WTUI - Palm Springs - Loving the Air Museum!

This was our 6^th year producing our client’s annual conference and with over 1100 conference attendees from over 20 countries represented.  It seems every year, that this conference grows a little bit more each year!  The conference  is for 4 days, from Sunday to Wednesday and features an 80,000 square foot exhibit hall, 4 breakout sessions and is a whirlwind for us all and this year was no different! 

Monday is always a huge hit from the spouse to the Monday Night Reception event.  This year, the Spouse Tour was a great way to talk the spouses on an adventure in Jeeps with Desert Adventures.  The spouses were taken on a personalized tour of the Palm Springs Canyons in a Jeep followed by a hike through the canyons.  They experienced and learned about the source of the Springs in Palm Springs, the traditions of the Native Indians where the canyons were discovered and the area’s vegetation and florals. 

When it came to their Monday Night event, this year was themed “WTUI Top Gun Academy” and was an event that will soon not be forgotten.  Held at the Palm Springs Museum , it was a HUGE hit for the guests, the Board of Directors and Officers. Taking up both hangars of the Palm Springs Air Museum was no small feat.  With over 1000 people attending the event, both hangars were filled with people, airplanes and historical artifacts.   One hangar was dubbed “The 40’s Hangar”, where we featured Andrews Sisters singers on the Bob Hope Stage surrounded by planes and artifacts from the 1940’s and 1950’s.  The other hangar “The Top Gun Hangar” featured 80’s music, and more recent planes featured in major motion pictures. 

Outside of the hangars, lined up ready for their close up, was over 20 planes for our guests to view and talk with docents who actually flew these planes from WWII to the most present planes, of Desert Storm. 

You know you pulled off a fantastic event, when the client says, “… I agree that the team of Mumtaz Marketing & Events being led by Jennifer, pulled off one of the best ‘Monday Reception’ events in the history that I have been attending WTUI!” 

A HUGE thank you to all of vendors for that nights event J & M Entertainment, Hilton Palm Springs, Signature Party Rentals, The Swing Dolls , Fresh Ivey Photography and The Palm Springs Air Museum.  

Mumtaz Loves Joan! She's a Highly Recommend!

Joan Frances Moran is simply wonderful! With her positive energy, enchanting humor and wealth of life experience, she has set a new standard to what really means to be 69. The word retirement does not exist in her dictionary and we are thrilled about it!

Joan is a uniquely inspiring Keynote Speaker.  She takes personal fulfillment to a whole new level by empowering employees and business leaders everywhere she goes. She believes that living a life without having passions to pursue is not fun at all. Joan transmits her appetite for life to others helping them stretch the mind at any age and get rid of mental inertia. Her Keynote topics are aimed towards self-motivation, youth of mind and the possibilities of today, which is how she continues to transform the lives of so many.

Joan engages audiences effortlessly transferring dual wisdom of creativity and work/life balance during her presentations. Joan’s captivating personality along with two Masters, in Education and Theater, plus her over 25 years of experience in Theater allow her to engage with audiences in a distinctive way.

Joan offers an array of keynote presentation and workshops for business groups, associations and conferences that open up new strategies for transformative mindset changes. Find out more about Joan at www.joanfrancesmoran.com. You can also look her up at  https://www.facebook.com/joanfrances.moran or follow her on Twitter @joanfmoran. 

She is a game changer in her industry; someone you would definitely love to meet!

Will we see you at CalSae?

Will we see you at the California Society of Association Executives Annual Elevate Conference? Mumtaz President Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP will be participating as a speaker. The Elevate Conference is being held in San Francisco on April 17-19. 

Joella will be presenting alongside some amazing leaders in the industry as part of Ignite! The Ignite format features quick nuggets of knowledge presented in 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds! It's fast! It's exciting! It's educational! Each presentation will be followed by Q&A with the presenter. Joella will be presenting "What Message Are Your Events Sending?" The brief description reads...Tired of the same old monthly member meetings? Make those necessary meetings count towards building member retention by bringing your members one very important message… Their membership dollars are vital to their success. Ensure your brand is developed and distinguished; that you deliver a message in the form of an experience that allows members to remember why they continue to be a part of your organization. This is what they buy – your brand and what is says you can deliver!

Whether you start from the top down or from the down up your overall marketing plan must fall in line with your association’s business goals. This means that as part of each reception, meeting, conference, or special event that your touch points are delivering a carefully and thought out message. Your event departments are constantly in touch with your members – shouldn’t that be strategic department?

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mumtaz Fall 2012 Highlight Reel!

Yay baby! Take a look at the cool stuff we were up to this past Fall. There will be more to come, stay tuned and don't forget to follow us on Twitter at @MumtazMarketing.

Click Here!

You Can Now Catch Us On The Big Island... Kona, Hawaii!

Hey everyone! We're stoked to announce that we now are available to work your special events, meetings, conferences, incentive, and experiential events on the Big Island! Mumtaz' own President is originally from the islands so she is thrilled to announce our new island ventures... We're able to serve as your planner on the ground! We are able to with local venues and destination management companies to service our clients needs.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

75-5660 Kopiko St., Ste. C-7 #246
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
808.430.1239

Mumtaz' Spring 2012 Highlight Reel!

Hey everyone. We get a kick out of creating our "small-shop" videos of our work...Please check it out!

Click Here!

 

Please don't forget to follow us on Twitter at @MumtazMarketing.

WTUI Conference in the City of Roses!

Mumtaz Marketing & Events was honored to produce the WTUI Annual Conference once again this year one of California's many prides, the Pasadena Convention Center! It was a great space, and all the users really enjoyed their classroom-like atmosphere for the conference. The four day conference included a large exhibit hall featuring vendors from all around. We must say... The folks in Pasadena were fabulous! Thanks to the complete on hand to help us produce another great year!



Every year we have one showcase event for all conference attendees and that is the Monday Night Reception and we had the wonderful challenge of converting the Convention Center's Conference Center into a "WTUI Cabaret"... We had to provide seating for 800+ plus enough space for buffets, bars, and attendee networking! As the sun went down the lighting got better and better! Lighting is always key in producing phenomenal events! Thanks to Jorge at J&M Entertainment and his team for throwing in the "kitchen sink" on a budget!

Hand-Carved Meat Station - Where's the Beef?

Martini Mashed Potatoes - LOL Not with this manly crowd. We just dished delish mashed potatoes onto plates... The martini glasses were for decor!

Our dessert station was definitely the biggest hit of the night! It featured over 8 different desserts and was the center of attention for the most of the night. It was also a biggest hit because there was an aerialist centered in the middle of the dessert table who provided amazing entertainment to our guests during the night, check it out below!



The board members of WTUI take a moment to pose for a board picture before the reception begins! Top Hats to Match the evening's theme and allowed them to stand out as the event's hosts. Plus, it also makes every man more handsome!

 

Special Thanks to the Whole Team! We are thrilled to be in San Diego in 2013!!! 

IMEX America 2011 - Las Vegas!

Hey everybody! We, your Simply Mumtaz gals - Joella, Jennifer Minzey, and Jennifer Kim, hope this post finds you well! We had a blast at IMEX America 2011! It was fantastic to visit with friends, meet new colleagues, and of course, play! Smart Monday sponsored by MPI was fantastic - great professional development sessions! But, the absolute highlight was the tradeshow!

I had to post about this booth! It was so inviting, fun, and sent the wonderful smell of coffee brewing and pastries just like you were walking past a coffee shop in Europe! You just had to stop...  

Then, I was so stoked to see fellow ISES peeps! Jennifer Minzey and I posed with Kevin Hacke, Executive Director of ISES. It was wonderful to see Kristin and touch base with Kevin about how ISES is promoting the special events industry as professional and strategic. 

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Guest Blogger: Matt Hourihan from the Pasadena Convention Center

Hi everyone! We are so excited to present our next Guest Blogger, Mr. Matt Hourihan from the Pasadena Convention Center... We've had the pleasure of getting to know Matt for the last two years and he's an amazing guy! Absolutely knows his stuff. It is always a pleasure to work with someone that you enjoy their company and they are on top of their game! If you are looking to book an event that isn't the usual Westside, Hollywood, or Downtown - visit Pasadena! Matt talks about it all...

Matt Hourihan has been with the Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) since 2002. As senior sales manager he represents the LEED Gold Certified Pasadena Convention Center and the hotels of Pasadena. Before we dive into gorgeous Pasadena, Matt can be contacted at (800) 307-7977 or via email mhourihan@visitpasadena.com Pasadena is nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, just 11 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Nearby airports include Los Angeles International, Bob Hope/Burbank, and Ontario. The dynamic city features 3 distinct shopping/entertainment districts, 2,500 hotel rooms, world-renowned museums, 500 restaurants, golf, spa, theaters, and gardens. The Pasadena CVB offers complimentary services to meeting planners, tour operators, and visitors.Pasadena is known as a leading convention and meeting destination. The expanded Pasadena Convention Center was recently awarded LEED Gold Certificaiton from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it one of the greenest convention centers in North America. The state-of-the-art facility offers 55, 000 square feet of exhibit space (expandable to 80,000 square feet), a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, 29 breakout rooms, and the renowned 3,000-seat Pasadena Civic Auditorium.With its sophisticated cultural allure, pedestrian-friendly and mild climate. Pasadena resembles a European city. Visitors can walk from the convention center to 1,200 hotel rooms and Old Pasadena, a historic 22-block entertainment area filled with 200 national brand retailers, exclusive boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and clubs. As the birthplace of Julia Child, Pasadena was simply destined to be a foodie's paradise. With 500 restaurants, Pasadena is more than equipped to delight the food-savvy crowd. Pasadena's renowned restraurants and noted architecture make the perfect combination for culinary walking tours coordinated by Melting Pot Tours. Come experience the charming history, architecture, and folklore of Old Pasadena while feasting upon culinary delights from neighborhood eateries. http://www.meltingpottours.com/ With 14 museums and 11 performing arts organizations, Pasadena is alive with culture. See masterpieces by Van Gogh, Picasso and Rembrandt at the Norton Simon Museum. Explore 150 acres of gardens at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. Other treasures include an original Gutenberg Bible, the famous "Pinkie" and "The Blue Boy" paintings and more. With 16 historical districts packed into 23 square miles, Pasadena has a wealth of incredible architecture to discover. Many of the city's museums and historic sites are ideal for off-site events. Two of the more popular historic buildings are the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Castle Green. The grand dame of the Pasadena Convention Center complex is the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Built in 1931, the historic 3,000-seat theatre is one of the most revered performance halls in the nation. The Civic has played host to Broadway musicals, world-class ballet, symphony orchestras and celebrity speakers, as well as the Prime Time Emmy Awards. The opulent Gold Room seats 200 for a banquet.Located two blocks from the convention center and built in 1898 as an annex to the Hotel Green, Castle Green features an open-cage elevator, fireplaces, hand-carved wood work, and marble staircase. To make exploring Pasadena easier, visitors can download the free GoPasadena smartphone application at the iTunes App Store or Android market now. Get detailed information on the city's museums, shopping and entertainment areas, hotels, gardens, movie theatres, events, performing arts organizations, popular filming locations, colleges and universities, architectural tours, and much more.

Last Week's BizBash and HSMAI Affordable Meetings Conferences - Update SME Style... Top 5 Take Homes

Hey all! Last week we, your Simply Mumtaz team, had the opportunity to attend both the BizBash Expo and HSMAI Affordable Meetings Conference in Pasadena and Long Beach. Below you will see highlights from both Jennifer Minzey, Event Manger and Jenny Anderson, Events Assistant. Plus, their Top 5 Take Homes!

Jenny Anderson:

As a first time attendee and aspiring planner, I was amazed at BizBash's Expo by how much there was to see and learn! I really enjoyed the different types of chairs, couches, tables, and light fixtures that were displayed throughout the main stage.

There was so much new technology being used on the main stage, I particularly liked the I-tiles that were displayed behind the stage.

I loved this layered table! I thought it was a super creative way to incorporate a theme or message of any event for all attendees to see. Walking around the expo floor was so exciting! I was astounded at how many different vendors there were. One of my favorites was the world's fastest etch-a-sketch artist. He drew this picture of us, watching him work was fascinating; he is so talented!Another part of the expo floor that I really enjoyed looking at was the tabletop decorating contest put on by ISES-LA. The theme "Midsummer Night's Dream". Here are some of the entries, very creative!!
I also gained a lot from the educational sessions I attended as well! Here are my top 5 take-homes:

1. Make "green" visible. Simple steps can make a huge difference. Just by placing recycling bins around the event space you can reduce the amount of waste made.

2. Spread your knowledge. Huge impacts can be made in the industry purely by sharing what you already know. I heard many stories about vendors changing the way they operate because of something they learned from planning one event!

3. Stay local. I learned that there are many benefits of using local farmers. Not only does the food travel less (which reduces carbon emission and allows for fresher product!) but some local farmers are also willing to take the waste from an event and compost it!

4. Use social media. These sites are a great way to spread the word about the types of events you are putting on as well as a way to create a company brand for future clients to get to know as well.

5. Keep up with trends. Knowing what is going on in the event industry is important in order to generate new and exciting ideas for clients!

Jennifer Minzey:

It was once again great to attend this year's Biz Bash Expo at their new home, the Pasadena Convention Center. It was great to be in a city I absolutely adore. Here are my top 5 take aways from Biz Bash:

1. Designing: I was one of the few who woke up super early to be at the Design Lab at 8am, with Eddie Zarastian of Tic- Tock Couture Florals, and I had a great time watching him design a table top in a flurry! He was informative and always entertaining! One piece that I took away from him, was always think outside the box, we no longer can afford not to think outside of the box. How true!

2. Food Trends: Who doesn't love talking about food! Hilary Harris made all of our mouths water when talking about the new yummy food trends. I can't wait to try my mini pies and gelato floats! I definitely am looking forward to using at least one of those ideas at an event!

3. Rain Plan: Do you have one? Precision Weather.com, a paid service with professional meteorologists that can track the weather for you right down to your location!

4. Pantone App: Such a cool app! Take a pic of a photo and it will turn it into the closest pantone color. Love it! Pantone.com

5. Be Courageous! It takes courage to do something new. Not everyone can do what we do and be fantastic at it. This is going to be my mantra for the rest of the year. Let's see how courageous you can be!

Jenny Anderson:

The HSMAI Affordable Meetings conference in Long Beach was very enlightening. I had the chance to learn tons about the meeting planning side of the industry, something that I am not as familiar with!

The Expo floor was filled with many exciting booths and vendors, like the Las Vegas visitors bureau which was visible from everywhere on the floor! The raffle had some great prizes, including an Ipad2 which unfortunately, and much to my dismay, I did not win. I learned so much at the sessions that I attended that I can barely narrow it down to five things! But here are my top 5 take homes:

1. Technology is changing the face of events. There are so many ways to introduce technology into an event. The amount of involvement can range from a virtual conference to hybrid events (which include both in person and virtual components) to merely posting the presentation material online. The possibilities are endless!

2. Know your audience. Despite the fact that there are many ways to share event information know which way your audience will respond best!

3. Connect. Even though nothing can replace face to face networking, being able to continue relationships you have created at a conference or a meeting using social media is very beneficial! There are websites that allow attendees to find each other on these sites before and after the event.

4. Work with the chef. Don't be afraid to ask the chef to work with your budget. Sometimes it is even easier for them to create the menu knowing what budget you have as opposed to suggesting certain dishes.

5. Being healthy doesn't go out of style. Even though there are always up and coming trends in the food and beverage industry it is always important to serve a healthy option!

Jennifer Minzey:

For the second year in a row, it was great to be at the HSMAI Affordable Meetings in Long Beach. It was great to re-connect with some friends from the San Diego Convention Center and meet new ones from the Phoenix CVB, the San Diego CVB and the Albuquerque CVB. Here are my Top 5 Take Aways:

1. QR Codes.... These codes can be used as a marketing piece for your events. Your attendee can click on the code and it will download the information straight to their phone about the event or your company!

2. Mobile devices....They are becoming more and more popular at meetings, make sure your conference attendees can pull up their conference agendas on their mobile, so you can be more green and not print as many!

3. Ask Outrageously! Wouldn't you rather take risk than not at all? Whether it is for your meetings or for your professional career, take a risk, cause you never know what can happen!

4. Hybrid Meetings.....It is all about inclusion and the future for meetings. They are not the enemy, look at it as a new way to bring in more attendees that might not necessarily be able to attend the meeting. Charge for access to the meeting, in order to protect the value of the face to face meeting.

5. Conference Publishers....they are professional "summarizers" of meetings. Think of them as the cliff notes for the meetings. They will turn a 2 hour meeting into just 2 pages! What a concept.