5 Quick and Dirty Tips for Corporate Event Planners

The life of an event planner that coordinates corporate events is a busy one. The stress level can go down as the entertainment value for the attendees goes up, with only a few insider tips.

1. Pick something high on entertainment

Fancy cocktail receptions and brunches are fun, but to really hook your attendees, create a program a lot of entertainment content. It can be good to kick things off with a motivational speaker or pep talk from the company leadership, but follow up on that energy with fun and games to drive the point home.

2. Go local

Glamorous options in other towns or states were the way to attract attention for many years. However, in this money-conscious era it is important to utilize the gems in the local area, rather than waste time and money looking elsewhere. It is easier to do a site visit, convenient for attendees to get to, and it supports the local economy.

3. Be original

Whether the corporate events are to show appreciation to certain clients, or to support team building for staff, it is important to be original with the event in order to generate interest, attendance, and leave a lasting impression. Consider things like laser tag or bumper cars, with or without family invited.

4. Use the Internet

The Internet offers so many easy and inexpensive ways to promote events these days, beyond just a website for event information and registration. Invite local bloggers to write on the event, design social media sites to build awareness and relay important information, and always build key words and hashtags into content to improve SEO.

5. “All-inclusive” is your friend

One of the best pieces of advice that any planner can take when organizing corporate events is to find a venue that provides “all-inclusive” options. It is hard enough keeping up with registrations, name tags, and event marketing. Simplify the process by finding a place with experience handling the food and beverage service and meeting setup/breakdown.

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5 Great Ideas for Military Family Fun on a Budget

If you are looking for military family fun options that won't break the bank, then don't look too far from home for solutions. By cutting down on travel expenses, more money can be spent on the entertainment and more time spent on each other.

1. Join a community play

A great way to enjoy time together as a family is to join a community play. Remember that acting isn't the only way to serve. Often help is needed to make costumes, build the sets, and to provide backup singing and music. It is also a great way to get involved in the community and make new friends.

2. Amusement park fun

Nothing says a great day out and military family fun like a day at an amusement park. Find a local one, so extra money isn't spent on fuel and hotels. With rides, like bumper cars, laser tag, mini golf, and roller coasters, there is something for everyone in the family, old or young.

3. Family baseball game

A family baseball game is a great way to get out and get physical. If there aren't quite enough members, have the kids invite friends, or hold a tournament between several families. The event can be held in a backyard or at a local park.

4. Pick nick Olympics

Pack some sandwiches, cold drinks, and snacks in a cooler and head to a local park or nature preserve for a day of military family fun. Croquet, badminton, Frisbee, horse shoes, bean bag toss, glow in the dark bottle bowling, and obstacle races are just a few of the many game options. Make teams or play as individuals. Fun prizes can be toys or privileges, like “no trash duty for a week.”

5. Night out at the arcades

Arcade games are fun enough to bring out the kid in anyone. Cheer each other on and enjoy competing for the most arcade prizes. To add an extra bonus, meals are often included in the price of admission, making it even more fun and money wise.

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The Parents' Guide for Stress-Free Amusement Park Outings

Amusement park outings include fun activities like outdoor rides, pizza buffets, and arcade games. With so many entertaining options for the whole family, it makes going out fun and stress-free. Especially with school holidays right around the corner, it is important to have a handful of options to keep kids active while spending quality family time together outside of the home. Going to an arcade park is one sure-bet way to solve the problem of restlessness and boredom. However, it is good to know how to plan for it.

The first step to a stress-free day is knowing that you won't have to spend your time running from location to location, in order to keep the children entertained. Amusement park outings have everything the family could need, in one spot. With outdoor rides and attractions like laser tag, bumper cars, climbing walls, and batting cages, it is possible to keep everyone engaged all day, without having to become a family taxi service. That means that even mom and dad have time to enjoy themselves.

The other factor that leads to stress-free amusement park outings is the reasonable cost for the multitude of high-quality entertainment options, such as outdoor rides, games, and attractions. Most things at an amusement park are included in the entrance fee. Since the family will want to spend a good part of the day playing and not wasting time traveling to restaurants, look for a property that has a substantial and quality buffet. If food and drinks are a la carte, the bill can add up quickly. If the price includes the freedom for junior to refill his drink as many times as he likes, or grab an extra slice of pizza because he has worked up an appetite, then you get the most bang for their buck. Plus, there are often specials that help reduce the cost. Group discounts, attending on certain days or hours, or looking for coupons can often help reduce the already reasonable entertainment prices.

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