Budget Cuts That Won’t Cheapen Your Event By Portland PartyWorks

Smart Planning Is Key To Negotiating Upfront Discounts & Extras
Following are 16 tips to help you eliminate waste and hidden costs in your catering budget

THE GOOD NEWS: The boss grudgingly gave the okay for a Company Event

THE BAD NEWS: The budget is going to require EXTREME CREATIVE THINKING

Don’t panic, you have plenty of time to put together an event with guaranteed smiles from bosses and employees alike. Everyone is stretching dollars these days and creative financing is more the standard than the embarrassing. The most important tool in your arsenal is PRE-PLANNING. After all, asking for reduced corkage fees will be a lot more attainable before the bottles are corked. Following are 16 tips to help ease your budget crunch and free up some dollars for the entertainment. Some of the tips might sound nagging (see 3), but in today’s environmentally conscious society, waste is not only burning cash it’s wasteful.

1. 1. Try to limit your coffee breaks. Coffee breaks are the most wasteful type of Food & Beverage Selections. If you have ordered a coffee break, give instructions that at the end of the break, dirty cups, and dishes are to be removed and that coffee, tea, and decaf are to be consolidated and left in place until lunch or until breakouts begin again. that way a few thirsty people can still have their thirst quenched, and you will have used your money’s worth. Always pay “by consumption’ instead of ‘per person.” treat continental breakfasts the same. Consolidate everything for later use.
2. 2. Have large breakfast rolls (Danishes) cut in half when serving continental breakfast. They are easier to eat and discourage heavy consumption.
3. 3. Have food stations attended by a waiter to discourage over-indulgence. People tend to eat less if they see an attendant.
4. 4. Know the history of all of your events. Track them carefully so you can give accurate guarantees.
5. 5. Use drink tickets at all bars. The bars hosted and you pay only on the number of tickets taken in.
6. 6. Limit drink tickets to two. And have attendees pay cash after using the two tickets. 
7. 7. Buy liquor by the bottle. If you expect 300 or more guests to be in attendance at your party, and if the duration of the event is two hours or more. Estimate three drinks for each guest, per two-hour period. If your estimate reaches 900 drinks or more, you should purchase liquor by the bottle.
8. 8. Insist on a measured pour for each drink. The number of drinks each bottle can yield is determined strictly by the size of the shot that is poured from each bottle.
9. 9. Do not order shrimp unless it is in a “passed” hors d’oeuvre. When it is gone, don’t reorder.
10. 10. Avoid salty snacks. They simply make your attendees thirsty and make them drink more.
11. 11. Utilize leftovers. If you order a cheese display and it is relatively undamaged after the cocktail hour, have the cheeses sent to the presidential suite.
12. 12. Explore food options. In some cities, you can actually have a sit-down dinner for less money than a reception. (as long as you have a cash bar)
13. 13. Think about hosting only wine, beer, and soda. Provide other alcoholic drinks at a cash bar-especially today when everyone is trying to discourage chemical and alcohol dependency.
14. 14. Shop Around. If you have a particularly expensive event, place it on a bid basis with three hotels who could handle the numbers.
15. 15. Don’t over serve.
16. 16. Price compare using an Event Planner to help you. Often times they have already negotiated discounts for you.

Portland PartyWorks, Inc. has been the West Coast leader in providing quality entertainment and interactive fun for the special event industry since 1988! We pride ourselves in carrying one of the largest selections of interactive inflatable’s and games in the Northwest!

When you are looking for first-rate entertainment for your next event, PartyWorks offers you a sound option for all your entertainment needs. Our professional team of event planners and managers will ensure that you are getting a great experience every time you book an event with Portland PartyWorks.

Portland PartyWorks | 503-723-8300 | kristina@portlandpartyworks.com

Team Casino now has Open Air Photo Booths for your next corporate, private event, or wedding!  They are a fun addition to any party, and provide a great, affordable giveaway for your guests!   To go with your Photo Booth, we provide many other kinds of entertainment, including:

• Casino Nights & Poker Tournaments
• Sports Lounge & Arcade Games
• Video Horseracing
• DJ’s & Auto-tune Karaoke

Easy and Fun to Work With
Working with Team Casino is a cinch. You work with the same experienced planner from start to finish. Our on-site event staff are extraordinary, and they’re hand-picked for your party! Their job is to make sure you and your guests have a blast, no matter what!

We Party Wherever You Are
Team Casino Parties are Perfect for any occasion – corporate, private, fundraising, you name it! We cover the entire Northwest – whether you’re holding an event in Portland, Medford, Seattle or Boise, you’ll get the same great quality for each event!

Casino Night - Photo by Holland Studios

Host your Grad Night Party at Big Al’s Progress Ridge!

• 6 hour Grad Party 11pm – 5am entire facility rental
• Sunday-Thursday
• Minimum 200 guests
• Includes: Pizza, unlimited sodas, cosmic bowling with show rental,Wii Lounge, billiards, & full-swing golf simulator
• $40 per person
• Add-on unlimited arcade for additional $10 per person
• Decorations included: 4 balloon bouquets in your school colors

Additional Add-ons & upgrades available for additional cost include:

• Menu upgrades
• Cookies & cupcakes
• Hynotiist, henna tatoos, bungee, mechanical bull, prize wheel, lazer tag, magician, tarot card reader, cash cube, sumo wrestling, photo chains and much more.

3 Hour Grad Nights and Closed Door Jr Grad Parties also available. Please contact Jennifer Berry for free lunch & tour and more information at 971.269.8035 or jennifer.berry@ilovebigals.com

Big Al's Progress Ridge Entry

About Big Al’s

Big Al’s, “The Next Generation of Entertainment” is 60,000 square feet of awe-inspiring FUN! Our full-service venue offers premier accommodations, extraordinary atmosphere, and superior customer service. We have 42 state of the art bowling lanes, a 4,000 sq ft arcade, and the largest Sports Bar in the Pacific Northwest equipped with pool, shuffleboard, and an 8ft x 36ft big screen! If you’re looking for an event to remember, mix business with pleasure and come see why so many companies keep coming back to Big Al’s!

Whether guests want to relax with spa treatments or play hard on the slopes, The Resort at The Mountain, a premier ski, spa and golf destination located along the western slope of Mt. Hood, announces its lineup of spring girlfriend getaway packages.

“The Resort is a great option for those who want to get out of town without traveling too far,” said Frank Casarez, general manager of The Resort. “In addition to our spa and ski packages, we also have an all-inclusive package for those who can’t decide or want to do everything.”

The Resort’s girlfriend getaway packages include:

• Chicks on Skis – With this package, guests have the perfect opportunity to shred the slopes and enjoy a day on the mountain. Guests receive two lift tickets to Skibowl, resort shuttle to the slopes, choice of a 50-minute treatment from The Spa, overnight accommodations and breakfast at Altitude, including mimosas. This package is available now through April 26, 2012. Rates start from $139 per person.
• Spa Date (Ladies Only) – What better way to relax than at The Spa. This package includes two facial treatments from The Spa, a $25 dining credit for food and drinks at Altitude, overnight accommodations and discounted $79 massage treatments at The Spa. This package is available now through April 30, 2012. Rates start from $199.
• The All-Inclusive Resort Package – Perfect for those who want to experience it all, The Resort’s all-inclusive package offers everything for a fun getaway. Guests can enjoy comfortable overnight accommodations, two dinner entrees at Altitude and breakfast for two, as well as two 18-hole rounds of golf with cart, two 50-minute wellness-focused treatments at The Spa, or one of each. This package is available now through April 30, 2012. Rates start from $219.

Ideal for a day trip, weekend escape or extended vacation, The Resort offers many onsite activities for all travelers, including golf at its historic 27-hole club, The Courses, wellness-focused treatments at The Spa, and outdoor recreation including hiking, bike rentals, lawn games, year-round heated and seasonally covered outdoor swimming and more.

Beyond the many activities and recreation options at The Resort, the area surrounding the premier ski, spa and golf destination offers plenty to see and do. For more information about The Resort at The Mountain, including package details, upcoming events or reservations, visit http://www.TheResort.com.

Event Caricatures by Barbara Pikus

Create a lively, crowd-pleasing atmosphere by hiring Barbara Pikus to draw quick portrait caricatures of your guests. People love to banter as they watch the best in themselves and others spring to life in a few short minutes. Watching each drawing develop, line by line, helps “loosen up” the crowd for a relaxed, festive mood.

Hiring Barbara Pikus removes the worry from your Event planning. She can draw anyone, from babies to seniors, from bold to shy. Always on time and professional, Barbara delivers welcome entertainment in an affordable format for Trade shows, Conventions, Grand Openings, Corporate Parties & Picnics, Holiday Events, Landmark Dates such as Birthday, Graduation, Anniversary, Retirement, Engagement, Wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Bon Voyage and more…

For your next corporate or private event, let Barbara add that extra, unforgettable element to your celebration.

Caricatures by Barbara Pikus | 503.238.4301 | sketch@involved.com

Praise for Barbara’s Caricatures
“We have worked with Barbara Pikus for at least 10 years and have always been extremely pleased with her talent and work ethic. Clients love her because she brings out the best of people in her drawings. We love Barbara as she is not only gifted and dependable, but her attention to detail and people skills are always appreciated. She can be relied upon to consistently deliver a high quality performance. We recommend Barbara whenever the opportunity presents itself!” – Mike Winkle, Celebration Music & Events

Enjoy a special deal this Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday at Sunset Lanes!

Two games, shoes and a $5 arcade card for only $10!

Kids 14 years and under, visit Sunset Lanes on Martin Luther King, Jr. day from 9am to 6pm for a deal that can’t be beat!  Receive two games, your shoe rental and a $5 arcade card for only $10 per person.  All you have to do is click the link below for the coupon, print, and present to redeem.  Each coupon is good for up to four bowlers.

Click here to print this amazing deal!

Visit sunsetlanes.com for more details!

Sunset Lanes – 12770 SW Walker Road – Beaverton, OR 97005 - 503-646-1116

Big Al’s officially announces it will be hosting Black Friday Beer Fest at both their Vancouver AND Beaverton locations November 25th (12pm ­ 7pm) & November 26th (11am ­ 8pm) in 2011.

Big Al’s has brought in festival tents with walls and heaters, along with a stage for Live Music Friday evening to add to the festival atmosphere. Saturday, however, it’s about beer and ball.  The big screen TV’s will roll out for Rivalry Saturday and a Civil War/Apple Cup experience not to be forgotten. Guests interesting in attending Big Al’s Black Friday Beer Fest can visit ILoveBigAls.com or Big Al’s Facebook pages for more information.

Big Al's Black Friday Beer Fest

Parties That Cook® Releases Its Second “Recipe Deck” Collection of Gourmet Appetizers

Parties That Cook®, the mobile culinary events company specializing in team building and cooking parties, is pleased to announce the release of its second recipe deck cookbook: “More Sumptuous Small Plates”, featuring a stylish full-color recipe “card deck” of 30 easy-to-prepare international hors ‘d oeuvres and appetizers, as well as helpful hints for planning the perfect party. The collection retails for $19.95 and is available for presale on Parties That Cook’s online store or Amazon beginning Dec. 1st.

Parties That Cook Recipe Deck Cookbook

The recipe cards, made of high-quality coated cardstock, feature vibrant full-color images of each dish and are conveniently sized to take to the grocery store for ingredient shopping.  The recipes, inspired by Bibby Gignilliat, founder and CEO of Parties That Cook, are a compilation of client favorites offered at various Parties That Cook events.

“Our new recipe deck is the perfect stocking stuffer, hostess gift or party favor,” said Gignilliat. “We’ve taken the guess work out of party and menu planning and make it fun, easy and convenient for anyone to throw the perfect event.”

The “More Sumptuous Small Plates” recipe deck includes small plates each varying in flavor, texture and cultural flair, including: Honey & Orange-Braised Fennel Tartines with Mascarpone; Little Fish Tacos with Tomato Salad & Chipotle-Lime Crema; Curried Indian Flatbread with Mango-Currant Chutney; Porcini Mushroom & Fontina Puff Pastry Tartlets; and Mexican-Spiced Fudge Brownies with Cinnamon Whipped Cream.

The “More Sumptuous Small Plates” recipe deck is available on Parties That Cook’s online store for $14.95 through Nov. 29^th or on Amazon after Dec 1^st and retails for $19.95. For more information about Parties That Cook, visit http://www.PartiesThatCook.com or call 1-888-907-COOK (2665).

About Parties That Cook
Parties That Cook stages deliciously fun cooking parties and corporate team building events in private homes and professional kitchens throughout Seattle, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, Oregon. Founder & CEO, Bibby Gignilliat, pioneered the mobile cooking party concept in 1999, and extended the company’s hands-on, interactive culinary events to include a wide array of corporate team building activities, cooking parties and cooking classes. For more information on Parties That Cook, please visit www.PartiesThatCook.com or call 1-888-907-COOK (2665).

*Blog courtesy of Parties That Cook & Richmond PR

*Voicebox opened its doors in NW Portland on Halloween night, 2008.” Happy Anniversary!

To help celebrate their third anniversary, Voicebox invites you to help replace the boring old CDG of their top twenty songs by creating your own karaoke video. And you don’t have to be a professional video editor to participate. Voicebox is looking for anything from animations to live action, from cue cards to bouncing balls, as long as the displayed lyrics are synchronized to the actual vocal syllable being sung—not just the word. No need to digitally superimpose, so be creative! Click here for more information about the video contest. Entries are due 11.11.11, so get creating!

If you haven’t visited Voicebox, you’re missing out! Here’s what you’ll find at Voicebox…

Voicebox isn’t just Portland’s premier karaoke lounge – it’s a catalyst. No other venue compares as a place to gather friends, family, or colleagues for an unforgettable night of singing, dancing, unique sake cocktails, and incredible service.

Their six private suites are perfect for all kinds of events, from a small gathering of friends to a full facility rental. Voicebox will do whatever it takes to make your party a wild success, because the go beyond good – they truly care about every person and aspect of your night. Let them handle the details while you take the credit.

If we could give everyone who participated in Bravo! Live an award, we would! It was an unbelievable show thanks to all the exhibitors who created eye-catching displays, served delectable food, showed exciting team building activities and more.

Alas, we have just 3 awards to give out. This year show attendees and exhibitors voted for the Best of Bravo! Live 2011. The winners are…

Best Caterer: Premiere Catering
The Premiere Catering team provided attendees with a scrumptious array of comfort to gourmet food to sample. Delicious!

Best Booth Design: Peter Corvallis Productions
Peter Corvallis’s talented team of designers created their modern & edgy take on a NW Lodge from scratch! Yup, everything from the backdrop, fireplace, stage and tables were all meticulously created by Kristin & Nick.

People’s Choice: Royce’s Prop Shop with Cort Event Furniture Hollywood Glam – with feathers, gold star-men, bling, and modern furnishings, no detail was left out of their design. Gorgeous!

Premiere Catering - Best Caterer Bravo! Live Bravo! Live 2011

Peter Corvallis Productions - Best Booth Bravo! Live 2011

Royce's Prop Shop & Cort Event Furnishings - People's Choice Bravo! Live 2011