The Pedestrian

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-05T15:56:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Keeping it short and sweet. I hope everyone enjoyed their time off I know I did. Look forward to talking with you in the upcoming year.

Year in Review ...

2009-12-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well finally we are gearing up to say goodbye to 2009 ... what a year!!! So much happened on the world circuit, in our local communities and in our personal lives. As a friend of my says I don't recognize my life ... which I say ditto. As I prepare for the future I can not help but hope that it will be brighter than it has been this past year. From businesses closing, to friends leaving and myself not knowing which way to run. My resolution for the new year will be to be better on all fronts ... I guess be really awake in my life in the future. Most people just run through life like chickens I want to take a moment and walk through it like a lion. So to all of you readers out there ... Happy 2010 and make it really a Happy New Year! Thanks for reading.

Getting Crafty

2009-12-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

After an interesting Thanksgiving I realized it was that time of the year again to bring out the Christmas crafts. I had a meeting yesterday with Green Events founder Chrissy Gray about the upcoming Evergreen Party that will be happening this Saturday in Newport Beach at the Go Green Mobility warehouse. The event will feature a green event to raise funds for the environment. Attend the event to see how minimal design can be beautiful and safe for the environment! Register to attend at Evergreen OC Holiday Party

Practice What You Preach?

2009-11-16T07:09:00.000-08:00

The past month has been crazy! Before I knew it November was at my doorstep. I found that managing other people's social media leaves no time for your own sometimes. So now, I am behind on my blog.

To top it off I am not going to be a little self-centered and invite everyone to "Get Social" and meet me at our Coral Avenue workshop in Aliso Viejo, California: Introduction to Social Media and Your Business

Need to Escape

2009-10-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

Need Something a Little Different ...

Scene&Heard is a biannual exhibition based on the combination of live music and art. Since it's inception in August 2008, the concept has attracted hundreds of people to the Long Beach area to showcase its incredibly diverse and talented art and music scene.

The event began as opportunity to demonstrate "the creative process at work" and has since evolved into a mainstay line entertainment environment. Having been held at various venues, including Koos Art Center and The Cellar, Scene&Heard continues to draw large crowds and community interest.

For more information on the Scene&Heard concept and upcoming events, please visit http://sceneandheardlive.com/.

Green with ENVY

2009-08-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

Ok we have all heard it but, are we really listening? Go green ... easily said but, not easily done until now with the We Print company in Orange, California. I met We Print originally at a marketing mixer in the Tustin Marketplace. I instantly fell in love with their quirky little business cards and wanted to know more. They offer graphic design work, digital printing and offset printing all green! So check them out at http://www.weprintoc.com/ .

Speak Up

2009-08-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

I recently attended a mixer last month of venuture capitalist and venture seekers and ran into this new company Speak Corp. I was intrigued by Speak Corp and met founder Terry Jetmore. Speak Corp is an online company designed to serve the needs of independent speakers, trainers and consultants who want to promote themselves professionally. It also provides organizers and planners a location to efficiently find the perfect person for an upcoming event. Check it out at http://www.speakcorp.com/ .

Changing Directions

2009-08-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

Over the last five months Coral Avenue has experienced some radical changes. With the economical melt down CA had to go with what people desired. Doing business in person is the most effective way to make a sale but, it cost a lot. I am just being honest. With all the tools that we have online now and the busy lives we all lead, it became really clear that people wanted things as easy as possible so the direction of the Pedestrian is changing.

In the last few months I found that one of the best ways that I can help other people achieve the best for themselves and their companies is to point them to the right resources. It seems that I am really a walker on the Internet, so if nothing else I got the name of the blog right. From now on call me the resource girl . I will try and point you to helpful and interesting information I find that could actually do something for your business. Feel free at any time to ask questions ... always here to help. Hopefully those of you who read the blog will find this new version helpful. Looking forward to this month.

2009-02-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

Here Comes the Stuffing?

2008-11-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-13T12:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

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.

Give Them Cake That They Can Eat Too!

2008-07-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

What does it take to make a good cupcake? I'm mean a lip smacking, hand slapping, tummy says yummy cupcake. Well that question is being answered across the nation in the continuing cupcake craze! Boutique style cupcakeries have been springing up all over the United States as one of the most successful start up businesses of the new millennium. But how do you take these mini cakes and turn them into a pot of gold?

Well for those of you who look at those delectable delights and say "I can make that", let me tell you now that a lot more than just love goes into the creation of these mini monstrosities. Also it takes no little amount of artistic skill to decorate and maintain something that still looks like what it is; a cupcake.

So next time you have a office cast-off, office welcoming or office birthday throw away the cake knife and roll out the cupcakes. Also hunt down the professionals in your local areas so your cupcakes don't look like something out of Willie Wonka's worst nightmares.

Hunt Down the Professionals in Your Area!

In San Diego:
If your taste buds prefer the simpler pleasures in life like plain chocolate or vanilla but your eyes appreciate esthetics then Beau Coup Cupcakes is your cupcakery. BCC focuses on creative designs that will easily become the focal point for any party or gathering you have. In fact Beau Coup goes so far as to challenge you to challenge them with design and theme ideas. The fact that they are edible only adds to their visionary appeal!

In Orange County:
Sprinkles Cupcakes puts the “orange” in Orange County with their orange flavored cupcake topped with a yummy orange vanilla icing. If that is too much citrus for you then there are at least 20 other flavors for you to choose from throughout the week. Their simple art deco-ish frosting design will lend a hint of elegance to any décor and a little fun to those somewhat stuffy corporate events. With two locations in southern California (Newport Beach and Beverly Hills) Sprinkles can easily fill your cupcake craving!

Now if you are someone that will not settle for a plain old mojito but insists on a pomegranate or raspberry ginger then Yummy CupCakes is for you! They specialize in coming up with unique flavor combinations that will surprise you with just how mouth watering good they are! Before you take the first bite you might think hmmmm? But once you try their Blue Hawaiian cupcake your only sounds will be mmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm!

First Seatbelts Now Banners!

2008-07-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

Wondering what to do with those old banners and signs? Consider turning them into a tote bag or other useful item. That's what Alchemy Goods of Seattle does for a variety of sizes and types of organizations. Banner Creations turned to them to help recycle a series of banners that they printed on ecofabric for a Denver public awareness campaign. Alchemy Goods also performs this magic trick on a regular basis for Whole Foods, which uses them to convert their "specials" signs into tote bags on a weekly basis. Learn more at http://www.alchemygoods.com/. Go togreeneventsource.com for more ideas.

Acting Social

2008-06-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

As everyone knows the world is getting smaller and being able to successfully get along, understand and help each other has become increasingly important. With the Green movement, social media and the increased access to information the meeting industry can be a way for corporations to strut their stuff if they pay attention.

As mentioned by Tim Sanders at the end of his keynote address at MPI's Professional Education Conference-North America, "The only reason to hold a meeting is to save the world." Sanders as many may know him is the former Yahoo! executive and now a motivational speaker.

Sanders was referring to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) what many are calling the new meeting industry ROI. So what is CSR?

CSR is when corporations/organizations chose to look at their choices from a broad spectrum of social, economic and environmental concerns. In short it is the triple bottom line of people, planet, profit. When companies and organizations hold meetings they should be looking at how it effects the triple bottom line. 1) Are the people being educated not only from the educational conference topics but, how the corporation views and treats people? 2) All the materials, transportation, how the food was prepared did the corporation make the best use of resources, energy? 3) Did the company spend wisely does everyone at the conference need to use bottled water?

Making CSR Easy!

1. Integrate community service projects into meeting programming

2. Create a CSR task force to evaluate each meeting

3. Develop a centralized policy

4. If you are a meeting planner head the CSR Committee

5. Get Help! Give employees 40 hours a month to do something that helps people or the environment

Remember that CSR is the biggest social trend that is going to last more than a lifetime ... the planet will always need cleaning and people will always need help.

Summer Projections

2008-06-12T00:13:00.000-07:00

While night time film projections are nothing new to those who've been to a drive thru cinema or seen a Rooftop Film in New York City. Using projections at events are nothing new either, it's pretty common actually. In the case of lighting up buildings on the street with art, on the other hand is a growing phenomenon. A public display of beauty and whimsy as passers by can enjoy art in motion on a otherwise static building.Earlier this month, iGoogle Artist Themes Launch party did just that. Using artwork represented in the new feature, they projected these images all over NYC's Meat Packing District bringing a sense of awe to a notoriously jaded population. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HydsuXsaD8c Bristol lights up their city for the 5 Days of Christmas, not just with traditional Christmas lights, but again with projections, some stretching as long as 400ft and lasting for 5 days. Each projection was custom made for each of the grand buildings graced with these lights. http://www.vimeo.com/859097 And why should the projections be kept inside? Beauty is much more meaningful when it is shared.
See the Light Up Bristol flickr group here.

Guess Who's Coming for Dinner?

2008-06-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

Guess who's coming for dinner? Don't know? Check the place mat? Yes, go ahead, it's written on the place mats. Seating arrangements can often be a confusing matter, and deciding how to tastefully display the names can be just as difficult. Well, San Francisco-based Publique designed a range of beautiful PopMats . Thick 100% recycled paper place mats with laser cut pop-outs can be used for decoration and it's big enough to function as a place card. These place mats come in two colors, White Sand and Natural Kraft, beautifully made, yet completely recyclable.

Biz Bash 2008

2008-06-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Hollywood, Lakers, Fashion and Stars!!! Oh yeah, and the city of events! Last week on Thursday I attended the 2nd annual Biz Bash Event Trade Show and Awards Show. Let me start by saying I feel stuffed. The event featured catering companies that gave you samples and tastings until you were feeling like you died and gone to heaven. While I was busy test tasting everything around me were entertainers dresses in "period -weird" costumes.

I think if you could dream it then you could find someone who knew how to do it. The world of event planning never felt so good. Go check it out at http://www.bizbash.com/

Culinary Trends 2008

2008-05-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Its true ... sometimes we all just go for the food. Just like decorating houses and designing clothes, food and beverages go through trends. This year thaks to the Green Movement people have openned their minds to organic food again and with wonderful shows like Top Chef, cooking has become a coveted art form.

The Culinary world just finished its annual National Restaurant Association Tradeshow where the best of the best meet and host discussion about what's cooking in the world of food and beverages. So you want to be on top of the trends the next time you host a shin-dig?

According to 1,282 chefs who participated in the National Restaurant Association 2008 Chef Survey, the following were some of the hottest trends and items to sink your teeth into.

Bite-size desserts

Locally grown produce

Organic produce

Small plates/tapas/mezze

Specialty sandwiches

Craft/artisan/microbrew beer

Sustaninable seafood

Grass-fed items

Energy drink cocktails

Salts (e.g., sea, smoked, colored, Kosher)

Ethnic fusion cuisine

Flatbreads

Martinis/flavored martinis

Mojito

Asian entree salad

Pomegranates

Asian appetizers

Microdistilled/artisanal liquors

Organic wine

Speciality beer (e.g.. season, fruit, spice/herb, beer cocktails)

Inspiration La Carte

2008-05-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today while I was busy working, a fellow co-worker came to me and asked me how do you come up with your crazy ideas? I guess I could have said, I watch a lot of TV or I had a crazy childhood but, in reality I think you either get it or you don't. What I mean by that is not that I think you are born with it or not but, I think you have to try to be inspired.

Recently, I read a news flash from Marketing Profs that talked about how exercise can lead you to inspiration which makes sense to me since in order to clear your mind you sometimes need to get away. Usually it seems the longer you get away the more refreshed and open you feel. So can't think of an event idea or new marketing tactic ... take a long, long walk or if you are daring get out there and run.

The Pink Panther

KISS - The art of Keep It Simple Stupid!

2008-04-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

During the past week in Orange County, California I stood sweating like a pig ... even though, pigs don't sweat at the local new IT place in town Pinkberry. It is amazing to me how simple the concept of Pinkberry is, they only sell yogurt in original and green tea. In the past when I ate at other frozen yogurt shops they tried to simulate ice cream. Not so at Pinkberry ... it taste like yogurt! They top off each yogurt with your choice of topping of mango, strawberry, kiwi, cocconut or cereal ... it makes you feel that you are eating really healthy. So simple but, yet the line to this yogurt shop usually is out the door and wrapped around the corner.

What I have learned from Pinkberry is that people like to keep it simple ... they want to know what they are eating and they want it quick and dirty. This reminds me that even though I might like the most expensive sushi place or monkfish dish most people just want the steak.

Event Planning Lesson: Make sure your event attendees and guests remember what was served at your event by keeping things simple.

Going With the Green

2008-04-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

With the recent passing of Earth Day passing earlier this week, I thought I would contribute my thoughts on the "New but Old" Green Movement. Since green is the new black when it comes to fashion and it has become the cliche phrase of the year. I thought that green should be the new color for events too. I am not saying that you should host an event with green table cloths, have green covered chairs and only serve salad but, I think we should take a little inspiration from this very popular color. As most of us know if we are somewhat observant of the world around us we notice that the two most memorable colors on earth we see each day are green and blue. So here's our salute to Green!

Since summer is approaching I am beginning to get those day dreams of lounging on the beaches in sunny California. I also start to think about some summer events that I will be hosting and the design elements I want to incorporate. Since this green movement, I have fell in love with the cactus. Just think about it, the cactus has been part of the "Green Movement" since the beginning, it is simple in design, plans for its future survival and never goes out of style.

For those of you who want a simple elegant way to spice up the usual floral designs go check out

http://succulentla.com/ . Succulent LA is a floral design firm in Los Angles, California and the brain child firm of actor Samantha Mathis and interior designer Ryann Davis. Succulent offers a green alternative to traditional cut-floral designs, using pesticide-free succulents planted in soil. The firm also takes their designs to the next level by only purchasing local grown plants, using potting containers with non-toxic glazes, packing and shipping the plans in recycled paper and to top it off donating 1% of their revenue to For the Planet www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.

Not only am I inspired by Succulent's flora but, the succulents themselves inspire me to use cool colors, clean lines and minimal design pieces. So take some direction from nature the next time you design an event.

The Pink Panther

The Unexpected Event

2008-04-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like the people at Coral Avenue~ Event Planning and Marketing then you strongly agree with me when I say BizBash.com is like a holy gradle when it comes to style for the event planning industry. For me I guess you could say it was love at first "site" when I happen to find their website in 2000. If you don't know BizBash then I would say you don't know events. Anyhow, for those of you still wondering BizBash is the leading trade media for the event industy. BizBash publishes magazines and e-newsletters, hosts Websites and produces tradeshows.

Recently I read a quick poll in the latest issue for BizBash - Los Angeles on the topic of "What has been your strangest unexpected event cost?" Biz Bash choose to highlight Steven Williams, a special event manager at the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, New York. Williams responsed by saying "For our signature event, Dinning by Design, the one variable that sometimes catches us off guard is the cost of storage-both in New York, where we mange upward of 60 installations, and on the tour, where we coordinate at least six national installations. Our designers create entire installations, often with walls, floors, ceilings and other major components, so they generate a great deal of packing material."

All I have to say is that's great Steven but, the one answer that I thought that should have gotten hightlighted was Gwen Gibson, director of special events, Holt Renfrew, Toronto. I loved Gisbon's answer, "A chicken that played tic-tac-toe at a customer lunch celebrating the launch of Gucci at [department store] Holt Renfrew in the early 90's. It was roughly $300.00 Canadian-which included the trainer." Well one thing for sure is we know there was no rubber chicken at that lunch.

This leads me to talk about giving clients or guests the unexpected when it comes to your event or company shindig. Perhaps you won't be able to find a tic-tic-toe Chicken to entertain your guests but, you can definitely make it memorable for them in small ways. I recently put on a bridal shower for a friend of mine and I usually never do bridal shower unless I know the person somewhat personally but, that's besides the point. To make her feel special on her day that the guests attended a bridal shower garden party at a local vintage style restaurant near Laguna Beach. At the event I had a Shabby Chic theme going since that is the bride's favorite style. The table had various classic candles holders, one of a kind napkin holders and to add a little jazz a chair made out of flowers for the bride to be. The chair was a piece to talk about, everyone wanted to know how I came up the idea ... I said, "Focus on the practical and make it excititing."

Setting the Table

2007-11-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ready Set ... Here We GO!!!

Hello and welcome to The Pedestrian~

Join Coral Avenue LLC as we walk thru the city streets of the world showing the hottest trends in Food, Design and Fashion and how it relates to the event world.