CT Promotions

Casino in the Emerald Coast

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:13:00 +0000

http://www.hotels.com/de1419966-ty4/spa-hotels-destin-florida/

There is something very controversial that may come to the Walton County area, a casino! There is chatter that Mr. Becnel, owner of SandestinGolf and Beach Resort, wants to open one on or near the Sandestin property. There is a town hall meeting in just a few days to discuss the topic. I have spoken to quite I few locals and people who frequent the area for their opinion. Most people do not want one to open in the area.

Many people worry that a casino may bring crime, bad morale, and other problems. Personally I feel like the Emerald Coast is a great place for families and others to flock to for a fun, clean filled vacation or lifestyle. Most people think of Destin for it’s sandy white beaches and emerald colored waters. I’m not sure people want to associate the area with “SanVegas.” I know a few empty nesters that are interested moving to the area. They have told me if the casino is opened they will reconsider their move.

I am unsure where my opinion stands. I am a former employee of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The only reason I left was to go to graduate school. For me, if the casino opened up it would build job opportunities in the area, and a job is something I need. Not only would it bring jobs, it would bring more money. I know that if the casino were to open, it would be beautiful, well kept and monitored. Sandestin is a wonderful place and run by amazing people so I have faith that they would make it a great place.

A casino would create more entertainment opportunities for the adults in the area. On the other hand, I would like to see something like a Dave and Busters open; it involves food, drinks, and clean games. That way no one would have the opportunity to loose all his or her life savings. Also, a facility like that opposed to a casino would keep those out of Destin and Walton County that think they can come to the casino and become a millionaire.

Nothing is firm at the moment so we will see what the legislation in Tallahassee and the people of the area decide. Stay tuned.

Additional Resources:

http://www.sandestinowners.com/news/town-hall-meeting-notice-jan-10th-2-pm

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/sandestin-8159-casino-hall.html

http://www.wtvy.com/alabamanews/headlines/136841653.html

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Mixed_Reviews_on_Destination_Casino_Bill_136545863.html

Incorporating Experts Views

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:02:00 +0000

At Full Sail University, I am required to design a business plan for my master’s thesis. I have created an event planning company called CT Promotions and Event’s. With the research I have conducted on the expert’s views on the value of business plans, on the blog post preceding this one, I have taken a few tips to incorporate into my own plan.

Walt Disney is a man that has created his own empire from the ground up. He has proven that hard work and pursuing your dream is important. From what I have learned from him, I plan on sticking to the big picture and setting my goals high. It is assumed that CT Promotions and Events will be highly profitable and therefore I am going to project to have a high amount of gross sales in my financials. In my business plan, I am going to always leave room for growth. Walt Disney never stopped growing his empire. Even after his death it is still growing; he never lived to see the completion of the theme park EPCOT.

David Tutera, who I also refer to as the guru of wedding planning, shows the importance of collecting new customers one by one. When he opened his company his only client was his grandfather; you can only plan so many events with one client. David kept his head high and continued to gain customers as the word got out about how talented he was. CT Promotions and Events will take all the customers they can get, even if it is only one. After events are planned for customers, we will ask them to blog or post testimonials on our website and or Facebook page to spread the word about our company. As that is done, we hope that our business will grow.

It is important to conduct research before doing something new, because history always repeats itself. Learn from those who are successful and take notice of what they do. Implement those strategies in your own business and also learn how to make them better. Find what customer’s needs are and relieve them of the stresses they have. In the end you will find success.

Business with Walt Disney and David Tutera

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:03:00 +0000

Before starting your own business, it is a good idea to examine other experts in the world of business plan development, angel investing, or academia. I have taken a moment to examine experts in my industry. Continue reading below to find out about two important experts in the field of the entertainment industry.

Walt Disney

The first person that comes to mind that had created a company that not only entertains, but brings smiles to people of all ages is Walt Disney. Walt was born in Chicago December 5, 1901. Since a young boy he has been interested in art and making extra money in his neighborhood. He came from a relatively poor family. His father never really pushed him to pursue his dreams, but his mother and siblings did. Obviously, Walt followed his dreams.

In 1918, Disney tried to join the military but was rejected because he was under the age of 18. Instead he joined the Red Cross and drove ambulances in France. Instead of driving an ambulance in camouflage, he covered his in what would be early drawings of Disney characters.

After his time with the Red Cross he started his first company in Kansas City, called Laugh-O- Grams. The Mickey Mouse character was created during this time. While his company was open, his Disney cartoons became very popular. Eventually this company went bankrupt.

Sometime after the close of Laugh-O-Grams, Walt and his brother put their money together and set up a cartoons studio in Hollywood. They also found a distributor for their Alice’s Wonderland comedies. In 1937, during the depression, Walt produced a film called Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which cost $1,499,000, which is an insane amount to spend during the depression.

The most known accomplishment of Walt Disney is the creation of his amusement park; it was a dream of his since he was a child. The first park opened in 1955. There is no need to explain how wildly popular those parks are today and the growth that has been made. Not only now are there traditional amusement parks, there are parks where you can see wild animals and even water parks. Companies are even planning conferences on Disney properties with their venue space. Walt Disney’s legacy is living on long after his death.

David Tutera

Like many women and others interested in the field of event planning, I am addicted to David Tutera’s show My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. This show on WE television has become wildly popular. David was not born a celebrity event planner and fashion designer; he started from the bottom up.

David started his event planning business at the ripe young age of 19. His grandfather noticed his talents at a young age and was the one who motivated him to pursue his dreams. His grandfather in the beginning was his first, one and only client. He built his business by gathering his clients one by one.

He was eventually noticed by WE television. He now has the reality show I mentioned where he helps women, with a low budget, plan the wedding of their dreams.

Not only does David Tutera have his own television show, he has written four books, been a guest on many talk shows, created a jewelry line, and designed his own collection of wedding gowns. His passion and business smarts shows that anyone can pursue their dream if they put in the work and get in touch with the right people.

References

http://www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/biography/w_bio_short.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney

http://www.screenjunkies.com/tv/genres-tv/reality/david-tutera-biography-extraordinary-wedding-planner/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Tutera

http://www.davidtutera.com/dt_weddings.php

http://www.abcpedia.us/people-celebrities/biography/mickey-mouse.jpg

http://site.advantagebridal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2_26_david_tutera.jpg

Orlando’s Festival in the Park

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:02:00 +0000

Once again I visited one of my favorite spots this Sunday, Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. This weekend was Orlando’s Festival in the Park. The dates it ran were November 5^th and November 6^th, 2011 from 10am-5pm. I went to check out the event layout and to see what types of foods and art were available.

There were vendors upon vendors surrounding the lake. Vendors sold gyros, bar-b-q, arepas, and ice cream among other things. There was photographic art, jewelry, scarves, shoes, glass crafts and food to be bought. I was personally searching for Christmas gifts, but I had no such luck.

One thing I noticed that really needs to be improved upon was the lack of credit card machines. No one carries cash these days! The vendors that seemed to be doing the most business were those who took credit cards. How many times have you been to such a festival and saw something neat, but didn’t have enough cash to purchase it?

When at the festival I tried the lamb gyro and ice cream. Both were delicious. The ice cream stand my friends and I got a treat from had an option to add a flavor swirl; I added butterscotch, yum. My favorite booth at the show sold homemade noodles. I purchased a Tuscan flavored fettuccini, which I made spaghetti with for dinner. This booth had a credit card machine and also many customers, I wonder why?

This event was a great place for families and friends to stroll away an afternoon. Even though the weather was just tolerable and it sprinkled every now and then, it was pleasant. They layout of the event made it easy to go from booth to booth. The booths followed along the sidewalk that surrounded the circle shaped lake.

The event was dog and children friendly. There was an overabundance of puppies and I wanted to bring them all home with me. A bunch of the booths catered to dogs by selling collars, leashes, puppy clothes, and sunglasses. Lake Eola hosts this event twice a year so be sure to catch it next time.

Spring Fiesta in the Park

Baldwin Park Art and Jazz Festival

Football

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:22:00 +0000

http://images.free-extras.com/pics/f/football-957.jpg

We are currently in the midst of football season; some consider that to be their favorite time of year. So many things are going on, Fantasy Football, Sunday Funday parties and tailgates galore! What are you doing for enjoyment this football season? Personally, my favorite team is Florida State University; I stick with them through the good times and the bad. During this time of year I head to Tallahassee to watch football and be with old friends.

Football games are a great place to bring people together for camaraderie and gatherings. All around college campuses tailgates are set up and people are having a great time. Just imagine a huge smile on your face, drinking your favorite ice-cold beer, eating delicious chips and fat burgers, and playing friends in Cornhole. Or if that isn’t your cup of tea you could sit in your deluxe tailgating chair and watch other college games on a flat screen television while you wait for your game to begin.

Have you been missing those people who you shared the most exciting part of your life with? My company, CT Promotions and Events, can plan your next alumni retreat. No matter if it is a company retreat with people with similar sports interests, your sorority or fraternity, or a class reunion we can plan it. The 2011 season is rapidly coming to a close, but if you need assistance for the 2012 season CT Promotions and Events is there for you.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit the Florida State University campus for a football game. I had the chance to sit in the skybox. That was a super treat; all the food and drink a girl could ask for. Before the game I had a chance to survey the campus and tailgaters alike. I was able to check out what worked and what didn’t. I scoped out all the newest games so I can have the newest and best games at your next college tailgate retreat.

Thrice in Orlando

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:09:00 +0000

This past Saturday, October 8, 2011, I spontaneously decided to attend a concert at The Beacham in Orlando. My friends and I were headed downtown early in the day to attend a Florida State Football watch party at OneEyed Jack’s on Wall Street. As we walked to the bar from our car we saw the rock band Thrice was going to play that evening.

I was pretty excited because I like the band and did not have any Saturday night plans. I checked on my smart phone to see if there were any tickets available and there were! I purchased two tickets straight from my phone; it is amazing how convenient technology makes things.

The show began at 5:30, but I arrived at 6:30. The evening was very rainy so I was glad the venue was indoors. There were three opening bands that I had never heard of. Honestly, I could have showed up at nine and skipped all of the opening bands; I was not impressed. The sound was awful for the opening bands. I could not make out the lyrics. My theory is either they used their own sound equipment or held their mouth to close to the microphone.

When Thrice came on the stage the crowd went wild. The sound was very clear. They played music mostly from their new album and the one directly before it. For their encore they played songs that I used to listen to in high school. It was nice to reminisce. I have included a photo that I took at the concert.

Overall I enjoyed the concert. The Beacham reminded me of an old theatre because of the intricate ceiling crown molding and ceiling art. There was a bar in the lobby and the back of the venue. One interesting thing to note is there was a bathroom attendant there to sell random items and hand out paper towels. This particular woman did not look too happy when I was there and seemed as if she was ready for a nap.

The venues location is downtown Orlando next to The Social. My only complaint was smoking was allowed inside the venue. This particular genre of music usually attracts chain smokers. If you can get past second hand smoke, I would recommend seeing a show at this venue. It’s small enough to allow everyone to see and hear the music but large enough if you want to stay out of the mosh pit.

Disney Wine & Dine

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:30:00 +0000

October 1, 2011 I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Disney Wine &Dine trade show. The show took place at ESPN Wide World of Sports. At the trade show there were many vendors selling all sorts of products anywhere from little girls headbands to balance bracelets. I have posted a photograph that I took from upstairs of the show so you can see the entire layout. On the trade show floor there was a section of seats where a chef prepared food every couple hours and passed out samples. I had a chance to try a homemade granola bar, chicken salad and a delicious chocolate brownie.

I was a volunteer there to represent Full Sail University at their booth. We had a Full Sail University background hanging and a table with a bunch of goodies. Those who stopped by our booth had a chance to hear about the school from three students, an admission representative and a marketing and promotions person; information was given from all spectrums. We handed out t-shirts, water bottles, pens, lens cleaners and backpacks. We gave out some really great items for free that sell for a price that is not free on the Hangr.

I really enjoyed getting to talk to people and working the booth. I want to be an event planner or work in marketing and promotions so this was a really great opportunity for me. I got to see what it was like working a booth and also walked around and checked out the layout of the trade show space. The show was in the field house. ESPN Wide World of Sports is huge! I have never been there before. It would have been a really cool place to compete at when I was in high school playing sports.

Other than the trade show, the event included a 5k run and a half marathon throughout Epcot. Epcot is also hosting the 2011 Food & Wine Festival throughout the park. I have never attended but my roommate told me she attended last year and you basically go to the different buildings in Epcot that represent the different countries and try different foods and beverages.

All in all, the trade show was a success. We got a lot of registrations from prospective students. I hope a few students enroll because of the trade show. Full Sail is an amazing school and I have really enjoyed my time as a student there and like sharing my experience with others.

Hospitality and Conference Liability

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:04:00 +0000

http://dritoday.org/images/articles/Hospitality-LARGE-1.jpg

When planning a conference it is so important to be aware of liability issues and have the proper insurance for your event. This really great two part podcasts discusses this issue. To watch the first podcast click here, and for the second half click here. Drugs, prostitution, alcohol are all things you have to worry about when hosting a conference at a hotel, especially when your guests stay at a hotel. You don't want these problems affiliated with your event. The hotel could be held negligent.

One very interesting issue I didn't think of was the matter of bed bugs. When you make an agreement with a hotel for rooms for people to sleep in, you make an offer of what your going to pay for a night and they are supposed to offer you a clean room for your needs. It is basically a contract. If they don't the hotel may be held liable to pay you compensatory damages. Depending on the damages, you could sue for punitive damages. Before choosing a hotel and conference center do research on the types of accommodations offered and make sure they are clean. It wouldn't be a bad idea to shop around and spend the night at the space you are planning to hold your conference.

A really important law to be aware of in the hospitality industry, or anyone hosting an event where alcohol is served, is the Dram Shop Act. When alcohol is served at an event, the person serving it can be held liable for things that the person drinking does. In my opinion, in a conference setting there should be a drink limit. It may be a good idea to sell drink tickets to help regulate how much a person consumes. One thing I found very interesting in my research is that even if you are just throwing a simple house party and one of your guests leaves and gets into a car accident due to their alcohol, you as the party host may be held liable.

There is so much that goes into the hospitality industry and planning conferences and events. You should be aware of the laws and things you could be held liable for. Below I have provided some supplemental cases on hospitality liability. I have also provided a podcast on hotel security. One hotel speaks about the terrorist attack of 9/11 and how the terrorists stayed at their hotel. They spoke on the signs that they ignored and what you can to do avoid their mistakes. I thought it was interesting since this year is the tenth anniversary of the attacks. Hope my information was helpful; enjoy!

Suplemental Information

Bed Bugs Article
Privacy Issue Article
Hotel Security and Anti-Terrorism Training Podcast

Issues in Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:53:00 +0000

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfukitten/1236664277/

Advertising is a key part of any business. Beware; before you do any be aware of legal liabilities. I will give a few examples of cases that involve advertising issues in hopes that it will help history not repeat itself. When you start an advertisement campaign be sure that you’re honest about your product or services offered.

Earlier this year, a well-known company to most, Bacardi, had an issue with the Lanham Act. The Lanham Act protects trademarks and false advertisements ("Lanham act," 2008). Allegedly, Bacardi falsely advertised the origin of their rum. Long story short the way they advertised the rum insinuated that it was manufactured in one place when it really was not. Bacardi stated the place as the rums geographic origin. They intended to relay the message that the rums recipe originated from the said geographic location, not that it was manufactured there. The outcome of this case was not guilty. But the moral of the story is to always be honest as possible with advertising. For an event planning example, advertise and trying to not confuse what is actually happening at the event. For other information related to this case please click on the following link: Pernod Ricard USA LLC v. Bacardi INC.

Online marketing has become very prominent. When advertising anything nowadays email blasts, websites and social media outlets are used. Be careful to check the laws before starting any campaign. The following company found themselves in the courtroom. Vonage Holding's Corp. was sending out email advertisements but found a way to avoid the spam folder by making their email header show false information. The case was dismissed because the law that they were in court for could be deemed unnecessary. Software is available for people to keep unwanted spam from their mailbox. The best way to send out email advertisements is to be clear about what you are advertising in the header. Most likely if someone is interested in your product or service they will read the email. If you would like more information on this particular case please see the following link: Kleffman v. Vonage Holdings Corp.

This final case I found extremely interesting. The moral of this case is don't use your fan base to get you out of trouble while you are in court. This is apparent for those in the entertainment industry. A particular radio host was banned from being on infomercials for three years because he had misrepresented the content of the books he was advertising on television. The host posted a radio broadcast on his website asking his fans to email the judge while during his case. Not only was it wrong to have his fans email the judge, the host made the formerly private email public. The host was sentenced to thirty days in jail. People of the entertainment world or anyone with a fan base, don't use your fans to get you out of trouble. If your case is any like this person's it will likely get you in more trouble. For more information on the case of the radio host please click on the following link: Federal Trade Commission v. Trudeau.

In any industry advertising is an extremely important part of business. Be sure to follow the law and you won't end up in court.

References:

Lanham act. (2008). Retrieved from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Lanham+Act

http://caselaw.findlaw.com/summary/opinion/us-3rd-circuit/2011/08/04/255928.html

(2010). Retrieved from http://caselaw.findlaw.com/summary/opinion/ca-supreme-court/2010/06/21/170415.html

(2010). Retrieved from http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1524785.html

(2011). Retrieved from http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-3rd-circuit/1576419.html

Behind the Scenes

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:13:00 +0000

Sunday August 14, 2011 was my first day as a tour guide at Behind the Scenes at Full Sail University. Full Sail puts on this event once a month to show prospective students what the school has to offer. It is basically an informational fair on steroids. Prospective students and their parents and spouses from all over the country, and maybe farther, flock to Full Sail to attend. I took this tour back in October 2010 when I was considering Full Sail and it is basically what sold me. Once I finished the tour I know immediately that it was the school for me and I was ready to go apartment hunting.

From a prospective students point of view Full Sail showcases all the bells and whistles. You want nothing more than to attend this school. You are first taken into a sound stage where The Daily Buzz is filmed. The students and faculty put on a show using all of their expensive high tech cameras and monitors. Even though I was interested in the business program, I found this enchanting and thus I became interested in the school. Next you’re broken off into our specific degree programs. Once in groups, you’re taken to a few classrooms where teachers and faculty members speak about what the programs offered. Next stop is the venue, Full Sail Live. What takes place here is another show where they pull out all the stops; the President of Full Sail also told an inspirational story. Once finished you walk to the fair where everyone is fed and has the opportunity to talk to the friendly admissions representatives who were ready to sign you up.

Now that I am a student I have no regrets. Since this event at Full Sail had such a positive impression on me, I wanted to get involved. Don’t get me wrong; I wanted the opportunity to make some cold hard cash as well. On Saturday I assisted in the set up. I basically helped put out chairs and move furniture. It was a pretty easy gig. I showed up Sunday ready to give the tours. I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure what tour I would be giving; I was very much hoping to give the business tour since I was familiar with the program. And I got it!

I was so impressed with how organized the event ran. I have studied event planning and assisted with a few myself so I pay attention to details. Everything was planned down to the minute. The tour that I explained above that I did back in October was run six times on Sunday! I was fortunate to be partnered up with a very nice girl who had done the tours a few times before. She was more than willing to show me the ropes. By the third tour I was holding the sign and leading the tour on my own. The speeches that the teachers and faculty members gave were obviously canned, because they were similar to the speeches I heard almost a year ago. But let me tell you, they were impressive and still inspirational to me. If you love entertainment of any kind and are interested in business, you are crazy to not be at least a little intrigued with this school.

Not only did the event run smoothly like clockwork, they treated the student tour guides very well. They fed us and gave us plenty of downtime. The event was a success, full of smiles from everyone. I am looking forward to assisting with this event again in the future

Images:

Web. 14 Aug 2011. <http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/03/prweb797844.htm>.

Last Minute Summer Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:30:00 +0000

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Destin-Florida-vacation-rental-condo-proID-47852.html

It’s August and the summer will soon be coming to an end. Are you looking for a last minute Florida vacation? Look no further that the beautiful beaches of Destin, Florida. Destin is located on the Florida’s panhandle between Pensacola and Panama City Beach. The place I would recommend staying would be Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Last year I had the pleasure of working at Sandestin as a concierge so I know what I am talking about when I say it is a great place.

My recommendations of places to stay on the resort are The Grand and West Winds. The Grand is located near Baytowne, which is the resorts hub of restaurants and nightlife. The Grand has the feel of a hotel with its spacious old Florida lobby and smiling staff. It’s not located directly in the center of the excitement, but it is close enough walk to Baytowne and enjoy a drink at Fat Tuesday’s or any other place in that area. West Winds is located right on the beach. You can literally walk outside to the pristine white sand. Not only does this condominium have quick beach access, it has a pool and a hot tub with a view of the ocean.

There are so many activities to get involved with on the resort. Sports, nightlife, restaurants, and water sports are just a few options. The resort offers a fitness facility, golf courses, and a tennis center. The water sports are available on the beach and near the bay by the marina. Some of the sports they offer are kayaking and yolo boarding. Most of the nightlife and restaurants are located in Baytowne. You can find food, fun, live music and flowing drinks in this area. Another great restaurant to check out on the resort is Finz. Finz offers fine dining, delicious seafood, and a view of the emerald coast. Make reservations with your honey and enjoy a romantic sunset over dinner.

Sandestin has something for everyone at any age. It is a wonderful place for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. There is plenty to do in Destin off the resort as well. You can shop at the Silver Sands Factory Stores or visit the water park, Big Kahunas, or take a day trip to Seaside. Bottom line there is plenty to do, but if you don’t want to leave the resort there are many things to keep you and your travel companions happy.

Vacation But Low on Cash

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:58:00 +0000

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201006/the-stay-cation-having-fun-while-staying-put

Do you feel trapped and in need of a vacation but low on cash? Consider a staycation. According to Urbandictionary.com, one of my favorite websites, a staycation is “ a vacation that is spent at ones home enjoying all that home and one’s homes environs have to offer.” I studied staycation’s during my undergrad in recreation at Florida State University. To my knowledge a staycation is taking a vacation in your hometown. You have the option to stay at your home or a hotel of your choice. The great thing about staycation’s are you can take a vacation and not have to pay for common traveling costs such as gas, air travel, tolls etc.

If you happen to live in Orlando, Florida you are pretty much in the vacation capital of the world. If you live near downtown you could rent a hotel in Kissimmee and take your family to Disneyworld. You have created essentially a great vacation for you and your family and eliminated the cost of travel besides the twenty-five minute drive down I-4.

If your not interested in that attraction you could just try the things you have been wanting to do in your hometown or within the vicinity. The entire idea of a staycation is to generate money and tourism in your area. By doing this you are essentially helping the economy and enjoying yourself at a lower cost than a traditional vacation would be. Some hotels such as the Holiday Inn Express in Tampa, Florida offer discounted rates to Florida residents to promote staycation’s!

For more information about things to do in Florida check out Visit Florida’s website for ideas. Specifically for Orlando visit the Visit Orlando site. Both websites have wonderful ideas for people of any circumstance on different budgets. I hope that everyone will consider a staycation for his or her next vacation; you may have more discretionary cash because of it!

References

Florida resident hotel discount rates. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.hisuitestampa.com/specials/florida-resident-staycation.php

Staycation. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=staycation&page=2

Visit florida. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.visitflorida.com/

Visit orlando. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.visitorlando.com/

Event Planning Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:46:00 +0000

http://militaryengineers.wordpress.com/2009/12/08/same-small-business-conference-day-2/

In order to fully be able to appreciate a great event, you should understand the basics of what goes into planning one. First and foremost you must decide what type of event you want to plan. Personally, I am interested in planning conferences and destination business retreats. It may sound boring but a lot goes into it. You have to decide how many people will attend, pick a date and begin. Once you pick a date, you must pick a venue that works best for your event. Some venues are all inclusive with meeting space, dining, entertainment and lodging; especially the Disney resorts in Orlando, Florida.

The number one decision you have to make is who is going to finance the event? If you are planning something for a company, are you as the event planner going to pay your vendors directly and have the company reimburse you? That could become a sticky situation. According to Marriott hotels, if you are going to go this rout you should make sure you have a signature from the person with fiscal responsibility on a contract that states they will cover all the expenses, even if they are over what was budgeted.

It is important to organize the expenses so you have a good idea of what is going to be spent. Things to think about are hotel reservations, food and beverage, entertainment, meeting space, audiovisual equipment and much more. This should all be documented. Negotiations should take place with each item so you can make sure that you get the best deal. Some hotels will give you free room nights if enough heads are in their beds so to speak.

Now that you have your event planned and ready to go, are you prepared for the what if’s? There should be a contract with the venue, anyone you have outsourced to, and the company you are planning for if for some reason the event should be cancelled or rescheduled. Many things could cause this. Two examples would be weather or political situations. Hopefully nothing will go wrong and your event will go smoothly.

References

Step–by–step planning guide . (2011). Retrieved from http://www.marriott.com/meetings/meeting-planning-services.mi

Steve Jobs on TED.com

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:20:00 +0000

http://www.cultofmac.com/steve-jobs-canceled-stock-options-from-2003-would-be-worth-10-5b-today/43516

Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech to Stanford University in 2009 that was posted on TED.com Best Of The Web. The link will be posted below. I know I usually do event promotions, but I am promoting this because it is worth watching. He told three stories about significant happenings in his life. He truly has an incredible story.

When Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, was born he was put up for adoption, his birth mom wanted him to be adopted by someone who went to college. His birth mom had a family all lined up, and at the last minute they decided they wanted a girl. Another family was called in the middle of the night, which had no college education. They promised Steve would go to college.

Steve went to college, but dropped out so he could take the classes he only found interesting. He lived off nickels and dimes. Some of those classes helped him have the knowledge to create the Macintosh, as it is known today. He stated the following quote: You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. It was a heartfelt quote to give everyone hopes to follow their heart and know inside it will all work out. This really spoke to me, especially being a graduate student and not knowing where life is going to take me once I complete my education.

Another thing Steve said that really hit home was, sometimes life is going to hit you in the head with a brick, don’t loose faith. You have to find what you love to do. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. He continued on to say not to settle; you will know what you want when you find it. He also said that is true with great relationships. He also went on to say it even gets better as the years roll on, if you choose what you love. Everyone should think this when they are going through something hard in order to meet their goals; it’s a good way to stay motivated.

The last story he told touched on the fact that life is short so live every day as if it is your last. It is important to ask yourself if what you are doing today, is that how you want to spend your last day? I agree with this to an extent. You should treat everyone everyday as if it is going be in your last encounter with him or her so there are no regrets. But, usually you have to do things you really don’t want to do so you can accomplish what you want in the long run, that is just my opinion. He says don’t go on fearing that you have something to lose. Steve Jobs is a very wise man and has been though a lot in in life and still accomplished much more then the average person. Watch it if you want to feel inspired.

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die

Amway Center

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:28:00 +0000

On April 21, 2011 I had the opportunity to go on a private tour of the Amway Center, the home of the Orlando Magic! Not only does Orlando's basketball team play in this center, many events and concerts are held here. Recently Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin preformed here. I wanted to share some of my photos from the experience:

IFEA

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:06:00 +0000

If you are interested in events you may want to check out IFEA, which stands for Internal Festivals and Events Association. IFEA is the main supporting association for events around the world. Their target market is event planners that plan events, which support their surroundings.

IFEA’s main headquarters are located in Boise, Idaho. If you are not in Idaho no worries, you can get connected with them on their website or visit one of their many conferences around the world. To get all the benefits from IFEA you must purchase your membership. IFEA’s mission in short is “to inspire and enable those in our (their) industry to realize their dreams, build community and sustain success through celebration.”

The reason I like IFEA so much is its networking opportunities. I got connected with the association during my undergrad. I personally don’t have a membership because the cost is a little high for me since I am still a student. Although I don’t have a membership I am signed up for their free e-mail updates! I highly recommend that you do this. With the e-mail alerts you will get weekly updates on industry trends and tips to help your event run smoothly.

Another great thing about IFEA is that this association can get you connected with people that can sponsor your event. So if you don’t have a lot of expendable cash to put into an event for your community IFEA can help you find a sponsor. Not only does a sponsor provide money, they could end up being a networking opportunity. If you want to check out all of IFEA's benefits go to their website, click on the About IFEA tab and scroll down to the Vision and Mission section.

Resources:

http://www.ifea.com/joomla1_5/index.php

http://www.ifea.com/joomla1_5/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=53

Soul Surfer

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Last night, Wednesday April 6, 2011 I had the opportunity to preview the movie Soul Surfer. The feature films release date is set for April 8, 2011. A friend of mine got free ticket vouchers through someone she works with. Honestly, I had no plans to see this movie, but who will turn down free tickets in today's economy? The movie was at the Regal Winter Park Village. This was the second time I have visited this theater. It is in a beautiful outdoor mall. The mall is filled with outdoor restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory and Mitchell's Fish Market and shops.

I didn't know much about how the preview worked until I showed up. Apparently, it was a first come first serve situation on the seating. My friend and I were told to arrive at 6:30, but we didn't make it until 6:50. We lucked out and got great seats. Basically we walked right into the theater. We flashed are tickets to the ladies sitting at a table in front of the viewing theater's main door and they let us walk right in. The people who put on the viewing event seemed to be very organized. Before the movie began a lady came in front of the theater and thanked us for attending and told us to turn off our phones. She said if we were caught on our phone at all, for any reason, we would be escorted out. I loved this! How many times have you gone to the movies and the person in front of you, or behind, was texting and the light from the phone distracted you? This should be a universal rule! There is a time and place to use your phone.

I don't want to ruin the movie for those who want to see it, but the movie Soul Surfer was based on a true story about a young surfer, Bethany Hamilton. A shark bit off Bethany’s left arm. Due to the attack, she lost over sixty percent of her blood. It was a miracle she survived. Even though she has gone through such a traumatic experience and lost her left arm she continues to surf and win contests. I was flipping through the channels the other night and saw a True Life on her on MTV if you would like to look for the rerun.

The shark bite scene was about as real as the mechanical shark in Jaws. I know this was a movie for kids, but with all the advances in technology I don't understand why they decided to slack on this scene, it cheapened the entire movie. Also, Carrie Underwood is a very beautiful and talented singer, but she is a joke of an actress. I imagine the film wanted to add credibility by using a known celebrity, but not all singers can act. She looked like she was trying to hard and not one thing she said was believable. She played Bethany's youth group leader when she should have just played the shark. Other than that, all the other actors were fine.

I would absolutely not recommend this movie if you are over the age of twelve. The poor little girl sitting next to me cried through the entire movie, I assume it was a touching film for her. She looked about ten, which is what demographic this movie appealed too. I would take my twelve-year-old sister to this movie because she would love it. Each scene got cornier by the minute. Soul Surfer is a perfect movie to take your younger siblings to, or a date that you never want to see again.

Resources:

http://www.exposemovies.com/drama/soul-surfer/attachment/soul-surfer

http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/

Spring Fiesta in the Park

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:37:00 +0000

Today was a beautiful day in Orlando, Florida to attend the Spring Fiesta in the Park at Lake Eola. Lake Eola is located in downtown Orlando. The "Fiesta" was an outdoor event that included vendors of all types. This event was very pet and kid friendly. It is really a great event for all ages. There is something for everyone. Not only could you walk around and enjoy the vendors, you could sit on a bench and enjoy the beautiful lake and its wild life. I was very fortunate to witness some nesting black swans. The swans were in a roped off area and more then half their eggs had hatched.

If you are a swan lover, you are in luck. They are everywhere, black and white. Not only can you view them you can ride one! Not a real one, but a swan boat! I have not had a chance to do it myself, but it looks like a lot of fun. The cost is around fifteen dollars a half an hour.

Examples of what the vendors sold were handmade jewelry, art, clothing, food, plants, and hand made soaps. Also a lot of local non-profit agencies were out explaining their causes. My personal favorite was the pet adoption agencies. There were so many adorable puppies they’re awaiting their new home.

You could purchase your puppy for only two hundred and fifty dollars. That price included everything, even their required new puppy shots.

I spent time walking around the "Fiesta" checking out each individual booth and I have narrowed down my top ten favorites:

1. An artist named Donna Lockhart exhibited her abstract art; she calls her company "Impulse Art." I personally wanted to buy a piece. She used a wide array of colors and I felt her work was very expressive. I have included a picture. If you are interested in getting in touch with her, her e-mail is dlockhart6cfl.rr.com.

2. Pati Pati Imports LLC is known for their African Imports. The owner Liz Schafer creates homemade sandals made out of leather and old tires. They are very cute! The best part of the purchase is that ten percent of the proceeds go to a food drive in Africa. If you would like to get a pair you can visit their website or send an e-mail to patipatiimports@yahoo.com.

3. Sealife Creation was a very cool booth. This booth sold blown glass sculptures with real jellyfish inside. They were naturally bright colors and glow in the dark. No jellyfish were harmed in this creation. I was talking to the artist and he was telling me that he gets the jellyfish from a marine biologist he knows in Pensacola, Florida. These are jellyfish that "passed away" from natural causes. These sculptures would make a great conversation piece. If you want to purchase one for yourself or just check them out look at the artists website.

4. It was around lunchtime so I decided to visit the Jerk Shack. They do catering and have a mobile restaurant. At this booth you can choose a jerk pork or chicken sandwich or a boat. I went for the boat. The jerk pork boat included meat on top of coconut rice and beans. It was delicious. You can choose a sweet or hot sauce for your food. Some of the proceeds go to the Orlando track club. If you see this mobile restaurant, get a bite to eat.

5. If you like plants, but always kill them Tree Mon is the booth for you. Dale Bartlett creates tree sculptures out of wire. I have included a picture.

6. 02 Breathe, LLC's booth had a very interesting concept. They had set up a mobile oxygen bar. Just check out the website.

7. Ever thought about a cool craft you can do with glass blocks? Sherry's Creations did. She has painted designs on the front of glass and put Christmas lights on the back. My personal favorite was the Florida State Seminole head. If your interested in one or just want more information you can e-mail Sherry at LoveSherrysCreations@yahoo.com.

8. If you are looking for jewelry that sports your favorite team, check out Stephanie Mellor's Themed Wearable Art. My favorites were the bottle caps with sports teams emblem hanging on a necklace.

9. Are you a hippie at heart? Half Breed Creations had hand made jewelry and incense. I picked myself up a few boxes that smelt delicious. Their e-mail is nativeamjewlery.com

10. Do you stink? If so, Winter Park Soap Company can help. They sell handcrafted soaps that smell so good.

Above I have only listed ten booths. There were so many I didn't mention. Below I have included some more photographs of the event.

If you didn't get to check it out, go to it next year. Also, every Sunday Lake Eola hosts a farmer's market. This market is a smaller scale of the event I attended today.

Wall Street St. Paddy's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:41:00 +0000

I attended the Wall Street Saint Patrick's Day block party. It was a great choice; people flocked to the event in masses. I have posted some pictures from the evening. The pictures don't do the party justice, it was definitely a sight to be seen.

Everyone sported there green garb and were there to have a good time. Some people brought their own green drinking glasses and wore flashing green accessories.

I spent most of my time outside listening to the music from the DJ on stage. Some of the bars sold green beers, but mostly just Irish beers were served. They also did not forget the Irish car bombs. The weather was great and the atmosphere was like nothing I had experienced before. I am from Tallahassee which is a lot smaller than Orlando so it was a neat experience being around so many people out to have a good time. The other half of the evening I spent on the upstairs deck of WalTiki. It was interesting to see everyone from up above. There was different music in Waltiki then from the outside stage. Mostly pop music and hip hop was played throughout the night. Overall it was a great evening and I enjoyed myself. Best St. Patrick's Day party I have attended.

St. Patricks Day

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:10:00 +0000

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, March 17, 2011. It only comes once a year! Don't forget to wear your green tomorrow or you might get pinched! What are you going to do for this festive day? Where are you going to drink your green beers? If you are in the Orlando, FL area there is a lot of choices.

Here are a few St. Patrick’s Day Parties that I would recommend:

Wall Street is having a block party from 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. with drink specials and an entry fee of only $5! This is a great place to go for people on a budget. Wall Street is an area downtown where you get to experience a few different bars. Each bar has a different theme and you get to experience them all for one entry fee. My favorite bars in Wall Street are WalTiki, One Eyed Jacks. WalTiki reminds me of a giant tiki bar and One Eyed Jacks reminds me of the bars I went to during my undergrad at Florida State.

Another option besides Wall Street downtown would be Church Street. You can enter the party at Chiller's. The event has free admission on St. Paddys Day and before 10:00 p.m. the next day. I have actually never been to this bar but I have heard it is a great time. I have noticed people dress up a bit more for the bars off Church Street. So if the laid back bar scene isn't your thing, you would probably like the bars off Church Street more.

If you don't want to go downtown check out one of my favorite bars in Orlando called World of Beer. There are three locations one on Dr. Phillips, UCF and one at Lake Mary. I have visited the World of Beer on Dr. Phillips and it did not disappoint. It reminds me of a modern Irish Pub with a great laid-back atmosphere. There were so many different brews to try. Some nights they showcase live music. Don't forget to check out the dyson dryers in the bathroom, they are so cool.

You could also check out Raglan Road in Downtown Disney. This would be a good place to go if you are visiting Orlando for the theme parks and or if you are with your family.

Wherever you decide to spend your St. Patrick's Day, have a great time. Just be sure to be safe

For more information on St. Patrick’s Day parties check out the Orlando Sentinel

Sláinte

(The Irish word for “Cheers”)

Baldwin Park Art and Jazz Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:02:00 +0000

This past Saturday March 12, 2011 I attended the Fifth Annual Art and Jazz Festival in Baldwin Park. There were artists and vendors lining New Broad Street. The art varied from photos of animals, nature to abstract art. Vendors also displayed a wide variety of crafts and handmade jewelry.

Dogs and their owners walked from vendor to vendor with smiles alike. Everyone seemed to be in good humor. At the end of New Broad Street there was a stage close to the lake. Many spectators gathered to listen to the Jazz artists. If you didn't catch this great cultural event you should check it out next year. Here is a link to get more information on the event:

Baldwin Park Art and Jazz Festival

Blog Information

noreply@blogger.com (Chennel Turner) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:35:00 +0000

In my blog I will discuss different events and promotions. Some of the events will be the ones that I attend in Orlando and other areas in Florida