Wedding, Wedding, Who's Having a Wedding?

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

CES and Beyond: Kevin Ger

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

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.

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

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!

Office Word of the Day: Consolidation

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.

The Scoop on Being Greener: Plan Green Conference 2010

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

Office Word of the Day: Research

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!

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

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!

Another Successful Visit to Washington, D.C.

Monday September 28, 2009

Ana Kitchen and Lina Layiktez have been back from Washington, D.C. for a few weeks now and in short, their event was yet again another successful one! While out representing UC Davis' fine meeting facilities and services, they were able to connect and reconnect with past clients that are interested in coming out to Davis, California to hold one of their events.

New clients showed great interest in our new Hotel & Conference Center that has already turned some heads in the even planning industry. With the development of this newt facility, organizations will be able to not only meet on campus during academic calendar days, but stay as well. It is quite an achievement considering we like to propose UC Davis not only as a extremeley accomplished academic institution, but a place where folks can meet in a variety of facilities from rustic lodges to our new hotel & conference center.

Once again our department would like to thank and congratulate Ana and Lina for another successful tradeshow again! Way to go ladies!

Finding the Silverlining

Tuesday August 18, 2009

Without a doubt the economy has seen brighter days, and our pockets are getting thinner and thinner as the next day arrives. We realize that our budgets are getting smaller and our energy to coordinate or participate in events are getting lower.

The University of California, Davis is no stranger to these budget struggles, and we can completely empathize with all of you out there who are getting a bad taste in your mouths when even the word money is whispered. That's why at UC Davis we try to make the most affordable prices for your events as possible. There's no need to travel far and wide looking for an event facility or an event service that is going to cost you an arm and a leg, when you're struggling to begin with. When planning with us, we will focus on getting you the lowest rate possible and make sure your event planning process is as easy as possible.

So the next time you are looking for event coordinators or event facilities, look no further than UC Davis. We're here to help you with your event, not charge you outrageous prices that are going to leave your pockets even thinner. Take some stress off your shoulders and let us handle it for you. Trust us, we're event planners.

The Scoop on Being Greener: What do you know about Bamboo?

Monday August 10, 2009

The only fact about bamboo that a majority of people know is Panda Bears eat them, but little do a lot of folks know the economical and environmental advantages bamboo gives us. There has been a great increase in eco-friendly organizations in the use of bamboo for products due to the plants durability, and versatile use for products across the board. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth and provides a great advantage considering while using it, you can be growing it at a tremendous return rate; still protecting the ecosystem in which the plant resides in. Bamboo is great for decorations, clothing, book covers, cards, etc. Next time your looking for a durable and versatile resource in your green planning, don't over look bamboo! Once you start using it, it will definitely grow on you!

Office Word of the Day: Drive

What makes someone just that much better than their competition? What makes all the great competitors out there beat their opponents in a last minute fury to the end? DRIVE. Here at UC Davis Campus Events and Visitor Services we look at your event as a challenge that we are more than capable of conquering. We have the drive to blow past any obstacles that you throw in the way, and we strive exceed your expectations no matter how big or small your event may be. In order to be the best, and in order to compete with the best, you have to have drive. We have drive; so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

The Scoop on Being Greener: Reusing

Wednesday July 22, 2009

It sounds easy, you know people that do it, but can you put it into your everyday practices? Using a reusable mug, cup, or water bottle is something so simple that a lot of people look over as being a green practice; however, it does indeed make a huge impact on our environment. According to thedailygreen.com, if you were to buy "a disposable container, you are generating about 22.75 pounds of waste per year." A year! Just by yourself you are producing that much waste, and just imagine if you were to purchase that five dollar mug you see at Starbucks everyday? Or even that sports water bottle you see at your local running shop? You'd not only be saving yourself some money, but you'd also be saving the world a lot of waste that is not need. So do your part today and go out and reuse! If we all put in a little effort, our world can be a little greener.

What are Some of Your Green Practices?

Friday July 17, 2009

It's always good to have open communication with those in your community, because one idea can really make a difference when it comes to green practices. Being green is something that everyone is striving for because the consequences of non-green practices are becoming more and more prevalent today. Many are realizing that there is only one planet that we live on and to preserve it, we must do everything in our power to make sure mother nature is pleased.

In today's post, we are asking all of you out there to email us your green practices that you do on a daily basis, in order to share that with our colleagues, who in return will share with their colleagues, and so on. By sharing ideas, we will further educate those around us about green practices, and ways we can all work together in order to be greener. So please send your green practices to Aaron Long at aklong@ucdavis.edu so we can together start educating those about what we can do to be greener. Thank You!

A Day in the Life of a Team Member: The Geoff Mak Stories

Wednesday July 14, 2009

Hi everyone my name is Geoff Mak and I am the new graphic designer taking over after Kevin Ger's great work. I'm currently studying Design with a minor in both English and Religious Studies. I can't express how much it means to work by a water cooler now, dehydration is but a vague memory. Whenever I'm not at work, usually you can find me just doing some creative writing and hanging out with my friends. Look out for our new designs coming out soon!

Office Word of the Day: Professional

The definition of PROFESSIONAL is a person who is expert at his or her work, and we would like to consider ourselves professionals in the conference and event management industry. Although we may be at a educational institution, we see ourselves eye to eye with private event planning vendors that you may read or hear about. We do our work with a professionalism that is comparable to privatized event planning services, a cheaper price. So the next time you're looking for a professional in the conference and event management field, don't be shy to call on us. When meeting at UC Davis, you'll be meeting outside the box. And trust us, we're event coordinators.

A Day in the Life of a Team Member: The Alex Westbrook Stories

Monday July 13, 2009

Hello everyone! My name is Alex Westbrook and I am one of the newest members to the Campus Events and Visitor Services' Marketing Team! I've been on board for a month and it's been nothing but fun so far. I recently rapped up my second to last school year here at UC Davis and I will be going into my senior year this coming fall : ). In a year's time I will achieve my Bachelor of Arts degree in both Economics and Managerial Economics, and I hope to continue on after somewhere in the banking industry. Of course at work, I enjoy working with the fellow students on all of our projects and couldn't ask for anymore laughter and positive energy from our group. On my spare time if I had any, you would most likely find me with my friends just hanging out and relaxing! Thanks for reading up and finding out a little bit more about our team!

Plan Green 2010

Monday July 6, 2009

Due to the great success and positive feedback from this year's Plan Green Conference, we here at UC Davis Campus Events and Visitor Services are now gearing up to plan 2010's Plan Green Conference. Because of you all out there that participated and helped coordinate, we are ready to give it another go, to make it bigger and better. Thanks again for the support and we will be updating you all periodically with our planning processes!

Office Word of the Day: Feedback

Wednesday July 1, 2009

Here at UC Davis Campus Events and Visitor Services, we're always trying to do the best we can to support and your event planning process. We've been executing conference and event management for years now, but it's always great to get FEEDBACK from you all out there on how we can accommodate you better. Yes, it is great to know that we are doing a good job, but there is always room for improvement! So let us know how we can make your life easier and give us your feedback today!

Office Word of the Day: Organized

Thursday June 18, 2009

Today's office word of the day is ORGANIZED. Being organized in whatever you do is imperative, especially if you are handling someone's event or conference. At UC Davis Campus Events and Visitor Services, we pride ourselves in being a very organized and energetic group of event coordinators. You would not come to us if you wanted a job that was down halfheartedly or lazily. We're ready to go on the drop of a time, and we're organized to get what we need to get done in a timely manner, and to exceed your expectations.