As a company, and as the individuals involved, Track Seven Events is dedicated to community involvement and supporting important causes. This post’s “Charity Spotlight” is on Foundation For Mitochondrial Medicine (FFM), and in a few days we will be a part of their Hope Flies Catch the Cure Event.
FFM is an Atlanta-based organization that supports research and treatment efforts for mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease is a group of disorders that are caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, which is the part of most human cells responsible for powering cell function. Because each person’s DNA and genomes vary, and depending on which cells are affected, mitochondrial disease looks different person-to-person. Symptoms can include almost anything from poor growth and muscle weakness to developmental delays and neurological issues. The causes of mitochondrial disease also vary, as some disorders are the result of genetic mutations while others can be caused by environmental factors. One person in every 2,500 is affected by mitochondrial disease. FFM was founded in 2005 (with a name change in 2010) by parents of patients as well as medical experts. Its efforts provide financial support to treatment-based research for disorders associated with mitochondrial disease, focusing on Institutional Review Board and FDA-approved drug treatments and studies. Through its Hope Flies fundraising program, FFM’s message is to celebrate hope while raising funds and awareness through creative and inspiring events. These events occur, and are encouraged, for organizers across the country, and include athletic programs such as 5 and 10Ks, as well as Family Days at professional sporting events. Many of the functions honor patients, many of them children, suffering from mitochondrial disease, aiming to lift their spirits and celebrate milestones. A quick general side note for event professionals about participating in charity events like these: When it’s possible, plan these events pro bono. Where the costs just aren’t feasible, we always at least donate fifty percent of our services to the organization. It’s a small way to give back to those organizations working to give it all. Additionally, encouraging your corporate clients to also partner up with non-profit organizations is a good way to promote a deeper sense of community in your area and field, creating a network of support that benefits everyone. For a list of Atlanta non-profits that you may like to get involved in, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits’ membership directory is a good place to start. The upcoming Hope Flies Catch the Cure event will include dinner, cocktails, and dancing, as well as a live auction and raffle. Details and tickets for the upcoming FMM event can be found on their website.
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Happy hours are supposed to live up to their name, right? The aim is to provide guests with hours of happiness. Originally, happy hours were a way for bars and restaurants to attract the after-work crowd with slashed prices and deals on drinks or food. Now these timeframes, and the relaxed mood they create, have evolved into a staple for corporate events as well.
Young companies, especially in the tech field, may employ individuals in-house to organize events that include monthly, or bi-weekly, mixers for employees. When Hulu was in its infancy (and thereafter), it hosted ‘wind-downs’ every other Friday, where CEOs and interns alike were able to interact and share stories, as well as ideas. This type of environment shaped what the company is today. More traditional corporations, as well as smaller companies without such resources, can take a cue from these companies and follow suit, or as it is, follow the non-suit crowd. Company happy hours help increase employee moral and promote an open corporate culture by providing a time and place for socialization away from desks. So how do you get people excited about hanging out with co-workers after the workday is over? Well, the simple answer is: free drinks. But there are plenty of things you can add to distinguish your company’s event to make those hours the happiest. Collaborating with local bars to hold a trivia night with specials for employees is one way to get people involved. Or even just forming a ‘sponsored’ team to join a league together. If you have the space, you can also have your own gathering at a company building. If you decide to host this type of event ‘in house’ - there are a few essential elements to take note of. First and foremost, make sure you account properly for the amount, as well as the variety, of drinks for everyone – it’s not likely employees will be participate in future gatherings if they show up to an event that ends prematurely due to lack of libations. On the other side of things, make sure to encourage employees to not only drink responsibly, but to travel that way too. Providing Uber vouchers or MARTA passes may be a great way to ensure people get home safe. The most important thing to remember when organizing, or hosting, a corporate happy hour is that it’s intended to give employees a break. The main objective is to have fun and relax. So however that’s achieved doesn’t exactly matter. Be creative, or be traditional, because in the end – the happy hour happiness is in the eye of the drink-holder. Most, if not all, of us use social media on a daily basis. But how many of us are fully utilizing itto promote ourselves or, more importantly, our businesses? As an event design company, we use various platforms to connect with different audiences and convey different messages. This blog, for one, focuses more on the media aspect rather than social. Although commenting and sharing is strongly encouraged (seriously, always feel free to let us know you’re here and tell us what you might like to read about next!) - the potential for increased engagement rises on other formats.
Facebook and Instagram are the ‘tried and true’ method of socializing with others on the Internet, but live and more transient social media platforms seem to be “what’s next.” Snapchat led the way in providing innovative, fun filters while allowing users to create, send and post of-the-moment videos and pictures that disappear after twenty-four hours. Instagram took notice of this success by launching its own Story feature. And even though it may seem that you would have to choose between the two, decide which post goes where, or take time you don’t have to repeat activities to record twice, that’s not the case. As tech blog Gizmodo recently noted, it’s pretty simple to use the same content in both mediums, if that’s your goal. Furthering the trend of live streaming, Periscope and Facebook Live allows people to tune in as the action is happening. These of-the- moment apps can be especially captivating for those interested in event planning, or just attending. Going live the day of an event to show how these experiences are set up, or broken down, as well as filming while an event is in action, allows people to get a real sense of the work, as well as the payoff, that putting on an event takes. Because many of the features on these sites are so similar to ones offered by others, duplicate content is inevitable, and also okay, but only to an extent. Followers and users of one platform or app can differ from those on another; so taking stake of who is where can help you focus your content to those users. Keeping up to date on rising trends as well as each site’s audience can ensure that you’re reaching your desired target demographic and also providing them with useful, and entertaining, information. Knowing which sites and apps serve your industry best is key to utilizing social media to meet your marketing and outreach objectives. It’s also important to keep your connections connected. Linking a business Facebook to its blog and Snapchat as well as everywhere in between helps make sure your brand maintains its cohesiveness and conveys integrated messages that best serve both your clients, as well as yourself. The interaction among sites benefits everyone, since the whole idea behind social media, is well, to be social. So let’s get connected! Track Seven Events is currently socializing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In this segment, the first of an ongoing series - we will look at a trending theme that people want to use for their event, but also fear losing originality. Urban industrial themes are rising in popularity as abandoned warehouses, lofts, and scenic rooftops gain traction as sought-after venues, especially in the Atlanta area. The urban industrial look can be utilized for weddings, corporate events, as well as cocktail hours or engagement parties. Because of their characterization, which incorporates bold colors, distressed elements, as well as details on the harder end of the spectrum, an urban industrial theme is a perfect non-gender specific way to attract all types of guests, and event-throwers. When considering this theme, a planner may shy away thinking it feels too ‘cold’ for an upbeat party, or that steel and wood can only look so different. However, the ‘urban chic’ motif as it is sometimes referred to can turn basically any space into a casual and relaxed environment. Making it your own is also easily achievable. Customizable elements can be incorporated into any space, such as graffiti art on faux brick walls, where depending on the mood of the event, guests can also participate in as an activity. Bringing the outdoors inside may also be an option to explore, with fake grass and a picnic area to transform a portion of the venue into a beer garden for wine or local craft beer tastings. Custom made, vintage-inspired street signs can be utilized to direct guests to certain areas, or just provide décor. An urban industrial theme also does not have to look ‘harsh.’ Bold rich colors, such as a purple or blue, against a base of grey, can warm the tone of the theme. Even flowers can be integrated, such as wild flowers to draw on the more rustic elements, or trending towards the other spectrum– roses to create an elegant minimalistic, more modern, feel. There are also endless options for lighting, from bare bulbs strung high, to massive stage lights. Depending on what works best in the venue, different combinations of all these components can be used to create the event you envision. As event planners, we share our clients’ goals of creating the best, and unique, experiences for them and their guests. If you have questions, or ideas regarding this, or any other theme you’d like featured on the blog, don’t hesitate to comment below. And if you’d like to learn more about incorporating this theme into your next event, contact us today to discuss the endless possibilities. Planning an event in the middle of summer might be a daunting thought. Especially with this
year’s record heat across the nation. Atlanta has not been immune to this sometimes- uncomfortable weather pattern. But with just a couple of months left to actually enjoy the warmer weather, it’s time to discover how make it work for you and your guests. Georgia has some of the greatest mountain ranges, parks, as well as other outdoor space and venues that are perfect for an outdoor gathering. Whether you’re planning on hosting a corporate event, charity gala, or birthday party, you can incorporate certain measures, big and small, that are designed not to beat the heat, but to embrace it.
A tent is the common solution for providing shade, or even air conditioning, while also still technically hosting an outdoor event. Tents can be customized dependent on your event’s theme, or the look you desire. A child-heavy or just whimsical adult party can incorporate a circus tent to provide decoration as well as the shelter needed. For a more elegant nighttime gala under the stars, a transparent tent can be used to create atmosphere. Remember to make sure a venue or site allows for and has the proper permits as well as landscaping to accommodate any tent you want or need.
Providing drinks is a no-brainer for any event, regardless of the season. In the summer, hydration is also a concern to make sure guests don’t leave dehydrated. Depending on the size of the event (and the venue), one or two water stations strategically placed around the space can help keep lines at bars shorter and guests more comfortable. Also, creating unique refreshments can be a fun way to keep temperatures down and spirits up. For instance, a variety of infused ices, such as lemonade cubes to accompany iced tea beverages, is a simple way to impress a crowd.
Different, useful, props can always liven up an event, while also proving useful. Giving guests customized sunglasses or bandanas to wipe their brows for a daytime event, is a cost-effective solution for a hotter-than- average day. Not all events are supposed to feel like a bar mitzvah, but sometimes these little touches are appropriate and appreciated, as long as the prop is in line with the atmosphere you’re trying to create. The key is chic, not cheese. A nice parasol cools guests down, while also keeping an event fired up. Living in the south has its perks; sometimes embracing the culture works, look at the successful theme parties the crew on Southern Charm enjoys. You can also recreate that charm, without the drama.
An advantage to having so many venues to choose from in the area, either within metro Atlanta, Buckhead, or further in northern Georgia, is that you don’t have to settle for a primarily outside or indoor setting. Spaces, such as the Trolly Barn, that allow you to enjoy outdoor patios and gardens, but also allow guests to escape inside if they wish, or if weather demands, are perfect for a summer gathering. Which brings us to the next, critical consideration in outdoor event planning.
planners need to be flexible and account for the possibility of rain or another natural occurrences common in summer months. Cancellations are not ideal, or always necessary, especially if you strategize ahead for alternative arrangements in case of weather concerns.
On any invites or event website pages, give guests as much information as possible to help them make critical decisions for themselves. This information should include the fact that the event is being held outside, whether or not it will occur ‘rain or shine,’ as well as the proper attire requested. Letting guests know if casual attire is acceptable for a summer event, especially held during the daytime, can ensure they dress comfortably. Comfort is key for the success of an outdoor summer event.
The heat affects event staff too. Sometimes even more so, as they need to carry and set up heavy equipment, as well as continue to make sure everything is running smoothly during the event. The simple inquiry into whether or not set up, or breakdown, may be done in the less-hot hours of early morning or the night before an event can make a difference for staff, and ensure they remain focused on your event’s needs. Speaking with an experienced Atlanta-based event planning professional about your goals and expectations helps in crafting your perfect event. Contact us today to brainstorm ideas for your next celebration. No one in the events industry wants to be classified as a micromanager, but it’s possible to be one
without even realizing it. Did you know that being a micromanager could actually hurt your team and negatively affect the outcome of your event work? When you work in the event planning and design business, attention to detail is important, and that’s precisely why so many of us fall victim to becoming micromanagers. If you are a solo act, then you don’t have this problem because you’re doing it all. If you work with a team, however, management is a little more complicated. First of all, what is a micromanager? Though your actions may be rooted in good intentions, micromanagement is actually pretty detrimental. You are overly critical of your team and let them know it. You can tell that you might be a micromanager if you exhibit the following traits: You have trouble delegating tasks You constantly check in with your team to see how they are progressing You ask for unnecessary reporting You have communication troubles and don’t conduct effective meetings If you are a micromanager, the detriment to your staff can be severe, and the effects might include: A lack of motivation Lowered team morale Poor performance An imbalance of power The good news is, if you can identify yourself as a micromanager, you can change! The first step is to recognize what you are doing and to remember that no one is perfect – and no situation is perfect, either. There are always going to be different levels of management appropriate for different situations, but as long as you keep the lines of communication open with your team, you can build trust and begin to work more effectively. You’ll be surprised how the creative process thrives when the staff is comfortable and happy! Even if you haven’t personally jumped on the popular Pokemon Go train, as an event designer, you might find that you have a lot to learn from the game. Stay with me for a second..
Today, most event attendees want to be entertained no matter what the occasion is, and the Pokemon Go game actually offers many of the elements that make an experience so engaging. You don’t actually need to know what a Pokemon is in order to learn from the Pokemon Go phenomenon. But, you should know that many players are so captivated because the app combines both live and digital experiences. So, what exactly does a mobile video game have to teach you about event production and design? Here are a few things.
Every event management professional needs to seriously think about whether or not they are still relevant in an already-saturated market. Part of staying relevant is ensuring that your events are future-friendly.
Today, probably more than ever before, clients and their event attendees are expecting a heightened experience, and as an event pro, you’re in charge of delivering the ultimate event experience. What does an elevated experience actually consist of, and what direction is the industry moving in? Some aspects of the event experience are out of the control of the professionals that have planned and designed the actual event. For example, registration lines and event content may be out of your realm of responsibility, but you should be able to make suggestions to improve the overall experience for your client and their guests – so be ready if they ask! Event technology is evolving on what seems to be a daily basis. What many of us thought were far-fetched ideas just a few years ago are now the reality. One example: the self-driving car. Though this isn’t exactly something event planners can use – yet – it should really drive the point home. Technology is modernizing the way we plan and design events. It also has a great impact on the dynamic of events and galas, particularly for corporate clients. There are new apps and software for attendee tracking, mobile check-in, and navigation guidance – all technologies that your corporate clients will love. As an event designer and planner, you may be particularly interested in new software and apps that help you organize your business relationships, augmented reality for a unique event experience, AV equipment, and 3D light projection. The meeting and event industry is an ever-evolving entity, thanks to the endless possibilities technology has afforded us. As an event professional, it is up to you to make sure that you are up to date on all the latest so that you can offer your clients the most information to make their event the best possible. At Track Seven Events, we are always looking at ways we can do our part to improve the events industry. Sure, our primary focus is designing, planning, and producing stellar special events for our clients, but we also want to ensure that our industry remains strong.
What are some of the ways we’re working to change and improve the event industry? One way we are working toward that goal is by offering premier event planning and management services for an array of events – no event type is too large or too small. We don’t create events – we create experiences Sure, we’re in the event profession, but we aren’t just creating events these days. What we do at Track Seven Events is create experiences for our clients. Our clients are seeking a moment in time that they will remember for years to come – and that is exactly what we work to give them through our custom-built props and furniture, stellar planning services, and creative processes. We never downplay the importance of creativity We think that it is impossible to create an event or experience without creativity or self-belief. Sure, you don’t have to be a creative genius to put on a conference or plan a wedding, but how do the guests feel when they attend? Probably pretty nonplussed. We make it our business to brainstorm and work with our clients to understand their wants and needs – then our creative team gets to work creating the ideal event – and that event will exceed our client’s dreams. Track Seven Events has come a long way in the event industry over the years. However, our journey has made us what we are today – a full-service event production company that offers stellar services in event lighting, theme and décor, props, furniture and more. Times change, and at Track Seven Events, we embrace that!
This is especially true in the event planning and design sector. These days, some of the ideas, methods, and assumptions of events that worked in the past don’t really work anymore. Many event professionals find it hard to let go of the past, but not us. We look forward to the future and the new challenges that the industry presents to us. Part of embracing the “new” way of doing things is to recognize what the old methodologies were and figuring out if they still work or not. Here are a few things we’ve learned that used to work well but just don’t anymore – and how we’ve overcome them! Never expect people to return to an event year after year Years ago, many event planners could safely assume that their attendees would come back year after year. Nowadays, that isn’t always the case – and we make it very clear to our clients so that they can work with us to create a truly engaging and unique event that will entice guests to return the following year. Just being better than the competition isn’t enough Maybe ten years ago, this worked, but today, not so much. Sure, Track Seven Events is an awesome company that can design and plan every little detail of your event better than anyone else, but we go beyond that. We think outside the box and really make our clients’ event dreams come true. We are in the business of creating an experience and building memories. Creating an event is an investment of time, money, and energy. We’ve kissed goodbye to old event planning methodologies and have welcomed social media, technology, and client feedback into every aspect of our process to create one-of-a-kind events for all of our clients. No event is too big or too small for Track Seven Events! |
Behind-the-Scenes with an Event OrganizerAuthorTrack 7 Events Archives
September 2016
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