Swag: Send Them Home With Something They’ll Value

I am not a fan of junk. If something doesn’t have a function or intrinsic value, I don’t have much use for it. I realllllly need things to be organized and for everything to have a place!

Fellow local twitter user, @DanLondon (who also serves as the Director of Online Marketing at ShareFile.com), posted something I favorited a few months ago because it resonated with me:

@DanLondon: Funny. Tech has evolved but swag is still in 1984 (not that I don’t love my hackey sack) #isum09Since obviously this is something I’m passionate about (and no, I didn’t know one could be passionate about swag), I’ll occasionally share some things that I think make great alternatives to the keychain (don’t we all have a keychain full of keychains in junk storage?) and the ink pen (if you buy cheap, they won’t write anyway).

The very first feature comes from Eventbrite… a must-use utility for anyone hosting any kind of event (ESPECIALLY if you need to actually sell tickets). Specifically, this was posted on their facebook page.

Click on the image above to view the branded chocolate poker chips in detail… a delicious takeaway from the casino-themed after-party they were hosting at a conference.

Oh, and their tagline? “Always a full house with Eventbrite.”

Now that’s what I call clever!

Might Be on to Something Here…

Evan, owner of SearchSage – a Raleigh-NC based search marketing consultancy, and I launched a joint project at the end of December (2009) just in time for the New Year’s holiday.

Here’s the skinny:

In a casual conversation one day about the vast array of options that Raleigh has to offer for New Year’s Eve (actually, for any day of the year), we quickly realized there was not a “one-stop shop” for that information… or at least one where you could pick and choose your destination based on your preferences. So we set out to create RaleighNYE.com – the place for all of your Raleigh New Year’s Eve details!
I wanted to write this post really quickly, mostly to say “Thank you!“:
… to everyone who helped make the site a success by submitting events and feedback,
… to those of you who visited and checked out all that Raleigh, and the surrounding areas, have to offer,
… to those of you who shared it with friends, co-workers, etc…

Thank you times a million!

We launched the project on December 29th and in just a few short days, recorded 1,189 visitors, 1,480 visits, 10,855 page views, an average of 7.33 pages/visit, and an average time on site of 4:20.

While we are TOTALLY humbled by the amount of traffic that we received, we are most importantly insanely happy to infer from the results that the site has been valuable to so many (good time on site and average number of pages per visit).

To the restaurant and bar owners in the area: We sincerely hope that your businesses benefited from our site!

To the restaurant and bar patrons: We hope that you were able to find the perfect NYE party for you and your guests!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Client Event Spotlight: Brittany’s Battle, Inc. – Annual Angel Gala

Brittany’s Battle
2nd Annual Angel Gala

Date: Sunday, Nov. 22nd
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Venue: 1705 Prime
1705 E. Millbrook Road – Raleigh NC

Get Your Tickets Now!
Tickets can be purchased through eTix.com. The cost is $30.00 for individual tickets prior to Nov 15, 2009. The cost will be $35.00 after Sunday, November the 15th, so be sure to buy your tickets online this weekend!

Gala Features
With every ticket purchase, you will be automatically entered to win fabulous door prizes – including a TV with a built in DVD player compliments of Alco Electronics!

There will be appetizers, light buffet dinner, dancing, desserts, a silent auction, an online auction, cash bar, door prizes, and more chances to win wonderful prizes.

Some aution items include a trip to the NASCAR All-Star race in May, a weeks stay in an ocean front suite in Wrightsville Beach, an autographed hockey stick signed by the Carolina Hurricanes, tickets to UNC & NCSU events, gifts baskets for all ages and tastes, and much more!

The online auction – hosted by ebay and featuring exciting autographed items from country music’s finest – will go live a few days before the Gala and will end a few days after the Gala.


Be sure to visit BrittanysBattle.org for more information! Hope to see some of you there 🙂

eCycling in Raleigh/Cary/Durham this Weekend

I posted this on my personal blog this week and then realized it’d be a great resource for businesses, too!

Electronics are probably some of the nastiest things that could end up in a landfill, so if you need to get rid of anything, here’s a great *free* opportunity from Fox 50 and Creative Recycling to do so!

Our landfills are filling up with things that won’t ever go away. Specifically, old, outdated electronic equipment which take up space and pose a hazard to our environments.

That’s why FOX50 created “E-Cycling” Day:
Saturday, June 27th from 10am – 2pm at all 3 locations.

Come out and see us – rain or shine – in the parking lots of three Best Buy locations:

* Durham – Renaissance Center
(7001 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27713)

* North Raleigh – Capital Blvd.
(6101 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27616)

* Cary – Crossroads Plaza
(237 Crossroads Blvd, Cary, NC 27518)

It’s so convenient. You won’t even have to get out of your car! Volunteers will unload your electronic items

And there’s countless number of electronic items you can drop off.

Equipment Accepted
: All electronic equipment is acceptable with the exception of manifested hazardous waste, radioactive waste and/or biohazardous waste.


Read the full info and see the list of what’s ok and not ok to bring here!

Please pass this along or encourage your local media and Best Buy to model something in your area after this program!

FYI for All Local Event Planners and Marketing/Promotions People

I had no idea this resource was available from the City of Raleigh (and it’s FREE, TOO!), but you better believe I’ll be utilizing it as often as possible from here on out. I can’t tell you how many events I’ve been to lately where I’ve had an empty can or bottle and thought to myself “Well huh… there’s no where to recycle this here. Not cool!”

Going green may not be important to you, but I guarantee there are a lot of us out there who notice that it is not important to event hosts and hostesses, and that’s a lasting impression that no event planner or host/hostess wants to send their guests (and potential clients) home with.

Event Recycling

ClearStream Recycling Containers Available for Loan

Raleigh Recycling can assist you with recycling at your event by lending you recycling containers. ClearStream recycling containers are easy to transport, are clearly labeled, and the transparent bags make them a breeze to monitor materials being placed in the containers. Containers are available on a first come, first serve basis, so make your request early! A maximum of 23 recycling containers are available. If ten or more containers are checked out you may also check out a rolling cart to tranport them on. There are no rental fees, however, if the containers are damaged or not returned you will be billed. We may also be able to provide a recycling truck for collection and/or display and would be happy to have a display table to help educate event visitors.

Green Planning

Reducing waste is much better than recycling or disposing of it. From the start, think green! Let folks know from the very first advertising (flyer, ad, web, etc.) that recycling will be available and to look for it! At the event, use signage and if possible, loud speakers to remind visitors.

*What type of event is it?

*What types of food and beverages will be availalbe? What will they be served in/on? If there are choices, make sure to choose the ones that can be recycled!

*How many vendors will there be? Make your vendors aware that you expect them to recycle and want them to be as waste free as possible.

*Identify which materials can be recycled.

*How many event visitors?

*Do you have sufficient garbage cans? Who will monitor and collect?

*Do you have sufficient recycling containers (at least 1 next to every other garbage can!)? Who will monitor and collect? Our recycling containers are clear allowing the public to clearly see the bin is for recycling so less trash gets in – especially true if you do not have folks staying at each station to direct visitors to the proper container.

*Are the bins clearly labeled? Are you directing visitors to the correct containers? Make them convenient and visible.

*Have you considered composting any of the food waste?

To request ClearStream recycling containers for your event, go to the Related Links frame in the upper right hand corner of this page and click on ClearStream Sign Out Form. On the Publications page, select the document “Sign Out Clear Streams” in either .doc or .pdf format. Complete the form and return it to Raleigh Recycling.

For More Information Contact:
Linda A. Leighton
Waste Reduction Specialist
Solid Waste Services Department
400 West Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-996-6890

This is such a great program from the City, be sure to contact Linda for any other waste reduction needs. I’ve exchanged many emails with her, she is fabulous! I think I may send her an email now too, to complement her department on this program.

The Fray Goes Green

I love it when the big boys get “green” right – mostly because they’re creating impressions on such a large audience!

Via email last week from one of my favorite bands, The Fray:


The Fray is excited to continue our partnership with environmental group, REVERB, to “green” this summer’s tour. We know that there is a lot of hype and trend going around these days attached to anything with “green” in the title, but this is something we genuinely believe is important and needs attention. We’re bringing out local non-profit groups to each show in the Eco-Village to put you closer to the solution, with no big corporations pedaling the latest junk you should or shouldn’t buy. And in addition to a number of efforts backstage, we have created a special on-line fan carpooling service for this tour so you can bum rides off friendly folks and save some CO2 emissions in the process. If you’d like to sign up to volunteer, please click HERE.

If you’re interested in knowing more and becoming involved, check out The Fray’s greening website.

-David, The Fray, and REVERB


Well done guys! I hope to see them again on this tour. I got the chance to see them my senior year of college at Koka Booth in Cary… and it was FANTASTIC!!

Need a Sweet Job?

This comes from my friends at Deep South (and no, the “Lisa” is not me) – they are wonderful local people and you will have a blast in just about any position with them.

Need Work? Downtown Live is Hiring!

This year, Deep South will be hiring many more staff positions for Downtown Live than in years past. Because of the increase in new positions, we’ve decided to have a Job Fair.

Mark your calendars – Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 at 6pm, Downtown Live will be holding a Job Fair at Deep South The Bar. If you’re interested in being a part of the Downtown Live staff, please RSVP to Lisa@DeepSouthEntertainment.com. Positions range from hospitality runner to production crew interns, kids zone attendants to barbacks…and everything in between. All are welcome to attend. Attendees should come prepared to complete a Downtown Live employment application and to meet with the Downtown Live supervisors. All positions are contract labor and do not have taxes withheld.

Don’t worry…it’s not a typical “job interview,” it’s very informal. Though we all work very hard at Downtown Live, we also are very laid back. The Bar will be open, so feel free to bring friends, have some drinks, and hang out.

Deep South The Bar is located at 430 S. Dawson Street in Downtown Raleigh. It is on the corner of Dawson and Cabarrus, just minutes from the Raleigh Convention Center. All applicants between the ages of 18-20 are welcome to attend between the hours of 6pm-8pm. We cannot accept applicants under the age of 18.

Again, if you are interested in working and would like to attend the Downtown Live Job Fair, please RSVP to Lisa@DeepSouthEntertainment.com. Thanks! Look forward to hearing from you!

–Lisa

PLEASE feel free to re-post. Let’s get people who WANT TO WORK into some paying jobs!

Image Source: RaleighDowntownLive.com

Another Great Business Event from NCSU

I received this directly in my email inbox today… looks like a good series after reading up on the summary from the Oct. 3 ERM Roundtable with Jim Traut of Heinz.

Enterprise Risk Management Initiative Roundtable
Friday, November 7, 2008

Register Online

SPEAKER

Drew Zavatsky
Office of Financial Management
State of Washington
Olympia, Washington

DATE & TIME
Friday, November 7, 2008
Our event begins at 8:00 a.m., with coffee and pastries available at 7:30 a.m.

LOCATION
Wachovia IMAX Building at Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh, NC

Register for this event
Click here to read a summary of the October 3rd ERM Roundtable!

If you have any problems with the link above, please visit www.ermevents.com to register.

If you have any questions please e-mail us.

www.erm.ncsu.edu

NCSU College of Management’s Executive Lecture Series

I was lucky enough to attend quite a few of these past seminars during undergrad (featuring CEOs from Gregory Poole, Progress Energy, etc.) and I’m going to do my best to make it to this fall’s 2008 events… especially Coca-Cola CEO J. Frank Harrison’s event (one of the country’s strongest brands).

The Wachovia Executive Lecture Series

Monday, October 13, 2008
J. Frank Harrison, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Coco-Cola Bottling Company

Monday, November 10, 2008
Ursula M. Burns, President
Xerox

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
William J. Amelio, Chief Executive Officer & President
Lenovo

Presentations are held 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in 3400 Nelson Hall (Nelson Auditorium). Directions to the College are available online.