Meetings and Events Blog

Hey, here's a new blog I just found on "The Strategic Business Value of Meetings and Events". It's by Corporate Event Interactive, a Chicago based event planning company, and it has a lot of good information on the value of corporate meetings and other events.

Check it out: The Strategic Business Value of Meetings and Events

Business Expo and Google Video

I just spent the day doing magic for the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau booth at the annual Peoria Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, which was held at the Peoria Civic Center. I had a lot of fun, and got to connect with some old friends and meet a few new ones.

And when I got back in the office, I discovered that they now have my Google Fiber Peoria testimonial video up online. Here it is:

Event Planning Guide and Google Fiber

Here's another event planning resource I stumbled across... It's an online version of a magazine on event planning, called The Guide 2010. Although it's published in London, and is mainly targeted to the British event market, it nonetheless does have some useful articles with information that would be helpful for event planners anywhere. Anyway, it's well worth checking out.

Also, I just heard that my Google Fiber video should be up sometime today or tomorrow. Stay tuned, I'll post a link to it as soon as I have it...

taped a video segment today at WTVP studios for the Google Fiber Peoria project. I'll keep you posted... http://ping.fm/c3iYT

Martini's and Haiti Relief Effort

Tomorrow night I'll be performing close up magic at Martini's on Water Street in Peoria for a special Valentine's giveaway night for PeoriaNightOut.com. They're giving away a great package of fun stuff for Valentine's Day.

And just a reminder that there are still a few days left to take advantage of my offer to benefit the Haiti Relief Effort and HopeForHaitiNow.org. (See my post below.)

Help the People of Haiti

As I'm sure has been true for most of us, I've been moved by the images and stories of the devastation following the earthquakes in Haiti. If you've read my most recent newsletter, you'll know one of my former high school classmates runs a mission there.

I felt moved to help in some way, so I've decided to give my customers a way to help me assist the aid efforts in Haiti. Starting today, Monday, January 25, 2010, for any engagement for my services that is booked and confirmed during the next three weeks, I will donate 10% of my fee to HopeForHaitiNow.org. Regardless of when you're holding your event, if you simply confirm during this period, you can take part in my fundraising effort.

This is the fund set up with the global benefit telethon by George Clooney and others in the entertainment industry. 100% of the funds raised by Hope for Haiti Now go to relief efforts in Haiti, with no backend or administrative costs.

The fund benefits the following organizations:

• The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
• United Nations World Food Programme
• Oxfam America
• Partners in Health
• Red Cross
• UNICEF
• Yele Haiti Foundation

So if you need entertainment for an event at any time, and you can confirm your booking with me in the next three weeks, 10% of your fee goes immediately to these organizations to benefit the earthquake survivors in Haiti.

To learn more, you can call me at 309-647-3692 or send me an email with details on your event and any questions you may have. You can learn more about my services here.

Thanks so much for your support.

Great New Event Planning Resource

I'm always doing my best to keep an eye out for great resources for those of you who are event planners, or even for those of you who may be planning an event in the near future. Anyway, here's a good one I just found. It's a site called EventLeftovers.com. Here's a quote from their recent press release:

"New website offers professional and amateur party planners a way to recoup event-related costs, find amazing deals on new and gently used party supplies and help the environment through recycling. EventLeftovers.com is used by Hollywood event insiders as well as general public."

Basically, it's a sort of "eBay for events", in that you can buy and sell slightly used event related items, such as decorations, florals, catering supplies, entertainment and technical supplies, and just about anything else you can think of related to party and event planning. What a great idea, eh? Good for the environment, good for your pocketbook, and a "win-win" all the way around. I love finding great event planning resources like this one! As the press release goes on to say:

"Event Leftovers is for both event professionals (event planners, florists, venues, party stores, nonprofit organizations, rental companies, corporate planners, etc.) and nonprofessionals (anyone that organizes a party for themselves, family or friends). Event Leftovers is appropriate for all types of events, parties, productions, trade shows, expos and conventions and so much more.

"There is tremendous waste in the event industry; whether it’s items bought but never used, used but are still in excellent condition, or merchandise from past seasons sitting in warehouses, garages, offices or stores. Event Leftovers was created to take advantage of this excess by making these items available for secondary events. Event Leftovers is particularly timely in today’s down economy when people are looking for the best possible deals as well as ways to recoup event-related expenses and find the best deals available."

Hope you find this useful in planning your events. Check them out: EventLeftovers.com.

And hey, if you are planning an event soon, don't overlook the entertainment, for crying out loud. My magic programs may be just the ticket (even if I do say so myself!)

New Newsletter

My new Magic Word newsletter is up: www.mitchwilliamsmagic.com/1-10.html

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.