TEDx Peoria

If you love hearing inspiring ideas from a variety of sources, and you haven't heard of TED.com, hey this is my gift to you. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, and TED is an annual conference where people from a wide variety of backgrounds get together to share ground breaking ideas of all kinds.

But TED is much more, and it's spreading... On TED.com, you can see free videos of inspiring talks from TED.

And I'm pleased to announce that Peoria has its own TED event, TEDx Peoria. And this month, I'll be giving a short presentation at the TEDx Peoria event, this Wednesday, October 13 at 6:30 PM at the WTVP studios in downtown Peoria. I'll be introducing a TED talk video (and maybe doing some magic myself!) in honor of National Magic Month.

The Future of Event Planning and Social Media

Just came across a really interesting and valuable article on how to use various social media to help plan, organize, and promote events. Great tips for anyone planning an event, and indispensable for professional event planners.

National Magic Month!

That's right, October is National Magic Month. I've got lots in store for this month, and I'm kicking it off with my monthly appearance at Tyroni's Italian Cafe in Bartonville, this Wednesday, Oct. 6.

Stop by if you can, and stay tuned for more of my activities this month.... I've got some exciting surprises I'll be announcing soon.

Event Planning Industry Beginning to Recover

Here's a new article from BizBash on a study that seems to indicate that the event planning industry is beginning to recover from the downturn of the economic recession. You can read about it HERE.

Green Event Planners

Here's an interesting article I just found on what is fast becoming a booming trend in the event planning industry: eco-friendly event planning. It's titled, Ecopreneurship Opportunity: Green Wedding and Event Planner. Definitely something to be aware of if you plan events.

My Latest Newsletter

I recently sent out my newsletter The Magic Word to everyone on my email list. It has my "Word from Mitch" column on living more happily, a new tasty vegetarian recipe, my "Trick of the Month", and lots of other fun stuff. If you'd like to read it online, you can do so HERE. And if you're not on my mailing list yet and would like to be, you can sign up at my company Facebook page. Enjoy!

Wine and Experience Auction

Tomorrow evening I'm performing at the PBG Wine & Experience Auction at Mt. Hawley to benefit Children's Hospital of IL
http://ping.fm/YPLBS

Hanna City Heritage Days

Just a quick note that I'm appearing this Saturday, August 28 at the Hanna City Heritage Days festival in Hanna City, IL. Performing strolling magic around the festival grounds from 4:30 to 5:30, and a stage show at 6 PM.

Stop by and enjoy the fun!

Event Planning News, Ideas, and iPhone App

Here's another new resource for event planners I just found. Actually two, one resource within another. BizBash Hive is "a new place for event professionals to share news and ideas." They have a plethora of useful and informative articles and news items on a variety of event related topics.

One of the articles I thought was particularly interesting is an announcement on a new iPhone app for event planners. It's called Super Planner, and according to the article, it is "ideal for both wedding and corporate event planners", and it has a variety of functions, including: a pricing conversion page, a food and drink calculator, calculators for staffing, catering, staging, projection and dance floor, as well as a page that will automatically tell you how many people a room will hold based on square feet and table choices. You can also learn about it at the Super Planner Website. I don't have an iPhone myself, but it sounds like a great tool for those who do.

Enjoy!

Cisco Collaboration for Events

Here's a new technological resource for corporate event planners. Cisco just introduced "Collaboration for Events". In a press release they describe it as providing "event planners and executives with customizable options for using collaboration and business video technologies like Web conferencing, telepresence, digital signage and enterprise social software to dramatically expand an event's reach beyond the physical limitation of an event venue."

It's slated as being able to expand the scope of live events, better track ROI, assist in the planning process, attract top speakers, and help keep costs down for trade shows, conferences, and other business events.

To learn more about the new service, you can visit their blog.