Spring is in the Air

Coral Avenue LLC~ Event Planning and Marketing introducing wedding planning services. Since Valentine's is this week we felt it was time to warm up to the new year by preparing for the wedding season. So for you couples out there that want to get married in the up coming year or years we are here to serve. We are back for our long holiday vacation and ready!

Here Comes the Stuffing?

As another year of our lives comes to a close we begin to think of all those things we care about and are thankful for. With times as hard as they are in the economy it becomes of up most importance to thank all company employees, clients, vendors and associates.

So with that said it is time to get stuffing ... not the turkey but, the envelopes with thank you cards and warm holiday wishes. Of course you want to stand out this holiday season against the rest of the crowd so here's a list of some cool places for holiday invites.

Check out these hot stationary and printing press stores:

Sugar Paper: http://www.sugarpaper.com/ offer tons of custom mouth-watering designs

Tiny Prints: http://www.tinyprints.com/ tiny cards with lost of personality

Hello Lucky: http://www.hellolucky.com/ vintage with a twist

Crane & Co.: http://www.crane.com/ can we say classic

Kate's Paperie: http://www.katespaperie/ hallmark

Twinkle Cards: http://www.twinklecards.com/ high end designed cards

Soolip: http://www.soolip.com/ get people inspired

Tina J: http://www.tinaj.com/ modern designs

Carbon Foorprints

Carbon emissions (also referred to as greenhouse gases) are generated by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. For the meeting industry, the primary sources of greenhouse gas emission are travel to and from the event, cooling and heating the venue and shipping of materials.

Becoming "carbon neutral" simply means calculating total climate-damaging carbon emissions, reducing them where possible, and then balancing remaining emission, often by purchasing a carbon offset.

1. Baseline: figure out your "carbon-footprint"

To figure out the potential greenhouse gas emissions, start by estimating participant travel to and from the event, as well as heating and cooling of the venue. Check out the Carbon Calculators below.

www.nativeenergy.com/business.html

www.cleanairconservancy.org/calculator.php

www.safeclimate.net/calculator

http://www.carbonfund.org/

2. Reduce: emit less greenhouse gases

Carpool, live closer to the event, have an outdoor venue

3. Sequester: take more greenhouse gas out of the atmosphere and store it somewhere.

Get out there and plant trees or help clean-up the ocean

4. Compare before you purchase or go:

Make the list of what types of carbon offsets must be considered before you host the event the lowest wins!

5. Support: let participants know what you're doing

If they know you are try to lower your event's carbon footprint the will be will to use a pitcher of water instead of bottled water.

Tools to Help You Grow

As we celebrate the first week of Fall this week it is time to educate ourselves once again on all the things that made us and will make us successful. When it comes to event planning and marketing it is so important and sometimes so much work to stay on top of everything inside and outside the industry so that you can offer your clients the best. So in celebration of the fall season we at Coral Avenue LLC have decided to give you a set of CliffNotes. Check out the following:

To stay on top of event trends try:

BizBash

Smart Meetings

Southern California Meetings and Events

To be in the know on the latest and most practical marketing tips go to:

Seth Godin's Blog

MarketingProfs

To be an outstanding event planner:

Get to know Corbin Ball

SandCastles in the Sky

This weekend marks the end of summer for many of us. The kids go back to school, holidays are around the corner and its time to shop for sweaters. So why not celebrate the end of another beautiful summer with your staff members? They have worked hard all year and I am sure they would love a day at the beach.

Make it a team building activity day. Have them build sandcastles like they do at the Huntington Beach Hyatt. Take them to lunch and then let them play in the sand ... its relaxing like a zen garden. This is the perfect activity for your creative department, it will do wonders for your workers and bring a sense of pride to your office. Hit the Beach!

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

With gas prices close to $5.00 a gallon travel this year out of state and off to exotic locations have been cut by 50% at some companies. So what's a planner to do when you have to stay around the neighborhood?



Although you might think the fun has been taken out of your job, this is your time to shine and show your company how creative and cost-effective you can be while still making the company incentive trip, gala, fundraiser or launch event memorable. Try these three easy tips when you have to stay local:


1) Get familiar with your city and the surround areas - you never know when you will run into a brand new venue.

2) Incorporate the local traditions, culture, climate and trends - people are comfortable with things they are familiar with open their eyes to exploring what's right in front of them more.

3) Teach them to be content-let them try all the adventurous activities from hang-gliding to biking and white water rafting in their backyard.



How to Shake-up the Meeting!!

1) Make it Family-Friendly
2) Create Team-Building Activities
3) Teach your Company about Going Green
4) Upgrade the Decorations
5) Eat & Drink Healthy Food
6) Host your meeting in the Country
7) Try new Technologies



**Most Important People like to Feel Special so if you stay local focus on the people who attend the event. Everyone wants to go where everyone knows their name.***

Evaluating Green Meeting Sites

1. Location, Capacity and Amenities: First and foremost, a meeting site must be able to satisfy the needs of the host organization in terms of travel, space activities and amenities for attendees and other participants.

2. Recycling: Offers on-site recycling of paper, plastic, glass and metal along with sparate recycling of organics (and composting, if possible) that is supported by a private vendor and/or the city's waste disposal program.

3. Waste Reduction: Incorporates reusable linens, china and cutlery and bulk service of water, beverages and condiments in food service; includes soap and shampoo dispensers in sleeping rooms or recycles individual bottles; helps recycle or donate unused toiletries, food, decorations and display materials.

4. Energy Effciency: Has taken steps to measure and reduce energy consumption by installing energy-effcient lighting, programmable thermostats and pursuing other energy-saving strategies, such as increasing natural daylight, using alternative energy sources or installing green roofs.

5. Water Conservation: Has installed water-saving devices, conserves wate in food service, offers linen reuse program, and may have a program in place to recycle waste water.

6. Environmentally Responsible Purchasing: Makes an effort to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources (such as paper and plastic) and to purchase and use high-recycled-content paper and plastic products, refillable ink cartidges, energy efficient office equipment, nontoxic cleaning and pest control products and other environmentally preferable products.

7. Surrounding Community: Minimizes travel and is accessible by public transportation. Offers information on green entertainment and dining options on and off-site. Encourges car-pooling, walking and cycling whenever possible.