The Industry of Many Colors

I still cringe when I hear the words “What a fun job you have planning parties!” Sure, my job is fun, but not like – drinking a glass of champagne, posing in my stunning Prada pumps on a yacht, rubbing elbows with celebrities – kind of fun.

If I am on a yacht with celebrities, I am most likely orchestrating the details between the captain and the host, talking to the chef, watching the servers, cueing the musicians, tracking down the cleaning crew, handing out motion sickness meds and making sure that all celebrity handlers know they are the MOST important . . . oh, and of course I would be praying it doesn’t rain (but ready to pull the trigger on Plan B if the sky decides to open).
That is the kind of fun I have!

With all that fun, it is still hard for me to believe that I have been doing this for nearly two decades now. And while I have been duly warned of the career fatigue that often is associated with our fast paced business, I have remained inspired both creatively and intellectually by my career.

The event industry is rich with opportunities: an environment that provides endless avenues for professional development. I like to call it the ‘industry of many colors.’

As an example, in my own colorful journey, I have moved between corporate, social and non-profit event planning. I have played various roles during my career from junior planner to middle manager, volunteer, partner, vice president, speaker, mentor, boss and today, a business owner. Over the years, I have mastered budgeting, marketing plans, vendor management, staff coordination, strategic planning, presentations, and project management. I have dabbled with (and am pretty darn good at) production, decor, marketing, celebrity management, script writing, website building, content development, story boards, curriculum overviews and even floral design. I have worked with everyone from Mikail Gorbachev to Arianna Huffington. There  was even the time I accidentally stepped on President Clinton’s foot (long story)! I have produced community events, sporting competitions, half million dollar weddings, large galas, and even a few bat/bar mitzvahs and a wedding at a brewery. My career has been (and remains) full of color and options.

So here it is, whether you are new to the industry or are on the cusp of burn out – in desperate need for something fresh – simply embrace the many colors our industry offers. Allow yourself to creatively dream of the various ways you can grow and build your career.

Dare to embrace the full colors of our industry. I encourage you to explore, keep an open mind, try new things, expand beyond your comfort zone and remember the journey is the fun part!

So what is your color? Don’t forget, you can choose more than one!

The Importance of the Retail Industry

Retail supports 1 in 4 American jobs

Besides babysitting, my first jobs were primarily in retail. I remember thinking that retail was a 'means to an end' for my career - a temporary job while I worked my way through college. 

Years later, I have the privilege to call the National Retail Federation Foundation one of my clients. Through my work with them, I have become more aware of, not only how many jobs exist in retail but, just how much opportunity there is to create a strong long-term career in the industry. 

The NRF Foundation shapes retail’s future by building awareness of the industry through statistics and stories; developing talent through education, experiences and scholarships; and fostering career growth among people who work in retail. - See more at: https://nrf.com/who-we-are/nrf-foundation#sthash.KfTJn1Tc.dpuf

I am excited to be working with their team on their inaugural gala. I encourage you to check out the work they are doing.

Learn more about how retail impactshttps://nrf.com/advocacy/retails-impact

Learn more about how retail impactshttps://nrf.com/advocacy/retails-impact

Let's commit to just one thing . . .

 

 

The arrival of a New Year always brings us to a place of reflection. 

 

At one point during this time period, we start to think about what we need to do better in the incoming year. We start to make all sorts of promises to ourselves. 

 

We commit to lose weight.

We commit to spend less.

We commit to see our friends more.

We commit to not worry so much.

We commit to laugh more.

We commit to do more yoga.

We commit to go to church or synagogue more.

We commit and commit and commit . . .

 

Often, we kick things off to a new start with great energy (think how busy the gyms are in January), but mostly we lose our 'steam' and 'focus' sometime around March (if not sooner).

 

I am thinking this year, we should keep it simple. . .

 

Let's commit to just one thing.

Let's commit to helping others in anyway that we can. 

Let's commit to making a difference for one person.

Let's commit to giving more to others than getting more for ourselves.

Let's commit to doing more for others than taking more for ourselves. 

 

Let's commit to helping someone this year who is in need.  

 

 

 

 

 

Elevate Urban Youth

HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING EDUCATION 

ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL CHILDREN?

For 18 months, ERC supported Elevate New York. This new organization is dedicated to building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, instilling hope for the future and increasing graduation rates.

For more about Elevate New York, visit

www.elevatenewyork.org/‎

You can teach a student a lesson for a day;
but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity,
he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. 

~Clay P. Bedford

Don't forget . . .

art by LGW

It was six months ago, I took out glue and scissors for a very special art project. Hearts for Newtown is a special project that is focused on continuing to reach out to these devastated families long after the camera lights fade.
http://www.facebook.com/HeartsforNewtown

As someone who has also personally suffered from tragic loss, I ask you to not forget those who were lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Do what you can to support efforts to make our schools safer.

http://www2.sandyhookpromise.org/

Fall In Love

SHE CAN WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

My year was impacted by so many great women. 

Women who care about our world. 

They care about equal rights for women in our own city, our country and throughout the world. 

They care about accessibility to; education, safety, freedom from violence, family health, reproductive options, freedom of speech, religious rights, human rights. 

They fight to protect those women and girls throughout our world who are suppressed, held captive, pushed back, shut out and turned off. 

They believe that all women should have rights, know their rights and be free to grow and prosper.

I salute the women who stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. 

I applaud all those who reach out and extend their hand to help heal. 

I appreciate and support those who make it their mission each day to give a little girl the chance to become a powerful and free woman; allowing her to know her rights and move into her full potential. 

So I thank the women - known and unknown - mothers, aunts, grandmothers, neighbors, teachers, policymakers, philanthropists, doctors, celebrities, athletes, police and military officers, physicians, writers, journalists, ministers, performers, designers, pharmacists, lawyers, managers, chief executives, nurses, researchers, developers, therapists, etc. - who make a difference every day. 

Thank YOU!

 

GET TO KNOW. . .

WOMEN MOVING MILLIONS
"We are at an interesting moment in our history as it relates to women and girls. On the one hand, women continue to be more economically disadvantaged, experience much more violence, earn less and are dramatically underrepresented in positions of leadership across all sectors. On the other hand, now more then ever women control the purse strings in terms of purchasing power, are increasingly the holders of wealth, are outperforming educationally in the western world and are starting and growing businesses at a much faster rate than men. . ."

Summer Afternoon

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; 

to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
― Henry James

I have always looked forward to the Summer. As a child, I would eagerly await the last day of school, when we would simply burst out of class with an almost wild abandon onwards towards . . . Summer! 

Our days were filled with playing in the park, building forts in the woods, selling lemonade, wearing matching sundresses, learning in our family garden, going out for ice cream, fishing with our dad, dealing with insect bites, riding horses and so on.

Every child should have the opportunity to explore all that nature has to offer. I truly appreciate the organizations who make it their mission to get kids out of the concrete jungle and into the fresh air. There they can explore the world beyond . . . expanding their understanding of the options that exist for them and appreciate nature. 

There are so many great organizations providing this (truly) life-changing option to our urban youth.  

Check them out. 
Support them. 
Volunteer. 

Below are just a few great New York programs that are making a huge difference in the lives of so many!

FRESH AIR FUND
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has been providing free Summer programs to over 1.7 million kids.

KATCHKIE FARM
Katchkie Farm is the home of the Sylvia Center where school groups throughout New York visit to plant in the Children's Garden and learn about eating healthful foods.

WYCKOFF ASSOCIATION
Bringing it home. This Brooklyn-based association is focused on a specific aspect of urban gardening; providing students the principles of gardening and farming as well as an understanding of Brooklyn’s historic farming culture and modern urban landscape.

LOWER EASTSIDE GIRLS CLUB
A club focused on girls, includes a Summer Camp program that brings the participants together through teamwork, laughter and some good singing.