Corporate Event Planning

Thanksgiving isn't even here yet, but it's quite apparent that Christmas is right around the corner, and there is so much to do! Let design pro Christopher Todd Hall of Christopher Todd Design put all your holiday party planning worries to rest!

CT has you covered, from food and event decor to invitations and entertainment. He even does Las Vegas corporate event planning. 

If you are looking for more of a do-it-yourself route, CT is hosting a class at Whole Foods Market Las Vegas Boulevard in Town Square on December 3 from 6 PM to 8 PM. This class will prepare you to host whatever type of holiday party you have in mind. He is fun, engaging, and has quite the sense of humor!

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a seasoned design expert, who has been featured in the November issue of Luxury magazine. Specializing in artistic design for floral and table settings, he continues to impress me with his artistic talent and eye for detail.

We're pleased to report that one of Cvent's clients, the Business Development Institute (BDI), held a successful event yesterday in NYC: The Social Consumer B2C Case Studies & Roundtables.

Maria Feola, Director of Events, explains how Cvent has turned around their organization's whole operation: "Registration and website updates used to be a nightmare because we had to send all website changes through our vendor. Registrations were constantly rejected, and we would have to process any refunds through a separate system."

That does sound scary. But now with Cvent, Maria has everything she needs in one easy-to-use program. "I can access [the system] from anywhere with an Internet connection. I don’t need HTML knowledge for the website and everything is customizable so I don’t feel trapped in another person’s idea of what MY business needs."

"Cvent is also constantly updating features to make things easier for clients and the dedicated staff is always there to answer my questions and take my suggestions. I have not had the chance to fully take advantage of all its offerings, but we plan to be fully integrated within the next year. There is no need for multiple systems for websites, registration, webinars, surveys, event email communications, etc. when Cvent has it all!"


Founded in 2001, BDI is a small corporate event planning company and a leading conference and webinar producer for communicators.

One of the most enchanting hotel renovations Los Angeles has ever seen has built upon its world of wonder. The Mondrian, already among the finest of 5 star hotels in Los Angeles, now features hotel rooms that are as whimsical as the famed Skybar lounge they overlook.

Finally trading in their cool tones of gray carpets for warmer hues and sleek honey wood floors, the Alice in Wonderland-inspired Los Angeles meeting hotel is complete! With Los Angeles accommodations fit for the queen of hearts, the hotel showcases Los Angeles corporate event planning at it's best. State-of-the-art boardrooms, fairytale ballrooms, an award-winning Los Angeles restaurant, and a nightclub almost as famous as the city itself are sure to persuade your next client to attend your next LA meeting.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Early bookings are a must, so don't be late for your very important date! You won't find an LA meeting space like this unless you fall asleep under a tree and dream it up.

View more information about the Mondrian Hotel on the Cvent Supplier Network

With the current state of the economy, groups traveling out of town for conferences or meetings usually have a very limited budget as well as limited time. This can be a challenge for event planners who want their guests to both network with each other and experience the city. Chicago Dine Arounds is a great solution!

Chicago Dine Arounds is ideal for taking your corporate events out of the boardroom. A full service event management company, Chicago Dine Arounds offers a progressive dining tour that covers three of Chicago's finest culinary experiences. 

The tour begins by picking up your attendees at their respective hotels or the meeting facility. Then, the group enjoys hor d'oeuvres at the first location, a main course at the second location, and dessert and drinks at the third and final location. In between each Chicago restaurant, a professional driver/docent will be guide your guests past some of the most unique attractions in Chicago.

This memorable evening event is perfect for a group on a tight budget. Listed packages are $85.00 per person, though they can be customized to meet the needs of any type of Chicago event.

Be among the few to stand in front of the secret bookcase and say the magic words: "Open Sesame." And poof! The Magic Castle, an elusive LA attraction, will reveal itself as one of the most coveted venues in Los Angeles.

It's not an illusion! World-class entertainment in Los Angeles unfolds right in front of your eyes as you enter this four-story Victorian castle smack-dab in the middle of Hollywood. It holds up to 360 people for meetings and special events.

Combined with the most exciting group dining Los Angeles has to offer and the convenience of a hip hotel right on the property, the Magic Castle is a triple threat. Successful Los Angeles corporate event planning includes a creative conference site or diverse banquet hall, and the Magic Castle holds the cards.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Put an ace in your pocket! Befriend a magical member to harness your full Los Angeles event planning potential.

To find more unique Los Angeles venues, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

More than 100 years after its original opening, The Edison still shines brightly. Conveniently located near the LA convention center, it is set in one of the first private power plants in California. The historic Edison is truly one of the most unique venues in Los Angeles.

A tribute to the sultry bygone era of industry, science and innovation, this LA party venue explodes with provocative history and tantalizing treats. Depression-inspired comfort food, decadent nostalgic design, and glamorous live entertainment are what makes this locale a top LA attraction and "one of the best new bars in America," according to Esquire magazine.

If you are looking for electrifying entertainment, this LA restaurant is sure to spark your interest. It has a lofty open floor plan, making it perfect for accommodating intimate groups of 10 people to grand gatherings of 300 guests.

Cvent Planner Insider Tip: Receive glowing reviews from your clients this holiday season by booking this rare Los Angeles corporate event space.

View more information about The Edison on the Cvent Supplier Network

While using a system like Cvent's certainly makes sense for the traditional corporate event planner, our association clients are a little different. We count nurses, teachers, doctors, engineers, dentists, psychologists, and pharmacists as our clients and users of Cvent! These volunteers give their time and energy towards increasing the value of their respective associations and professions - in addition to demanding full time jobs.

Because of this, volunteer board members need to ensure that their time is spent effectively. Here are some tips and tricks we have seen that will save you and your board a lot of stress when it comes to crunch time:

• Automate your communication. We all know how big of a pain it can be to manually add your entire database to an email invitation, or reply to each individual registrant as they sign up for your event. Sending the right message to the right person can be confusing and time-consuming. With Cvent, this entire process is automated. Simply design your email templates, and the system will intelligently know when to send confirmations, regrets, and reminders - based on a schedule that you pre-determine.

• Use your resources. Part of the beauty of an association is that everyone involved has a passion for the material and dedication to the chapter. Delegate tasks to board members, form committees, and plan ahead. Cvent allows you to have multiple user logins, so that different people can use your account to complete different tasks. Especially with a limited budget, associations must make good use of their most valuable resource - people.

• Clone previous events. We know that associations typically have reoccurring events that are fairly similar each time - annual conferences, monthly luncheons, etc. With Cvent, you can simply clone these events, change the pertinent details (date, time, location, menu options) and open for registration. When you don't have to reinvent the wheel, you are able to spend time focusing on more important aspects of your event.

• Put fee collection in the hands of the experts. Managing and collecting funds from each event can be a giant headache, especially when fees are different for members and non-members, you have early-bird discounts, or when some sessions command a certain fee and others do not. Simply ensuring that you are collecting the right amount is hard, and you can forget about getting complete payments at registration time! With Cvent, this headache is erased completely. With each account, you receive a commercial-grade Verisign account, which allows you to directly deposit fees into your bank account. Furthermore, our system automatically totals everything in your invitee's registration. There is little room for error, and no need to wait around for you to receive your money from a third party.

• Source your event with the Cvent Supplier Network. Our comprehensive listing of venues and service providers is so easy to use and dramatically cuts down on the time it normally takes to find the perfect spot for your next event. Even small board meetings need a location, and we can help you find and negotiate the best rate for your group. Best of all, this service is free - certainly the best price tag for a non-profit. Sign up for your complimentary account today.

Of course, these tips are only a few of the ways that Cvent can help streamline your processes. We'd love to hear from you with more ideas!

During the last week of October, Chicago celebrates Halloween with spooky events all across the city. From a midnight circus to a pooch parade, Chicago knows how to give a good scare! 

Chronicles of the Cursed

This haunted house is the largest in the city of Chicago. Located on Grand Avenue, the 20,000-square-foot facility is filled with monsters, ghouls and zombies who will scare you with a bone-chilling experience you will never forget!

Fall Fireworks Dinner Cruises

Many of Chicago's event venues on the water are hosting fall fireworks dinner cruises. The Odyssey, Mystic Blue and Spirit of Chicago are all welcoming guests aboard for a Halloween party unlike any other. Along with the beautiful fall fireworks display hosted by the city, these vessels will be decorated with cobwebs, ghosts and delicious food for guests to enjoy. Like what you see? All of these ships are available for private rentals for Chicago corporate events and social functions.

Franken Plaza

This year marks the 13th annual Franken Plaza Halloween celebration! On-site events hosted by the Special Events Department of Chicago (the hosts of the live taping of Oprah on Michigan Avenue) will include a midnight circus of "high flying aerial entertainers," Pyrotechniq—a show combined with dance, theater and fire—pumpkin decorating, and a farmers' market with fresh fall goodies. Don't forget the best part—it's free!

Seadog Haunted Tours

Experience the lights and freights of Chicago on this specialized city tour. While cruising down the river and viewing some of the most gorgeous architecture in the country, a professional docent will enlighten guests with stories of supernatural occurrences in some of Chicago's oldest structures, including the Fort Dearborn Massacre and the Eastland Disaster. During the regular season, Seadog hosts many types of tours for visitors. From river to lake cruises, Seadog is sure to get your adrenaline running on their clean and fast fleet!

Spooky Pooch Parade

The Chicago Botanic Garden opens its doors to the Chicago canine population on Halloween. Dogs from all over the city are invited to dress up in their scariest costumes and walk in a parade to celebrate the season. In addition to the parade, activities include a costume contest and a barking awards ceremony. 

Don't forget to check the Chicago events calendar before planning your meeting and events in Chicago. The city sponsors great events that are sure to get guests out of the meeting rooms and into the spirit!

The Hearty Restaurant in Chicago is a small storefront space located in the neighborhood of Lakeview, just north of bustling downtown. Partners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh are no strangers to the food service industry. You may recognize them from their Food Network television series "The Party Line with The Hearty Boys," from the front of their cookbook Talk with Your Mouth Full, or from seeing them in person at one of their restaurants or at their catering facility in Chicago.

These food experts have mastered the design of mid-century American comfort food in their new 60-seat venue. The space is decorated with sea glass subway tiles, a hand-crafted mahogany bar, walls of exposed brick as well as modern stainless steal kitchen tables and stools. The walls are a burnt orange color with accents of a toned down lime green, which sets off a wall mounted fireplace as well as bespoke stained glass art.

Their upscale menu includes a house dish of macaroni and cheese, a rabbit corn dog, foil-wrapped fish grilled over hot coals, and Southern fried chicken. Beverages at this Chicago restaurant staple include American vintage classics such as The Brown Derby and The Aviation, as well as a few different brilliant twists on the standard Bloody Mary. Also available is a wine list comprised of selections from domestic vineyards in Georgia and Texas.

Not only have The Hearty Boys conquered television, books and restaurants, but they have also been a top Chicago catering company for the last 10 years. Their ample and delicious sample menus are just a start when planning a wedding or corporate event in Chicago.

Whether on-site at the restaurant or at a catered Chicago meeting, The Hearty Boys are sure to please your palate!

Planning an event in Orlando doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be full of cartoons and theme parks. The Orlando metropolitan area is a cornucopia of unique and under-commercialized spaces that can fit your specific needs.

In all reality, Orlando has so much to choose from that it can be overwhelming if you don't have an idea of who your target is. In my experience, I've found that working with generalized groupings of the Orlando area can help when determining where to hold your special function.

The city can be broken into four quadrants that contain four entirely different demographics. Understanding these regions makes planning for specific audiences a lot easier, especially for those unfamiliar with the area.

These four sections are:

• The University Area. This is where to go if your demographic is the college and university set. It's the bargain area, where the less expensive venues and some inexpensive accommodations are located.

• The Downtown Area. If you are looking to attract corporate clients, or want your event to appeal to the young, hip professional, the downtown area offers a surplus of unique venues in a very compact, walkable zone. By looking into one of over 100 Orlando restaurants, bars, or clubs, as well as the Citrus Bowl and Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, an event planner can easily find a space to fit any theme or size criteria. There are nicer hotels and restaurants in this area that are more than willing to discount based on party size and patronage of their industry partners.

• The Winter Park Area. Winter Park is a micro-center of socially and financially influential people in Orlando. If a philanthropic or fund-raising opportunity should strike, this along, with certain parts of the downtown area, is your prime location.

• The Tourist Area. If you are in need of a great corporate event space in Orlando, don't pass up the opportunity to look into what Disney, International Drive, Universal and some of the lesser-known tourist attractions have to offer. With some of the most convention footage in the world and different, over-the top themed venues lining the streets, there is something for everyone. The parks are fantastic at incorporating business and pleasure for whatever purpose you may have; they are also incredibly skilled at co-branding. Not only that, but if an event takes place in the off-season, these tourist area venues in Orlando are more than willing to negotiate!

Remember your excitement at the first time you saw a lion up close, or when you first heard a rattlesnake's tail jiggle? A trip to the zoo has always been thought of as a child's playground, a place to see the animals that you'd only known from television or the encyclopedia. Now, you can offer your event guests a renewed sense of childhood bliss at Zoo Atlanta.

This unique downtown Atlanta venue has some of the most intriguing amenities offered with an entrance ticket. Between the live shows, petting zoo and giant panda exhibit, there will be plenty of options for your attendees, whether they consider the zoo an Atlanta corporate event venue, banquet hall, or even Atlanta wedding venue.

The multipurpose function space at Zoo Atlanta is quite extensive, capable of accommodating for 20 to 5,000 guests. Check out the Chinese Plaza & Panda Veranda in which you can enjoy a meal with 100 of your closest friends amidst the panda's natural habitat. For presentations or seminars, the Coca-Cola World Studio is an excellent selection with theater seating for over 250 guests.

Packages include, if your guests are brave enough, an animal encounter (with trainer of course) with demonstrations to educate and entertain. Catering is provided by on-site caterers Culinary Sol, which serves up savory dishes including brie en croute, chilled smoked salmon and an array of dishes from around the world.

So for your next event encourage your guests to join you on an exploration of the world's finest animal treasures at Zoo Atlanta.

View more information about booking Zoo Atlanta as your next Atlanta event facility on the Cvent Supplier Network

With the economy taking a large hit, unemployment on the rise and tight budgets, companies are facing scrutiny for every dollar they spend toward their meetings and events. Impact 4 Good has come up with a solution that promotes corporate social responsibility while helping companies avoid inquiry on every event they plan. Impact 4 Good operates with the support of a wide network of community service organizations to create activities for corporate groups, helping them benefit from a learning experience that gives back to communities in need.

Over the past few months, corporate planners have been facing a "perception issue." The media has been highlighting how large companies are spending corporate dollars on so-called "extravagant expenses," most of which include meetings and events. Other challenges include narrowing down current planned events agendas, allowing attendees very little time to get out of their hotels and banquet facilities as well as tight budget constraints.

Community service team building organized by Impact 4 Good can be incorporated to shed some positive light on meetings and events as well as on the company that is participating. These types of events are used to motivate staff to work as a team for the benefit of giving back to the community in programs such as Literacy Builders, Go GREEN Racing, Poverty: Beehive Building, and Children: Bike Build for Charity.

Impact 4 Good's programs not only enhance the image of good corporate citizens, but they also exemplify their commitment to their employees and customers. With most programs lasting two hours or fewer and having the capability of hosting from 10 attendees to 10,000 or more, Impact 4 Good is a great option for companies who are trying to make a difference.

Visit Impact 4 Good for more information and details on hosting a team building activity for your next event.

Are you in need of a quick getaway for a group of employees? Need a fun, easy, inexpensive option for a team outing? Or maybe you're simply looking for something a little different than the norm for your next Dallas business meeting? Consider Group Dynamix in Addison! If you've not yet discovered this excellent Dallas event venue, now's the time.

Owner and "Head Coach" Stephen Mackintosh, aka Coach Mack, has turned his love of team spirit and supportive play into one of the largest, most popular indoor team building centers in the country. His team focuses on group performance and reflection through unique and fun-filled activities that encourage 100 percent participation, 100 percent of the time.

When it comes to interactive team building in Dallas, these guys are pros. They will customize and facilitate events to your company's desired theme, timing, and scale. Whether you have 15 IT guys for half a day or 100 PR reps for an all-day rally, they have the space and means to keep any group entertained. Considering a group upwards of 500 people? No worries. There is 18,000 square feet of usable Dallas event space complete with a ropes course, laser tag, or beach balls ready to pump up and motivate even the most passive participant.

Located in the heart of Addison, close to one of Dallas' most notorious shopping, dining, and entertainment districts, Group Dynamix is easily accessible to several well known full-service and select-service hotels. The facility can accommodate simple team outings or full-fledged corporate events with packages that include use of on-site audio-visual equipment, including wireless microphone, video capabilities with screen (check out the 20-foot-by-20-foot movie wall!), and much more. Snacks and beverages can be provided, but outside catering is allowed and encouraged, so you to work within your budget with any Dallas caterer or restaurant—a rare find for Dallas venues these days.

Are you using social media to promote your association's cause? Or maybe a charity fundraiser you're hosting? What just about a corporate event? If so, I just came across a great idea for free event promotion on Twitter.

It's called a Twibbon. Basically, it's a service that overlays a small icon onto Twitter profile images of your supporters. For example, supporters of breast cancer research can sign up to suppor the cause by having a small pink ribbon placed in the corner of Twitter profile pictures.

Non-profit event planners can easily create Twibbons for either your cause or your specifc event. All you have to do is create a Twibbon image with design software such as Paint.NET or Pixlr (both free), upload it, and add a brief description. Check out the full instructions for creating a Twibbon here.

Twibbons aren't just for non-profits and charitable causes, though. I've seen them for sport teams, celebrities, TV shows and more. Meeting planners in all markets could use them to promote their upcoming events. Just consider a few of the event-related twibbons I found in use for events of all sizes and types:







What's really cool about Twibbons is that once you create one for your meeting, it's logged in the Twibbon database. People can search for your Twibbon and find information about your cause or event, who is supporting it and more.

If you're looking to promote your event or meeting on Twitter, Twibbons are a great option. They're easy, free and fun!

Need to think outside the box? Planning on bringing a group of forward thinking, art loving, funky music grooving professionals to Dallas for meetings? Bring them to the always eclectic Deep Ellum neighborhood!

This revitalized warehouse district is known as one of Dallas' trendiest spots and is just a quick three-block jaunt east of downtown. It is home to some of Dallas' favorite bands, bars, and brick ovens. But don't let this take away from some very beautiful, very flexible historic meeting space. Deep Ellum is a fully functional urban community full of thriving businesses, state of the art residential living, and an abundance of unique shops.

Take, for example, Gallery 2910, located at 2910 Commerce Street. A relatively new fine art gallery, this gem is filled with original works from an eclectic selection of talented career artists. The gallery has limited hours to the public and makes an excellent option for corporate events, fundraisers, or cocktail affairs from 50 to 100 people, depending on room set-up.

A quick walk down Commerce takes you to a cute urban loft called Leroy Studios. This studio offers 2,000 square feet of unique space and is most commonly used for photo shoots, casting calls, tastings, and the like—perfect for smaller gatherings or business meetings in Dallas.

Another spot to definitely keep on the list is Space Studios, located at 2814 Main Street. This historic Dallas special event facility hosts everything from yoga classes (bikram yoga, no less) to CD release parties to Dallas weddings, and much more. There is plenty of open space for your corporate affair or launch party and a fully-equipped staff ready to help pull off even the most exclusive event. Top notch!

For more information on Dallas wedding venues, corporate facilities, conference centers and more, visit Cvent's Dallas venue directory.

Every year since 1931, the New York's Rockefeller Center becomes home to the National Christmas Tree. By day, this massive piece of greenery—reaching upwards of 90 feet—is quite impressive. However, there's a reason millions of people tune into its annual lighting ceremony. Just compare the daytime tree to its lighted counterpart. The lights make all the difference, and the same idea applies to your events.

Whether you start with a clean slate or the most richly-decorated venue, lighting can really make or break the backdrop of your event. But luckily, it can also be one of the most inexpensive ways to transform your event decor.

Below are the 3 most popular elements of decor lighting. Talk to your event lighting specialist about them for your next gathering!

Gobos. Gobos can create patterns with light and shadow, making them great for projecting images and logos for corporate events and theatrical performances. Wedding planners, for example, may project the couple's names or initials on the dance floor, while companies may use a custom gobo to project their image on the speaker podium at a reception.

Themed parties also benefit from standard gobo images, such as a Christmas tree at the holiday party or pumpkins at the fall fete.

Pin spots. Pin spots are ideal for calling attention to certain areas or items of your event decor. Usually, event planners and lighting specialists use them to cast light over centerpieces and floral arrangements. Corporate events can benefit from using pin spot lighting on a company logo or plaque.

Customizable to your event, pin spots can be used with colored gels and lenses, which can be paired together to create a unique look.

Up lights. As the name implies, these event lighting fixtures illuminate from the ground up. They're great for adding color to an otherwise blank wall canvas, and can also highlight fixtures (like columns and archways) that exist in the venue.

Planners looking for unique venues in Atlanta will not have much trouble finding stunning meeting spaces full of charm and character. From university conference centers to zoos, check out some of the following posts when considering booking an Atlanta special event facility:

• Host A+ Events in Atlanta at University Conference Centers

• Got Culture? Atlanta Event Venues Do

• Go Wild with Events at Zoo Atlanta!

• Top 10 Corporate Event Venues in Atlanta

• Hit a Home Run with the 755 Club at Turner Field

What are your suggestions for great Atlanta special event venues?

632 on Hudson, located in a quiet neighborhood between the Far West Village and the Meatpacking District, is a fantastic New York private event facility. The 632 was in built in 1847 and was once a general store, a sausage factory, and the setting for MTV's "Real Word." Now, a private home that can be rented out for special occasions, the facility is decorated with a collection of antiques and artifacts from around the world.

632 on Hudson features a 755-square-foot Salon and a 255-square-foot Great hall that create the perfect setting for intimate corporate events. Guests can also unwind in the spectacular penthouse garden that features a relaxing atmosphere and stunning views of Manhattan.  632 on Hudson specializes in fulfilling the particular needs of the customer and providing an atmosphere for smaller, more private events.

The 632 on Hudson is certainly a unique and artistic downtown New York venue and provides a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. With three romantic floors and close to many New York attractions, this striking venue will make your next event a success. Who knew that an ex-sausage factory could be so elegant?

View more information about 632 on Hudson on the Cvent Supplier Network.

Cvent's internal calendar feature makes it easy for meeting planners to maintain a high-level overview of their events. The corporate lunch next week, the user conference coming up in November, the company holiday party at the end of the year—it's all there for you in user-friendly format.

As part of Cvent's new release, it's now easier to keep members of your team and organization in the know about upcoming events. Make your calendar public, and choose which users can have access.



You can also activate an external version of your calendar by creating a weblink. Share the link with others, who will be able to view, but not change, the calendar without logging in to Cvent.

As the first newly built Waldorf Astoria® since the legendary original in New York City, Waldorf Astoria Orlando commands a stunning location on 482 emerald-green acres, surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort. The stately lobby draws guests to its centerpiece, a magnificent clock handcrafted by master artisans. It is certain to become revered, much like the iconic lobby clock that has stood in the lobby of The Waldorf Astoria in New York since 1931.

The success of corporate events is sure to follow when they are held at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. To accommodate meetings of various sizes, the venue's 28,000-square-feet of multi-function space has been masterfully sectioned into 15 meeting rooms, two executive boardrooms, and a stately Grand Ballroom that covers 8,100 square feet alone, all with sweeping views of the waterways. In addition, majestic outdoor areas around the pool, or framed by mature woodlands and manicured gardens, can be reserved for private gatherings, as can the a magnificent 25,000-square-foot island.

The knowledgeable team of experts at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando provides assistance in every regard, including elegant catering and 24-hour technological support. In addition, secured wired and wireless Internet connections are located throughout the resort.

View more information about Waldorf Astoria Orlando on the Cvent Supplier Network