Events.org

Find an Upcoming Race Near You

eventsdotorg — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:36:33 +0000

The 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon broke records this week. The registration reached maximum capacity of 45,000 runners in six days — 25 days faster than 2011 and almost 31 weeks faster than 2003. The enthusiasm with which people have shown toward marathons, 5ks, and charity walks is encouraging both in the sense of fitness awareness and charity support.

Because we at Events.org encourage healthy lifestyles (except for the occasional treats from Mark) and charitable involvement, we would like to share upcoming opportunities at races across the country. Running in the USA, Marathon Guide, Runner’s World, and Charity Walks Blog offer great resources from which you can find a race near you.

Don’t feel discouraged about getting involved if you aren’t the running type; be sure to check the event webpage to see if there are volunteer opportunities at a race in your community and register.

Ready, set, go!

Order’s Up! What to Serve and How at Your Next Event

eventsdotorg — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:22:21 +0000

Food has become a major player in today’s events. Say goodbye to the old chicken or beef entrées and make room for trendier, not to mention yummier, fare. Try to spice up the way you serve food at your next event with some of these suggestions.

Family Style – Serving up food family style has been a hit at recent events. Not only does it allow you to have multiple plate options for your guests, it increases guest interaction at the table.

“Prix-Fixe” Menu – Have a limited menu from which guests can order. Include an option of a soup or salad, a few appetizers, two to three options for a main course with side, and two options for dessert. Guests will enjoy having options the night of the event.

Heavy Appetizer Buffet – Allow guests to eat when they are hungry throughout the evening with a gourmet buffet. Keep things simple with five to ten appetizers and a few salads. This keeps the event flowing without having to block off time for a designated meal time.

Try to think out of the box when deciding on food. Gourmet barbecue, entrée salads, “mini’s”, and twists on the classics such as serving a bourbon brisket instead of “beef” or are easy ways to update your event. It’s the little changes that can have a big impact.

How to Use Twitter at Your Next Event

eventsdotorg — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:41:32 +0000

Twitter can be used as an interactive tool at your next event! Step into the newest realm of social media.

First, assign your event a hashtag (#, ie #OurSuperCoolEvent). Use the hashtag as a way to keep a conversation flowing among your guests. For example a guest might tweet “On our way to #OurSuperCoolEvent! Can’t wait!” or “The decorations this year are beautiful #OurSuperCoolEvent”.

Keep screens with rolling twitter feed around the rooms of your venue. Guests will be excited to see their tweets available for everyone to see. You can also use the screens as an easy way to announce any changes such as seating time, auction closes, etc.

Hold competitions via Twitter to engage your guests. Hide instructions around the room, i.e. “The first person to tweet #IWin with the hashtag #OurSuperCoolEvent receives 5 free 50/50 tickets” or “RT #OurSuperCoolEventDrawing to be entered to win dinner for 2 at Girl and the Goat”.

Depending on your software system, sync your silent auction results to your guests’ Twitter accounts, alerting them if they won an item. Post the winner announcements on the screens around the room.

Voila! You’ve brought your event to the next level by incorporating the power of Twitter. Happy Tweeting!

Oh Me, Oh My – Our Sunday Surprise

eventsdotorg — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:42:41 +0000

In the vein of “flash mobs”, there have been a rash of funny pranks across America organized by Improv Everywhere. The pranks have ranged from creating “tourist-only” walking lanes in New York to walking invisible dogs and spontaneous musicals to interesting subway tricks; this past Sunday they held their latest prank…a no-pants subway ride. Why do they do this, you ask?

Improv Everywhere is, at its core, about having fun. We’re big believers in “organized fun”. Our missions are a fun source of entertainment for the participants, those who happen to see us live, and those who read this website. We get satisfaction from coming up with an awesome idea and making it come to life. In the process we hopefully bring excitement to otherwise unexciting locales and give strangers a unique experience and a great story to tell. We’re out to prove that a prank doesn’t have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone laugh, smile, or stop to notice the world around them.

Low and behold one of our very own found herself in the middle of Sunday’s No-Pants Subway Ride in Chicago. While transferring el cars, our staffer noticed out of the corner of her eye a girl with quite a short skirt….only to realize that much of the el platform was overtaken with people who had quite obviously left half of their wardrobe at home. Time Out Chicago posted some pictures, and to our surprise, we recognized a certain someone.

Click to view slideshow.

Let the hilarity ensue…

OnePage Software Suite Updates

eventsdotorg — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:48:57 +0000

Our fully integrated event planning tool, OnePage, channels all of your event details through the OnePage dashboard to streamline your planning process. Suitable for any scale event, the OnePage software suite is now available in three levels of functionality to better suit your technology needs whether you are hosting an event, conference, auction, or fundraiser.

OnePage|Free – for organizations that low-level online forms.

OnePage|Standard– for organizations that are organizing upcoming events.

OnePage|Premium– for organizations that would like to take their events to the next level.

The Add-On services available for OnePage include iBid, iConference, and iConferenceQR.

iBid - Interactive Bidding - Replace traditional paper auctions by giving guests the option to participate in live and silent auctions using personal SmartPhones, iPads, touch screen kiosks, and handheld devices. iBid allows for a more efficient and fast checkout: short lines, shorter wait, happier customers.

iConference - Event Content & Audience Response Tool - Provide attendees access to real time conference information directly on their own personal handheld devices. iConference is compatible with any smart phone, tablet, or personal computer. Eliminate the need to print extensive materials by offering them electronically. Both attendees and presenters get the most from a conference with iConference.

iConferenceQR - Lead Retrieval & Networking Tool - iQR is a web-based lead retrieval and networking tool that helps both conference attendees and exhibitors connect instantaneously. Personal QR codes on the name tags of each attendee and exhibitor link directly to an individual’s custom online business card. Missed opportunities will be a worry of the past thanks to the iQR virtual system.

If you have any questions about OnePage or would like to have further information, please call us at 866.513.7627 or email us at sales@events.org.