5. Bling
Bling continues to take many forms in events, from sequin table coverings to rentable chandeliers, look for ways to bring bold cool tones to your table scapes.

4. Swag
Swag is going beyond the throw away pens and one use book lights. Think about branding your event with something people will use year-round. Popular choices are branded iPhone chargers, backpacks or first aid kits.

3. Ditch the Speaker!
Instead of the old model of one person talking in front of hundreds from a one-way communication road, expect more round table events. Think informal meet ups instead of lectures, and other ways that gatherings can be more interactive and less static.

2. Go Green!
Not the color.Think about using technology to save paper: Electronic contracts with digital signatures, Seating plans using peferct tableplan, digital brochures, and even follow-up correspondence using electronic surveys after the event to track the success of your event.

1. Get Social!
The trend to go social will mushroom in 2012. It is no longer an option for events to embrace social media practices, but a necessity. From QR Codes at conventions to Twitter Hashtags at conferences, it is important to understand and embrace the ins and outs of our digital world in order to offer your attendees the breadth and depth of social media.

Click Here to read the full article by The Event Guys

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!

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

This event is in conjunction with “Brides Against Cancer” where hundreds of discounted designer wedding gowns will be available to purchase. This event is part of the Making Memories- Breast Cancer Foundation and takes place on Saturday September 24th and 25th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but for $10 you get first dips on the selection of gowns and can start browsing at 9 a.m. However, the $10 tickets are limited to the first 50 brides so buy yours now!

“Brides Against Breast Cancer” helps fund the Breast Cancer Foundation by selling donated designer wedding gowns for a fraction of their original price. More than half the wedding gowns for sale are brand new and directly from the designer, manufacturer and bridal retailers. These gowns will be anywhere from 25 to 75 percent off.

This is also a wonderful opportunity for women to donate their old wedding gowns for an amazing cause. Any wedding gown donations are tax-deductible, too!

For more information please see below:

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Very Engaging Bridal Show”

Sunday September 25th

Bridgeport Village

9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Tickets available here: http://veryengaging.eventbrite.com/

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Brides Against Breast Cancer”

Saturday September 24th & Sunday September 25th

11 a.m.-4 p.m. (both days)

9 a.m. (if you bought $10 early entrance ticket)

Bridgeport Village

Tickets available here: http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

Lily the mannequin lounges in one of the rooms at Jupiter Hotel.

Due to the Scene Marketing Group’s efforts, the Jupiter Hotel has seen tangible results- either increased brand recognition or more sales of hotel rooms. Scene Marketing Group was able to accomplish this through creativity and not just flash and consumers responded positively because they were able to connect to something that had personality, even if Lily can’t actually talk.  This is just a small example of Scene Marketing Group’s success. Since their beginning in 2006, they have become both locally and nationally recognized and worked with a variety of clients, striving to bring personalized care and attention to everyone they work with. As a partner, Bravo! Publications is lucky enough to be involved with a smart and successful group of individuals. If you have a small business and are looking to hire some social media and marketing help, Scene Marketing Group might be the perfect fit for you if you’re looking for more than just the “one-size-fits-all” attitude of larger agencies. Their expertise and size makes them perfect for one-on-one consultation and their passion for imaginative techniques truly make them one of a kind.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the new location of West Coast Event Productions. They have moved their location to the waterfront, 1466 NW Naito Parkway where they have a fantastic view! Their warehouse is filled with props, linens, dishware, tables & chairs and much more! They have a product catalog online to make selecting items easy.

West Coast has merged with Shaka-sound and will now be able to provide top quality sound at weddings and events. They are able to provide great sound for your event using professional equipment.

They will also be unveiling a new type of romantic/glittery style drape that is new to the area. The drape will be designed inhouse and will bring your event to the next level.

West Coast prides itself on its artists they have on staff. They can help clients build their dream event.

Contact them at here or at 503.294.0412 to get started planning your wedding or event.

Stay tuned for more information on the Grand Opening to be scheduled mid-August.

A special Soiree Boutique gift bag of discounts & goodies from Soiree Boutique vendors will be given out to all who attend. Great savings for any special event!!!

• Soiree, Special Event Planning: $200 off any planning package.
• David A. Barss Photographer: Complimentary engagement session or equivalent credit.
• Bella Vida: Complimentary Thank You card design when purchasing the design of a Wedding Invitation or Suite Package.
• East West Floral Arts: Custom Treatment for free, a $200 value.
• Vibrant Table Catering & Events: Complimentary toss bouquet if you use them for your flowers and free decorative crinkle linens if you use them for your catering.
• West Coast Event Productions: 15% discount on linens.
• All Wright Music: 15% discount off DJ Services.
• Ambient Sky Couture Wedding Films: $400 off your Couture Wedding Film plus Same Day Edit Package.
• Artistique Photographie: Giving away a $800 Wedding Album.
• Celebration Music & Events: $50 off DJ services, $50 off live music booking OR a free dance lesson.
• Fitbride Northwest: 10% off the purchase of any 12 week Fitbride Northwest package.
• Francoise Weeks European Floral Design: Free bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, a $200 value upon booking a minimum floral order of $2,500.
• Hybrid Moon Video Productions: Four hours of wedding and reception coverage, “Assemble Edit” and “Short Film Edit” with one DVD in leather case for $1,999 OR single camera coverage for your wedding ceremony and “Assemble Edit” with four DVD’s in eco-friendly Hybrid Moon case for $475.
• Jamie Bosworth Photographer: An Engagement Session complimentary when you book a wedding package for 2011.
• Lavish Floral: 10% off your total wedding floral package.
• Papa Haydn Catering & Wedding Cakes: 10% off food for any event booked with Papa Haydn Catering.
• House of Cards: 10% off your entire contract when booking a ceremony & reception music combo.

7080 SE 16th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97202

]]> http://www.bravoevent.com/blog/2011/05/planning-a-special-event-come-to-soiree-boutiques-may-party/feed/ 0 http://www.bravoevent.com/blog/2011/04/put-a-bird-on-it-get-your-tickets-now-for-pimp-my-warehouse-portland-style/ http://www.bravoevent.com/blog/2011/04/put-a-bird-on-it-get-your-tickets-now-for-pimp-my-warehouse-portland-style/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:29:45 +0000 Bravo Publications http://bravoevent.com/blog/?p=1169 Put a Bird On It! Are you a fan of Portlandia?  Do you love all things Portland?  Join ISES of Portland in a Pimp My Warehouse event that celebrates all things Portland.  Sample food carts, enjoy fantastic entertainment, network with the best event professionals in Portland, and celebrate all that is Portland.

April 28th at BodyVox Studios – Doors open at 5:30 pm
Seating is limited please purchase early! Buy Tickets Now!

ISES of Portland supports the Children’s Book Bank.  Part of your admission to Thursday’s Pimp My Warehouse event will be a Children’s book.  We are collection picture and story books for ages 3-6 in both English & Spanish.  The children’s book bank is working to promote early literacy through head start and other programs. Don’t forget to bring your book donation!

A special Soiree Boutique gift bag of discounts & goodies from Soiree Boutique vendors will be given out to all who attend. Great savings for any special event!!!

• Soiree, Special Event Planning: $200 off any planning package.
• David A. Barss Photographer: Complimentary engagement session or equivalent credit.
• Bella Vida: Complimentary Thank You card design when purchasing the design of a Wedding Invitation or Suite Package.
• East West Floral Arts: Custom Treatment for free, a $200 value.
• Vibrant Table Catering & Events: Complimentary toss bouquet if you use them for your flowers and free decorative crinkle linens if you use them for your catering.
• West Coast Event Productions: 15% discount on linens.
• All Wright Music: 15% discount off DJ Services.
• Ambient Sky Couture Wedding Films: $400 off your Couture Wedding Film plus Same Day Edit Package.
• Artistique Photographie: Giving away a $800 Wedding Album.
• Celebration Music & Events: $50 off DJ services, $50 off live music booking OR a free dance lesson.
• Fitbride Northwest: 10% off the purchase of any 12 week Fitbride Northwest package.
• Francoise Weeks European Floral Design: Free bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, a $200 value upon booking a minimum floral order of $2,500.
• Hybrid Moon Video Productions: Four hours of wedding and reception coverage, “Assemble Edit” and “Short Film Edit” with one DVD in leather case for $1,999 OR single camera coverage for your wedding ceremony and “Assemble Edit” with four DVD’s in eco-friendly Hybrid Moon case for $475.
• Jamie Bosworth Photographer: An Engagement Session complimentary when you book a wedding package for 2011.
• Lavish Floral: 10% off your total wedding floral package.
• Papa Haydn Catering & Wedding Cakes: 10% off food for any event booked with Papa Haydn Catering.
• House of Cards: 10% off your entire contract when booking a ceremony & reception music combo.

7080 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202