May 26th, 2011
by Ginger Donnan
It’s been another whirlwind events season and before I get on a plane tomorrow for a real break (two whole weeks!), it feels like a good time to reflect.
Since our clients’ corporate holiday parties are usually handled by an in-house planner (or admin), December is typically a slow time. But with pharmaceutical company events taking place in early January through March, there wasn’t time to relax! It was off to San Francisco while simultaneously handling arrangements for 24 small meetings taking place back in the northeast.
March absolutely came in like a lion with preparations for Autism Speaks’ events and a law firm partner retreat, which all took place in New York City. Multi-tasking skills were tested as travel booking for 300 attendees of the 4th National Communities for Education Reform Convening also took place in April. That event took place this week so while we work on that write-up, check out last year’s event here.
Memorial Day may be upon us, but as every vendor that I’ve talked to in the last six months will attest, the event season no longer has an end. Next month is Autism Speaks’ advanced screening of Cars 2, another meeting for Public Interest Projects and the start of a summer of planning for the five annual New Jersey Light the Night Walks and two human rights convenings.
What’s coming down the pike for you?
Tags: convening, Events, New Jersey, New York City, Non-profit
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May 25th, 2011
By Emily Collier
Being the 2nd day of the CPER convening, today was a very busy day! We started the morning by going around to each room making sure that it was set up correctly for guest speakers. The Ginger Donnan Events staff wanted to make it easy for their clients to be able to come in and be ready to go with their presentation. And they were able to do just that!
Throughout the morning there were several “break-out” meetings that people could choose from. Keeping up with each break-out room’s location was a key part of my job today so that I could help direct people to where they wanted to go.
Today, I observed what goes into “securing the area” when CPER’s keynote speaker, Arne Duncan the Secretary of the Department of Education, came to speak during lunch. I was so glad that things went well with his arrival, his time speaking, and also with his departure.
From all that happened today from setting up rooms, directing people, and checking in guest speakers, the most important thing that I learned was how working as a team can lead to great success in making the whole experience of an event run smoothly. No doubt communicating through walkie-talkies is a huge component in this well-oiled machine, Ginger Donnan Events is on top of their game when it comes to being prepared to do whatever it takes to satisfy their clients.
Tags: convening, Event planning, Non-profit
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May 24th, 2011
by Emily Collier
The big day is here! The day Ginger Donnan Events has been planning for months has finally arrived– The 4th Annual CPER Convening! My adrenaline began to run high as the check-in time grew closer. It was my job to check people in, give them their name tags, along with folders and any other information they may need for the next few days of the convening.
It was great to meet people and to see how excited they were for this event. It was especially rewarding to hear their positive responses they had for the activities that were going on. One activity (that was my personal favorite!) was The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project. The women were energetic and the music was great to dance to!
Even though I became involved only a week ago, I have really enjoyed seeing how all the preparation has turned out for this event.
Tags: convening, Event planning, Non-profit
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May 23rd, 2011
by Emily Collier
Yesterday was my first day on-site at the 4th National CPER Convening in Alexandria, VA. Starting the day at 7:30 a.m., I was excited about meeting the clients and for the busy day ahead of me. I really began to feel like an event planner when we were faced with an unexpected event; however, we were able to quickly come up with a solution. Along with learning the lay of the land, I was also helped with the final preparations – stuffing folders, putting easels together, and checking on rooms to make sure they were set up correctly with everything the client requested.
Though I will admit I was a little nervous for our dinner with the clients, I will say that it was a lot of fun. Clients are Ginger Donnan Events’ number one priority and to see them relaxed and happy the night before the beginning of an event, especially as big as the CPER Convening, is a great thing! Because of the efficient way Ginger Donnan Events handles planning events, clients are able to relax and have nothing to worry about!
I look forward with excitement for what I will learn today!
Tags: client, convening, Event planning, Non-profit
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May 18th, 2011
by Emily Collier
What does it take to be an event planner? My name is Emily Collier and this week I am finding answers to that question as I am an intern for Ginger Donnan Events during the 4th Annual CPER Convening. Ever since I was eight years old, it has been my dream to be an event planner. As a Senior from Morristown-Beard School, it is a requirement to be an intern for at least a week in whichever field of business we choose, so that we can have a sense of the real world before we head off to college. I was able to meet Ginger Donnan through a friend who had worked with her on the Family Reach Foundation’s 5th Annual 5K & Family Fun Run.
When I first contacted Ginger I did not know that the 4th Annual CPER Convening would be during the same week of my internship. Our schedules worked out so that I could help with final preparation before Ginger Donnan Events goes to Alexandria, V.A. I will also be able to help on site with this weekend’s upcoming event.
Working with Ginger Donnan Events has given me a new prospective on what goes into planning events. It takes much more than organization and color coordinated post-its to put an event together; it takes diligence, creativity, and patience. Ginger Donnan Events goes above and beyond when it comes to serving people. It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to help such a great team of people. I look forward to learning more of the ins and outs of planning events this weekend because I know that this is an experience I will never forget.
Tags: convening, Event, Event planner, Non-profit
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