I can not believe November has come so fast. I find it a bit hard to ignore the rustlings of festive spirit that automatically pop up when I hear the Christmas Carols and see the Christmas scenes. But there is plenty of serious work to be done in these final weeks of 2009, it's not time yet for the annual switch off. I don't know about you, but these last couple of months have seen a definite upswing in business, so hopefully we'll all be in shape for a good new year in 2010.
EvenTech Ireland: Come and Visit!
Talking of November, when I met with Darren and Ian from Scattered Media about the EventTech exhibition and seminars back at the beginning of July, November seemed like a lifetime away. I should know better at my age. Tuesday and Wednesday next week will see us installed at the RDS in the Industries Hall. We'll be in great company - Digital Jukeboxes, Touch Screen Control Panels, Lighting, Rigging and Staging, Printers, Funny Dance Heads...
Why Should You Visit an Event Technology Show?
All of us have huge challenges in the months and years ahead - with the primary challenge being to do more for less. If you're going to more for less, you're going to have know a lot more as well. Know what and who is out there for all aspects of event planning and production - and just what things really do cost. All of us will have to specialise less and be more generalist. For me, that's a good enough reason to make sure that I visit the show. Aside from the fact that I agreed to do one of the seminars...
Give me a Hand...
I'd really love to see some friendly faces in the audience at the seminar - Wednesday, 18th at 3.30 pm in Dodder Room B, Industries Hall, RDS - as part of the EvenTech show. The topic is how web technologies can help to increase (or not!) attendance at your event. There are some other very interesting seminars both on Wednesday and on Tuesday. Take a look at the Seminars page, and register in advance (you can win some brilliant speakers!). Hope to see you there - please be there...
In My Postbox
I had hoped to get a letter from Skillnets regarding the Events Industry Skillnet close down - (AKA Freedom). We got one, but it's still not the one we need. So we can forget about opening membership of the C4EE in 2009, and instead we're setting a January 4th 2010 opening date. We will have the application process up and running prior to that (next week hopefully). Make sure you're on the mailing list at the Centre for Excellence in Events website...
Movers & Shakers
Congratulations to Odilon Hunt of AVA Audio Visual in Sligo - as the winner of the AudioNetworks www.christmasentertainment.ie competition. Odilon correctly answered that "the name of Ireland's first children's hospice at the Children's Sunshine Home?" is the LauraLynn Childrens Hospice. We'll see AVA displayed on the site and I hope it brings in plenty of business! Thanks to all who entered, sorry it wasn't you...
Permission to Email : Workshop
Ultan Bannon continues his highly successful series of email marketing workshops under the banner of Permission to Email. The next half day workshop, which will show you how to create and send a newsletter in half a day is on Wednesday, November 25th. More information at the website...
Event ROI Courses : Discounts for NEO Members
The charming Elling Hamso wrote to let me know that the ROI Week was a great success, not as many people as hoped for, but the usual story - fewer but good quality. Elling isn't planning any more courses in Dublin in the very near future, but is more than happy to offer a 200 Euro Travel discount for anyone who wishes to attend a course abroad. For example, London on December 15th. If you also enter the promo code: neotravel you'll receive a further discount. More information and booking at the website...
Ovation Global DMC Announce Hugability Awards
We recently got Sky + at home, and one of the things that's currently fascinating me is the advertorials on cruises. I think I'd like to go on one, but I'm still undecided... However, every month I get news from Ovation DMC on some new exotic location - so much so that I now almost associate travel with Ovation... This month, they have two pieces of news. First came the launch of their Preferred Supplier Programme, which aims to boost their vision of being in 100 destinations Worldwide by 2012. Preferred suppliers will form part of the network of Ovation DMC offices, strategic alliances and partnerships. Preferred Suppliers will be DMCs in "lower tier" and resort destinations.
More fun is the news of their inaugural Hugability Awards. The idea seems to be that you should nominate someone who could do with a hug. The actual reward that goes with the award is unspecified, but I'd say the idea of a hug is in there somewhere. Here's what Ovation Global DMC have to say: These awards are fun, informal and just an excuse to hug someone and
congratulate them for a great achievement in their life or for simply being a loveable pain in the ass!. They go on to ask:
Is there someone in the meetings industry who just constantly gets your back up? I can name a dozen
off hand! Or a person who brings fun and enthusiasm to challenging situations? Anyone who has been
through a tough time but battled through showing great courage? Names springing to mind? Well have
your say, name and shame these culprits by nominating them for a huggability award. Nominations close on November 19th, and you can have your say by emailing theword@ovationdmc.com with the name of your huggable nominee
and why you think they’re so damn huggable!
Still not quite sure that it would be an honour to be nominated... look forward to hearing who wins (and the shortlist) after the awards on December 1st at EIBTM. Which I do wish someone would whisk me off to...
I Have to Mention...
I'm not going to comment on the religious or spiritual aspect of the October 30th gathering at Knock Shrine - but I really think something should be done about the bringing together of thousands of people for an event without any licence or safeguards. Where were the County Council? Where were the health & safety authority? Let one of us try that ...
Art Fair Ireland 2009
Great to see the Art Fair 2009 continuing on at the RDS. Starts on Friday the 13th and runs over the weekend. Features include over 100 Artists and Galleries from Ireland and abroad, 'Art on the Balcony' showcasing emerging Irish artists, free Lectures from leading artists Mick O'Dea and Valerie Connor and prize-winning works for the RDS Student Art Awards.. More information at the RDS Website.
Anyone Know How To Vote for JEdward?
I did hear a snippet the other day about a service called Free to Call which allows Irish viewers who want to vote on the X Factor. Anyone know the website? I believe it is in our absolute National Interest (similar to our support of Dustin for the Eurovision) to vote for this pair of highly entertaining representatives of our country. If you know the website, please ping me... And while I'm at it, are you - like me - adoring Brendan O'Connor on the Apprentice, You're Fired? How to relate this telly gossip to events? Ah, I know - let's try and find out what their appearance fees will be (are) and what kind of riders they'll require!
Got News?
We'd love to hear it... pop me over an email: sarah@neoireland.com if you have news that you think would be interesting for the events industry.