Wednesday, June 07, 2006 

Entertaining Lessons Learned

Well, I am happy to say that my 50 person party is over. After battling over the menu and the smaller details with a client who was busy and distracted, we pulled it together. Tim Labant, www.timlabant.com, pulled through with flying colors! He was cool and calm, his staff helpful and professional and of course the food was to die for!! Everyone was happy. And after my crazy situation with Party Rental LTD, many good things came my way. I was introduced to Stamford Tent and Party Rental, www.StamfordTent.com, who also came through with flying colors. They were helpful when a couple of details became hairy (did that client really send back that table we needed that would fit the 50 people in her livingroom?...crazy). And for Party Rental Ltd, www.partyrentalltd.com, I ended up speaking with someone there that I should have been dealing with in the first place so I will go to her next time which should make my life easier...hopefully!

On another note, I heard from Chris from the Cantering Caterer, www.canteringcaterer.com, yesterday. He couldn't believe that I wrote about him in my blog. He couldn't believe I had something not so great to say about his company (I called asking for a proposal for this party I just did and he promised to deliver within 24 hours and I never heard from him again until yesterday). He said he sent his proposal via email (the first time it bounced back and the second time it went through). Somehow sending a proposal via internet was enough for him...he thought he had done his job. In my book doing your job means checking, contacting and checking on details again. Simply sending a proposal and not doing any follow up is both stupid for a business and crazy when planning a party. That is why I don't trust that he could see through every detail of a party because a successsful party is all about checking, checking and checking.

On a blogging note, this is what blogging is all about. I don't blog to threaten or even to hurt someone's business or reputation. I blog because my experiences and my dos and donts could help others when planning any kind of event. Chris said to me that I should have called him before I wrote about my experience with the Cantoring Caterer. Well, what would have been the purpose of that....to threaten him....to get him to do something for free because I was going to blog....no way...it would not have changed the fact that he didn't follow up with me and it wouldn't have changed my doubts in his ability to follow through.

I, again, blog to share my tales about the entertaining world. Chris should consider this a blessing, a lesson learned that could propel his business forward. Blogging is the best way to hear first hand what is going on with your clients, your vendors, and your industry. The second way you hear from your clients and vendors is through the cash register and the ching ching that slows to a trickle.

For anymore tips on event planning, please call White Linen Events at 203 254 4490 or email (and follow up) info@whitellinen-events.com

Have a great day!