Do An Event; agency

19/12/2022

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF AN EVENT PLANNER

Kevin Cohee, CEO
Do An Event; agency

Beyond being organized and creative, it takes many skills to be a professional Meetings and Event Planner. I knew I was creative and organized, many people had pointed this out to me - but I had no clue I would tap into so many other unrealized skills once I went pro.
When I was hired to help produce a custom home show, I quickly got my feet wet with BIG challenges. This 5-week show required bulldozers to prepare parking lots, sewer connections to our temporary office, 9 phone lines for credit card sales, 7 motor-coaches running consecutively for 12 hours a day. Other challenges were field fires, encroaching wildlife, electric transformers exploding, life flight being called, calculating food sales and scheduling hundreds of volunteers. I know, many of you are thinking “that’s nothing, I had an elephant die during a performance” but this event became the foundation of my newborn professional planning career.
Here are five secret skills all professional planners possess:

1. Grammar
The most challenging skill I honed was creative writing. I write emails, proposals, website entries, scopes of work, contracts, billing, inquiries, request for proposals, marketing pieces, scripts, and even news articles. Early on, I asked a journalist friend to critique almost every piece of correspondence I created. Those red-marked revisions really stayed with me and I learned to turn to the dictionary and thesaurus and look at synonyms in a whole new light.

2. Mathematics
Jack of all trades perfectly describes most planners, so don’t wait until you are on-site and the generator provider is about to leave to learn how many watts of power your event actually requires. Avoid the dreaded “where’s the breaker-box?” when Lights, Camera, Action is called. Mastering math now becomes a subtle tool; calculating amps, watts, ounces, pounds, inches, yards and of course dollars. Who knew ordering a linen table cloth would second-guess my ability to multiply? These vital elements that help make us and our event look incredible are like little children with their own needs. To learn how these independent providers join in unison, I volunteered at large public events.

3. Liability
Choosing themes or florals may come naturally to many but contracts are intimidating. Protecting ourselves, our clients and their guests require a bit of investigating. Adding insurance riders, fabric fire retardant certificates, city parking permits, ABC license or health certificates are not fun jobs. Relying on other professionals like lawyers, professors, accountants and insurance agents are essential. Even the smallest of mishaps can tarnish an otherwise stellar event so addressing safety falls to the shoulders of the planner. It’s often an under appreciated skill professional planners must obtain and observe.

4. Legality
Keeping it legal is one more secret talent we are rarely recognized for. Addressing street closures, alcohol sales license, gaming permits, fire safety permits, overflow parking, music license or capacity regulations continue to be daunting tasks. The problem is to know which questions to ask. I plan an annual beauty industry event for legislators and decided to have a Show Poodle be the living centerpiece. Cool idea huh? My intuition led me to ask around and like restaurants, salons are regulated, and pets are not allowed. How embarrassing it would have been to have broken the law with legislators as guests. This is a perfect example of the value professional planners bring.

5. Food and Beverage
Food enriches every aspect of life and meetings and events is a key element in the memory-making guests leave with. Curiosity is my favorite skill, one that takes me to farmers markets, fine grocery stores, ethnic markets and ahhh, the Food Network®. You need to quench their thirst as well and though I don’t consume alcohol, planners must be as knowledgeable or more about wine and spirits than their client. Ask questions when you are around wine, search winery and brewery websites and go to tastings with someone who knows more than you.

Reading industry publications both print and electronic are a must for this ever-changing, trend-setting industry. My philosophy is don’t serve something someone can have anytime, somewhere else and if we don’t make it “special” then why hire a professional planner?

And, as if our plates aren’t full enough…someone mentioned they sent me a tweet?! 🐥

06/05/2022

CHANGE should be invited into our lives. It's the fountain of youth and yet, post Covid-19 restrictions, business with hotel contracting is aging many Meeting Planners.
Let's ensure HOSPITALITY is at the forefront for our clients, guests, and attendees.
🤔I am wondering if it's even discussed among the new wave of hotel staff we are now contracting with?

15/12/2021

We continue to educate and experience best practices for our clients in decisions to hold meetings and events in ways that best protect them, their staff, and their guests from illness and equally important, liability.
Staying abreast of day-to-day protocol updates both nationally and locally, and attending meeting industry events in-person allows me to recommend truly sound advice.
This is how we hold successful meetings and events.

22/08/2021

https://www.northstarmeetingsgroup.com/Destination-Guides/Far-West/Sacramento-Meeting-Event-Planner-Guide?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=eltrMtgNews&oly_enc_id=6577D6150945I3A

13/08/2021

Relying on technical help from India to build an online registration site. I had the most effective assistance and customer service in the 10+ years working with this vendor!
We needed a break before we hit the 4 hour mark⏳
and I wanted my dinner and he wanted his breakfast.

04/08/2021

It's FAST... it's EASY
More and more venues and businesses are now requiring proof of vaccination before entering. If you don't want to carry your card, you can use this link to download your Digital Vaccination Card.
https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
😷Masks are now required for everyone indoors.

Get a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record

27/07/2021

Entertain ME!
How FuN are these two creating an ingenious performance?

Ventnor is a seaside resort and civil parish established in the Victorian era on the southeast coast of the Isle of Wight, England, eleven miles from Newport. It is situated south of St Boniface Down, and built on steep slopes leading down to the sea

16/07/2021

🗣After a week of travel and hotel stays, I need to be reminded to >>>

08/07/2021

I have a greater connection to anyone who demonstrates authentic "thoughtfulness" whether in a friendship or business relationship.
So, I'm never too busy to take time to make a call, send a hand-written note, share an article or recipe.

It's a very satisfying reward to myself.✍️

28/06/2021

We Welcome Meetings!

Conference & Convention management will be the primary focus ‘Do An Event’ event agency offers moving forward post the pandemic interruption.

Streamlining our creative approach to the
breath of our services, we invite you to peruse our refreshed web presence!
www.doanevent.com

With state, national, and international conference experience, we may be the
ideal planning partner to approach for yours, especially if it's an inaugural
effort!

We plan, manage and or produce educational, technical, or corporate conferences and conventions. Gain the freedom to build, rebuild, or grow your conference or convention with a highly seasoned expert planner. Do An Event provides a fully produced event, or can integrate with your internal team to s...

09/02/2021

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26/12/2020

We've been learning and implementing a lot of tools that can be advantages to new meeting & event clients in 2021 and beyond. Trusting professionals who work full-time in these industries provide a safety net for clients needing a fresh approach to their meetings moving forward.

25/11/2020

Canine CARE
Keep dogs away from cooked bones. potatoes, turkey skin, anything with onions in it, and sweets (especially chocolate(s). Keep ALL pets away from the Christmas tree, which could fall on them. Ingesting pine needles, tinsel or other decorations, or chemicals in the tree's water can cause serious problems as well. 🎄

08/10/2020

Working with virtual Technology can produce frustrations that I am finding new ways to deal with!

01/08/2020

OFFICIANT Services
From "at Rest"

An Officiant is someone who officiates (i.e. leads) at a service or ceremony, such as a Burial, Namegiving/baptism or Marriage,.

I find true reward when providing meaningful services that touch people in a profound way.

As an Ordained Minister, I can assist families and friends in celebrating their life's milestones.
~Kevin Cohee

29/07/2020

Fingers Crossed ...that Congress will be able to collaborate
(ha ha - it made me laugh just typing this!)
in their efforts to draft a true and final stimulus bill titled the HEALS Act, that includes full forgiveness of the PPP funds for loans under $150,000.00!

The PPP proposals, introduced by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Marco Rubio, R. Fla., states that, for loans under $150,000, “borrowers are not required to submit to the lender documentation required by section 1106(e) of the CARES Act, but must attest to a good faith effort to comply with Paycheck Protection Program loan requirements, retain relevant records for three years, and may complete and submit demographic information.” It also says the SBA may review and audit these loans to ensure against fraud.

The Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act only requires a PPP recipient to submit a one-page attestation to the lender to get loan forgiveness for amounts of $150,000 or less.

31/05/2020

NEED A DELICIOUS IDEA FOR A HOUSE PARTY?

Create this fun Whoopie Wall from a Twister game.

I cut holes in selected colored dots and hung the game like a clothes line. From a table behind the hanging Twister wall, I served delicious color coordinated whoopie pies.
(Cookies or Jell-O shooters could also work!)
> Share your great ideas with me <

😋Do An Event; event agency

04/05/2020

🥺 Most difficult decisions are now being made by event clients everywhere. As difficult as it is on the event industry professionals at large, I want to impress on others that the decision to cancel comes at a price as well.

I have strong and respected relationships with our clients, so I sense their pain and disappointment as well.

20/04/2020

Are you looking for a way to pass the time at home?

Check out this series of really fun & fast Digital PUZZELS that feature iconic L.A. locations.

|*Thanks to Los Angeles Tourism.

Magic Hour Puzzles Featuring the work of artist George Townley Artist George Townley's series titled “Golden Hour” is currently being displayed at Gallery 1988. Website Instagram ©George Townley, www.georgetownley.com Stahl House Begin Puzzle ©George Townley, www.georgetownley.com Griffith Ob...

22/03/2020

I Am A Planner...I excel at organization and have time now to work with others that are challenged.

Message me about your project, and if we can work by the hour or by the project?

16/03/2020

Do An Event is built on the professional services of our preferred vendors. Let me endorse this plea for support from Crisp Catering.

-------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends, Guests, and Clients:

As I sit here Sunday Night thinking about what to say in such a letter, I find myself worried about what the future regarding the current Coronavirus Pandemic.
While we are committed to providing you with the best food and service we possibly can, the food service environment is currently under a cloud of uncertainty. I know each and every employee very well and they are all treated like family. Our newest employee has been with us almost a year and half with one of them being with us for almost 16 years. We are blessed to have such great staff as well as great guests.
That being said, we are a small family owned business that will fight with all we have to continue to take care of our staff and guests as best we can, but, we could use your help as all small businesses can. We know you have many choices for your café and catering needs. We hope you will give us a call on my personal cell phone at 916-600-1952 if we can help you in anyway.
Our current plan is to stay open and make some adjustments to our current offerings. One of the changes we will be making starting Tuesday, 3/17 is offering dinners for families of four. See https://crispcatering.com/ for details.

Please take care of yourself and family.
The Thompson Family
Joe, Alison, Joey, and Autumn
Crisp Catering
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 552 7477
https://crispcatering.com/

12/02/2020

Does this RED & WHITE themed event make you green with envy?
How can Do An Event help produce your organizations Dream Event?

Corporate events should be all about having fun, building great relationships and saying a big fat "Thank You" to your team for all their hard work. Kniesel'...

08/02/2020

Smart Meetings Magazine INCLUDED an event experience from Do An Event's archives! ...enjoy

WHEN GOOD MEETINGS GO BAD
By JT Long | February 3, 2020

Chilling tales from the front and how meeting profs saved the day

Do you ever feel like an icy snowball the size of a ballroom has fallen on your perfectly planned event, forcing you to scramble to protect everyone while making everything look perfectly natural? Sometimes, the projectile comes in the form of a volcano, hurricane, rogue audio-visual technician, speaker or guest. But responsibility for finding a solution almost always rests on the shoulders of the event professional.
Smart Meetings asked veteran convention center habitué’s for their real-life, unexpected encounters with such blizzards of doom and put together a handy guide for recovering with grace and charm.

> > > EXCERPT of Do An Event highlights:

WHERE THERE IS SMOKE

Kevin Cohee, CEO, Do An Event
The décor was equally over the top, and there was an action station that flambeed pasta with vodka sauce—which set off an alarm that was not supposed to be operational, according to the contract. It squawked for a full 22 minutes without anyone even giving up their place in the bar line. Eventually, firemen, suited up and carrying axes, rushed in and found the alarm controls in an adjacent building.
Unfortunately, that was not to be.
Trouble began when guests arrived at the city garage listed on the invitation for their free parking, but found it locked. The space had been contracted, but the venue had failed to inform the city and so, no parking. As confused attendees wandered downtown looking for alternative spaces, a street fight broke out in front of the doors, where a glamazon performer stood on a table waving feathered fans, and three police cars arrived with a screeching halt, their lights flashing.
The decor was equally over the top, and there was an action station that flambeed pasta with vodka sauce—which set off an alarm that was not supposed to be operational, according to the contract. It squawked for a full 22 minutes without anyone even giving up their place in the bar line. Eventually, firemen, suited up and carrying axes, rushed in and found the alarm controls in an adjacent building.
Cohee is still not sure how a homeless person in a trench coat got past two security guards and was found lighting a cigarette from a votive candle. He was gently escorted out, and the firemen were fed.
Finally, the projector was wheeled out to screen a touching legacy video that had been lovingly prepared. Just before it made its way to the pre-marked spot, a guest returning to her seat had an encounter with the cord. That triggered the automatic cool-down cycle on the equipment, which left an awkward and protracted silence because the DJ had already directed everyone to take a seat and be quiet. Cohee remembers it as the longest 11 minutes of his life.
Of course, Cohee doesn’t have photos of most of this. The professional photographer didn’t show up, but the person manning the photo booth did his best.
Call it good fortune or bad, but, in the end, the client said she loved it and hired him to do the next year’s gala—though in a different venue, because the group was outgrowing the space. “No matter how much you plan, disaster still finds a way,” Cohee says. Over his career, he has dealt with everything from heat stroke to epileptic falls. “Having to call an ambulance is not an uncommon occurrence,” he says.
Neither is the need for broken-field running, a talent every planner needs. It helps to have a healthy address book so you can call in backups when the rest of the team ends up in the emergency room, and you must set a dinner for 200 people on the USS Midway—something that happened to Cohee in San Diego. Or, there was the time he needed to call all the U-Haul dealers on California’s Interstate 5 to rescue AV equipment when the van broke down.
His crisis-mode approach is as follows: “Prioritize who to talk to first. Stay calm. And pour drinks.”

Smart Meetings asked veteran meeting profs for their unexpected encounters with such blizzards of doom—and how to make things go right after going wrong!

05/02/2020

Now that I have an event client promoting Behavioral Health, I am so much more aware of its importance in my own daily life.

30/01/2020

Something for Everyone: Date (fruit) SHAKE with hot homemade Churro Donut topper. Add RUM for the grownups in the room!

Found in Coachella Valley, near Palm Springs, CA. - Home to 90% of the U.S. DATE farms!

Consider adding Dates to your recipes. Do An Event offered homemade "Date Cheesecake Bites" at a recent event thanks to Sugar Bits Custom Cakes. mmm

25/12/2019

Planners VS. Hoteliers;
In 2020 Planners WIN

Multiple forecasters at the 2019 Lodging Conference, a gathering of senior executives in the hotel industry in Phoenix in September, predicted that 2020 will see the “tipping point” at which planners will regain the upper hand in pricing leverage at hotels in many markets.

Executives at STR, said that hotel demand in the United States will gain balance and in fact they too predict that the story will change later in 2020, when the tipping point of the supply and demand relationship occurs. Why? Mostly because of existing properties expanding and the plethora of new hotels.

There are approximately 207,000 new guest rooms under construction in the U.S. and hundreds are opening every week. 690 hotels with some 77,000 rooms opened in 2019.

We'll be sharpening our pencils here at Do An Event. We predict the hoteliers won’t go down without a fight.

08/11/2019

07/11/2019

It's nearing the Party Season...

Playing a party game is an easy, fun way to meet new people and bring old friends closer together. It's also a Hosts entertainment obligation, so why not make it as fun as possible? So, let me share my Top 7 Party Games.

1. TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
What You Need to Play: Your imagination
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
How to Play: As the name of the game suggests, each player must come up with three statements: two truths and a lie. The game begins with the first player sharing his or her three statements with the other participant(s), who must then guess which two statements are true and which is a lie. No need to raise your hand or wait to be called on; simply make your guess by saying it aloud. After the first player’s lie has been revealed, the second player then takes their turn saying two truths and a lie. Repeat these same steps with each additional player until everyone has taken a turn.
2. WHO AM I?
What You Need to Play: Name tags or paper
Number of Players: Minimum of 4
How to Play: The game begins with the host filling out name tags with the names of different famous people — fictional, non-fictional, living or dead — and attaching those name tags to partygoers’ backs (or players can also hold a slip of paper to their forehead). The object of the game is for each partygoer to guess the name written on his or her back. The catch? Players can only guess the name on their back by asking other participants yes or no questions. Continue playing until everyone has guessed correctly.
3. MESSAGE UNDER A PLATE
What You Need to Play: Paper and a pen
Number of Players: Minimum of 4
How to Play: Before guests arrive, write sentences on slips of paper and place them under guests’ dinner plates (each guest should have a different sentence). The sentences should be silly but not nonsensical — for example, “My dad is Amy Schumer’s hairdresser’s uncle” or “Have you ever tried ostrich eggs?” After everyone sits down at the table, have guests silently read the piece of paper under their plate. As soon as everyone has their sentence memorized, they must attempt to slip it into conversation without the other guests noticing. If one guest is called out by another, he or she is out. The first guest to use his or her phrase and go undetected wins, but it’s fun to keep playing until all the players have said their sentences.
4. SPOONS
What You Need to Play: Spoons (one fewer than the total number of players) and a deck of cards
Number of Players: 4-8
How to Play: Begin by arranging spoons in a small circle in the center of the table with the handles pointing outward. The object of the game is to get four-of-a-kind (for example, 4 jacks, 4 sevens, etc.) by drawing new cards and discarding others. Assign one player to be the dealer — he or she begins by dealing each player four cards and making a pile with the remaining cards. The game starts with the dealer drawing the top card from the pile of remaining cards and either exchanging it with one in his or her hand or passing it to the player to his or her left (no player should have more than 5 cards or fewer than 4 cards at any given time). As soon as one of the players has four-of-a-kind, he or she takes a spoon, at which point the remaining players can grab the remaining spoons. The player left without a spoon is out. Each time a player loses a round, one spoon is taken away until there are only two players left competing for one final spoon; whoever gets it wins.
5. CELEBRITY
AKA: The Name Game; Rumpelstiltskin; Lunchbox
What You Need to Play: Paper and pens for all the players
Number of Players: 4-12
How to Play: Begin by giving every player 3 to 5 slips of paper and instructing everyone to write the name of a different actor, politician, athlete, etc. (living, dead, fictional or nonfictional) on each. Place all the names in a hat or bowl, then divide players into two teams. Choose one team to go first — that team should elect a player to give the first round of clues. Said player then picks a name out of the hat and has one minute to get his or her team to guess as many celebrity names as possible. The clue-giver can say anything if it doesn’t include or rhyme with the celeb’s name. Once the team correctly guesses the celebrity name, the clue-giver then draws another name and continues until time is up or there are no names left in the hat. For each name guessed correctly, the team earns one point. After the minute has passed, the first team’s turn is over, and if they were still trying to guess a name, it goes back in the hat. Then the second team begins its turn. The game continues until there are no names left in the hat. Assign someone to be the time keeper on their smart phone.
6. REVERSE CHARADES What You Need to Play: Your imagination and a sense of humor Number of Players: Minimum of 8
How to Play: Unlike the original game of charades, in which one person is assigned to act out the title of a movie, TV show or book while the rest of the players collectively guess that title, in reverse charades one person is assigned to guess while all the other players act out the titles. All other rules from the original game still apply; for example, actors cannot speak or mouth the words.
7. TELEPHONE PICTIONARY
What You Need to Play: Paper and pens for all the players plus a stapler
Number of Players: 5-10
How to Play: Telephone Pictionary is a mash-up of two familiar games: telephone and Pictionary. Each person playing will need a pen and a stack of paper stapled together to make a little booklet. (Each booklet should contain as many sheets of paper as there are people playing the game. For example, if there are 8 players, each person receives 8 pieces of paper for a total of 64 pieces for all players). Get everyone sitting in a circle. To start the game, each person thinks of a phrase and writes it on the first page of the booklet. Then each player passes his or her booklet to the left, so each player is now holding a new booklet. After silently reading the phrase, each player folds back the top page of the booklet so the phrase is no longer visible. On the blank piece of paper now at the top, each player draws a picture, doing his or her best to make a visual of the phrase. The booklets get passed to the left again. Each player looks at the picture, folds the picture back and then writes a phrase describing what’s going on in the picture. The booklets are passed again, and the game continues until each player gets back his or her original booklet. Each player takes turns reading/displaying his or her booklet to show the rest of the group how far (and hilariously) the drawings and phrases have strayed from the starting point.

01/11/2019

An ever-changing food & beverage landscape requires professional event and meeting planners to be diligent in protecting their clients guests.
Here are some Food Facts to arm your chef with.

10 FAST FACTS ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES

1. More than 32 million Americans have food allergies, 26 million of them adults.
2. Every three minutes, a food-allergy reaction send someone to the emergency room. Annually, this results in some 200,000 emergency room visits and 200 deaths.
3. While sometimes food-allergy symptoms can be mild (rash, itching, hives, swelling), they also can be severe (wheezing, loss of consciousness) or deadly.
4. Fully half of all fatal allergies are triggered from food consumed outside the home.
5. Allergic reactions can be triggered via ingestion, touch or even inhalation.
6. Eight foods account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions worldwide: eggs, milk, wheat, soy, shellfish, fish, tree nuts and peanuts.
7. Allergen food labeling is required in the European Union on all unpackaged foods (such as event dishes). They require identification of eggs, milk, soy, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, tree nuts and peanuts, and cereals containing gluten, celery, mustard, sesame, lupin and/or sulfites.
8. There is no cure for a food allergy. The only way to prevent a reaction is strict avoidance of the allergen.
9. To alleviate confusion: a food allergy is an immune-system response to a typically harmless food proteins that when ingested the body deems it a threat and triggers a reaction. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease affecting the small intestine and digestive track, caused by an abnormal reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley that in turn can cause serious complications, including malnourishment and intestinal damage.
10. Food allergies adversely affect the quality of life. Detriments can range from internal stress and anxiety to bullying at school and feelings of exclusion at food functions.

29/10/2019

Ask BizBash: Should I Stop Using Balloons as Event Decor?

An increasing number of venues and planners are doing away with balloons for environmental reasons. Here’s how to use the event favorite responsibly.

Now that plastic straws, utensils, and bags are experiencing widespread bans due to sustainability concerns, environmentalists may be shifting their focus to another popular event staple: balloons.
Nothing says “party” quite like a balloon, ranging from kids’ birthdays to high-end events with colorful balloon arches and installations. But in recent years, event venues and planners have started questioning the environmental impact of the popular decor choice, both due to diminishing helium and concerns about the impact on landfills and wildlife.
Some children’s museums and other venues have already banned balloons at events.

To learn more about both sides of the debate, BizBash spoke to some balloon suppliers, event producers, and environmental activists.
So, are balloons ever an environmentally-friendly choice?
Sometimes. When sourced, handled, and disposed of properly, many event professionals argue that balloons can still be a responsible decor option. In fact, some balloon designers, such as Balloonzilla in Orange County, Ca, devote entire sections of their websites to educating consumers on sustainability.

A latex balloon decomposes at the same rate as an oak leaf—[but] even considering how well they decompose, we still do our best to prevent littering and to make sure our clients understand good practices. The company only uses balloons made from rubber trees located in plantations that are Rainforest Alliance Certified, and ensures that all helium-filled balloons are securely tied during the event and properly disposed of afterward.
“We always encourage our clients to consider caring for the earth—and when they show concern we simply present them with the facts so they can feel more confident in their choice.”
Balloons United, based in Germany, uses similar practices. "Each year, thousands of rubber trees are planted mainly for latex production. hose trees don't need to be cut down for the production. The juice of the rubber tree is harvested through harmless cuts in the bark."
Balloons United does suggest avoiding mylar balloons, which are non-biodegradable and contribute to oceanic waste. When shipping balloons, the company also uses as little packaging as possible, using reusable zip-top bags and 100-percent recyclable boxes and envelopes.

Beyond the balloon itself, it’s also important to consider the string holding it down. Balloons United discourages the use of polyester or plastic strings, instead opting for strings made with cotton or cardboard. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Balloon Company in New York uses paper strings when possible; when nylon and tulle ribbons are used, they’re later donated to local elementary school art classes.

What about balloon releases?
While still a staple at certain events such as the Indianapolis 500’s opening ceremony, producers and suppliers alike agree that balloon releases are a bad idea. Released balloons can travel thousands of miles and are hazardous to wildlife if consumed; they also often become entangled in power lines, leading to outages or even fires. Balloonzilla and Balloons United both discourage the practice.

Balloon releases are actually illegal in five states—California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia—and other states and towns have introduced similar bills. The issue has even led some venues, such as the waterfront Terranea Resort in Southern Ca, to ban balloons entirely to avoid having them end up in the ocean.

Are event balloons to blame for the current helium shortage?
There’s no denying that the lack of helium is a very real concern: According to a New York Times article, we’re in the midst of the third global helium shortage in the last 14 years.
While many experts agree that event balloons are likely not the main source of the helium shortage, it’s certainly an extra consideration when weighing decor options.
It may offer an aesthetic you are targeting, but there are so many other eye-catching and less impactful options to help you stand out to your attendees.”
What are some of those options?

When balloons aren’t feasible, Blumberg suggests trying reusable or rented decor elements such as bubble machines that use organic, biodegradable soap. If pockets are a bit deeper, events can explore custom projection mapping shows or a collaboration with local artists to create a striking art pieces. Try using recyclable paper to create eye-catching decor. We am loving all the options we have with tissue paper,” some say, citing “honeycomb” arches, tassels, paper chains, and pom-poms.

From BizBash, August edition