Posts Tagged ‘event planning’

Entrepreneurs, Young Professionals & Blue Moons

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

What a month July was, and August is shaping up to be just as full of opportunity for those looking to expand their network.

Lots of interesting happenings involving entrepreneurs, young professionals and a certain former first lady. Intriguing, wouldn’t you say? Tune in Friday, July 23rd at 9:00 a.m. for another segment of Your Biz, Your Town on 88.5 WGVU. The full details will be disclosed at that time. Guests include the Michigan Small Business Technology & Development Center, the Grand Rapids Young Professionals and local non-profit, Alliance for Health.

The Michigan Small Business Technology & Development Center has launched a new program called FastTrac for professionals in a transition that are seeking entrepreneurial opportunities for their next career. Regional director, Dante Villarreal will fill us in on the details and how individuals can apply.

Another great community group that is dedicated to assisting professionals in growing their personal brand is the Grand Rapids Young Professionals. The group is hosting a variety of events that envelop networking, community volunteerism and leadership. On August 18th the community has an opportunity to meet the new board while learning about opportunities to volunteer or join a committee. Don’t miss out on this great networking event at Thousand Oaks Golf Club.

This next happening I am very excited about, as it involves one of West Michigan’s finest – Former First Lady Betty Ford. The Alliance for Health will honor Betty Ford’s contributions to the health care community at Once in a Blue Moon @ High Noon. The luncheon will give attendees an opportunity to meet Steve Ford and network with community leaders.

For other August happenings, check out the below listing. If I have missed anything, let me know. Happy networking!

Coast Guard
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Friday, July 30, 2010 – Sunday, August 8, 2010
Grand Haven Waterfront

American Cancer Society
Cattle Baron’s Ball
Friday, August 13, 2010
Steelcase Town Hall
5:30pm Event Registration
6:00-9:00pm Cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres, Dinner, Silent & Live Auctions
9:00pm-12:00am Late Night Party

WMPRSA
Meet the Media “Speed Dating”
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Gainey Conference Center, Cornerstone University
11:00am-10:30pm

Grand Rapids Young Professionals
Meet the Board
Wednesday, August 21, 2010
Thousand Oaks Golf Club
6:00–8:00pm

Davenport University
Annual Scholarship Golf Classic
Monday, August 23, 2010
Egypt Valley Country Club
11:00am Registration and Lunch
12:30pm Shotgun Start
5:00pm Dinner and Auction

Kandu
14th Annual Golf Outing
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Grand Haven Golf Club
8:30am Shotgun Start

Kuyper College
18th Annual Kuyper International Golf Scramble
Monday, August 30, 2010
Watermark Country Club
For More Info email events@kuyper.edu

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Event season is here

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

April showers bring an outpouring of events to Grand Rapids!

If you are a professionals looking to be build your personal brand,  now is the perfect time to get out there and get connected.

See you around GR.

Rapid Growth

Not Your Average Speaker Series

Tuesday, April 6th

5:15 pm – 7:15 pm

Wealthy Theatre

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

Business Exchange Luncheon

Applause Catering & Events

Thursday, April 8th

11:30 am – 1:30 pm

GRYP

Downtown Development Panel

Tuesday, April 13th

University Club of Grand Rapids

6:00 pm – ?

YWCA

Open Circle Luncheon Celebration

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel — Ambassador Ballroom

Wednesday, April 14th

11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

Business After Hours Home-Based Entrepreneur Expo

Thursday, April 15th

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Inforum

Breakfast Networking Group

Thursday, April 15th

7:30 am – 8:45 am

Panera Bread – Knapps Corner

Inforum

New Member Reception w/ WMCAT

Monday, April 19th

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

AimWest

5:01 Networking

Photo Room at Bar Divani

Wednesday, April 21st

5:01 pm – 7:00 pm

Center for Community Leadership

Annual Fundraiser

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Wednesday, April 21st

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

American Cancer Society – Young Leaders Council

All-members Meeting

Hope Lodge

Wednesday, April 21st

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

AMA West Michigan

Market Segmentation Tactics for Real World Success

Kent Country Club

Thursday, April 22nd

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids

Beyond the Red Door Luncheon

Thousand Oaks Golf Club

Thursday, April 22nd

12:00 pm – 1 pm

GRYP

Fashion Show

Younkers – RiverTown Crossings

Thursday, April 22nd

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Inforum

Social Media 101 – Panel Discussion with area experts

Amway World Headquarters – Auditorium

Thursday, April 22nd

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

AimWest

Bob Walsh: “Becoming a IT Linchpin”

Atomic Object (Wealthy Street)

Tuesday, April 27nd

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Inforum

Inner Circle

JW Marriott

Wednesday, April 28th

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Saint Mary’s Health Care

Shoppe Soiree

Cascade Hills Country Club

Wednesday, April 28th

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

$35 per person or $40 at the door.

WMPRSA

Thursday, April 29th

25th Annual PRoof Awards

West Michigan 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Pinnacle Center

7:30 am – 11:15 am

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Bring on the WOW factor

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

What makes a great event? Or better yet, when do you hold an event? Yearly holiday celebration? Client appreciation? Awards ceremony? Fashion show? Fundraiser?

There are a variety of reasons to host an event, but the planning can become tedious. Events need meticulous attention to detail, and a thorough grasp of the undertaking. You need to select a mood, a theme, and a purpose, and make the event a memory for years to come.

When holding an event, have a strategy, a plan, know what you want to accomplish before investing $$. Events are a great way to set your company or organization apart and garner media attention. The more unique and creative you are (WOW Factor), the more buzz you create.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a very unique gala put on by Saint Mary’s Health Care, called “Rethink”.

The gala featurIMG_0272ed such non-traditional activities such as dancers from the Rockford School of Dance covered in glow sticks while performing, desserts based off of childhood favorites, themed cocktails, an aromatherapy lounge, red carpet (complete with photog) and no nametags through a strolling reception.  Participants were also asked to post reactions on the Saint Mary’s Doran Foundation Facebook page.

I stood up and took notice, and so did the over 600 attendees to the gala. What was the purpose? To raise awareness and money for ALS Center a collaboration of Saint Mary’s Health Care, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. ALS also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a condition in which motor neurons in the brain begin to die causing the person to become more and more disabled finally ending in death.

Great event. Great cause. And everyone noticed. WOW.

www.saintmarysevents.com

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