Category: General

Categories
Corporate Event Planning General

Top 5 Reasons to Hold a Coporate Event in Orlando (Infographic)

Why you should hold a corporate event in Orlando

Orlando, FL is consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the United States for throwing a corporate event. 

Maybe it’s the weather or maybe it’s the ample meeting space and easy accessibility. Either way, you cannot go wrong choosing Orlando for your next corporate event.


Reasons to hold a corporate event in Orlando inforgraphic

Top 5 Reasons to Hold a Corporate Event in Orlando:

1. Easy Access- Orlando is easy to access, with over 800 flights in and out of the city per day.

2. Budget Friendly- Orlando is one of the most budget friendly cities in the country. The average hotel room comes in at just over $100.

3. Fun Location- Choosing an appealing location, with good weather and exciting activities increases attendance.

4. Hospitality Pros- Orlando is a leader in the hospitality industry. 10 million meeting attendees pass through the city per year.

5. Plenty of Space- Orlando is home to the 2nd largest convention center in the United States. Never mind the endless number of hotels and resorts that can host events, as well.

Need more convincing?

Then click to get more details and read about 5 more reasons to hold a corporate event in Orlando.

Find out why Orlando is the best city to hold your next #corporateevent Click to Tweet
Categories
Corporate Event Ideas Corporate Event Planning General

Corporate Event Planning: 5 Company Meeting Ideas You Need to Try

Corporate Event Planning: Company Meeting Ideas

Corporate Event Planning: Company Meeting Ideas

Company meetings and corporate events can accomplish a great deal. They’re a way to discuss new ideas, team build, problem solve, and so much more. Company meetings are a necessary part of running a business, but are sometimes viewed as a waste of time and money. However, if done correctly, people can leave these meetings feeling productive and ready to get to work.

So, how can you accomplish this?

◾ A company meeting should have a clearly defined purpose.

Don’t waste everybody’s time. Know exactly what you want to discuss and have all your thoughts and materials gathered well before the opening day of the corporate event. Have a written agenda prepared to help the group stay on topic and to make the best use of time. The arrangement of your agenda depends on you knowing your employees. One school of thought is to start with most important information first while people are the most alert and interactive, while others prefer to keep the most important discussions for the end of the meeting so you fit in the smaller, less time consuming issues beforehand. Know your group and plan accordingly.

Being realistic about timelines, budget, and agenda is a big part of planning a company meeting. Check out 5 ways to accomplish that and more!Click to Tweet

◾ Make people aware of the agendas before the meetings begin.

Sharing your planned outlines for the meetings will allow those who will be in attendance to think the topics over. This will ensure that they come prepared to discuss and share ideas. In turn, the meeting will run more smoothly and get everyone out of there in a more timely manner. Another helpful company meeting idea is to use social media as a way for your group to discuss and brainstorm before the actual event. Creating closed groups or event pages are a great way to do this.

◾ Create a realistic timeline for the company meeting.

An important part of corporate event planning is making a schedule and sticking to, but it can be tricky.  The first step is to have a realistic idea of how long topics will take to discuss and plan accordingly. Also, remember it is your job to keep attendees on track. Be sure to steer people back on topic when things get too far off in order to keep to your timeline. Remember to schedule breaks into your timeline, as well. Running your meeting too long will cause people to lose focus. Consider having breaks every 45 minutes or so, even if it’s just for a 5 minute stretch. Obviously, schedule longer breaks for lunch, giving them enough time to eat and leave the room for a change of scenery and fresh air.

Corporate Event Planning: Company Meeting Ideas◾ Use visuals aides to enhance key company meeting ideas and topics.

Incorporating things like charts, videos, and slides will help to get your points across more easily. Discussions are great, but visual aides help to burn the information into attendees minds. These aides also help those who are more visual learners to absorb the information and keep up in the meeting. Incorporating new technology whenever possible is a great way to keep employees interested. One fun example would be using an app for your meeting. People could access your agenda and timeline through the app and be instantly notified of any changes.

 ◾ Consider hiring corporate entertainment for your meeting or event.

When planning longer running meetings and corporate events, bringing in corporate entertainment can be a great way to bring energy levels up. Opening sessions, closing sessions, and appreciation/awards dinners are all great times to include this element. This is one of those company meeting ideas that is often overlooked, but can have a huge impact on the atmosphere and openness of attendees.

________________

Throwing corporate events and/or company meetings can be expensive and time consuming, all the more reason you want to run them as efficiently as possible. Hopefully these tips will help you to get in there, discuss important issues, and get out without wasting any of your or your employees time and money.

Categories
General Keynote Speaker Tips

Benefits of hiring a motivational speaker

Tim Decker, Speed Painter & Motivational Speaker

Tim Decker, Speed Painter & Motivational SpeakerTrying to decide whether or not to hire a motivational speaker for your next conference or corporate event? Well, if your employees are uninspired, unproductive, or just plain unhappy, then it may be time to bring in a professional.  A professional motivational speaker has the power to inspire your crowd and get them excited about their jobs again. When people think of motivational speakers, some conjure up images of new age gurus. However, that just isn’t the case anymore. The right speaker will share real-life experiences that will get your group pumped! It’s the perfect way to get attendees excited to take on whatever challenges you throw at them. 

Here are just some of the things hiring a great motivational speaker can do for your company:

 

Increase individual and group productivity.

For a company and brand to make advancements, employees need to be motivated and happy. Keeping them stimulated and filled with a sense of accomplishment is key to increasing productivity.

Ignite passion.

When people are listening to a motivational speaker who is truly passionate about something, they can’t help but feel that passion, as well.

Offer encouragement to boost confidence.

Everybody needs someone to believe in them. We also know that a little encouragement can go a long way. Sometimes all someone needs to be truly great is another person to remind them that they are capable.

Spread new ideas.

When employees go about their work the same way every day, they get stuck in a routine. Bringing a motivational speaker to your conference will get workers to look at their job with a new perspective. Seeing something with fresh eyes can inspire new ideas.

Show attainable progress.

A great motivational speaker will be able to show others that through perseverance and positivity, change is possible.

Help mix things up when things have gone stale.

People often get stuck in slumps, repeating the same habits day in and day out. A motivational speaker can encourage people to break the cycle of sameness and try out new approaches.

Provide a fun time.

Find a motivational speaker who uses humor well to put people at ease. Aside from the ultimate goal of motivation, this portion of the day can also prove to be a good time if you choose wisely.

Convince people that hard work equals success.

Many times people are convinced they are working hard when in reality they are doing the bare minimum. A motivational speaker will be able to use real-life examples from their careers to prove that goals can be achieved if you are willing to put the time and effort in.

Remind them their job is what they make of it.

Over time, people tend to lose their excitement for their work. It’s important to take time to show them that being positive can drastically change how they go about their daily tasks, as well as the outcome of those tasks.

Reinforce objectives.

Talk with the motivational speaker about goals you have for employees attending the conference. Many times he or she will be able to inspire the crowd in a way that correlates with your objectives.

Show that challenges can be overcome.

When people face challenges, it’s very common for them to give up due to of lack of confidence or problem-solving skills. Using personal stories of adversity, a motivational speaker will show that most problems can be worked through using perseverance.

Encourage the use of creativity, no matter the field.

Advancement happens when people think outside of the box. Choosing a motivational speaker who is unique will inspire people to get their creative juices flowing.

Energize the crowd.

Excitement is contagious. Pump up your employees by choosing a motivational speaker who is fun, high energy, and impactful.

Get an immediate response from your workers.

Use the time following the presentation wisely. After a great speech, people will be excited and ready to make changes right away. It’s a great opportunity to keep the wheels moving and make progress.

Bring in an outside view.

There is a reason juries are made up of people unfamiliar with a case. The same can be said of couples seeing a marriage counselor. It’s so someone unrelated to the problem can offer an unbiased viewpoint. Workers may be more likely to take in and act upon an unbiased suggestion.

Share knowledge based on experience.

Motivational speakers have had struggles, as well as successes. They’ve had real-life experiences in both the business and personal realm, which they are now able to share with those willing to learn.

Tim Decker, Speed Painter & Motivational Speaker - Frank Sinatra Speed PaintingHit two birds with one stone.

Get more from your investment by booking Tim Decker Speed Painter, who will combine fast-paced entertainment with an inspirational message that will motivate and wow those in attendance!

_____________________________________

Choosing a great motivational speaker will give your group the spark they need to take on their work with newfound excitement. Therefore, do your research, find a good fit, and your employees will definitely reap the benefits. Once you find the right speaker, be sure to have a plan of action in place to keep the excitement alive and you can’t lose! Best of luck inspiring your crowd!

Categories
Corporate Entertainment General

Questions To Ask When Choosing a Venue

paper-question-present-70452-l

If you’re plan on booking a venue, there are some certain questions you’ll need to ask beforehand. Taking the time to ask these questions will ensure that your party or event goes smoothly and as planned.

How Much Does It Cost?

This is an obvious question, but it’s important that you fully understand how much the venue costs for your event. While there may be a flat “per person” fee, most venues are willing to negotiate discounts for large groups of people. After you’ve negotiated a deal, be sure to sign a contract so they’ll be legally obliged to honor that price.

How Many people Does It Hold?

Find out how many people the venue is capable of holding before you sign any agreements. You don’t want guests to be turned away simple because it’s too small.

What Type of Entertainment Will There Be?

You can’t expect to throw a successful event if there’s no entertainment. Whether it’s a DJ or live band, there needs to be some form of entertainment to keep everyone interested. If there’s no entertainment provided at the venue, you should consider hiring your own.

What Type of Parking Does It Offer?

Your event can turn into a real nightmare if there’s not enough parking available for all of your guests. Ask the venue owner/manager ahead of time what type of parking they have and how it costs. Be sure to convey this message to all of the expected guests as well.

What Type of Food Will Be Available?

Even if your event is only scheduled to last for 2 hours, you should still try and set some food up for your guests. There’s nothing worse than expecting food at a party only to find out that you’re going to have to wait until after it’s over to pick up some fast food.

Where Are The Restrooms?

You might feel a little silly asking where the restrooms are before the event takes place, but this is crucial information that your guests will thank you for later. You may even want to plan your event out so you’re in close proximity to one or more of the restrooms at the venue.

What Are The Hours?

It’s easy to let the hours slowly slide by when you’re having fun at an event. However, you have to keep in mind that most venues have certain hours which they operate within. Find out what these hours are beforehand so you can let your guests know when they need to leave.

These are just a few of the questions you should ask the venue before booking your event. Take the time to sit down with one of their employees and discuss these issues. It will save you time, money and possibly a headache in the long run.

Categories
General

5 Ways To Improve Employee Productivity

newspaper-01

Improving employee productivity should be a primary focus for all business owners. When productivity drops, the entire business suffers as a result. Your store may notice lower profits, more customer complaints, higher ‘shrink,’ and more technical errors.

Set Goals

One technique that’s incredibly helpful for boosting employee productivity is to set goals. When the company’s goals are clearly defined, employees will have better guidance towards running a successful business Make sure the goals are displayed in an area where employees can easily see them, such as the break room, cash register, office, etc.

Ideally, you should come up with both short and long-term goals for your business. A short-term goal could be something like hitting X amount of sales within a fiscal period or month, while a long-term goal could be to bring in twice as many customers. The goals need to reflect your vision with the business, which in turn serves as a road map for the store’s success.

Recognition Events

Hosting an event to recognize employees for their hard work and dedication will encourage higher productivity levels. During the event, employers can hand out awards to employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. By acknowledging and recognizing employees for their hard work, they’ll be more inclined to strive for excellence in the future.

Focus on Positivity, Not Negativity

If you truly want to improve productivity, focus on positivity and not negativity. Far too many business owners maintain a stern approach towards communicating with employees. Rather than threatening and punishing employees, remain positive in your approach. For instance, you could develop a reward system for employees who meet a certain criteria. If an employee is able to generate 50 sales or leads, give them a gift card, plaque or some other reward. This is an excellent way to keep employees dedicated and driven to excel in their profession.

Remove Distractions

Distractions can eat through a store’s productivity. There’s a fine line between creating a ‘comfortable’ work environment and allowing too many distractions. Allowing the radio to play in the back storage room is usually acceptable, but you probably don’t want employees browsing their Facebook page during work hours. Go through your workplace and identify possible distractions to determine whether or not they should be removed.

Allow For Professional Growth

Employees are more likely to work harder and strive for excellence when they are given the ability to move in the company. Let your employees know that professional growth is available in your company, and maintaining good work ethics and productivity will lead them a more lucrative position.

Categories
Corporate Event Ideas General

Tips To Make Your Opening General Session a Success

cabinet_79935_h
Also known as Plenary Sessions, Opening General Sessions typically involve larger and more comprehensive corporate conventions, meetings and gatherings. They may last anywhere from a couple hours to several days, revolving around an itinerary of keynote speakers, presentations, entertainment, and various other activities. Because they are so large, however, many people struggle to successfully plan Opening General Sessions. With the right approach, however, you can plan a memorable Opening General Session that covers all your desired topics and activities.
Define Your Goal/Objective
The first step in planning an Opening General Session – or any major corporate event – is to define your goals and/or objectives. Ask yourself, “What do I hope to accomplish by hosting this event?” Some companies host them to motivate their employees, while others do it to introduce new products, services or training techniques. Once you’ve identified the goals/objectives for your Opening General Session, you can start putting the pieces together to achieve them.
Choosing a Venue For Your Opening General Session Venue
Since each and every event is different, there’s no magic formula for choosing an Opening General Session venue. With that said, there are a few things to keep in mind when scouting prospective venues, such as the following:

  • Location in relation to the attendees.
  • Size (you obviously want a venue that’s large enough to accommodate all of the attendees).
  • Does it offer free audio equipment?
  • Local catering services.
  • Price.
  • Availability.
  • Transportation services.

Welcome Speech
The welcome speech sets the tone for an Opening General Session. It allows you to break to ice while introducing or reintroducing yourself to the attendees. This can either hurt or help your Opening General Session depending on how it’s executed. A bad welcome speech can create a tense, unwelcoming environment that discourages employees from attending future events.

Keep your welcome speech short and to the point, using caution not to wonder off topic. Remember, it’s called a “welcome speech” for a reason: it serves as a basic introduction to the Opening General Session.
Make It Entertaining
One of the most common mistakes companies make when hosting Opening General Sessions is failing to keep it fun and entertaining. It’s easy for keynote speakers to lose the attendees’ attention when they aren’t engaged.

So, how can you make your event fun and enjoyable? Break up the normal routine with entertainment acts, and be sure to offer food & beverages. These simple things, along with the right venue, will lay the groundwork for a successful and enjoyable Opening General Session.

Categories
Charity Venue Ideas General

5 Ways To Save Money When Planning a Corporate Event

Photoxpress_1751001

Planning a corporate event isn’t cheap by any means. In addition to the lost productivity, companies may also front the bill for hotel rooms, transportation, food & beverages, and more. These costs can quickly add up to place a financial strain on the company’s budget, resulting in lower profits across the board. But thankfully there are some simple ways to reduce the cost of your corporate events.

#1) Corporate or Business Rate Hotels

Even if they don’t publicly advertise it, many hotels offer steep discounts for corporate events. Depending on how many rooms you book, this can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on your total lodging expenses.

Instead of booking the rooms online, call the hotel and ask them whether or not they offer discounts for corporate events and gatherings. In addition to the lower room rates, conference rooms, valet parking and/or other amenities may be included in your corporate package.

#2) Book Flights In Advance

According to a study conducted by CheapAir.com, the best time to book a flight is 54 days in advance, whereas the worst time is the day of the flight. The air travel website found that the average price distance between the best and worst time was $312! – and that doesn’t factor in the cost of transportation.

#3) Avoid The Holidays

You can expect to pay more for hotels, flights and car rentals if you book them on or around a major holiday. Thanksgiving holds the title as being the country’s worst travel day, with some 37.2 million Americans traveling 50 or more miles. Other busy holidays include Memorial Day, Spring Break, Christmas Eve, July Fourth, New Years Eve, Labor Day, Easter and Mardi Gras. The bottom line is that you should schedule your corporate event around these and other major holidays to keep your costs low.

#4) Look For Sponsors

A fourth way to save money when planning a corporate event is to look for sponsors. Certain companies will pay to have their brand logo, name and other material displayed at corporate events. It’s a win-win scenario, as the advertised company benefits from increased brand exposure, and you benefit from the additional revenue. This revenue, of course, will offset the cost of planning your corporate event.

#5) Cut Back on Catering

Catering services can quickly burn through your available budget, so try cutting back on them when planning your next corporate event. This doesn’t mean attendees should be left to fend for themselves, but perhaps you can set up some snack trays instead of offering full meals.

Categories
General

Speed Painter Performs at Grand Opening of New Mecedes Benz Dealership

Stage Setup
Stage setup for my performance.

For this most recent event, I was the Grand Opening Entertainer for a New Mercedes Benz Dealership in Wichita, KS. It was a very high end affair and the hundreds of guests were definitely dressed to impress!

This event was a unique experience for me since it was the first time I had the opportunity to speed paint a car! It ended up being a lot of fun and the crowd loved seeing one of their favorite cars painted, the Mercedes SLS. The emcee that night got so caught up in the fun of the performance that he ended up auctioning off the car painting even though Mercedes intended to keep the painting to hang in their dealership! The winner of painting was able to donate the money to the charity of their choice. I ended up sending the dealership another Mercedes SLS painting after the event to put in their lobby. In the end, everybody wins.Mercedes SLS

In addition to the SLS painting, I also painted Mick Jagger and Albert Einstein. The night also included a fashion show, which was capped off by an appearance by Wichita State basketball coach, Gregg Marshall. The crowd went wild since the team was fresh off a Final Four appearance.

Overall a great night being the Grand Opening Entertainment for Mercedes!

Categories
General

Speed Painter on the Marie Osmond Show UPDATED!

Marie OsmondI just finished shooting a segment for the Marie Osmond show and I had a blast! It is always fun to be on set to show a television segment. Marie and I had a paint off in front of the live audience and we each had 3:30 minutes to paint Albert Einstein. There was a brief interview prior to the painting and a short closing once we finished. I was able to chat a bit with Marie prior to shooting the segment and she was very friendly!

Steve Schirripa was also a guest that day, best know for his role in The Sopranos. He was there to promote his newest movie, Nicky Deuce. The musical guest was BJ Thomas who sang his #1 song, Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head.

Great segment! It will air nationwide on the Hallmark Channel but the air date has yet to be determined.

*Update*

The segment aired on June 25 on the Hallmark Channel. The segment came out great and you can view it below.

Categories
General

Speed Painter Reveals New Jacksonville Jaguars Logo

TPC Clubhouse
TPC Clubhouse where the event took place.

Are you ready for some football? The Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL contacted me because they were looking for a unique way to reveal their new logo and helmet at their annual sponsor’s dinner and golf outing. The event took place at a really nice PGA golf course at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra, FL.

It actually started to rain before the golf portion was done, so the golfers ended up taking shelter in the clubhouse early. I went on about an hour before the scheduled time and I performed a speed painting of the new helmet which I painted upside down. The crowd went crazy when I spun it around for the big reveal, so everyone was pretty pumped when they ended up raffling the painting soon after. As a speed painter, it is my job to come up with a great way to create the big reveal. This being done upside down definitely did the trick.

Jaguars Helmet Speed Painting
My helmet painting with their new logo.

The team also ordered canvas prints of the painting before the event to give to the winners of the golf tournament. The winners seemed excited to receive such a unique prize. Ordering prints and posters is an add on I like to offer organizations who are looking for one of a kind employee incentives or donor gifts, in addition to receiving fun corporate entertainment.

Several member of the Jaguars attended the golf outing and a few of the team’s cheerleaders made an appearance at the sponsor’s dinner as well. Turned out to be a great event, despite the rain.

Speed Painting for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Copy Protected by Chetan's WP-Copyprotect.