BIZBASH

BizBash is the leading trade media for the event industry. BizBash publishes magazines and e-newsletters, hosts Web sites, and produces trade shows and award shows for corporate event and meeting professionals, event marketers, and sales, PR, fund-raising, and human resource executives.

On Wednesday June 9th BizBash had their Expo and Awards event in downtown Los Angeles. Good Gracious! had the fortune of assisting with the after party which was held at Pacific Electric Lofts. We also had to fumble around to try and come up with an edgy contemporary name which would reflect the direction at which the event industry is taking. Thanks to some creative thinking as ever from our ever reliable creative director Dan Smith, he developed the name VOLT. It reflects the venue, its edgy, contemporary and most of all, simple.

So during the day Pauline Parry and I went to the expo and awards in order to see a few speakers and walk through the trade show floor. Well I have to say, we got there in time for the speakers, which was great. Mindy Weiss was a great speaker, and shared some simple yet effective tips in order to survive in the events industry. Along with advice in order to achieve a successful event. So that was the educational aspect of the expo and awards, and it has to be said I learned a lot.

Now it was time to walk around the trade show floor with Pauline… it might as well of been Jennifer Anniston, or Madonna, or any other major superstar that is out there. We walked onto the trade show floor, took two steps, then all I could hear was, “Pauline! Pauline!” everyone wanted to say hello to her, to say how much they appreciate her work. Others were acquaintances, who Pauline has known for years. It was like she knew everybody! Or at least that’s the way it looked. I was taken back by the whole thing; I couldn’t believe that the very woman who sits opposite me, who is as down to earth as the next, was being mobbed by what only can be described as fans!!! I thought at first she must have been mistaken for someone else??

But it soon became clear, every time I introduced myself to someone, explained my position, they all said the same thing. “you are learning from the best!” to hear that line so many times really puts things into perspective.

Needless to say it took us forever to get around the trade show floor, but again it was a great experience.

After mingling, it was time to work, so off Pauline and I went to Pacific Electric Lofts to look at the VOLT after party set up. We had a number of people coming together in order to make the event possible. What makes it even more special is that everything at the event was donated. Of course it helps to get your name out there, but still it makes people go out of their way to create the best possible event.



The event itself was amazing, from the hanging ice curtains, to the Red Bedroom, from the community tables to the magician. The event was a great success. I had the privilege of meeting some big players within the industry, and of course they all have outrageous personalities. Im beginning to see this is a common trait… well I guess you have to be outrageous in order to survive in this industry!



Like the corporate event in Washington DC, it was interesting to see different companies come together to produce such an event. Also knowing that this event was donated, it wasn’t like everyone was battling for the lime light; they had the events best interest at heart. Of course as with every event there is friction along the way, but you have to discuss and negotiate through these obstacles.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

• My boss is an event planning superstar
• Mix with anyone you meet, ask questions, and express yourself you never know where it is going to lead!
• Communication is key to produce a successful sponsored event
• Go to as many educational seminars as possible… what’s the worst that can happen?