SPECIAL COUPON for those attending the Celebrate Party Showcase

Thank you very much for attending the show. We hope you had a chance to visit our booth and view thousands of images of the designs we have created for events just like yours over the last 30-plus years.

Missed seeing our booth? Need a refresher or just want to see more great décor work for your upcoming event? Click it here – PHOTO GALLERY.

If you have any questions about your upcoming event or would like to schedule a free appointment (without any obligation), please write us at mark@lotparty.com or call our office at 201-342-2121.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Mark Zettler, President

Life O’ The Party
201-342-2121
www.LOTParty.com
www.twitter.com/balloonexpert
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LifeOTheParty
Proud Member of: ISES – The International Special Events Society
President, New York Metro Chapter – 2004-2005 (Chapter of the Year)
www.isesnyc.com
IBA – International Balloon Association
Convention Director – 2005-2006
www.ibaonline.net

EXPERT: Perks of an Event/Party Planner

After attending a fabulous party one tends to rave about the entertainment, décor, food, etc., but rarely do you think about all the work that went on behind the scenes.  According to Brett Galley, the Director of Special Events and owner of Hollywood Pop Gallery, “that is exactly how we want the guests to feel”.  Brett and her team have designed and produced private parties and corporate events including weddings, benefits, fundraisers, and concerts for notable clients and organizations including American Express, Diana Ross, Robert DeNiro, Bette Milder, The New York Yankees and The Museum of Modern Art.

Hollywood Pop Gallery’s ultimate goal is to provide each client and their guests with a once-in-an-lifetime experience.   And with Brett’s natural creative edge her approach and execution is “anything but cookie cutter”.  With each client they meet, Brett and “team POP” set out to surprise, inspire and celebrate whatever the occasion may be. By offering clients a comprehensive selection of entertainment, décor and top-notch party planning services, Brett and her team are sure to make any event “Pop” no matter the budget.

Currently Brett and her team are working on a variety of events and concerts for New York Fashion Week, the holidays, and personal celebrations.

Below are some quick tips from Brett on why working with a planner with save you not only time, but also money.

Party Girl Advice: Perks of a Planner

Working with an expert party and event planner allows the following benefits:

· Save Money – Event planners are constantly building relationships with vendors, venues and other party needs.  Through these relationships it is likely that the event planner will be able secure services for a significantly less price than a “one time” shopper would be able to alone. “It is not unlikely that by working with a party planner you could save as much as 20% or more,” states Brett.

· Save Time – There are never enough hours in the day, so instead of spreading ones-self too thin doing something that someone else can do more efficiently and effectively, hire an experienced party planner “As party planners we thrive on putting the perfect party plan in place and can execute more details in less time, allowing the client to focus on other things” explains Brett. “By hiring a capable and imaginative party planner, clients are much less likely to experience regret that they just didn’t have the time to take care of something. We handle every detail and ensure that it is perfect.”

· Knowledge & Experience – Event planners gain extensive knowledge and wisdom regarding events and parties. They know the latest trends, newest venues, hottest entertainment, budget-saving secrets, and perhaps most importantly can anticipate most problems before they even arise. “Event planners plan hundreds of parties per year so they will be able to share details that you may not be aware of if you only plan one or two events annually. Particularly when it comes to a major life event that most people only have occasion to plan once, our extensive experience will ensure they don’t make any preventable mistakes.” says Brett.

· Contacts are Key – “A planner is nothing without their Network of contacts!” explains Brett.  From lighting to décor to magic and more, all the right contacts are at their fingertips and they’ve usually worked with them multiple times, eliminating concern about each vendor’s credibility. The relationships Hollywood Pop has built over the years, ease any concern over vendors credibility and standard of service.

· Peace of Mind – Despite all the planning, preparation and management, most events inevitably encounter an unforeseen hiccup. Keeping any snags from guests and ensuring the host or hostess loses as little time possible in its resolution are vital. “Having a planner by your side is a great source of comfort because we know who to call and how to remedy a situation quickly,” explains Brett.  “We have had to troubleshoot missing limos, fallen wedding gown hems, canceled entertainment, and so much more.”  Planners provide a sense of security and can secure the resources to resolve an issue seamlessly.

At the end of the day, the right planner will serve as an extension of the party thrower.  They do all the “heavy-lifting” so the client can enjoy the event with their guests.

Party planning is an art form, and Brett and her team at Hollywood Pop Gallery have the talent!

Meet Brett Galley

Brett Galley is the Director of Special Events and Founder of Hollywood Pop Gallery. After graduating from art school, Brett and her mother, celebrated artist Joyce Galley, opened an art gallery in Greenwich, CT that quickly became a popular venue for events. Recognizing her passion for bringing to life the events that her clients could only dream of, she transitioned to the role of Entertainment Director for New York City’s iconic eatery Tavern on the Green before launching Hollywood Pop Gallery in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1993. Offices in Manhattan opened in 2006  and London in 2010. Brett has produced events and concerts for American Express, Diana Ross, Robert DeNiro, Whoopie Goldberg, Bette Midler, Bon Jovi, the New York Yankees and the Museum of Modern Art.

About Hollywood Pop Gallerywww.hollywoodpop.com

Hollywood Pop Gallery is the first event planning and production company combining full-service event planning for your specific budget with the creativity and imagination of a team steeped in the arts and entertainment industries. HPG designs and produces a wide array of all private parties and corporate events including benefits, corporate parties and events, fundraisers, &  name talent and concert bookings. Their work has featured such notable performers as John Mellencamp, Tony Bennett, Katy Perry, Olivia Newton-John, Seal, Donna Summer, Earth Wind & Fire, and Bon Jovi. Charity and fundraising events have included The United States Olympic Committee, The Robin Hood Foundation, The Audubon Society, Bette Midler’s Hulaween, Rockin’ for a Reason, and The Central Park Conservancy.

Teaching, I Like It!

So, Andy and I were on the road recently, as we traveled to Las Vegas for the 2nd annual Celebrate Convention and Trade Show –  http://www.2012celebrateconvention.com/

I really like teaching. It’s something I don’t get to do every day (unless you count “instructing” my staff every day and showing them a better way to do things for oh, the 100th time!). It’s something that makes me feel good knowing I am helping others, It’s something, as I get older, I’d like to do more of. I taught about balloon basics, the Internet and photography while I lead a small but dedicated team in producing décor I designed for the event in the welcome areas and by the classrooms. I thought what we did all turned out very well. My classes were well received and the décor looked great!

Just hoping “what happens in Vegas…” doesn’t stay there, but went home with each and every attendee to help make their businesses bigger, better and more efficient.

Yeah, There’s NO App For That!!

I was reading an article online from a few years ago that said, “The marketing phrase “There’s an app for that” has become ingrained in our popular culture, and over time, it rings increasingly true.” And so it does, it really, really does.

I’ve got all kinds of cool apps for my phone from a metronome and music note tuner, a truly intense flashlight, battery consumption widget, bar code scanner and last week’s newest (for me) a leveling app that lets me know if something like a shelf or wall is even and true.

I’ve been searching the Internet for some signs of life for balloon applications. Surely there must be something out there for the balloon professional. If there is something like over 650,000 applications for smart phones and tablets, of course there must be SOMETHING valuable for balloon industry veterans (and newbies) to make good use of. There HAS to be many such applications for helium consumption, arch creation and sizing, footage calculations for creating arches and columns, design applications for making arches, columns, murals and logos, a color match application, timing apps for how long a large project might take, etc., etc., etc. – RIGHT?

I searched the Apple App Store. Let’s see, wait, here’s one – Jules Verne’s Five Weeks in a Balloon. Oh, well, I guess that’s not one.

Let’s try again. Click, click, click and I’ve got one – Oscar’s 1-10 Balloons! Nnnooo, that’s not right!!

You know what’s the “best” one I could come up with? BALLOONS – The World Just Got Smaller. You know what it does for us in the balloon industry? Nothing! It’s a silly game where you get a balloon on your phone, put your name on it and then you “launch the balloon into the air and watch it fly away.”

So in my best Saturday Night Live voice I simply say to all of you, REALLY? Really balloon industry? 30 plus years of growth and innovation and we haven’t learned to embrace the all-powerful application market to make our lives a little easier? REALLY?

There are a lot of really smart people out there in the business of balloons. Surely somebody can come up with something! Anything?

Can anybody tell me why, “there is NO app for ANY of that?”

If It Isn’t One Thing, Then You Forgot Your Mother!!

For a truly upscale and proper Mother’s Day celebration, fashion a tea party that takes a traditional approach to British tea and add an American flair. Lolita Healy, a nationally known celebrations expert and founder of Designs By Lolita, shares her ideas to create a relaxing and enchanting afternoon. It’s a classy, chic way to pay tribute to the special women in our lives.

Dress up your table with a pretty pastel palette. Proper attire is required—flowery dress and hat for the ladies, shirt and tie for the gentlemen. Don’t forget the kids, too!
Keep the menu simple and elegant. A selection of assorted finger sandwiches pair perfectly with tea. Cucumber and dill, smoked salmon with cream cheese, egg salad, ham with mustard, and chicken salad with grapes are all appropriate options. A cheese board with a variety of international cheeses and grapes compliments the sandwiches.
For dessert, serve shortbread cookies, fairy cakes, miniature pastries, such as éclairs and petit fours, and a decorated cake on a cake stand, perhaps a lemon chiffon cake with white icing dotted with fresh raspberries. Decorate an ice ring with sherbet or ice cream, as well.

And now, for the most important party of a tea party—the tea! Set up a traditional tea service with teapot, cups and saucers, and a selection of teas. For the traditional take, Tetley’s Black Tea, Green Tea and British Blend are great-tasting classic choices. For those looking for something a little bit different with a little more flair, Good Earth’s Sweet & Spicy Iced Tea is the perfect solution. It is unlike any other iced tea out there—it’s a refreshing, unique tea that tastes sweet without any added sugar or sweeteners, has zero calories and maintains a rich flavor thanks to its blend of cinnamon, orange, anise seed, and ginger root.

Champagne punch or mimosas served in an elegant punch bowl along with a kid-friendly non-alcoholic punch round out the beverage selections.
These are all of the components to creating a sophisticated, charming and romantic gathering to cherish the mothers everywhere. Sip tea, relax and enjoy the company.
About Lolita Healy – Celebrations Expert (www.designsbylolita.com) (http://drinkmyblog.wordpress.com/)

Lolita  Healy is a nationally known celebrations expert offering tips and advice on  everyday celebrations.  It all started with a girls’ night out…and  since then Lolita has identified moments large and small that call for  celebration — graduation day, bachelorette parties, weddings, divorces,  milestone birthdays…even shopping! Lolita has appeared  on Today, Good Morning America, MSNBC’s Your Business, CNBC’s How I Made My Millions and several regional broadcast outlets. She and her  products have also been featured in a variety of publications and websites  including Woman’s World, Working Mother, More.com, SheKnows, Betty  Confidential, Examiner.com and Galtime.com.

Six Reasons Why Your Wedding Needs Balloons

When planning a wedding, engagement party or reception, one thing missing from many brides’ décor list is balloons. Some people think they lack elegance while others just don’t think about them at all, but here are some reasons why Balloon Crew thinks your wedding is missing out.

They aren’t predictable…

The last thing any bride wants is for her wedding to be forgettable, and the best way to avoid this is to add some décor that guests won’t expect to see! Our expert creative consultants can work with you to pick the perfect colors – you wouldn’t believe how many there are to choose from – and designs to complement your other accessories.

Balloon Crew also offers table linens and chair covers, making us your one-stop-shop for all your wedding décor needs. Have an outdoor wedding? Request our new 100% biodegradable balloons to keep your celebration “green”!
You can fill balloons with things!
Like confetti, flower petals, smaller balloons or pretty much anything that doesn’t have sharp edges! We can provide colorful, ribbon-adorned « Magic Wands »  for your guests to pop balloons above their tables; all you have to do is sit back, relax and watch the contents cascade down.
They won’t obstruct your guests’ view…
The bride and groom are the main event of any wedding reception, and who wants the view of their table to be blocked by large flower centerpieces? Balloons can be situated to float just above the average person’s seated line of vision, so they add color to your tables without being an annoyance.

Kids love them!
It’s best to have something at your reception that will keep your younger guests occupied, and balloons fill this role perfectly! Work with our creative consultants to organize a balloon drop, and let the children in attendance play keep-it-up to their hearts’ content.  Or, hire one of our skilled entertainers who use a variety of magic tricks, face painting and balloon twisting to keep children busy for hours.
Balloons make a photo “pop”!
Not literally. But balloon arches and columns make a perfect background for souvenir photographs! Set up a photo corner and let your guests take pictures with their dates and families to remember your special day.
They’re personal!
Have you ever seen flower petals embedded with the bride and groom’s names at a wedding? No? That’s because it’s not possible. Our creative consultants, however, work with you to create a design that can be imprinted onto any latex or mylar balloon, giving you a personalized touch.

Jacquie Sopko, Supreme Commander | Balloon Crew Inc. | 216-341-5100 | www.ballooncrewinc.com

Who Needs an Event Planner?

The Party and Event Guide is an online inspiration blog. We help people plan better events by providing examples of creative occasions and industry leading professionals

Weather you want to plan an amazing part, show off your awesome event, or help others plan theirs, you are on the right blog.

If you are here to find ideas, browse around the blog . You will find tons of information on how to plan your event.

Check out this one…

Who Needs an Event Planner?

By Richard O’Malley

Anyone who wants a quality event while being left with even a modicum of sanity.

When you really think about it, at what point is a DIY project better than hiring a professional? Home improvements? No, we find architects and reputable contractors. Travel? No, Priceline and the like, get us better prices but travel agents offer their knowledge and expertise. Everywhere we turn, we look to experts for their advice, the time to stop is not the most important day of your life. Whether it is your wedding, mitzvah, product launch, company excursion, fashion or trade show, this is an important day for you, don’t leave it to chance.

To improve your chances of creating a successful event, hire a reputable, event professional. A well connected, experienced planner can save you thousands of dollars. But, more importantly, dozens of headaches and sleepless nights.

Why to Hire an Event Planner (4)

How can hiring a planner save you?

PLAY THE PERCENTAGES:  Many planners, as form of payment, simply charge a percentage of the overall cost of the event invoice. This percentage can vary, but usually falls between 5%-20%. While initially this may sound like quite the expense to add to the tally, after catering, florals, decor, entertainment and the like, you will actually be saving on your total cost. This happens because most planners routinely receive, at least, a 20% discount from their vendors.  At worst, it evens the expense out, but even then, you have an entire team added to produce your event.

PLANNERS ARE EVENT “TYLENOL”:  Planners take care of all of your event’s headaches.  Is weather affecting your day? They handle it. Are the vendors late?  They have a backup plan.  Fire marshals? Security issues? Printing snafu? No worries, they are there to make those issues, not only, less painful, but to pass by completely unnoticed by you.

Why to Hire an Event Planner (6)

HAVE AN “EVENT SHERPA”:  Whether you are planning to assault Everest or just host a great event, it is important to have someone on your team that knows the “ins and outs” of what is in front of you.  Professional planners know what questions to ask and they know the answers that they need to hear, for a safe and successful event.  A professional planner knows that all fabrics need to be IFR(Inherently Flame Resistant) or chemically treated to be acceptable.  They know how to make floor plans and seating charts, safe and functional.  They also know when, and how, to negotiate with vendors for better pricing or services.  They’ve “climbed this mountain” countless times, follow them along their path.

These are just a few of the reasons event planners are important for a successful event,

PERCENTAGES + TYLENOL + SHERPAS = SUCCESS + HAPPINESS

It just adds up, hire a professional event planner.

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You will also find galleries of others who have thrown similar parties. Once you’ve had your crazy night or day, send in photos, video, and information about your event to get featured.

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Why to Hire an Event Planner (7)

Richard O’Malley

 

Website :  http://www.theomalleyproject.com

Email : rom@theomalleyproject.com

FaceBook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-OMalley-Project/105751166132133

 

Meet the Boss – Mark Zettler

You may have seen his face.  You may have read his words. You may have spoken with him on the telephone.  You probably have enjoyed his designs in balloons and décor.

Now you can “meet” the President and founder of Life O’ The Party, if only for just 43 seconds!! Watch the unscripted yet informative video and learn just a little bit about Mark and all the different things we can do for you at Life O’ The Party.

 

Candle Pieces – Shedding Light On Your Celebration!

 

We light candles for a variety of reasons, don’t we? At celebrations, on cakes, to remember someone, to relax, at religious worship and well, simply to shine light on us. A number of special events also use candles at special times, too. That’s where custom candle pieces from Life O’ The Party really “shine” through – all puns intended!

Jenni Moore from Colorado Springs, CO wrote this on Amazon.com about candles…

WHY DO WE LIGHT CANDLES? ~ We light candles…

…because we love, and candlelight is a reflection of that love.
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…to illuminate our better selves, highlighting the beauty in each other, inside and out.
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…to provide comfort in our sadness, soothe our sorrow, and heal the hurt of loss.
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…for sanctuary… the aura of candlelight creates a place to meditate, pray, and give devotion.
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…for solitude, contemplation, and reflection.
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…for hope, not just for ourselves, but to inspire us to bring hope to others.
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…to lift our heart, renew our spirit, encourage our body in the healing process.
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…because there is darkness… candlelight reminds us the world can be a better place if we believe and work together.
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…for community, a thousand candles together is even brighter than a thousand apart.
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…because they help illuminate in our hearts what can be.

 

At your special event on your special day a beautiful, custom made and extraordinary candle piece from Life O’ the Party will help illuminate your special moment even more. To view more of our pieces just click HERE