A Meeting Planners Guide to Catered Events

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A Meeting Planners Guide to Catered Events

• Chapter Eight
• Deep-Market Events

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• Elaborate Theme Parties
• Elaborate Themed Refreshment Breaks
• Elaborate Outdoor Parties

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• Typical extravagant events would be awards
  banquets, incentive events, building openings,
  and some elaborate fundraising events.
• A customized, creative theme party comes with a
  hefty price tag.

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Elaborate Theme Parties Include

• A great deal of creativity
• High-end food, beverage, and service
• Entertainment
• Spectacular décor
• Activities

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Event Elements for the Deep Market Include

• Fun
• Flavor
• Excitement
• Action
• Color
• Sound
• Entertainment
• Showmanship
• Surprise

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• Before you plan a function like this, it is
  necessary to know the reason for the event and
  who will be attending.
• The demographics (age, income, ethnicity, etc.)
  will influence what would be appropriate.

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• "A special event recognizes a unique moment in
  time with ceremony and ritual to satisfy specific
  needs.
• Dr. Joe Goldblatt

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• Whenever possible, create something out of the
  ordinary for each event.
• The key is to involve and excite.

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Lights Are Magic!

• Lights attract and dazzle the eye.
• Lights are eye-candy.
• http//www.starmgc.com/

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Moving Décor

• People who are wearing authentic costumes.
• They can be servers and bartenders in costume
  and/or lookalike actors hired to roam around and
  entertain.
• They are part of the décor and add life to the
  theme.

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Soundscapes

• Decorating with sound.
• Sound can envelop and create a mood.
• Commercially prepared tapes are available with
  the sounds of foghorns, rainstorms, ocean waves,
  seagulls, tropical birds, clopping horses, and a
  variety of other background elements.
• Music playing in a room upon entry reinforces the
  theme.

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Musical Entertainment

• Music can also set the mood.
• Appropriate music can enhance receptions and
  meals.
• A harpist is ideal for dinner background.
• A band can play at a reception or a dinner.
• Soothing background music is best for a receiving
  line, opening reception, or meal where people
  want to talk.
• Later, the band can become livelier.
• Meeting planners should discuss music options
  with the caterer.
• .

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Types of Music Available for Ceremonies and
Receptions include

• Classical ensembles
• Chamber music
• Harpists
• Strolling strings
• Herald trumpets
• Jazz combos
• Vocalists
• Ethnic bands
• Big bands
• Dance orchestras

• Top 40 bands
• Country and western bands
• Disc jockeys
• Pianists
• Classic rock bands
• Bluegrass groups
• Guitarists
• Dixieland bands
• Mariachi bands
• Bagpipers

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Elaborate Themed Refreshment Breaks

• The traditional coffee break, including Danish or
  doughnuts, is often expected or required.
• However, the same items presented over and over
  again can become boring.
• The purpose of the break is to provide
  refreshment between periods of work to improve
  concentration.

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Elaborate Outdoor Parties

• Instead of holding an upscale function indoors,
  consider scheduling it on a patio, balcony, by a
  swimming pool, or any other part of the property.
• Perhaps the hotel has a golf course that can hold
  your special gala.
• Or ask the on-premise caterer to cater out.