Filed under: Career, Personal, Sanity | Tags: Blogging, Event Production, Fear of Flying, Site Visits, Vacation
Greetings from the sky. I read a recent post from a fellow blogger that resonated with me because we both have to travel all the time for our jobs and share a fear of flying. Of course she is a well-paid (and even better well-dressed) fashion blogger who was on her way to Paris with many show invites to PFW, and I am just an event producer doing my thing. To find out she was afraid of flying too made me feel a little better.
Here I am sitting on a JetBlue flight on my way to Miami for both work and play – well okay one day of work but nonetheless, I am in the friendly skies again. The plane just started to shake (a lot) and the Captain came on asking us to return to our seats and fasten our seatbelts. I immediately tense up, look out the window for any visible signs of bad weather and grab whatever I can to hold on to (in this case its my laptop). Michael (my hubby who remember is the quick and efficient packer and very experienced and obnoxiously calm flyer) just leaned over from across the aisle and mouthed to me “OMG,”  which of course was a joke, but just fueled my fears even more. Welcome to my world. Its either that or he sends me statistics about flying, how turbulence is nothing to be afraid of, blah blah blah.
None of which helps when you are smack in the middle of rough air.
Normally I travel with my “airplane medicine” as one of my BFFs and esteemed doctor friends Alex calls it. But today’s 7AM flight time and the fact that once I land I am representing a well respected client and in back-to-back meetings straight through dinner  didn’t really warrant the meds. Hence I remembered what Sophie would do. The only problem is that in my frenzy to wrap my week and prep for this trip, I forgot to download the meditation app she recommended.
I am going to do that as soon as I am safe on the ground. Now If I could only shop her closet,  I am sure that would eliminate more of my fears too.
And just like that, the seatbelt sign went off and the wonderful JetBlue pilots found us some smooth air. The Captain came on again and this time told us to sit back and enjoy the flight. I wonder if they read my blog?
#jetblue, #blogging, #meditation, #Miami, #ensono
Filed under: Career, Events, Feast | Tags: Event Production, Foodies, Site Visits, Tastings
After each event, we meet with the client to debrief on all aspects of the project: the successes, the areas for improvement and the highlights.
We prepare for the debriefs by listing the ingredients to a great event.
Food has a starring role and plays an integral part in just about every event. Who is at your table is key, but what you serve on that table is just as important.
Enter tastings.
Yesterday we sampled some good old southern comfort food at Loretta’s Last Call in Boston. Â This tasting was significant because the event is a themed event which our guests are not all accustomed to, nor is it a popular cuisine here in the city. We asked the Chef to come up with a menu that showcased the venue’s flavors and that would appeal to the masses.
There were only two of us at this tasting so a wooden platter was presented with 4 different appetizer sized items for us to try. And of course we had to try the various moonshines to wash down all that fried yumminess.
Besides enjoying a fun afternoon with my client, we were able to make some educated decisions about what and how to serve both our food and beverage for this March event.
When doing your own tastings, make sure your menu is not only delicious but also is easy to consume (is it better passed, plated or buffet), presents or sets up well (how is it passed or will it hold up on a buffet), has enough of a variety and options for all (vegetarian items, gluten free items and/or options for any allergies etc.), represents your event theme and is pleasing to the attendees (is this something you would order yourself).
Good food is always a recipe to success.
Cheers!
#frontrowassociates, #NEVYs2016, #tastings, #gonecountry, #country, #comfortfood, #moonshine, #friedchicken, @LorettasLastCall, @NewEnglandvc, @cococd2014, @CDFRAEvents
Howdy from Music City, USA!
This is my 4th trip to Nashville and I discover more things that I love about this place every time. Believe me, I am not  becoming countryfied and won’t be swapping my AG’s for some Cinch (just learned these are “the” known Cowboy jeans) anytime soon, but I do enjoy some good Southern comfort food and the sights.
My job takes me to a new market every year to site, plan and produce an annual event for Microsoft US Public Sector. This is yet another reason why I love what I do. Being on the road as much as I am is tough, but it allows me to meet tons of interesting people and experience many things  that I probably would not normally do as an east coaster. For example, hot chicken! A local specialty which is basically fried chicken that has been seasoned with a secret blend of everything HOT!
This trip I have sited over 29 restaurants, coffee shops and bars looking for the perfect venues to host several dinners and parties for my client later this summer. I call these my “Retail Safaris”. I basically set up camp in a city for a day or two and absorb as much of the town possible. This entails researching or stumbling on the tourist hotspots, learn where the locals eat and hang, what is trending, where to go for live music, where is the best shopping, what is a cultural must see and so on. It can be exhausting, but super fun too. Today I visited many of the places I see on the hit show Nashville and felt like I was in the music industry sitting at a sound board at Ocean Way Recording Studios. Yee haw!
My goal in these retail safaris is to find options that provide true local flavor, fun entertainment, great food and places that are bursting with charm, energy and endless opportunities.
Past years and prior event experience has taught me how to move in and out of these places like a pro and with an eye for detail and ear for excitement. But it is always beneficial to have a local opinion as well and I find these are the most opportune times to work with a DMC (Destination Management Company). Together you will maximize your time and your client’s dollar.
Now it’s time for me to go off and do some more exploring with 3 friends who are en route from the Northeast and about to join me for a girls weekend.
Bye y’all!
