In October of 2021, I sat outside at restaurant in Phoenix, AZ. The sun was shining and we had just completed our first event since suspending operations. To be honest, I was hanging by a thread and I wasn't sure if we would be able to come back after being shut down for so long. Everything had changed and maybe it was time to close up shop and move on. Seeing people together once again and forgetting about the troubles in the world for awhile made me think maybe there was hope that we could safely bring in person events back again. Maybe we could rebuild, but so many questions remained. I'm a person who believes a much higher power guides our life. I often ask, "Okay God, what do you want me to do?" That day I was asking that very question. Then I realized where I was, Phoenix. If you know the story of the Phoenix, it makes sense. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians described a mythical bird called the Phoenix, a magnificent creature that was a symbol of renewal and rebirth. According to legend, only one Phoenix lived at a time. Just before its time was up, the Phoenix built a nest and set itself on fire. Then, a new Phoenix would rise from the ashes. I had my answer. It was time to get to work on rising from the ashes. In 2022, we resumed full operations. It was slow going convincing clients it was safe to do events again. The first six months of the year was groundwork and getting the gears turning again. By the end of 2022, we had completed 42 events. The goal was now to go from surviving to thriving. 2023, marks our 15th year in business and I'm so happy to share our event team has now completed 100 event productions so far this year. It hasn't been without challenges and it hasn't been easy, but I want to thank every person who has helped make it happen along the way. As the clock winds down on 2023, we aren't slowing down. We still have some incredible events we are working on for our home city of Pittsburgh as well as 2 concerts and events in 6 states before the end of the year. We also might just break a world record. More to come on that. I'm thankful, grateful and hopeful for the days ahead. The madness in the world weighs heavily and I hope we can all learn to live together in peace and work toward renewal and rebirth for all.
Shaun Pierce’s Post
More Relevant Posts
-
Let's Talk Tacos! Taco Tour Manchester that is! Taco Tour Manchester 2023 Stats: 20,000+ Officially Tracked Attendees (Largest event in Manchester) 56,000+ Website Sessions from 37,500 Unique Visitors 150,000+ Reached by the Facebook Event 70,000+ Views on the Taco Tour Map 14 Media Organizations Reported on the Event 43 States reached by the Taco Tour Website 100,000+ Tacos Sold Of all the stats we gathered, my two favorites are that 76% of surveyed attendees discovered a new restaurant at the event and that 80% plan to return to Downtown Manchester. Bringing Taco Tour back to reality in 2022 was a speedy feat. Everything came together over a couple months and at a lightning pace. It was necessary to take on this effort in order to revitalize Taco Tour Manchester- an event that gains millions of positive impressions for Manchester and our local business owners. In 2023, we were able to build the event into a well-run machine- adding entertainment, organization, and a ton of other fun elements to the event. As we look ahead to 2024, we know there are still elements we can improve upon and ways we can build this event up to be even more of a success for our community. We are looking for sponsors, partners, and collaborations of all kinds! Please reach out over the next few weeks to set up a time to chat and collaborate!
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Event creator, producer, trainer and coach. Click for free resources for those that want to gather better.
Are you ready to greet your guests when they arrive at your event? Or is yout head in your laptop or buzzing around the sound desk trying to figure out a tech problem? We're all bootstrapping, DIY'ing, being all the things, but the arrival of your audience sets the tone for everything. Imagine if you showed up at a fancy restaurant, and the concierge was running around in the kitchen, as well as setting tables, pouring drinks for other guests. The reservation book is open, and you have to find your own name to tick yourself off. The book says you're on table 12, so you wander around looking for your table. You finally find it, take a seat, and the flustered concierge finally comes to say hello. Or, imagine you walk up to your event. The best version of you is there to welcome and help your guests begin their epic event journey. Imagine how much greater their experience will be. Put it in the budget, get someone to run tech and venue coordinating for you. Your audience is there to see and hear from you. Show up as your best self.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Spring is right around the corner meaning events will soon be in full bloom 🌸 🌼 With so many moving parts to events, seemingly small details can slip through the cracks. Here are four details you'll want to make sure aren't missed 👀 #eventplanning #springevents #gigeconomy https://lnkd.in/e-n7sG5S
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
WoW Factor 1 million Once per month we ask everyone to share one instance they delivered a WoW to a client, vendor or colleague on our team call. I loved everything I heard today and wanted to share a few. ⚡️ 1) My wow factor is that I get to provide that behind-the-scenes support on projects that helps you all make more wow moments possible for our clients. 2) My client was struggling whether to add plus-ones to their retreat or not and asked my opinion. They loved my honest answer from personal experience planning. My answer to plus ones is “you, as a company, are investing so much on this retreat and, from the beginning, a primary goal was for people to feel connected to each other. Adding plus ones can distract from that goal, if I'm being honest. Employees use pockets of time to spend with their plus-ones which takes away potential bonding time with their co workers." 3) [Client name], like a lot of our new clients recently, had previously hired another agency. They were just really blown away by not only the venues I was able to source for them but the way in which the venue presentation was designed and organized. They were also really excited and thankful we'd be providing a budget estimate, including flights, before they signed the contract with the venue to make sure the holistic event would fit inside of the budget target. 4) Client's wow factor was that we said YES! It was a yes to the desire to add a last minute late night activity outside of the venue. We told them we would find a location, transportation, and arrange it all. We found tickets to a show, bottle service, busses for 40 from 10pm-3am with 2 hours notice and kept it all within budget. 5) My WoW factor is actually from a venue I just contracted for a client. And, I've been hearing this a lot lately. They get so many mass RFP's from these other agency's and services trying to source venues at scale. They have stopped responding to them, almost entirely. This venue really appreciated our personal touch and the fact it was an actual human reaching out for an RFP. They are so happy to work with us and want to help us drive more clients to their property with the best rates and inclusions. I love having awesome venue partners like that.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Event Manager | Event Strategist executing goal focused corporate events | Event Consultant & Trainer to internal teams
It's been very interesting watching and hearing about staff events to end off the year. 😊 💫The ones with the budget - elaborate themes and decor, large attendance, food to cater to every cuisine and preference, live entertainment. They were giving "wow" with every shot/video shown. 💫The ones here for a good time - budgets were not that "big" but, it was evident that their teams had a great time. They were giving "keep it simple". 💫The "enjoy this one because it's a 2 for 1 deal" - our fete season is coming up and some events screamed that this was their team's end of year and Carnival Fete in one. (Brilliant idea because it's a short season and, well, great events are not cheap to host.) 💫From "word on the ground" The DiYers - internal planning committees were more than less. Some invested in an external event coordinator for the night so their committees could enjoy themselves as well. Some didn't - and it was missed. Events post pandemic continue to take on a whole different life and energy. For some, this was actually their first end year event since 2019. 2024 is loading and it's showing signs of "keeping us on our toes". Will share more in another post. Until then, this #eventprof is preparing to sign off for some much needed recharge time!
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
The building blocks of a quality event? 🧱 Here’s my go-to guide: ↔️ Room Size - key so to not feel crammed or sparse. Avoid places that try to shoehorn you in! 🅿️ Parking - ensure plentiful parking on-site. The experience is dampened if people have to search and pay for parking… and then walk to the venue! 🍽️ Food & Beverage - consider menu choices; do you want a refined dining experience or functional food? Drinks tokens are also a great way to treat your guests fairly without going over budget! 🖥️ Audio/Visual - the positioning of AV equipment can be key. Look for a venue which has customisable positioning. 🦸🏼 Staff - look at the venue’s reviews; do their staff get mentioned a lot? Great staff, great service, great event! ☺️ Ambience - book in a visit beforehand to find out how the place feels. Does the venue reflect what level you are pitching your business at? 💆🏼 Optional Extras - are there any opportunities to supplement the event with other activities such as spa treatments, golf, squash, etc.? Just a little insight into the process I go through with new and prospective clients to see if we at Barnham Broom can help!
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
🔍 Key Questions to Ask During Your Venue Site Visit 🔍 For those that aren't used to planning events, site visits can be exciting but also quite overwhelming. To help you navigate through it, I've put together a list questions that will give you clarity and peace of mind when making your decision 🚀 Capacity and Layout: "What's the maximum capacity? Can the layout be adjusted to suit different event types?" Knowing this helps ensure the space meets your event's size and vibe. Availability and Accessibility: "Is the venue available on my preferred date? How accessible is it for guests with disabilities?" Lock in your date and ensure everyone can enjoy the event without hassle. Facilities and Equipment: "What facilities and equipment are included in the hire? Is there an in-house AV system?" Make sure you know what's provided so you can plan any additional rentals or setups. Catering and Alcohol: "Do you have in-house catering, or can we bring external caterers? What's the alcohol policy?" Food and drink can make or break an event, so it's crucial to sort this out early. Set-Up and Break-Down: "How much time is allocated for set-up and break-down? Are there any restrictions?" This helps in planning logistics and avoiding any last-minute rush or fees. Costs and Inclusions: "What's included in the cost? Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?" Ensure you have a clear understanding of the budget to avoid surprises. Some venues will charge a service fee payable on the night, so make sure you know if this is applied before committing. Past Events: "Can you share examples or case studies of similar events hosted here?" This can give you a sense of how your event might look and feel in the space. Armed with these questions, you're set to make the most of your site visits, and will leave the event with clarity on whether it's going to work for your event or not.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
How to find the perfect venue for your Micro Event? Last week, I was busy preparing for the upcoming 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires Founders Table. The process includes securing a restaurant that is suitable for a group dinner. Only a very small percentage of restaurants make the cut. Finding the right venue for your Micro Event can be challenging in a city where you don't speak the local language fluently. The solution? Ask your local connections! This photo was taken when my Argentinian friend Trini and I had just visited a restaurant in Buenos Aires that I considered for the event. She helped me to secure a deal for the upcoming Founders Table. Nearly every venue I book for events is recommended by local connections. More often than not, those connections can introduce me directly to the owner or manager of the restaurant. - Silvia Boller suggested the restaurant for the Founders Table in Zürich - Simone Vincenzi suggested the restaurant for the Founders Table in London - Dani Maletic suggested the restaurant for the Founders Table in Dublin - The list could go on and on… The point is, if you want to organize an event in a new city and need a venue - instead of starting with Google, start with your network! Warm introductions to venues are so much more effective than approaching as an outsider, and you might just get a better deal. P.S.: Trini has just started her own business. She's running culinary food tours in Buenos Aires, and finds and secures seats at the best local restaurants. Message me if that's something you're interested in, and I’ll get you in touch. P.P.S.: Want to learn how you can attract clients by organizing fun Micro Events (such as networking dinners and workshops)? Comment “Micro”, and I’ll send you my FREE guide “How to Attract Clients with Fun Micro Events” (PDF). P.P.P.S.: If you've already requested the above guide: it's coming! I'm finishing some last details before I'm sending it out. #microevents #networkingdinner
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Over the past 7 years I've spent hundreds of hours at events. Here's my take on how to make the most out of YOUR investment. - Make connections beforehand. Make plans to actually connect with them beforehand. - Leave your pitching pants at the hotel, you can put them on when the time is right. - Look for sidecar events happening around the show. Here's why: - Real connections matter more. If you're going just to pitch every connection you make will be transactional and will really only last the length of the handshake. Almost everyone at that event is going with the intention of meeting new people or learning something new. Find sincere ways to deliver on that. - Lead with mutual value first and I promise you'll get the opportunity to give a real pitch if your new connection is a qualified buyer. At the end of the day these interactions will lead to stronger future pipeline and a more successful event. - Smaller, sidecar events create a unique opportunity to spend more time getting to know peers and these new connections you've made. More importantly, they also get to know you without the booth behind you or the elevator pitch. Goes a long way. There's a time and place for different event strategies. I'm not saying this will work at scale for everyone, but I know for me it's turned into hundreds of true, strong connections and Millions of $$ closed for more than just me.. P.S. If you are in Phoenix next week for B2BMX make sure you drop in at the Real Retreat! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/g_rHb7W9
Just 5 minutes from B2BMX
lp.sendoso.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Could the secret to unforgettable experiences lie not in what we do, but in #whowemeet❔❔ "The Friendship Metric in Hospitality" coined by Susie Arnett uncovers the magic of #GuestToGuest (G2G) value co-creation, revealing that the most memorable moments - be it at a bustling theatre festival or a thought-provoking museum tour - stem from often unplanned human connection. The memories that linger longest aren't those of formally structured events and experiences, but of our meaningful interactions with other guests and visitors along the way. Explore this paradigm shift: where #eventsuccess is measured by the depth of connection, transforming mere visits into lifelong memories:
The Friendship Metric in Hospitality
susiearnett.substack.com
To view or add a comment, sign in