Preston Bailey - a mentor in the industry!

This week I just HAD to borough an article from Preston Bailey. He is absolutely my mentor in the industry and I've learned so much from his blog. Pls go there and read more of his articles!

http://www.prestonbailey.com/

Raising the bar- being the best in the industry!

You could give them what they expect, or even something they have seen before, but where is the fun in that? We all want to exceed the expectations of our clients.  Here are five ways to do just that.

Pay Attention: Our client's are turning to us to help them create the event of their dreams, so it is essential that we actively listen to them. Instead of focusing on selling your skills, spend your time getting to know who they really are and what they want.  Ask them questions about what they do -and don't- like, clarify any questions or concerns, and make sure to empathize with their worries.

Surprise Them!  I personally enjoy surprising guests every 20 minutes at my events, but I believe in full transparency with my clients in all areas relating to design and the execution of the event itself.  That said, I have been known to present brides with a special bouquet as a gift and feel that sending a box of chocolates to her suite is a nice touch.

Guide Them: Don't forget that your clients are paying for your expertise.  You certainly want to make them happy, but if you know something is not going to work, gently explain why and offer an alternative.

Knowledge is Power: Take the time to go through the process, discuss expectations (on both sides) and share ideas as to how to make the planning and design process a fun one.

Support Them:  Throwing a big event is the standard practice for a seasoned professional like yourself, but this may be the first time the client has ever hosted an event on this scale. Help them be more excited than overwhelmed by maintaining a compassionate and professional demeanor.

See the article on Preston Baileys blog and many more!

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8442edf00893a87dd78fedd1b&id=42d1470827&e=3cab48fc84

Practical events courses in Kenya - Become a Certified Event Draping Specialist

Divine Schools Africa in partnership with ECTA Creative Solutions

http://www.divineschools.com/
http://www.ectaint.com/

Dates of our next Practical Events Courses at Divine Schools Africa:

indianweddingsite.com

Event Draping – Day classes

Dates:                         6^th – 17^th May 2013

Time:                          8:30 to 13:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

www.picstopin.com 

Event Draping Evening Classes

Dates:                         6^th – 17^th May 2013

Time:                          18:00 – 21:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

wdrapingsflorida.com 

Centre pieces course

Date:                           25^th May 2013

Time:                          8:00 – 16:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

                                    Students will receive a list of things that they need to bring to the course.

www.ectaint.com

Kids Party Planning

Dates:                         20^th – 31^st May 2013

Time:                          8:30 to 13:00

Practical exam:         Children’s party – each student needs to bring one child to the party

Extra:                          Manual to buy

                                    Students will receive a list of things that they need to bring to the course

www.imagineevents.co.za

Why do we need to have a theme for a kids party?

I think for a children’s party it just makes it so much more interesting for a kid to see his/her favourite theme or character at his birthday. Kids can get dressed in the theme, you can play around with décor around that theme, and you can even do the invite and the food around the theme. What is better than a good old ARGGGGHHHH!!!! And treasure hunt for a lot of little pirates… The possibilities is so vast and it actually makes it so much easier to decorate, keep the kids busy etc from the party planners perspective.

Choosing a Theme

The easy way to choose a theme is to shop for the paper plates, cups and napkins first, then, build a theme around the picture or print on the plates and/or napkins. This will always give your event a natural tie-in with the coordinating decorations.   
But unfortunately – that is the easiest and most simple way to decorate a party. There are so many other wonderful ideas on how to make your parties so much more interesting and unique. Remember – you want to start a business as a party planner. You need to outsmart and outthink you competitor – the lady in your town that is doing the old boring paper plate themed events. I always says to my staff – that the day they suggests to me to use paper plates and pre printed party stuff – that is the day that we can not be in business anymore because then we don’t have any imagination left. At a pirate party – what about a basket for the food and an old fashioned tin cup for them to drink out of?

 

www.birthdayexpress.com

www.imagineevents.co.za

Come and learn how to develop new, exciting kids parties themes and be the first in Kenya to start this new concept.

Divine Schools Africa in partnership with ECTA Creative Solutions

http://www.divineschools.com/
http://www.ectaint.com/

Kids Party Company - To do or not to do?

Did you ever dreamed of being a fairy princess, a pirate, a fireman or even just dreamed about never never land…. But now you are an adult and you have responsibilities and there is no place in life for fairytales… Wrong!!

  

There are places where fairytales can come alive and even bring some money to you. You can start your own children’s party company. Let me just tell you before you even start thinking about it…. It is not for the faint of heart! You have to be full of patients and LUVVVV… for other people’s children! The second biggest thing is that you can not stand the whole time and talk to the kids… they don’t just wants to see your nostrils the whole time – get down, get to their level and connect with the kiddies where they are!

This is the type of company a mom with small kids can think off. You’ve got an instant customer base with all the friends of you kids and all the kids in the school where your child attends. As a Kids Party Business owner you'll experience the joy of a business that puts you in charge. You'll be able to choose your own hours and schedule your work around your family first.  

Kiddie’s parties have become big business. With the rise in single parents and two working parent homes, this means that many parents don’t have the time to plan and coordinate these parties themselves. Specializing in pulling off fabulous children’s parties may be the perfect home business for an energetic, creative and organized person. You also need to have a high tolerance for the constant activity and noise levels present at any and every children’s party in the history of the world.

While working with kids may seem like an easy gig, young children make for a very tough audience. If they don’t like something, they get up and walk away, or yell and throw things. Your job at a party is to hold the attention of a group of people for whom a short attention span is the norm. It would be imperative that you as a children’s party planner must be able to manage stress and still operate in a professional manner while lots of children is screaming, crying, and running around all at once. With that you would still need to give attention to the little one that is to shy to talk too even one of his little friends at the party.

That said - this will still be the best time you'll ever have "working" The kids will love you and will be excited to see you. You'll get hugs, kisses, and kids saying "It's the best party they ever had." Seeing the smiles on those kids' faces is the best feeling in the world and that makes you want to go to work the next morning again. And best of all, you'll have customers coming to you. Parents love telling their friends about our fun kids party events so there's always business waiting for you. Please remember - while it is the children you are entertaining, it is the parents, who do the hiring, so do involve them in the planning etc and give all the glory to them on the party. They like to be the centre of attention on such occasions.

Besides the right attitude, anyone who wants to run a children's party planning business will have to be able to predict what the birthday kid's dream birthday would be by discussing it with the parents.

If you've gotten to the stage of seriously considering starting a children's party planning business, you probably know this already, but every kid has different taste.
Some kids hate clowns with a passion and are bored to tears by magicians, some girls love Ninja Turtles and Batman and there are boys who love kittens. Make sure you talk in depth with the parents about the child's interests when selecting a theme, games and entertainment.

Come and attend our Kids Party Planning course at Divine School Africa and become a certified Kids Party Planner!!!!

Divine Schools Africa in partnership with ECTA Creative Solutions

http://www.divineschools.com/
http://www.ectaint.com/

Why another wedding and events blog for Kenya?

The Wedding & Event industry in Kenya is by far not a new development, but in terms of quality and skill it’s very much in the development stages. If you have the correct skills and the knowledge, no matter your competition, you are guaranteed to excel past everyone. With this blog we are looking to assist those who would like to be part of the handful of “elite” wedding and event specialists with the knowledge and skills we are craving for in this country. We would like to help inspire and open your horizons in this industry and show you what you are capable of, so join us on this exciting journey and broaden your knowledge and skills.

Loreal Paris Product Launch

Garnier Product Launch

Maybelline Product Launch

Loreal Sales

Soft Sheen Product Launch

Divine Schools Africa in partnership with ECTA Creative Solutions

http://www.divineschools.com/
http://www.ectaint.com/

Being the best in the Events Industry in Kenya!

Being the best in the Events Industry

I believe Kenya has not yet even touched the basics of the multi million Ksh business of the events industry. With all the large companies opening their businesses up in Kenya it is a Gold Mine that is waiting for the events coordinators in Kenya to be mined.

But… not everyone that starts out in the events industry will succeed. What do I need to not only succeed but also to excel in the industry?

With looming deadlines, fires that need putting out, the strain of constant travel and all the little details that need to be taken care of are just a few reasons why working in the meetings industry is so challenging.  

A few point that any prospective events coordinator needs to know:

·                    Understand the basics of the business around you and always be curious about it. It is important to be an expert in your field but it is also important to know about all the different events genres – things like the use of Lights, the use of soft décor – draping, the right materials, the use of the 5 senses to make an event successful etc.

·                    Stay current! Are you following the trends of the wedding and events industry in Kenya or are you setting the trends in Kenya?

·                    Stick with what you do best and become a master at it BUT see to it that you get yourself more than one stream of income! It is good to organize events but there is nothing wrong to do some of the décor for the event as well and in the quite times you can even organize kid’s parties for an extra income.

·                    Aim higher… Dream bigger. People want to experience something new and meaningful if they attend an event. Can you produce that?

·                    Michelle Bergstein Fontanez said once: Do this well and your event audience will no longer budgets for you – they invest in you!

·                    You need to differentiate yourself in the events industry – anticipate the trends, issues and challenges that will continue to reshape the events industry.

·                    NEVER STOP LEARNING! By leaving yourself open to new ideas, new knowledge you will be a more valuable team player and more creative: Great ideas breeds even greater ideas

·                    Take the opportunity NOW to enroll in our Practical Skills courses and become the best in the Events Industry in Kenya!

Levi Hollywood Year End Function

Loreal Paris Product Launch

Sanral Venetian Mask Ball Year End Function

Dates of our next Practical Events Courses at Divine Schools Africa:

Event Draping – Day classes

Dates:                         6^th – 17^th May 2013

Time:                          8:30 to 13:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

Event Draping Evening Classes

Dates:                         6^th – 17^th May 2013

Time:                          18:00 – 21:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

Centre pieces course

Date:                           25^th May 2013

Time:                          8:00 – 16:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

                                    Students will receive a list of things that they need to bring to the course.

Kids Party Planning

Dates:                         20^th – 31^st May 2013

Time:                          8:30 to 13:00

Practical exam:         Children’s party – each student needs to bring one child to the party

Extra:                          Manual to buy

                                    Students will receive a list of things that they need to bring to the course

Divine Schools Africa in partnership with ECTA Creative Solutions

http://www.divineschools.com/
http://www.ectaint.com/