Welcome Back Jay! and Quest!!

I have to admit, I am quite a fan of Jay Leno at 11:30pm!!  He is always good for a chuckle.  Watching his return to the 11:30pm time slot show last night, I saw some familiar faces during one of the skits with Randy Jackson…Quest Dance Crew!!  I had the pleasure of working with them last year on an event and it was a nice surprise to see them flipping and spinning in Quest Crew fashion!!  They were such nice guys to work with…great seeing them do their thing!!  Way to go!!

When making life decisions…

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference…”  Robert Frost

Who Dat?? Geaux Saints!!

I can only say how happy I am that 2010 is here!  I am glad 2009 is in the past and we can look forward to a better, more positive 2010.

I enjoyed exciting trips last year to LA and San Francisco…but the overriding sentiment all year was that of uncertainty and disappointment.  I look forward to a more positive attitude when it comes to business and the return of loyalty which seemed to go by the wayside in all aspects of the industry.  I thank those clients and vendors of mine who did not vary their loyalty to me and Encore Events, Inc.  I was more than happy to work with adjusted budgets and thank all of you who trusted me with your events.  I have hated to see so many businesses have to shut down due the economy, but am glad to say that Encore Events, Inc. survived and looks forward to opportunities to produce spectacular events this year!!

I recently attended The Special Event conference and trade show in New Orleans.  Sitting on the international MarComm Committee, I was able to attend ISES (International Special Events Society) leadership meetings before the start of the conference and was presented with my 10 year pin at the Leadership Reception!!  New Orleans has always been a special place for me…I grew up there and still have family there.  The last time I was in New Orleans was for the Sugar Bowl in 2005, so this was my first return since Katrina.

For a week, I was more than happy to eat my way through the city!  How could you not enjoy beignets with cafe au lait, oyster poy boys, crawfish etouffee, gumbo and bread pudding!  and yes, a hurricane!

2010 could not have started any better than my trip to New Orleans!  I will be routing for the Saints next weekend in the Super Bowl.  Who Dat?  Gotta love it!!  Geaux Saints!!

Today…

“Dance to your own tune.”

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY Encore Events, Inc.

What a day!!  When starting out on an adventure as I did ten years ago, you never expect how exciting and rewarding such an undertaking can be.  Encore Events, Inc. has been both for me.  I have always been about taking advantage of opportunities and hard work.  I appreciate the encouragement and mentoring that was given to me along the way…especially by Jill.  I could never thank her enough for steering me in the right direction and giving me such sound advice.  When I started Encore Events, Inc., Jill was celebrating the 10th anniversary of her company.  In her thank you note to me for a little gift of celebration I had given her, she said she looked forward to celebrating my company’s tenth anniversary with me.  That day has come!!  Thinking of all I have done these past ten years, I am proud of what I have accomplished and thankful for all the wonderful friends I have made.  The numerous clients I have worked with have given me opportunities I could have never imagined and their faith in me has allowed me to to grow professionally as well as personally.  Anyone who has ever worked on an Encore Event…THANK YOU!!  I am only as good as who I hire and I appreciate the professionalism that has been exhibited by each and every one of you.  This day cannot go without saying Thank You to my ISES (International Special Events Society) community.  I have been given tremendous opportunities at the local and national level to serve in an association that is committed to high levels of knowledge and ethics in the events industry.  I have served numerous positions on the local level, from a Director at Large to serving two terms as President of the Greater Triangle NC Chapter as well as two terms as Chair of the Membership Development Committee at the national level.  I am currently on the national MarComm Committee.  Next month I will celebrate being a member of ISES for ten years!  I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.  I am most thankful for this journey and can say I am a better person because of it.  Thank you all!!

In rememberance…

Senator Ted Kennedy Kennedy on the passing of his sister Eunice…

said his sister is, quote, “now with God in heaven.”  Kennedy said Eunice understood the lesson taught by their parents that, quote, “much is expected of those to much has been given.”  Kennedy-Shriver died at the age of 88.

Great thoughts from the 2009 ESPYS!!

A couple of weeks ago, I had the great opportunity to accompany one of my sons and a group he was performing with to the ESPYS VIP Afterparty in LA.  What an experience!!  Of course, it was the week after the Michael Jackson memorial had been at the Staples Center…which is in the same complex with the Nokia Theater where the ESPYS are held.

I was there to “manage” the group of 16 Pikes from Va. Tech who had gotten the attention of ESPN after their “glow-in-the-dark” perfomance became an internet sensation!  I was thrilled to be able to  help them out any way I could.

Highlights for me included introducing myself to Bob and Nick Valvano right before the guys’ performance at the Nokia Live VIP Afterparty.  They were standing right in front of the lighting/sound table…where I wanted to be…just in case!!  I have worked on the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala many times and felt that I could not pass up the chance to make the connection.

Since I had been getting ready for the performance while the ESPYS were actually going on…I wasn’t aware of the recipients until the news and I was able to watch the ESPYS on tv the following weekend.  What has stuck with me the most was the acceptance speech of Don Meyer who received the Jimmy V Award…about as much as Jimmy V’s speech when he received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the inaugural ESPYS.  How could we forget… “Don’t give up…Don’t ever give up.”

During Don Meyer’s speech, two things mentioned will stay with me forever.  Don Meyer’s “F words”… “Faith. Family. Friends.”  And a statement that was passed on to him “Don’t whine.  Don’t complain.  Don’t make excuses.”  How can you go wrong with these thoughts guiding you through life…good times and bad.

A thought for all!

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”  -  Abraham Lincoln

Birthday Toasts!

In case you are called upon to raise a glass celebrating a birthday…

To you on your birthday, glass held high,
Glad it’s you that’s older - not I.

To wish you joy on your birthday
And all the whole year through,
For all the best that life can hold
Is none too good for you.

Happy birthday to you
And many to be,
With friends that are true
As you are to me

Cheers!!

Thanks to realbeer.com for the featured toasts.

Friendship Toasts!

The next couple of days, we will be featuring toasts for various situations.  Here are a few toasts to add to your repetoire!!  Have on hand for those special get togethers…so you can rise to the occasion and let your friends know how important they are.

Health to you,
wealth to you,
and the best that life
can give to you.

May good fortune preceed you,
love walk with you, and good friends
follow you.

May you live as long as you like, and
have all you like as long as you live.