One Smooth Stone

We've Moved!

2010-07-14T12:46:00.001-07:00

The One Smooth Stone blog has moved! Please visit us at http://onesmoothblog.wordpress.com.

2010-07-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

One Smooth Stone
Presents

Virtual Event Webinar: Success with Less

brought to you in partnership with
hinton + grusich

Date: Friday, July 9
Time: 11am (pacific), noon (mountain), 1pm (central), 2pm (eastern)
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: None

Can’t make it? It’s available for download the Tuesday morning following the event http://ossunplugged.blogspot.com/

Success with Less
We are all being asked to make do with “less”…time, money and resources. In this webinar, we’ll share practical ways to create successful events from a strategic and management perspective, as well as execution in spite of having “less” in which to work.

Our facilitators
Mark Ledogar

Vice President, One Smooth Stone

During his eleven years of event marketing experience with the world’s largest association management firm, Mark’s focus was quite diverse, including everything from logistics management, registration, and attendance promotion to tradeshow operations and sales, advertising, and sponsorship development. While Director of The Convention & Trade Show Division at Smith, Bucklin, & Associates, Mark served as General Manager and Show Director of one of the 200 largest tradeshows in the country, as well as oversaw a team of 75 event planners who managed over 600 events annually.

At One Smooth Stone, Mark has leverages his experience and strengths to manage complex events, simultaneously overseeing general session production, rehearsals, breakouts and overall logistics, venue negotiations and event budgeting. He has a keen ability to put a strong team together and provide solid directions and oversight. Mark’s ability to combine detailed project management with high-level strategy and message consultation provdies unique value to our firm and our clients.

Marian Long

Meeting Planner AADE

Marian has been a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) for over 23 years with a commitment to operational excellence and world class customer service. As the Director of Meetings for the American Association of Diabetes Educators, she and her team produce and execute the Annual Meeting and Tradeshow in cities throughout the US for approximately 6,000 participants and 250 Exhibitors. They also manage over 40 regional educational meetings for Diabetes Educators worldwide. Formerly, Senior Marketing Manager for Allstate Financial, Marian built and directed the Sales Meeting and Support Department to facilitate planning of client and executive meetings, VIP events, and seminars. She created marketing tools, identified sponsorship partners, and tracked metrics on all events and initiations. She also managed creative, production, agency management and hired and mentored staff. Marian’s experience in the industry has a lso included Branch Manager for Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Executive Director at Smith Bucklin & Associates, Inc. and an Operations Director for Westside Holdings, LLC.

Reserve your complimentary webinar seat at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/439711625

Please feel free to pass along the invitation.

hinton + grusich
Founded in 1986, hinton+grusich is a national sales organization that represents upscale hotels, destinations and hospitality suppliers that serve the meetings industry. Offering a cost-free approach to finding the right hotel, the firm creates efficiency and buying power for professionals who plan meetings through one point-of-contact. Its team of experts provides timely pricing and availability information, first-hand destination feedback, and relevant insight for meeting professionals nationwide. hinton+grusich represents over 150 upscale, primarily independent hotels, six convention bureaus, and seven industry partners within their “partners+” collection. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm offers four regional offices and nine national sales managers furnishing regional and market-specific support to meeting professionals.
www.hintonandgrusich.com

One Smooth Stone
As an event and communication agency, we help build relationships critical to the success of your business through exceptionally crafted programs and events….whether for physical or virtual events. With 14+ years across a variety of industries, our experience crafting events for companies in transition lets us confidently and patiently lead you through a proven process to create events that address specific business outcomes.
www.onesmoothstone.com

One Short Post - Summer in Chicago!

2010-06-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

This post is the first in a monthly series called "One Short Post". Each month, a new question will be posed to the members of the One Smooth Stone team. We encourage you to participate and post your own response to each month's question!

It is officially summer in Chicago! And One Smooth Stone is celebrating 15 years of excellent work and great summer weather! Check out what the Stonies are doing for fun (when they aren’t working!).

Then, please post YOUR favorite summer activity.

Kevin: “Walking 18 holes of golf and then remembering all the putts that almost went in, grillin’ and chillin’ on the patio, and making smores around the fire pit!”

Gary: “Having an afternoon to ride my bike and not returning to my backyard until the moon is out.”

Brad: “Golfing! Kevin and I recently won our local Stonebridge Tournament, an accomplishment we are very proud of!”

Kimberly: “Cycling for miles on rural, well paved roads! Grilling dinner, a glass of Sangria and great friends on our back patio tops off the day.”

Mark: “Participating in the annual Microbrew Review in my hometown of Oak Park, IL benefiting Seven Generations Ahead. Over 50 microbrews on tap for an entire afternoon!”

Steve: “Enjoying dinners out on the deck with family.”

Ken: “Hanging out with the kids…anytime, anywhere, doing anything!”

Stephanie: “Spending the day at the Brookfield Zoo with my girls."

Bethany: “Going cycling with my husband. We are training for our first 100-mile bike ride and we’re enjoying getting out on the road this summer.”

Emily: “Attending concerts with friends at Pritzker Pavilion in Millenium Park. We set up blankets and enjoy cheese, wine, great music and the beautiful summer weather.”

Barb: “Being outdoors and getting together with family and friends in the backyard, at festivals and at parties.”

Megan: “Going down to the city and walking around by the lake.”

Sandy: “Riding my bicycle to Brookfield Zoo and back with my husband.”

Lisa: “Having picnics in the parkway with my kids.”

Joanne: “Having friends and family over and enjoying our pool on a hot summer day while sipping ice cold lemonade.”

Andrea: “Taking late night bike rides with friends through Chicago…and ice cream! Mint chocolate chip, to be specific.”

How do you get started with virtual events?

2010-06-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

You knew this day would come. Waiting for you in your inbox this morning was an email from your CEO. She had read about virtual events in a business publication and wants to know more about the company’s virtual event strategy. She would like to explore how it would increase the visibility and participation of customer events.

If this hasn’t happened yet, it is sure to come…and when it happens, be prepared. Virtual events have exploded as a result of the current economic realities combined with significant technological improvements. Not sure how to prepare or where to begin? Here are 5 quick tips to get you started on your first virtual event.

1. Develop Your Strategy First
Successful virtual event planning begins with clear objectives and a strategy. The internal discussion should start with your methodology…

What marketing or communication problem are you trying to solve, and is a virtual event the right vehicle with which to solve it?
Is your goal to generate demand or leads for your organization’s products and services? Or are you trying to generate revenue, i.e., sell sponsorships and booths to industry vendors or channel partners? Or are you seeking an economical alternative for sales training and communication?
What is your budget and expected ROI?

The answers to all of these questions will shape the size, scope and strategy of your virtual event.

2. Target your Audience
It is critical to focus on the audience you are trying to reach. During the development process, identify and segment your target audience including, but not limited to, demographics and psycho¬graphics. What are your audience’s pain points, needs and values? Also, consider whether the audience is equipped for a virtual experience. If your target audience isn’t prepared, what educational information and tools can be provided via email or video, prior to the virtual experience?

3. Have the Proper Staffing
A virtual event requires just as much thought, planning and effort as a physical event. Event managers and marketers still need to develop relevant content, book keynote and session speakers, sell sponsorships and floor space, and manage booth staff. The audience still needs to be targeted, acquired and managed; interactions need to be considered and designed, feedback gathered and analyzed. So the question to ask yourself before you start is…Do you have the right staff for marketing, content development, sales and event management? Assign staff specifically to the virtual event much like you would a physical one to ensure that the event runs smoothly and the audience and exhibitors are pleased with the experience.

4. Executive Support
In order to be successful, C-level executives within your organization must understand the value and effectiveness of virtual events. Remember that senior management will likely have to sign off on budgets and technology requests. Are they convinced of the need for virtual events as part of your marketing and communication mix or do they remain skeptical?

Comprehensive data analysis and careful tracking of event ROI is often paramount to secure senior executive buy-in. As you begin the RFP process with virtual event platform providers, ask prospective partners for the potential cost savings and incremental revenue that their platforms can help your organization realize. Compare them to your existing event marketing budget results. Tangible results are what counts here, especially during this time of increased belt tightening.

5. Start Small
Instead of launching a fully-baked hybrid event alongside your large annual conference, consider a smaller program for your first try. Like any new program, there are sure to be learnings from your first virtual event that you will want to apply to your more high-profile, large-scale events. After one successful virtual event, your confidence will increase significantly and you will be better prepared the next time around.

Emily Miller wins Tomorrow's Leader Award

2010-05-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

The MPI Chicago Area Chapter bestowed its annual awards at LEAP (Leadership, Education & Awards Program) on April 26th. Emily Miller was presented with the Tomorrow's Leader Award and recognized for her outstanding work on the Leadership Development committee. As Vice Chair of the committee for 2009 - 2010, Emily has worked closely with her committee members to plan and execute events that equipped and motivated chapter leaders and recruited new committee volunteers. Emily also led the charge in developing and managing new monthly volunteer webinars. Next year, Emily will step up to lead the Leadership Development committee, serving as the team's Co-Chair.

Congratulations, Emily!

Bethany Johnson is named Volunteer of the Month for MPI’s Chicago Chapter

2010-04-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Chicago Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) recently named One Smooth Stone Associate Producer Bethany Johnson “Volunteer of the Month” in April for her work on the chapter’s Leadership, Education and Awards Program on April 26th. LEAP, modeled after the famous TED conference (www.ted.com), brought together chapter members for a day of education and awards at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Bethany served as one of the planning committee’s Vice Chairs, as well as producer for the ballroom that hosted the event’s breakfast, lunch and closing reception.

As volunteer of the month, Bethany will be featured in MPI-CAC’s monthly email newsletter, Skyline, and its quarterly print publication, News & Views. Congratulations, Bethany!

Results Rule Video Training

2010-04-08T10:05:00.000-07:00

In 2006, One Smooth Stone was highlighted in the business strategy book Results Rule!: Build a Culture That Blows the Competition Away, written by author and trainer Randy Pennington. Results Rule! provides strategies and concepts to create a culture that sets your organization apart in a marketplace where products and services are increasingly seen as being interchangeable.

Randy has now released a valuable business training package that takes the content from his book and kicks it up a notch, reinforcing it with additional training material. One Smooth Stone is again featured in Randy's program, but this time in video format featuring Executive Vice President Gary Vlk.

Results Rule!® Video Training Program

The heroes in every marketplace are defined by their results, and the leader's job is to create and sustain a culture that consistently shouts Results Rule! Send the Results Rule! message to your organization in a new, entertaining, and economical way. This video training program allows you to carry the insights from Randy's award-winning book throughout your organization.

The training package includes the following:

DVD with 43 minutes of video that support the six choices successful organizations make to consistently deliver results. The DVD can be used in a variety of training formats and programs.
Participant manual for duplication by you. The participant materials are designed to support a single half-day program or multiple sessions of up to seven hours in length.
Leaders guide and PowerPoint slides for the program to allow you to teach everything yourself.
Results Rule! poster for duplication.
One copy of the Results Rule! book

For more information about the Results Rule! training program, please visit http://www.penningtongroup.com/video_training.htm.

Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Google Search

2010-03-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Computer users are familiar with the power of the Google internet search, but many people don't realize how to maximize their search effectiveness. Here are a few useful tools and tricks that I learned while attending “Even More Googlicious”, a knowledge session taught by Jim Spellos at MPI’s MeetDifferent conference in February.

1) Use the plus and minus signs. Place a “+” or a “-“ immediately before a word to ensure it is included or excluded in every search result. For example, type “restaurant portland Oregon +Thai +Chinese +sushi –burgers” to find asian restaurants in Portland and ensure no burger joints turn up in your search.

2) Never search just one word. The more specificity you include in the search box, the better results you will receive.

3) The first shall be first… Words are given importance in the order they appear. Put your most crucial search terms first and they will be given top priority.

4) Use "quotation marks". Putting a phrase in quotation marks will ensure the words are found in that specific order. For example, “red bicycle” will provide results with only red bicycles, rather than red items and a variety of bicycles.

5) Find synonyms. Placing a “~” immediately before a word will also search synonyms of that word, which will expand your results.

6) Make everything lowercase. Although most searches are not case sensitive, it is safest to use all lowercase text to ensure no results are accidentally excluded from your results.

7) Use the “search within results” link. This is an easy way to narrow your search further.

8) Try the “advanced search” button. This link provides some easy tools for refining your search capabilities.

9) Search number or dollar ranges. By placing two periods between numbers, you can narrow your search to numbers within a range. For example, type “HDTV panasonic $100..$1,000” to find TVs in your price range.

10) Go deeper. Don’t limit yourself to the first page of results. Read through at least 3 – 5 results pages before giving up!

- Bethany Johnson, Associate Producer

President Kevin Olsen brings his family to Nicaragua

2010-03-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

After several trips to volunteer at a Samaritan's International Compound in Nicaragua, President and Founding Principal of One Smooth Stone, Kevin Olsen, brought his family in January. Over the 5 days, Kevin’s wife, Carol, and their two daughters, Emily (age 11) and Abby (age 7), joined a team of 13 adults and 16 children from Ginger Creek Community Church to plan a baseball camp for local kids, distribute clothing and shoes donated by Illinois families, and construct walls on a home for an impoverished family. Partnering with the non-profit organization Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), the team also handed out nutritious meals from a food distribution center in Pucha Quape where FMSC feeds 25,000 starving children a day. The organization makes a great impact in combating hunger, especially at the local dump (La Chureca) where thousands reside.

After returning from the trip, Kevin remarked that the experience greatly impacted his two girls. “It was my third time in Nicaragua, but our first time as a family. This trip solidified the relationship our family will have with the people in Nicaragua for years to come.” Emily already has plans to return in the summer with her youth group, and Abby is eager to go back and see her friends in Nicaragua. They both gained a new understanding of what it is like to live without the comforts of their home in Illinois, as well as had the opportunity to meet people who were very poor, but still deeply content.

Emily Olsen hands out shoes

Kevin makes friends with a Nicaraguan girl

Abby enjoys connecting with a new friend!

Virtual Events Webinar - Full Video Posted

2010-02-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks to those who were able to participate in our February 18th webinar, "Virtual Events: Fad or Fabulous?", sponsored by hinton+grusich and presenting in partnership with InXpo. For those of you that were unable to attend, full audio with PowerPoint slides has been posted here for viewing: http://www.onesmoothstone.com/VirtualDemo/virtualdemo.html

A pdf of the session slides can be downloaded here: http://www.box.net/shared/7gqameteg8

Feel free to pass this link on to others who might benefit from the content. Should you have an interest in pursuing virtual events further, we invite you to contact Kimberly Medaglia at kmedaglia@onesmoothstone.com or 630.427.4235.

Virtual Events: Fad or Fabulous?

2010-02-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Join us for our upcoming webinar next, Virtual Events: Fad or Fabulous, brought to you in partnership with hinton+grusich. The webinar will be taking place Thursday, February 18, at 1pm CST.

Many of us are wondering if virtual events are a passing fad or a fabulous event tool that we need to fully embrace. One Smooth Stone and InXpo team up to discuss its application and bring you the latest insights into the creation, execution and experience of virtual events. During this webinar, you'll learn why to consider a virtual event as part of your overall event strategy.

- Experience a guided tour through a virtual event
- See how simple acquiring measurable results for an event can be
- Collect very practical tips for creating a successful virtual event
- Gather criteria that helps determine when to incorporate a virtual experience

Reserve your complimentary webinar seat here. Please feel free to pass along the invitation. Can't make it? It's available for download the Tuesday morning following there event here, on our blog.

One Smooth Stone published in 2010 BBJ Linen Catalog

2010-01-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

One Smooth Stone is honored to be included in the BBJ Linen catalog for the second year in a row. Six photographs from 2009 BMC Software incentive programs produced by One Smooth Stone were highlighted in this year's publication, showcasing creative integration and use of BBJ Linen products. Feel free to peruse the images below or download the whole catalog here: http://www.bbjlinen.com/Marketing/Pressreleases/BBJLinen2010Catalog.pdf (See pages 2, 7, 21, 31, 39 and 43).

(Lower right photo)

(Upper left photo)

(Left photo)

One Smooth Stone's Updated Website...

2010-01-04T13:10:00.001-08:00

Check out the latest One Smooth Stone website - www.onesmoothstone.com! We've included updates on our capabilities, the work we've done, our team and our passion for philanthropy. Feel free to comment below and let us know what you think!

Open Mic Article: Corporate Social Responsibility

2009-12-29T13:29:00.001-08:00

In the current winter issue of Illinois Meetings and Events magazine, One Smooth Stone Associate Producer Bethany Johnson shared her take on Corporate Social Responsibility. In the article, she provides tips on successfully incorporating philanthropic elements into your next event...everything from how to select the right charitable organization to preparing your attendees for the experience. The article is available online and also graced the cover of the print edition of this season's magazine. Check it out here!

Christmas Gift Giving

2009-12-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

It's a One Smooth Stone tradition each Christmas to "adopt" several families through a local charity and purchase gifts for them. This year, we continued the tradition and worked with Evangelical Child and Family Agency to identify 3 families in need. One Smooth Stone staff members made donations, which were matched by the company. The staff then ventured in teams to the local Walmart and returned with a variety of gifts from the wish lists of each family member. Pizza and gift wrapping concluded our evening of giving!

Emily and Lisa perfect their gift wrapping skills.

Kimberly and Barb team up at Walmart.

Mark shows off a stylish scarf before it is wrapped.

Steve, Ken and Bethany, hard at work!

Webinar - Understand Union Labor

2009-12-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who listened and participated in our second installment of the Producer...You! webinar series entitled "Understanding Union Labor", a webinar co-hosted by One Smooth Stone and hinton+grusich on December 10th. The webinar provided an overview of the complexities of Union Labor, addressing frequently asked questions and reviewing key terms.

If you missed the session, complete audio/video has been posted here for viewing! Just click the video below to watch.

A glossary of terms and note from the webinar can be downloaded here:
http://tinyurl.com/UnionLaborNotes-Glossary

Feel free to send a link to this blog post to anyone who might benefit from the content.

Tips for Producing a Successful Virtual Event

2009-11-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

As with live events, producing a successful virtual event involves extensive planning, careful content development and precise execution. Through our experience producing virtual events, we have found the following tips to be helpful in ensuring success...

1) Never underestimate the amount of pre-event planning time required for a virtual event. Build it into your schedule. You'll always wish you had more!

2) If your event is for an internal audience, engage your IT department early to ensure attendees have sufficient bandwidth and any challenges with access are resolved beforehand.

3) Like a physical event, keep the content and delivery engaging. Vary your presentation formats to keep attendees interested.

4) Consider using the virtual event platform for pre-event communication. This will test out its usability with your audience, help attendees get familiar and comfortable with its use, and get the word out!

5) If live interaction is a part of your event, don't forget to build sufficient rehearsal time into the schedule.

To learn more about One Smooth Stone's virtual event offering, watch our demo or shoot an email to Steve.

One Smooth Stone named 2010 Special Event Gala Award Finalist

2009-11-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

The results are in...and One Smooth Stone has been named a finalist in the 2010 Special Event Gala Awards for its exquisite and elegant gala design at BMC Software's 2009 Chairman's Circle arrival lunch at the Four Seasons Lanai, Hawaii.

Released yesterday, the finalists in the competition have been posted online. Final award selections will be announced in January at The Special Event in New Orleans.

Arrival lunch at the Four Seasons golf course, overlooking the ocean

Floral and table design

Seating under an elegant canopy

All Dressed Up

2009-11-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

October 31^st was a costume-filled holiday for the One Smooth Stone kids! Take a look at some of the outfits donned by stonies’ children, nieces and nephews…

Ken Haller's boys, Tieg and Kade, were dressed as reptiles for Halloween!

Lisa Hultmark and her family teamed up to create the cast of Wizard of Oz.

Megan's Manske's daughter, Skylar, was a princess who clearly likes to get her way!

Steve Koppel's two children, Adam and Genevieve, dressed up as a pirate and a chicken

Bethany Johnson's niece and nephew, Kylie and Tyler, walked their neighborhood as a witch and Nintendo's Luigi

Brad Zulke's nephew, Jonathan, enjoyed playing the part of Scarecrow at his school festival

Stephanie Selig's daughter, Cassidy, donned a "cheerful" pink butterfly costume to celebrate

Production...You! Webinar

2009-10-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who listened and participated in "Production...You!", a webinar co-hosted by One Smooth Stone and hinton+grusich on October 22nd. The session provided best practices and tips for “producing” the business meeting.

If you missed the session, complete audio/video has been posted at the link below for viewing. Feel free to pass this link along to anyone who might benefit from the content.

www.onesmoothstone.com/Webinars/Producer-You

Slides from the webinar, as well as a producer checklist, can be downloaded here:

http://tinyurl.com/Producer-You

Producer YOU! Webinar - October 22nd

2009-10-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

Date: Thursday, Oct 22
Time: 11am (Pacific), noon (MT), 1pm (CST), 2pm (EST)
Audience: Any meeting planner who finds themselves in the role of producer

With budgets being reduced, you may find yourself using in-house A/V a bit more and needing to fill the role of “producer” for your business meeting. If so, our October 22nd webinar is just for you! Presented by One Smooth Stone President and Principal Kevin Olsen and Associate Producer Bethany Johnson, "Producer YOU!" will provide best practices for “producing” the business meeting…. everything from tips for managing graphics and providing simple recommendations to improve a presenter’s delivery to what questions to ask the lighting designer. At the end of the webinar, a check-list will also be provided to make you a pro in no time.

Interested in registering? Just click here!

One Smooth Stone featured in Successful Meetings Magazine...

2009-10-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

How do you impress 900 top achievers and their guests? This was the headline for a recent article in Successful Meetings Magazine featuring One Smooth Stone's work on the 2008 Field Leadership Club incentive program for BMC Software. Our answer to the headlining question? Put a stage in the water!

On the Big Island of Hawaii in May of 2008, we constructed a fully-functional 60' x 32' stage entirely in the ocean at Anaehoomalu Bay. It was the first stage in the ocean in all of Hawaii and provided a performance venue for local and major name entertainment. The result? Guests were amazed and "wowed" with a memorable and truly spectacular experience.

Take a look at the full article to learn more about what went into this ground-breaking effort.

Celebrating a Stonie!

2009-09-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

August was a big month for One Smooth Stone Project Coordinator Emily (Green) Miller and we had a lot to celebrate!

First, Emily was named a recipient of MPI Chicago Area Chapter's "Chapter Leader of the Month" award. Her hard work as part of the chapter's Leadership Development Committee and her efforts in putting together monthly conference calls and webinars for other leaders helped her stand out among the 13 members that were nominated for the award. Great work, Emily!

But the congratulations don't stop there... Amidst her MPI chapter work, Emily was also diligently planning a wedding. Emily and Jason Miller tied the knot on August 29th in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Geneva, IL. The whole One Smooth Stone team was there to celebrate with her!

Emily and Jason Miller pose at their reception

A flower petal send-off

Passionate about giving back...

2009-09-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

One thing that One Smooth Stone is passionate about is giving back. Whether its helping clients incorporate philanthropy into their events, participating in charitable activities as a company, or making financial contributions through our affiliate foundation...One Smooth Stone enjoys using its resources to impact a world in need.

Recently, Associate Producer Bethany Johnson shared her thoughts on Corporate Social Responsibility and incorporating philanthropic elements into events with Prevue, a publication for meeting and incentive planners. Take a look at the article here!

One Smooth Stone employee serves in Zambia

2009-09-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

After his experience producing the Opportunity International Leadership Conference in Uganda this past March, One Smooth Stone Executive VP Gary Vlk decided he needed to venture back to Africa. During his experience in Uganda, he was touched by the need he saw and felt compelled to return with his family to make an impact. The Vlk family traveled to Zambia in July for 10 days with the non-profit Spark Ventures, an organization started by former One Smooth Stone employee Rich Johnson. The Vlks spent time playing with orphan children, helping kids with English reading, participating in a building project, and learning more about the impact Spark Ventures' is making in Zambia.

The Vlk's trip was recently featured in the newspaper in their hometown of Naperville, IL. Take a look! http://tinyurl.com/OSSZambia

The Vlk Family in Zambia

Gary with his reading buddy, John

CAbi Event Goes HD

2009-08-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last month, One Smooth Stone partnered with long time client CAbi to produce its biannual “Scoop” event at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event gathered 2,400 women’s clothing sales consultants in a new, condensed format to minimize attendee expense and time away from home, while maximizing their time at the event. The new fall clothing line was launched in a general session featuring a 170’ runway flanked by stadium seating, creating an intimate feel for such a large audience.

The big change for CAbi at the July 2009 event was the decision to integrate a fully high-definition video projection and record system. The advantages to taking the “HD plunge” were many…

Consultants saw the latest fashion on screen in GREAT DETAIL

Footage from the fashion show was ready to be POSTED TO THE WEB immediately after the event…no converting, re-shooting or editing necessary
Fashion show footage posted to the CAbi website allows customers to also see the latest trends in CRYSTAL CLEAR RESOLUTION
Consultants who were unable to attend the event can view the fashion show and feel as if they are ACTUALLY THERE

Wanna see the footage? Check out http://cabionline.com/Fall2009/on_the_runway.html and judge the quality for yourself!

Fashion show runway with two high definition screens.

A model struts the runway, with her image in HD behind her.

Two HD screens were flown above the audience on each side of the runway. Attendees were seated in tiered bleachers to give the show a more intimate feel.

Incorporating Peer-to-Peer Learning into Your Events…

2009-08-18T15:41:00.001-07:00

An interview with One Smooth Stone Founding Principal and President, Kevin Olsen, recently appeared in the on-site edition of One+ Magazine at MPI’s WEC conference in Salt Lake City. The article, highlighting the importance and relevance of Peer-to-Peer Learning, appeared the day before Kevin taught an interactive knowledge session on the topic. Kevin’s session defined Peer-to-Peer Learning, highlighted its benefits, and provided hands-on experience of how it is executed successfully.

Take a look at the article and learn more about Peer-to-Peer! Click here and navigate to page 8 to read the entire article.

Virtual Events!

2009-08-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Progressive technology and challenging economic times have led the events industry to develop new event models and innovative solutions. The result? Virtual events. Hosting a virtual component to your event, or creating a stand-alone virtual meeting, can be a great way to…

Generate new sponsorship revenue
Extend the life of your event
Make attendance possible for those who cannot travel to a live meeting
Provide ongoing educational content and updates to your attendees
Execute a large event with extensive content for a fraction of the cost of a live meeting

One Smooth Stone has an exciting, dynamic and reliable virtual event platform to bring to the table. Take a look at this overview to learn more about our virtual event offering:

http://www.balancedesign.com/clients/OSS/VirtualEvents/071109/player.html

Interested in hosting a virtual event? Give Gary a call at 630.427.4222.

The One Smooth Stone family is growing!

2009-06-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

On June 9, 2009, Steve Koppel (Vice President) and his wife, Allison, met their new daughter for the first time. They had flown to Korea just days before and were thrilled to leave the country with Genevieve Yoonjung Koppel, the newest addition to their family! Genevieve was born on August 21, 2008, and joins a brother, Adam, who the Koppels adopted from Korea in 2005.

Steve and Allison say that their favorite things about Genevieve are her adorable smile, happy disposition, and ability to sleep through the night. Congratulations to the Koppel family!

Steve takes Genevieve for a walk...

Brother-sister bonding time!

Allison, Adam and Genevieve

One+ Article about One Smooth Stone

2009-06-09T09:59:00.001-07:00

One+, Meeting Professionals International's US-based magazine, published an article about One Smooth Stone's March event in Uganda for Opportunity International in their June 2009 issue. The article was highlighted in their "Connections" section, which appears in each issue and tells the story of a successful connection or partnership. Take a look at the images below or visit http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?mid=wfpgdq&spid=-2#/page42/ to read the full article.

May 15th-Economics of Production Webinar

2009-05-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our webinar last Friday on the "Economics of Production". A pdf of the PowerPoint slides from our webinar can be downloaded here.

You can view video and audio from the webinar below.

If you have any difficulty accessing these files or need more information, please contact Bethany Johnson at bjohnson@onesmoothstone.com.

Stonie Serves Up a Life-Changing Lunch

2009-04-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

Chefs for Charity

Each month, a One Smooth Stone team member hosts a “Chefs for Charity” lunch. The host cooks lunch and then everyone donates the money they would typically spend going out for lunch to the charity of the chef’s choosing. The impact of these special lunches is made even greater by the Foundation of One Smooth Stone (www.onesmoothstone.com/foundation/) matching the donations dollar for dollar!

This month Kimberly Medaglia (Vice President) chose “The H Foundation” (www.goombaybash.com/) as the recipient of all proceeds. Her grade school friend, John Rot, started this charitable organization with other business owners from the LaGrange, IL area after two of his co-workers passed away from cancer. All monies raised by The H Foundation go directly to Basic Science Cancer Research which allows scientists to pursue novel ideas for earlier detection of cancer. In 8 years, they have raised nearly $2.5 million, including over $500,000 in 2008 alone.

Strategic partners, clients and members of the H Foundation joined our luncheon to raise money and awareness. Kimberly’s homecooked meal for 30 people filled the tables and countertops of our kitchen with tapenade, white bean spread, chicken salad, pasta salad, salmon salad, cheese plates with fruit… and to top it all off - decadent coconut and chocolate cupcakes. Over $600 dollars will be donated as a result!!

Gathering friends and family close to us, reaching out to help those in need, and eating good food. Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Consider hosting a Chefs for Charity at your office!!

Digging in to the delicious lunch!*

Kimberly with The H Foundation co-founders David Rizner, Dan Chopp, & John Rot and H Foundation volunteer event planner, Julie Jandris

*photographs courtesy of Anne Vlk (http://annevlkphotography.com/)

Wedding in the Family...

2009-04-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

One of our Stonies got hitched on April 18th!

Bethany Veerman is now Bethany Johnson.

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Johnson: JUST MARRIED!

And lovin' it!

Who knew Brian would later regale us with an air guitar concert while spinning on his back?

Kimberly & Brian Medaglia, Jessica Cuthbert

After eating a spinach salad, this was the best smile Brad could offer...

Kevin Olsen, Lisa & Brad Zulke

Aren't weddings romantic?

Kevin & Stephanie Selig

Clint, haven't you worked quite a few One Smooth Stone "events"?

Anne Vlk, Clint (the DJ) & Gary Vlk

One Smooth Stone in Uganda…

2009-04-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

We recently returned from producing an event in Uganda for Opportunity International. Opportunity International provides microloans to impoverished people, enabling them to start their own businesses and discover a stable income source. The CEOs of Opportunity’s banks from around the world gathered to share their vision and align strategy for reaching the poor.

One Smooth Stone’s role was to manage the production and content of the general session, ensuring that the production ran smoothly and messages were aligned. I sat down with producers Gary Vlk (Executive Vice President) and Mark Ledogar (Vice President) to discuss the unique experiences in producing and event in Africa.

BETHANY: What preparations did you make before you left for Uganda?

MARK: We bought a lot of bug spray and made sure we were fully vaccinated! We also carefully planned what production gear to travel with to make sure we were fully prepared for every possible scenario (while not exceeding the airline luggage weight limit).

BETHANY: How did you help Opportunity International attain its goals for this 4-day conference?

GARY: We enabled them to really focus on what was important and strategic. While we took responsibility for what was happening in the ballroom, our key client and the writer were able to spend time outside our ballroom with CEOs and leaders, fostering relationships.

BETHANY: What was one of the challenges you faced?

MARK: Rationing the resources we often take for granted…things like paper, ink cartridges, and electrical converters. These are usually easy to get when we’re in the States, but we had a limited supply in Africa. There was no Office Depot down the street!

BETHANY: What was your biggest surprise while you were there?

MARK: I was surprised by how real the poverty and difficult the living conditions are in central Africa. It’s one thing to see it on TV, but it’s something completely different to see and experience it face-to-face.

BETHANY: What was a personal highlight?

GARY: One day, we got off-property and met a tour guide who took us on a boat ride on the Nile. We experienced the culture and talked to locals to find out what day-to-day life was like. We saw first-hand the impact Opportunity International was making in people’s lives….our guide was actually a recipient of Opportunity International micro-loans and runs his own viable business!

BETHANY: What is the lasting impact this experience has made?

GARY: Since my return, I’ve been inspired to begin planning a trip back to Africa. This time, I hope to take my family to reach impoverished children in Zambia.

MARK: Events are a lot more than lights, sound and hotel ballrooms. Meetings have the power to change lives.

BETHANY: Thanks to both of you for sharing your experiences with our blog readers!

Photo Highlights from Uganda

An African choir performs at the general session

Mark and Gary with a local Opportunity International staff member who served as general session MC

Some of the local wildlife!

Congratulations 2020 Exhibits on winning an Addy Award!

2009-03-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

The ADDY Awards is the world's largest advertising competition with over 50,000 entries annually. The ADDYs recognize creative excellence in all forms of advertising from media of all types and creative by agencies of all sizes. 2020 Exhibits won a Silver Award in the Collateral Category for their creative work on the BMC Software “Rockin’ in Paradise” event marketing/branding campaign, and a Certificate of Merit for the BMC Software “Elevation 2008” event communication/branding materials. One Smooth Stone designed the theme and the mark which were the foundation for their creative!!

2009 "Rockin' In Paradise" Logo

2008 "Elevation" Logo

State of the Industry Resources

2009-03-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Our industry is under attack! How do we respond to these challenges?

Our March 6th webinar addressed the current state of the meetings and event industry, as well as what you can do to respond. To learn more about this urgent topic, click below to access crucial materials and resources.

Video

Note: The audio portion of the webinar begins at approx. 0:42.

Complete audio and video from the March 6th webinar, taught by Kevin Hinton - Principal, hinton+grusich; Alexandra Wagner – Group Vice President and Director of Corporate Event Marketing, SunTrust Banks; and Kevin Olsen - Principal, One Smooth Stone

Links

For the latest state of the industry information and how you can be part of the solution:
- http://www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org/
- http://www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com/

Webinar: Our Industry is Under Attack!

2009-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

Join us for a webinar!

When: March 6th, 1pm - 2pm CST
Where: Click here to register

Our industry is under attack! How do we respond to these challenges?

The federal government has begun to establish travel and meeting industry standards for companies who are in receipt of federal bail-out funding (TARP).

We propose that the resulting industry policies and guidelines could be a GREAT thing for the entire meetings and events industry. It’s just what is needed to push everyone to connect meetings and events to strategic business goals, thus legitimizing our industry as a crucial component in a dynamic business strategy.

This webinar will provide the most relevant data regarding the current state of meeting and events and establish a foundation for you to lead conversations with the executive suite about the implications. At the conclusion of the webinar, you will have access to all current reports, guidelines and industry documentation to share with your leadership.

Content will be presented by: Kevin Hinton - Principal, hinton+grusich; Alexandra Wagner – Group Vice President and Director of Corporate Event Marketing, SunTrust Banks; Kevin Olsen - Principal, One Smooth Stone. Space is limited. Register today!

Going the Extra Mile for Clients in a Tough Economy

2009-02-16T14:58:00.001-08:00

hinton+grusich partners+ collection is a Hit with Busy Meeting Pro’s

Chicago, IL – February 2009 Press Release –

hinton+grusich is a leading national sales organization best known for representing upscale independent hotels and destinations. Recognizing that its client base of meeting professionals were increasingly tasked with doing more with fewer resources, the firm introduced its partners+ collection in early 2008. The newly expanded service offering includes hospitality service providers who play a prominent role in many meetings’ success.

This “hand-picked” group of industry partners in the collection is widely recognized as experts in their respective fields, and share similar business tenets as hinton+grusich: commitment to service, integrity and unique value. The partners+ collection roster includes: Continental Airlines, worldwide air travel; Hertz Co., nationwide car rental; Lettuce Planet, a division of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises; USA Hosts, nationwide destination management services; Buy-The-Sea, a cruise broker; One Smooth Stone, a worldwide event production company.

In its inaugural year, the partners+ collection has supported a plethora of meetings and conferences, witnessing an increased popularity with professionals who plan meetings as one of their many job responsibilities. Kevin Hinton, principal, stated, “Adding a select collection of services in support of our client base was a natural progression of our offering. We have learned by experience that offering extra value to our service helps everyone involved.”

Hinton attests much of the program’s success to its national sales team, as well as the Director of Industry Partner Sales, Karen Gravlin. A former meeting planner, Karen has been responsible for building the Partner relationships, while introducing the new services to the meeting professional community. Karen stated, “One of my primary responsibilities is to assist clients beyond their need for sleeping rooms and meeting space. As a former planner myself, I can truly appreciate the added value that our supplier partners offer in the planning process.”

Sonal Sullivan, CMP, Manager of Meeting Services for HIMSS is a hinton+grusich client who has seen the value of the new services first-hand. Sonal stated, “A few months ago I decided to investigate a cost saving and streamlining measure for the car rental process within our organization. Karen Gravlin and the partners+ program understood what we were trying to accomplish and worked closely with Hertz to meet our goals year round. We appreciated the level of professionalism and support that saved us time and resources.”

For more information about the hinton+grusich partner+ collection, contact Karen Gravlin at kgravlin@hintonandgrusich.com or 312-346-5679.

About hinton+grusich
Founded in 1986, hinton+grusich is a national sales organization that represents upscale hotels, destinations and hospitality suppliers that serve the meetings industry. Offering a cost-free approach to finding the right hotel, the firm creates efficiency and buying power for professionals who plan meetings through one point-of-contact. Its team of experts provides timely pricing and availability information, first-hand destination feedback, and relevant insight for meeting professionals nationwide.

hinton+grusich represents over 130 upscale, primarily independent hotels, six convention bureaus, and seven industry partners within their “partners+” collection. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm offers four regional offices and nine national sales managers furnishing regional and market-specific support to meeting professionals.

As longtime supporters of hospitality, philanthropic and civic organizations, members of the hinton+grusich management team currently serve in volunteer leadership positions with MPI, ASAE and SITE. For more information, visit www.hintonandgrusich.com or call 800-783-7350.

Contact:
Gretchen Kihm-Stegall
for hinton+grusich
847-681-0506

To see the original Press Release post, click here.

Important Message from MPI

2009-02-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

The president of MPI, Bruce MacMillan, distributed an email yesterday outlining the current economic challenges facing our industry. He does a great job of addressing recent regulations that the government has put into place related to the Troubled Asset Relief Program and how we should respond. During this challenging time when the importance of meetings and events is being questioned by media and government voices, MPI is serving an important advocate for our industry. Take a look as Bruce's words and a press release from the U.S. Travel Association below...

Dear MPI Community:

Yesterday the US Treasury Department announced new regulations for recipients of funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). In addition to executive compensation limits, the department will require the Boards of Directors of those recipient corporations to adopt a company-wide policy on expenditures related to, among other things, conferences and events. While the language stated that the regulations are not intended to cover reasonable expenditures for “…sales conferences, staff development, reasonable performance incentives and other measures tied to a company’s normal business operations”, it will require certification by the company’s chief executive that expenditures that could be viewed as “excessive or luxury items” are in compliance with Board policy.
Obviously this has inflamed an already high level of industry business anxiety. MPI, along with other meeting and event industry organizations including the US Travel Association, have come together to dialogue directly with the government to ensure the best interests of our members, their businesses and their communities are not compromised at a time of economic crisis.

We also need to tell our story: our industry is a significant economic contributor and supports millions of jobs across America, and beyond. We also know from our EventView study that events provide the highest level of business return on investment. It’s clear: getting the economy re-energized depends on an unencumbered meeting and event industry. Meetings and events are not the problem, they are part of the solution. Accordingly, we are taking collaborative action.

The first step is the release of a joint industry statement to set the record straight. Its full text is included below.

During the next few days we will collaboratively release industry best practice standards that will be familiar to most of you as they are at the essence of what our community has embraced for years. We’ll also devote a segment of our MeetDifferent opening general session – One+ Real Time – to this issue with participation from Roger Dow, President and CEO of the US Travel Association. It will be webcast live and also archived on MPIWEB.

As previously announced, the industry will collaborate on the creation of a US economic impact study, leveraging the experience of the MPI Foundation Canada’s acclaimed 2008 Canadian Economic Impact Study, to define how our industry supports economies in communities. And working with organizations and corporations in our industry, we will get our story and the opportunity our industry provides into legislative chambers and board rooms everywhere.

Like you, we are concerned by the current challenging economic and political circumstances. But rest-assured we are acting aggressively with the support of other meeting and event industry organizations as well as the US Travel Association to represent your interests. Together we will use the power of meetings and events to get our economies and our businesses moving.

Thank-you for your ongoing support.

Bruce M. MacMillan
President & CEO
Meeting Professionals International

-----

For Immediate Release February 5, 2009
Contact: Kristy Chandler, 202.408.2172, kchandler@ustravel.org

American Workers, Local Communities Unintended Victims of Cuts in Meetings, Events and Incentive Travel Programs...
Travel Community to Issue ‘Best Practice Standards’ to Corporate America

Washington, D.C. – Leaders from key organizations representing the travel, meetings and events industries today issued the following statement regarding federal government efforts to curtail meetings, events and incentive travel programs among companies that have received emergency government lending:

“Americans expect Congress and the Obama Administration to responsibly and effectively oversee the use of taxpayer dollars to companies receiving emergency government lending. Americans also expect the business community and elected leaders to protect jobs and help the country rebound as quickly as possible from the current economic crisis.”

“We are extremely concerned about the unintended consequences of unnecessarily restricting corporate meetings, events and incentive travel programs. Business-related travel generates 2.4 million American jobs, $244 billion in spending and $39 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local level. State and local governments rely on this revenue to fund basic government programs such as education, health care and unemployment insurance."

“At a time when the Department of Labor reports a loss of nearly 200,000 travel related jobs in 2008 and U.S. Commerce Department data predicts a loss of an additional 247,000 travel related jobs in 2009, elected officials and corporate America must take a thoughtful approach to managing the use of taxpayer dollars. Prudent organizations already have in-place travel and meeting management policies that ensure an effective return on investment for stakeholders. In the coming days, the travel, meetings and events industries will provide the business community with additional standards for meetings, events and incentives that demand transparency and accountability.”

"“Travelers are an important solution to the economic problems that ail our country. The travel community looks forward to working with America’s elected leaders and businesses to ensure that we keep America moving.”

American Hotel and Lodging Association
Destination Marketing Association International
Meeting Professionals International
National Business Travel Association
Professional Convention Management Association
Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE)
U.S. Travel Association

# # #

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $740 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel’s mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.

Don't Cancel That Meeting

2009-01-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Is the economy hitting your business hard? Are your budgets shrinking? How are your meetings being affected by cost-cutting?

Many organizations are not only scaling back their events in 2009 - they are canceling them altogether. However, according to the following article, canceled events may be hurting our organizations more than if we were to spend the money and keep them.

Take a look...

http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/baldoni/2009/01/dont_cancel_that_meeting.html

One Smooth Stone Webinar – Ready to Watch!

2009-01-13T06:53:00.001-08:00

Did you miss our latest webinar about integrating Corporate Social Responsibility into your events? It’s not too late to listen in! Click the following link to watch and listen to the entire webinar on streaming video:

http://www.onesmoothstone.com/webinar/webinar011209.html.

Interested in future webinars? Email bveerman@onesmoothstone.com to submit topic ideas or request to be added to the mailing list.

BBJ Linen 2009 Recognition

2008-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

One Smooth Stone’s work on the 2008 BMC Software incentive programs has earned us a place in BBJ Linen’s 2009 marketing materials! Photos and highlights from two programs in Hawaii and Greece will be included in BBJ’s annual print catalog, website and e-newsletters. Take a look below and feel free to check out http://www.bbjlinen.com/ to learn more.

Photo highlights from BMC Software events in Hawaii and Greece.

Welcome Reception - Hawaii

Beach Party - Hawaii

Gala Dinner - Hawaii

Reception - Greece

Beach Party - Greece

Corporate Social Responsibility Webinar

2008-11-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

Join us for a One Smooth Stone webinar!

Two of our team members, Kevin Olsen and Bethany Veerman, will be teaching a 1-hour webinar on Corporate Social Responsibility. Focused on community outreach and philanthropic activities, this webinar will highlight creative and practical ways to integrate corporate social responsibility into your events. Additional topics will include the importance of CSR, effectively building anticipation for your philanthropic outreach activities, and promoting CSR within your own department.

Date: December 4, 2008
Time: 1 pm - 2pm CST

To Join: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/979374380

No special invitation needed. Anyone is welcome to join or pass along the link to friends and colleagues. Hope to (virtually) see you there!

One Smooth Stone is thankful...

2008-11-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

Our team members have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Take a look...

Bethany - “I’m thankful that my engagement ring matches every outfit. And that it was given to me by such an amazing, loving fiancé!”

Steve – “I’m thankful for all the little things that make me smile.”

Kimberly – “I am so thankful that my husband and I survived the renovation of our house!!”

Barb – “I am thankful for a warm house in the cold months and my healthy and loving family.”

Gary – “I am thankful for my wife who takes care of me when I forget to. True love :) .”

Mark – “I’m grateful for my two girls from China and my wife who shows me everyday how to love them.”

Stephanie – “I’m thankful to celebrate thanksgiving with both our families this year. It’s not easy to eat two Thanksgiving feasts, but someone’s gotta do it, so it might as well be us.”

Ken – “I am thankful for family that shows me patience and love through significant work travel and time away from home. And, I’m thankful to be back with them for the holidays.”

Kevin– “I am so thankful for a loving wife and two adorable and energetic daughters. Living in a house full of women always keeps me on my toes!”

Emily – “I’m thankful for my boyfriend, Jason, and all the love, support, and laughter he’s brought into my life; for friends who stick by me through good times and bad; for an office full of people who feel like family; and for my family back in PA.”

Megan – “I’m thankful that my daughter, Skyler, is so awesome… and that I didn’t lose my wallet last week like I thought.”

Fall Festivities

2008-11-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Halloween! A time to eat candy. A time to decorate. A time to put small children in uncomfortable and ridiculous costumes and parade them around the neighborhood.

Here are some photos of our One Smooth Stone kids, dressed up for the holiday. Can you guess which child belongs to which stoney?

A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

F)

G)

H)

And the answers are...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

A) Stephanie's daughter, Cassidy (kitty cat)
B) Steve's son, Adam (Batman)
C) Megan's daughter, Skyler (princess)
D) Bethany's neice and nephew, Tyler and Kylie (swamp monster and Hannah Montana)
E) Kevin's daughters, Emily and Abby (hippy and princess)
F) Lisa's children - McKinsey (50’s girl), Payton (rock star), Austin (joker), Bronson (joker’s sidekick), and 2 of their friends (Batman & the fighter)
G) Joanne's son, Luke, and his girlfriend, Lauren (flapper girl and mobster)
H) Brad's nephews, Christopher, Patrick and Matt (warrior, football player and joker)

Green Calculator

2008-10-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Want to make your meeting more green? Check out the green calculator! This handy online gadget calculates the carbon footprint generated by travel distances of your attendees. With the importance of green meetings continually increasing, this can be a helpful tool in determining the most “green” location and objectively justifying the location of your next event. Go Green!

www.bestplacestomeetgreen.com/calculator

Tricia
Assistant Project Coordinator

Bits of Beijing

2008-10-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Tips for working in China…

- Be ready for an international experience.
Our week producing an event for AT Kearney in Beijing reminded me that we are working in a global community. Our meeting planning partners were from Rome, we sourced gear and scenic from Beijing, and we split our running crew between the US and Singapore. Needless to say, with all of the languages being spoken in the ballroom, it was IHOP - an international house of production!

- Building a custom set? Plan enough time to have it ACTUALLY BUILT in the ballroom.
The set pieces were assembled, seams were caulked, sanded, primed and covered with 3 coats of paint, right before our eyes…We literally had our set built in the ballroom!

- Try out new forms of entertainment.
You may not have heard of Sa Ding Ding…but she has sold over 2 million albums in China and is one hot act! She performed for the closing night, interspersed with some very serious Shaolin munks (these guys could easily keep up with Bruce Lee).

The show went incredibly well. But after 8 days in Beijing, it’s going to be awhile before I order Chinese take-out.

Kevin
President and Founding Principal of One Smooth Stone

One Smooth Stone team members check out how great the wall really is.

Serious Shaolin Monks demonstrate their martial arts skills for AT Kearney.

FIRST EVER IN HAWAII – Staging in the Ocean!

2008-06-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Our client asked us to create an “over the top” experience for their 900 sales people and their guests. A stage in the ocean fit the bill! After acquiring permits from 3 state and local authorities and a 3-day load-in, the 60’ x 32’ stage accessed by a 20’ catwalk from the beach was ready for show. For two evenings, attendees thrilled over the entertainment and this spectacular environment.

And the backdrop? None needed. The sunset and sailboats played the role perfectly.

Load-in

Performers on stage

View from the ocean!

Financial & Insurance Meetings Magazine features One Smooth Stone

2008-04-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

One Smooth Stone is excited to be included in the March/April issue of Financial & Insurance Meetings!

The majority of our new clients and delivery partners come through people just talking about how much they enjoy working with us, like Cheryl Higgins did in this article. We so appreciate the kind words you have shared with your colleagues and friends over the years! Thank you for being an evangelist for One Smooth Stone. Note: Click on the images below to read the article.

One minor correction. The statement: “The company relies entirely on freelance specialists, who are brought in to help with each event as needed” is a bit misleading. Our 15 full-time employees create and manage all strategy, event architecture, pre-production and on-site management, providing a single source for clients to find all answers. We use strategic partners (freelancers and various companies) for on-site execution, so you only pay for those specialists required for your event.

Pepsi Stuff

2008-03-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

Motivational Strategies magazine highlighted the latest integrated consumer campaign from Pepsi in this spring’s issue. The “Pepsi Stuff” campaign is intrinsically linked to anything Pepsi and consistently encourages consumers to interact with their brand. One Smooth Stone was engaged by Genesco Sports Enterprises to produce one of three simultaneous pre-launch parties featuring celebrity appearances, contests, music, and a fashion sow. The New York, Los Angles and Chicago events attracted loads of media attention. Maybe you caught some of the footage on E!, Entertainment Tonight or your local Fox and ABC morning news programs. Although the article never mentions One Smooth Stone, it’s a great case study and well worth reading!

A Busy Q1

2008-03-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

One Smooth Stone has been knee-deep in delivering work for clients since the start of the year – a very busy Q1! Take a look at some of the highlights of recent events below…

CAbi “Scoop” at the Gaylord Opryland

A complex event with many moving parts!

Designer Carol Anderson’s “Angels” got down to business during the general session

Models flaunted the latest CAbi fashions before a crowd of excited consultants

Pepsi Stuff Launch Party at the Enclave Nightclub in Chicago

B-to-C event where we managed ALL vendors and agencies involved
Celebrities, DJ, models, prizes, a silent auction, and 700 of Pepsi’s closest friends

AutoTrader.com internal meeting at the Cobb Energy Theater in Atlanta

Managed in-house theater staging/technical, Audience Response System, and LOTS of graphics

Nestle Nutrition Sales meeting at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson

Served as technical producer, overseeing all staging and production departments

It’s been a great start to 2008 and we’re still running hard!