Day: June 25, 2020

Being A Good Party Planner Organizer Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Events•by benjamin•Posted June 25, 2020June 25, 2020

Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide

A well executed event can bring in as much as $704 per participant. Even more important, it can introduce your organization to powerful sources of ongoing support, from newfound audiences to bedrock sponsors. And each successful event makes the next one more successful.

Think about the last event you attended. How did you find out about it, and why did you go? Was it easy to get there? Was the location comfortable? Were you served food and/or drinks? What did you see and hear and buy and try? Who did you meet? Did you learn anything, enjoy yourself, come away with new contacts? Did it impress you? Was it worth it?

Everything that goes into making an event happen is the job of an event planner. Everything that goes into making it memorable is the job of an excellent one.

Learn the ground rules

The touchstone of event planning is that you never launch an event without a clear plan for how it will run from start to finish. Simple as that sounds, it’s a foundational rule that guides all professional event planners.

Get in the trenches

In addition to learning event planning fundamentals, the sooner you can get some hands-on experience, the better. The ability to handle pressure and hit deadlines is key to success on every project, and there’s no substitute for real-world accountability.

Choosing the Right Vendors for your Company Event

Choosing the right vendor or vendors can be a painstaking and burdensome task when planning a large corporate event such as a Company Picnic or Family Fun Day.

Decisions, Decisions!

You are now the quarterback and it’s Super Bowl Sunday. You have to find something fun and unique to satisfy not only your boss, but hundreds of your colleagues and maybe even their families. On paper it sounds fun, but once you start to dig into each aspect of the event, things start to get real. Finding the right caterer, entertainment company, logistics specialist, décor and arranging payments can turn this task into a full time job that requires an exhausting amount of organization and attention to detail.

Cheap vs. Expensive

Everyone knows the saying “You get what you paid for”. This could not be truer in the event industry. You have a budget that you have to stay within, but what good have you done if you come in under budget and the event is a disaster? Things to consider

Customer Service and Communication

Perhaps this should be # 1 on the list. The worst vendor you can hire is the one who has you sign a one page contract and says we will see you on your event day. You never hear from them again until it is time to collect the final payment. The event planning process is very much a living, breathing creature that is constantly changing and adapting to ensure one aspect of the event fits the next.

Ambition

Your vendor should be as ambitious as you are when trying to achieve success. A good event planner understands the value of teamwork. Things to consider

qualities every great event planner should possess

Embracing future technology

Technology is constantly and rapidly evolving and changing, ergo being in touch with new trends can be key ease your workload. Technology can help you get your work done faster, more efficiently and more organized, which in the end can make you an exceptional and happier event planner. Social Media is also constantly evolving, and what were new and hip yesterday, might be old and outdated tomorrow. Making sure you recognize your audience and their media trends, can give you an edge over your competitors. Related post: How to embrace future technology

Be Creative – Be Different

The key to success is the ability to do things differently, to do things new ways you need to be creative and innovative. Are you the kind of person who enjoy solving problems creatively, who wants to make every event unique and special, or who is not afraid of doing something new, then you are destined to become a successful event planner. Your ability to improvise, and your flexibility is what will make you stand out from the crowd. Related post: How to be creative

People Skills is my middle name

As an event planner you are going to talk to lots of people, a lot! You are the liaises between vendors, clients and suppliers, therefore a key component, to becoming a successful event planner, is being able to give clear and precise communication and understand what the client wish to achieve in the end. You are going to be social, and build a network of professionals, who can help you out, when problems outside of your expertise arise. In the end, knowledge and charisma are going to help you win a client. Related post: People Skills Are Essential To A Succesful Event Planner

Self-motivation behind the desk

Hollywood has painted a glamorous picture of event planners traveling constantly to exotic locations. The reality is, you are sitting at your desk from 9-17, responding to requests for event proposals, calling venues, hotels, and restaurants asking if they have available dates and satisfying rates. Self-motivation is the answer. It will keep you from going insane with mundane tasks, and will guarantee that you are not slowly killing your mood and creativity, when sitting in front of a screen 8 hours a day. Related post: Motivation Creates the Best Event Planners

Procrastination? Not on my time!

Event planners must have excellent time management. Between the mountains of details, you need to remember, the various people you have to communicate with before an event, and other tasks you are assigned, you will have no time to procrastinate. Remember your schedule for an event start at least 6 months prior to the event, therefore if you are the kind of person, who does every task at the last minute, you are not going to achieve much success. Multitasking is an essential process, when working as an event manager, as you are going to switch your attention back and forth between different assignments. The event industry is stressful, so make sure you use every available option you got, to make your workload easier to overcome

The Complete Guide to Hiring a Destination Wedding Planner

It may come as no surprise that destination weddings require more coordination than local weddings. Paying close attention to detail is critical because not only are you planning an event from afar, you are also likely to be hosting multiple events over the course of the wedding weekend, not just the ceremony and reception. The good news is, destination wedding planners can help you with just that.

“I am obsessed with details—logistical details, styling details, the smallest details down to the placement of a fork,” says premier destination wedding planner Kimiko Hosaki. “Timelines and seating plans are strategic puzzles to me that I love obsessing over for hours until they’re just perfect, ensuring the most enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Reasons to Hire a Destination Wedding Planner

In addition to the comfort of knowing your wedding is in capable hands,

Peace of mind.

Destination wedding planners ease the stress by being able to answer your questions, lay out the facts, and offer an unbiased, professional opinion. They are an invaluable asset if you have to make hard decisions like rain contingency plans, postponing your wedding date, or how to handle unforeseen road bumps.

Hands-on experience.

A top destination wedding planner has years of experience, connections, and relationships that they’ve built over time. They can handle any problem that arises with grace.

Beginners Guide to Event Planning

Hosting a large event like a trade show or an industry conference takes a lot of planning. Sometimes, you can get so focused on the big picture that you forget about the details. Before your next event

Choose a Location That is Easy for Attendees to Access

When deciding on a location for your event, first begin with access. Are you looking to locate your event in a city that attendees can easily fly, drive, or catch a train to? Once they’re there, how will your attendees get around? Do your research and coordinate with your event partners (your local CVB or DMO is great for this) and ensure that your attendees have all the information they need to find the venue, networking events, and hot spots to visit while they’re in town.

Share the Event’s Schedule With Attendees

Let everyone know your event’s schedule by sharing it via email or a mobile event app. Use hashtags like #eventprofs and the name of your conference or trade show to share information on Twitter. You should also post schedules at the event to help attendees make the most of presentations and other opportunities

Check for Inconsistent Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi quality can drop quickly as more people arrive and connect to the internet. You probably can’t do much about a venue’s Wi-Fi quality, but you can use a mobile event app that stores information and regularly syncs with its database to make sure attendees get updates as soon as they can connect. (Good news, PCMA says that these convention centers are upgrading their Wi-Fi soon!).

Provide Good Signage to Help People Navigate the Event

The bigger your event is, the harder it becomes for people to find booths, stages and vendors. Posting large, colorful signs will make it easy for all attendees to navigate your event without constantly asking staff members for help.

Best Tankless Water Heaters For Residential Water Heating

Plumbing•by benjamin•Posted June 25, 2020June 25, 2020

How To Choose The Right Water Heater

You’ve just moved into a new home, and you’re looking to purchase a water heater. You know that a water heater is a pretty hefty investment, but you’re unsure as to what factors make that investment worthwhile. You want a water heater that fits your budget, your fuel sources, and your overall home. There are three important criteria to keep in mind when looking to find your perfect water heater

Energy Efficiency/Cost

We’ve lumped these together because the cost of running your system goes hand in hand with its energy efficiency. Your instinct might be to jump at the least expensive water heater you find, but that’s not always your best bet. Keep in mind that your water heater is a long-term investment. Being a little generous with your initial purchase is going to save you from frequent repair bills down the road or pre-mature replacement.

Fuel Type

Before deciding on a specific type of water heater, you need to know what type of fuel it takes, and how available/expensive that fuel is in your area

Most of these power sources are offered throughout the United States, but costs and rates vary. If you are purchasing a water heater for the first time, compare local fuel costs against water heater types. If you’re looking into water heater replacement, consider switching fuel sources for potentially lower utility bills

Heat Coverage

How many bathrooms and sinks do you have in your home? If you’re leaning towards a small, barely-there system in a house that has several bathrooms, you won’t have enough hot water. Similarly, large systems are inappropriate for smaller homes that have fewer bathrooms and sinks. Think about this sizing when deciding on which type of water heater to purchase.

What Type Of Water Heater Is Right For You?

Few things are more unpleasant than a cold shower. If you’re suffering through a frigid blast of water every morning, it’s time to invest in a new water heater.

As you might expect, there are many options when it comes to purchasing a new hot water heater. You’ll need to choose the right one in order to meet your home’s needs, while also reducing energy costs and your environmental impact.

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for hot water heaters:

Size: You’ll need a water heater with the capacity to provide your household with enough hot water.

Efficiency: To save on heating costs and minimize your environmental impact, choose a water heater that delivers the best energy efficiency.

Cost: Compare the annual costs associated with running different water-heating systems. Generally, there will be trade-off between up-front costs (higher for more efficient systems) and annual costs (higher for less efficient systems).

Fuel: The energy source (gas, oil, electricity) you use to heat your water will have an impact on running costs, energy efficiency and capacity.

Storage Tank Water Heaters

The most common water-heating system is the storage tank, which provides a ready supply of hot water.

The tank is insulated and can store 20 to 80 gallons of water. When you turn on the hot water tap, the tank releases hot water from a pipe on the top of the tank. The tank is then replenished with cold water. Because storage tanks use energy to ensure the tank water is constantly heated, they can drain energy even when you aren’t using hot water.

Electric water heaters: criteria for choosing

Looking for a new water heater? If your old one has given up the ghost or is about to do so, keep a cool head and take the time to make the right choice. Your hot water needs may have changed, and the characteristics of heaters have evolved in recent years.

Water heater capacity

Too large a water heater will push up your energy bill, whereas too small a heater will leave you without hot water just when you need it. To choose the right size, first determine whether your consumption is normal or high. In general, consumption is considered high if there are teenagers (great lovers of showers!) living in your home or if you have a large-sized bathtub, a spa or a multi-jet shower

Energy efficiency

Since the Energy Star program evaluates the performance only of gas, heat pump or solar models, you need to turn to various yield measurements to judge the efficiency of an electric water heater

In particular, you should consider its heat loss, in other words the loss of heat in unused water through the tank’s fairly well insulated walls. These losses vary according to the temperature of the hot water and that of the ambient air: the cooler the room where the heater is located, the greater the losses.

Quality of construction

An electric water heater must meet the requirements of Standard C-191 set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Choosing Your Water Heater

Available Energy Sources

After reading on the different energy sources available, such as gas water heaters, thermodynamic water heaters, solar water heaters and electric water heaters, you’ve chosen the electric water heater, which requires little space, no ventilation nor maintenance.

Tank Capacity

40 or 60 gallons? Here are some things to consider to make the right choice: number of family members, number of bathrooms, number of simultaneous uses and the use of a whirlpool bathtub. The best reference is the tank capacity of your old water heater: did it sufficiently meet your hot water needs?

Warranties and Service Contracts

There are two types of warranties: the manufacturer’s warranty and the supplier’s warranty. Manufacturers who offer longer-term warranties on their water heaters usually use superior quality materials and design to ensure their products’ reliability. One point to consider: the staff’s availability before and after the sale.

Installation

Will you choose the worry-free and mess-free installation carried out by a professional in your area, or will you choose to do the installation yourself? This decision will have an impact on the warranty of your water heater. Hardware stores offer standard water heaters, but the installation service is rarely included. You then have to think about the tools you’ll need to acquire if you decide to do it yourself or consider the service fees of a plumber.

Water Heater Features

The construction, the insulation, the cold water entry, the safety accessories like the safety valves and the drain pan, the anticorrosion parts, the number of elements are all factors you need to consider. Ask the advice of your local water heater experts to help you better identify these features.

Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide

Tired of running out of hot water in the shower (or anywhere else, for that matter)? Is your current water heater on the fritz, ready to succumb to years of constant use? Whatever your situation, when it concerns a new water heater, there’s a big choice to make: tank or no tank? Tankless is becoming more and more popular, but how do you know if it’s right for you?

Unlike conventional tank water heaters, tankless water heaters heat water only as it is used, or “on demand”. Tankless units have a powerful burner or heating element that’s activated by the flow of water when a hot water fixture is used. Free of the limitations of the tank, hot water can be produced in perpetuity. They’re touted as water and energy savers, but as always, it depends on the situation. To choose the best water heater for your home, you’ll need to consider your usage habits, your plumbing fixtures, and the limitations imposed by the house and its existing plumbing.

What Is A Tankless Water Heater?

We’re all familiar with standard tank water heaters, which work well but aren’t all that efficient. No matter how great the tank’s insulation is, the hot water inside will give up its heat over time – that’s just how the universe works. The only way to keep that water hot is to regularly warm it up – a constant cycle that consumes energy and costs you money. Standby heat loss typically accounts for 10-20% of total annual water heating costs. In some homes with standard tank heaters, the energy consumed for heating water is even greater than that used for heating the home itself!

Tankless water heaters were designed to avoid the shortcomings of standard heaters, providing a more energy-efficient way to have a steady hot water supply. Utilizing powerful gas burners or electrical elements, they’re able to rapidly heat water at the time of use, as opposed to storing (and perpetually reheating) it for eventual use. Heating water only when you need it makes sense, and eliminating standby heat loss almost always results in lower energy bills.

In addition to avoiding standby heat loss, tankless heaters are also smarter in how they use fuel (be it gas or electrical energy). By modulating their fuel use, these units use only what’s needed to heat water at the flow rate actually being experienced. If you open up a sink faucet that’s drawing 1gpm, less fuel is used to heat that water than would be used for a tub spout running at 5gpm. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see fuel-use reductions of up to 50% compared to a tank heater

Contact Your Local Car Dealer

Automotive•by benjamin•Posted June 25, 2020June 25, 2020

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Used Car Dealer

These days, many people are owning cars and there is a greater increase in the demand for a car as many people are seeing the advantages that come with having a personal car. There are many advantages that come with having your own car. You need to buy a good quality car that will serve you well from the many car dealers available. If you don’t have enough money then you can still be able to buy a car from the used car dealers that are found all around

The first tip that you will have to consider when you are choosing a used car dealer where you will be able to buy a car from is the reputation that they have. A good reputation means that the car dealer sells good cars and the clients are satisfied. You will get to know the reputation that a car dealer has by asking your friends and families. You can also be able to know the reputation of a car dealer by asking those people who have done business with that company in the past as well as checking online reviews on the dealer’s website.

The second tip that you will have to consider when you are choosing a used car dealer to buy a car from is the dealership policies. Some used car dealers will offer you 2 to 3 day of return policy in case you buy a car and later find it is not the right one for you. You also need to ensure that the car dealer as an exchange policy where you can be able to exchange the car after some time and get a better one that you want

You will have to consider the type of cars that the used car dealer sells. Do a research and ensure that the used cars burlington dealer has the type of car that you want to buy before you visit to buy a car. You can even Google the best type of car that will be able to fit your needs and ensure the dealer has them and ensure that the used car dealer has them before you visit the dealer for buying

When you are choosing a used car dealer that you will buy a car from you should ensure that all the cars that he sells are certified. Most of the used car dealers will be able to offer the certified vehicle program through their manufacturers in order to ensure that the cars will be worth paying the premiums for. There are a lot of benefits that come with buying a certified car from a used car dealer. The discussion above is about the tips that you need to consider when you are choosing a used car dealer to buy a car from

Qualities of Car Dealers

Buying a car is a sensitive decision that needs to be made with lots of planning. Otherwise, you might end up getting a raw deal. You will be left regretting if you buy a car that is not worth the cash that you spend.

Credibility

Don’t just pick the first car dealer you come across because the odds are that they might not be credible. You will notice that almost all car dealers have a website that sheds more light on their work and contacts.

Variety

You should buy your vehicle from a dealer that will give you unlimited opportunities. In simple terms, you should consider one with a huge inventory if you want to know what other cars they have to offer and the specs of the auto that you would like to purchase. Choosing such a dealer will make the process of buying your new or used wheels a breeze

Arranged Financing

Some cars are very expensive, and not everyone can afford to buy them in one installment. For this reason, excellent car dealers will arrange for the financing of the vehicle so that you can pay for it when driving it. However, you need to clearly understand every step of the financing process to avoid spending more than you intended. If you are not keen, you will get financing options that have lots of hidden charges.

Online Shopping

Shopping online has become a popular trend within the last two decades. It comes with multiple advantages when you are buying a car. For instance, you will be able to view the car images from different angles. That aside, you should not be fooled by the images

tips for buying your first car

Buying your first car can be exciting, but there’s a lot to manage. Planning ahead can help make the process easier—and help ensure you end up with the best car for you. Here are some important things to keep in mind as you start shopping for your first car.

Be honest about your needs

Do you need a car to get to class or work every day, or just for weekend adventures? What’s the weather like where you live—snowy, rainy or hot? Evaluate your lifestyle and the driving conditions you face most often. Do your research: Learn about different features and options, and how they might affect a car’s price

Think about your budget and financing

Take a realistic look at your finances, too. That includes not just the purchase price but budgeting for use and care of your future car, including maintenance, insurance, gas, repairs and parking. Learn more about the true cost of owning a car.

Explore your options

Shopping for your first car is a lot easier for you than it was for your parents. The Internet offers a wealth of sellers beyond your local area (who may ship cars to your area, which may come with a fee), which can mean more choices in your price range. You can research and narrow down the choices by looking at online auto rankings in categories like safety or auto type (such as SUVs, hybrids). Learn more about how to shop for—and even finance—a car online.

Know your credit score

Your credit score helps determine the interest rate you pay on a car loan. Better credit may help get you a more favorable interest rate, which in turn will affect your overall car-buying budget. You may also be able to get your credit score for free through your credit card provider.

Things to Avoid When Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can be a smart investment when you need a replacement vehicle. While new car purchases tend to increase with a rising economy, used cars can provide a great alternative as long as you know how to shop for one.

Failing to Line up Financing Before Shopping

Before you purchase your used car, whether that’s through a dealer or from a private owner on a website such as Craigslist, you’ll have to figure out how you’re going to pay for it. Not everyone is able to lay down the cash for a car in full—even for a used one

Financing allows you to understand the upper limit of your price range. Knowing your budget makes negotiating prices easier. If you’re buying a car from a dealership, you can certainly take their offer. But remember, dealer financing is built like a wholesale insurance offer, often adding in additional interest rates.

Shopping Based on Monthly Payments Alone

You can save a lot over the long term if you have enough money to buy your used car outright. If you don’t fall into this category, you’ll have to make up a budget and determine how much you can afford

When people look for a new car, they often think about the monthly payments they’ll have to make. While a lower monthly payment is good for your monthly budget, a longer payment period means you end up paying back more money in the long run. Due to compounding interest, it could make more sense for you to take on a higher monthly payment since it’s possible to pay back the principle in a shorter period.

Choosing the Best Car Dealer

Buying a new car, truck, or SUV can often be a time-consuming and quite overwhelming process. Even when you do some digging, choosing a manufacturer, and set your sight on a few models, there is still a lot of things to be done. Finding and choosing the right car dealership means that you will need to do more than simply typing “best car dealers” into your search box. In this article, you will be able to read about a few steps that you should take when looking for a good car dealer

Read the Reviews on the Dealer Website

Reading the reviews from customers can provide you with a good idea of the overall dealership quality. They will certainly provide insight into how the dealership communicates with its customers, what services they offer, as well as the cost of the services they provide. You should check the dealers’ websites and read reviews from customers just like you.

Dealer Longevity

Selling vehicles is not an easy thing to do and dealerships come and go, just like every other business. This is especially true for car dealers who opened their doors for the first time less than a year ago. Will the dealer be there in the future when you need help? It is usually smarter and safer to buy a vehicle from a well-established dealer who has been around for a lot of years

Check Better Business Bureau

You should check the Better Business Bureau or BBB website for your state. The BBB keeps various records about customer complaints for up to 36 months and the records might show you if the complaint that a customer filed was solved according to the BBB policies. Comparing several car dealers in the same area can quickly reveal if there are any trouble spots.

Facilities

According to the experts from autonkauf-mikael.de, how a dealership cares about their facilities can tell you a lot about them. The best dealers will take pride in their showroom and facilities. You should look around when you arrive there. Are the facilities orderly, clean, and in good shape? Are all the cars there clean? Take these things into consideration when choosing a car dealership