2011 GMIC Sustainable Meetings Conference

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

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

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

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

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!

Thursdays: Your Day to Share!

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

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!

2010-2011 Speaker Series at UCD

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

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."

Have Your Wedding at UC Davis

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

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!

Exercise and You

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!

Davis: A Place for You and Your Bike

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!

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

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!

Event Planning on Your Mobile

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!

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

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

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

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

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!