Each month, we like to recognize and highlight an internal employee on our blog. PEC wants you to know the names and faces behind our walls, since these are the people that work daily for the betterment of our services for our clients. In today’s PEC Employee Spotlight you’ll meet Jean.

Name: Jean Lynch
Position: Account Executive

What point in the event planning process is your favorite?

On the public event side,  it is when we secure our sports/celebrity spokesperson. The rest always falls into place after that moment!

What is your favorite hobby outside of work?

I enjoy working out and watching my kids in all their activities.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? (Given that your family would be there too).

My parents were both born in Ireland. Growing up I spent my summers there visiting relatives. I would love to live in Ireland for a period of time with my family!

What cooking or baking dish are you known for?

Rigatoni pasta with mushrooms, heavenly!

If you weren’t working in events, what would you be doing?

I would be working for a child protective agency.

Name one interesting fact about yourself!

I actually worked at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport while I was in college and parked the planes after they landed.

Budget, Budget, Budget. This is the one concern that every client of mine has in common, no matter what type of event it is. It is my job to give every client the most bang for their buck and everything they wish for and more while staying within their budget. While the economy may be slowly rebounding day by day, budgets are still one thing that has remained tight… especially in the meetings and events industry. Here are some of my ideas for impressive event decor on a budget.

Start with an attractive venue

A venue that contains preexisting style and class can serve as event décor in and of itself. Start with a venue that is full of color and life already, and use that to your advantage in your décor budget. Choose color schemes that complement the theme and feel of the venue or room.
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Not everything has to match

Long gone are the days of matching centerpieces. This is not to say that thought shouldn’t be put into making sure centerpieces and décor complement each other, but having the same item on every table is no longer necessary to complete a room. This can impact a budget by allowing you to utilize some higher end décor pieces in particular parts of the room while simultaneously balancing that out with some budget friendly pieces. This combination will not decrease the value of the event, but will give the event space more variety.

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Choose one large statement

If your budget does not allow adding smaller décor elements throughout the room, you can still make a large impact with the use of one large ‘WOW’ factor showpiece. This is a strategic move because the piece can double not only as décor, but a great photo opportunity for your guests to enjoy. Your guests will go home with pictures they will share with family and friends after the event, thus keeping the event alive long after it is over. PEC has the ability to create these pieces for you in whatever shape, object, logo, etc. that you desire.

(image property of PEC)

Use your network

It still reigns true today that you get to where you are because of the people you know. Your network and relationships can have a profound impact on your budget if you utilize them appropriately. This could apply by using items and décor pieces that other groups have already used (go green!), maximizing your negotiating power with those that you have solid relationships with, or forming new relationships (with a third party events company, for example) and benefit from their already solidified relationships.

Keep it simple

Décor does not always need to be extravagant floral arrangements or over the top centerpieces. Choose the items that work best for your group and for your budget. This could mean flooding the room with uplighting, gobos, and color instead of putting physical décor elements into the room. This could also incorporate LED light shows, lit bars and tables, or acrylic décor pieces that will leave your guests in awe of your creativity and attention to detail. Use what is already necessary to your event and turn it into décor. Request creative Food & Beverage presentations instead of a typical buffet style layout. Bring your Food & Beverage elements or attendee giveaways into your centerpieces so that your table décor doubles as something that the guests can physically enjoy or take home.

Thinking outside the box is something that I have learned to master as an event planner. This not only gives my clients the unique event they are looking for, but will also ensure outstanding event decor on a budget.

This post was written by one of PEC’s Event Coordinators, Nicole Putchel.

When people hear Vegas, they probably think of the usual: drinking, gambling, and people snapping cards in your face at every turn. It is, after all, the city that never sleeps. With all the partying, money lost and gained, and lack of sleep you would think its most popular slogan “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” would benefit most. At Professional Events and Consulting, we found our time to be quite the opposite…

In September, an associate and I were given the opportunity to fly out to Vegas for a FAM tour hosted by Caesars Entertainment. We were wined, dined and even walked a red carpet when we arrived. In order for Caesars Entertainment to showcase the best they have to offer, we stayed in Paris Hotel and Planet Hollywood, attended social events, and ate 4-course meals on property. If I leave it at that, it sure sounds like we had the trip of a lifetime. We did, but there is no doubt this was a work trip. We left Wisconsin knowing we were given a great opportunity to form otherwise unlikely relationships and see buildings that we may only otherwise see on Google.

We viewed the FAM tour as a chance to go to a city we were unfamiliar with to see all that it has to offer, especially in working with companies looking to host conferences and conventions there. This trip was just one of many experience PEC has had that is helping us build our Site Selection knowledge and expertise. After all, seeing the space and actually experiencing the space, helps sell the space!

Shortly after our return we received an RFP for a large event in Las Vegas. Our new knowledge of the city immediately allowed us to eliminate spaces we knew could not accommodate the group. Entertainment companies, linen providers and décor companies were still in the front of our minds. When we had questions, we reached out to our newly formed contacts.

The knowledge gained after spending four days in Vegas was priceless.  With that said, there will be plenty more FAM tours in PEC’s future.

Planning team building activities is an important first step in developing a strong, efficient and effective team.  But making sure it’s the right experience for your team is imperative.  While some team building experiences are meant to simply build morale, others are designed to foster communication, reinforce company values, build trust or even address conflict resolution.

There are as many reasons why we need team building activities as there are activities.  And they range anywhere from 3-5 minute activities to 2-3 day off-site corporate retreats.  Understanding the need, developing a plan and analyzing the results are keys to any successful team building experience.

Listed below are a few creative suggestions taken from multiple sources that we feel are unique, yet effective team building exercises.

Marvel”ous” Comic Book Design

Teams create comic books highlighting their individual superpowers and how they will use them to save the day and overcome some of the challenges facing their company.  Spirits soar as high as a superhero during the comic book presentation held at the end of the activity. (www.wildlydifferent.com)

Team Improv

Through a series of exciting improvisational games, exercises and challenges, you will harness the ability to be spontaneously creative without any limitation.

The key is working together on the spot, under severe pressures with unknown resources in order to accomplish your goal. (www.professionalteambuilding.com)

Icing on the Cake

Teams may think this event is a piece of cake, but there’s a lot to do if they want to top all other teams! Teams donned in chef’s hats and aprons must decorate a cake and whip up a presentation that’s better than all others, or they’ll get creamed! (www.truenorthteambuilding.com)

Bike Building Workshop

Working together as a team you will earn the pieces of a brand new bike and the tools to build it. Against impossible odds and immense time pressure, you will build a bike for your “customer”, an underprivileged child in the community.  This is truly a heartwarming team building event with a philanthropic spin. (www.leadershipinstitute.com)

One World, One Team

This is an indoor team building activity that focuses on local action with a global reach as teams work together to create, produce and pack unique ‘gift boxes’ for distribution to children in need – it’s an event that not only helps your team, but literally changes the lives of children in developing countries around the world. (www.kabouraevents.co.uk)

Adventure Weekend

The Adventure Weekend provides a variety of activities through which team members can grow and learn – each day is packed with adventure sports opportunities and each challenge requires significant commitment from the members of the group.  Individuals learn to test their limits, trust their team and build team bonds. (www.go-adventuresports.com)

It’s new. It’s never been done. It’s creating a buzz. PEC is helping companies and organizations say, “Here I am!” But how?

PEC is unveiling a new line of service this month: LARGER Than Life Decor. These decor elements are lightweight showpieces that are easily portable and can be recycled in a variety of ways. LARGER Than Life Decor have no limits; they are intended for anything from galas, tradeshows, and meetings to team building props and branding reinforcements.

But what do they look like? LARGER Than Life Decor are fully customizable pieces that are either precision cut or artistically sculpted, depending on the creative direction for the piece. The showpieces can range from a highly detailed 3D logo to a giant prop used to ‘wow’ guests at a gala. Take a look at how some customers have already used LARGER Than Life Decor.

In 2012, PEC planned a 3,500 person gala to end a large convention. At the gala, two branded LARGER Than Life Decor showpieces were displayed to reflect two of the company’s products. When the gala attendees spotted the decor showpieces, they were in awe. Upon first sight, gala attendees immediately rushed to take pictures of and with the decor pieces, proudly showing off that they were a part of this particular brand. Excitement over the branding and decor pieces continued throughout the evening.

LARGER Than Life Decor has the ability to awe thousands of people while serving as a branding reinforcement. These pieces bring the major WOW factor to events and spaces alike and create an unbeatable energy in any room. The LARGER Than Life Decor showpieces create a sensory experience that transcends the ordinary.

PEC is proud to have exclusive rights to contract your next LARGER Than Life Decor element. To learn more about PEC’s Larger Than Life Decor, visit our short online presentation.