Travel Expo Design and the Cookie Monster of #Eventapps

         

It’s Tuesday and we need to give a little love to our expo and trade show friends. This weekend we attended the Long Island Travel Expo—no, no vacation for us except our fun in the sun at BizBash Live: The Expo in less than one month, but who’s counting?!

There was a ton of candy offered, some brightly-dressed booths and exhibitors, photo prop stands and even some musical performances. The mariachi band and steel drummers were among some of our favorite attractions, but sadly we weren’t able to grab a video or photo.

You remember that post about being visual and establishing a connection with the attendee? Give it a glance, #eventprofs, and then have a look at our TOP attention-grabbing displays. (Please do excuse the photo quality!)

At the entrance:

"Where are you? I can’t find you!"

"I’m under the big red archway…"

Fabric structures are a sure-fire way to attract event goers to your booth or table, while adding a touch of color to the trade show/expo scene. By working with a professional, you can create these innovative visuals to be aesthetically-pleasing on the eye, and each structure can be designed and customized to your brand or industry profile. 

The structure will bring guests to you, so be sure to make it worth their while once they arrive!

In the center:

This one would immediately attract our DMCs and wedding planner friends. It’s nothing like actually having your toes in the sand and the warm rays on your back, but a visual scene of a special occasion at an exotic local is a great way to use a display to address the wants and needs of the consumer.

It gave attendees (like this couple of adorable awkwardness) an idea of what the day could be like:

      

This exhibit was run by Liberty Travel Group. For more on their destination event packages, visit them here.

Towards the back:

The Parking Spot was placed all the way in the back right corner of the venue, so they had to be sure to attract attendees in more ways than one. It was definitely worth the walk:

If the black and yellow polka-dotted shuttle bus wasn’t enough to call you over, guests were given small bags of tasty bite-sized cookies along with some coupons for discounted parking service at the airport.

And you know how we feel about sweets…

                             

The Travel Expo will make its way down to Philly on Sunday, April 6. Grab more info here.

What are some of the best attractions you’ve seen at the last trade show/expo you attended?

Feature Friday: Imported Briton Carpet & Your Wishes Come True

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We’re wrapping up another great week here at Boomset’s HQ—so great we only #TBT'd to Tuesday—of this week—when we were at the Tibet House US’s Annual Benefit Concert. We’ll say it again and again: we deeply appreciate the opportunity to be at the door of each and every event we do, being able to meet and greet some of the most inspiring and influential minds of today at check-in. 

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Ok, sappy enough for today, no? It’s Friday—and you know what that means…

Featured Venue: e s p a c e NYC

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Imported Briton carpet? Check. Custom-designed chairs? Got it. An ultra stylish space where modern and elegant ideas meet? Let’s get to making the guest list!

Runways, auto shows, not-for-profit events, weddings and more—you name it, you can create it at espace. They have designed floor plans that vary for each different type of event, in the pre-function room of 3,500 sq. feet, and/or the ballroom, almost double the size at 6,500 sq. feet, and the service staff—including security and a doorman—are all included with the space rental. 

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Disney, VOGUE, Food and Wine Magazine and the WSJ are only a few of the high-profile names that are part of their impressive list of clients. Want to add your name? Fill out their contact form, or give them a ring after taking a look at the site here.

Featured #Eventprof: Sonya Spann of Here, There & Everywhere Events

Don’t just go green because St. Patty’s Day is around the corner! Green events is #whatstrending, and Sonya is an event professional who’s taking action toward changing the social and environmental issues. Sonya found her calling after a brief taste of the hospitality industry 

Sonya focuses her work at HTE Events towards inspiring, leading and sustaining events in order maintain win-win solutions between businesses, communities, and the environment. Her services include event planning, management and coordination (on-and-off site) of event logistics, venue and vendor recommendations, transportation and accommodation, among others.

We have to thank #plannercrawl for introducing us to another great professional. Contact Sonya here for inspiration and further info.

Featured Event Detail: Wish Tree by Simply Mad Weddings

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Our wedding planners are especially going to love this one. The legend goes as follows:

From India to Scotland to Argentina many countries have special trees they have deemed wishing trees for their spiritual value. Practices vary slightly from country to country, but they all have something in common; people across the world look to these trees for good fortune, health and for dreams to come true by making an offering, saying a prayer or hanging a wish.

Now they are without a doubt perfect for weddings and engagements, but we’re actually looking forward to seeing these beauties by Simply Mad Weddings incorporated into other types of events. Guests can take home a keepsake ornament that you can customize to any particular theme or color, offering a unique alternative to the traditional guestbook. 

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Make a wish! 

We think it’s a beautiful addition to add some “wishful thinking” in a romantic way. What do you think? 

Take a look at the Simply Mad Wedding Etsy store for more info. Tell them we sent’cha!

If you would like to be a part of the series, please connect with us @Boomset.

If you have already been featured—sharing is caring—pass it on!

Have a great weekend, all!

Feature Friday: Plannercrawl, Historic NJ & Gourmet Cotton Candy

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We must say, it’s been a pretty great week and that’s because of the #plannercrawl event held in NYC this past Tuesday. Liz King and Co. put together a phenomenal time—as always—and we were excitedly waiting at the door with iPads in hand and lanyards inches away for local #eventprofs, eager to get their venue-mode on despite the AM snow showers. You can see some photos (thanks for the one above, Offsite!) and what people are saying about the event here.

We can’t wait for the next one. In the meantime…

Featured Venue: The Park Savoy

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It would be fitting to review one of #plannercrawl’s venues, no? Well, we’re going to Jersey instead! (Don’t worry, next week you’ll get more #plannercrawl goodness.)

Many clients are turning to country clubs and estates after the Great Gatsby phase last year, and the Park Savoy and its surrounding 150-acre dairy farm add a historic touch to Northern New Jersey in the town of Floram Park.

Built originally in the 19th century, the unique venue boasts cozy fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and a magnificent ballroom accented with extravagant dangling “candle-lit” chandeliers. The bridal suite on the second floor is elegant and equipped for the most VIP of clients, and the wine and cigar bar on the lower level is the perfect way to end a fantastic evening of dinner and dancing. They also offer a wide variety of delicious and unique catering options that are nothing short of amazing.

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Take a look at the site, as well as forums of past clients. It’s a real gem that’s not to be overlooked!

Featured #Eventprof: Deb Roth of The Originators

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She loves visuals and it’s no lie—take a look at her Instagram! Deb is one part of the awesome duo The Originators, makers of innovative fabric structures and sculptural design forms for all types of events. 

Some of their work includes, but is certainly not limited to: art installations, product launches, mobile marketing displays, motion picture scenic elements, music industry promotions, galas, and pop-up stores. 

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They’ve been originating, innovating and creating custom designs from ready-made fabric structures for over twenty years, and chances are you’ve worked with them and/or have seen their work. It’s always a pleasure to see her at events in NYC; do take a peek at their page for further inquiries and inspiration.

Featured Event Detail: Spin-Spun

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Another fantastic idea for different passed hors d’oeurves, anyone?

There was talk/a small demand for a cotton candy belly dancer on the Twitterverse, but as it’s not yet a #trendingtopic, we’re not quite sure where to direct you. We’re so glad we found these folks! Spin-Spun, makers of all-natural cotton candy, is going to be that fun gourmet touch to your next event; look at these stats:

fat free

gluten free

nut free

no artificial colors or flavors

no preservatives

all Kosher (pareve) ingredients

dairy free 100% organic sugar

no pesticides, no GMOs

fair trade certified AND

less than 100 calories per serving!

We have to be honest—we haven’t personally tasted it (and we’d LOVE to), but look at some of their fans who have:

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Glowing cotton candy is available for any kind of event, and with flavors like lemongrass, salted caramel, coconut and even a 10-year Scotch on a cone, you’ll win every sweet-tooth’s heart over with this adult twist on a child-favorite.

They’re popping up at events all over the country, so contact Chief Executive Spinner Seth Bankier and his team here for more info and bookings. 

If you’d like to be featured, connect with us @Boomset.

If you have been featured—yahoo! Give us some love and share it with the world.

Feature Friday: A Fiestah at Mark Twain’s (and include this latest drink trend)

How’s everybody’s week going? A little messy with all the snow, but we’ve seen you on Instagram, #eventprofs—planning away at your computers with your giant mug of “coffee” /booze beverage of your choice.

We’re hoping for a snow-free eve on February 18th. Why, you ask? Because Liz King & Co. have put together a nice little 3-hour event MeetUp for event professionals to take a look at some great venues right here in NYC. Your time is precious and your days can get pretty hectic, so take advantage to have a peak at the spaces and share some laughs and good eats with others in the industry. 

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Be sure to check out the details and read on for this week’s finds!

Featured Venue: Tappan Hill Mansion

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"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today." — Mark Twain

You’ll exercise your creativity in event design at the former estate of Mr. Twain himself, taking in views of the Hudson from one of the luxurious rooms or one of the many terraces at this stunning stone piece of history.

For small affairs like rehearsal dinners, anniversaries and even intimate meetings, go with the Hudson Room. While reserved for larger events (up to 500 people), the Pavilion Room is just as romantic and whimsical. Wireless web access, bridal suites, audiovisual services and more are on premise, as well.

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The estate is operated by the Abigail Kirsch Exclusive Venues group, and they provide Zagat-rated catering and each of their venues. See their site for more info and a peak at their other locations.

Featured #Eventprofs: Fiestah

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Everyone loves a good party and our friends at Fiestah are ready and waiting to get you on your way. As event professionals, organization is key: that’s why they’ve set up a platform where you can jot down all the details of your personal or professional event and then pay and manage it all in the same place. 

Wait, what?

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Three simple steps:

  • post your event details and the services your looking for—from photogs to batons on fire
  • you’ll have vendors bidding to work with you—they give you a quote and you decide whether or not you want to proceed
  • pay and manage all the logistics and details right through Fiestah’s dashboard 

Easy-peasy, right? It’s especially useful if you tend to organize a lot of smaller events. They also feature vendors and businesses up on the site and have a bunch of press worth reading. Head over here!

Featured Event Fun: Gelus

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You may have seen a tweet or two about Gelus—it’s because innovative catering is really taking off in 2014 and we want your next event to be #whatstrending.

What is it? What isn’t it, we say! It’s a non-alcoholic liquor mixer that turns your favorite drink into a shot that you can HOLD in your HAND. It becomes an edible, semi-solid sphere with a liquid center that bursts in your mouth; no change in taste or color, but it sure does create buzz. You can watch the liquor turn into a shot right after it’s mixed!

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Take a look at their site and social media and thank us later.

Now…who’s buying the next round? 

If you or someone you know would like to be a part of the                         series, connect with us.

If you have been featured—hats off to you! Feel free to share!  

Feature Friday: #SBBlvd, Banking in Brooklyn & An Interactive Photo Booth

It’s nice to see that even in frigid temps, thousands have come out to the Super Bowl's host city to participate in all the fun. Shout out to the event coordinators for putting together such engaging activities right here in Midtown! 

We’ve been here in the office, working on some of the new and exciting features for your next event, including LARGER (4x6 size) name badges that you can edit in COLOR and save them as a PDF to print at a later date. Yes!

Check out our Youtube channel for more goodies.

Here’s what we’ve been eyeing this week…

Featured Venue: One Hanson

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We’re taking you “out” to Brooklyn, Fort Greene to be exact, to visit one of its most famous landmarks. Boasting a 63-foot mosaic ceiling and 22 kinds of Italian marble, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Clocktower adds its striking beauty to the borough’s skyline.

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The 15,000 sq. ft. main floor and 4,200 sq. ft. mezzanine section can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, and between 100 and 500 for a seated dinner. And if you like to work natural light into your event design, you’re in for a real treat: guests will not only be able to admire your event’s decor but the 40-foot sculptured windows that surround them.

The carved teller stations only tell part of the vaulted banking hall’s history, and One Hanson Place is now operated by the Skyline Group. Take a look at their site for more info and bookings.

Featured #Eventprof: Melissa Michel of The M Factor, Inc.

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We not only love Melissa for the occasional laugh or two from her social media posts, but for her inspiring and fun personality that finds its way into each of her events. A trade show and convention specialist, there’s no event too big or too small her Melissa & Associates; you have to see the list of her services—and they don’t just stop there. 

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We’re looking forward to working under the Florida sun in the future with Melissa, and we definitely recommend following her on Instagram and Facebook. Expand your connections in the events industry!

Featured Event Fun: Crash My Event

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A different kind of photo booth—which is all the rage the last couple years—Crash My Events provides the best of both (trending) worlds: a SOCIAL MEDIA photo booth. Say what?! 

It’s not only an engaging activity (everybody loves a good #selfie), but it’s INTERACTIVE meaning that it can promote a brand all throughout the networks in one single photo.

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How cool is that? 

You even have the option to BUY a photo booth—not Eva Longoria, folks! We highly recommend going that route, too.

Innovative, fun, and #whatstrending: get in touch with them for your next event.

If you’d like to be featured in the blog, please connect with us.

If you have been featured—THUMBS UP!—feel free to share!  

Feeling QR-ious?

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Ahh, the infamous QR code. It’s been under criticism these last few months and as we’re embracing the ever-so-digital 2014, which according to techcrunch is the year of mobile. The desktop must be collecting dust as 66% of users say they use mobile devices to access their social networks these days!

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If you’re in the events industry—or own a smartphone, for that matter—you ought to know by now that it’s something that bridges the brand with the venue and the attendee. As long as they have their phone on hand, these tiny digital doors to the Inter-world can create buzz and a whole lot more. They’re even saying that it is eventually going to take over ticketing completely. Hashtag #paperless.

But what can it do for you at your next event? 

You already know that you can use the Boomset Badge Editor to create a custom name tag for your attendees using logos and adding on a QR code, right? Right. We’ve also shared one of the  ultra-cool  newest features we’ve been working on: attendee tracking and lead retrieval. After printing the attendee’s badge at check-in, you can design the QR codes on the badge so that you can control and track the sessions/events attended and also collect leads and contact information of each attendee via scanning.

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You want to keep the name tag design simple, though, offering just enough information that will be an “icebreaker” to the conversation and networking among attendees.

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Scan from an iPhone at the door or a nifty (and quite small, it feels like an extra finger!) hand scanner. Don’t stop there: find other ways to incorporate the QR code at the event itself to stay social and keep the audience engaged.

Event and Conference Check-in made easy.

Take a peek at our new site and connect with us before your next event!

How To Bring The SOCIAL in Social Media At Your Next Event

              

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The power of social media continues to amaze me every day. As Event Planners, we are constantly adapting to the needs of our clients whether it be through F&B trends or new event technology.  If you are not already incorporating social media into your events, today is the day to start. Here are 3 fun and creative ways to incorporate social media into your next event!

1. Host A Social Media Contest

Everybody loves a little friendly competition, and a contest is a great way to engage your attendees in a fun and interactive manner.

2.  Hashing Wars

Assign attendees a specific (Insert color, fruit etc.) hashtag when they check-in at the event (Ex: #TEAMRED). Attendees use this hashtag in addition to the event hashtag to post live pictures and commentary at the event. The team who generates the most tweets during the event wins.  There is a prize drawing for the winning team. There’s even a service that will help you set-up your hashtag battle and track the competition for you.

3. The Red Balloon

This awesome idea comes from one of my favorite event planning blogs BizBash, and I love sharing it at all my trainings.  AT&T created a social media buzz at several of their events this year with a red balloon, which is activated by an event hashtag. The balloon expands as attendees tweet using the event’s hashtag. The person whose tweet makes the balloon POP wins a prize.

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Image provided by BizBash

The BLUF (bottom line up front) is that social media enhances the experience for your event attendees.  Whether it is generating buzz and excitement to connecting niche audiences, it’s all about the SOCIAL in Social Media!

For more ideas, inspiration, & resources on event planning and social media, follow me on Twitter @Alex__Cameron

Authored by:

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Alex Cameron

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Alex Cameron is a Corporate Event Planner and Social Media Consultant.  She has worked closely with her clients to help each of them create exceptional events that are both engaging and interactive. Through her marketing experience, Alex has mastered some of the most powerful social media websites. Today, Alex provides exclusive social media consulting services to event planners from all across the nation; she is passionate about sharing her knowledge to her clients in order to help them plan successful events in today’s tech-savvy world!

 

We’re looking for an INTERN!

Please spread the word that Boomset is looking for another superstar to join our innovative team! We’re hoping to turn this into a FULL TIME position to provide more great quality service in 2014.

Info as follows, #eventprofs! 

                               Please connect with us @Boomset!

                               

The End of the Year Brings Trending Cheer!

There has been so much buzz about what’s to come in 2014 (see this excellent write-up by Julius Solaris from the Event Manager Blog), we’re ready to take the new year on by storm. 

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Since we’re gearing up for Thursday’s chat with #eventprofs in the industry, we’ve decided to do something trendy to talk about the benefits of having a multi-use event management app, and we’ve put together this neat-o little infographic.

Enjoy!

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Please join us at 12:00 noon (EST) on the 12th of December, and remember to follow @epchat and#eventprofs & #wetalktech.

Don’t forget to connect with us on all of our social networks, @Boomset!

Part of the #TrendingTopic

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We are almost through the first week of November! We spent the end of our weekend welcoming people from all over the world as they crossed the finish line at the ING NYC Marathon, which was an incredible and unforgettable experience.

What seems to be flying by us just as fast as the Marathon elitists is the time we have left until the new year: all the department stores haven’t been beating it into our brains reminding us since Halloween, or anything.

Either way, we want to be ready for what’s to come in the event industry. Here are a couple of trends to look out for in 2014:

BE MOBILE, MY FRIEND

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Many tech companies launched their latest runway accessory: wearable technology. In 2014, you’ll be seeing more #eventprofs in the industry sporting their virtual flair to assist them at events. You’ll see more people using their tablet instead of an actual notebook, as well.

VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

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You want to keep your following engaged, market your brand and be different? Videos are in more than ever before. Even Instagram has incorporated video into their platform (and you already know we love us a good filter or two). Video is more engaging and fast: besides tutorials via Youtube, now you can see an increase in communication across the use of apps or platforms such as Skype, Google Hangout, or Line via mobile or computer. Now, how many of you will be answering calls from you new wrist technology?

3D: THE WAY TO BE

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Seriously all the rage in 2013, we’ll see a lot more 3-D prints used at events in 2014. Even if it’s including a caricaturist to make 3-D artwork at your next event, you want to create #buzz, and this is a sure-fire way to do it!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

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Though we’re all about going local, next year we have to think outside our postal code. We loved this article in the @EventManagerBlog which features great emerging locations for events, talking about considering competitive local rates in another country like Brazil, South Africa or even India. It’s all about making yourself stand out and making your client(s) feel unique. 

              Have you implemented any of these trends this year?