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Monday, January 30, 2012

The enemy of the great is the good. You have to say no to good things because there are more good things out there than you have the bandwidth to handle. ~ Stephen Covey

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Control your destiny or someone else will. ~ Jack Welch

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Conference News - Research White Papers - CORT's Top Event Design Trends of 2012 - Successful Meetings

Conference News - Research White Papers - CORT's Top Event Design Trends of 2012 - Successful Meetings

CORT's Top Event Design Trends of 2012By Matt AldertonJanuary 24, 2012Share
View CommentsIn partnership with designer Richard Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings, a Miami-based event design company, CORT Event Furnishings has developed a list of the top event design trends for 2012, it announced today."Event planners are challenged to design unique event experiences that speak to brand personalities and create a 'wow' experience, particularly in unusual spaces," said CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings Director of Marketing Kevin Dana.Added Carbotti, "Everyone is looking for the next great event venue and that requires an extra effort in planning logistics and furnishings that can go wherever the event is held; on a ship, rooftop or even on a mountain."According to Carbotti and CORT, this year's biggest event design trends are:

• Color Everywhere: Clients are increasingly comfortable using color to set their designs apart, according Carbotti. I see warm colors playing a key role in this year's designs when mixed with energetic and exciting tones," he said. "Tangerine oranges and sunflower yellows, for example, mix beautifully with fuchsias, purples or last year's Pantone Color of the Year, Honeysuckle. Designers should also never rule out cobalt blue, a lively shade of blue that always provides a bold color balance and a cooler temperature if need be."

• Indoor/Outdoor Furnishings: Events are no longer confined to hotel ballrooms, according to CORT, which said clients are increasingly challenging event planners to create "visually appealing and comfortable seating at increasingly exotic outdoor locales." Because these events require furniture that is weatherproof, durable and portable, indoor/outdoor furnishings — including, for example, inflatable furniture, indoor/outdoor ottomans and indoor/outdoor modular sectionals — are becoming increasingly popular.

• Luxury is Back: As the economy improves, many corporate clients have larger budgets to spend on designing and outfitting events, particularly luxury brands that need to differentiate themselves. Demand is therefore strong for high-end furnishings and designer pieces, according to Dana. "Clients aim to make a tasteful statement with understated elegance and sophisticated modern furniture design," he said

.• Mixing Styles, Patterns and Textures: According to Carbotti, mixing different styles creates surprising and one-of-a-kind accents. "There are two precepts foundational to event design: First, knowledge and respect for space and how it affects people, and second, a working knowledge of artistic or cultural styles and periods as they are developed throughout history," he said. "Design is not simply in 'the things' themselves; it is in how those things are used and arranged in ways that get people to feel something."

• Creative Modular Seating: Every client wants to design seating tailored to their particular event, but the Millennial generation is reinventing traditional event expectations and demanding more casual meeting and networking environments, according to CORT. "Large serpentine or linear seating that wraps around dance floors or doubles as dining areas are all the rage," Carbotti said. "Blurring the lines between lounge seating and traditional meeting setups will continue in 2012."

• Social Media: In 2012, most events will have a social component to generate interest before, during and after the event, according to CORT. "Whether it's live tweeting at the event or blogging before and after, planners have to incorporate social media engagement into the overall strategy and budget to ensure attendees stay informed and those who cannot attend are still able to participate," it concluded.

The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

It's far better to bow out gracefully on top than to fall & be escorted out in shame. (Feel free to repost that one!)~ ME

Monday, January 23, 2012

Build your dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. ~ Dr. Farrah Gray

Friday, January 20, 2012

If you want your business to succeed, you must be people driven, not profit driven. That's because when your people will drive your profits.~Me

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Our lives begin to end the fast we decide to become silent about things that matter.- Dr. Martin Luther King

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

You have to stay current in order to stay relevant! ~ Keith R. Wyche.com

Friday, January 13, 2012

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. ~ Ayn Rand

Thursday, January 12, 2012

A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her. ~ Anonymous

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Already fallen off the New Year's Resolution Bandwagon? Instead of resolutions, why not make permanent change this year? Join me for a FREE Virtual Life MakeOver Party Wednesday the 11th at 5:30PT/8:30 ET. Take control of your time, body, money, and relationships once and for all! Register to attend; http://ping.fm/Fx3Up

Test 1/11/12

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Conference News - Presentation Solutions - Virtual Edge Institute Releases Top 7 Predictions for Virtual Meeting Technology in 2012 - Successful Meetings

Conference News - Presentation Solutions - Virtual Edge Institute Releases Top 7 Predictions for Virtual Meeting Technology in 2012 - Successful Meetings

" You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." ~ Margaret Thatcher- via Compass CEO Kim Fulcher

Monday, January 9, 2012

Thoughts moved with definiteness of purpose, persistence, & a burning desire are powerful things.- Napoleon Hill

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

"Your behavior in the wilderness will determine how long you will remain there"~ Joyce Meyer- what are you doing in 2012 that will far exceed what you did in 2011? Not sure, join me TONIGHT 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST with Compass Founder/CEO & Life Coach Kim Fulcher for a Virtual Life Makeover Party to gain new direction & perspective. Inbox me for more info not because you need it, but you deserve it!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your failure.~ Dr. Bill Cosby

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012 is the year of prosperity and order. Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year. People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves, they have the first secret to success.