The Main Event by Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC

Whether you are planning a company grand opening or picnic, a conference for your non-profit or Grandma's 80th birthday party, successful events don't occur without planning. Though planning a special event may initially seem easy, it is not if you want the party, meeting, conference or other event to flow smoothly.  Following are the most common event planning mistakes and suggestions on how to avoid them.

A couple weeks ago I posted about the opportunity to assist a local company in planning an incentive trip for their top sales people. The winners did not know their destination until they reached the Boise airport today. They are going to Sedona, Arizona and the Hilton Resort and Spa . They will enjoy golf, spa treatments, jeep rides through the red rock canyons, and much more. They fly into and from Phoenix. On the way to Sedona today they will be stopping in Cave Creek for lunch and a couple hours free time to get acquainted with this historic community and to shop. The company that is rewarding their employees in this special way is Sysco Foods Idaho . Congratulations to the winners.

The southern Idaho chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) honored five women as 2012 business women of the year at a gala celebration held May 5 at the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise. Glenna Tooman, owner of Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC in Boise, was named Business Woman of the Year. She won based on her years in business and her commitment to her clients and to mentoring women business owners and students who aspire to become business owners. Serena Kenner, owner of Southside Floral in Nampa, was selected Up and Coming Business Woman. Sonia Martinez, executive director of Latino Economic and Development Center in Blackfoot, was named Trailblazer of the year for her accomplishments in improving opportunities for Latino women while working in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Lori Fascilla, executive director of Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Centers of Boise, received the Leadership award. Boise CPA and NAWBO member Laura Canales ...

I have been working with the local branch of a national company to plan an incentive travel trip for their top sales people in southern Idaho. On May 17, 15 employees and their spouses will gather at the Boise airport for destination - unknown. They will learn the destination when they receive their tickets. They have been told to pack for warm weather and to plan on golf and spa activities for sure. Additional activities will be revealed at the appropriate times. The group will leave on a Thursday morning and return on Sunday afternoon, hopefully with lovely tans and many fond memories. I had the opportunity to research and recommend several locations for the trip, all within a few hours flight of Boise, then the planning committee made the final decision. They chose a lovely all-inclusive resort with a fabulous staff that has been very accommodating to work with. The staff has really gotten into the idea of a mystery trip and all they can provide to mak...