Incorporating Experts Views

At Full Sail University, I am required to design a business plan for my master’s thesis. I have created an event planning company called CT Promotions and Event’s. With the research I have conducted on the expert’s views on the value of business plans, on the blog post preceding this one, I have taken a few tips to incorporate into my own plan.

Walt Disney is a man that has created his own empire from the ground up. He has proven that hard work and pursuing your dream is important. From what I have learned from him, I plan on sticking to the big picture and setting my goals high. It is assumed that CT Promotions and Events will be highly profitable and therefore I am going to project to have a high amount of gross sales in my financials. In my business plan, I am going to always leave room for growth. Walt Disney never stopped growing his empire. Even after his death it is still growing; he never lived to see the completion of the theme park EPCOT.

David Tutera, who I also refer to as the guru of wedding planning, shows the importance of collecting new customers one by one. When he opened his company his only client was his grandfather; you can only plan so many events with one client. David kept his head high and continued to gain customers as the word got out about how talented he was. CT Promotions and Events will take all the customers they can get, even if it is only one. After events are planned for customers, we will ask them to blog or post testimonials on our website and or Facebook page to spread the word about our company. As that is done, we hope that our business will grow.

It is important to conduct research before doing something new, because history always repeats itself. Learn from those who are successful and take notice of what they do. Implement those strategies in your own business and also learn how to make them better. Find what customer’s needs are and relieve them of the stresses they have. In the end you will find success.

Business with Walt Disney and David Tutera

Before starting your own business, it is a good idea to examine other experts in the world of business plan development, angel investing, or academia. I have taken a moment to examine experts in my industry. Continue reading below to find out about two important experts in the field of the entertainment industry.

Walt Disney

The first person that comes to mind that had created a company that not only entertains, but brings smiles to people of all ages is Walt Disney. Walt was born in Chicago December 5, 1901. Since a young boy he has been interested in art and making extra money in his neighborhood. He came from a relatively poor family. His father never really pushed him to pursue his dreams, but his mother and siblings did. Obviously, Walt followed his dreams.

In 1918, Disney tried to join the military but was rejected because he was under the age of 18. Instead he joined the Red Cross and drove ambulances in France. Instead of driving an ambulance in camouflage, he covered his in what would be early drawings of Disney characters.

After his time with the Red Cross he started his first company in Kansas City, called Laugh-O- Grams. The Mickey Mouse character was created during this time. While his company was open, his Disney cartoons became very popular. Eventually this company went bankrupt.

Sometime after the close of Laugh-O-Grams, Walt and his brother put their money together and set up a cartoons studio in Hollywood. They also found a distributor for their Alice’s Wonderland comedies. In 1937, during the depression, Walt produced a film called Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which cost $1,499,000, which is an insane amount to spend during the depression.

The most known accomplishment of Walt Disney is the creation of his amusement park; it was a dream of his since he was a child. The first park opened in 1955. There is no need to explain how wildly popular those parks are today and the growth that has been made. Not only now are there traditional amusement parks, there are parks where you can see wild animals and even water parks. Companies are even planning conferences on Disney properties with their venue space. Walt Disney’s legacy is living on long after his death.

David Tutera

Like many women and others interested in the field of event planning, I am addicted to David Tutera’s show My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. This show on WE television has become wildly popular. David was not born a celebrity event planner and fashion designer; he started from the bottom up.

David started his event planning business at the ripe young age of 19. His grandfather noticed his talents at a young age and was the one who motivated him to pursue his dreams. His grandfather in the beginning was his first, one and only client. He built his business by gathering his clients one by one.

He was eventually noticed by WE television. He now has the reality show I mentioned where he helps women, with a low budget, plan the wedding of their dreams.

Not only does David Tutera have his own television show, he has written four books, been a guest on many talk shows, created a jewelry line, and designed his own collection of wedding gowns. His passion and business smarts shows that anyone can pursue their dream if they put in the work and get in touch with the right people.

References

http://www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/biography/w_bio_short.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney

http://www.screenjunkies.com/tv/genres-tv/reality/david-tutera-biography-extraordinary-wedding-planner/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Tutera

http://www.davidtutera.com/dt_weddings.php

http://www.abcpedia.us/people-celebrities/biography/mickey-mouse.jpg

http://site.advantagebridal.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2_26_david_tutera.jpg

Orlando’s Festival in the Park

Once again I visited one of my favorite spots this Sunday, Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. This weekend was Orlando’s Festival in the Park. The dates it ran were November 5^th and November 6^th, 2011 from 10am-5pm.  I went to check out the event layout and to see what types of foods and art were available.

There were vendors upon vendors surrounding the lake. Vendors sold gyros, bar-b-q, arepas, and ice cream among other things. There was photographic art, jewelry, scarves, shoes, glass crafts and food to be bought. I was personally searching for Christmas gifts, but I had no such luck.

One thing I noticed that really needs to be improved upon was the lack of credit card machines. No one carries cash these days! The vendors that seemed to be doing the most business were those who took credit cards. How many times have you been to such a festival and saw something neat, but didn’t have enough cash to purchase it?

When at the festival I tried the lamb gyro and ice cream. Both were delicious. The ice cream stand my friends and I got a treat from had an option to add a flavor swirl; I added butterscotch, yum. My favorite booth at the show sold homemade noodles. I purchased a Tuscan flavored fettuccini, which I made spaghetti with for dinner. This booth had a credit card machine and also many customers, I wonder why?

This event was a great place for families and friends to stroll away an afternoon. Even though the weather was just tolerable and it sprinkled every now and then, it was pleasant.  They layout of the event made it easy to go from booth to booth. The booths followed along the sidewalk that surrounded the circle shaped lake.

The event was dog and children friendly. There was an overabundance of puppies and I wanted to bring them all home with me. A bunch of the booths catered to dogs by selling collars, leashes, puppy clothes, and sunglasses. Lake Eola hosts this event twice a year so be sure to catch it next time.

Related articles:

Spring Fiesta in the Park

Baldwin Park Art and Jazz Festival 

Football

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We are currently in the midst of football season; some consider that to be their favorite time of year. So many things are going on, Fantasy Football, Sunday Funday parties and tailgates galore! What are you doing for enjoyment this football season? Personally, my favorite team is Florida State University; I stick with them through the good times and the bad. During this time of year I head to Tallahassee to watch football and be with old friends.

 Football games are a great place to bring people together for camaraderie and gatherings.  All around college campuses tailgates are set up and people are having a great time. Just imagine a huge smile on your face, drinking your favorite ice-cold beer, eating delicious chips and fat burgers, and playing friends in Cornhole. Or if that isn’t your cup of tea you could sit in your deluxe tailgating chair and watch other college games on a flat screen television while you wait for your game to begin.

Have you been missing those people who you shared the most exciting part of your life with? My company, CT Promotions and Events, can plan your next alumni retreat. No matter if it is a company retreat with people with similar sports interests, your sorority or fraternity, or a class reunion we can plan it. The 2011 season is rapidly coming to a close, but if you need assistance for the 2012 season CT Promotions and Events is there for you.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit the Florida State University campus for a football game. I had the chance to sit in the skybox. That was a super treat; all the food and drink a girl could ask for. Before the game I had a chance to survey the campus and tailgaters alike. I was able to check out what worked and what didn’t. I scoped out all the newest games so I can have the newest and best games at your next college tailgate retreat.

Thrice in Orlando

This past Saturday, October 8, 2011, I spontaneously decided to attend a concert at The Beacham in Orlando. My friends and I were headed downtown early in the day to attend a Florida State Football watch party at OneEyed Jack’s on Wall Street. As we walked to the bar from our car we saw the rock band Thrice was going to play that evening.

I was pretty excited because I like the band and did not have any Saturday night plans. I checked on my smart phone to see if there were any tickets available and there were! I purchased two tickets straight from my phone; it is amazing how convenient technology makes things.

The show began at 5:30, but I arrived at 6:30. The evening was very rainy so I was glad the venue was indoors. There were three opening bands that I had never heard of. Honestly, I could have showed up at nine and skipped all of the opening bands; I was not impressed. The sound was awful for the opening bands. I could not make out the lyrics. My theory is either they used their own sound equipment or held their mouth to close to the microphone.

When Thrice came on the stage the crowd went wild. The sound was very clear. They played music mostly from their new album and the one directly before it. For their encore they played songs that I used to listen to in high school. It was nice to reminisce. I have included a photo that I took at the concert.

Overall I enjoyed the concert. The Beacham reminded me of an old theatre because of the intricate ceiling crown molding and ceiling art. There was a bar in the lobby and the back of the venue. One interesting thing to note is there was a bathroom attendant there to sell random items and hand out paper towels. This particular woman did not look too happy when I was there and seemed as if she was ready for a nap.

The venues location is downtown Orlando next to The Social. My only complaint was smoking was allowed inside the venue. This particular genre of music usually attracts chain smokers. If you can get past second hand smoke, I would recommend seeing a show at this venue. It’s small enough to allow everyone to see and hear the music but large enough if you want to stay out of the mosh pit.

Disney Wine & Dine

October 1, 2011 I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Disney Wine &Dine trade show. The show took place at ESPN Wide World of Sports. At the trade show there were many vendors selling all sorts of products anywhere from little girls headbands to balance bracelets. I have posted a photograph that I took from upstairs of the show so you can see the entire layout. On the trade show floor there was a section of seats where a chef prepared food every couple hours and passed out samples. I had a chance to try a homemade granola bar, chicken salad and a delicious chocolate brownie.

 I was a volunteer there to represent Full Sail University at their booth. We had a Full Sail University background hanging and a table with a bunch of goodies. Those who stopped by our booth had a chance to hear about the school from three students, an admission representative and a marketing and promotions person; information was given from all spectrums. We handed out t-shirts, water bottles, pens, lens cleaners and backpacks. We gave out some really great items for free that sell for a price that is not free on the Hangr.

I really enjoyed getting to talk to people and working the booth. I want to be an event planner or work in marketing and promotions so this was a really great opportunity for me. I got to see what it was like working a booth and also walked around and checked out the layout of the trade show space. The show was in the field house. ESPN Wide World of Sports is huge! I have never been there before. It would have been a really cool place to compete at when I was in high school playing sports.

Other than the trade show, the event included a 5k run and a half marathon throughout Epcot. Epcot is also hosting the 2011 Food & Wine Festival throughout the park. I have never attended but my roommate told me she attended last year and you basically go to the different buildings in Epcot that represent the different countries and try different foods and beverages.

All in all, the trade show was a success. We got a lot of registrations from prospective students. I hope a few students enroll because of the trade show. Full Sail is an amazing school and I have really enjoyed my time as a student there and like sharing my experience with others.

Hospitality and Conference Liability

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When planning a conference it is so important to be aware of liability issues and have the proper insurance for your event. This really great two part podcasts discusses this issue. To watch the first podcast click here, and for the second half click here. Drugs, prostitution, alcohol are all things you have to worry about when hosting a conference at a hotel, especially when your guests stay at a hotel. You don't want these problems affiliated with your event. The hotel could be held negligent.

One very interesting issue I didn't think of was the matter of bed bugs. When you make an agreement with a hotel for rooms for people to sleep in, you make an offer of what your going to pay for a night and they are supposed to offer you a clean room for your needs. It is basically a contract. If they don't the hotel may be held liable to pay you compensatory damages. Depending on the damages, you could sue for punitive damages. Before choosing a hotel and conference center do research on the types of accommodations offered and make sure they are clean. It wouldn't be a bad idea to shop around and spend the night at the space you are planning to hold your conference.

Issues in Advertising

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/kungfukitten/1236664277/

Advertising is a key part of any business.  Beware; before you do any be aware of legal liabilities. I will give a few examples of cases that involve advertising issues in hopes that it will help history not repeat itself. When you start an advertisement campaign be sure that you’re honest about your product or services offered.

Earlier this year, a well-known company to most, Bacardi, had an issue with the Lanham Act. The Lanham Act protects trademarks and false advertisements ("Lanham act," 2008). Allegedly, Bacardi falsely advertised  the origin of their rum. Long story short the way they advertised the rum insinuated that it was manufactured in one place when it really was not. Bacardi stated the place as the rums geographic origin. They intended to relay the message that the rums recipe originated from the said geographic location, not that it was manufactured there. The outcome of this case was not guilty. But the moral of the story is to always be honest as possible with advertising. For an event planning example, advertise and trying to not confuse what is actually happening at the event. For other information related to this case please click on the following link: Pernod Ricard USA LLC v. Bacardi INC.

Behind the Scenes

Sunday August 14, 2011 was my first day as a tour guide at Behind the Scenes at Full Sail University. Full Sail puts on this event once a month to show prospective students what the school has to offer. It is basically an informational fair on steroids. Prospective students and their parents and spouses from all over the country, and maybe farther, flock to Full Sail to attend. I took this tour back in October 2010 when I was considering Full Sail and it is basically what sold me. Once I finished the tour I know immediately that it was the school for me and I was ready to go apartment hunting.

Last Minute Summer Vacation

 

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Destin-Florida-vacation-rental-condo-proID-47852.html

It’s August and the summer will soon be coming to an end. Are you looking for a last minute Florida vacation? Look no further that the beautiful beaches of Destin, Florida. Destin is located on the Florida’s panhandle between Pensacola and Panama City Beach. The place I would recommend staying would be Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Last year I had the pleasure of working at Sandestin as a concierge so I know what I am talking about when I say it is a great place.

My recommendations of places to stay on the resort are The Grand and West Winds. The Grand is located near Baytowne, which is the resorts hub of restaurants and nightlife. The Grand has the feel of a hotel with its spacious old Florida lobby and smiling staff. It’s not located directly in the center of the excitement, but it is close enough walk to Baytowne and enjoy a drink at Fat Tuesday’s or any other place in that area. West Winds is located right on the beach. You can literally walk outside to the pristine white sand. Not only does this condominium have quick beach access, it has a pool and a hot tub with a view of the ocean.