Event Planning
Monday, April 16th, 2012
Yes, it’s been 2 weeks since my last post. I feel it would only be fitting if I was in a confessional right now. But, alas, I’m not – I’m sitting at my desk desperately trying to catch up on all of my work. So, instead of my normal post, I thought I’d share some ideas and news with you until I get back on track next week. Not to worry, dear reader, I promise to give you some interesting content to nosh on until we meet here again.
My favorite new task management tool:
Like me, maybe you’ve been looking for a great task management system. Until recently, I was using Basecamp and hated it. Then, my client introduced Asana to me. It’s easy to create collaborative tasks, sync with your calendar, assign task responsibilities, even create followers…and the best part is that it’s 100% free. Perhaps I could schedule some blog writing time ;)
Build an Event Website
My friend, Julius Solaris of Event Manager Blog, has recently launched a WordPress template for called WordPress Event Theme and I’ve partnered with him to help promote this new tool.
It has everything an event manager would need: the ability to manage speakers, sessions, registrations, customize the design and it also works across devices (smart phones, tablets and PCs).
The cost is just $99 to use for unlimited events (or $149 with support). Purchase here.
Eventprofs Chat
This Thursday, I will be hosting an EventProfs chat at 12pm EST on How to get PR for your event/business. I will have some guest experts (including BizBash, Event Marketer Magazine and Plan Your Meetings) with me on the chat to answer your burning questions. Click the link to find out more about how to participate in an eventprofs chat.
I’m coming to Chi-town:
I’m happy to share that I’ll be back in Chicago. This time, I’ll be speaking at Smart Mart in partnership with Smart Meetings magazine on May 24th at The Drake. Click here to register and find out more about the event.
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I was very honored to hear that someone nominated my blog for the Canadian Event Industry Award’s Best Blog. If you’ve ever read a post and found it useful, meaningful or enjoyable, I would appreciate your support by voting for READY2SPARK here.
Please also take the time to vote for some other great Canadian talent, if you can.
(image via bjmccray)
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Tags: blog awards
A friend of mine had worked hard for years and overcame tremendous adversity to build a successful event planning business. Then, one day, her empire crumbled. An unexpected flood ravaged her city and her offices were under 9 feet of water. She lost almost everything – her cars, her offices, her manufacturing facility. She was utterly devastated. So, what do you do when your bricks and mortar are washed away? What do you do when most of your clients are facing the same situation as you…and your source of income disappears? What do you do when insurance companies are backed up with thousands of claims, just like yours? She turned to the one place that was ready and willing to help – the Search Foundation. They wrote a cheque to my friend to get her started on her road to recovery…because that’s what they do. They help event planners in need. If you’re not familiar with the foundation I encourage you to watch this video, created by the uber talented Brett Culp.
This holiday season, my client Maggie Speaks and I are partnering to raise funds for the Search Foundation. We have put together a fun holiday video built off of The 12 Days of Christmas and every time it’s tweeted, we will donate $10 to the foundation. So far, we’ve raised $850. We are trying to reach our cap of $1,000 – so help us get there. Simply tweet the link to the video using the hashtag #searchfoundation.
(please click here if you are unable to view the video)
Happy holidays.
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Tags: search foundation
This weekend I’ll be presenting 2 sessions at MPI WEC 2011 in Orlando, FL. I’m really excited about these two topics. A Brand New World will inspire event businesses to create a powerful brands (even in commoditized categories) that attract, engage and excite. Getting SMART About Social Media is not just another social media session. There will be no ‘how to build a facebook fan page’ or useless statistics thrown around. This session is focused on how to use social media to drive sales. Period.
I hope you come out to both sessions. I guarantee, whether you’re a newbie to branding & social media or a pro, you will learn great tools and ideas. Plus you’ll get a very special offer if you’re in my session (wink, wink).
A Brand New World
Sunday, July 24, 2011 . 8:30am
You’ll learn:
- Why having a powerful brand is the difference between life and death in today’s socially connected world
- 6 critical success factors to build a brand that cuts through the clutter and earns raving fans
- Specific tools and techniques to carve out your winning position in the marketplace
Getting SMART About Social Media
Sunday, July 24, 2011 . 2:00pm 3:15pm
You’ll learn:
- What you need to convert social media into sales for your business
- How to build a social media strategy
- How to develop content that builds a loyal community
- How to measure social media ROI
Will you be at MPI WEC 2011?
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Last week, I spoke at an ISES Calgary chapter event about Social Media. One of the comments that an audience member made on why he was wary about using this media for his business was, “The moment I post something on my blog or Facebook page, my idea will be copied by my competitors.”
There’s no doubt that ideas are spread and adopted at record speeds. One only needs to look at the popularity of moustaches on a stick (an über popular trend for weddings I simply can’t wrap my mind around) to see this phenomenon in action. It takes but one person to plant an idea and only a few more to share it and ignite a trend that influences thousands.
Rather than see this as a negative, I hope to convince you that this is, in fact, a positive:
- No idea is without influence. The reality is that your idea was likely inspired by something or someone else.
- Keep ideas to yourself and risk anonymity. I read a book quite some time ago that I recommend everyone picks up: Step Into the Spotlight (don’t be swayed by the cheesy website). As the author says: “An expert is not someone who knows something. An expert is someone who is known for knowing something.” Keep your idea to yourself and no one will ever know you had it. Simple as that.
- Elevating the bar is the only way our industry thrives. I think the most compelling question we need to ask ourselves is what would the event industry look like if no one shared? Our industry needs it. We need to share creativity, inspiration, lessons learned, challenges, etc. It’s the way we collectively grow and thrive. It’s this belief that is the foundation of this blog.
- Don’t let your last event define you. There are two types of event professionals: ones who are measured by what they have done and ones who are measured by what they can do. When you’ve set the bar, you’ve created a new benchmark and benchmarks are meant to be raised. In 1912, Don Lippincott ran 100 metres in 10.6 seconds. He claimed the title of the Fastest Man in the World. Don’s title lasted 9 years before Charlie Paddock stole it after finishing in 10.4 seconds. Based on my calculations, there have been 17 men who have earned the title since…and there will be many more to come. Each man learned from the man before him. But each man defined their own success. Unlike athletes, your talents and abilities aren’t restricted by time.
So, what do you think? Should ideas be shared? Should they be held back?
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In case you missed the free Event Marketing 2.0 webinar last week, MeetingsNet has posted the archive here. (Please note that if you were not previously registered, you will need to register before you can launch the webinar.) I encourage anyone interested in using social media for your event marketing to listen.
It was truly a fantastic session. Lots of great questions and my co-presenters: Kate Slonaker of Cvent and Julius Solaris of The Event Manager Blog were fab to work with. You can also view the conversation around the webinar or by track it yourself using the #event2pt0 hashtag.
Enjoy! And, if you have any questions, I welcome you to email me.
PS – For further reading, check out Meetings Blog‘s recap of the webinar.
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Join me on April 14, 2011 at 2pm EST online for a practical overview on how to use Social Media for Event Marketing. The webinar is 100% free to registered attendees (thanks to MeetingsNet and sponsor, Cvent). So, be sure to reserve your spot here.
Why should you attend?
The world of event marketing has changed and planners need to understand not only how social media can help you maximize reach but also how to use it both strategically and effectively.
It will be perfect for those new to social media as well as those looking to get better results.
The presenters
Yours truly will be starting the webinar off by discussing the new attendee and their impact on our events, the common pitfalls of social media integration, how to find where your market lives online and how to develop content that resonates with them.
Kate Slonaker, Director of Marketing for Cvent, will be expanding on the variety of tools available to Event Planners today and how to use them effectively.
Julius Solaris, founder of the Event Manager Blog and the immensely popular Event Management LinkedIn Group, will be sharing how to grow your Facebook Page, Twitter account, blog or Youtube channel with measurable tools focusing on conversion and engagement.
And Sue Pelletier, the fab editor of Medical Meetings, will be moderating the webinar.
Interested in attending?
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