The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals’ Post

The day after Tampa Business Club in Ybor City, I was back in Orlando to attend the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s After Hours Event at Pups Pub! One of the sponsors for Citrus Club Social’s January event as well, this event would likely carry a lot of weight on my schedule when first impressions come to mind.   I always do my best to walk into events with fulfilling promises and positive attitudes, yet as I always say that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t document events that were disappointing and could’ve been detrimental to my brand as a whole. Even when planning an after-hours report about how positive the event would’ve been.   While the new connections here were ecstatic, especially with a connection I haven’t seen in years come by as an indirect reunion (and my earliest supporters mind you!) the atmosphere from the organizers didn’t feel as welcoming as I hoped. Even when trying to break the ice to catch up. Being uncomfortable in an event isn’t the first, I’ve felt them all the time at other events yet DOP (Downtown Orlando Partnership) stuck out like a sore thumb. Unique since most networking events that stick to one category or profession like Real Estate when I’ve been needing to target get me laughed out of the room extremely quickly due to what they say “an outsider”. While I feel this wasn’t one of those events, the room was teetering on the brink of doing so.   “Every room will always be diverse regardless of the profession when you’re focused on who they are, not what they do”.   Nevertheless, being a Debbie Downer all the time is not the documentation I push towards. Positivity always wields the greatest success in our careers. Especially wanting to stand out as a photographer in a competitive world. However, we should at least state the positive and negative stories of our day-to-day lives and learn from our own experiences.   #networking #photographer #relationships #events  

Had a heart-to-heart with Sarah, an event organizer veteran who's been in the game for ages. She spilled the beans on the photo chaos her team faces post-events. Picture this: speakers hitting them up for event photos all year round, and her crew drowning in a sea of thousands. I'm talking endless scrolling, eyes glazing over, you get the drill. Multiple events a year, and it's like a photo frenzy nightmare. But here's the kicker—enter AI magic. No more sifting through hard drives, no more endless scrolls. At the snap of a finger, all those memories zapped to attendees, speakers, everyone. It's like a photo fairy just swooped in and fixed a major event planner headache. Imagine the relief. Imagine the saved hours. It's not just about photos; it's about saving sanity. Sarah and her team can breathe now, focus on making events kick-ass, and leave the photo mayhem behind. I call that a win. Have your own photo struggles? Comment and let's talk. #eventprofs #eventprofsuk #eventmanagement #eventmarketing #eventindustry #b2bmarketing #events

In Minneapolis, I was speaking with the photographer in charge of our event during a moment of down time. We were talking about our “why” of doing what we do, and explained mine to him: True human-to-human connection, I believe, has the power to change the world, and events are one way to facilitate that change. The more we as humans meet, listen and learn, whether it’s about tactical applications of a new technology, a personal story from an industry colleague, or about a particular community or region, the more we will realize the “same” outweighs the “different,” and the more positive change will reverberate throughout the event, each stakeholder’s small community, and eventually to positive societal outcomes. My job, therefore, is to take care of all of the small logistical details behind the scenes, so that each person can focus most on being a present part of the experience. After all, the magic of events is that, even if you were to bring the same people, to the same place, with the same speakers and entertainment year after year, it will inherently always feel and be different. We humans, and the connections we make as a result of a shared space, are what makes events magical. “Wow,” he said. “Have you put that out into the world? Because you should. That’s powerful!” Thanks, Matt Shiffler for being an amazing event partner—AND for encouraging me to share why I love what I do so much 🫶 #eventplanning #mywhy

Themes can transform any gathering, whether a corporate conference, a lively banquet, or an opening reception into a vibrant, engaging spectacle. Captivating your audience, creating plenty of photo opportunities, and fostering participation, there are just so many things you can couple up with the theme idea. With the right theme, your event won’t just be attended — it will be remembered, talked about, and celebrated for years to come. On that note, here’s a list of 100 event theme ideas to tie all your event goals together and achieve them like a pro. https://lnkd.in/gM6GbF9K

So, my second BSides Leeds post starts with a hand written sign, stuck on the back of the crew room door saying something like "When did you last eat & drink? Get a break, stay hydrated" I don't know WHO stuck it there, but I felt it embodied our entire approach to running a conference Its easy to focus on the big flashy noticeable stuff, but the entire team is very focused on making sure everyone has a great experience, not just the majority, and that the principals we claim to uphold are followed through on, not skipped over in the rush because hardly anyone will notice and those that do are too polite to make a fuss I know at least 3 people made use of the Quiet Room. They almost certainly wouldn't have complained if it wasn't available, but the fact it helped them decompress a little on the day made it worthwhile having one. I've no idea if the prayer room got used, but if its existence means a single person found it much easier to attend than they otherwise would, it was worth it Similarly, seeing the "coloured dots" on the name badges was heartening. If they helped, it was worth doing Even having Holly Foxcroft as a keynote spawned from a chat we had at an event a few years ago where I expressed a strong desire to make the con easier for ND attendees We still have a long way to go, but we do feel our efforts are starting to bare fruit. Reaching out to under represented groups to attend or speak is one thing, but this year we started to see a wider diversity in people both attending and offering talks, organically (but I stress, we do still have a long way to go, both us as an event, and the industry as a whole) Personally I'd like to explore how we can help vision & hearing people more. Meeting our awesome photographer Dragan B.. for the first time, I realised many of our crew processes would be harder for him. This needs to change And it's not just DE&I and looking after the crew, finding sponsors who don't insist on us giving them your contact details is hard and whilst it was done partly in jest, when Paul R. photographed the hard-copy attendee lists used on the door, being used as fuel on his fire last night, he knew it mattered to us But every decision we make in the planning, we look at from so many angles, not just "would this work for people like me". We don't always get it right (tip for other conference organisers, don't trust off-site venues claims of accessibility, there is a difference between technically viable and actually acceptable) but we do try I know as a straight, white, cis-het, atheist, middle-class bloke, this is easy to say and screams of virtue signalling, but I do feel that every year we're raising the bar, every year we are doing better, and we are a LONG way ahead of many other similar sized tech events. But we know we can do better and we want YOUR feedback on how we could have done more for you, especially if either you chose not to attend, or did and felt we could and should be doing better

📸 Make Your Event Unforgettable with a Headshot Station! 🎉 Hosting an event? An onsite headshot station can add incredible value for your guests and make your event truly memorable. Not only do professional headshots give attendees a useful takeaway, but they also provide a fun, interactive experience! Why it’s a game-changer: 💼 Professional Advantage: Attendees get updated, high-quality headshots for LinkedIn or their business profiles. ⏳ Time-Saving: No need for them to book a separate session—perfect for busy professionals! 🎁 Unique Takeaway: Everyone leaves with something valuable (and they'll remember your event every time they use it!). Thinking of adding a headshot station? Reach out today! #EventHeadshots #ProfessionalPhotography #CorporateEvents #EventPlanning

Creating an experience in a public space for a holiday requires a team to help plan.  We helped craft this event experience for Halloween and it turned out to be a hit! Let our event planners help you with creating your next event experience. #eventplannerlife, #eventproduction, #eventproducer, #eventplanning

100 Event Theme Ideas – Creative, Easy & Successful Options With the right theme, your event won’t just be attended — it will be remembered, talked about, and celebrated for years to come. On that note, here’s a list of 100 event theme ideas to tie all your event goals together and achieve them like a pro. https://lnkd.in/gM6GbF9K

Your event is planned, now it's time to make it truly unforgettable. 📸 Photos help preserve special moments and allow everyone to remember your event long after it has ended. Encourage guests to snap and share photos with these three tips! 👇 #EventPlanning #Events

Planning a successful corporate event demands time and focus — two things that can be in short supply as the year winds down. Let us assist in creating an event that leaves a lasting impression on your team: https://lnkd.in/gAMmkCgE