Part I: Getting started If you are not using public relations to promote your events, you may be missing a huge opportunity. One press release in the right hands could translate into online and print calendar listings, blog mentions, published articles, or television or radio coverage. Good publicity not only can help you increase attendance; reinforce the company's brand; and attract sponsors, speakers and exhibitors; it ...
With the increase of funky, trendy, themed boutique hotels, it's getting more difficult to pre-plan F&B. Why? Because these fun-to-visit hotels are putting so much "personality" into their catering menus I can't figure out what they're talking about. Several times this year, I've had to call the catering manager because I couldn't tell whether the cutesy theme menu was describing a plated or buffet setting. ...
There are times in life when I feel I have the sweetest job on earth. This past week was one of those times — literally and figuratively. I got to walk the show floor of the National Candy Wholesalers Association while working in Chicago. Talk about being a kid in the world largest candy store! What did I learn while walking the aisles stuffed with every ...
Whether you have a small budget and you need to be creative to produce events, or you have a big budget and you want to maximize your budget by reducing expenses, you might want to consider bartering. Bartering is exchanging goods or services rather than using money to pay for something. (Trade-out is another term sometimes used.) For example, if your company wants to have ...
Last month, we explored how to craft sponsorship plans. This month, I'm going to tell you how to use them Pre-planning Draw up contracts for each available level of sponsorship. If your company does not already have an event sponsorship contract template, have all drafts reviewed by your legal department or legal council. Create literature and Web pages outlining the costs and benefits of sponsorship at the various ...
Here is a situation that a lot of us have the power to do something about but don't: service charges on F&B. Are they negotiable? Ask the hotels, and they will tell you "no." Usually, that is correct. But with service fees inching their way up to 23 percent (which I personally think is ludicrous), I see some clients are starting to negotiate the fees. They ...
Creating the sponsorship plan Companies spend about $6.8 billion annually sponsoring major events such as the Olympic Games, Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby. Companies also sponsor smaller events, ranging from concerts and conventions to luncheons and fundraisers. Sponsors typically pay a premium, but sponsorships also may be in exchange for goods or services, advertising or media exposure. Finding a sponsor for your event makes good business ...
