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Being acknowledged by the U.S. Small Business Administration

From kindergarten on, we attend ceremonies honoring our achievements. Sometimes these acknowledgements are purely ceremonial and others are quite substantial in meaning. Total Events was recently awarded the 2011 Small Business Excellence award, a title which recognizes determination, hard work and savvy business models. Small business creates about 70% of new jobs and is the driving force behind local growth. It was our distinct honor to be given this tremendous tribute.

Seated inside a gorgeous ballroom at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY the awards luncheon kicked off. Vice President, Melissa Carrier took the stage and accepted the Excellence Award among fellow business owners, local officials and a ballroom packed with association members. Among the many thanks she graciously extended to employees and clients alike, she neglected to acknowledge the very biggest of thanks; one that should in no uncertain terms go to herself and her husband; Rich Carrier. Total Events started as a small idea located in the basement office of their home and sprouted into a business that handles several hundred events yearly. There is no lack of perseverance when it comes to growing a small business into an area staple and the Carrier’s have proved just how much they’ve got.

From modest beginnings inside the vast kitchens of Las Vegas hotels, Rich worked on a degree in hospitality at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. He built a reputation in American’s playground managing the banquet staff of the Las Vegas Hilton and Rio Hotel. At the same time, Melissa was traveling coast to coast in a sales position with a national computer brand. Eventually returning to the Upstate New York area during the late 1990’s in an effort to be closer to family, the dream team of Event and Design (Rich) combined with Sales and Marketing (Melissa) and Total Events was born. There were a great deal of growing pains along the way, but the unshakable need to succeed pushed them through into new avenues of business and larger markets.

Today, more than 11 years after the conception of Total Events, we continue to grow at a steady pace. What was one an operation based out of a basement and tractor trailer has blossomed into a sprawling 24,000 square foot warehouse with more than thirty employees and a reputation for superiority. A business who once rented small décor items, tables and chairs is now a full service Event décor and rental company servicing weddings, conventions, trade shows and social events throughout the northeast. We’ve ridden the wave of economic uncertainty, inflated fuel prices and declines in area employment and diversified our business model to accommodate the need for industry change. Total Events has grown and adapted to the ambiguity that surrounds us all, which has strengthened our ties to the community, our commitment to customer service and insistence on quality.

Congratulations to Rich and Melissa for more than a decade of ambition and fortitude!

Sweet 16’s are back in action and bigger than ever!

The popular show “My Super Sweet Sixteen” showcases the economic anomaly that is the uber wealthy family throwing a party of epic proportions for their adolescent offspring. To refer to these events as a party is on par with referring to a diamond as a rock; it is just so much more than that. Professional stylists, celebrity performers, guest counts in the hundreds and in most cases, a new sports car to drive home are some of the many highlights to these affairs. Here in the Capital Region of New York, we are seeing the Sweet 16 industry begin to blossom as a fresh event perspective without all the hype shown on TV.

Just last weekend, Total Events had the pleasure of working on two very special Sweet 16’s. The first event was Las Vegas themed, complete with casino tables and the glitz of the strip. The second event transported guests back to the days of disco balls, bell bottoms and light-up dance floors. What we’re seeing is the dawn of a new era of party people, kids. Some of the most detail oriented events we have worked on involve 1st birthdays, Sweet 16’s, Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s, Proms and Graduations. It stands to reason that as these youngsters grow up; their expectations for their wedding will be exceptionally more grandiose than the previous generation. Picking from package A, B or C is beginning to seem about as old school as having your milk delivered to your front door each morning.

Down economy or not, parents are still shelling out the money for over the top events. Unlike a wedding, these bashes are always paid for by the family. Celebrating our children’s achievements and special occasions has become a top priority and keeping up with the Jones’ is harder and harder to do. What is perhaps the best part is that the details and importance of the event are there without a lot of the pressure and jitters of the client, you typically see at a wedding. Emotions are of pure, unadulterated excitement without the cold feet and runaway bride scenarios everyone in the industry cringes at the idea of.

The typical Sweet 16 includes a party planner and professional photographer, caterer, hair & make-up, décor and entertainment. The goal is always the same; make your friends jealous while appearing effortlessly nonchalant about the details. With event professionals working to diversify their client base, venue’s trying to fill their space each weekend and everyone looking to expand the market, it seems that the Sweet 16’s trend has matured at just the right time.

Photos Courtesy of Tiffany Wayne Photography Next

The 1, 2, 3’s of planning a cost effective Event.

Everyone has a budget, even Donald Trump. Regardless of how much money you have to spend on a special occasion, there is a limit for us all. Most people find themselves struggling with what they want and what they can pay for. The battle between what we can afford and what we have envisioned is many times a tough pill to swallow and sticker shock is something that most people can relate to in the planning process.

Tip #1: Book during the off-season
For Upstate New York, the event season slows down significantly between November through February. During these months, vendors are more flexible with pricing and in many cases will offer cost saving promotions. Avoiding the summer months and early fall may be less than ideal, but you will be glad you did when you reflect on the savings. If you do choose this time of year, Friday’s and Sunday’s can often be a negotiation for savings. Stay away from (most) Holiday weekends as well. Labor Day weekend, Columbus Day weekend, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day weekend and the 4th of July are all incredibly busy dates. Ironically, Easter weekend and Thanksgiving weekend are generally fairly quiet and may offer you some flexability on price.

Tip #2: Go to the source
While sometimes it may be tempting to let others secure items or services for you, you might be spending un-necessary money. When a vendor secures a service for you through another company, they often inflate the cost of it to cover their time.

Tip #3: Book in advance
Waiting until the last minute to sign on the dotted line is a dangerous game that I don’t advise anyone to play. While some may think that they can secure a reduced rate for the service if it is still available, you are taking a huge risk which is not worth the reward. In many cases, booking early may entitle you to added discounts. At the very least, you will be better able to access your budget once you have everything set in stone with signatures and deposits.

While compromise is something that many of us avoid like plague, it is often a necessary beast in the war against overspending. In the end, following these three simple steps will help you to better afford the Event you have been tirelessly planning for so long. Getting things out of the way early will certainly help you gain some peace of mind and lift much of the pressure off of your plate that tends to appear as the Event draws closer.

A Guide to a Successful Trade Show

They’re referred to by many names; conventions, trade shows, expos but they all have the same goals and objectives in mind – to build relationships and expand business. In todays down economy, Total Events has heard many clients complain that their attendee numbers have declined and their vendors are dissatisfied. Total Events has the solution to help cure your turnout woes and create the wow factor on your show floor.

Tip #1: Update the look of the space
Especially for guests attending an annual conference, seeing the same design and color scheme year after year becomes mundane and easy to pass up. By designating an interesting theme with activities and décor to overhaul the appearance of the booths and the room you can spark some additional interest and help to encourage their presence again next year.

Tip #2: Plan fun activities for vendors and show goers to look forward to outside of the scheduled business events
This is particularly important for events that have guests coming from out of town. It doesn’t take much to throw together an exciting after hours mixer, a stimulating evening dinner or a relaxing lounge for guests to unwind in. Traveling today has become increasingly more stressful and may discourage some individuals from making a lengthy trek to an event. However, if you can build the reputation of an entertaining, dynamic and professionally lucrative business opportunity; the value of participating in the event will increase exponentially.

Tip #3: Keep you’re costs down, and pay it forward
Utilizing a full service special events company like Total Events will offer you increased flexibility and added cost savings. Packaging booths, vendor orders, Event décor, after party rentals, reception linens and centerpieces together from a single source will ensure that you get the most competitive pricing with the added bonus of one stop shopping. The additional benefit of passing cost savings down to your exhibitors will ensure that everyone walks away with a smile on their face.

Total Events professional services are available to you throughout most of New York State as well as in many parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. While the average convention sets up inside a convention center or hotel ballroom, we also offer you the ability to build your event outside in one of our spacious tents. Designing an expo inside a tent at the location of your choosing is a great way to enjoy an uncommon venue, nice weather and offer yourself a refreshing change of pace!

Every year at this time we find ourselves starting at one Holiday party invitation after another. Between end of the year deadlines, shopping for gifts, inclement weather and the rest of the details that keep our days filled to the brim it becomes difficult to commit to every bash. To ensure attendance to your upcoming occasion, punch up the volume a bit with some key elements that will make any gathering a success.

Problem: You’re guests are in desperate need of some relaxation.
Solution: Create a Lounge!

Rather than a traditional sit down dinner or a cocktail party with limited seating, rent some lounge furniture. Your guests will appreciate that they are encouraged to sit back and unwind in a stylish atmosphere. Often sit down dinners can feel a bit stuffy and are a lot of work for the hosts; a lounge style cocktail party eliminates both dilemmas. A well designed buffet featuring finger foods and smaller portioned items will keep guests full and appeal to even the pickiest eater. The hosts can feel free to join in on the party rather than slaving away in the kitchen all night.

Problem: My space is too small.
Solution: Turn your ordinary garage, basement or sunroom into the place to be!

Pipe and drape can turn any space into something spectacular! With a large selection of specialty drape in a variety of colors and heights, Total Events can customize any room into a chic space ready for a crowd. Need to cover up a ceiling? That’s no problem either. Fabric swags can be hung from almost any ceiling to soften the appearance of an unattractive ceiling. A complete room drapery can be polished off with uplighting to make the space seem rich, inviting and finished.

Problem: The plastic table toppers and paper confetti centerpieces are not going to cut it this year.
Solution: Rent something fabulous!

A local rental company like Total Events is virtually a one stop shop for this kind of dilemma. From upscale linen selections, custom arranged centerpieces, decorative candle votives, inexpensive charger plates and elegant china we can fix any ordinary table setting into something really special. If the metal folding chairs you store in the garage have seen their better days, rent yourself some Chiavari’s to add that extra bit of style to the room. Keep in mind that upgrading these items is relatively inexpensive when you consider what it would cost to purchase all of the bits and pieces, especially when they may only be used once a year at most. Renting is the way to secure exactly what you want at a fair price!

Problem: Guests leave early because they’re bored.
Solution: Let us entertain you!

Sometimes sitting around your living room can get a little dull which is why mixing it up become so important. Encouraging guests to interact together, especially when the crowd is a group of people who may not necessarily know each other is key to a good time. With the addition of Casino gaming you can transform the theme, feel and energy of your party with one simple call to Total Events. We bring the tables, gaming chips, cards and dealers. Adding some unique elements to your event will ensure people will be talking about your party until next year!

Don’t get lumped into the category of “boring house party” that we see so many of this time of year. Spicing things up has never been easier and more affordable. No matter what your budget it, there is a way to pump up the volume of your next gathering!