Fundraiser; Behind the Scenes

There comes a point in time in all event planner's careers when they are called upon to organize a fundraiser.  Fundraisers are definitely a different animal than your typical party/event.  At the end of the day, there should be a purse of money set to go towards your cause.  Here is a behind the scenes look at the recap from the Myron Family BBQ and Carnival Fundraiser.

Media:

· Paula Lowe – Amazing. Dedicated. Strict! Paula organized all press – We were published in over 20 newspapers and online media when Paula sent out all early Press Releases! Also, all 4 major news stations there and some went LIVE! Paula made sure that Sara was protected. She informed all media that “no questions will be asked about anything personal, except the carnival fundraiser!” She assigned Nems and Emily to answer any questions of the media. Paul made extensive and professional media analysis reports. Paula and her team met with Sara to help with her write her statement. Paula is a pro! I am so impressed with what she did and how she made it all happen. Thank you .

· Nems Scarim – Had trade money with Fisher Broadcasting and DONATED  it to voice a commercial to air on KOMO / KVI several times a day, for 15 days before the event, during drive time!

· Emily Cook – Totally dedicated to this event. Helped everyday with media relations, printing of full color flyers DONATED
  

Recycling:

* Kim Combs – Wow! She helped daily to procure items….and she just had surgery! She emailed daily to ask what the “need” was for the day. We love you Kim and thank you for you “helping spirit.” Kim managed to have all of the recycling bins – delivered- DONATED – and picked up.

Food / BBQ:

* Three Chicks Catering & Café Pacific – We all know that when things happen….we must adapt and adjust to that change. Obviously, we did not have enough time to get competitors for the competition….so we went to “Plan B.” The health department worked with us (amazing) and told us what they would allow us to do. So, Café Pacific and Three Chicks Catering brought their BBQ rigs and fed everyone!

* Sysco – DONATED one case BBQ Pork, one case BBQ chicken, and one case hot dogs. The rest needed to be purchased.

* Three Chicks Catering – DONATED all hot dog buns, all sandwich buns, all condiments & staff

* Kristi Dohring – Costco – DONATED all plates, forks, napkins, hot dog wrappers, etc. Thank you Kristi!

Permits:

* Susan Aaron & Eddy Willingham - Special Occasion Alcohol sales permit - This was an interesting experience J Permits take 45 days to go through all of the proper channels. We didn’t have 45 days to work with. The alcohol permit was approved just a couple days before the event. Eddy and Susan worked their magic and got it done! Thank you for your persistence.

* Nems Scarim – Temporary Food Permit – Honestly, I really cant believe we pilled this off. I had to write a letter of special circumstances and explain why we needed this permit so fast. Rose at the Health Dept. pushed it through and charged us the minimum amount and waived all late charges!

Non –alch Beverage:

* Kristi Dohring – Kristi was relentless to get free stuff! She contacted Costco Fife Biz Center and Marty (biz rep) took $240 Costco gift card out of their marketing budget…..apparently this is really hard to get this much DONATED from Costco. We decided that this would be a great use to purchase the water. The water was on sale for $2.35 a case….so we purchased a whole flat.

* Kim Combs - Mountain Mist – DONATED and delivered – 10 cases!

* Jerry DeLay – Picked up and delivered all water. Thank you!

Beer / Wine Garden:

* Carol Davis – She was on it!....and that same week she retired from a 25 year teaching career! Congrats to you, Carol! Carol coordinated all wine discounts purchasing from her vendors. She took this position and ran with it. Thank you Carol….we are so glad you joined NACE!

* Adrielle Manke – She’s got the hook up! Her family owns The Clover Leaf and The Spar. They got discounted kegs and DONATED wine! Thank you for bartending all night…you were fab!

* Emily Cook – Convinced the Harmon Brewery to DONATE their new beer! Lots of bottles were donated! Thank you Emily for not being afraid to ask for anything!

Eventco / Party Outfitters:

* Eddy Willingham - Hmmmmmm……There really are no words for you Eddy! We could not have done this event without you! Eddy DONATED: Eventco Field, Table covers, mechanical bull, peddle cars, bounce houses, golf cart, tree slide, trapeze trampolines, nacho machine, popcorn machine, snow cones stand, power, water….etc…I could go on and on. Eddy…Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Espresso Cart:

* Suzi Justin – She always comes through for us last minute. She just simply packed up her espresso cart and showed up to DONATE all espresso drinks and Italian sodas. Suzi – you truly are the best! (She also helped me “schmooze” the health inspector on site J)

AAParty:

* Barb Kvapil – You and your crew are top notch. That humongous tent was amazing, all tables , chair, trash cans etc. ALL DONATED! Thank you for all you did for this event….and thank you for all you do for NACE. We love Barb & her crew!

American Party Place:

* Paul – Thank you for the last minute order for a couple tents and a stage. You really came through for us! All DONATED!

Sound:

* Ed Griffin – We can only imagine how HARD it is to provide proper sound for an outside event AND for the bands. You DONATED all of your equipment, time, and staff. You helped out the media and set up of all mics on the podium. Even when you had to adjust to the changes on the day of the event, you just made it happen… like always. You are a true professional. Thank you so much Ed!

Bands:

* David Sobie - Otis and the Raw Dogs! You guys rock!.....no, I mean literally! Thank you for gathering your awesome band and DONATING your time and talent.

* Dan Good – The Boys of Greenwood Glen We loved your bluegrass sound! Thank you so much for DONATING your ENTIRE band (including the fiddler) J We all enjoyed meeting all of you and we are so appreciative!

Emcee:

* Adam Tiegs – Not only did you EMCEE the entire event, but you helped with sound, and most importantly you were there from “day 1” of all of the planning. You took a bunch of different jobs and ran with them. Thank you for your complete dedication to NACE. Your efforts are so appreciated!


Lawn Murals:

* Stan Osborn – Congratulations!….you are the only one who made Sara cry!  You have an incredible talent….something so unique and fun. It’s time for people to know you! It’s also time for you to join NACE and ABC, right? The NACE logo = awesome! The BBQ logo = awesome! Cake walk numbers, Parking lot lines….All DONATED However, the mural of Sara’s parents was truly touching. Thanks to Jerry DeLay for providing the ladder for all of us to gaze at these amazing murals. Stan….you’re the man!

Runner:

* Jerry DeLay – “Help, we need ice!”…no problem, “We need ABC flyer printed”….no problem, “Stan needs more paint!”…no problem………I could go on and on. Thank you so much for you and your Scooter J We really appreciate all of your help that day!

The ATM Guy:

* This was so convenient. Who knew? He DONATED the rig for us. Thank you so much ATM guy!

Signs:

* Sherri Murry – She managed ….somehow…to get ALL of the signage DONATED. She had the hook up and came through at the VERY last minute. Sherri makes things happen. We thank you so much for how much you care.

Parking Attendants:

* “Vinnie & Bruno” – Thank you Adam Tiegs for providing your cousins for the parking attendants. They did awesome and it was such a relief to not have to worry about the parking situation. Thank you cousins!

NACE / ABC Booth:

* Monica, Emily , Kim, Victoria and many more – To all who manned the ABC / NACE booth…thank you for making it so classy looking. You all made us look amazing. Special thanks to Monica for the “apples” and “oranges” tables.

Bathrooms:

* The VanVlecks – Royal Restrooms is the only way to go. They were so amazing and people were talking about them all night. Air Conditioned, clean, beautiful portable bathrooms!...Oh yeah…and don’t forget the mints. You guys are top notch. Thank you Adam Tiegs for making this DONATION happen!


Concessions:

* Cassina Cheers – She went above and beyond …immediately stepping up to help, promoting, researching, learning how to use the machines beforehand, and she even took the test and got her food handlers permit for this. Also, this is brilliant…she put an ad on Craig’s List asking for volunteers for this event and 7 showed up to DONATE their time! You ARE a true leader Cassina. Thank you!

Balloons:

* Adam Tiegs – Again…another last minute request that came through! Leah Noland from Balloon Masters DONATED the Balloon Arch and also decided to set balloons out on the street so people could find the field easier. Thank you Leah and also Adam for making this happen!

Website:

* Kerrie Malone – Who would of thought?  Kerrie doesn’t even know anyone, however, she dedicated every day to creating our website, setting up payment systems, graphic art, creating the logo & flyer. She still continues to update the site today. All DONATED. I cannot thank you enough. You made our lives so much EASIER!

Graphics / logo /flyer:

* Chris Shockley – We started this whole idea with Chris. I called and asked if he would help create this concept and he didn’t even hesitate. I had the flyer, graphics, etc. in one day. He knew we needed to get started quickly and he made it happen.

Check – in & Ticket Sales:

* Nancy Skipton, Jill Hassing, Susan Aaron, Nellie Bell & crew – The check-in and ticket sale queens! It was a big job and it seemed flawless. Thank you for taking care of al of the money and check in procedures!

Pony Rides:

* Lang’s Horse and Pony Farm – They gave a us a HUGE discount. Umpquah Bank sponsored $250 for the ponies. They normally charge $600. I watched so many kids in “awe” of the ponies. I even heard one mom say “when I heard there would be pony rides, I knew I had to come and bring my daughter.” Another mom called beforehand just to make sure the ponies would be there. They had a ball. It was very heartwarming. Thank you Lang’s and Umpquah Bank branches


Cake Walk:

* Julia Miller & Carri Martin – Julia had a vision….a vision of a nostalgic cake walk! She took that idea and ran with it. Her and Carri procured approx 25 cakes….and all sold! They were absolutely beautiful including goodies by: Monica, Victoria, Odette, Debi Braulik, and many more. That was an awesome idea. Thank you for making it so classy with all of the décor you brought as well!

If you are looking to plan a fundraiser, please contact Three Chicks Catering and we will be happy to help you with the process.

Independence Day Dessert

Are you looking for a classic dessert for your 4th of July festivities?  How about a good old fashioned Pineapple Upside Down Cake?  Here is what you will need;

One Cast Iron Skillet

One Box Yellow Cake Mix

One Can Pineapple Slices

1/4 cup Butter

2/3 cup Brown Sugar

1 jar Maraschino Cherries

Preheat oven to 350.  Prepare cake batter as directed in a bowl and set to the side.  Melt butter in skillet.  Once it is melted, sprinkle in the brown sugar.  Arrange Pineapple slices in the pan and place cherries in the centers.  Pour cake batter over the top of the fruit.  Place skillet in oven for 35-45 minutes or until baked all the way through.  When done baking, place skillet on cooling rack for about 15 minutes.  Put an upside down cake platter on top of the skillet containing the cake and carefully turn over.  Leave pan on platter for a few minutes while the cake settles onto the platter.  Gently lift the pan... and enjoy!

Healthy Catering?

The Myron Family BBQ Benefit & Carnival

It was the perfect day. The sun was shining and Mt. Rainier was clearly visible from Eventco field in Fife. Friends and family from all over the Puget Sound gathered to show solidarity and support for Sara Myron and her family. Generous attendees gladly handed over their hard earned money in order to help ease the financial burden of this family facing unimaginable heartbreak. From pony rides to bungee jumping, The Myron Family BBQ Benefit & Carnival was a complete success with the sounds of children laughing and the smells of delicious food floating in the air. Sara made her first public address to the media from a small stage in the middle of the field. She took the time to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and identified the effort as the “language of God.” Later, that same stage was manned by The Boys of Greenwood Glen and Otis and The Raw Dawgz. The unmistakable energy of live music fueled the 5 hour gathering. Black Tie Espresso was onsite serving up everything from Italian sodas to delicious coffee concoctions while a group of audio visual professionals handled the entertainment. Representatives from the local ABC and NACE chapters greeted attendees and provided quick tours of the carnival grounds. The beer and wine garden was a popular destination for those over the age of 21 and Stan Osborn of STANSCAPES created a beautiful replica of a picture of Sara’s parents (Monty and Sue) on the field.

Hundreds of smiles, a few tears and a lot of love.

Photos courtesy of Menu International

10 Minutes to Market

If you are looking to increase your search engine results in a short period of time without paying someone a whole lot of money to do it, this is the post for you.  All it takes to give yourself a little bump in exposure is a little bit of internet savvy and about 10 minutes. 

1. First do a search (Google, Bing, etc) for your personal name and your business name.  
2. Take a look at the results.
3. Click on all of the links to see why they showed up.  They may be good, bad or ugly.  This is not the time to stick your head in the sand.
4. If you show up on sites like Yelp.com, InsiderPages.com, etc, go ahead and "claim" your listing.  This will allow you a little bit of control over the page.  Typically, registering as the owner will allow you to add pictures and a brief description as well as the ability to respond directly to reviews and inquiries about your business.
5. Once you have claimed all the listings you show up on, start searching your competition and seeing which sites they show up on.  If it is free to list your business on the same site, do it

The goal is to get your business (and name) to show up at the top of the first page of search results.  It doesn't matter which site it is on as long as your name is there.  If someone finds you on Google Maps, for example, they will eventually end up at your website if they are interested in your products or services.  The more sites you are listed on, the more opportunities there are for a search engine to find you.

Hopefully this helps get you started!  We will be putting out more tips and tricks over the next couple of weeks.

Cheers!
The Chicks

Easy Artichoke Dip

We have plenty to celebrate this month, regardless of whether the sun is shining or not. Father's Day is fast approaching (Sunday, June 20th) and Graduation is here for dedicated students all over the country. Our gift to you is a simple recipe that can be put together quickly for unexpected guests or planned events.

EASY ARTICHOKE DIP


* Equal Parts Mayonnaise & Parmesan Cheese (in the shaker can)
* Artichoke Hearts quartered or chopped to your preference
* Scallions (Adjust to your taste)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together Mayo and Cheese. Once mixed, add Artichokes and Scallions. Pour into glass Pyrex dish (or similar product.) Bake for 30 minutes.
Enjoy!

Cheers!
The Chicks

Why Blog?

Whenever we talk to people about starting a blog, there are certain questions that always seem to come up.

What is a blog?
The term blog is short for weblog which was coined in the 1990’s to mean a diary or journal maintained on the internet. This doesn’t mean that it has to be personal. Blogs are maintained by everyone from individuals to corporations.

What is the point?
A blog can be used for a variety of reasons. Because it is basically a website that can be updated by anyone, no webmaster is needed! Blogs are a platform for everything from disseminating information, to interacting with an online community. In either case, maintaining a useful blog will foster relationships… and that’s the point, right?

What if I have nothing to say?
First of all, everyone has something to say. What seems like obvious information to you, might be exactly what someone searching the web needs to know. Posts don’t have to be the length of a dissertation. They can be as short as a joke or quote. If you make videos or find one that you like, you can post that as an entry as well. A picture can speak a thousand words, and can be posted for your blog subscribers to see and comment on.

How often do I post?
There is no right answer to this question. Just know that people stumbling upon your blog site will be more likely to subscribe if they see that you put time and effort into it. Twitter is called a microblog because each 140 character post is considered a blog entry. Some people post to Twitter every hour! The frequency with which you post is totally up to you and should be based on what your blog goals are.

Iron Chick

Iron Chick is a fun opportunity to Network with local professionals while enjoying heated competition based on the popular show "Iron Chef."  Your $15 entrance fee covers food, drink and entertainment.  Be sure to bring lots of business cards and an appetite!  For more information, please contact OlRooster@ThreeChicksCatering.com or call Jim at 253-475-8333

BBQ Competition and Carnival

Facebook Page

Couscous Gorgonzola

This recipe is an adaptation of a Couscous dish originally created by Staci Gizzi;

Couscous is that perfect dish if you are looking for something fresh, light and healthy.  You can add any ingredients you want in order to tailor the taste.  Here is a combination that works very well with a Summer BBQ.

What you need;
1 cup dry Couscous
1 1/4 cup of water
Pinch of Salt
Cilantro to taste
1 Cucumber
2 oz Gorgonzola
1 Bell Pepper
Italian Dressing to taste

Boil water and salt then mix in bowl with dry Couscous.  Cover bowl with a towel for approximately 5 minutes.  Stir and fluff cooked Couscous.  Add Gorgonzola, chopped Cilantro, chopped Cucumber, chopped Bell Pepper and Italian Dressing to taste.  Can be served warm or cold.

Enjoy!

Facebook Facts

[Source: Online PhD Programs for MashableMashable.com]

If you want to catch up with us on Facebook, click HERE

Promoting the 'write' way (4 practices to avoid)

HEY EVERYONE!!!! ***READ THIS POST AND GET A FREE GLASS OF WATER!!!!

Did you find that sentence annoying?  Did it feel "spammy" and suspect?  Even if you saw that posted by a trusted friend, you might feel betrayed because this person was taking advantage of your relationship to sell you something... even if they weren't selling anything.  That is because this is an old tactic used in marketing.  Sure it gets your attention, but for all the wrong reasons.  Here is a short list of things not to do when promoting a product or event on social media;

1.  ALL CAPS, MULTIPLE COLORS, AND HUGE FONTS
 "****WANT TO REDUCE YOUR MORTGAGE WITH NO CREDIT CHECK WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY LOSING 50 LBS AND TRANSFERRING A LARGE INHERITANCE FROM AN UNCLE YOU NEVER KNEW IN NIGERIA ????  CALL US TODAY!!!"

2.  Rude, judgmental public posts (keep your disagreements offline.)
Joe Blow:  Man, I can't believe what (insert name here) did yesterday.  What a typical (political affiliation here.)

3.  Over-Posting;  If you are promoting an event or product, space out your posts so that people don't hide, unfriend, or unlike you.
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!
 Joe Blow:  Don't forget our GIANT SALE TODAY!!!

... We only wish we could forget ...

4.  Inappropriate tagging in posts or photos;  Be conservative when deciding whether or not to tag someone.  If a photo or post could come off negative in any way, don't post/tag it.
Before you post anything with yourself (pictures, articles, etc) in it, you make sure it is flattering.  As a good business practice, extend the same courtesy to your friends and clients.  If a picture is taken from a bad angle, or an article contains a quote that was not well thought out, it is best to leave it out of your online campaign.  When you make others look good, they will return the favor. 

It's hard sometimes to tell the difference between getting attention and being effective.  The old adage "Any publicity is good publicity" does not apply to social media.  Negative publicity can quickly kill a company or relationship.

... and NOW THAT YOU HAVE FINISHED READING THIS POST, GRAB THAT FREE GLASS OF WATER WE PROMISED YOU!

CHEERS!

Three Chicks LOVES Dockyard Derby Dames

Three Chicks Catering can be found at all of the Dockyard Derby Dames bouts selling fresh BBQ cooked on a Traeger grill right outside the door!  From left to right; Dawn Veraldo, Jayme Arries, Mandy Pignolet and Nems Scarim.

Generational Sales

You may have seen our iMAPS Chicks presentation on Generational Marketing where we break down the general differences in each age group's world views and attitudes.  In this post, we are going to give you some tips for selling to different generations.  Please remember that there are exceptions to every rule.

Mature Generation (Born between 1900-1944)
This generation is also known as the Traditionalist Generation.  They prefer traditional methods of communication, just like the name suggests.  Most of your clients in this generation will be very organized and prefer to deal with details face to face.  Traditionalists do not want to leave a voicemail and may hang up if they do not get a "live" voice when they call your place of business.  If this generation represents a large portion of your clientele, keep this in mind when you arrange your employee structure.  Most Traditionalists prefer print outs or "hard copies" of contracts, proposals, etc

Baby Boomers (1945-1964)
The Baby Boomers are the most extravagant of the four generations featured in this post.  They are accustomed to instant gratification and want results right away.  While they would love to meet in person, their time is extremely valuable and you may have to work around their schedule with a phone call.  Most Boomers have at least a limited knowledge of the internet even though they may not be totally comfortable with the technology.  Return their phone calls right away as they will leave voice messages and expect a quick follow up.  Most of your relationship will be formed over the phone.

Generation X (1965-1979)
Generation Xers are also referred to as "Digital Tourists" as they were not born into this highly technological world, but they have adjusted well.  Gen X will use the phone for talking, but are much more likely to use it for email or Web/Social Media.  This generation actually considers a phone call an intrusion, and will instantly go on the defense if a sales call was not initiated by them.  The best way to open a conversation with a Gen Xer is by email.

Millenials (1980-1993)
While Gen Xers are called "Digital Tourists", Millenials are considered "Digital Citizens."  The technology that drives the world today was developed during their childhood and they grew with it.  If you think it is challenging to get a Generation Xer on the phone, don't even try with a Millenial.  Your best bet for communication is by text or Social Media Platform.  Email even seems archaic for this demographic.


Try to remember that no matter which level of technology you are comfortable with, you must adapt to your client's preferences in order to give good customer service.  For more information on Generational Marketing, contact us!

USEless

This word was plastered all over the Seattle Aquarium today.  A campaign to make us all think before we purchase, consume and waste.  Ironically, it was in the gift shop as well...

The idea is great, though, and I wonder if we all need to be reminded of these choices we make every time we go to dispose of something.  We hosted an event 2 years ago when Three Chicks Catering was embracing it's metamorphosis to becoming a GREEN company.  While arranging the trash receptacles around the room, we decided to designate one for recyclables and one for the "landfill."  At the time, we wondered if this would be a 'downer' for our guests and gave it a second thought.  Ultimately, we did end up leaving the realistic name tags on the bins.  There was no backlash or negative feedback from the guests, and it felt like a small victory for our GREEN initiative.  Baby steps, right?

Today, you get to make a choice...  Recycle?  Or Landfill?

Bakin' Bacon!

In order to make the delicious Homemade Bacon pictured above, we used Apple Wood to smoke the bacon.  Apple will give it a mild, mellow and slightly sweet subtle flavor.  When done correctly, this homemade bacon can rival even the best gourmet and boutique deli bacon available.

Iron Chick Competition May 7th

Cold Turkey