Hello, Hola, Salut!

No matter how you say hello or what part of the world you come from the corporate world is becoming a global place.  No longer are businesses tied to their own country's borders but are making a point to reach out to other international markets for growth and connectivity.  The meetings & events world is rapidly following suit with many domestic companies heading overseas for conferences and events!  As a Meeting Planner it is an exciting time to be in the event business and as a meeting planner it is our job to facilitate events cross culturally so that all of our guests have an eventful experience!  Which leads me to this post--what are some cross cultural meeting etiquette tips so that the goal of your next international meeting or event doesn't get lost in translation...

Before planning any international event or meeting you MUST preform your due diligence on local customs.  For instance in Argentina only in formal situations do you shake hands with your colleague but in all others you give one kiss on the cheek anything less would be considered rude.  In France their meetings are MUCH slower paced than ours (no surprise here) and agenda start-times usually do not even begin before noon!  On the other hand in Germany if you do not arrive EARLY for a meeting you are considered late. 

Most recently in Smart Meetings Magazine they listed a few resources to help master the etiquette of International Meetings.

Quick Translations-APP
Greetings Etiquette
Cultural Curiosity

Whether we say meeting, reunion, or kaigi the main goal to a meeting or conference is to provide a venue in which to connect or educate across borders.  With connections in London, Dubai, Paris, Turkey, Malaysia, India, Australia (to name a few) contact us at Capitol Event Firm to help plan your next International Event. 

As always have an eventful day.

Zaiba Hasan

How to "Go Green" at a Meeting without Breaking the Bank

The reality is all responsible companies want to incorporate sustainable "green" practices into their meetings or events.  However going "green" isn't always the more affordable option for our budget conscious clients.  At Capitol Event Firm we know a few tricks that will not only make your next event more "green" but can save you money as well.

Make technology work for you.  Have an app created for your smartphone.  You can have ALL conference materials, presentations, registration literally at your fingertips within your personalized application.  Most personalized apps cost anywhere between $2000-$5000 however, you are probably saving half of that money by not having any printing cost.  The added benefit of that is for those inevitable last minute changes, alterations can be instantly uploaded!  Your attendees will always have up to date information.  No more wasted paper.

Name Badges CAN be recycled.  Ask your attendees to keep their name badges throughout the conference and ask them to recycle them at the end.  At our last conference the recycled name badges served as a raffle for a $100 Visa gift card.  It added a "fun" aspect to recycling those name badges and we were able to use them again for the next event (saving our client money).

Plan your event around public transportation and choose a venue with a "walk-ability" factor.  This obviously cuts down on your events carbon foot print but it also enables your attendees to view the conference city from a different view point.  When you aren't in a car you are more likely to notice the local atmosphere.  Walking also provides your guests a bit of a "breather" literally from your non-stop conference events.

Using local and organic produce whenever possible.  When choosing event space or catering I always inquire about their usage of local produce.  One it's a lot healthier to serve, two you are supporting the local merchants of the conference city, and three your meeting is instantly a deliciously "greener" event.

Minor tweaks not only save your client money but enables you as the planner to facilitate a more ecologically efficient event.  In an era where we need to do our part for the environment a little bit goes a long way.

Call us today (855) PLAN-ALL to ask how we can make your next event a "greener" one.

Have an eventful day,
Zaiba Hasan

For Immediate Release: Capitol Event Firm Creates “Taste of Columbia Heights” to Benefit Pro-Bono Client, One World Education

Washington, DC, April 30, 2012 -- Zaiba Hasan, Founder/President of Capitol Event Firm in McLean, VA, donated her event planning services to One World Education (OWE), planning the OWE 4^th Annual Youth, Culture and Learning Celebration which will take place May 1^st at the Gala Theater in Washington, DC from 7-9pm. 

The Celebration includes a silent auction fundraiser to benefit OWE and will bring together board members, supporters and the community in what Hasan calls “a Taste of Columbia Heights.”  She added, “while the budget was challenging for an event this size, I realized we had an opportunity to showcase and involve the community by having local restaurants provide food for the Celebration.” 

The annual event will feature 9 Columbia Heights restaurants.  Hasan noted that “One World Education is doing incredible work for the children of Washington DC.  Once we established the venue for the Celebration, I realized that we could strengthen ties to the Columbia Heights community by featuring food from the neighborhood.”  Participating restaurants have donated their food for the benefit.

One World Education is a Washington, DC based non-profit promoting youth literacy.  The Annual Celebration honors the organization’s student ambassadors and recognizes the support of the community, while hosting a silent auction to benefit their literacy programs.  Hasan is personally dedicated to the issue of childhood literacy, and agreed to donate her services to benefit OWE, saying “I love what One World Education is working towards, and I am honored to be a part of creating their Celebration.”   

For more details about One World Education and the Celebration, please visit http://oneworldeducation.org/yclc

About Capitol Event Firm

Capitol Event Firm provides meeting and corporate event planning services to clients around the world.  A boutique, woman owned business based in McLean, VA, Capitol Event Firm serves clients across industries with personalized service, unparalleled attention to detail, and a commitment to meeting every client’s budget.  Founded in 2001 by Zaiba Hasan, a 13-year special events veteran, Capitol Event Firm is a member of Meeting Planners International and the International Special Events Society.  For more information, please visit www.capitoleventfirm.com.

Contact:

Jennifer Mulchandani, 703/304-0465, Jennifer.mulchandani@gmail.com

or

Zaiba Hasan, 202/247-6120, zaiba@capitoleventfirm.com           

Musical Melodies...

Nothing sets the tone for a great event than the music being played.  Whether it is a little bit of country at a cowboy-themed family reunion, some smooth jazz at an art gallery opening, or the melody of a classical tune at an elegant fund-raiser in the city.  Event planners are taught to use all of our senses to make an event truly three-dimensional and with music we can strike a chord in our senses that will make your next event truly memorable. 

Here in the DC-area I have the great honor of knowing Michelle Lundy from the musical trio Beau Soir Ensemble.  Beau Soir Ensemble is a flute, viola, and harp trio dedicated to the performance of standard and contemporary repertoire spanning a variety of genres.  (Michelle Lundy on Harp, Haley Bangs on Flute, and Megan Yanik on Viola). 

(Excerpts from my interview with Michelle Lundy of Beau Soir Ensemble)


Q:  Do you all perform any original pieces?
A:  "A few weeks ago we performed the world premiere of "Phases of the Moon" by Chirstopher Dietz at the Cosmos Club in Washington D.C.  It was a crazy piece that explored unusual techniques such as using a "bow" on the harp made of fish string and banging on the harp strings with marimba mallets.  It is always nice to support the efforts of living composers when the opportunity arises."

Q:  In your own words how does/can music set the tone for an event?
A:  "Music at an event is something that often goes unrecognized.  However, if the background was silent, the whole event would feel off-kilter and something special and important would be missing.  Music, especially live music can set the tone for an event.  If you are looking for a classy event, a classical string quartet or harp can set the atmosphere.  If you are looking to get everyone on the dance floor, a big band would be a good bet.  Music can be the finishing touch that helps push an event in a certain direction."

Thanks Michelle-perfectly said!


Looking to check out Belle Soir's next performance...mark May 6th on your calendar and check them out.  Email: info@bellesoir.org for more information. 


As always until next time...
Have an eventful day.
Zaiba Hasan

 

Importance of Branding & Marketing

Like all businesses Capitol Event Firm (CEF) is always looking to grow and expand.  The most effective way to do this is by furthering our brand and starting a grass-roots marketing campaign.  I tried to get by the last few "growing" years with word of mouth referrals and my repeat customer base...turns out I need to do a bit more.  I have had the good fortune of knowing Jennifer (JM Marketing)  and she helped me come up with a strategic marketing campaign. Along with Deepa Zaveri (Dzine, Inc.) who will be helping me create beautiful marketing materials...I feel quite optimistic about venturing into this marketing world!!

Before you contact Jennifer and Deepa to rehab your marketing plan take a moment to read about why branding and marketing is so important to the growth of YOUR business.

Importance of Branding

Until next time--hoping you have an eventful day.
Zaiba Hasan

Fabulous Venue-Mexican Cultural Institute

Tucked in between embassies and restaurants is a gem of a venue location; The Mexican Cultural Institute!  A 100 year old mansion originally built as a wife's gift to her husband (tough life) you feel that sense of history and grandeur upon immediately entering the beautiful building.  Originally designed in 1910 by Nathan Wyeth and George A. Fuller (the architects who earned their reputation for designing the west wing of the White house) it served as a personal residence for The Secretary of Treasury during the Taft administration.  In the 1920's it was purchased by President Alvaro Obregon to house the original Mexican Embassy.

With the ability to house a variety of events both small and large this venue is truly a magnificent space to host your companies next cocktail reception/dinner or personal event.

Currently housing the "One Thousand and One Faces of Mexico" exhibit you are taken to another place and time without ever leaving Washington D.C.  A rare treat in the event industry!!

Contact Capitol Event Firm to help plan your next event at the Mexican Cultural Institute.

Buenos Dias!

One World Education

One of the benefits of owning your own business is that you can choose what organizations to support and best represent who you are as a professional person!  Capitol Event Firm has the pleasure of being involved with a fabulous organization based here in the Washington D.C. area called One World Education!

Founded in 2006 by two teachers (Eric Goldstein and Emily Chiarello) in an effort to engage their students they developed a curriculum for local teachers that uses students own reflective writings and experiences as a basis for shared learning.  During their 4 years they have worked with more than 1000 local middle school and high school student writers as they showcase their ideas about culture and global issues.  Their mission is to promote literacy while empowering local teachers to help teach globally literate citizens through peer- centered writing!

With only one full-time employee and one part-time employee this organization is kept running by a group of passionate volunteers!  With essentially NO overhead costs whatever fundraising efforts they manage go directly to the students!  Not many non-profits can boast this.

Currently their only fund-raising event is their annual Youth, Culture & Learning Celebration at the Gala Theatre in Washington D.C.  Save the date and come out to support this fabulous cause.  (May 1st from 6-9pm).

In an effort to prove that we at Capitol Event Firm will put money where our mouth is from now until May 1st for every new "facebook" fan Capitol Event Firm will donate $1.00 to this fabulous cause (up to $350).

We look forward to seeing you there.

We hope you have an eventful day!