Tip of the Month BACK TO SCHOOL

It's time to go back to school, and in the age of the internet, simple things like books can often be forgotten.  It might be my age and not truly relying on the net until I was in college, but there is still something magical about opening that hard cover and immersing yourself in the writing. Why not have an event themed around these works of art? 

With such unique event spaces like the New York Public Library or the Hudson Bar and Books, you could play on the theme of reading as elaborate as bringing a favorite novel to life with decor or just having a book swap party.  The opportunities are endless and completely relatable to each guest.  Keep the Tip going, feel free to leave a comment below with your favorite novel.  

My latest inspiration is "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Who's on Strike?

If you are not from NYC or a major city in the United States, you may not be the most familiar with a Union supporting your production staff when planning an event.  It sounds simple having a designated "in-house" staff but it can have it's complications.

Originally blossoming in strength from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Presidential Administration with the establishment of the WPA, the Labor Unions and related associations were elevated to protect workers that had been taken advantage of post Depression. Fast forward 70+ years and we're presently facing another "recession" and another labor issue in itself.  We now are being forced to deal with often mediocre work, the threats of strikes and in general, overpriced labor.  You HAVE to work with these organizations, how to you make it work for you?

The first suggestion is to understand the purpose of the Union, ask questions and get to know the mediator.  We're in a tight economy and the event business has been few and far between. Some work is better then no work and often they are willing to give into combining their labor with your non-union labor.  Talk to the mediator about your budget, union labor can often be double the price of non-union and although it won't be the same price, at least there may be a way they can reduce your costs.  In this day and age it's all about communication and the understanding of what both parties are trying to accomplish.  With that approach, you will save yourself unnecessary resistance that could ultimately hinder your event.  Besides, a blow up rat and picket signs isn't aways the best option for decor!

When to Charge a Cancellation Fee?

Event Cancellations are a very sensitive subject for most Planners and can be more of a disappointment then anything else.

The Client calls, you are asked to plan an event, you meet with the client, they are interested in your ideas and in fact, excited to have the event.  The Planner prepares the contract and has to immediately start working on the event since the Client is filled with expectations, although the Client has yet to issue a signature and submit the invoice for payment.  Continuing to work and move ahead, the Planner starts to get into the true depth of the planning in conjunction to the Client's guidance and verbal agreement.  Then, out of no where, the Client cancels the event, due to an INSERT REASON HERE (budget, sponsorship, attendee) issue.  

Now what?  

Without a signed and binding agreement, how do you justify the cost of the time spent on preparing the event without a formal cancellation clause?  This is a very tricky situation.  The first question you must ask is "How Do You View the Client?".  Is this a Client that you have done business with in the past, plan to do business with in the future or is a prominent figure in your particular industry?  Then "How Much Work Did You Truly Put Into the Planning?" and "Can You Utilize That Work For a Future Event?". Also, is it worth having a conversation with the Client to see if they will work with you on a cancellation fee without creating a conflict. Those are all tough business decisions to make.  

What if don't feel as though the Client is worth the business? What kind of repercussions do you have? Do you really want to settle this matter in the court system? Do you have the documentation to even support your case? 

The best resolution is to not even let the situation get to this point.  But if it does, communication along with the understanding that no one enjoys talking about money is the first step.  It is the nature of the business and the only road to a solution, especially if you want to be compensated for your services.

Tip of the Month FIRE & ICE

A very good friend of mine inspired this Tip of the Month, over a business conversation. We tend to endlessly bicker about each other's communication skills, but always come up with a great idea or concept in the end. Kind of like Fire & Ice. 

The combination of those two elements will really make your event HOT! Combining decor items like an ice sculptured bar with candelabras can add glamour and sex appeal to any evening.  

By also adding color to represent fire and ice, a planner can elevate the decor by inviting guests to make a choice between the two with their attire.  Food items like fruit smoothies, fondue and bananas foster can appease the crowd while the are entertained by fire dancers! 

The possibilities are endless to create a hot event with a cool culture.

I've been neglectful...

I can not believe it's August, July flew by! But in all honesty, that was in part for my first genuine vacation in over four years.  Don't get me wrong, I've been away, but not truly "away" without planning a major event filled with emails and conference calls interrupting my beach time.

So I packed up my laptop (I had too, the withdrawal would have been major!) and my passport and headed over to Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands just south of Spain.  Staying in an 13th century castle, I was ready to be treated like a princess.

Ironically, the island wasn't mainly Spaniards but a conglomerate of Germans, Austrians, Dutch and British.  A melting pot of amazing European cuisine and hospitality, I was truly in heaven with Mallorca.  The preferred hot spot of the locals was Puerto Portals and each night it was filled with the bustling energy and excitement of the island, surrounded by a breathtaking backdrop of luxurious yachts in the seaport.  Each night we had a different dining experience with entertainment, facilitated by both the venues and the locals!  

I really think smiles and laughter is the true medicine for stress relief, and it did wonders for this event planner. This island will always have a special place in my heart and hope to return again and again. 

Experience the finest on the Island:

Ritzi

www.ritzi-mallorca.com

Tristian Restuarant

www.grupotristan.com

Puro Beach

www.purohotel.com

Nassau Beach Club

www.nassaubeachclub.com

Happy Fourth of July!

One of my favorite summer holidays. Enjoy the delights of BBQ, warm weather and suntan lotion with Friends and Family! Being on the waterfront in Jersey City, I'm privy to the best fireworks NYC has to offer and can not wait! It's great to honor Independence and the birth of America!

Happy Fourth of July!

Top 25 Event Planning Firms!

Congratulations are in order! NJ Biz ranked The Red Carpet Events as one of the Top 25 Event Planning Firms in NJ for 2009. We are thrilled to be ranked again for the second year in a row!

Tip of the Month - UMBRELLA PARTY

"Now it's raining more then ever, you can stand under my umbrella..." is a popular song by Rihanna and for anyone who is living on the East Coast, we have been experiencing more rain then anyone has ever wanted or needed. So, why not have an Umbrella themed party?

Have the guests arrive with their most unique and colorful umbrellas that will be up for trade during the evening to ensure there's a buzz from the beginning. Hang a themed color pallet of umbrellas upside down from the ceiling for a unique take on decor. Specialty drinks will be on the menu donning umbrellas and title them witty names like "The Mary Poppins" and "Singing in the Rain". Make sure to use goulashes as the base for your flower arrangements and have a DJ play all the hits like "It's Raining Men" by the Weather Girls!

It will definitely be a night to remember, provided Mother Nature cooperates with a down pour!

Blah...

So, everyone around me, whether it's colleagues or friends seems to be kind of, well... you know, "blah".

Ignoring the out pour of emotion would be the obvious answer, but being the true confrontational Aquarius that I am, I have to ask..."What is up?"

With unemployment being a gross 9.4%, those that are employed should be grateful to have a job. But, in reality, are resentful with all the excess work, minimization of benefits and constant threats of layoffs. While those that are unemployed, are in fear of not being able to pay their bills or worse, ever rejoining the work force in the same capacity they were dismissed from it. Unfortunately, the economy isn't take a turn for the better and coping with the situation is seeming more bleak then ever.

That being said, how do we turn things around? It seems like we can't rely on the government for complete survival, so we need to handle these obstacles ourselves. It starts with shaking the "blah" right out of our system and looking at the more positive things in life. Business has to come, the world thrives on commerce, and while it's arriving, we all need to focus on what truly make us happy in our lives. Being centered will allow the ability to get back to what is important which is happiness, and ultimately will shake the "blah".