Event Solutions | Media Center

The Power of Storytelling

Event Solutions — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:03:18 -0400

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It All Begins with an Invitation

Storytelling isn’t just for books and movies; when used with events, it can create a message that engages the guest before the event begins, and continues with its integration throughout the event. When done well, it lasts beyond the night of the event and into the memories of the customer. No one understands this more than Marc Friedland who knows that every great story begins with an invitation.

Brand experts talk about the power of storytelling - creating an experience that has a beginning, middle and end.

As the first point of connection for attendees, the invitation, digital or print, creates the beginning of the story. “Before the event, an invitation beckons people to partake,” says Marc Friedland. “Afterward, it becomes a physical keepsake that will always trigger the memory of that moment.”

Friedland understands the power of this type of emotional “bookending.” As owner of Marc Friedland Couture Communications in Los Angeles, CA, he has created invitations for hundreds of clients and events from Oprah to the Oscars. In the past two decades, Friedland has blazed his own trail from the invitation to the fully integrated design experience. In his own way, he’s keeper of the visceral flame, engaging the senses from the rip of the envelope opening and the touch of the paper to the look of the graphics, fonts and colors.

Friedland knows there is a place for digital invitations such as save-the-dates, home parties and casual barbecues, nothing anticipates an occasion like a printed invitation. “The opening of an invitation contains so much emotion,” Friedland says. “It elevates the moment into something and gives it meaning and focus.”

Branding Versus Theme

When Friedland talks about telling a story with an event, he isn’t referring to a theme party. He means something more along the lines of branding, even for social events. “To give an event context, we create a vocabulary for it,” he says.

For instance, in talking with a recent wedding client, together they realized the wedding had three acts. “There was the rehearsal, the ceremony and the brunch, each with its own theme of celebration of life and love,” he says. At that meeting they came up with a different graphic image, message and element for each act.

Creating the perfect branding for an event is about more than paper and design. “It’s about wit, style and a point of view with the experience threaded through,” Friedland says.

That sense of style could be as simple as a blue feather placed among white feathers for an elegant destination wedding in Aruba. The theme of “Heaven and Earth” (featured above) was told through a whimsical design of Lucite and feathers. Amid the all-white feathers symbolizing heaven was one blue one representing the ocean.

It can be as complex as creating many points of activity and discovery through the event’s message. “For a hotel opening that was actually a sleepover, we played with the context of a first date,” Friedland says. “There were candles and accessories branded with the event’s message, even cocktail napkins printed specially with fun facts about the property.”

Branding the Oscar Invitations

This year, Friedland took that philosophy to one of his most prestigious clients – the Academy Awards - and approached them with something new. “I proposed looking at the Oscar season as a brand,” he explains. “There are five different events during this season and I devised a separate color palette for each, as if each one was its own couture collection. Some members of the Academy go to more than one event, so they would know by looking at the invitation that it was Oscar-related on one level, but that it was differentiated from the others.”

The color for the invitation to the Oscar telecast was ruby; the Governor’s Ball that follows the telecast was designed with black diamonds; the invitation to the Nominees’ lunch was sapphire; the Foreign Language cocktail party was amethyst; and the Science and Technical Awards was emerald. Gold was reserved for the winner’s envelopes, which Friedland also designed and produced.

Like all good things, events and stories come to an end. But in the hands of someone such as Friedland whose work underlines the message with tactile elements, both the story and the experience live on in memory…dare I say it? Happily ever after.

by Liese Gardner

eNews April 2013

Hot Products: April 2013

Event Solutions — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:27:40 -0400

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Photo Sharing Services

TapSnap
TapSnap uses touchscreen technology to capture your best group moments. Guests take digital photos and video footage using the touchscreen monitor then add personal doodles, messages and even corporate branding before sharing with friends via social networks. Images captured can be combined and printed just like traditional photo booth prints.

Snapz Photo Booth
Unlike traditional photo booths, Snapz combines today’s photo booth technology with a vintage look to fit the trendy vintage theme in today’s events. Booths are customizable and allow for live video previews, unlimited duplicate pre-cut strips, easy operation and the fastest printing in town! Snapz also includes unlimited image printing during rental times and has an option for Guest Book creation with images and guest comments. Snapz Photo Booth was featured during the Welcome Reception at the 2012 Idea Factory.

Pixal Paint
As featured at the Harmony @ Hard Rock Monday Night Party at the 2013 Event Solutions Idea Factory, Pixal Paint is a digital photo painting service that allows guests to paint on top of an image. Using a rear projection screen and a customizable user interface, guests can choose from a variety of paint colors, brushes and sizes to literally paint a life-size picture. Images can be save to a computer, website or added to Facebook profiles right away; they can even be printed onsite.

BYO Booth
No photo booth, no problem! Guests can take images straight from their smart phones and upload to social sharing sites using your event #hashtag. Those images will then be displayed on your monitor or projector and can be printed onsite. BYO Booth also offers a Social Booth with photo effects and social media uploading, a Guest Booth with video message and signing possibilities for a digital guest book, and a Sketch Booth that allows guests to draw, drop virtual props and stickers onto photos to share.

eNews April 2013

Inspiring Ideas From Your Peers

Event Solutions — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:29:07 -0400

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The 2013 Event Solutions Idea Factory attracts some of the most creative minds in our industry. Through the many contests during the show, attendees are invited to show off new and exciting concepts to their peers for a chance to win cash, prizes, recognition and bragging rights for years to come. Each year, we gather to view these incredible entries and vote for our favorites.

Through these extravagant displays attendees can derive ideas for themes, linens, lighting, plating, structures and more. This sharing of ideas brings our industry together and allows you and your company to enhance your events by implementing trends from around the world, and ultimately helping you succeed in your market.

Winners of the 2013 Buffet and Tabletop Contests were announced at the Closing Session on March 13, 2013. View the inspiring winning entries from both competitions below.

2013 Buffet Contest Winners

First Place
Eighteen Sixty Seven
By Global Event Group

Second Place
Code Green
Caesars Palace & Next Level Global Events

Third Place
Spring Seduction Suspended
The JDK Group

2013 Tabletop Contest Winners

The Tabletop Contest brought us even more innovative ideas. Contestants set up their displays during the tradeshow and were set on display for voting on Wednesday. Guest judge David Tutera joined the group of contestants on Wednesday to discuss their concepts and then chose a winner for the coveted Tutera’s Pick award.

Best in Show, Most Creative and Tutera’s Pick
Japanese Tea Garden
Common Plea Catering

Most Innovative
The Fireman
Exclamations! Catering

Most Viable Concept
Steel Elegance
Abilene Christian University

To view images of all the creative contest entries and general pics from the Idea Factory,find us on
Facebook and Pinterest

For more information on the contests at the 2013 Idea Factory, click here.

Hot Products From the Expo Floor

Event Solutions — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:05:25 -0400

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The 2013 Idea Factory Expo floor brought together hundreds of event professionals and suppliers, introducing us to thousands of new products that can be implemented into your upcoming events. Vendors from around the world showed us dozens of new trends, how to use the latest technology, and what the year ahead looks like for our industry.

Here are just a few of the creative products and designs we saw around the show floor.

Dozens of flashy new linens and chair covers appeared throughout the show, giving us insight into upcoming trends and ideas for events.

Cool blacklight carpet and backdrops.

Showgirls showed off many exciting products including giant bird cages, champagne holders, temporary tattoos and body paint and much more!

Trendy designs for food and drink displays, like this champagne candelabra.

New and exciting concepts for event entertainment.

The National Ice Carving Association demonstrated creating some amazing ice sculptures, such as this sweetheart table and chairs!

Beautiful floral displays, like these hanging bird cages and whimsical vases.

And, finally, some intricate dessert displays that really take the cake!

Every year the ideas gathered on the show floor help attendees to advance their events for the coming season, expand their expertise in new trends, and introduce new levels of creativity to their designs. To see more ideas and trends from the 2013 Idea Factory, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.

Can Potential Customers Find You?

Event Solutions — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:54:21 -0500

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Top 4 Places Customers Expect to Find You

Running a business may be one of the most demanding and rewarding of challenges. However, if your target market doesn’t know you exist, all your efforts can be irrelevant. Recent research conducted by 1&1 Internet, Inc. identifies the most common ways that people learn about local small businesses such as event planners and suppliers. Overall results prove that online marketing is not only one useful method for reaching customers; it is the preferred method over traditional marketing. Of these online approaches, the research indicates that search engines, direct websites, social media and online directories are the most popular.

Search Engines
The research finds that 66 percent of respondents prefer using search engines to find a business. To achieve a high ranking on resources like Google, your site needs to be properly optimized through search engine optimization (SEO). Even the best website will not attract visitors without properly appealing to search engines. Ask yourself: What do customers type when they are searching for my business? Use these keywords or key terms strategically throughout your site to illustrate relevance and credibility. Prominent placement on search engine result pages is a vital part of the survival and success of your website.

Direct Website
Although traditional methods such as print advertising and word of mouth are successful staples in marketing, 62 percent of respondents indicate that they use a business’ website to collect information. If your goal is to drive traffic to your site, remember to include your domain everywhere you can including receipts, flyers, bags, email signatures and business cards. Ensure optimal functionality and usability by confirming all information is relevant and easy to find, colors and font are appealing, links are functional and there is an even balance between text and images usage.

Social Media
Social media continues to be a fundamental part of all small business marketing. Survey results indicate that 37 percent of consumers find new businesses through social media. However, there is a difference between simply having a Facebook or Twitter page and developing a social media presence. To build an effective presence, it is important to understand the goals of each platform. Facebook is generally used for longer, less frequent posts that provide a vast amount of information, raise awareness and engage customers. It is a relaxed outlet where businesses can target messaging to specific audience groups and engage in two-way communication. On the other hand, Twitter allows for shorter, more frequent posts such as announcements or promotions.

Online Directories
The research indicates that 23 percent of consumers use online directories to find new businesses. There are thousands of online directories on the web. Find those that most match your company’s offerings, and make sure you’re listed. Most directories will upgrade your listing for a small fee.

As event planners, understanding how to reach potential clients is a fundamental aspect of making your business a success. Make sure your target market knows where to find you, and let your competition play hide and seek.

By Kelly Meeneghan, Manager, 1&1 Internet, Inc.

February 2013 eNews

Photos

Color Me Fall

Event Solutions — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:52:23 -0500

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It may be the dead of winter, but it’s not too soon to be thinking about what the upcoming seasons will offer in terms of color, mood and style. Pantone’s recently released Fall 2013 Color Report definitely warms up the chill many of us might be feeling right now.

The concept behind the palette is energy—enlivening and enhancing moods as people prepare for next year’s cold season. Colors come together to create moods that range from sophisticated and structured to lively and vivid.

The greens from spring will evolve and develop this coming fall. Multifaceted Emerald will continue to sparkle and fascinate, bringing luxury and elegance to the palette, while yellow-toned Linden Green will bring a lightness and brightness to the deeper shades of fall. Pantone suggests pairing both with Mykonos Blue—a bold, meditative hue for a classic and relaxed fall look.

Pantone also presents the exotic Acai, adding mystery and richness to the palette. Acai can be incorporated with the other colors to create a number of powerful fall combinations.

Pair the elegant shade of purple with Emerald for a regal disposition, or spirited Samba red for an expressive and dramatic look. Koi, a decorative orange with dazzling and shimmering qualities, is a statement color that can serve as a pick-me-up for your events.

Vivacious, an unruly and wildly deep fuchsia, will add sensuality to your design.

Pantone suggests pairing Vivacious with Deep Lichen Green, a naturally lush shade of green, for a dynamic juxtaposition that captures both ends of the seasonal spectrum.

Rounding out fall’s cornerstone colors, Turbulence, a dark mercurial gray, and Carafe, a rich, glamorous brown, will provide more interesting and sophisticated alternatives. Both staple neutrals will pair gracefully with the more expressive colors within the palette, such as Samba, Koi and Vivacious.

February 2013 eNews