As I predicted in my last post (in Feb?!!), the overseas economy heating up and more business for us in events. Well we have been on a non stop rollercoaster since then. I am not complaining, bragging if anything. We have had some great projects working with some of our long time corporate clients bringing artist from overseas as well as some very special private events. Check out our photos at flicker…
As the summer is here now hopefully I will be able to catch up on my posts…
Watch in the next few weeks for an update (belated) on The Special Event in Phoenix Az. As well as some musings on the Mega Event Fund.
As I gaze into my crystal ball and call on the ancient spirits to enlighten me what the future holds for the events industryin Asia… I see,., orange, the color orange no not traffic cones and warning signs this is the shades of sunrise.. A fiery ball seeping over the horizon. A new day, a nativity for the industry in Asia…
Although Asia slowed down economically over the past two years we luckily were not hit as hard as our western counterparts. Our events moved along with cancellations in some industries (finance) but a steady flow in others (luxury). Our biggest concern was perception and making sure the head office in New York (and the public) didn’t see our events as wasteful. Last year the Hong Kong government snapped into action and started doling out cash from the “Mega-Events” fund and set up Meeting Events Hong Kong ‘MEHK’ to help promote the MICE industry. China meanwhile was full steam ahead with Shanghai Expo and Asian Games leading the way. All this action in the industry in Asia has shown a couple of things, one we are on the cutting edge when it comes to using technology and structure to create incredible, memorable and beautiful event spaces second there is a great need to study the management side to create seamless flow from the vision to the execution of the event.
For the event industry in Asia this year I see event professionals and event thinkers seeing the benefit of coming together to study and learn from each other. Asian focused event conferences will begin to find recognition. Lectures from experienced event professionals for other event professionals will begin to take hold these lectures will no longer solely be in the domain of the west and will have real bearing on how we work in Asia. The expos will realize that in order to increase their bottom line they will need to increase the goodwill by adding the not so profitable education of the conference side.
In the coming year we will see more of the experts like Corbin Ball (http://www.corbinball.com), Lara McCulloch –Carter (www.ready2spark.com) and Dr. Joe Goldblatt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Goldblatt) touring Asia sharing their knowledge and expertise on how to create better events.
…well let’s hope anyway 
We at ISES HK are very lucky to have secured Lara for a lecture and a workshop…
Lara will be a featured speaker at The Special Event and at Event Solutions… two of the largest event related conferences in the world. We have her in Hong Kong tomorrow!
(check out the hype.. sorry info.. 
)
or just RSVP
RSVP: rsvp@iseshk.org
If you are like me you spend late nights creating blog content to send off into the ether, never quite sure if anybody reads it or cares…
If you are using your blog for marketing purposes you and are frustrated that it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere…
I know someone who can help, Lara McCulloch-Carter of Ready2Spark is a social media expert. She has put together a webinar entitled “Kickstart a Killer Blog in 7 days” … this is not ‘blogging 101’ this is for people that want to create a centerpiece for their social media that will propel them into the stardom of the blogosphere… Best of all she has made it at an acceptable hour for us Asians…it isn’t cheap but I highly recommend it, also if you book here I might be able to afford attend as well!
Social Media Strategy Webinar –
“Kickstart a Killer Blog in 7 days”
October 13th, 2010 at 12:00 PM
For more details: click here
If you do… vote for me!
I am humbled and proud to say this blog has been nominated for BEST INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENT BLOG by the judges for EVENTPROFS BLOG AWARDS 2010!
#Eventprofs are a worldwide group of event professionals, connecting via Twitter and other social media to share ideas, debate topics and collaborate for industry growth.
When I look at the list of other blogs that have been nominated I really wonder how the hell did I get there!? Some of the other nominations are like some of the top event companies, designers and producers in the world.. There is David Merrell and his Design Dawgs plus David Stark…not to mention the corporate ones like Skyline’s Trade show tips and the official blog for MPI…Hong Kong’s own (ok HK and OZ) Darren Kerr and Factor 168 have stiff competition in their category.
Well whether I am just a party crasher or if I deserve to be among such esteemed company…
Here I am AND THE VOTING IS ON!!!!
So if anyone does read this vote for me! –click here
Thanks… btw it only takes one minute and a few clicks
This is the unedited version of an article from MIX June 2010…
Secrets for designing a memorable dinner event…
Design the event with the guests in mind.
Who is the event for? Does it suit their taste? Imagine the event from the guests’ perspective. Imagine the whole event, from the initial touch-point where the guest receives the invitation. Where will they be coming from? Office home? Are they driving? If so where do they park?. What is the arrival like? Who greets them? Is there signage? What sort of feeling do they have? Do they know the other guests? Go through the entire event from the perspective of a guest, ask what do they hear? What do they see? How do they feel? How do you influence their senses to achieve your goals? This is where the true creative side of the designer comes into play. Put yourself in the guests shoes and ask; What would I think of this event?
Be sure to keep in mind the goals and objectives of the event.
Every event has a purpose every event has at least one goal. Sometimes it can be as simple as celebrating a life and having a good time. Other times it can be more complex (to raise awareness for a company or product, to motivate employees or create camaraderie). Start with determining the goals and objectives of the event then determine how the success or failure will be measured.
Make sure the overall design incorporates F&B.
If the styling is modern then work with the chef to create a modern menu. If you are doing an all Asian design serve all Asian cuisine. If it is a cocktail style, all mingling, limited seating then ensure the menu is easy to eat with one hand (all bite size) nothing worse than trying to juggle a plate, a fork and a wine glass while trying to talk to someone.
Create a good management plan.
Look at all the resources available and the restrictions. There is no point exploring the possibilities of a big build if you only have a 2 hour set up time. Design your management structure so each section knows what their roles and responsibilities are. Look to who will be responsible for each section of the event from the F&B to the technical set up to the entertainment.
Make sure that the décor reflects the theme and is homogenous with the rest of the event. If budget is a concern choose a venue that reflects the theme already so less dressing is needed. If the venue is pre chosen use a color scheme and décor that will work with the existing space. Always better to work with the big ugly chandelier than make it stick out even more by having everything contrast it.
Make sure to do a risk assessment.
Ensure the safety of your guests. You are responsible. All your linens should be non flammable or fire proofed. Any hanging décor should be rigged properly. Nothing kills the mood of a party like an accident. Make sure you do a complete risk assessment then before guests arrive do a walkthrough to check the safety and make sure the standards you set are in place.
Once again I was recently reminded just how important relationships are in this business. As a designer I can think of grand and extra-ordinary possibilities but if I don’t have a supplier that can carry them through any idea is for naught… But it is when things go wrong that these relationships really shine through… Recently I was working with a motivational company out of Canada that had a very unprofessional bully as a president. It was my long term supplier GL Events (Hong Kong) and their man Axel that came to the rescue. Axel rose above the situation and created a scenario where everyone could walk away. Big Kudos to Axel and GL.
The Special Event (TSE) is gonna be in my hometown and I will be lecturing at it… how cool is that? TSE will be in Phoenix Arizona this year. Although I usually tell people I am from SanFrancisco (moved there when I was 10) I was born in Phoenix and spent my early years in the suburbs on the edge of the desert.
I have been accepted to speak on working in Asia… I am looking forward to letting our American friends know we do things differently here…
Not sure yet who else is speaking but I believe @Lara McCulloch of #ready2spark will be doing something about social media…
TSE is one of the largest event conferences and tradeshows worldwide check it out if you can http://thespecialeventshow.com/specialevent2011/public/enter.aspx
The 5 R’s
Anyone who has watched the cleanup after an event, knows just how large the carbon footprint of our industry is. In the corporate boardrooms worldwide mandates are being handed down with strict instructions to lessen the overall impact of events. If you are an event supplier or planner and do not have a green policy in place you will soon loose valuable business to competitors who are working green.
Many event managers and producers feel powerless to do anything, however quick examination finds the real power lies with them. That power is; spending power. These people make the everyday choices that can lessen the overall impact of events. By keeping in mind the 5 R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reinvent) when designing and producing their events they not only will they help the industry they can also will increase their profits.
Refuse is about changing habits as well as finding green alternatives. Many conferences give large bound books with lecture notes from each lecture yet most attendees will only attend a handful of lectures. Why not have the notes available online for download? Why not give all notes on a branded USB stick? Both options save money and are environmentally friendly.
Reduce is about asking the questions. Do I need it? Is there an alternative? Decoration, can we use projection instead? Faresh Jowharsha of Events Asia recommends; “Use technology. Rather then invitations with reply slips, I like a web designer do an interactive flash invite and with a simple click, reply to say yes or no.”
Reuse simply requires a bit of forethought. How can I use this again? Do I have to put a date on it? Many conferences and exhibitions reprint the same backdrops and directional signage every year, these can be printed on a new reusable “fiberglass” board. Steve Tait, Technical Event & Operations Director for IME points out that…. “In a down turn economy when budgets are getting tighter, reusing materials is one of the most effective ways to cut production costs. This along with using higher quality mass products which are reusable vs. disposable not only heightens the sense of quality to the end user but also protects the environment…”
Recycle, in the US and Europe recycling has been going on for some time and is in a very mature state. In Asia we have some catching up to do. When choosing a venue ask what recycling programs they have in place. If they do not have any you can put it in your RFP. You would be surprised what venues will do to get your business; also they may keep the program in use after you leave.
Reinvent is a more enlightened stage of greening when you start looking at your events from a whole new perspective and coming up with new ways of achieving the old goals. In my proposals I have added an Environmental Impact study of the event. In this section I present a honest evaluation of the environmental impact and green alternatives. Guy Parsonage of Jack Morton Worldwide says….
All 5 R’s are about a way of thinking, a philosophy of looking at events with a green perspective. Educate yourself, start with the Convention industry Councils’ website (www.conventionindustry.org/projects/green_mtgs.htm) for some great tips on greening your event. Then create your own green mission statement, get buy in from your stakeholders. Only together can we lessen the environmental impact of events.
Robert Rogers is a special events consultant with over 20 years in the industry more green tips can be found on his website www.eventsman.com –resources.
Eventsasia 2010… Been meaning to tell you about it and this report is long over due, apologies but been flat out busy since then (not complaining just bragging a little)
AnnaLiza Laxamana of Next Step Events and her team put on an amazing event. The quality of the speakers was great (if I say so myself, after all I was one of them) and the evening parties were and entertainment were spectacular. Best of all it was all in the beautiful island of Boracay in the Philippines.
Last time I was in Boracay was 10 years ago and oh my has it grown… No longer is it a quite idyllic beach with a few tourist. It has exploded. It is still beautiful but now heaving with tourist from all over the world, jet skis, para-gliders, sun worshipers and party people all decending on this idyllic paradise island.
Eventsasia 2010 was held in the recently built Boracay Eco Village and Convention Center . Interesting place with great potential. It is a little tricky to get to as you need to first fly to Manilla then to Caticlain then small boat to Boracay then van to the Centre but once on Boracay it is worth it.
The conference took on the feel of a Broadway production under the artistic direction of Alen Velez of Events Pool Philippines . The speakers were introduced in creative ways including raising Steven Hacker, the keynote speaker, president of IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) up through the center of the stage on a hydraulic lift coming up out of the smoke to the sound of pounding drums.
Lara McCulloch-Carter, ex ISES Toronto president and Social Media expert for Ready 2 Spark was carried in by a special chair for queens by a couple boys with cute butts (sorry by men in traditional Philippine garments).
The quality of the lectures was great. In the opening keynote by Mr. Hacker, he managed to tie in all the topics to be covered by the upcoming speakers and pointing out the importance of each topic to the industry. Mr. Mark Cochrane, of Business Strategy Group and the new UFI representative for Asia spoke on the future of the exhibition industry.
Ms. Lara McCulloch the ex president of ISES Toronto gave us some excellent insight into the power of social media.
Mr. Eduardo Braniff the creative director for Imagination flew in from LA to deliver two lectures one on “retailment” and another very interesting insightful case study on Ford and brand activation. Mr. Brian Slawin from Busy Event showed off their new toy called the “Belinker” which has promise to become a great new tool for expos and meetings. Mr. Mark Sonders, CSEP delivered his lecture via the web as he had problems with flights.
My new friend, Mr. Jeffrey Soh from Thailand (well Malaysia but working in Bangkok) talked about how to run events on a budget.
ISESHK’s own Mr. Steve Tait delivered a very popular lecture on Safety and Risk Management. Ms. Susan de Cardenas talked about sustainability and how venues can partner with planners to move forward on green events. Mr. Jojo Ajero expounded on the Philippine event scene and how the event landscape was changing and becoming more professional. I was privileged to be counted among these great speakers and delivered two different lectures one, “Greening Your Events” and what planners can do now to lesson the overall impact, and the second was the final talk of the conference “10 Things to Wow Your Events”. One of the best lectures I have done in a while and pretty easy too… Basically showed other peoples work and said “That’s Cool” “Here’s something I like” … (well I showed my own stuff too).
This amazing conference was then followed by an even more amazing gala night on a private beach…
I look forward to the next Eventsasia, and congratulate Annaliza on doing a wonderful job.
