Kim Ruggles Events

29/09/2020

Need some virtual event ideas that work for your specific company? I’ve got tons of ideas.

Contact Kim Ruggles Events for a complimentary consultation to see how virtual events can help grow and retain your customer base.

23/09/2020

Over several posts I have told you what great backgrounds for virtual events or video conferencing could be. What I haven’t told you are the big No-No’s:

- Don’t situate yourself in front of a plant or piece of artwork that will show near your head on video. Humans don’t grow a plant out of our heads so let’s not look like it.
- Don’t put yourself in a position where a window is to your back, it will basically make you look like a shadowy figure on camera.
- Don’t go outside for your video conferencing unless you can control the sounds of nearby landscapers, police/fire dept. vehicle sirens or dogs barking.

15/09/2020

Need a BIG value-add to your virtual conference or event? Consider collaborative learning as a way to network and solve problems. Here’s how to do it virtually:

- Create a group of people that have the same problem (i.e. group of restauranteurs)
- Bring them into a networking lounge to discuss the collaborative learning process they will participate in. For this group, ask them to come up with 3 marketing solutions to help bring in customers for take-out.
- Then, they will all break out into mini sessions of 5 people. They will discuss for 25 minutes to formulate 3 ideas.
- After the 25 minutes, everyone will come back to the main room and one person from each group will present to the entire group.
- At the end of the session, there could be 6 – 20 marketing ideas that restaurants can take back to their store and execute.

This is the power of crowd-sourcing solutions. We all have something great to contribute!

Need some virtual event suggestions, I’ve got tons of ideas. Contact Kim Ruggles Events for a complimentary consultation to see how virtual events can work for your company.

09/09/2020

Ever heard of a sizzle reel? These are like commercials to help promote your event.

All you need are some photos and great copy to create an eye-catching video that will entice people to register for your event. Canva.com (my fav drag & drop graphic design platform) has great templates to help you make it.

Post the sizzle reel on your website, all social media accounts and email marketing.

01/09/2020

I’m so excited to announce a newly revamped Kim Ruggles Events website. It’s been a labor of love and I would love for you to visit. Also, I have a new Offer for you too, ‘Virtual Event Guide’ to help you navigate the terrain of virtual events - choosing a platform, a 2-month timeline leading up to the event and some tips to help you come day of event. Enjoy!

Visit today: www.KimRugglesEvents.com

30/07/2020

Since we are all still virtually communicating consider decorating your background with something that sparks conversation. Try any of these:

• Something personal that people ask about: books, photos, props
• Branded products displayed well and wholly visual with you on camera
• Floral arrangement – not directly behind you (make sure it doesn’t look like a plant is shooting out of your head)

28/07/2020

Short on time, but need some entertainment value during your virtual conference. It’s suggested to pad in some time between each session for virtual conference, just in case speakers go over their allotted time.

For a conference last month, I had a great DJ create 5-minute pre-recorded tracks to be uploaded and played between each session with a static video (great sponsorship opportunity).

People loved the up-lifting music which created some energy during the conference. This is a great way to entertain with minimal time.

Need some virtual conference suggestions, I’ve got tons of ideas. Contact Kim Ruggles Events for a complimentary consultation to see how virtual events can work for your company.

30/06/2020

Current events are affecting how and when events will occur in the future. Subscribe to Kim Ruggles Events monthly eNewsletter for updates about current practices and tips to keep your guests and event staff safe and healthy.

Click on Link below for these monthly must-reads. http://eepurl.com/gaYBKT

23/06/2020

The NEW décor for virtual events seems to be backdrops for video conferencing. Well, happy to let you all know that Canva.com (my favorite drag & drop graphic design platform) has created templates for Zoom backdrops. Check it out, this could be a great opportunity to show branding during those virtual networking events or speaking engagements.

17/06/2020

Event planners have been shifting and reinventing live event ideas into the virtual world. One of my favorites so far is live art during the virtual event Basically the artist is watching the sessions and creating an illustration according to the talks with a stylus on a tablet.

It can be funny, cute, and a great recap of the talk.

Talk to any artist friends to see if they have the capability to do this fun form of entertainment.

15/06/2020

A lot of companies think they can’t get the traction in a virtual conference that they would normally get at a live event.

Here’s the interesting part: you are starting with a qualified lead, they can immediately download any flyers, promos or offers, see any videos, host a one-on-one virtual chat to do a product demo AND they are already on their computer.

NO MORE WAITING. You don’t have to wait for them to go back to the office/home and hopefully remember to find your business card and hopefully not get distracted before they get on their computer to look at your products/services. They are already there!

Consider virtual events as a really good option. Contact Kim Ruggles Events today for a complimentary consultation to see if this can work for your company.

27/05/2020

A trending look is all one pattern or color from floor to ceiling. Many rental companies can help you create this dramatic look with drapes along the walls to match their furnishings.

19/05/2020

When considering entertainment for an event; it doesn’t have to be music, a magician, dancers or a huge production. People remember when they have been moved or had an amazing conversation. Create lounges with facilitators to provoke conversations on various topics. Put a sign up in the lounge to inform what the topics of conversation will be. People can come and go as they please, but the conversation is key.

Want to switch it to Virtual? This is where breakout rooms make the biggest bang for the buck.

13/05/2020

Event Marketers will be relying on event data more now than in past years. This is how you show the ROI to the powers above…the ones that approve the budget. Below are some platforms that can help you collect data, whether that’s questions during the registration process, engagement during the event or post event surveys, these tools can help.

- Cvent.com
- Eventbrite.com
- Splash (splashthat.com)
- Bizzabo.com

04/05/2020

A little over a month into our quarantine (though it seems like many months), Quarantinis seem to be trending. Try a kombucha mocktail, it’s good for the gut 😉:

- Ginger Lemon Kombucha
- Grated ginger
- Lemon zest
- Shaken, not stirred
- Garnish with mint leaf

What’s your favorite quarantini these days?

28/04/2020

Want to add another dimension of décor to your event? Look no further than real plants. They provide texture and another layer to the event space. Living walls are starting to pop up in homes, why not bring them to the event space.

07/04/2020

The uncertainty of live events in 2020 is completely up in the air as it’s impossible to speculate when this pandemic will be over, as well as, when people will feel comfortable attending an event with a large group of people.

Virtual events can alleviate that uncertainty.

I’m a firm believer in live events, however, virtual events with some creativity and planning can be just as engaging as a live event.

Click below to the blog post for info on whether a virtual event could work as a temporary replacement for a live event (or keep it virtual or make it a hybrid).

The uncertainty of live events in 2020 is completely up in the air as it’s impossible to speculate when this pandemic will be over, as well as, when people will feel comfortable attending an event with a large group of people. Virtual events can alleviate that uncertainty. I’m a firm believer in

19/03/2020

Over the last 15 years the number of vegan or vegetarians has almost tripled. That means there should always be vegetarian options for events. Additionally, there are a lot more diet restrictions over the last 5 years. SOLUTION: have an option that is vegan and gluten free so you can ‘hit 3 birds with 1 stone.’

17/03/2020

Due to the Coronavirus many companies and organizations are postponing or cancelling events. There is another way - virtual events. These types of events take place in the safety of your home or office via your computer. Many platforms have been built to give you a faux conference with all of the same information and a bit of fun with virtual conference. These can be as simple as using GoToConference or building out an entire platform with virtual vendor booths where the vendor is available for a live chat or DM to answer questions. Sounds interesting doesn’t it.

03/03/2020

There's more to 'Greening' an event than recycling.

There are unavoidable negative impacts that can be counterbalanced by offsetting actions. The biggest unavoidable culprit is travel (airplane, car, train, or bus) of attendees and event staff to/from the event as well as deliveries to/from the event and any other delivery necessary for the event.

Click below to learn your options and steps to do an environmental offset.

https://www.kimrugglesevents.com/blog/environmental-offsets

14/01/2020

Event Trends in Venues: Unique venues like art galleries, retail spaces and even parking structures are becoming hot commodities when planners are searching for venues to create their one-of-a-kind event. Websites like Eventup, Bizbash, Spacefinder (by Fractured Atlas) can help you find those unique venues.

07/01/2020

Along with a new year, new goals and a new marketing plan, hosting live events is an important part of an overall marketing strategy. Consider outsourcing an event planner to help with these big projects.

Today's blog post takes you through some simple steps to hire an event planner. http://ow.ly/ZbDn50xOiEG

31/12/2019

Cheers to a sparkling New Year

29/12/2019

Click on Link to subscribe for the monthly eNewsletter. http://ow.ly/H7Dk50xmAzH

27/12/2019

Event Marketing Tips: Want more RSVPs for the big event? Add a pop-up on your website that takes people to a dedicated event landing page for the RSVPs. Pop-ups are really effective, but make sure to have great copy and artwork that draws people to click through.

25/12/2019

Merry Christmas - May your holiday be filled with wonderful memories!

23/12/2019

A great way to save space on the dining table is to create an edible centerpiece. Think outside of the normal circular piece and consider a charcuterie display as a table runner. Place on the food on several wooden boards or butchers’ paper to protect the table.

If you want an easier option, there is always edible arrangements.

22/12/2019

Have a wonderful eight days filled of light and love with your loved ones.

19/12/2019

We all have a sweet tooth this time of year. A great way to entertain and appeal to that sweet tooth is to create a cookie decorating station at the event. Below is a checklist on how to do it:

- Table with butchers paper (keep a roll of the paper to recover the table when needed)
- Sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies in a variety of shapes
- Frosting in squeezable tubes of multiple colors
- Sprinkles in shakers so it’s poured like seasoning and won’t get all over the place

17/12/2019

Event Marketing Tips: Use video or create a video from images (your pics or user-generated pics) of past events to show the invitees that they will have an amazing time. Think of it like a trailer to a movie – people look at it to see if they want to attend. This could be a great tool to get social likes and if you provide an incentive for attending or the first 100 to arrive could garner some major buzz.