Courtesy of Konect Aviation & Ingo Nehls

After a couple months of paperwork we finally got our new helicopter on our ramp. It has been imported back into the US. It was stationed in Canada for the last few years, but now it is flying in McMinnville, OR. It is available for our customers for scenic tours and flight training or time building.

It is the same type of helicopter we used before with some differences that will make our customers experiences even greater.

The helicopter is very low time, almost new. It has a smaller instrument console than our last one for an even better view for the pilot and passengers. Another nice new feature are the so called bubble-windows. These windows are shaped like a bubble outwards, so that the passenger has more room and can see better and more of the beautiful Portland, northern Oregon and Willamette Valley area.

We still use top notch active noise cancelation headsets with bluetooth capabilities for a pleasant quiet flying experience and comfort.

If you are interested, stop by and have a look at our new aircraft.

Konect Aviation
4000 SE Cirrus Avenue
McMinnville, OR 97128
503-376-0190
mail@konect-aviation.com

WOW! Bravo! Live exceeded our expectations and that of both vendors and attendees. Not only did we see excellent attendance but we had multiple people tell us during and after the show how much fun they had and how great everything was. For some Bravo! Publication employees and attendees it was their very first show and for others, it was a welcome gathering of old colleagues and friends. It was unanimously decided that it was Bravo’s best show ever and for very good reason. With the endless help of the Oregon Convention Center we were able to produce a seamless show that drew an amazing amount of attendees. Plus with our amazing group of vendors we were simply blown away by people’s creativity, hospitality and unique products.

The theme this year was Destination Northwest and immediately as you walked into the exhibit hall you were transported to a lush, inviting entryway that directly reflected how inspiring our landscape is. Just by walking around and seeing the different array of booths you could sense that it took a tremendous amount of work, most of the vendors working late into the night before getting everything to look just right. The collection of vendors that participated put on a fantastic show and many said that Bravo! Live is their favorite event of the year.

Many vendors also commented that they saw a tremendous amount of foot traffic and emphasized that it was the right type of foot traffic, making valuable connections with event planners from all types of industries. We were thrilled to hear this feedback because that is Bravo’s number one goal for putting on this type of event.

Hybrid Moon put together a great video for us which they recorded, edited and uploaded directly from the event, right from their iPhone! Check it out below:

Bravo! Event Live 2011 Tour • Shot, Editied and Uploaded using an iPhone 4

Again, this event was spectacular and the only way it was possible was with the joint efforts of so many hardworking and creative people. For us, it’s our biggest event of the year but also a chance for people to come together and do business in a way that is fun, interactive and unique. The success of this event inspires us to make the Bravo! Wedding Affair even more of a triumph. As the year winds down the work picks up and we thrive off the positive feedback we get from vendors and attendees after our shows.

People came hungry and the caterers did not disappoint- we’d list all the amazing food but the photos from Andie Petkus Studios simply speak for themselves! Take a look at the pictures below and make sure to check out the entire gallery from the show here.

Again, thank you to everyone involved and who came and here’s to next year’s show!

Peter Corvallis Production’s amazing booth. We loved the colors and mounted deer head!

That’s right folks, we needed TWO blog entries on transportation for our upcoming Bravo! Live event showcase on October 19 at the Oregon Convention Center. You’ve already heard us gush about Eco Shuttle, Aspen Limo Tours and Double Decker PDX but we simply have to rave about our other four transportation experts: Game Truck, Games 2 U, Twilite Limousine and Tour and Konect Aviation.

Game Truck and Games 2 U offer a fun and unique party experience- they literally bring the games to you. More importantly, it’s not just about playing games. Game Truck likes to look at video game parties as a way of team building and also stressing that they’re not just for the couch potato- they encourage kids and adults to get active. But its not just for kids- Game Truck can be utilized for your next corporate, bachelorette or birthday party!

Inside one of Game Truck's cars. Check out all those flat screens!

Games 2 U also offers great, exciting team building activities for both kids and adults. Need we mention that they have laser tag, 4-D video, foam machine AND a giant hamster ball? The real question is- who wouldn’t feel like a kid again?

Seriously, doesn't this look like fun?

If giant hamster balls and foam parties aren’t your thing, fret not! We have two other great transportation vendors that will be at the Bravo! Live event. Twilite Limousine and Tours offers all sorts of vehicles to get you where you want and need to go. They have a fleet of trolleys, limos, Hummers and even Prius’! How’s that for luxury and being environmentally friendly!

One of Twilite's awesome vintage trolleys!

Finally, let’s not forget Konect Aviation. They were at the Willamette Valley Event Showcase at the beginning of October, flying in their helicopter as the sun was barely rising. They offer tours, lessons and commercial work and taking a ride in one of their ‘copters is a truly COOL experience. C’mon- we KNOW you’ve always wondered what it would be like to take a ride in a helicopter! Started in 2009 by Michael Kopera and Ingo Nehls, they transformed their love for flying into a quickly growing business and we’re lucky enough to have them again for the Bravo! Live event.

Susan from McMenamins, Ingo from Konect and our very own Mary Lou from Bravo!

Make sure to visit all of our fabulous transportation experts at Bravo! Live from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center-Hall D. Admission is complimentary for all qualified event planners. For more information on the event please see below:

http://www.bravoevent.com/bravolive/

When planning an event the issue of transportation can be a tricky one- what kind do we need? How many people are we taking? Will it be comfortable? If you underestimate or under compensate you could be in hot water. Sometimes just getting to and from the event is the most important part!

Luckily, these three fabulous transportation companies take the guess work out and make it simple, affordable and fun. Aspen Limo, Double Decker PDX and Eco Shuttle all offer great ways for your guests to travel in style and comfort. What’s more fun than riding in a limo? Or a double decker bus painted cherry red? Let’s not forget the sustainable Eco Shuttle!

All three of these companies will be at the Bravo! Live event showcase displaying their services and offering great deals for attendees. What’s great about Double Decker PDX is that they can go anywhere- no seriously. Whether its a wine tour or touring downtown Portland’s nightlife, they can do it. each bus can fit up to 30 people, which makes for planning a corporate event a breeze. Plus, with their affordable rates you don’t have to stress about people finding a safe way to get to your event.

Aspen Limo is great if you want variety. Maybe you want a limo for a bachelorette party or a Black Denali for a more private event. They have five types of cars to choose from, easily fitting around your party size and criteria. Did we mention they offer more than 15 different types of tours? Yup, from wine tours, Columbia Gorge tours, Oregon Coast tours and more, they’ll take you there!

Eco Shuttle is great for the environmentally conscious party planner. They use waste vegetable oil which is free from most restaurants and causes significantly less damage on the environment and is 100 percent safe on motor vehicles. They offer everything from Green Beer Pub Crawls, wine tours, sporting event transportation and of course, corporate events.

Make sure to check them out if you come to Bravo! Live! For more information on Bravo! Live and how to register, please visit http://www.bravoevent.com/bravolive/

Only a few more days until the Willamette Valley Event Showcase at the Salem Conference Center! This will be a culmination of hard work from a fantastic group of people and vendors and we simply can’t wait to see it all come together. This is such a fantastic opportunity for event planners and vendors of the Willamette Valley to meet face to face and do business with each other. For event planners, this show is free, allowing them to preview the services of vendors from all different categories. Caterers? Check. Transportation? Yup. Live entertainment? Oh yeah. Every little detail that goes into throwing an amazing event will be there at your disposal.

Bravo! Publications and the Willamette Valley Showcase was recently featured in the Salem Business Journal and we’re glowing with pride. One of our main efforts is to help stimulate the economy of the Willamette Valley and inspire event planners to throw fantastic events for companies which could in turn, motivate employees. We also want to highlight the amazing companies that are so integral in event planning.

If you’re interested in this event and would like to register for free, you still can up until noon today (October 4th) or on-site at the Salem Conference Center on Thursday October 6th starting at 11 a.m. When you register you will also be able to snag one of our new 2012 Bravo! Event Resource Guide for free.

Come hungry and ready to meet great vendors and other event planners in the area! Below is more information on the event, where to register and some of the vendors that will be there.

Register here

Complete information here

Vendors:

Adam’s Rib

Bentley’s Grill

Flight Deck Restaurant

Roth’s Catering

Wild Pear Catering & Restaurant

Wooden Nickel Catering

Courtell Talent Agency

Destination Events

Will Rogers Live

A to Z Party Rental

Danner & Soli

Eric John Photography

Olson Florists

Special Occasions Parties & Events

West Coast Drape & Blush Furniture

Grand Cru Wine Tours

Konect Aviation (on display outside)

The Trolley (on display outside)

Beckenridge Vineyards

Columbia Cliff Villas

Corvallis Country Club

Evergreen Aviation Museum

Flight Deck Restaurant

Grand Hotel Salem

Independence Civic Center

Kahneeta Resort & Casino

Keizer Renaissance Inn

McMenamins Pubs & Breweries

Mission Mill Museum (Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill)

Salem Conference Center

Are you a vendor in the Willamette Valley? Do you want to showcase your business in front of qualified meeting & event planners? This is the show for you! For advertising information contact denise@bravoportland.com or check out Bravoevent.com.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011 at The Salem Conference Center from 11am-5pm. This event is complimentary for qualified planners.

Travel Portland Annual Partner Showcase
Tuesday, May 10, 2011: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Oregon Convention Center – Portland Ballroom
777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland

The Showcase will coincide with Travel Portland’s 32nd Annual Tourism & Hospitality Industry Awards Celebration and falls during National Tourism Week.

There is no cost to attend, but attendees should pre-register by Wednesday, May 5, to reserve a pre-printed name badge.

Come to Travel Portland’s 26th Annual Partner Showcase (formerly known as the Visitor Industry Trade Show), where you’ll make connections and discover everything you need to know to plan your next event. This show is a must for meeting planners and local and regional industry professionals who want to see the newest in transportation, entertainment, facilities and services.

New this year: Participate in one of two hour-long educational sessions, which will run concurrently from 1-2 p.m. in the Portland Ballroom.

• Working with the OLCC — Are you making alcohol available and either requiring payment or purchase, or accepting monetary donations at your events? Discuss OLCC rules and regulations regarding events and alcohol.
• Using social media to connect with your target market — Learn how to manage your reputation, increase brand awareness and facilitate conversations with your customers.

For more information check out travelportland.com.

ecoShuttle, a sustainable charter bus company based in Portland, OR, is excited to announce that it is planning a fundraising party at their new location.  The soiree, is an effort to promote ecoShuttle’s participation in Portland’s Growing Gardens’ program, Dawn of the Bed; the company is holding the family-friendly party at their lot, located at 2420 NE Columbia Boulevard, in northeast Portland.  Party-goers can expect to find live music, delicious food, beer, wine, a silent auction, crafts and more.

The goal is for everyone to have a great time, but also to raise money for local 501c3 Growing Gardens.  Growing Gardens “Dawn of the Bed” event raises funds for low income families in our area and the ecoShuttle team will be building a raised bed for one family on May 7th.  The money raised will provide the family with tools, supplies and workshops so they can have a productive garden for the next three years.  As participants, the ecoShuttle staff’s task is to get the gardens up and going.  The aim of the party is to raise donations to reach the $600 dollar goal that helps pay for the gardening supplies and support for low income families.

According to Fiona Mitchell, the event coordinator and ecoShuttle’s Director of Marketing and Sales, “ecoShuttle has always been dedicated to environmental sustainability, but we also have a strong commitment to the sustainability of families, and our neighbors in the community.”

The party starts Sunday, May 1st at 12:00pm and goes until 5:00pm, and ecoShuttle is hoping for a large turnout to assist them with this relevant cause.

For more information contact Fiona Mitchell:  503.200.4728 – fmitchell@ecoshuttle.net – www.ecoshuttle.net