UC Davis Conference and Event Services

Say Yes to a Wedding at UC Davis

2012-01-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

Romance is in the air with our new wedding video! Check it out here:

Weddings&More! Showcase

2012-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Are wedding bells chiming in your near future? Then our Weddings & More! Special Events showcase is the perfect match for you!

Click here to learn more about the showcase.
Interested in attending? Click here to register online.
Interested in exhibiting? Click here to register online.

Featured on Real Weddings Magazine's Blog!

2012-01-11T09:49:00.001-08:00

We've been featured on Real Weddings Magazine's blog! Real Weddings Magazine is a wedding planning guide for brides and grooms, providing inspiration and tips while citing local resources.

Mark your calendars and check it out here!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! We certainly hope that you enjoyed the holidays and are refreshed to go back to work or school. We are excited about what the new year has in store. Coming up soon is the City of Davis Bridal Fair. We will be there with bells on. Come on down and visit us on Saturday, 1/14.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T13:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-12-01T10:43:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-16T13:50:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-11-14T09:28:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-10-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

And the winner is...

2011-10-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-10-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

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

.

ReproGraphics Visual Solutions Expo

2011-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-08-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-07-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-01T10:48:00.001-07:00

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!

2011-06-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-04-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-07T09:32:00.001-07:00

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!

2011-04-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

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!

Wedding, Wedding, Who's Having a Wedding?

2011-03-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

Tuesday March 1

Earlier last week UC Davis Conference and Event Services staff members Katrina Evans and Adrianne Bataska had a booth at the Dream Wedding Showcase at California Expo. On that cold Sunday morning Katrina and Adrianne set out to inform brides all over the region about UC Davis's beautiful facilities and great services for their special day.

The day proved to be promising as Katrina and Adrianne were give numerous words of praise for not only their great knowledge of the wedding planning industry, but for an outstanding booth design as well.

Take a look at the recap of this year's Dream Wedding Showcase by CES Marketing Manager Katrina Evans, and remember when choosing UC Davis: Everything you need, is already here.

Adrianne and I attended the Dream Wedding Showcase at Cal Expo on Sunday, February 20. With over 1,000 attendees Adrianne and I met brides, grooms and their families all day and introduced them to the possibility of having their weddings at UC Davis. Our booth was one of the prettiest in the building! We kept our trademark black/grey/yellow theme for the wedding show and had lovely compacts and lip glosses for the brides. A special thank you goes out to Favor Warehouse (http://www.favorwarehouse.com/) and Blue Bee Printing (http://www.bluebeeprinting.com/) for assisting us with the fabulous give-away items. The CES Team had fun and enjoyed showcasing the University facilities at the bridal show.

-Marketing Manager, Katrina Evans

2011 GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference

2011-02-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

February 24, 2011

Earlier this week Conference and Event Services team members Ana Kitchen and Lina Layiktez traveled to Portland, Oregon to attend the 2011 GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference. This event provided Ana and Lina with the knowledge to come back and put some insightful idea to work at UC Davis.

This year's GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference featured a group of great speakers! The presentations by Richard Aaron from BizBash Media, Scott Hamlin from Looptworks, and Steven Ward from Doubletree Hotel Portland. These three speakers were able to hit three topics that were a must share for all our event planner out there!

Richard Aaron was able to talk about BizBash and about the trends and ideas that progressive event planners and designers are adopting in the planning of their projects. This segment was able to incorporate how decor, lighting, displays, floral and food have been renewed to fit into the green landscape. Here at UC Davis, we're always trying to make sure we're protecting the environment at our events, and after hearing Mr. Aaron's discussion on these ideas, we will be looking to implement some of the plans for decor, lighting, floral, and all the other event planning trends out there.

Scott Hamlin from Looptworks talked about how they up cycle pre-consumer excess materials into clothing and accessories for the urban/outdoor enthusiast. Mr. Hamlin focused on how being sustainable isn't just about recycling, but about reusing as well. It is important to remember that although we may not enjoy a certain product anymore, this doesn't mean that it isn't reusable. By reusing, we are able to reduce our waste significantly and spread the joy of our old materials that we no longer find useful for ourselves.

Last but not least, Ana and Lina attended the talk by Double Tree Portland Executive Chef Steven Ward. With a philosophy like F.L.O.S.S. (fresh, local, organic, seasonal, and sustainable), it was clear to see that even in the kitchen, professionals are looking for ways to help out the environment. By building relationships with local farmers, ranchers, and organic producers, Mr. Ward is able to build long last relationships in the community, and reduce waste by buying local; ultimately cutting down on carbon emissions, pesticides, and other hazardous materials found in our food.

After this great trip to Portland, OR, Ana and Lina have come back to the department with new and fresh ideas to spread to all of you great event planners out there! Being green is important to us, and we know it is important to all you readers out there as well. Keep an eye on our Blog and Facebook for more posts on great conferences we've attended and the latest tips and practices in the sustainability community. Plan Green!

Plan Green 2011: We Planned, We Attended, We Conquered

2011-02-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

Thursday February 24, 2011

We planned, we attended, we conquered.

On Wednesday, February 16, 2011 we did it again! What did we do exactly you ask? Well once again local and regional businesses and caterers together took a step toward making our community a greener place. This year's Plan Green Conference and Vendor Showcase proved to be yet another step in a positive direction toward making UC Davis and all of its partners' businesses a greener place.

Sustainability is an issue that the world is tackling, and here in Davis, California that is no exception. Plan Green 2011 is a conference and tradeshow put on by UC Davis Conference and Event Services annually to promote the basic principles of R4 (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuy) and to promote establishing better sustainable practices for our businesses.

At this year's Plan Green Conference and Vendor Showcase we had six speakers: Molly Milner from Small Blue Planet Events and Consultanting, Tom Huetteman, Associate Director in the Waste Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Southwest Regional Office, Lin King, the Program Manager for the UC Davis Waste Reduction and Recycling Program under the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability, Andrew Larsen, art director for UC Davis Repro Graphics, Dean Parker, Executive Facilities Director of the Peppermill Spa Resort Casino, and last but not least, Danielle Lee, Sustainability Manager for UC Davis Dining Services. Each speaker touched on the different areas in the event planning industry that we can become more sustainable in. From facilities, recycling, printing, and more, each speaker was able to provide helpful tools for all of our great attendees to take back to their businesses and implement.

This year's tradeshow was a success once again, bringing organizations from as far as Long Beach and as locally as Downtown Davis. Vendors, caterers and attendees, chatted and snacked on some delicious food on what turned out to be rain free afternoon. The atmosphere of the tradeshow was pleasant again with all of the great vendors coming from as near as Downtown Davis to as far as Southern California. UC Davis CES would like to give a big thank you to all of our vendors and caterers this year and a special thank you to: UC Davis Repro Graphics, Ink Monkey Graphics, and Screaming Squeegee for being the 2011 Plan Green sponsors. *

Now that you all got the scoop on this year's Plan Green Conference and Vendor Showcase, we hope if you weren't able to make it this year, you make it out to the next one! And to all of those that participated this year, a big THANK YOU from CES, we couldn't make the event a success without you!

*Interested in partnering with UC Davis Conference and Event Services? Email Katrina Evans at kdevans@ucdavis.edu for more information!

Marketing, marketing, marketing

2011-01-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

Everyone's hopping on that up and coming social media marketing bandwagon. It's an online marketing phase that figures to only expand in the coming years.

This leads us to a logical question: at what point do we stop? With "free" marketing at our finger tips through laptops, tablets and a variety of cellular devices, there surely needs to be an answer. Whether it's an event you are planning, or simply for your business, one definitely needs to ask that question. At UC Davis Conference and Events, we strive to share with you what we have to offer through various statuses, pictures and videos. We are extremely excited about the services we have to offer, and invite you to check out our promotional items as a way to get to know everything we have to offer. What have you heard about Mini G Dan?

Just a simple Friday reflection helps puts things in perspective sometimes, and what better way than a blog? As always, check out our website at http://events.ucdavis.edu/. Make sure to follow us on Facebook so you can be the first to hear about everything we do: http://www.facebook.com/ucdavisconferenceandeventservices

Plan Green: The Stretch Run

2011-01-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Friday really should just be a holiday; talk about pleasing the masses. How nice does sleeping in, making a nice breakfast with some quality TV sound for three days a week instead of two? No point in dreaming, I suppose.

We here at Conference and Event Services do not fit the bill of these 3-day weekend desires. We are really excited to be planning what's shaping up to be a great event. On Wednesday, February 16th, join us for the annual Plan Green Showcase. With over 300 caterers and vendors planning to attend, collaborate with peers from all over and learn how to plan environmentally sustainable events. Think about if this was a New Year's resolution for 2011. How happy would Mother Nature be? More importantly, how happy would Al Gore be? Yeah, that's what we thought.

Jokes aside, the load-in times begin bright and early at 8am and the event will run until 1:30pm and take place in Freeborn Hall. If interested, make sure to check out our website and sign up before January 17th to pay our early bird fee of just $195! Be assured that there will be an extremely diverse crowd and much can be taken out of a wide scale event like this. We are ecstatic with the planning progress this far and simply tying up all the loose ends to make this showcase truly a great one.

Have a great weekend and try and stay warm through this (sad) winter weather!

UC Davis and Mickey Mouse a Good Pair in Food Expo

2010-12-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

Friday December 17, 2010

Five UC Davis students came out on top this past week at this year's Institute of Food Technologists meeting and food expo in Chicago, Illinois. With the help of its great sponsor Disney, this year's event was able to observe some great snack ideas for children under the age of 12. The team of five UC Davis students: Chereen Leong, Joesph Alexandrouj, Anna Coroselli, Christina Ramsay, and Robert Schwarz, will have a chance to have their creation-- Mickey's Pot Pies-- sold in grocery stores around the nation. Complete with a blend of fruits and vegetables in a 100 % white whole-wheat crust, Mickey Pot Pies maybe in your local grocery stores soon-- so keep a look out!

Congratulations to the team again on a job well done! Go Ags!

Gearing up for the holidays, CalSAE style

2010-12-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

With the holidays approaching quickly, UC Davis Conference and Events Services has a lot to be excited for. We get an early holiday treat by way of the CalSAE Seasonal Spectacular. Taking place on Wednesday, December 8th at the Sacramento Convention Center, the event includes a networking luncheon in addition to the largest yearly association industry trade show on the West Coast. We will be showcasing UC Davis and the Hyatt Place at UC Davis and know that gaining all these valuable insights and contacts is more than Santa could have ever brought us! If you stop by, we'll be sure to save a goodie bag for you and educate you on everything UC Davis has to offer.

When we go to tradeshows like this, the best part is getting to know new people and trying to cater their needs to what we have to offer. We usually have lots of success with that, and the largest industry trade show on the west coast will be sure to provide us with this opportunity. Especially after attending the UC Systemwide Conferences, Events and Catering Summit at UC Riverside - a truly great event - we are gearing up for what is sure to be quite the spectacular time (no pun intended).

Out with the Old, In with the New!

2010-09-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

Friday September 10, 2010

If you haven't had a chance to look already, we've released our new website to the public! With a fresh new design and simpler navigation features, you should be able to explore all of our great facilities, services, and more easier and faster. Although the design has changed, we are still providing you with all of the great attributes UC Davis has to offer. Take a look at our new website at http://events.ucdavis.edu today!

Thursdays: Your Day to Share!

2010-09-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 2, 2010

On Thursdays, we would like to invite all of you to share with us your great event planning experiences or tip! Whether that experience or tip is with CES as your event management team or not, we think it is important to share exciting stories or ideas in our industry. In the event planning industry, we are constantly looking for the next best thing, and the most efficient ways to run an event. Although we may be experts in our field, it is still important to have open communication with those in the community for them to share their concerns and ideas that can help us as your one stop shop solution in Northern California. So share with us today! We're interested to see what your ideas are!

Being Green While Knowing Your Limits

2010-08-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Tuesday August 24, 2010

The name of the game in event planning is green; however, that might not be the best way to conserve your budget. A lot of event planners are worried about making the green move, seeing that in the short run they will potentially be spending a lot of money. On the other hand, it's important to think about the long run and how you will not only be upholding your company's social responsibility, but helping the environment as well. Positive recognition is something every organization wants to hear and that's not just for services. What a lot of people want to see nowadays is an organization that not only takes care of the services they promise to their customers, but how an organization takes advantage of its position as a leader in the community to help anyway they can. Remember being green doesn't mean you jeopardize your business financially, but what it can mean is that you're doing your part and recognizing your limits. So whether you can add a composting services or keep the thermostat of your facility to an eco-friendly level, you're doing your part, and all anyone can ask is that you do all you can! Plan green, event green, be green!

How to entertain your kids on campus

2010-08-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

So you've come to UC Davis for a conference, and since you're using this trip as an excuse to vacation in California, you've brought the kids along. But how can you keep them busy while you're doing your "grown-up" things? They could hang out in the hotel room all day watching TV. Or, they could do one of several awesome things on campus for kids keep busy.

Luckily for conference attendees at UC Davis, our campus has a ton of fun things for kids to do, and we have more than just macaroni necklaces. The University has a museum dedicated to insects: the Bohart Entomology Museum. Let your kids buzz around the museum and take a peek at all the creepy-crawlies. If your kids are a little more comfortable with birds than with bugs, (let's face it, who's not?), then stop by the California Raptor Center, an educational museum with birds of prey.

And those museums are just the beginning. We have a bowling alley and arcade area located beneath the Memorial Union (convenient for parents who might need to stop by the Conference and Event Services office on the 4th floor), so you can let your kids play while you meet with one of our event coordinators.

While you mingle with colleagues at a conference, let your kids run, play and splash at our various recreational centers on campus. Kids can swim at the recreation pool for just $4 or they can try out our rock climbing wall, located in the Activities and Recreation Center.

If macaroni necklaces are your thing, worry not, we've got a craft center that can keep your kids busy with all sorts of activities, and you'll probably end up with more decorations for your refrigerator to boot.

Who knows, with all of the activities on campus, maybe your kids will be so busy they won't want to visit the rest of California after your conference is finished.

On second thought, Disneyland sounds pretty good too.

We're heading to DC again!

2010-08-16T15:44:00.001-07:00

After Labor Day weekend the lovely ladies of Conference and Event Services will be in full force in Washington D.C. for the 2010 Affordable Meetings Trade show. Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International hosts this nationwide trade show to help event planners network and to give event planners the opportunity to attend helpful lectures. The HSMAI trade show will teach businesses like CES how to survive during the bumpy economic climate by using social media to market, and teach the right tools to become the best at what we do. If you plan on attending the HSMAI Affordable Meetings trade show Sept. 7-8, stop by booth 6050 to pick up our "everything you need" spice mix or a CES notebook! Stay tuned for pictures and updates documenting the trade show.

2010-2011 Speaker Series at UCD

2010-08-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

When people hear the name ‘UC Davis’, most likely the first thing they may think of is a university in Northern California located in a unique college town. UC Davis is more than just a place for minds to grow and ideas to form.

Our university is also a great place to hold all types of events. With top-notch facilities and a highly experienced event coordinating staff, UC Davis is more than capable of helping you executive your event. From innovative conferences to youth camps, UC Davis Conference and Event Services will coordinate your event to success.

The Distinguished Speaker Series 2010-2011 is just one of UC Davis’s incredible events and will be held and Robert Mondavi Center. It presents some of the world’s most interesting and influential individuals such as former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and is a prime example of UC Davis’s potential as a premier event host.

Remember, everything you need is always here. Please contact UC Davis Conference and Event Services and talk with an event coordinator today about getting your event started.
(530) 752-2675
events.ucdavis.edu

Our Services

2010-08-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here at UC Davis Conference and Event Services, we pride ourselves in bringing you the best services we can offer. From Registration to helping you find the best caterer for your event, we're here for you. When you book with UC Davis CES, you are investing in a complete event coordination package that will plan and execute your event with professionalism. From our great academics, stunning facilities, and excellent event coordination, UC Davis is the place for you to hold your event. UC Davis Conference and Event Services: "Everything you need is already here."

How Our Campus Goes Green

2010-07-30T11:17:00.001-07:00

We always do what we can to stay green and help the environment, which is why we are super excited that UC Davis has an entire page dedicated to the University's impact on the environment. As many of our clients know, we can offer Zero Waste Services to minimize your event's impact on the Earth. But, you might ask yourself, besides event planning what else does the University do to go green?

Well, to answer your question, a lot. The newest buildings in the University Gateway are Gold LEED Certified, 21% of the food purchased on campus is organic or local,the campus plans to reach 1990 emission levels by 2020 and compost bins were introduced into all the buildings on campus. The University's contributions to the environment, however, go much deeper than sustainable building and disposal -- members of the UC Davis take steps every day that make a difference. A 2009 campus travel survey found that over 75% of the UC Davis community uses earth friendly modes of transportation.

Since Davis is known as one of the most bike friendly cities in the United States, with miles upon miles of bike paths, the city had a bit of a head start on sustainable transportation. Bike lanes, bike paths, bike tunnels, bike teams, a bike museum, bike appreciation day -- okay, so maybe not that last one, but the bike-crazy city of Davis has everything else!

Everyday there are between 15,000 - 20,000 bikes on campus. That's right, THOUSAND. Pretty amazing, huh? So if its your first time on campus, be sure to look both ways before crossing the street, and if you are daring enough to take a bike ride on your first day here, please, go through the bike circle in the right direction!

And bikes aren't the only green way to get to campus. With their ID cards, all students have access to free bus rides to and from campus, on a bus system, Unitrans, run completely by students. 95% of all Unitrans buses are powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas.

The goClub, introduced by Transportation and Parking Services, rewards members of UC Davis community who commute by foot, bike, train, bus or carpool. As a thank you to these commuters, goClub offers on-campus bike maintenance, campus lockers and showers, and discount parking passes.

So when you come to UC Davis expect more than just green planning. Expect to see a community dedicated to a better future.

Making it work

2010-07-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

Murphy's Law states that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. And unfortunately, this applies to the world of event planning too. An unexpected thunderstorm, lost registration, or no Wifi have all been unexpected obstacles in our event planning.

A couple of months ago, I planned a friend's birthday party. "Don't worry, its your birthday. I'll handle everything," I told her. I thought I had everything under control. I sent out invitations, made dinner reservations, and even planned a night out on the town. I just overlooked one minor detail -- I forgot to tell her when and where to show up. Whoops!

Or, take for example the infamous "Dinner Crashers" who breached security when they crashed the U.S. state dinner in November 2009. Although I don't expect many of us to require the Secret Service at our events, this just goes to show that even having them there doesn't spell success.

Planning an event can have so many steps that you might overlook the most obvious of details. Lucky for me my buddy was understanding when I called her an hour before our dinner reservation to tell her where to show up, but when planning events with clients we aren't all so lucky.

So readers, how has Murphy's Law interfered with your events? Leave a comment and tell us how you turned your event into a success even when things went wrong

The Conference and Event Services To "Don't" List

2010-07-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Don't worry about tying that string around your finger. When you plan with Conference and Event Services, it's okay to forget.

Don't turn off the sprinklers before your event. In fact, forget about it. We'll make sure no one gets a shower instead of a Bar Mitzvah.

Don't confirm the schedule with your vendors. We'll make sure your guests get fed on time.

Don't send out invitations. Just tell us who you want there, and we'll do the rest.

Don't arrive too early to an event. Doesn't a pre-event, deep tissue, Swedish massage sound better than stressing out?

Don't even start to think about finding your own accommodations. If you come to campus, we've got an on-site hotel, conference housing and tons of space throughout campus. If your conference is elsewhere, worry not -- we've got people who have you covered.

Learn how easy event planning can be. Visit events.ucdavis.edu

Summer Time at UC Davis

2010-07-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

Friday July 16, 2010

The sun is out, it's hot, and folks are enjoying the beautiful warm nights in Davis. Where are you thinking about your event this summer? Look no further than UC Davis! With our numerous outdoor facilities and complete list of services, UC Davis is the an excellent choice for your summer event. Choose from Putah Creek Lodge, the Arboretum, Good Life Garden, or many more excellent facilities. Call and event planner today for more information, and remember when your choose UC Davis: everything you need is already here

Photo Shoot!

2010-07-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

Friday July 8, 2010

The CES Staff has been all over campus taking photos of the beautiful outside facilities that you and your special someone can hold their wedding or special event at. The Special Events Guide will accompany the Facilities Guide, Services Guide, and Event Planners Guide. Some of the sample photos will be posted on our facebook and twitter pages so keep a look out for those! This has already been a great project and we can't wait for the end result!

Happy Fourth of July!!

2010-07-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Friday July 2, 2010

From all of the UC Davis Conference and Event Services staff, we would like to wish everyone out there a Happy 4th of July! As we continue to go through these great summer months, we would encourage all of you out there to choose UC Davis when planning your next big event. With all of our beautiful outdoor venues, you will be able to have a professional planned event in a very relaxed environment. Remember when you choose UC Davis: everything you need is already here!

Another Successful Tradeshow

2010-06-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Friday June 18, 2010

This week some of our CES marketing team was in Long Beach, CA for the HSMAI Affordable Meetings tradeshow, and as usual they had a great success. While meeting folks from all over the country, they were able to showcase UC Davis in great style, wearing our new department apparel. A two day event jam packed with teach-ins, showcasing, and beautiful Southern California sunshine, it was another great opportunity to let event planners from all over the country that UC Davis is not only an educational institution, but a great place to have your conference or event whether it be academic, professional, or personal. Great job ladies!

(from left to right: Ana, Adrianne, Christine, Katrina, and Lina)

Have Your Wedding at UC Davis

2010-06-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Friday June 11, 2010

Did you know that you can have your wedding at UC Davis? Well if you didn't know, now you do! UC Davis is not just one of California's premier meeting places for academic event and conferences, but is also a great place for you and your loved one to tie the knot. With a variety of outdoor facilities such as the: Putah Creek Lodge, Shields Grove Gazebo, or Good Life Garden, you can have a beautiful wedding.

To start planning your wedding at UC Davis there are no special requirements. Just as if you were planning a conference or event, call and event planner today and they can get you started on an event that will be one of your prized memories. Remember when planning with UC Davis, everything you need is already here.

HSMAI Affordable Meetings: Long Beach

2010-06-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

Friday June 4, 2010

In the next couple weeks three members from our marketing staff: Katrina Evans, Ana Kitchen, and Lina Layiktez, will be headed down to Long Beach to participate in HSMAI's (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International) Affordable Meetings tradeshow. In Long Beach, they will be able to participate in over 7 hours of educational sessions in which they'll be able to take part in over 20 relevant topics, access to marketing tools we'll be able to use in our department for the next year, and not to mention showcase UC Davis as one of California's premier event locations. The tradeshow will be held on the June 16-17, and if you're interested in participating as a vendor or event planner, click here for more information. If you're already planning on attending, we look forward to seeing you there! Make sure to stop by our booth and say hello!

Hyatt Place at UC Davis

2010-06-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Monday June 1, 2010

Did you know that there's a hotel right on campus? The Hyatt Place UC Davis was added to all of the other great facilities on campus and is now available for you to stay in! The Hyatt Place UC Davis has all of the great qualities of any Hyatt Place, and also provides you quick and easy access to any of the many meeting places you can choose from while having your event or conference here at UC Davis. With great highlights such as: complimentary hotel Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, 24-hour made-to-order menu items and pre-packaged snacks, specialty espresso drinks, complimentary newspaper, complimentary parking, and MORE. If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, you can visit the HYATT PLACE UCDAVIS website or call and talk with an event coordinator today!

Exercise and You

2010-05-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Friday May 21, 2010

Health and Wellness is something very important in everyone's life. From the young to the old, it is important to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Whether it's walking to your favorite restaurant during your lunch break, or playing a pick game of basketball with some friends at your local neighborhood park, getting in that 30 minutes of exercise can do great things for you.
The UC Davis Campus Mind Body Wellness Committee, Kaiser Permanente, and Staywell collaborated this past week to encourage folks to add 30 minutes exercise to their daily routines, so we decided to continue to carry the message out to the end of the week as a reminder. If you have any questions, take a look at the UC Davis Campus Mind Body Wellness Committee's website here for more information on how to stay up to date on events as well as health and wellness tips. Remember, exercising doesn't have to be something you hate to do, find a physical activity that you enjoy!

Get connected!

2010-05-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

Conference and Event Services is reaching out to our friends through more than just our blog. If you aren't already connected, join us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. On our Facebook page you can find pictures of our various event facilities as well as useful information about what's happening on campus, what's happening in the community, and helpful event planning tips. If you follow our Facebook and Twitter pages, you might just be lucky enough to win a prize. Each week, we hold contests for our friends to win prizes by guessing trivia about event planning on campus.

We hope that by staying on top of social media trends we'll be able to communicate with our customers and partners in as many ways as possible. Feedback is always welcome and wanted, so check out our Yelp! page to rate your experience with Conference and Event Services.

When planning an event with Conference and Event Services, or joining our social media network, you'll find that everything you need is already here. The more connected we are, the better we can be!

Davis: A Place for You and Your Bike

2010-05-14T15:22:00.002-07:00

May 14, 2010

Did you know that Davis is one of the most bike-friendly places in the world? With its population of 65,000, Davis brings a small town atmosphere that is safe for those of all ages whom are traveling by bike . According to Virgin Vacations, Davis "was one of the first cities in the U.S. to actively start planning for and incorporating the bicycle into its transportation infrastructure." This shows not only the cities dedication to its community and the variety of ways folks transport, but also caring about the environment as well.

When choosing UC Davis for your conference or event, you will be choosing a place that will make you feel at home and comfortable. From the numerous facilities that are a walk or bike ride away, choosing UC Davis will be a worthy choice. We invite everyone to look at our website, or call an event coordinator today in order to see how you can make your event a great one at UC Davis. Happy bike riding!

Come on over!

2010-05-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

Have you had a chance to check out the new UC Davis hotel and conference center?

We're proud to show off the latest addition to the UC Davis' event facilities -- we like to think of it the same way we think of Conference and Event Services: everything you need is already there! Our conference center has several ballroom and conference rooms to accomodate any event. Our plush and cozy Hyatt Place has a gym, complementary wireless internet and 24/7 food service. When we say we've got you covered, we aren't fooling around.

During a recent photo shoot for our brochures and websites, our staff toured the facility and got comfy in the hotel.

See for yourself why we're so excited about our new hotel and conference center, or to see our other facilities, check out our facebook page!

Green your event's print materials with the help of Repro Graphics

2010-05-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

Here at Conference and Event Services, we love finding new ways to make event planning environmentally friendly in all ways possible. With the help of Repro Graphics, UC Davis' printing service, you can make invitations, posters and other printed material earth friendly. Repro Graphics is certified by both the Forestry Stewardship council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative -- long story short, Repro Graphics offers paper choices from responsibly-managed forests because of these certifications!

Repro Graphics recycles toner and ink cartridges along with print production paper trimmings. Alternative paper choices with papers made from bamboo, sugarcane, stone, and plastic, along with ink made from veggies, not chemicals, can help you make your event more green friendly.

What steps have you taken to make your events environmentally friendly?

E-Waste: UC Davis's R4 Department Fighting Against Electronic Waste

2010-04-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

Friday April 30, 2010

Did you know that it is illegal to throw away batteries and cell phones? Well, now you do! UC Davis's R4 department is fighting against electronic waste, and is doing so by placing multibin all over UC Davis. There are a total of 10 multibins strategically located throughout campus that provide a convenient way for people to dispose of their old electronic products. Currently, the R4 multibins support: CD's, Inkjet cartridges, electronic devices, non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries. Although it may seem easy to merely throw away electronic appliances or peripherals into the dumpster, it is just as easy to recycle them in the specific multibin container. So the next time you break your mp3 player, or decided you don't want an old CD anymore, make sure to find the closest multibin on campus or located in your community to handle your waste responsibly. Remember that in our fight to make the world a greener place, every little bit helps!

Earth Week

2010-04-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

Friday April 23, 2010

Earth Day has come and gone; however, it is important to remember that being green does not mean that you're green for one of the three hundred and sixty-five days out of the year. Being green should be a daily activity, and you should encourage those around you to develop green habits to ensure that we are all doing our part to make the world a cleaner place. Whether it is recycling the morning paper, purchasing a refillable water bottle, carpooling with a co-worker, or even walking instead of driving on your lunch break, those activities will be beneficial in the long-run. So remember, Earth Day is only a reminder that to keep up your green practices, not just a day to acknowledge that there are green practices in the world. Do your part each and everyday and we can all make the world a cleaner place. Happy Earth Week and Year!

Event Planning on Your Mobile

2010-04-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

Friday April 16, 2010

Have you ever thought about managing an event on your mobile phone? Well Cheryl Lawson, owner of The Perfect Date, has developed an event planning application for Google's Android smartphones. Actually bringing two key applications in one package, the Event Planning tools application is actually a meeting space calculator, as well as an event budget calculator. Both components of the Event Planning tools application are very basic and consist of a mere plug-in strategy that will yield the event planner the numbers they need to get started with their event planning and coordination. Lawson explains in her article that although these applications have been around, in this day and age, their is a great convenience in having these specific applications on your mobile phone in order to get quick on the go results. To read more about Lawson's Event Planning application tools, or more about here event management and marketing firm, visit the hyperlinks above! Keep up the great work Cheryl and all those at The Perfect Date!

We want your feedback!

2010-04-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Hope you all are enjoying the beginning of what looks to be a beautiful spring! At Conference and Event Services we are always looking for ways to improve our communication with you and we would like to ask you all out there what you would like to see us talk about more? What news do you want to hear? What specifically about our department do you want to know? As our clients, we want to know the best ways and best media to connect with you on. Please email aklong@ucdavis.edu with your thoughts and comments and we'll work to make our connection with all of you out there the best it can be. Thanks!

CES Marketing Team

O'Bon LLC

2010-03-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

Tuesday March 23, 2010

Last week, our marketing team here at UC Davis Conference and Event Services were able to sample some of the great products presented us by O'Bon, and what great green products they have to offer! We sampled some of the numerous pencil and notepads that are made up of 100% recycled material. The pencils are quite sturdy and seem to last longer and stay better protected than regular wooden pencils, and the notepads are just as great as any notepad out there; however, these notepads being green, have a little bit of a leg up for being environmentally friendly! We'd like to encourage all of those in the community to try out O'Bon products as they are a great substitute to many products that you make already have! Don't forget to use a promotional code for 15% when purchasing online, just enter freakofriends in the promotional code field. Hope you all give O'Bon

Welcome the Hyatt UC Davis Hotel

2010-03-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

Friday March 19, 2010

We would like to welcome our newest facility on campus, the Hyatt UC Davis Hotel! If you haven't noticed, there was a lot of construction going by the Robert Mondavi Center on campus, and now it is finally compelete. The Hyatt UC Davis Hotel will have all of the luxuries of any Hyatt hotel including: complimentary hotel-wide Wi-Fi Internet access, complimentary continental breakfast buffet, 24-hour made-to-order menu items and pre-packaged snacks, speciality espresso coffee drinks, self-served check-in/ check-out kiosks, complimentary 24-hour Stay Fit® fitness center with Life Fitness® cardio equipment, and outdoor pool.

Event planners at UC Davis will be previewing the hotel this week and UC Davis Conference and Event Services would encourage all of our clients out there to think Hyatt UC Davis when planning your next over night stay in Davis. With all of its great amenities and being directly on campus, you'll have easy access to all you need around you. Remember when planning with us here at UC Davis, everything you need is already here.

Welcome Katrina Evans

2010-03-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

Friday March 12, 2010

The Conference and Event Services Marketing team would like to welcome Katrina Evans to the team as our new Marketing Manager! Katrina is an alumna of UC Santa Cruz and graduate with a degree in Sociology and Journalism. Starting to work for UC Davis in 2006 in our department as a Registration Coordinator and she soon moved into an Event Coordinator position in 2008. Now as the Marketing Manager, she will supervise all marketing interns and will work side by side with our director on all marketing campaigns.

If she's not relaxing with her husband and two cats, Katrina enjoys shopping, reading, planning weddings and organizing her closet. If you're ever up visiting the office don't be forget to say hello and welcome Katrina!

Learning in Las Vegas

2010-03-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

Friday March 12, 2010

This week, our Marketing Team and two Conference coordinators embarked on a journey to the fabulous city of Las Vegas where they learned great tips on how to further brand ourselves as an organization and how to boost our performance to further help you as clients. "You're going to hate me again, but I've got a lot of new ideas we should try out," said our director Lina Layiktez as she came back into the office today. During the great talks at the Event Solutions Conference & Tradeshow, Lina was able to gather some progressive ideas to implement in our department for the next upcoming months. Everyone was able to participate in the social media talks which "were very informative and really set us in the right direction for the future," said Ana Kitchen CES Program Manager and Katrina Evans, our new Marketing Manager, "the ways in which we'll be able to connect with people should be more creative and efficient." Other events that were attended by our wonderful conference attendees were: Wedding Design from Concept to Completion, Business Development: How to Turn Customers into Evangelists, and Maximizing Your Event Outcome in Times of Change. All and all, our marketing team is very excited as we are always looking for new ways to make our services better for all of you out there. With all of these great new ideas and perspectives we're sure we'll be able to be a lot more proficient in these times of change. Keep a look out on all of our social networks sites for updates!

Registration? We Can Do That for You Too.

2010-03-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Friday March 5, 2010

Usually when booking with other organizations, you are going to have to either handle registration yourself, or find another party to hand it for you- not with us! Here at UC Davis Conference and Event Services we have registration solutions that are convenient for any conference or event you may have. Our registration services include: conference web page, online registration and credit card processing, Printed materials, mailings online, and abstract submission acceptance. To say the least, we have you're basic registration needs covered, and we want you to take advantage of this great service! So the next time you're thinking about planning a conference or event and you have registration, you can check it off when booking with us. Call an event planner today and get your event going!

CES and Beyond: Kevin Ger

2010-03-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

Friday March 5, 2010

At UC Davis Conference and Event Services we have quite a few highly skilled and motivated interns that prove to do great work for our department. As a team, it is important that we all work together, and with the help of our interns, we don't miss a beat.

One of our recent graduates, Kevin Ger, was a graphic designer for our department, and did a lot of great work for us during his time working in our department. He designed the materials for Plan Green 2009, and various other CES collateral material that we are still using today. If you're looking for someone with talent in the graphic designing area feel free to visit Kevin Ger's website at: http://www.middaystudio.com/. Congratulations to Kevin Ger for not only obtaining his degree from our great university, but for being a great employee with us!

Davis and the Surrounding Area

2010-02-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

Friday February 26, 2010

While visiting UC Davis you will not only be able to travel through our exciting and homey community, but will have access to various other areas of Northern California; most of which not being longer than a two hour drive. From the San Francisco Bay Area, to the beautiful serene views of Lake Berryessa, we really encourage all of our clients to really venture out into the surround area because there is so much rich California culture at our backdoor. The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful and tasty vineyards of Napa Valley, only around an hour away. Looking for snow and beautiful lakes? No problem, Lake Tahoe is just two hours away! With some many different climates and cultural diversity around, you wont be disappointed when planning an event at UC Davis. So what are you waiting for?! Plan today because at UC Davis, everything you need is arleady here.

A Thank You From CES!

2010-02-18T10:34:00.001-08:00

Thursday February, 18 2010

To everyone out there that attending the Plan Green Conference and Event Planners Exchange Tradeshow, we'd like to give you a big thank you! Because of you all, we are able to have this event every year, and we'd like to thank you for all your participation and feedback. To all of the vendors and caterers, we know these are tough economic times, and for you to come out after such a touch year really shows your appreciation for this event. For all those event planners that attended, we'd like to thank you for coming out to listen to our speakers and find vendors and caterers for your future conference or events. Please if you all have any feedback, please email aklong@ucdavis.edu to share your experience, and thanks again for attending!

Plan Green and EPE Tradeshow

2010-02-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

Friday February 12, 2010

Hello everyone! This is just a friendly reminder that the 2nd annual Plan Green Conference and the 13th annual Event Planners Exchange (EPE) Vendor and Caterer Tradeshow will be this upcoming Tuesday, February 16. We are excited for yet another year for these two great events and expect a lot of great vendors, caterers, and event planners to be in attendance. We would also like to thank our sponsors: Gaia Hotel, UC Davis Transportation and Parking Services, and Screaming Squeegee. These three sponsors have given some great giveaways for the Plan Green Conference, so please say thank you when you see them at the EPE Tradeshow! So, until Tuesday, see you all at the conference and the tradeshow! Have a safe and relaxing three day weekend!

What Are You Doing After Your Conference?

2010-02-05T12:54:00.001-08:00

Friday February 5th, 2010

Have time in between your conference or event? Or do you want to stick around in Davis after your event? Visit one of UC Davis's many on campus attractions! From the California Raptor Center to the Gorman Art Museum, or the Bohart Entomology Museum, there is something for you to see right on our beautiful. As we've said before, "everything you need is here," and we weren't just talking about event coordination and event management, there's things for you and your colleagues to do while you're not cooped up in a room listening to speakers or busy thinking about the direction of your company's sales plan. We want you to be able to relax and actually discover and see things you wouldn't be able to see anywhere else, and what a better way to do that than on a University of Calfornia campus? So the next time you book an event or conference with us, ask about the on campus attractions we have to offer, there's something for everyone!

You Need Athletic Facilities? We Have Those Too.

2010-01-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

Friday January 29, 2010

With many of our athletic teams being NCAA Division I, it is only right that we have great facilities to match our team's great performances. From Aggie Football to Women's Water Polo, Men's Basketball to Women's Lacrosse, there is a facility that matches the caliber of these great young men and women.

Aggie Stadium, UC Davis's newest athletic facility, seats 11,000 spectators and is one of the premier stadiums in the Sacramento Valley. The Schaal Aquatic Center, with up to a 24 swimming lane capacity, once again providing the Sacramento Valley with another great athletic facility. So what does that mean for all you athletic event planners out there? Well, this means that our great facilities are here for you to use as well! Not only are these facilities here for your great UC Davis Aggie Athletics, but for your potential athletic events!

"Hosting youth sporting events on college campuses is a natural fit. The facilities are at your fingertips all within close proximity, dorms and dining facilities are added bonuses, and there's a strong base of event volunteers to be found in the student body. UC Davis is a beautiful setting for such events and the Campus Events and Visitor Services are a friendly and reliable group to work with." -Amanda Stokes, Sports Manager, Amateur Athletic Union

As Amanda said, "hosting youth sporting events on college campuses is a natural fit," so why look any further than UC Davis? With everything from the athletic facility that you need, to over night accomodation and dining facilities, we're you're one stop shop as an event planner. If you're interested in having an athletic event at UC Davis please call an event coordinator today! And remember: Everything you need is already here.

Have Your Special Event With Us!

2010-01-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Friday January 22, 2010

Interested in having a special event in Davis? Why not choose UC Davis as your one stop shop for your special event! With a variety of facilities and services, we can not only coordinate great conferences, but special celebrations as well. Many people have chose UC Davis as their place to have their wedding, award ceremony, or retirement parties. And there is no reason to be an alum of UC Davis either! Having your special event at UC Davis is just another way to become part of the Aggie family.

So the next time you are thinking about having a special event in the Sacramento Valley area, make sure to think UC Davis. We're here to help you make your event a success, and with everything you need already here, it's sure to be an event you'll truly remember!

We've Got It All!

2010-01-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

When you choose UC Davis to host your next event, what you get will be above and beyond your expectations. Most people only know UC Davis as a premier research university with state-of-the-art event facilities, but did you know that the campus and community offer a variety of activities for your free time?

Interested in culture? We've got five museums, multiple theaters and a world class performance venue!

Gotta get outside? Our 100-acre garden, the Arboretum, home to 4,000 species of plants, is the perfect spot to hold an event or take a stroll after a conference.

Adventurous? Try our rock climbing wall, or tour the city on bike like locals do!

To enjoy all that UC Davis has to offer, plan your next event with Conference and Event Services-- we've got you covered!

One Stop Shop!

2010-01-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

Tuesday January 12, 2010

When planning an event at UC Davis you are only going to have to make one stop to make sure your event is a success. We are an Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International certified one stop shop, and pride ourselves in delivering you convenient services at a university that has a variety of event planning options.

"The ACCED-I CCEP is designed to elevate professional standards, evaluate individual performance and to recognize those who have reached a very high level of achievement in conference and events management."

The ACCED-I has granted us their prestigious certification and we take it upon ourselves to maintain that high level of expectancy. As an event planner you will always have a lot on your plate, and as your event coordination team we need to alleviate some of that stress. With our one stop shop service, you won't have to worry about communicating with multiple departments on campus, or trying to find the right person to talk with about a certain situation--all you have to do is talk with us and we'll take care of it. You need audio/visual services? We'll take care of that. You need a list of approved caterers? We'll give you that list. Alcohol permits? We have those too. All you need to do as an event planner is present us with your plan, and we'll walk with you down the path toward a successful event!

So remember, UC Davis is your one stop shop university that can provide you services conveniently. You won't have to go the extra mile in order to have an event on our campus because we have everything you already need. So plan with UC Davis today, everything you need is already here.

Happy New Year

2010-01-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! UC Davis Conference and Event Services would like to extend a very happy new year to you and best wishes to all of your future endeavors in the new decade we have finally reached! 2009 came and went, and it is now time for a new year packed with great services and event coordination from us once again! Please pay close attention to our facebook and twitter pages for frequent updates on facilities, upcoming events, and other activities going on in the community. In 2010, we are planning to do more giveaways and contests in order to give you, our clients, something to look forward to each an every week. We'd also like to thank all of you that have joined our Facebook page, and if you haven't please do! UC Davis Conference and Event Services. Once again happy new year and we'll be seeing all of you around!

Our New Facebook Fan Page!

2009-12-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

Don't know if any of you have heard, but we have a new facebook fan page! This page will be used to communicate with all of you out there on facebook about our great facilities and services we have on campus, as well as events that will be held on campus. We invite all of you to become a fan of us on facebook and enough all of the great news and giveaways that we will be doing regularly! Hope to see you on the fan page and make sure to tell invite your friends!

CALSAE Seasonal Spectacular

2009-12-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

Thursday December 10, 2009

The CALSAE Seasonal Spectacular did live up to it's name-- spectacular! We were able to meet a lot of new folks and reconnect with a lot folks we worked with in the past. Booth 341 stayed very busy throughout the afternoon, and our representatives at our booth: Ana, Lina, and Katrina really represented us well as always! There were over 200 booths that ranged from hotels to casinos, to golfing resorts. Aaron, Alma, and Christine acted as our on the floor representatives as they worked their way around booths connecting with potential partners and event planners that would look toward UC Davis's excellent event management and facilities.

Now that the Seasonal Spectacular is over, we are gearing up for our tradeshow in February 16, 2010-- Plan Green Vendor and Caterer Showcase. With all of the positive feedback from many event planners, vendors, and caterers from the CALSAE Seasonal Spectacular, we're really looking forward to getting all of the great vendors and caterers out to suppor the green cause and meet all of our wonderful UC Davis event planners. Remember that the Plan Green Conference will be on February 16, 2010 and you can register online HERE. Hope to see you all in February and thanks again to CALSAE for putting on another great tradeshow!

Students May Be Leaving, But We're Still Here!

2009-12-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

Monday December 7, 2009

Today may mark the first day of finals here at UC Davis for students, but at the end of the week, and until a couple days before Christmas, we'll be here! Many folks may think that the university is closed when classes are not in session, but that's not the case! Many departments are running and Conferences and Event Services is one of those departments that is still here to help you with all of your event management needs. Same business hours, same location, same great service. Also, don't forget you can find a lot of information on facilities and services over the winter holidays on Events.ucdavis.edu! Happy Holidays everyone!

The Scoop on Being Greener: Lunchtime

2009-11-30T09:12:00.000-08:00

Did you know that bringing your lunch to work helps to stay green and healthy? Ordering from delivery and take-out restaurants can lead to heaps of unwanted waste, and tighter pants! To avoid extra waste (and extra waist!) try bringing your own lunch in a reusable container. This is your chance to dig out that old 'Howdy Doody' lunch box and give it a new life. When you bring a lunch from home, try to remember silverware from home, reusable tupperware instead of disposable plastic bags, and a reusable thermos or mug. The landfill and your body will be thanking you!

Save the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids, how about pasta salad, quiche, or a hearty soup? Check out chow.com for great lunch ideas!

We here at Conference and Event Services like to help you stay green and healthy-- what more could you ask for?

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

2009-11-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

Monday November 23, 2009

To all those following and reading our blog, we'd like to say Happy Thanksgiving to you all a little early! We hope you all enjoy all of the delicious Thanksgiving foods with your friends and families and take a well deserved break from all the hustle and bustle that work provides us. Eat, smile, laugh, and have a fun! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A jaunt around campus

2009-11-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

Pathway through the Arboretum

Monday morning Aaron and I fired up the gem car and hit the ground running. We blasted past bike riders at 26 mph, in the golf cart-ish vehicle, which I approximate to have about 3 horse power. Our mission? Visiting campus event venues I hadn't been to yet. Even after spending 3 1/2 years here, I never knew how many cool spots the campus has to offer.

The west end of the Arboretum near Shields Grove Gazebo was a-glisten with morning dew and I realized the vastness of the space. Next stop was Vanderhoef Quad between the Mondavi and Alumni Centers. Is it just me, or is the fountain there cool? Shaped like a rectangle with the bottom end in the pool of water, water falls in long vertical strands, creating a curtain like effect. Finally, we ended up at the Good Life Garden. By this time it was around 11am and seeing all the beautiful, organic food there was making me pretty hungry, so needless to say it was time to leave before I pulled a carrot out of the ground!

The Arboretum, Vanderhoef Quad, and the Good Life Garden are just a few examples of beautiful outdoor venues for events here at UCD, and with 15 years in the 'biz,' Conference and Event Services can help you choose the perfect spot for your event!

Office Word of the Day: Consolidation

2009-11-13T16:08:00.001-08:00

Friday November 13, 2009

With all of the consolidation going on through many departments within the University and with many organizations throughout Northern California, we encourage you to count on us to pick up the slack when it comes to your event planning needs. With 15 years of experience, we are here to lighten the load on an event that may cause you and your organization trouble. With our friendly event coordinators that have seen events of all shapes and sizes, we ask you to take a deep breathe and let us handle what we love to do. So the next time you think about how you are going to compensate for the shortage of people power in your office when you are planning an event, look no further than UC Davis Conference and Event Services. You can trust us, we're event coordinators.

Office Word of the Day: Qualified

2009-11-09T16:12:00.000-08:00

Monday November 9, 2009

When working with UC Davis Conference and Event Services, you know that you are working with qualified event planners that are here to help you with your event. We've been at our job for years and with all of those years of experience under our belt, we are ready for various situations and ideas you can throw at us. You need internet access in your rooms? We have it. You need audio and visual equipment on site? We have that. You need on site accommodation? We have that too. Name something that we can do for you and we'll try to have everything there for you and your event to be an success. We're motivated, we're hardworking, and we're qualified. Trust us, we're event planners.

We Tweet, Do You??

2009-11-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Friday November 6, 2009

With web 2.0 racing toward the finish line and passing the torch onto web 3.0, our department is wondering who out there is in the web 2.0 business like we are, and more specifically we want to know who has a Twitter account? We've been tweeting away for quite sometime and we have found great folks and have heard great facts about what is going on in our community, green practices, national news, and much more. So are any of you out there tweeting? We'd like to follow you if you're reading our blog because most likely we share the same interest. If you're a tweet, follow us! We look forward to reading your tweets!

The Scoop on Being Greener: Compost, Compost, Compost

2009-11-02T14:57:00.000-08:00

Monday November 2, 2009

Hopefully after a safe and fun Halloween for everyone out there, it is still important to remember that we all have a social responsibility to make sure we also think about the environment as well. Remember all of those pumpkins you bought for decorations? Or your neighbors house that is littered with numerous amounts of pumpkins? You do? Great, because you can compost those! Pumpkins are 100% compostable and everyone out there should look into composting all those lanterns that are still lingering around the house. Simple directions to compost your pumpkins can be found here. And remember, a greener post-Halloween can help the environment just that much more!

The Scoop on Being Greener: Walking

2009-10-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Friday October 30, 2009

It's pretty simple and easy, and it should be a no brainer for most folks, but due to it's simplicity, it can be overlooked. Walking! The activity that took you months to learn as an infant is still extremely healthy for you, as well as the environment. With all of the pollutants that can come from automobiles, it is important to remember instead of driving down the street to visit your neighbor, you can always walk down the street to visit your neighbor. Walking provides you with great exercise, as well as, providing you with a beautiful scenary of your neighboorhood. While driving in a car, you may have overlooked certain places in your neighboorhood that you've never seen before, neighboors you've never met before! Take the time today to walk around your neighboorhood: great exercise and great environment.

Office Word of the Day: Conflate

2009-10-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

In seeking some inspiration for our office blog, I googled word of the day, and the first to appear was conflate which means to bring or fuse together into one entity.

In elementary school, my teacher told me that the best way to test my understanding of a definition was to use it in a sentence, so here goes nothing! Our services here at Conference and Events are the conflation of expertise and individualized event planning-- with over 15 years in the event planning business we stand prepared to meet your event coordination needs, and it is our goal to make the event come together according to your vision.

--we even know what conflation means. Yeah, we're that good.

A Sunny and Sustainable Day at UC Davis

2009-10-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

Today is the 4th annual Campus Sustainability Vendor Fair held in our very own Quad! UC Davis is joining other colleges and universities from across the nation in exchanging knowledge on sustainability, and introducing students, staff, and faculty to environmentally friendly businesses. UC Davis, along with all our UC sister schools, are committed to Environmental Preferable Purchasing (also known as EPP). Our fair features vendors from HP, Xerox, and Davis-area favorite Dos Coyotes Border Cafe. To learn more about how you can practice EPP check out http://purchasing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/index.cfm

Here at Conference and Event Services we support green events and sustainable living. If you're looking to hold a green event, look no further than Conference and Event Services!

The Scoop on Being Greener: Plan Green Conference 2010

2009-10-19T13:25:00.001-07:00

Monday October 19, 2009

The date is in the books and the 2nd annual Plan Green Conference will be held on Tuesday February 16, 2009! We are extremely excited once again to have a conference devoted to green practices in the industry we love the most, event planning. We find it very important to continue to push green ideas and practices in the event planner's industry because we do hold a lot of power in the way an event goes, and in our profession, we can not only make the difference for an event, but also the environment as well.

Last year if you remember, we had over 400 UC Davis event planners in attendance and we hopefully plan to have over 400 this year. Of course we will be having the vendor and caterer showcase just like last year, so make sure to bring your questions and appetites for all those folks working their booths!

Once again, the conference will be held on Tuesday February 16, 2010, so make sure you save the date! Please call (530) 754-7181 for any questions or concerns

The Newbie

2009-10-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hi readers! My name is Gabrielle and I'm the newest addition to UCD Conference and Event Services team. I don't have an official title yet, but I'll be editing the website to make it user friendly for all of our future clients. So far I've learned more about SEO (search engine optimization), that my co-workers are very green friendly (you go team!), and that Aaron likes to travel in packs... kind of like a wolf.

I study international relations and communication and also write for the California Aggie. As a writer for the Aggie I get to go backstage at a lot of really cool places where few Aggies go: TAPS, UC Davis Police Department, R4-- can you believe that I haven't seen candy bowls in any of these offices?

I'm looking forward to the coming time I'll spend working for Conference and Event Services, and to help make the website the best it can be.

Office Word of the Day: Research

2009-10-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

Monday October 12, 2009

UC Davis Conference and Event Services is an organization that is always conducting RESEARCH on what is new, exciting, and most of all appealing to you all out there in the consumer market. We know that you have many options when it comes to event management, but we are passionate and dedicated in learning what you want out of an event management service.

In order to understand what you want, we have to do research, and it can be simply put that we conduct a lot. Whether if it's looking at online articles, reading through your hard copy publications or attending your conferences, we care about what you want, and if we didn't, we'd be out of a job. We learn from you in order to make ourselves better, and it's the research process of our job that makes us successful and the right organization for you!

Office Word of the Day: WOO

2009-10-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Monday October 5, 2009

A first you may have been thinking of the noise someone says when excited, but actually WOO, is an acronym for Window of Opportunity. Whether you are a provider or a client, the window of opportunity is something you should always be focused on. Sometimes the WOO may be big, sometimes it may be small, but most importantly, you want to make sure you have one.

The WOO at UC Davis for hosting your event is quite convenient for events both big and small. We have the facilities and services that you will want to take the opportunity to use and love due to their inexpensiveness and convenience. Everything you need for your conference or event is right here on campus, and we pride ourselves on making the WOO for your conference management fiasco as minute as possible. We would guarantee a 100% success rating, but of course we're only human!

So exercise your big WOO at UC Davis! Trust us, we're event coordinators.

A Day in the Life of a Team Member: The Aaron Long Stories

2009-09-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 30, 2009

Hello everyone! Just wanted to drop by on the blog and give an update on what is going on with our team here at Conference and Event Services! As you may have noticed, we have changed our name from UC Davis Conference Events and Visitors services to the sleek and simple Conferences and Event Services. The name changed was approved by the Chancellor herself, and we are excited to push forward into the future with a great name still bring you excellent event management.

On a personal note, this summer went very well for me! I was able to visit my family down in Southern California, as well as travel to one of our nation's most beautiful cities, Chicago. I am currently on the pursuit of finding a new home in which I will work and attend a post-undergrad program which I have yet to decide of. This move will take place within the next couple years so I want to get a jump on looking. Just another part of this journey called life, I'm on and I couldn't be more excited!

Well that's all for the Aaron Long stories! Until next time!