Picnic Calculator 'Good ol' Americana Family Picnic'


Here is our newest event planning tool. We're proud to show you the easiest way we know to plan, budget and order your Summer event on-line.

When you choose our 'Good ol' Americana Picnic' you get our fabulous
All-You-Can-Eat BBQ with unlimited cold beverages, side dishes and house made salads. Plus an afternoon full of recreational activities, and family entertainment. All at one affordable price per person!

When you become a new member and log on you'll qualify for a 10% automatic discount when you use our calculator and submit your order on-line. Current members qualify as well, so make sure you log on first and then submit your request.

If you'd like more information on this all inclusive family event and use our new 'GOA' Picnic Calculator click here and go to 'Good ol' Americana Picnic' and Calculator.

Our 'Picnic Calculator' defaults at the minimum order of (100) adults and (50) kids. You can choose any combination of this as long as it totals (150) guests. You can also pick and choose the additional items you feel will enhance your event and simply go to the bottom line to see how it effects your budget. It's that easy!

Have a smaller group or on a tighter budget? Give us a call Toll-Free at 1-877-383-6883 and let one of our representatives show you how we can make your summer event work great for you. Click here for on-line 'Quick Request' information and help.

From the calculator you can click on print to keep a record and then click on submit for a formal quote or contract. We'll then be able to start the process of producing another great summer event for your company.

We hope you find this tool helpful for planning and budgeting your next family picnic and BBQ. Watch for additional calculators we'll be adding to help you in planning and budgeting your next corporate meeting, hospitality and team building events in the near future from TheGreatEvent.com a long standing leader in corporate event and meeting planning.

Click here to use our BRAND NEW on-line 'Picnic Calculator'. Members who log on before using the calculator receive a 10% on-line discount when you hit SUBMIT and make your order..

TheGreatEvent.TV *BRAND NEW*





Now you can view the latest video clips and movies of our most popular events, meetings and team building simply by clicking on to TheGreatEvent.TV. This is a great way to see first hand the quality of work and services we offer.

Bookmark this site and use it as a way to discover new and exciting ways to produce your next meeting, event or team building.You'll need your QuickTime plug-in to view these movies for now .

Please check back soon since we'll be updating this site with a new look and feel in Flash and adding new clips on a regular basis.

How to choose a GREAT Event Producer


If you want a GREAT event, then you must choose a GREAT event producer. Ask yourself "How do we or I pick a GREAT event producer"? Well, there are two schools of thought.

The first is to know exactly what type of event it is your trying to produce. What I mean is... the theme, the food, beverage, entertainment, the venue, the lights, the sound and the overall atmosphere are all something you should have in mind. It's just what to do, where to go and how to put it all together with your budget is your only problem. What should you do? I've often asked new clients as I get to know them, "Close your eyes call it a perfect world...now tell me what you see? I'm either amused or totally astounded as to how they'll respond.

The second school of thought is you have no idea, not a clue as to what to do and need to seek out a producer to not only consult and suggest ideas but to create an image of a theme that can be imagined mentally and presented in a way that can be visualized and understood. A producer that can create excitement and infectious anticipation is what you're looking for.

A great producer is comfortable in both of these arenas. They should be able to listen closely as to what the clients needs are and identify the right questions to ask as an advocate based on their experience.

A great producer knows how to gain confidence and maximize budgets giving their client the assurance that they've picked the right person to realize their needs. A great producer knows how to communicate their ideas and how to motivate the people around them so that everyone is working towards the same goal as a team. Picking a great producer is as important to the end result of an event as is picking the right wine to complement the perfect meal or picking the right furniture to maximize the comfort and appeal of a room.

Let's examine both schools of thought to get a clearer understanding of what to do, what to look for and what a producers needs are. I say what a producers needs are because it's important to realize that after you're comfortable with your selection you need to trust in your producer as you would trust in your own doctor or attorney.

If you know what type of event your trying to produce, first organize your wish list. Being very clear as to what you want and how to convey your needs. These concepts are key to the process. List all components of your event germane to the end result. After you or your committee are clear on your list then search out a professional local, regional or national production company with the experience to meet your needs.

You notice I've said a professional production company not a Mobil DJ, caterer, decorator or florists but a professional producer. There is a big difference and although any one of these services may be important to your event, a great producer is one that brings the experience of all these services together time after time looking at the big picture.

These days it seems everyone in the industry thinks they're a producer but it takes a professional team with many many years of experience to qualify for the task. Don't make the mistake of trusting your event to someone who thinks just because they've been around the industry as a service provider their ready to 'cut their chops' on your event. Remember the saying "Hind sight is 20X20 vision", well then...Why risk it?

Start by visiting trade shows or searching the internet. Going to reputable event related websites like PartyPop.com are extremely useful in finding a great producer. Make a list of the ones that seem appropriate and start with a call explaining to them your wish list, set up an interview with the ones that stand out and request proposal information.

If you're unfamiliar with them ask for several references to find out how past and current clients enjoyed working with them. Were they professional? Were they detail oriented? Did they communicate well and did they do as they said they would? These are the perfect questions to ask a past client. Try to ask for past and current clients to get a feel for their consistency. Remember experience is everything...you want a great producer that not only knows how to get things done but sees 'train wrecks' before they happen.

Next visit their website. This is a strong indication as to whether or not a producer is capable. If they can create a great website, one that is organized, engaging, exciting and complete from start to finish then the chances are they can produce a great event as well. A great event planning website is one that should be informative, entertaining, create visual stimulus, provoke creative ideas and have useful tools, products and services to help organize your thoughts and complete a great event from thought to finish from party favors and gifts to signage and decor.

The later school of thought I mentioned is a bit more of an arduous process. It entails all of the preliminary processes I discussed earlier but it goes more to the sophistication of the event producer. Here a great producer must be able to listen to the client first and foremost to identify and get to know their client to the tenth degree. The producer must know about your past events, favorite things, the goal of this event, the personality of the CEO or the bride and groom, the companies products or services or the bride and grooms family members, the type of guests that will be attending and most of all the budget.

Here, it is important to not only pick a great producer but one that is creative, communicates well, has extraordinary vision and the experience to pull it off. One that understands how to spend money wisely and has a reputation of being straight forward and trustworthy.

I mentioned earlier that knowing what a great producer needs are is as important as the wine you pick for the perfect meal. What I mean by that is, a great producer is one that has pride and passion in what they do. I've often attended sales training seminars or networking meetings and not only was I the only event producer in the room but I was the only one anyone had ever met or known.

We are a rare breed of individuals who have thick skin but sensitive feelings. We want to be treated fairly and are willing to put up with long hours, constant changes, flexible conditions and stressful working environments. But we are not willing to put up with bounced checks, late deposits, and miserly clients who want everything for nothing.

A great producer knows how to deal with money responsibly and should be given the respect that one would give to their accountant or attorney. Do you hire a professional house painter or auto mechanic and then stand next to them and instruct them on every little thing they should do? I think not... So why would you want to do that to your event producer? Aren't they as important to you as the paint on your home or the engine in your car? Especially, when your event can cost as much as a car and in some cases a home.

When selecting a great producer find the one that you can have fun with, you respect as a professional and look forward to working with. A great producer can go a long way towards producing a great event and will ensure that not only will you have a successful event but one that is enjoyed by all in attendance and remembered for years to come.

AIST HIT 2002 Symposium


Darryl Scotti Events was approached by AIST (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) - Japan’s largest national research organization - to manage their first US Showcase Symposium on Human Information Technology (HIT 2002) on June 11, 2002 at the Santa Clara Marriott Hotel.

This conference succeeded in influencing further joint efforts and private sector investment by showcasing their latest technological developments. DSE, Inc. used a limited budget to develop a package of conference strategy and management solutions, including web site development and registration, collateral, audio visual package, trade show booth design and management, public relations research, materials and calling programs, collateral, and on site registration management and tracking.




Click here for a QuickTime Film Clip of this Seminar

Special Thanks to:

Dr. Naohiro Soga
Trustee for International Affairs
AIST

Dr. Akio Nishijima
Deputy Director
International Affairs Department
AIST

Dr. Keizo Hashimoto
Senior Researcher
International Affairs Department
AIST