Unforgettable Fun

09/09/2024

I have a confessions to make…..

It's been a while since I have posted on Social Media due to personal reasons and the bereavement of losing my mum a few months ago.

I thought as I was sitting here over the weekend, loading events onto the website, WHY have I not shared this exciting project I am working on. So here I am 😊

Working alongside my partner in crime Jax Sanders we were contracted by Northland Inc earlier in the year to create and deliver this amazing month long event Savour Northland made possible with seed funding from the Regional Events Fund.

Let’s divide and conquer we said and what a team!. WoW, what a couple of months it has been to pull all of this together. It’s a privilege to work alongside so many passionate foodies, Wineo’s and producers who all want to share their passion and love of what they do!

We are still a month out and take a look at
www.savournorthland.com
Savour Northland

Trust me you will be spoilt for choice, I’ll tell you now, you won’t know what to pick first!.

So for my NZ friends and colleagues, come to Northland and have some fun this October while you indulge in the most amazing local food and beverage and so many events. For my UK friends – follow and like the page, and we’ll take you on a virtual road trip as we drink a few cocktails and taste some delicious food. You’ll wish you were here!

Couldn’t possibly tell you where we will be in October, gotta sample what we have organised right? 😊

05/04/2024

I always love hearing about how our clients found their experience with Unforgettable Fun. Thanks Helen for the kind words, I can't wait to host your group again in the future!

A big shoutout to the amazing local operators who helped create this experience in the beautiful Bay of Islands:
Catering: Feast NZ
Boat Cruise Provider: Island Getaway - Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tours

25/03/2024

Okay imagine this…..
Getting out of the office or taking a day out of your business and heading to the outdoors, for some friendly competition between you and your colleagues.

Last Wednesday, the team from Northland Waste found themselves stranded on an island, and as a team had to use their brains, strength, speed, and gathering skills, in order to be the first stranded crew to find and be saved by the rescue boat.

In teams, they were sent on a digital scavenger hunt through Paihia and Russell, using the Unforgettable Fun app. They had to answer questions, draw pictures, solve riddles, complete mystery challenges and take plenty of photos, in order to be the first team to the finish line.

It was a morning where there was plenty of laughter, great teamwork and some good ole kiwi ingenuity to earn some competitive advantages along the way! Oh, and the Bay of Islands weather really came to the party, what a gorgeous day to showcase our amazing location and have the opportunity to pause from the inbox.

If this sounds like something your workplace could be interested in, get in touch with the Unforgettable Fun Team via our email [email protected], and we can send you through the Scavenger Hunt Package Information

13/01/2024

Everyone needs to be part of an MWC Club 😊.. Picture this!

A group of friends together, for us it was 4 couples and whenever we got together it was a tonic we all needed to kick back, be in the moment and just have some fun. We are all located in different areas so the question was always where do we go, what shall we do, who’s going to organise it, when we came up with the idea of our very own Mystery Weekend Club.

It’s just as it says a surprise, one couple organises the weekend and the others wait in anticipation. All you do is give your group the location of the first place to meet (and that can be a red herring if you really want to have fun!)

When it came to our turn it was all on, with planning events for a living, man did we have fun. From sending teasers out in the build up, sending a red herring dummy location to meet (they got champers of course, just had to figure out a clue there to find the next destination), luxury dinner and hotel and then the next day Girls v Boys racing round the countryside on a treasure hunt in mini cars to our final destination. Oh and let’s not forget the vodka infused water melon and a dose of chocolate vodka. What a ball we had, our cheeks ached from laughing!!

Do you need some inspiration for the next time you and your friends get together?. I have mentored groups to create their own, created a package and handed over the experience or organised the lot. It’s what works for you, whatever the option YOU the organiser get to enjoy it as well.

Share with a friend or someone who needs this tonic!.

www.unforgettablefun.co.nz / www.lesleylucas.com

11/01/2024

Time you will never get back..When personal time calls take it!

I have struggled over the years to put personal time before my business, but when you get that gut instinct screaming at you to go spend time with family, it’s time to listen.

That’s what happened to me!

My mum and Sister live in the UK and in November my mum was taken into hospital which we thought would be for a short while and ended up for a total of 9 weeks ☹.. Throughout the time my sister was keeping me updated and boy what a daily roller coaster it was for us all.

As time crept on and on my instinct was telling me it was time to be with her and I needed to go and spend some quality time with them both. Listening to my heart and gut and putting my head thoughts to one side (they can be scary can’t they – you shouldn’t go, it costs to much especially at this time of year, I need to keep going with my business, I had planned a break with my husband and so on and so on….) I booked my trip and I was in the UK within 2 days.

Return flights booked for Christmas day with the intention to spend 14 days with them. I am still here I extended my stay and now return on 19th January 2024

WHY?

• My mum had deteriorated, more than we thought
• She was in independent living and was no longer able to cope, she needs more care
• She came out of hospital for 4 days and had to go back in again, discharged too early
• It was time for my sister and I to make some tough decisions and put a plan in action
• We visited ten different residential care homes to find a place we were happy with

On Christmas eve my mum was discharged from hospital and transferred to a home where we know she will be cared for and looked after.

This has been a really tough 5 weeks, there have been tears, there has been stress trying to get all finance, care and paperwork in place, fighting with the UK government systems.

AND there have also been beautiful moments when we have sat together looking at old photographs, laughing and reminiscing. I will never forget those.

Life is too short, in the past I would have struggled to feel comfortable taking time away from my business, this time I have absolutely NO REGRETS. Time lost is time gone forever.

If I were to share anything it would be – cherish the moments, make the memories when they arise and spend time with those that are special to you.

29/12/2023

What makes your cup full?.. Here’s one way for me

When a client calls and asks you to be the event co-ordinator for their intimate special day, what do I say apart from absolutely, couldn’t think of anything more special.

Kimberley and Chris had the vision, had done all the pre-planning and had the foresight to know they wanted to soak up the joy of the day and not have to think about a thing!

This is where I stepped in to make that vision a reality by taking away all the logistics, the running of the day and making sure everything went like clockwork. WOW what a wonderful day it was.

My cup is full 😊 The testimonial and pictures below say it all

Venue: Omata Estate Vineyard & Kitchen
Catering: Salt & Seed Private Dining
Photos: Moments & Waves Weddings
The Happy Couple: Kimberley and Chris Beale

20/12/2023

When the drug dog sat next to me and started sniffing I knew I was in trouble

Being whisked away to be checked by the security team was the lowest point of my journey and in the previous 24hrs no-one would have known what else had happened

• On the way to the airport for my first flight I fall flat on my face after tripping up. Nothing broken but a bleeding arm and wrist
• At the next airport I’m minding my own business walking toward check-in when a group behind are chatting and end up ramming me from behind with their luggage trolley, catch my shoe and I’m flat on the ground again, same arm out to save me.
• It’s time to get in the queue to check-in. I reach into my bag for my passport, open it up and see my husbands face rather than mine. NO WAY!!, I always travel with 2 passports as I have dual citizenship, THANK GOD the second one I opened was mine!!
• 1hr 20min transfer between international flights and a mad dash to get the connection. Through the transfer lounge and into security baggage checks. There are people everywhere and during the whole transfer experience I get my apple watch stolen

I make it to the UK, reeling from everything that has happened. This isn’t even a holiday this is a last minute decision to fly back to be with my elderly mum who is sick and support my sister. To see the smile on my mums face when she first saw me was one to remember and she didn’t need to know anything about my last 24hrs.

This reminds me of when things go wrong at events (and they do, it’s a reality). I always know it can be like being a “Swan’ gently gliding through the water when really underneath you are paddling like hell. This is ‘game face’ time where everything else is left at the door and you and your guests get to experience the vision and smile you set out to achieve.

Anyone else have a travel tale of woe that tops this?

03/12/2023

Couldn’t agree more ❤️, absolutely fabulous to be part of the Co-ordination of your special day.. what a vendor team so these beauties could kick back, and enjoy every moment xx

28/11/2023

Five Cool Facts About Me

Hey there!, I'm Lesley (definitely with an ey and not an ie), and I'd like to take a moment to share more about myself. Here are five things you might not know about me

1. I am obsessed with the movie TOP GUN and Tom Cruise. I have watched the first movie 10 times and the second movie the sequel 17 times already. So for my 40th birthday I went up in a fighter jet, took the controls in the air (not all the controls) and got a flyby the tower :-). OMG what an experience

2. My business before Unforgettable Fun was an event management company in the UK. AND it was called Maverick Solutions - are you FEELING a theme coming through?. Many people ask me about my business name - Maverick came from leaving the corporate world and being ‘A Maverick’ we were one of the first companies in the UK to offer remote working 20 years ago, our competitors thought we were bonkers

3. After we emigrated to New Zealand business life was challenging. Owning and running a tourism business by day and running my UK event company by night. Hello burnout!! Where did you come from?. Our response, we sold everything we owned - home, cars, 3 businesses and put all our possessions in storage and with a backpack on our backs went travelling. 22 countries over 14 months, ticking our bucket list off along the way. My absolute goose-bump highlight was trekking to see the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. Talk about close encounters..

4. It might surprise you that I am also a bit of an adrenalin ju**ie - I’ve skydived, white water rafted down a grade 5 river in flood, bungy jumped, been in a fighter jet with a red arrows pilot, parasailed, I could go on!. I can do the quiet stuff as well. Nothing like a relaxing meditation or yoga class

5. I love to garden and make home-made chocolate vodka. It’s divine!

That’s a little bit about me - anything that surprised you?
I’d love to know more about you too - have you got a current obsession?

28/11/2023

If I could give my clients one mantra it would be this STOP, PAUSE, be in the moment and have some FUN!

That’s exactly what happened on Saturday when a corporate group, with their partners, got together to have some pre-Christmas fun!

Unforgettable Fun’s Pirate Adventure had them navigating the seas, deciphering clues and solving riddles around the Bay of Islands in search of the buried treasure. Our virtual app, along with a trusty paper map got them taking photos, drawing pictures as well as learning some of our local history.

Fun was certainly the name of the game, oh and a bit of competitiveness as the teams went head to head. Congratulations to the winning team, you were awesome!

It’s that crazy time with only 4 weeks until Christmas. Did you miss out this year and not have chance to organise something different? Let’s make a plan so you don’t miss out next year.

Click the link below to connect and I can talk you through your options https://unforgettablefun.co.nz/contact/

25/11/2023

Pirates treasure hunt ready - ahoy me
Shipmates

27/10/2023

Awesome to be part of this amazing cause.
When I’m not planning and organising events I’m out with the rescue chopper team to raise funds. You’ll see me out and about as their newest Ambassador for Northland 😊😊. Thanks to all the team that came down
More FM Northland 91.6Northland Rescue Helicopter

24/10/2023

Such a great cause, they will be at the Paihia Fire Station on Friday at 8:30 to interview a local firefighter and a rescuee who had first hand life saving care from the team at the Rescue Chopper. Come down to support :-)

Thursday:
4:30pm Kaitaia at Archibald Motors
5:30pm Mangonui Hotel

Friday:
7am Repco in Kerikeri
8:30am Paihia Fire Station
9:15am Opua
10:45am Kaikohe at Mid North Real Estate
1-2pm Dargaville Ford
2:30pm Matakohe Kauri Museum
3.30pm The Den in Maungaturoto
4:15pm Waipu Town Centre

02/10/2023

I am so excited to be sharing that the Unforgettable Fun website has a NEW LOOK!

I have been working hard behind the scenes with Monster Creative, who have helped turn my ideas into a fresh representation of Unforgettable Fun’s offerings. Thank's team, you are superstars! ✨

If you have a few minutes, I would really appreciate you checking it out and letting me hear any feedback, either on this post, or as a DM. As supporters of Unforgettable Fun, your input would mean a lot!
https://unforgettablefun.co.nz/

27/09/2023

Are you planning a celebration, a romantic interlude, or a unique escape?

Before, you get too far into the planning process, here are 5 reasons why you should consider enrolling the help of an Event Planner:

1. Tailored to Perfection: Event planners ensure every detail aligns with your vision, creating an experience that's uniquely yours.

2. Time is of the Essence: Save valuable time by entrusting the planning process to experts, allowing you to focus on enjoying the moment.

3. Access to Exclusive Venues: Event planners have insider knowledge and connections to secure exclusive venues that make your event truly special.

4. Vendor Expertise: They work with top-notch suppliers, guaranteeing quality and reliability, so you can relax and savor the celebration.

5. Stress-Free Experience: Event planners handle logistics, solve unexpected issues, and ensure everything runs smoothly, so you can bask in the joy of your exclusive event.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵?

20/09/2023

NAILED IT! Are you the greatest home cook or an aspiring chef? Register to be a part of the Ready, Steady, Cook Challenge. Curated by NorthTec Hospitality Department, our contestants will have all the equipment they need and a mystery box of local ingredients with which to create a masterpiece!

Or you may fancy yourself as a maestro mixologist? Sign up for the Ready, Steady, Mix Challenge and wow us with your creations! Again you will have a mystery box of locally sourced ingredients, mixers and Black Collar Distillery spirits.

NAILED IT! is our interactive zone where you can be the star, with the chance of glory and great prizes thanks to our awesome sponsors.

Registration open to 18+ Ticket holders. Message us with some details about yourself, your email / phone number and wether you want to 'cook' or 'mix'. Contestants will be chosen 1 October!

Unforgettable Fun, Jacman Entertainment, Northland Inc, NorthTec Hospitality Group, Kindred Spirits, Hayley at Bayleys - Real Estate - Bayleys Bay Of Islands, Bad Habits, More FM Northland 91.6

16/09/2023

The struggle is real - OVERWHELM

You can’t think straight, you are experiencing brain fog, nothing seems to make sense, what do you do next and seriously how many balls are in the air to juggle?

This can be a hard and lonely place to be in.

I know, I’m there and this is how I get clarity
- Beach
- Ocean
- Sound of the waves
- Space and freedom to think and feel what’s next

I can literally feel the weight lifting

Comment below with your favourite place or thing you do to get clarity and re-set?