Happy Holidays!

Today is the last day of work before the holidays. We worked very hard over the past two weeks on an office remodel. It is now 99% complete - just a few more things to put away, but we think it looks nice *patting each other on the back*. Stop by in the new year to visit. We would love to have you over for a cup of tea!

Happy holidays to all! The office will re-open on Monday January 2, 2012.

CalSAE's Seasonal Spectacular

It's another busy week here at CES--we're off to CalSAE's Seasonal Spectacular in Sacramento on Wednesday. It's sure to be a full day that will live up to its promise to "celebrate, illuminate, and fascinate." We'll be enjoying all that the day has to offer us at Booth 445, so be sure to stop by and say hi!

This week at CES...

We are hosting the UC Systemwide Conferences and Events Meeting! It will be interesting to see what our colleagues are up to at the other UCs across the state and we hope that they enjoy our good ole UC Davis hospitality.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're counting our blessings here at CES and wish you a very merry Turkey Day!



Here's a little holiday humor:

Why didn't the turkey want any lunch?
Because he was already stuffed!

15th Annual Caterer and Vendor Showcase

The showcase was a success! Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make this such a wonderful event. We hope everyone had a good time! Check out pictures from the event, looks up on Facebook and tag anyone you know, and start counting down the days until next year's showcase!






 
 


To see more pictures, take a look at our Facebook album!

Meanwhile, at CES...

It's a busy week here at CES! Tomorrow we have the Yolo County Visitor's Bureau FAM Tour. And on Wednesday, we are hosting our 15th Annual Caterer and Vendor Showcase! It's not too late to register for both events, so don't miss out. Just follow these links to register:

YCVB Fam Tour Registration

Caterer and Vendor Showcase Registration

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween from all of us here at CES! Hope you have a spook-tacular holiday.



 

And the winner is...

With an astounding 721 "likes," Alesia is the winner of our Picture Davis Photo Contest! Congrats, Alesia, and don't forget to stop by our office (442 MU) to pick up your $100 prize!

Alesia Chen, winner of our Picture Davis Photo Contest, took this photo, saying her favorite spot at UC Davis is, "Wall Study Room - Midterms are coming up, studying all day, all night!"

Picture Davis Photo Contest

Picture Davis Photo Contest

3...2...1...Say cheese! We are hosting a "Picture Davis Photo Contest." We want to know what you love about UC Davis! Take a picture of your favorite spot on campus, follow the instructions below, and you could be the Grand Prize Winner. Grab your phones, grab your cameras, and picture Davis with us and Gorilla Dan!

Like us on facebook to enter!

Weddings & More!

Registration is now open for our Weddings and More! Special Event Showcase. Spread the word! And check out our website:



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ReproGraphics Visual Solutions Expo

Don't forget that the ReproGraphics Visual Solutions Expo is tomorrow.

Take a tour of the remodeled production area, enjoy a free lunch, watch a demonstration, win free prizes, and more! Free shuttle service is also provided.

Don't miss out on this opportunity. Register now.

 

Labor Day Traditions

Happy Labor Day everyone! Put your feet up, indulge in some relaxation, and read here about this early UC Davis Labor Day tradition from the University Library blog.



circa 1956, from the University Archives Photographs

The Circus is Coming to Town!

If you're looking for a walk on the wild side, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Fully Charged is coming to nearby Sacramento's Power Balance Pavilion September 15 - 18. Click here to learn more.

SYTA 2011

This week at CES, Lina Layiktez (Director) and Katrina Evans (Marketing Manager) are among the hustle and bustle in New York, New York at the 2011 Student & Youth Travel Association's Annual Conference!

The Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) advocates and provides enriching travel opportunities for young people. This conference is a meeting ground for tour facilitators, group travel planners, and business suppliers to come together and build better services for students and youth traveling across the country and all over the world.

  

The conference has a unique format--Lina and Katrina will be promoting UC Davis through pre-arranged six-minute appointments. They will travel from booth to booth and meet with groups interested in visiting Davis and the surrounding area. It will be a whirlwind event, to say the least!

Stay tuned for more updates as Lina and Katrina make their way through SYTA 2011.

Top 10 Greenest Colleges

Guess who made Sierra Magazine's list of the Top 10 Greenest Colleges in America? That's right--UC Davis! Click here to check out the rankings.

Video Update

Learn about what UC Davis Conference and Event Services has to offer you in this fun promo video and see if you can spot how many times Gorilla Dan shows up!

What do Ke$ha, LMFAO, and Cake have in common?

They're all coming to UC Davis this fall!

 

Don't be left out--buy your tickets now: UC Davis Ticket Office

Save the Date!

Save the date for the UC Davis Visual Solutions Expo presented by Repro Graphics on Wednesday, September 14. There will be classes, demonstrations, free food and more! Don't miss out on this great event. Registration is complimentary.

Aggie Girls Make the Impossible, Possible

It's always interesting to see what Aggies are doing after they graduate. The adventures of Brittany Smith, Natalie Smith, and Christina Chin are no exception. The trio are contenders on ABC's show "Expedition Impossible."



Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night can deter the 13 three-person teams racing across the exotic Kingdom of Morocco in hopes of claiming the prize of a new Ford Explorer and $50,000 for each winning teammate.



Brittany, Natalie, and Christina met while attending UC Davis and competing on the Aggie athletic circuit. They are now "Team California Girls," challenging fierce opponents like "Team No Limits," "Team New York Firemen," and "Team Grandpa's Warriors."



In a recent interview with The California Aggie, Christina Chin declared, "I'm so proud to represent Davis...For me, it was about having a personal experience with my teammates, who all graduated from Davis and had a great time at Davis, but at the same time I really wanted to be a part of putting Davis on the map."



Five teams have already been eliminated, but the "California Girls" are still in the running. Tune into ABC tonight at 9 pm and cheer our Aggies on!

Save the Date!

We will be hosting the 15th Annual Caterer and Vendor Showcase at UC Davis on Wednesday, November 16th.

Complimentary registration for event planners in the area.

Interested? Check it out here!

  

Green Your Event

Here's a tip we found about event preparation that you can incorporate into your own green event!

Decorate with creativity – not disposables.

"Don’t purchase decorations you use once and toss - use compostable, recycled and recyclable options.

...look outdoors for decorations such as flowers, unique foliage/plants, rocks, interesting branches, fall leaves, etc. Look to farmers markets for freshly cut, organically grown flowers. Highlight the time of year by filling tall glass vases with seasonal produce like lemons, limes, cranberries and winter squash, or with pinecones, leaves and rocks.

  

Turn searching for recycled decorations at yard sales or thrift stores into a scavenger hunt with the kids. Old clothes are especially useful; they inspire creativity and there are plenty around to reuse. For example, cut up checked clothing for napkins at a Raggedy Ann party, use shiny fabrics for signs or table decorations for a Star Wars theme, and wrap plain glasses in the colors of the season and tie with raffeta.

Choose tablecloths made of organic cotton or hemp. Buy the unbleached, brown paper napkins, or make your own reusable ones from ready-to-recycle, colorful clothing.

Use petroleum free candles like bees wax or soy candles. These natural candles don’t emit sooty fumes and produce a pure and clean-burning flame."

  

(Source: The Global Warming Diet)

This is a post in an ongoing series to provide you with tips to make any event you are planning--from weddings and conferences to birthday parties or tonight's dinner--more sustainable, less wasteful, and ultimately: more green.

Quote for Thought

"Great business deals start and close face-to-face. There is no substitute for spending quality time with other executives and professionals. The more seasoned the executive, the more this is understood. When gathering in person, scale to intimately fit the needs of the meeting...Develop a signature element you can memorably repeat--one that will be expected and sought after by guests."

Kevin Clark, President and Founder of Content Evolution LLC,
when asked what advice he would give to today's international meeting planners

(via One+ magazine)

Conferences Go Virtual

Imagine attending a conference in Spain—without ever stepping foot out of your home or office! Online trade fairs are now emerging across the Internet and making it possible for people to convene at their convenience.

Learn about and interact with the Tourist Office of Spain’s unique online virtual trade show by following the link to Rob Hard’s article: Are We Ready for Online Trade Fairs to Select Events Destinations?


A screenshot of a virtual conference.

Share your thoughts with us—are online conferences the way to the future? Would you attend one or even host one yourself? Let us know!

Video Update: Silo District

Hey everyone, we have a new video here at CES! It features the Silo District, an area in the heart of campus where you can host your event. If you're looking for a lecture hall or a rustic setting for a small conference, the Silo District is the place for you. From the restored dairy barn the district is named after to the patches of warm sunshine bathing the grass, the Silo District is full of charm and the perfect venues for your next event. Play the video to see for yourself!

Unexpected Entertainment

Not many Davis students and residents alike realize that one of the world's most renowned theaters for performing arts is located on our very own UC Davis Campus.

The Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts is home to dozens of internationally acclaimed musicians, dancers, speakers, and public figures every year.

Don't be fooled by its fine architecture and reputation however! This theater isn't a place for just those who can afford hundred dollar admission tickets. The Mondavi Center generously offers one free ticket for all freshman and first-year transfer students, and even 50% ticket prices for any student, from any institution (not just UC Davis).
This next 2011-2012 Season marks the 10-year anniversary for the Mondavi Center for Performing Arts, and will be hosting performers like the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Alexander String Quartet.

Invite your family and friends for a gathering and to watch one of these extraordinary performances!
UC Davis Conference and Events services can provide lodging at the on-campus Hyatt. Visit http://www.events.ucdavis.edu for more information regarding lodging
Visit http://www.mondaviarts.org for more information about performances and tickets

Advertising Space Available on Campus Map!

To all the prospective businesses reading:

We are currently in the process of updating the UC Davis visitor map for 2011-2012.

Last year, we incorporated advertising space for businesses on the campus visitor maps. This year, we will be upgrading the business map stands in tandem with the printed visitor maps.

Over 120,00 maps are printed and distributed to faculty, staff, current/prospective students, and other guests giving your business exposure to a broad and diverse audience. In addition, more than a million people visit UC Davis every year and rely on the map stands to navigate around campus. We are offering the following advertising packages to provide you with the unique opportunity to showcase your business:



Deadlines are approaching quickly!
Contact David Kam
530.752.4426
adce_kam@ad3.ucdavis.edu

Friday update - Picnic Day, Facebook and more!

Hello to all on this gorgeous Friday afternoon. It’s that time of year around here at UC Davis. It is that Friday before Picnic day. Spend five minutes walking around campus and you will find Coca-Cola trucks stationed and ready to supply. Tents are being set up in the quad, at the Silo, in downtown. Mascot cows are walking around handing out a schedule of events. Travel plans are being made with friends and family looking to attend the largest, student-run event in the nation. This year’s expected attendance: 125,000 visitors. Showcasing the talent, achievements and history of the University, Picnic Day provides fun and education for all ages through events and various activities. With such liveliness, we ask you all to be safe while enjoying Davis’ most prized day. Make memories, explore town, but be safe.

In the office, we are starting a promotion raffling off an iPod shuffle. We want to engage and interact with our users as we showcase our facilities and event planning services. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook and regularly check for status updates about how you can win great prizes! Have a great weekend everyone.

CES Marketing Team to Attend Another Bridal Showcase

Thursday April 7, 2011

Director Lina Layiktez and Marketing Manager Katrina Evans will be participating in this year's A Bridal Faire here in Davis, California on Saturday April 23, 2011. Both Lina and Katrina are excited to participate in a local tradeshow that will allow them to promote the great Special Event and Wedding spaces UC Davis has to offer on campus. If you're interested in seeing the spaces yourself, feel free to view the Special Events page on our website or contact kdevans@ucdavis.edu to set up your own personal guided tour.

If you're interested in participating please view the flyer above or call (530) 757-5626 for more information.

Huell Howser is coming back to UC Davis!

Happy Spring to you all! We have some great news to deliver you! One of our colleagues spent her evening watching Huell Howser and his various expeditions, but got the inside scoop that he will in fact be coming back to UC Davis again! Again? Howser visited campus in 2007 and visited stops such as the beautiful Arboretum, the Segundo Dining Commons and in the student-run Coffee House.

Rumor has it that tickets are available by the pair to explore on his return trip, eat lunch with him and an optional beer and wine tasting at Mondavi after it all. We wanted to be the first to notify you to keep your eyes out for the event so you can be sure to participate, or at the very least, watch Howser meander around Davis. Stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page for more updates!

Sacramento Regional FIRST Robotics Competition

The robots are invading, the robots are invading!

Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. The Sacramento Regional FIRST Robotics Competition returns to UC Davis from March 17-19, and UC Davis Conference and Event Services is very excited to be putting on this event. This year, there will be high school teams northern California all the way to Idaho.

This year’s game is Logo Motion, in which robots will play with inner tubes — trying to hang them on hooks on a wall. The public is welcome to attend, free of charge. The event takes place in The Pavilion at the ARC, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days. Practice rounds are scheduled for Thursday, March 17, with the actual competition set for Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19. [Info from UC Davis News & Information: http://www.dateline.ucdavis.edu/dl_detail.lasso?id=13304&fu=031111]

We are very excited about this coming to our very own ARC Pavillion and are intrigued by the possibilities of such creativity coming together at one event. Be sure to check it out, and as always, stay tuned for more!