This month we're excited to share event trends, how we revamp tribute shows and share some of the places we worked in this year. Plus! The chance to win $100! Take our quick event survey and be entered to win.
TOP 5 TRAVEL HACKS
It wouldn't be an end of year celebration without a countdown!
- Turbulence is fun...if you put your arms in the air!
- Stand-by is a great way to change planes without a fee (but always request it at the gate)
- Pack your bag to get through security--usually a free gate check and allows you to fly stand-by (see fact #2)
- Flying American? You get free drinks in the first few rows of coach
TSA Precheck & Global Entry--do both!
2019 EVENT TRENDS: #1 EVENT/WORK LIFE BALANCE
New Year, New You, New Event Strategy. Now that you've mastered 2018's trends of Increased Engagement, Connecting the Dots and more, it's time to think about incorporating the hot trends we're seeing for 2019! In our busy world, we are being pulled in a million directions and it's difficult to be both an attendee and a professional that needs to keep things running while away from the office. Organizations are recognizing the need to provide attendees with an Event/Work Life Balance...READ MORE
TOP 5 PLACES LAI TRAVELLED TO IN 2018!
- Washington, DC
- Los Angeles, Ca
- Nashville, TN
- Las Vegas, NV
- New York City
LAI EVENT SUPERHEROES VS. EVENT SUPERVILLIANS
Do you find yourself transforming into an Octopirate the closer you get to an event?
Too many things to manage and taking on an "I'll just do it myself" mentality? The LAI Live Superheroes can help ease your workload by focusing on the production logistics, leading the creative process for design and programming, and producing a first-in-class live show.and All I Do Is Win are still our most requested walk-on songs, but here are our top 5 favorites!
Tell us what you’ve done to #SaveTheDay as an #EventSuperhero by tweeting your #EventVillain story @LAILiveEvents
THE STORY BEHIND THE LOOK
The three 2018 Association Leadership Awards recipients all had a common trait: the ability to adapt to changes in their respective industry landscapes throughout their careers. The challenge was to create an event look that hearkened back to previous decades while projecting a feeling of modernity and creative thinking across multiple industries where new solutions and fresh ideas are needed. Inspired by the famed graphic designer Milton Glaser's work throughout the decades, the look eventually came to include a bold color palette, topical iconography, silhouettes of the award recipients, and abstract architectural working space elements that would be common to all the industries of the winners..
The effect of this visual artwork created for the event was combined with classy mid-century modern furniture on the stage and in mingling spaces, matching table linens, and tasty retro chic food choices on the menu to bring it all together.
NEW IDEAS FOR: AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENTS
Dispensing your Brand: Swag is a longtime favorite at any event, not just for the attendees but for sponsors. Rather than investing in a series of small giveaways your attendees may not use, take a look at a vending machine activation. Popular at conferences, tradeshows, and music venues, this custom structure dispenses a designated product when attendees tweet using specific hashtags. This not only gives your brand long-lasting visibility on the show floor, but also in the social networking platform.
Need a few quick ways to increase the production value of your show? Here are some of
LAI LIVE'S BEST PRACTICES:
- 5 Best Practices of Panel Discussions
- 4 Best Practices of Event Scripting
- 5 Best Practices of Show Graphics
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT ON THE TRIBUTE SHOW
LAI Live recently teamed up with an organization known for having a good sense of humor and helped bring their vision of a 1970's talk show to life. No large budget required-- just a few inspirational muses, a witty script, and a definite cast of characters! Scripting and developing the "voice" of the program was a huge focus. The client provided a list of inside jokes, industry jargon, and some little-known facts about our guest of honor, which was a great launch pad. From there, LAI Live took off running, creating banter between the host and sidekick as well as crafting barbs at the industry and attendees. And, of course, we had to make time for proper tributes to our honoree by choosing questions from our guests that celebrated his accomplishments and tapped into the humorous side of his career. READ MORE
A NOTE FROM LAI LIVE...
It's been another whirlwind year for the LAI Live team. With over 200 days on show site, starting the year in New York City and ending in Atlanta, we've been coast to coast and will gladly share our favorite restaurants or airport stops if you need recommendations (we're well-versed in Mexican cuisine). Along the way we've collaborated with new clients, reconnected with previous ones, lost an appendix, broke a leg and somehow found ourselves in Bentonville, Arkansas. We've become a member of Destination DC, started up this really awesome newsletter, welcomed a new Art Director and expanded our intern program. We were honored to have the opportunity to volunteer with Washington Parks, preparing the grounds for spring at the Josephine Butler House, and also provide sponsor support for Professional Women in Advocacy. As we look to the new year ahead, we're excited for the opportunities to collaborate with you in event design, create custom music playlists, figure out new ways to engage with attendees, or develop solutions to anything that ails your event.
Thank you for everything you do and CHEERS to 2019!