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Time Never StopsThe company president has just announced the dates for next year’sannual conference. But as you grab your trusty pocket planner to fi llin the dates, you suddenly realize it’s obsolete after December 2007.

Perhaps this is a time to use the “Notes” pages in the back of the planner. Or you could try this electronic device that features a 50-yearcalendar and a memo recorder that holds a 20-second message. At the push of a button you can record a reminder about those impor-tant dates. Additional features include temperature display and a clock with an alarm that also serves as an effective reminder tool.

The holidays are a perfect time to send this gift to clients or employees. And, regardless of the recipient, they’ll appreciate the extra organization. Available from asi/31570. – Amy Lucasm

INCENTIVES & IDEAS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT

INSIDER INFO

This month …■ Buy goodie bags, 23■ Plan a board meeting, 24■ Find incentive gifts, 24■ Coordinate grand opening, 25■ Buy thank-you gifts, 25

More and more organizers of corporate events are using loot-fi lled bags as gifts

for their clients and vendors. And why not, it’s a win-win situation – attendees walk away with a trove of nice products and companies deliver their corporate messages in a creative way. “That added special touch helps people get excited about an event,” says Melanie Davis, director of communications for the Birming-ham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

So, what should you include in that bag? Food is certainly a must-have. “Most folks will eat any kind of candy. From chocolate to hard candy to gum,” Davis says. With that in mind, make edibles unique by tying them in to the theme of the event. “Use fi reball candy for a ‘hot event,’ ” Davis says. “The wrapping on the candy should relate to the theme and should have the sponsor’s logo.” This year, Davis ran a casino-themed event called, “Meet The Press & Place Your Bets.” She included chocolate covered coins and other casino-themed items.

Creativity like this is a must. Sharon

Goodie-Goodie

HOT THIS MONTH

November 2007 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS 23

HELPFUL HINTS:❉ Brainstorm. Plan ahead with your team to come up with ideas and themes. “Always remem-ber nothing is too silly,” says Melanie Davis, director of communications for the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. “But always think of your audience.”❉ Clear cellophane. Wrap bags with cellophane to show your clients you had put time andeffort into the gift. “If you can use colored tissue paper to put inside the bag, the better. Make sure you have some sort of color theme going for all your products,” Davis says. ❉ Print labels. Always include your logo on the bag and products. It’s a sure-fi re way of having your company remembered. “You can print on the bags, or to save money print labels to glue on the bags,” says Davis.

Goldmacher, president of communications 21, says the company recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in New Orleans fashion. Each itemplaced in the goodie bag was picked to match thetheme of the party. Guests received a little lagniappe in a handsome gift box, which included a magic eightball, fortune cookies, New Orleans-style Mardi Gras beads, authenticCreole pralines and a shot glass imprinted

with the c21 logo. “Remember thegoodies don’t have to be expensive, just creative,” Davis says.

But Davis cautions, people may love free stuff, but people don’t wantfree junk. “If your company is knownfor quality services, don’t cheap out on the goodie bag,” says Goldm-

acher. “It’s the last thing people will remem-ber about your event.” – Jessica Marcial

For a “Meet the Press & Place your Bets” event, Melanie Davis created this clever casino-themed

giveaway.

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How to Pull Off an …

Organizing an executive board meeting is certainly not a last-minute assignment. From the location to activities, details matter. Follow these fi ve stepsto make sure your meeting runsas smooth as possible.

STEP ONEChoose a location and a room that’s right for the number of attendees. “The CEO will have a level of energy he desires to cre-ate. A room that’s too big or too small will undermine the leader’spower,” says Chris Ramey, presi-dent of The Florida Luxury Mar-keting Council. Executive board meetings are a CEO’s opportu-nity to shine.

STEP TWOAlways conduct a site visit. “Don’t trust your travel agent or hotel salesperson with the minu-tia,” Ramey says. Consider price,restaurants and bars, meeting services and the hip-factor when making a choice.

STEP THREEPlan activities. “Warm-up exer-cises before beginning the meet-ing are important,” says PattiBranco, author, speaker and con-sultant for the National Speak-

Proper planning is crucial. Five must haves for a corporate board meeting.

ers Association. This tactic givespeople the opportunity to get toknow each other.

STEP FOURPlan for breaks. It may seemobvious, but it’s important totake intermissions. “It’s the big-gest distraction when time is notallowed for message checks,”Branco says. “You fi nd peoplelooking down into their laps attheir PDA, and it is very dis-ruptive. “An announcement, upfront should be made that therewill be times for returning callsand checking e-mail.”

STEP FIVEDecorate. Just because it’s a cor-porate meeting, doesn’t meanyou can’t integrate fun decora-tions. “I always decorate theroom,” Branco says. “I feel itshows the attendees that I thinkthey’re important. It really sets a tone of comfort and pleasantry.The more serious the meet-ing, the more important it isto lighten it up with some fes-tive accoutrements The profes-sionalism is demonstrated by an organized agenda, being ontime and information that iswell thought out for the audi-ence.” – JM

INCENTIVE IDEABoard meeting attendees are usually upper level management types; therefore, a parting gift should be appropriate. Higher-end products like this totally cus-tomizable guitar will send a clear message that you appreciated their participation. Available from asi/53434

MUST HAVES5Flexibility meets time manage-ment with this unique planner. Item features a durable pebblegrain UltraHyde binder for fl ex-ibility that can be rolled up and stuffed in a purse or bag for easycarrying. Available from asi/66887

Executive BoardMeeting

24 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS November 2007

Keep attendees organized at the next company meeting with this traditional suede-lined, top grain Napa leather portfolio. Features include notepad, large slotted pocket, business card pocket and pen loop. Available from asi/52390

For the next big meeting, makea statement with this new high-tech wireless laser presenter kit. Available from asi/42424

Keep meeting-goers looking sharp with this leather briefcase with multiple pockets, top clo-sure and padded handles. Item includes an interior zip pocket, multiple pockets for accessories and adjustable padded shoulder strap. Available from asi/67866

Don’t forget a pen! This twist-action metal pen with trim andclip is just the right accessory for any corporate event. Available from asi/79918

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“IT WORKED FOR ME”

When Lansing, MI-basedShaheen Chevrolet was

ready to open the doors of itsnew $3 million, 50,000 square-foot fl agship dealership, it wasStony Point Communications’job to draw a crowd.

Wanting to draw in 300people, Mark Holoweiko, Stony Point’s president, says it decidedto send invitations, but some-thing more than a boring, whitemailer. “We came up with theconcept of cheering invita-tion cards because our job was tocreate an event that was the talkof the town,” he says.

The front of the card fea-tured a picture of the dealershipand when opened the sound of a

Grand Opening Celebration Draws Impressive Crowd

G iving employees a sponta-neous “thank you” reward

is a great motivator. Not only does it make the employee feelthat their extra effort is worth-while and noticed, but it willencourage them to go above andbeyond what’s expected on a reg-ular basis.

The chart to the right pres-ents three dilemmas compa-nies face when deciding whichrewards work best for their staff.Read on to see which solutionbest fi ts your offi ce. – JM

PROBLEM SOLVEDSpontaneousRewards

DILEMMA SOLUTION

You need a gift that everyone will love.

You only have a few dollars to spend on each reward.

You have an all-female, twentysome-thing support staff and have no clue what to give them.

This aloe gift collection includes sunscreen, pure aloe vera gel, moisturizer, lip balm, cucumber eye pads and a votive candle. It also contains a customized gift card which could be used towards services at a local salon. Available from asi/34362

Giving an American Express gift card allows employees to choose how to spend their reward. The cards can be pre-paid in any amount and can be used everywhere American Express is accepted. Available from asi/35498

This foil-embossed certifi cate looks expensive but costs about $5. It measures 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches and can be designed to include any mes-sage you choose. Available from asi/37620

cheering crowd could be heard.The invitation asked guests totake a tour and enjoy music, foodand beverages. The card alsocontained a key that could possi-bly win someone a two-year leaseon a Chevrolet Malibu.

The invites were mailedthree weeks prior to the eventand followed up with a phonecall just before the event tookplace. When the day fi nally arrived, it turned out to be coldand dreary, but over 700 peoplecame. Guests were wined and

dined and one lucky recipient drove the Malibu home. “As the woman tried the car lock we blew off confetti cannons, snapped pictures and a TV news crew captured the whole event on tape,” he says.

But Holoweiko says it was also important to thank the guests for coming, so each attendee was given a pen and pen holder and a complementary keychain. “We chose the pen and holder combination because it was rather elegant,” he says,

“something no one would throw away and something that wouldactually be used.” As a rule,Stony Point recommends that clients choose gifts that have“real” value to recipients.

For many events, especially grand-opening celebrations, Holo-weiko says the expense of promo-tional gifts is minimal comparedto the end result. “The response tothe event was fantastic,” he says. “And after the event, Shaheen met its six-month sales goal a whole four months early.” – JM

26 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS November 2007

to-do list

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