Together As One at The Beyond Our Doors Dinner

Hey everyone! Our client recently celebrated their goal of providing back to the community and staying green with their annual Beyond Our Doors dinner this past September. Highlights of the night include organic dinner choices, eco-friendly table arrangements and a picture that literally brought the room together. Details below!

A light cocktail happy hour was followed by dinner choices of Grilled Free Range Airline Chicken Beast, Line Caught Halibut or a vegetarian Giant Ravioli. Mango Sorbet with fresh organic berries and mint garnished with petit four was served as desert during the night’s main presentation. 

Keeping in theme with the Kaiser’s goal of helping communities and staying eco–conscious, the night’s centerpieces transformed each table into a community garden of sorts as each centerpiece used organic fruits and vegetables which guests were encouraged to harvest from and take home at the end of the evening. Reusable bags where distributed in lieu of plastic bags.

Another take away item that guests were treated to at the end of the night was a poster spelling out the word “Together” with photos of guests taken earlier in the evening. With the help of Cotton Photography, Simply Mumtaz Events took snap shots of guests as they arrived and complied their faces into the collage and distributing copies after revealing a framed version to guests.

The quick turn around for “Together” posters couldn’t have been accomplished without our graphic designer Jahel! A big thank you to the rest of the Simply Mumtaz Events team and everyone involved!

Stay tuned for details from Joella Hopkins and Jennifer Minzey’s FAM trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico and IMEX America 2011 in Las Vegas, Neveda.

Simply Mumtaz - GMIC Conference Day # 2 - Report 2.2

So, we (your Simply Mumtaz gals) are back... Had a great day! After lunch we went out to do a site visit at the Oregon Convention Center aka Portland Convention Center - on the "Waste Not" interactive breakout session. It was really great to have a first hand look at some of the amazing ways that the Convention Center strives for "green". The biggest and continuing stat is that they have about a 64% diversion rate. In the tour we took note of the fantastic visuals for the front of the house to participate. The part that I loved was they didn't shy around "trash" - it was labeled "landfill". Also in the front of the house, they let the public or conference attendees review and understand how important sustainability was to the OCC. This included signage at various locations where they helped to educate on green practices. Here they displayed information on The Rain Garden... The back of the house was extremely organized. Everything was labeled and easy to use. This allowed their house crew to easily help sort for various waste streams. In addition, to the photos below - they composted, collected metal waste and the most special feature was they took the time to work with local organizations to donate left over items that can be used to help the community at large. This was my favorite! It was an environmental cow - fun and informational...So, from here the Simply Mumtaz team left for an afternoon of sight seeing in the great town of Portland... Here we are on the MAX Light Rail system. Our first stop, or so we tried, was to head to the Japanese Gardens in Washington Park. We didn't realize that it was a mile plus up the road and we only had 40 minutes to visit... So, we got back on the MAX and headed back into the City Center...

We hit Cacao - Drinking Chocolate - Not Hot Chocolate... Fantastic!

We then hit Knit & Purl, Jake's Grill, and the Amazing Powell's City of Books! We only hit 3 of the how many sections? On the way back - we passed China Town and hit Voodoo Doughnuts! Yes, completely worth the stop! Very cool, but not for the conservative at heart. I loved my Fruit Loop Glazed Donut...

We had a fantastic time here in Portland... We look forward to our next trip up from the Greater Los Angeles area. GMIC was great... great sessions, keynotes, networking, teams.

Simply Mumtaz reports in on Day 2.1 at the GMIC 2011 Conference

Hi there! Day Two. Wow, what a wonderful day - thus far! This is the early afternoon issue.

We wanted to first report in on Travel Portland... they presented a ridiculously great and fun video on Green Meetings in Portland. Here's the link! Click on the top left video - "Mon Assemblee Vert".

Next, we also wanted to show you the wonderful video that was presented by the Portland Doubletree and their greening initiatives within the hotel itself. Here's where to go get it... Click on the video on the right tool bar that is listed as The Power of Choice.

More cool vendors -Bolder Path is a vendor that will take your signage trash and create it into product! Check it out...

Next, another link... Eco Promotional Products, Inc.

Standing Ovation for this morning's keynote speaker! Amazing - Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert, The Natural Step. He spoke about the big picture - creating the abstract framework for everyone to reach a common goal... a common theme throughout the conference - Collaborate...

Green Standards! How do we as planners standardize? Use and learn about the APEX Green Standards - 9 Categories to review - Link here. Then planners can use Meetings Professionals International Sustainable Events Management Tool.

OK, off now to our team meeting... GO Team Cypress and Birch!

Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) Portland 2011 - Report Day #1

Hi everybody! Welcome to our first full day in Portland at the GMIC 2011 Conference. Well... yesterday we did a bit of sight seeing and today was all about Green. We wanted to check in and provide you all with our top highlights from today! #GMIC #GMICblog

We are at the Doubletree Portland - very nice hotel and what an amazing job they have done in going green! I'm going to see if we have a video to show you on how wonderful they are...

• We started the day with one big message - the catalyst to change is industry collaboration. We couldn't agree more - with GMIC being approx. 70% planners from across the board - special events, meetings, conferences, association, corporate, religious, pharm, US, Canada, Europe - we all have to come together to effect change.
• If we want to push a Green Supply Chain - we need to begin speaking with our vendors and become their partners in going green. And, of course, walk the walk.
• See about "closing the loop" with suppliers - for example - where they will collect your vinyl banners and make them into bags for you to give to sponsors...
• We, as planners, can create a Green Planners Wish List... wouldn't that be great.
• But, I have found some great Green vendors that we visited with today. More to come tomorrow...
• The first is Vapur - it's a reusable water bottle that you can fold, roll, or flatten like a piece of paper. As a business it donates 1% of annual sales to environmental organizations. Check them out... http://www.vapur.us/ It's also BPA free!


• Second is KleanKanteen - check them out at http://www.kleankanteen.com/

• Two Vendors that we will be able to post about tomorrow are - Eco Promotional Products and BolderPath.
• A new term, coined from Richard Aaron at BizBash, get your ROG - Return on Green. Know what your ROI is in going green...
• When working contracts with venues/hotels - look for established programs and at a minimum include Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle programs.
• Check out the APEX Green standards... http://www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/GreenMeetings/APEXASTM.aspx

OK, that's it for day 1! We look forward to tomorrow's exciting fun. Follow us on Twitter at either "MumtazEvents" or "SimplyMumtaz".

Simply Mumtaz heads to Portland for the Green Meetings Industry Council's Annual Conference

Hey everybody! We, your Simply Mumtaz team, are very excited to be headed to Portland this coming weekend. We will be attending the Green Meetings Industry Council's Annual Conference from Feb. 20 - 23rd. We are looking forward to keeping up on Green, learning new "greening" activities for special events, conference, and meetings, in addition to networking with other "greenies". Click on the link above to learn more about the conference.

We'd love to see you there... And, we will post a wrap report with our biggest take homes! Stay tuned!

Simply Mumtaz Wins Third Girari Table Top Competition

Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc. won Third Place at Girari Event Furnishings recent Table Top Competition that was held at the Luxe Sunset Hotel! It was a fantastic event with tons of creativity. We are also honored to have received a special recognition award from Cort.

Our table was Eco-Chic / Eco-Funk! So, here are a few details of our table to inspire your table tops...
We had the bar stool height long rectangle table from Girari to decorate. We wanted to keep a sustainable feel to the table top, so we took all the ribbon from events we've done in the passed - decided to create our own runner. Based on those colors we decided to move forward. Then, to add the visually green element we had a gorgeous "tree" in the center of our table. So, based on that we painted our repurposed tomato cans with little trees and used them as flower holders... then we took our empty glass jars (that we'd been saving forever!!) and created candle holders and planters for our small cactus plants...

then, with that same theme we had decals made for the gorgeous bar stools - the same tree image... Our glassware and flatware was generously provided by Classic Party Rentals & Unique Table Tops.

Kudos to the Simply Mumtaz team for creating a true team inspired design. Here they are showing off their third place win with Girari Founder - Darryl Aken. And, here's Simply Mumtaz President with Holly Davis, CORT District Account Representative. We are honored to have won their special recognition award.

AND, we couldn't present all of these wonderful images without a fabulous photographer! Dmitry Morozov from Photography by Alexander. We're thankful to have been introduced at this event and look forward to a new working relationship!

See Simply Mumtaz at Girari Table Top Competition & 600+ at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Hey all! It's been a super busy Fall, so we are just now starting to catch up and will be posting about everything going on over the next few weeks here.

The coolest thing is we hope to see you at the Girari Table Top Competition happening at the Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd tomorrow at 5pm! We are super excited about being involved and participating - our table theme is Green Funk...

Also, here is a teaser on details coming up on an event we produced last week at the Beverly Hilton Hotel! Pretty cool... stay tuned for more details!

10th Annual Women in Business Awards

Simply Mumtaz' own Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP was honored last week Friday at the 10th Annual Women in Business Awards. The Awards are presented by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and State Senator Carol Liu. The Awards were given in a variety of fields ranging from Outstanding Corporate Women, Small Businesswomen, etc. Simply Mumtaz' President earned an award for Environment & Energy Efficiency. The award honors a woman engaged in a business or non-profit organization that is making significant contributions to environmental preservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency or alternative energy development.

Joella founded the California Green Special Events & Meetings Resource Directory and continues to speak on Greening the Events Industry locally, regionally and nationally. In addition to running a Green business and leading the Southern California market in Green Events.

For more discussion on Green - Please visit our Linked In Group - Green Special Events!

Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP with Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, 43rd District.

Congratulations to all of the honorees! What an inspiration to see so many powerful and inspiration women business leaders.

Simply Mumtaz quoted in Special Events Magazine

Event Pros Juggle Tactics to Go Green in Tough Times

Simply Mumtaz with other "Green" special event and meeting leaders discuss options for cutting back and moving forward in keeping Green a priority.

Please visit the article at: http://specialevents.com/green_events/special-event-professionals-juggle-tactics-to-go-green-in-tough-times-0826/

Guest Blogger! Desiree Patterson, Director of Sales & Marketing with Wildflower Linen

I was so excited listening to Karli speak at the May WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) event about “green weddings and events”, especially since going green is an important issue for me. It was not until I heard her presentation that I realized my wedding had some “green” elements. I was so honored when Karli asked if I would share about some of the experiences from my wedding.

We wanted unique touches throughout our special day that truly represented us. We had a “vintage chic western” style wedding. It was never our intention to “go green”, yet without even trying, we did. My dress, for example, was purchased from Brides against Breast Cancer. After I wore it, I donated it to a bride-to-be that was less fortunate then myself. Also, our entire wedding party and even my husband dressed from head to toe in items that were and could be worn again. Both cool tips Karli shared as part of her suggestions for hosting a green wedding!


Other items included eco-friendly linens; my wedding band was created from some of my mother’s diamond rings, and even my favorite cowboy boots that I still wear till this day. As Karli says, “something borrowed = something green” and incorporating items we can use after the wedding day make good sense for the environment.


The biggest hit of our whole wedding was homemade signs that my husband created out of two huge, discarded tree trunks. These recycled signs were hung everywhere, some giving directions and locations, while others just had our initials with a heart etched around them. After the wedding, family members took the signs to put in their gardens and the sign with our initials with the heart etched on it hangs in our home.


Even though not every element of our wedding was green, we’re happy to know that our special day created a smaller carbon footprint. We’re excited to know that we had the amazing wedding we wanted while being friendly to the environment at the same time.

Homemade signs add a personal touch and bring new life to discarded pieces of wood.

Wedding rings made with diamonds, gold or jewels from special family members or ancestors is a great way to recycle and reuse

Bridal party ensembles that can be worn again and again makes good sense for the Earth and the wedding budget

Wildflower Linen offers an assortment of linens that are eco-friendly, beautiful and elegant. From manufacturing to laundering and shipping, think about the negative impact your wedding can have on the environment and do what you can to lessen it.

Simply Mumtaz' Special Events Director speaks at WIPA: Shades of Green

Simply Mumtaz' Special Events Director, Karli Tanner, CMP will be WIPA's May 6th meeting keynote speaker! If you are interested in learning more about how to Green your weddings, please visit, http://www.wipausa.org/ to register for the event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Simply Mumtaz Talks Green at the Santa Barbara Event Professionals

President of Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc, Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP recently spoke at one of the Santa Barbara Event Professionals events held at Classic Party Rentals. Clayton Frech and Joella spoke about the big vision in going green and how to get there! It was a great event. The event was planned to be a zero waste event... Which means nothing from the event will end up in the landfill - it will all be diverted to recycling or composting.

Everything served was either reusable or compostable. The very cool new plateware made from Palm Leaves. Great looking too. If you're interested, please email us - info@simplymumtaz.com.

We also had to take a photo of the dessert / candy display. They always look so good!

Thank you to the Santa Barbara Event Professionals for having us present at your meeting.

Palm Springs - Love coming out here!

This week is going to be a bit busy for Simply Mumtaz! Half of us still in Los Angeles and half in Palm Springs. We will be producing a 4 day conference in Palm Springs at the Wyndham. Registration opens at 130! We're ready, bring the attendees on! Plus, it's a gorgeous day in Palm Springs. Blue Skies, light breeze and a perfect 80 degrees.



But driving to Palm Springs from Los Angeles is always great because you get see all of the windmills creating energy. It's really a cool site. Check it out!




We'll post some more photos later in the week.

GUEST BLOGGER: Youngsong Martin, Wildflower Linen - Go Green, Not Lean...

Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc. is very happy to welcome to our blog Youngsong Martin, Owner of Wildflower Linen as our first Guest Blogger!

Go Green, Not Lean….
By Youngsong Martin
Wildflower Linen

What comes to mind when people hear an event is “Going GREEN”? --- Recycle, reuse, reduce, lots of trees, browns, organic, simple, natural and the list goes on and on… But sometimes, I hear that people are wary of “Green Events” because although it’s a great way to save the environment, the design and details can take a back seat.

Don’t be afraid to have a “Green Event”. Going Green doesn’t mean you have to go lean.
Many industry experts and vendors have come up with creative ways to be “green” while still adding amazing design elements. There are so many resources now for clients to find more environmentally safe items; everything from soy-based candles to finding caterers who use only organic or locally grown produce. Our linen resources include a whole line of eco-friendly linens that are made of raw fibers and natural dyes. We love using these linens and matching them with vibrant colored napkins or florals to add a splash to the tabletop. Table rentals can be made out of recycled material but still look really fresh and untried. Florals, with their natural beauty, are always key.

Our feature in Today’s Bride Magazine highlight a choice of spring green and cocoa brown as the understated elements of the table, while letting a pop of fuchsia and pink from the florals become the focal point. An eco-friendly event can look just as creative and inspirational as any over-the-top lavished one while saving the environment at the same time. So next time, let’s add to the typical words that come to mind with “Going Green” to include fun, chic, colorful and trendy!

Photo courtesy of Tanja Lippert Photography.

The Special Event Show in San Diego

Well, The Special Event 2009 in San Diego has come and gone! The Simply Mumtaz Events team, Joella, Karli & Jennifer had a wonderful time meeting new people from the events industry and learning about the cutting-edge trends for 2009. As professional event planners, we attended the conference to learn more about our industry, network with other creative professionals and share our knowledge with others. We even had the chance to party with some of our LA friends and do a little team-building of our own. Karli met some cool ladies from Nebraska at the Wedding Luncheon and had the best time sharing wedding horror stories and discussing an upcoming Bat Mitzvah for a Nebraska VIP. Check out some photos!

Joella Hopkins, Karli Tanner and Jennifer Minzey from Simply Mumtaz Events at TSE with our friend Flat Stanley. Stanley is visiting from Charlotte, NC.

Carol Rosen, Party Designs by Carol and ISES-LA President, Karli Tanner, Simply Mumtaz Events and Barbara Wallace of Barbara Wallace Weddings and the founding President of ISES-OC.

Doyle Borden with My Flower Guy and Rrivre Davies with RrivreWorks, Inc. cut a rug at the NACE party.

Pauline Parry, Jennyfer Rodgers and Joella Hopkins at the NACE party.

Karli Tanner, Simply Mumtaz Events with new friends from Nebraska Carrie Myers, Annette Wetzel and Megan McMasters. These girls know how to have a good time!

Beautiful table display from The Wedding Luncheon Gallery.

Opening Session performers creating a fun, whimsical, butterflies and floral garden effect.