Perfect Recipe for the Holiday's: Event Planning Mixed with Social Media

This past Thursday, I was invited to speak on behalf of The RK Group at a social media gathering for Business, Media and Public Relations abbreviated as #bmpr. http://www.thebmpr.com/

The invitation was extended due to:
our presence on Twitter and Facebook,
our followers and fans,
and RK employees who support The RK Group through Social Media.

Other speakers at #bmpr included Tanji Patton (@tanjipatton) a former news anchor with a website and business devoted to her love of French cuisine, SeaWorld GM Dan Decker (@danjdecker) with a live owl and wallabee who fascinated the audience with their beauty (photos by MatthewEgan) and SavorSA (@SavorSA) who provides restaurant reviews throughout the city of San Antonio.

Donna Tuttle’s introduction of The RK Group included praise of our events and tweets with pictures of delicious food that leave her craving more!
Our presentation provided an insight into the RK Group that some members of the audience were unaware of such as our partnership with FEMA subcontractors to assist when a south-eastern natural disaster strikes, our involvement at the Alamodome, Convention Center, USAA, Valero Energy and many charities throughout the city.

We also provided some tips and shortcuts to save money on business and personal holiday parties. Some examples were choose a venue with existing décor or cut down on bar costs with custom signature drinks such as: Dan Decker Daiquiris, Donna Tuttle-tini’s or #BMPR bellinis

While it was tough following the live animal presentation, guests did enjoy our send off gift (via @NTJ) and the chance to win a free office lunch.


Our free lunch winner is: @bkearney (for being the first to Re-Tweet) and @derrich. Congratulations!

Thank you to all who entered our lunch contest, if you’re still hungry remember that RosemaryDelivers!

We are looking forward to next year's #bmpr events and more social media involvement!

~Rachel Kellar~

Today's event expectations are not only met, but exceeded by The RK Group

You’re on a site visit and the venue manager is pointing: “Cake table here, gift drop off here, bar over there and the DJ will be in that far back corner”.... Ahh! Some people have the mind and imagination to handle such vagueness, but others need a tangible representation to envision the plan. That’s where I come in!

I create digital diagrams at The RK Group for events ranging from 50 to 50,000 guests. We work in the Convention Center, famous museums, corporate rooms and huge tents that can pop up anywhere around the city. Creating diagrams is not only helpful for all vendors but has also become a necessity.

Guest seating, bar placement, and emergency exits are some obvious reasons for event diagrams, but also consider the following:

• Where is the caterer entering from? Is the walk so far that the food will be cold by the time it reaches the tables?


• Will there be a crowd around the bar? Bars shouldn’t be placed at a direct entrance, exit or near any significant area. If it’s a bar- people will find it.
  
  

Design Program Example: Meeting Matrix

Works great for Ballrooms. Builds initial layout and inputs correct number of tables and chairs based on guest attendance. This diagram shows seating for 2030 with 10 people per table.

• Will guests be cramped at the table while seated? To avoid cramping while guests are seated allow for 3-4 feet between each table.
  
• Is there a need for lights or AV equipment at your event? If so, it is a great idea to include lighting in the diagram. We produced an event with flat screen TVs showing a video of the charity. We had to be sure chairs were positioned so everyone could see the TV screens.


• Is the venue irregularly shaped or does it have unique attributes? If so, consider your guests and their view of the stage or designated point of interest.
  

Design Program Example: Smart Draw
Provides a blank canvas and allows for different layers to import existing venue layouts

Providing a custom diagram is expected of event professionals and popular venues especially when the venue can provide a floor plan. Some venues, such as private residences, don’t have floor plans available. In any case, if the client requests one, it should become a reality. At The RK Group, we have three different programs in our office that allow us to create various types of diagrams from existing facilities to those that are custom designed. Some provide a bird’s eye view and another shows the view from your exact seat!


Design Program Example: PartyCAD
A CAD program that creates virtual tours of your event space and birds eye view. Allows you to create various types of tent (hoecker, pole, etc). There is even a free online tutorial for this program!


Don’t be afraid to imagine your event and then and ask an event professional to provide a realistic representation. Thanks to industry technology, it is possible!

- Rachel Kellar, Sales Associate, The RK Group

Marisa Roberge in Raleigh, NC

Meetings+Plus, a division of the RK Group, is proud to announce an associate in North Carolina who can provide professional meeting services for the Southeast. Marisa Roberge, Event & Production Director, who has produced outstanding events in many US cities is now headquartered in Raleigh, NC.

If you want creative, flawless events or productions, contact Marisa at mroberge@therkgroup.com -- M+ is known for creating cost savings as proficiently as we create extraordinary events!!

Dancing in the Streets - RK Style!

The RK Group had guests dancing in the streets on Wednesday evening at the festive La Villita. Over 2500 guests enjoyed all the sights, sounds and flavors of an authentic street party - San Antonio style. Sizzling fajitas, frosty beverages and a variety of entertainment were scattered throughout the event site. Amusements included caricaturists, Jody Jenkins Band and line dancing with David Callaghan, sultry Leslie Lugo Band with salsa instructors, cowboy stilt walkers, mechanical bull, trick ropers, and our favorite, guitarist Galo Gutierrez. The whimsical performers of Urban 15 made quite a splash as they danced and drummed their way throughout all the plazas.

Guests were treated to a private performance on the Arneson River Theater stage of Mariachis and Ballet Folklorico dancers. Throughout the performance, colorful rivercruisers filled with travelers passed by with friendly waves and smiles – so magical – so San Antonio!

- Darlene Baldearena

A Beautiful Wedding

Let Illusions Rentals & Designs help you with your next social event. Whether it be tents, tables, equipment or chairs, Illusions can make your event breathtaking. Illusions provided a magnificent tent for the wedding listed below. Read on for more! Enjoy!

http://www.sanantonioweddings.com/real_wedding_articles/Yvonne_Mauricio_and_David_Padilla_Real_Wedding.asp?ctr=10

ON THE ROAD AGAIN……HERE WE GO!!

Chicago and Minneapolis

TWO destinations. TWO weeks apart. TWO Different Conferences.

ONE HUGE SUCCESS!

Meetings Plus Team is currently on site in Minneapolis working at the Minneapolis Convention Center having just finished another conference at McCormick Place in Chicago, September 20th thru 23rd, 2009. What a success that one was! I managed all of the food and beverage events for CSCMP to include: two VIP Parties, Hospitality Suites, Preconference breaks and meals, VIP Board Dinner, VIP Chairman’s Reception, etc. at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place as well as major receptions, meals, and breaks at McCormick Place West for well over 2,000 attendees.

Elaine Dagen (Our Vice-President), Marisa Roberge and Sandra Torrez (Our Event Specialists) all arrived safely in Minneapolis last Sunday – October 4th to begin preparing for NSHMBA’s Annual Conference that kicks off on Thursday – October 8th and culminates with the Brillante Awards Presentation and Entertainment on Saturday – October 10th. Both Elaine and Marisa have worked very hard to coordinate this event.

The finale will feature a special performance by Latin Star, Alejandro Fernandez, who has sold over 15 million copies in over 20 countries. Sandra, has coordinated all the food and beverage services as well as many other logistical pieces for their numerous sessions and company meetings. Our team has worked NSHMBA’s Annual Conference for several years and with our expertise, knowledge, attention to detail, enthusiasm and passion for this meeting, it is sure to be a success again this year! Stay tuned for more details!

SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL: I am constantly reminded how really fantastic our own team is at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center after working in other Centers around the country. We have been the in house caterer there for 38 years producing and creating “memorable” events for all the groups that come to our Center. What moves us ahead of the rest besides our wonderful food and service is our attention to detail, creativity, inability to accept nothing less than perfection for each and every event, attitude of all of our staff and the knowledge that we are a company that “gets it” and are willing to go that extra mile to ensure that everything we touch is the very best we can do.

By: Kathy Clark, Director of Operations

Does Your Event Have a Rain Plan???

I can’t tell you how many wedding and event planners called us this weekend looking for a tent during South Texas’ sporadic rain storms!

The National Weather Advisory says that 2009 is the year of El Nino: http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html Which means Fall and Winter of this year will be wet and cool. Let Illusions Rentals help you with all your cold and wet weather needs!

We have everything from umbrella heaters and generators to small pop up tents and extra large Hoecker tents. All tents have wall options that will keep the cold and wet air out. Lighting and air circulation are necessary in tents but we also enjoy adding special draping and visual effects when possible. Surprisingly the final product on some tent creations can be more flattering than an actual venue (and makes your event completely unique!).

Here are some things to keep in mind when planning a fall or winter event:

- Check the weather forecast continuously beginning 2 months before the event. If you are really concerned about your event, start checking the weather every day beginning 4 weeks before the event!

- If you think you may need a tent – call and reserve a tent as soon as possible. If it doesn’t rain, you may lose your deposit but that’s a lot less than losing your entire event in a torrential down pour!

- Don’t forget flooring: If it’s raining outside will your guests be walking in mud? Illusions Rentals has flooring options you may want to consider

- In case of cold weather: consider umbrella heaters for localized areas such as patios or small-tented areas. Large tents may require a larger heating system.

- If you are hosting an indoor event: Will you guests be walking into your event in the rain? Consider tented walkways into the venue, tenting a parking area or carpeting near the entrance to prevent slippery floors throughout the event.

Best of Luck with your Fall and Winter events and be sure to call Illusions Rentals for assistance with your rain plan. 210-223-2742 ask for Laurie!

---by Rachel Kellar

Gooooo Longhorns!

I worked with other RK Group team members last Saturday, the 26th of September at the UT Austin vs. UTEP football game. As we all know, UT clobbered the UTEP Miners! The score need not be repeated... I once attended UTEP and am originally from El Paso – yes, a tiny part of me wished the win wasn’t as exaggerated as it was!

More importantly, I was reminded first hand of what a phenomenal team it is that we have at The RK Group! Our versatility in being able to flawlessly produce functions that widely range in type, size, and venue is remarkable.

The RK Group has been the concessionaire for the UT Alumni Center in Austin for decades. Each year, we serve hundreds of thousands of fans cheering on their beloved Longhorns. It takes a true team spirit on the part of RK to make each football game performance a triumph. Our group has perfected the operation to an exact science! Every detail is executed just as meticulously as Coach Brown leading his team to victory. As you can imagine, much goes in to planning for such an event. Some areas include staffing, staging areas, ensuring adequate resources , of course providing delicious food to munch on and fully stocking refreshing beverages to enjoy – just to name a few! Last but certainly not least, is that putting together these game day events results in GREAT FUN for both our team and the loyal UT Alumni.

~~~~~by: Roxanne Fuentes

RK Welcomes Executive Chef Eric Nelson

The RK Group is proud to welcome Executive Chef Eric Nelson to our fabulous group in Texas! Chef Eric joins our team after having worked for our company in Arizona. His experience is far-reaching and his creativity is second to none. Already, he has re-energized his new team and has made a tangible mark at RK. His creations are unique, fresh, and delectable.

He has worked in many different areas of the US to include Phoenix and Naples Florida. In each city, he worked for the Ritz Carlton. Chef Eric received his degree in Culinary Arts from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute which provided him with a quality foundation to add to his already fully developed passion for the culinary arts.

His two children, Cameron and Chloe, and wife Sherri, just welcomed a new baby into the family named Olyvia Faith. The Nelsons are excited to come to San Antonio and make it their new home.

Chef Eric enjoys learning new things, meeting new people and seeing new places. He is fully committed and excited to get to know and learn about his new team. He is confident that he will further The RK Group’s commitment to excellence in catering and event planning.

He is a firm believer in having fun at work and knows that loving what you do and being able to be creative is an essential part of a career. Chef Eric has little tolerance for poor attitudes.

In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, of course! He also enjoys building new things and working around the house.

Welcome Eric!

~~~~by Roxanne Fuentes

A Night of Stars in Arizona!

It was a star-studded night for the USA Hosts/Circa Arizona team! Celestial star gazing, boot scootin' and fireworks for super VIP clients at the fabulous La Puesta del Sol, located on an Indian reservation East of the city. The venue offers 360 degree views of 5 surrounding mountain ranges. As the desert sun sets, a blanket of stars appear to lie just out of reach. Spectacular!!

- Darlene Baldearena

Call Illusions for Tents, Tables, Chairs & More!

The next time you find yourself in need of equipment for your event, call Illusions!! Whether large or small, we can assist in making your event exactly what you envision. Illusions owns hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment such as:

• Flatware


• China


• Tents


• Props


• Chairs


• Tables

With so much inventory, Illusions is able to proivde remarkable services to you -our clients! Illusions can make your event happen successfully- whether a convention or a wedding... We can be reached at 210-223-2742.

Who rocks the house?? Circa Rocks the House!!

Austin is a conundrum –trendy and hip, but classic and timeless – cutting edge to throw back, it makes no sense and yet perfect in every way. Theresa from our Circa Austin office captured Austin’s quirky soul in an event Monday night designed to give her guests a taste of what makes Austin so yummy! 8’ mirrored guitar and disco balls glistened as guests entered through a tunnel of 6’ tall hand painted guitars into a nightclub scene straight from Sixth Street. On stage, three up and coming jazz musicians, who are working to make it in the biz, entertained guests with their easy style of mixing classic jazz, rock and roll with a hint of rock-a-billy.

Then, about 20 minutes into their set, they introduce 96 year old Pinetop Perkins, one of the last great Mississippi bluesmen still performing. The room is brought to a frenzy! Pinetop’s skills at the piano are mesmerizing. He sings from deep in his heart and his fingers never stop moving. No longer touring or scheduling events, he is notorious for “dropping” in at a variety of local clubs for impromptu performances. It’s the perfect reflection of old and new – singing the blues and feeling on top of the world – Rock on Austin.

-Darlene Baldearena

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Meetings Plus Goes International!

On Saturday, August 29th, I finished my 10th day in China where I had been working on preparation for the DIOXIN 2010 conference that Meetings+Plus is planning for next September. This was an awesome experience both professionally and personally. I was blessed to have one extra day after the conference ended to travel to The Great Wall. I opted to go to a rural, non-tourist area and hike to the Wall. It was a beautiful sunny day -- attached is photo that was taken about 3 hours into the hike. Truly an amazing experience!!

祝福你
(This says – Blessings to you!) Elaine

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Light the Night 2009

PLEASE REGISTER ON THE LINK BELOW!!

We're forming a team for Light The Night Walk (OCTOBER 24, 2009) and we hope you'll join us. Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's evening walk and fundraising event. It is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.

By joining our team and raising funds for this important cause, you'll be making a real impact on the fight against cancer. On Walk night, you'll join us with other teams and individuals from all over our community in the culmination of our efforts to find cures. Walk night is a family-oriented evening in which participants carry illuminated balloons, raise awareness of blood cancers and come together as a caring community.

We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Please join the team and "walk the talk."
Thanks in advance for your support,
Tiffani Bond-Schumann
210-223-2680 X244

Click Here to Register Now!

Valero Vista

I'm very excited to announce that The RK Group will have an Open House today (9/16/09) at the Venues at Valero in the Vista Room. Chef Eric Nelson will prepare amazing dishes!! Many different looks and designs for the holiday season will be displayed. We look forward to showcasing this beautiful venue and also letting all of our clients know what dates are still available for the 2009/10 holiday season.

Come join us from 530 to 730 pm- you won't be disappointed.

The RK Group will be sure to dazzle!

Dawn Dawes
Sr. Account Executive