Best Practices in Event Planning

Isn't wedding planning interesting? It can be a stressful time when your mind overflows with details and seating charts and bridezillas, all for an event that's supposed to be a serene celebration of love. Why not make things a bit easier by selecting a relaxing wedding venue? Picture this: warm weather, spectacular views of the Virginia mountains and countryside, a cool breeze blowing in the wind, exceptional wines, and 50 of your closest friends and family having a memorable time.

Where are...Continue Reading »

Nestled among a natural wooded setting at the Fairfax, Virginia, campus of George Mason University, The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel is set to open in July 2010. This new hotel is designed to be a first-class venue for hosting conferences thanks to an environment conducive to academic and business interactions. 

The Mason Inn will consist of a 20,000-square-foot, technologically advanced conference center and 149-room hotel, along with 11 meeting rooms, a restaurant, a lounge, and a...Continue Reading »

For over 25 years, Cookies By Design has baked, decorated, personalized and delivered custom cookie arrangements. No matter what you are celebrating, this is the place to call for birthday, holiday, corporate, retirement, sports or special occasion gifts, just to name a few.

When you want a creative and unique dessert at your special event, look no further! Too often, a bakery can make gorgeous and impressive desserts, but the taste has been sacrificed. Not here. Cookies By Design not only makes...Continue Reading »

With breathtaking views of PNC Park and the restored Pittsburgh skyline, guests will feel as if they are in the center of it all at the brand new Fairmont Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh is enjoying a thriving renaissance, and this new Pittsburgh hotel is just one sign of it.

Located at the heart of Pittsburgh's business, cultural, and retail hub, The Fairmont Pittsburgh and serves as a great "home base" among the theater and entertainment district, shopping and sightseeing, and world-class...Continue Reading »

With the weather getting warmer and the first few official days of spring behind us, I'm starting to think about my favorite spring/summer past time: wine tasting!

I love "mini vacations" at local wineries where you can pack a picnic, taste different selections and learn about the wine making process. So for me, the idea of mixing one of my favorite hobbies with business sounds pretty enticing.

And that's when I found Just Grapes in Chicago. A place that brings the passion of wine country to... Continue Reading »

We've all seen the cupcake shops that are turning up in all the big cities, with Sprinkles and Crumbs being some of the headline-makers. But maybe you haven't heard of Butch Bakery yet.

Yesterday Lara McCulloch-Carter blogged about this unique New York spot, which offers cupcakes with a masculine twist without going cliche (think golf tees and baseball). Instead, there are currently 12 "manly" flavors including Beer Run (chocolate beer cake with crushed pretzels), Mojito (lime cake with...Continue Reading »

Carnivale, located on West Fulton Market in Chicago, is a reflection of Latin culture and community. You can experience the flavors of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, El Salvador and Mexico, all in one Chicago restauarant. Is your mouth watering yet? The surroundings just add to the experience, making you feel as if you are at a Latin house party with the bright colors, salsa music and playful decor!

You can host any type of function at this Chicago event site thanks to its...Continue Reading »

What do you do with your event banners after the show is over? A standard street-pole banner is 31 inches wide by 75 inches long. Thousands of them get thrown away each year. Many of those are made of vinyl which is difficult to break down.

What if you could reduce, reuse and recycle those banners? That same street-pole banner will make about two tote bags. Yes, you read that right: tote bags, among many other products.

priorLIFE was created as a green initiative for Britten Banners, which is...Continue Reading »

Looking for a place to make your spectacular event visions a reality? Or, as they like to say there, host unconventional conventions? At the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Outdoor function space? Check. Ballrooms? Check. Breakout rooms and exhibit hall? Check. The largest and most technologically advanced in the Caribbean and throughout Latin America? Oh, yeah, check. But it's also personal.

Do you need some more reasons to consider this dynamite venue...Continue Reading »

So you are planning this year's big event and your focus and attention is on managing the present. But are you also planning for the future? Too often, planners say they don't have the time to think about the future; they are worried about now. As meeting and event planners, it's important to simultaneously create the future while coordinating the present. The efforts will show when you continue to plan successful meetings and events. Here are four ways to help you bridge the gap:

1. Keep a devel... Continue Reading »