New Year's Greetings and More...

Happy New Year to all! First a quick update on my Dad. He just came home from the hospital a couple of days ago, and is doing well, all things considered. He's getting around much better, and his speech is steadily improving. I certainly appreciate all the prayers and support, and also a big "thank-you!" to the staff at Proctor Hospital. They did an excellent job of taking care of him and lending encouragement and support when he really needed it.

If you tried to email me or access my website in the past week, you were no doubt frustrated by the attempt, (though probably not as frustrated as me!) Through an error on the part of my domain registration company, my website was down for just over a week. Since it's my main marketing tool, and my email address my main means of business communication, it put a definite hamper on my business. (If you host websites and register your own domain names, a word of caution: avoid using a company called Mapname.com at all costs. 'Nuff said.) Anyway, you'll be glad to know the problem is now solved, and I'm up and running again.

I'm currently working on a new edition of my email newsletter The Magic Word that I hope to have out by the end of this week. It's generally filled with updates on my activities and lots of other fun stuff (I usually include a tasty vegetarian recipe and a "Trick of the Month" that you can learn, for example.) If you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive the newsletter, just send me an email asking to be added to my mailing list.

Finally, here's something helpful for those of you who plan corporate meetings and events, and are feeling the pinch of the economy. It's an article I found on the Top 10 Tips for Reducing Meetings Costs in 2010.

I hope your New Year is going well so far. Please do keep in touch!

Holiday Notes

Happy Holidays! It's been hectic as always. I hope yours have been as stress free as possible.

The week before Christmas, my dad had a stroke, and had to spend Christmas in the hospital. Our whole family had our Christmas celebration with him there. He's doing well, and we're hoping for a speedy recovery. He's currently in the rehab ward at Proctor Hospital. Please do send him your prayers.

I got some nice press for my appearance at the Salvation Army "Red Stocking" parties. Several people said they saw me on the TV news, but I missed seeing it. Here's the Peoria Journal Star article. And here are two photos from the article.

Rocco Follow Up

Just a quick update/ followup to the Rocco Landesman visit to Peoria. First, here's the At Issue episode that aired on WTVP, in which I was one of two audience members who posed questions to Chairman Landesman.

And here are a few photos of the discussion that took place at WTVP studios, where I also posed a question to Rocco:





Finally, there was a ton of press generated, locally, regionally, and nationally, on the Landesman visit. Here's a list of some of the highlights:

Peoria Journal Star
November 8, 2009
November 7, 2009
November 7, 2009
October 31, 2009

St. Louis Post Dispatch
November 8, 2009

Washington Post
November 8, 2009

WCBU
November 5, 2009

NPR News
November 5, 2009

Bloomberg.com
November 9, 2009

Artsjournal.com
November 7, 2009

Chicago Reader Blog
October 21, 2009

WEEK TV
November 6, 2009

Bradley University
http://www.bradley.edu/spotlight/09/neachair/

NEA Chair Plays in Peoria

This past Friday, I took part in a discussion that was part of a visit to Peoria by National Endowment for the Arts Chairman, Rocco Landesman. The visit came about as a result of comments that Chairman Landesman made several months ago, saying that he didn't know if Peoria had a theatre, but that if so, it probably wasn't as good as the Steppenwolf in Chicago. Suzette Boulais, Executive Director of ArtsPartners, and Kathy Chitwood, Executive Director of Eastlight Theatre each wrote to Rocco, saying he should come see for himself what Peoria has to offer. And he took them up on it, using his visit to Peoria as the kickoff for his Art Works tour, which will have him visiting cities throughout the country to learn how art shapes the economics, city revitalization, and social development of communities. He wrapped up his visit by attending a special performance of Rent at Eastlight.

The discussion I attended took place at WTVP studios and was taped for the NEA website, as well as a special edition of At Issue, a WTVP program with producer/host, H. Wayne Wilson. I was one of the audience members who posed questions to Chairman Landesman in both tapings.

I have a strong sense that those of us in the arts have a responsibility to make our voices heard, when it comes time to shape public policy that effects how the arts are funded and allowed to thrive. One of the interesting points that Chairman Landesman made is that even some Congress members have made comments about the (comparitively miniscule) amounts of the national budget directed to supporting the arts being frivolous, and that it could instead go to creating "real jobs". Rocco pointed out that someone who'd spent their life working to become the top violinist in a symphony orchestra would not think they didn't have a "real job". And he went on to note that the number of people who have full time jobs in the arts is actually greater than the number of people with jobs in the transportation sector and automobile manufacturing industries combined.

There was also discussion of the arts in education, how it's the first thing eliminated when budgets are tight. And yet it's been shown again and again that students who have the arts as a part of their curriculum achieve higher in all areas of academic pursuit, as well as at success in life and business after leaving school, than those who don't. We need the arts if we're to compete effectively on the world stage. Those who claim otherwise are simply ignorant of the facts.

So it's obvious that the arts play a major role in the economic, academic, and cultural health of our society, and it's time that those of us who have a stake in the arts step up and educate people on the realities of not only the part that art plays in our personal lives, but also of the value it has in our economic health as a nation.

Corporate Event Planning Checklist

Here's a helpful article with tips on planning a corporate event, from small to large, with a useful checklist to help keep you on track. They've also included a link to a pdf file with a more detailed checklist and planning sheets, courtesy of Midwest Meetings.

Here's an article I just found with some useful tips on planning a kids' Halloween party: http://ping.fm/CTpUR

Why Meetings Matter

There has been a lot of buzz in the press lately about how the economy, and in particular the perception of corporate events as frivolous, have effected the meeting and event industry. I've noticed some companies tightening budgets, being more cautious about event spending, and waiting until the last minute to firm up plans. Luckily, in part because I offer an excellent service at affordable prices, my business hasn't taken a huge hit, and I've made up the difference in other areas. But many event related businesses have suffered.

Now the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the Global Speakers Federation (GSF) have teamed up to create a campaign to "reinforce the message, that contrary to media and political backlash, Meetings Matter." Their website promotes the idea that corporate meetings and events "develop leaders and a workforce ready to invent a profitable future for America... and help drive a vibrant and productive economy."

The US Travel Association has developed a similar approach, and developed a website on the idea that "Meetings Mean Business". For example, they point out that "For every dollar invested in business travel, companies realize $12.50 in incremental revenue."

If you're in an event related business or job, and concerned about cutbacks, there's a wealth of information out there on the true value of corporate events and how they relate to the bottom line. It's not just about lavish, extravagant, or frivolous spending: it really is about an investment in the bottom line.

Holiday Party Planning Tips

Current trends say that even with the downturn in the economy and tight budgets, most companies are still having parties for the holidays, even it they are scaled back a bit. I just came across a useful article on low budget party planning for the holidays.

Some of the main tips include:

1. Book early for the best deals and dates -- and be flexible.

2. Seek support from on-site event planners.

3. Take advantage of seasonal promotions and packages.

4. Look for distinctive locations and activities.

5. Remember, low-key doesn't mean low quality.

You can check out the entire article HERE.

There's a great video profile on me that currently is front and center on the Peoria Journal Star website, at www.pjstar.com

Just set up a new account on Eventful, and listed my upcoming 5 Points show: http://ping.fm/Y6Yms