2024 is almost over, and I can’t even believe I’m writing this! As you start wrapping up your events for this year, it’s tempting to take a little vacation, a long nap, or a hiatus and decompress. I’m here to tell you: Don’t let that critical time for feedback and ideation go to waste! On average, an event takes between 6-24 months to plan, depending on the type of event.

I’m planning events for the Fall, and this year, I’m considering Signature Cocktails—and, signature mocktails.

I polled my LinkedIn audience about their favorite liquor for a signature cocktail/limited bar menu event. Overwhelmingly, the answer was Vodka, followed by Whiskey and Tequila. In an open bar that serves beer, wine and a signature drink, a vodka-based beverage seems to be the winner—though I’d recommend polling your audience or looking at your previous bar tabs to see what was purchased the most.

Besides being crowdpleasers, both vodka and tequila beverages are easy to make into ‘virgin’ drinks, or what we now call ‘mocktails.’

One of the things I work on most with Clients is refining their sponsorship decks. As event organizers, we know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing sponsorship packages, but it can feel exhausting trying to create custom sponsorship packages for each event or potential partner.

In getting down to the nitty-gritty of event sponsorship, it appears that two of the more popular offerings that I see in sponsorship decks, speaking opportunities and experiential or activation opportunities, are all but inconsequential to our potential partners.

Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash

With the rise of food and beverage costs, event planners like myself who manage multi-day conferences and conventions are looking for ways to save, while still offering a wonderful experience to their guests. 

Thankfully, I’ve had wonderful experiences with the hotels for my Fall events, and one suggestion that a Conference Services Manager made stopped me in my tracks.

Photo by Or Hakim on Unsplash

Are you an event planner, meeting planner or event host who is noticing an uptick in catering, food and beverage pricing? Well, you are not alone.

I was scrolling through Instagram a few weeks ago when I noticed the James Beard Foundation had conducted a survey of chefs on the effects of Climate Change on being able to deliver to their clients. Not surprisingly, they shared stories of temporary shut-downs due to weather-related disasters; increased prices on the items that event planners creating menus want the most; and less ability to source ingredients, among other consequences.

When I received an email last week stating that I was named one of 50 Top Voices in Events to Pay Attention To by Gather Voices, I was elated. Then, when I examined my fellow ‘classmates,’ I could not believe I was considered among these true powerhouses in the Event Planning and Hospitality world!

If you have been able to see any of my interactions on LinkedIn over the years, you know that I am a huge fan of Victoria Matey. As an Event Psychology Strategist, she has always shared tips on how to, quite simply, build better events. From programmatic changes to an increase in the amount of down time, her tips have always made me think more strategically about my approach to program design and the logistics that make it happen.

On August 27th, I was honored to be among the class of Event Professionals who became certified in Event Psychology! I learned so many invaluable lessons during the virtual seminar (and had a lot of fun, as well!)