Insite - by Event Architect by Event Architect

This struck me as so innate but at the same time, it seemed almost revolutionary. As consumers, we are inundated with celebrities hocking goods on TV, on the radio, in print and even in person, more often then we’d like. However, more often then not, we’re either struck by the product or by the celebrity but not by how they work together… why not? 

The majority of trends, case studies and best practices at last week’s Event Marketing Summit in Chicago focused heavily on much digital, virtual and event technology elements. As much as I am an interactive technorati at heart, the Influencer Marketing: Leveraging the Power of Influencers session I attended was as refreshing as it was relevant. 

I’m just going to dive in because this topic is deep and juicy! I’m intrigued by word of mouth, grassroots, brand ambassador-based marketing. I admire companies whose marketing strategy consists (and are completely successful) of brand ambassadors (think: lulumeon athletica). Word of mouth marketing is the most powerful communications tactic in a marketer’s toolbox. 

Buzz, buzz, buzz — I was sick of all the talk about the iPad. How it was going to change our lives? I just couldn’t see how a big iPod Touch was anything to write home about. That is until I was armed with my own personal iPad for the Event Marketing Summit last week in Chicago.

The marketing team equipped the device to be chock-full of the best of EA’s photos and videos, which fully prepared me for the following scenario... 

Last summer, we conceptualized and executed a two-week Mediterranean cruise as an incentive trip for a private client. One interesting challenge that manifested during the pre-event planning was our client’s decision to NOT hire a professional photographer. “Everyone will have their own camera,” she said. But we recognized a need to provide a safe, confidential and controlled service for guests to share their experiences and photos during the trip. The solution? Our custom-designed photo sharing website called PhotoShare ... 

Face-to-face interaction will always be the ideal platform for business communications. At EA, we believe there is no substitute for meetings. We also understand that in today’s economy, cutting costs and staying within budget are top priorities. Keeping this in mind, we developed “Meetings in a Box” — a cost-effective solution for your company to host meetings and seminars of all sizes anytime, anywhere. 

The “Meetings in a Box” concept is ideal for our corporate clients that host a large number of meetings in various locations. Event Architects take care of all the details by packing all meeting materials into a box to be shipped to a client’s event. This includes items such as: registration lists, agendas, branded lanyards and name badges, return envelopes, attendee surveys and even writing utensils. After the meeting, our client simply sends everything back to us in the return envelope provided. It‘s a simple, eco-efficient and cost-effective solution for Event Architects to support clients’ goals. 

I’m a person who gets really excited about office products.  I get goose bumps when I see a new cool pen or someone shows me their daily organizer.  I just can’t get enough of it.  The thought that this simple little object could transform me into a highly organized and efficient machine at work excites me.  A direct side effect of this highly delusional thinking is I’ve been able to sample just about every product out there.  

A year ago I was in the market for a personal task management system, which utilized the highly popular, though life altering, Getting Things Done theory as its organizational platform.  After weeks of research I finally decided to try Mac Things developed by Culture Code. The reviews were stellar...

 Our clients have been raving about this year’s New Years gift from Event Architects — which arrived at their offices in eco-friendly Greenheart Shop boxes last week. Ladies and gentlemen around the globe opened adorable boxes (made by artisans from a single village in the Philippines) to discover fair trade teas, coffees, caramels, truffles and other goodies courtesy of one of our favorite Chi-town shops, the Greenheart Shop. Next time you need to pick up a gift or a new décor item for your home, stop by this boutique on trendy Division Street in Wicker Park (1911 West Division Street).

This new ELEVATE SERIES celebrates Event Architects’ commitment to elevating brands and event experiences. It also is a nod to our butterfly mascot! Basically the ELEVATE SERIES will pay homage to anything that is “fly” or actually can fly. (We’re having some fun with our figurative and literal word play.) Today’s post celebrates a phrase you rarely hear around Event Architects’ offices (because there is nothing we ever deem impossible), the phrase, “When pigs fly.”

For the sake of an abbreviated blog post I won’t go into a dissertation about the difference between a creative team building an event’s “Identity” and how the audience attending perceives the whole package, thus developing the event’s “Brand”.   But I do want to quickly make clear the difference between the two.... 

 2010 is in full swing, and many in the event industry have found themselves wondering what the year ahead will hold. BizBash published an online article recently titled, “57 Predictions for 2010: Event Pros on Budgets, Social Media, Catering, Décor Trends, and More.” 

More of a collection of quotes, 57 people in the event industry gave their opinion and predictions of what will unfold in 2010. These industry professionals cover everything from budgeting to catering to social media. 

The overall consensus for 2010… ? 

I LOVE lists.  Lists bring me comfort when I am stressed, focus me when I am distracted, and keep me productive when I am beat — lists help me to be successful.  Lists track progress, determine priorities and minimize redundant work.  Also, I make lists so that I can cross things off — so at the end of the day I have record of how I spent my time.  A secret — sometimes when I need to self motivate I include simple tasks on my list just so that I can cross them off quickly.  Silly I know, but it seems to work. 

Considering my passion for lists I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that I like Top 10, Top 50, and Top 100 lists too.  If someone goes to the trouble of narrowing something down to the top 10, it get’s my attention!  And so begins my blog series – "Katie’s Top 10."  

The Obamas' first official state dinner honoring India’s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, starts in just a few hours. We’ve been following live updates and steaming video all day. The Obama Administration brought a breath of fresh air to Washington, and our industry can’t wait to see what this White House will whip up to show off their new style… while still remaining respectful of protocol, of course! 

Host to some of NYC's chicest and most exciting events such as the iconic New York Fashion Week, Bryant Park seemed like the perfect place for EA’s Business Development team to tour and spend some time brainstorming events we could develop in the space.  The coolest part of exploring this venue was finding some of the most unexpected and unique spaces that are perfect for a variety of events!  

We were inspired by so many different pieces of the Bryant Park puzzle. First, there are the elements that make it a community space, such as people of all ages interacting together while utilizing the chess boards, bocce courts and well-stocked outdoor children’s reading room. Then there are the natural elements of Bryant Park; the beauty of the greenery surrounded on three sides by the hustle of the city life and on the fourth by the history of the New York Public Library. And finally, Bryant Park has its own trendy, pop cultural side of it where you will find the tents that house New York Fashion Week and pop-up events such as the Southwest Porch.