ideas, tips and articles

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Articles

the EVOLVE group inc.’s recent media mentions:

MEETING WITH SUCCESS - Article by Renee Warren, BizLaunch, April 22, 2010

MEETING THE SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGE - Article by Roger Pierce, May 2008

MEETING WITH SUCCESS - Article by Roger Pierce, March 2008

Click on the below titles to download Laura’s recent articles in Riverside Quarterly magazine:

"The perfect place to hold your next party: 10 secret private party venues in your area!"

“Planning the Ultimate Children’s Birthday Bash! A Survival Guide.”

“Planning a great First Date! What girls really want the first time we meet.”

• Keep It Short – After analyzing the type of guests we were expecting, we understood that having the event at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort meant that everyone was anxious to get to the Casino floor. The perfect way to get things started for these gambling-hungry execs was to make our event early and keep it short! We set the time from 6pm to 8pm to get people started with delicious Tapas, complimentary drinks (including a special Sangria), meet new business potentials and invite them to the Black Jack tables!

• A splash of entertainment – We created a catchy title for the event that would shape the end results of the evening. Our suggestion was “Talk Over Tapas”, noting the local Toronto trend for lounges and bars to promote Spanish inspired Tapas on their late night menus. The main focus of the evening was networking, so we decided that a short performance that would still allow people to talk was the answer. We hired two gorgeous flamenco dancers to provide a brief 10 minute show with a live guitarist. It not only gave the feel and culture of Spain but was great background music for those people who were involved in important conversations. The dancers mingled with the guests afterwards and were able to provide information on the history of the traditional dance.

Tips

• How do you get the word out about your event?

It’s the future, handwritten and mailed generic invitations are a thing of the past! If it isn’t hand made or professionally designed it should not have postage stuck onto it. You have two options, the most simple is using a website that will create, send and track the responses of your invitation. Or, for those of you with a creative flair, assembling home made invitations can be cost effective and very rewarding. Your event will be better attended with the excitement you will create and you can set the vibe of the evening from the first glance. Simple postcard style with some fun accessories will be the ultimate touch to your invitations. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help assembling them and save yourself time by printing out address labels. Art, paper, bead and scrapbook stores are becoming more available every day and have expert staff full of creative ideas.

• What type of music should you play at your event?

 The critical thing about music selection is matching it to the vibe of the event and the atmosphere of the location. If your event is at a restaurant or nightclub, they may give you the opportunity to meet with the regular DJ and will also have good suggestions for the type of music they usually play that matches the ambiance and décor. For instance a classic cocktail bar would suit some timeless Frank Sinatra and a romantic lounge would seem more complete with Latin music. If you are hiring a DJ or an entertainer, create a play list and a do NOT play list and discuss it with them ahead of time to ensure that you are on the same page!

• Hosting a special celebration at a restaurant and wondering if you should bring a cake?

 Most restaurants and venues although against any alcohol or food being brought in, will allow for you to supply a special cake, like a Birthday or Anniversary dessert. If the venue has an issue with this, try asking the chef if they can make a favourite treat for your guests or if they can assist with ordering a cake for you. One of the latest trends in desserts are cupcake cakes that present well and will leave your guests talking about the uniqueness of your event. Remember to request space in the venue’s fridge ahead of time if you are bringing your own cake and don’t forget to work out who will provide forks, candles, plates, napkins and the cutting knife.

trendy ~ exquisite ~ timeless ~ luxurious ~ stylish ~ flawless ~ unforgettable

 

The Evolve Group Inc.