beautiful Boracay Ecovillage Resort & Convention Center (you may recognize the name from the Miss Earth 2009 competition). For more information, visit the official event website. I hope to see you there!

Leaderboard 728x90 events asia 2010 . social media strategy

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Permalink to got something to say? . win free tickets to the spotlight awards

got something to say? . win free tickets to the spotlight awards

Do you love food? Check √

Do you adore events? Check √

Do you love to share your opinion? Check √

Do you own a suit or gown? Check √

Do you have a vlog, blog and/or twitter account? Check √

2428580273 e193c3c97f b 570x381 got something to say? . win free tickets to the spotlight awards

If you said yes, yes, yes, yes and yes, you may qualify win 1 of 4 free tickets to the Event Solutions / Catersource Spotlight Awards Celebration in Las Vegas. This event is being produced by the totally fantastic Ryan Hanson of Beevents (so you know it’s going to be great). The Beevents and Event Solutions teams get the power of social media and would like to extend the gala experience beyond the ballroom. Ticket recipients will get ‘behind the scenes’ access and some trade secrets along the way!

Go to Beevents’ blog for instructions on how to enter. But don’t delay, these are sure to go fast!

Leaderboard 728x90 got something to say? . win free tickets to the spotlight awards

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Permalink to your path to happiness . may be simpler than you think

your path to happiness . may be simpler than you think

Why over think happiness? It may just be simpler than you think…

090924 Are You Happy large 570x806 your path to happiness . may be simpler than you think

Leaderboard 728x90 your path to happiness . may be simpler than you think

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Permalink to say happy birthday . to eventprofs

say happy birthday . to eventprofs

eventprofs birthday say happy birthday . to eventprofsYes, it’s true! #eventprofs turns 1 today!! It’s been a truly incredible year and as I’ve watched the community grow from a small group of people on February 9, 2009 to a thriving community of thousands today, I can say that I’m truly proud and amazed. In celebration of our first birthday, I wanted to turn it over to you, the community, to share what #eventprofs has meant to you.

Share your thoughts

Feel free to comment on this post & let everyone know how the #eventprofs community has impacted you or your business.

Also, please join us this evening @ 9pm EST / 6pm PST for our weekly Twitter chat to share your stories. Click here for instructions on how to participate in a chat.

More info

Wow – and for a very comprehensive overview of #eventprofs’ history, see Samuel J Smith’s post.

Leaderboard 728x90 say happy birthday . to eventprofs

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Permalink to restaurants for event planners . my jaw-dropping top 7

restaurants for event planners . my jaw-dropping top 7

It was difficult to narrow down the world’s most beautiful restaurants to my top 7…but I did it. There are just so many worthy contenders out there. To me, an event planner-worthy restaurant must have a totally unique experience to provide its guests, innovative design and a big punch of drama. Each of my favorites below accomplish all three criteria and then some. I will admit that the venue I now have on my must-visit-before-I-expire list is Piz Gloria in Switzerland. Being able to say that you dined with 360 degree views of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world is true bragging rights. But the remaining 6 restaurants are very close runner ups.

1. Beijing Noodle No. 9, Las Vegas, NV, United States

I’ll be taking a trip to Las Vegas in the next few weeks and you can be sure I’ll be stopping by this restaurant. I found the design so etherial. This is a true statement restaurant.

sushi restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

sushi2 restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

2. Piz Gloria, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Need I say anything? This restaurant could serve cardboard wrapped styrofoam hamburgers for all I care. The breathtaking beauty of the view says it all.

Piz Gloria restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

3. Bei, Beijing, China

I picked this one in large part because of my obsession with pink. The design is sleek, but it’s the color combinations that had me swooning. Note to self: pink, black & gold = hot, hot, hot.

bei restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

4. Hoto Fudo, Mount Fuji, Japan

Another restaurant that is a must-see for me. Dining in an open air restaurant at the foot of Mount Fuji is a dream I didn’t know I had until I saw this venue.

hoto fudo 2 restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7hoto fudo restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

5. Robert Restaurant, New York, NY, United States

Such a cool, new space that has just launched in New York. I quite liked the unconventional seating groupings.

robert restaurant restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

6. Sliver Restaurant (not yet open)

I love the design of this restaurant space.

silver restaurant restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

7. Germain, Paris, France

Paris is one of my favourite places on Earth. And Germain is one restaurant that I won’t miss the next time I’m in town. Beautiful and unexpected architecture give this venue a checkmark for me.

germain restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

So, I’d love to hear from you. Are you an event planner? What do you think of the restaurants on this list? Which restaurants would you add?

Leaderboard 728x90 restaurants for event planners . my jaw dropping top 7

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Permalink to sunday spark: the 2 keys to life

sunday spark: the 2 keys to life

Every Sunday I’ll share a little something inspiring to get you thinking about and preparing for the week ahead. This Sunday’s Spark is a video from Will Smith. Even if you’re not a fan of him or his movies, this video is a must view. In it, he shares what he believes are the 2 keys to life. It totally connected with me. Let me know what you think.

Leaderboard 728x90 sunday spark: the 2 keys to life

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