ISES NJ South Past Events

May 2007 Meeting

Luxury for less
was the topic at ISES NJ South meeting in May but Timot McGonagle’s ideas went beyond luxury and gave some very sound business advice.

Timot talked about running your business by partnering with your vendors and community not in your normal way of lip service but in some concrete ways.

He expressed we should find our hidden buying power and use this with a few select vendors to leverage the best event for the client.

Some of the points he brought were:

• Create tiered packages so you already have   price structures with a preferred vendor
• Expand your definition of vendor   compensation.
• Break down annual budgets into   vendor/supplier categories so you and your   vendors know what you spend.
• Create a historical event calendar showing   what you have done in all areas.
• Create loyalty between your firm
  and your vendors.
• Develop contacts on the local level with   theaters, art galleries, college-marketing   departments where you might find people to   expand your knowledge base.
• Look to high schools and colleges for   internship opportunities.

Some of Timot’s design thoughts:

• Invest in non-perishables.
• Use the art of borrowing.
• Impact through repetition.
• Take advantage of seasonal closeouts.
• Innovative tent design by using lights and color to create different views from all angles.
• Bring the design of the table out to the plates not just in the middle.
• Use your lighting and color to bring the clients to the event.
• Uses of high tech lighting and video to combine effects in a cost effective way.
• Create sounds, aromas and lighting that will reinforce the client’s event.

Timot uses his past experiences to build his event business, bringing in his marketing and branding knowledge to the table. He explained in a recent
article in Migurus:

“Once we learn the details of a brand, we deconstruct it into all of its individual parts. This can include colors, textures, graphic elements or advertising media. We then highlight these elements utilizing the latest technology to literally reassemble the brand into a virtual experience. We separate, reassemble, support, and celebrate the individual components of the brand.  Thus, we draw focus to how these elements come together to make the brand or service lasting and memorable.”

ISES NJ South was lucky to have Timot McGonagle come and speak to us at the Bally’s Atlantic City.

At other recent events, ISES NJ South has had Cliff Mautner speak on how photography can create a lasting event. If you would like to find more information on future speakers, please e-mail us at info@isesnjsouth.com and we will place you on our e-mail list.