Hey party peeps,

I hope you're enjoying the lovely spring that we are having.  I most definitely am!  I love this time of the year when everything is blooming and the days are becoming longer and everyone is out and about.

As a party guru, I'm constantly out on the scene.  While I'm planning several client events, I'm attending various others as well.  Last week I was kindly invited by Andrew Richard Designs Events to attend the second annual W.A.T.C.H. Chairman's Annual Fundraiser on Thursday April 12.

Established in 1997 with over 10,000 volunteers since its inception, W.A.T.C.H. has become one of downtown Toronto’s premier community service organizations. Working with a small group of youth in some of Toronto’s most underprivileged neighbourhoods, W.A.T.C.H. volunteers began the journey towards creating a brighter future for this vulnerable group. Initially, on a weekly basis and eventually daily, volunteers would interact on a one-to-one basis with the youth in such activities as tutoring, sports, music and the arts. As word increasingly spread of the work being done, so did the number of volunteers and supporters.

The event was a lot of fun!  I met so many new and interesting people who were there to support this great cause, and I bumped into so many unexpected friends there.  The evening raised approximately $15,000 which is fantastic!  Here are some photos highlights of the evening:

Your party guru with the lovely ladies of ARD Events - Elena (right) and Brianne (left)

Photo credit: Casey Cunningham Photography 

Chairman & Founder of W.A.T.C.H. Neilank Jha & dedicated volunteer Minjung

The talented artist Beckie DiLeo commisioning a piece to be auctioned off for W.A.T.C.H.

A sample of some of the great silent auction items that were up for bid.

Photo credit: Casey Cunningham Photography
 

Volunteer Minjung serves up tasty bite-sized treats courtesy of Toben Food By Design

Live band Everything That's Fly entertained everyone & got the dance floor going.

A big thanks goes out to the title sponsor Andrew Richard Designs for inviting me to this event.  I love their event space and I'm always happy to support a good cause.  W.A.T.C.H. is definitely a community organization that's doing great things in our city and one to definitely watch out for!

For the life of the party,

Hey party peeps!

I hope all of you are keeping well in the new year.  I love that we have been having sunshine and mild days more often than not, and now spring is just around the corner so there's plenty to be happy about :)

Today's blog post is a review on a grand opening event I recently attended.  As an event professional, I'm invited to various events that promote venues and vendors in the industry.  This past Wednesday, I attended the grand opening of FOUNTAINBLU which is located in the Exhibition grounds.  Here's my review on the good, the bad and well...I hate to say it but the ugly:

• Upon arriving at the Ex grounds we were pleasantly surprised to see directional signage.  Bonus points for this.

• There was valet services available upon arrival; however we were not told it was complimentary until we couldn't find the self-parking lot and asked how much it cost.  *Remember, a nice-to-have service such as valet parking can go along way but you need to ensure that the service provider you use has front-line staff who can execute this with excellent service.

• In the lobby there was a standard step and repeat banner for photo ops and there was complimentary coat check.  They also had Salon Daniel set up to give free hairstyling to women - it was raining that day so I really saw no point in getting my hair done.

• The main space is on the second floor.  In the entrance way they handed out promotional bags with the venue's information package.  The venue is 5,500 square feet of indoor meeting space and can host events up to 600 people.  It would have been helpful if the capacity of the venue was broken down to showcase various event scenarios.  i.e. stand up cocktail reception vs. sit down dinner.

• My first impression walking in to the main room was that it felt like a cheezy banquet hall.  I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth.  The beaded crystals hanging from the ceiling and the lighting created this effect for me.
• I think it also had to do with the music selection as well.  First there was a sax player doing elevator-music like renditions, which was followed up by DJ'd music with live bongos playing over top.  It was really loud and obnoxious and it proved to be difficult to chat to anyone.  *Remember creating the right ambiance is definitely key to the success of your event.

• Like most of these events, they had an open bar and caterers were set up on the peripheral of the room for them to showcase their tasty treats.  Here are some pics of my highlights:

Sashimi Tuna on a Crispy Pear & Avocado Salad with Toasted

Black Sesame in a Spicy Ponzu Dressing - Daniel et Daniel

Short Rib Barley Risotto Piattolini

Burgundy wine, winter greens, pearl barley, coffee-cocoa braised

short rib and gremolata - Seventh Heaven Event Catering

Curried Infusion Cone Stuffed with Roasted Chicken

and Corn Spicy Salsa - Artscape Event Services

Lila's Cocos

French Macaroon display by Cater Trendz

• There was an ancillary room to the main space that housed a few other vendors and had an adjacent but very small patio. 

• The one vendor that caught my eye was Richard Emanuel for his photo & video booth.  These days, photo booths are quite popular and often used at various events and weddings so the reason this one caught my eye is it has a small footprint and it was easy to use with a touch-screen. The self-sufficient booth prompts you take take 4 photos or a video.  Once this is complete you can either email them to yourself or post them directly to Facebook or Twitter.  Brilliant!  Also, if you're a company, you can get the booth branded with your logo.  Here's a photo of it:

It's been way too long since I've posted about the happenings in this party guru's world, so my apologies.  With having said that, I promise I haven't been lazy without reason.  It's been a great and busy year and I feel blessed for all of my clients that I've had the opportunity to work with.  To celebrate the year that was, here's a photo re-cap of of my highlights in 2011: 

June 6, 2011

Once again I was part of the fabulous annual simply divas fundraiser in support of Family Association of Mental Health Everywhere at The Berkeley Church. From fabulous chef tasting stations and sipping on divatinis, to a grand silent auction, and of course enjoying the star-filled show, it was an afternoon not to be missed!

June 8, 2011

It was so great to work with an amazing organization such as SKETCH, who provide working arts for street involved youth, on their Capital Campaign Launch "Home is Where the Art Is".  We raised $46,000 towards funding for their new exciting space that will open in 2013.   It was a great evening of performances and a live auction that was supported by such friends as former mayor David Miller, pictured above.

June 9 - 13, 2011

As Road Manager for the Endbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, I was part of an incredible execution team that supported the amazing 4,610 riders who rode over 200 kilometers to help raise $17.5 million dollars!  Talk about inspirational!

June 25, 2011

I was so touched when the groom-to-be, Tommy Blodgett inquired about my services for his upcoming wedding to the beautiful Kristina Nicholson.  They had a lovely brunch wedding at the Boiler House in the Distillery District on a beautiful summer day.  Photo credit:  Marianne Rothbauer Photography

July 16, 2011

Planning this vintage style Mad Men themed wedding for Jane & Luis at the Gladstone Hotel was such fun!  I loved being able to shop at vintage stores for the various decor pieces and arranging for fun details such as getting them a jukebox and that Mercury Monterey pictured with them above.  Photo credit:  Jessica Lin Photography

July 21, 2011

The 2011 Franklin Templeton Investment Forum gave a rare opportunity for investors and advisors to hear from top investment experts in one of Toronto's finest concert halls,  Roy Thompson Hall. Having worked with the Franklin Templeton Investment team previously, it was great to come on board once again to help the execution of this annual event.

September 2 - 5, 2011

Helping to produce The Hot & Spicy Food Festival at Harbourfront Centre was a definite highlight as I was back on my old stomping grounds working with familiar faces and helping to plan a great festival that combines some of my biggest passions - music and food!  From hosting an international Iron Chef competition to breaking a Guinness World Record for the longest consecutive barbecuing, there was no shortage of excitement during this Labour Day weekend.

September 8 - 12, 2011

The 2011 Shopper's Drug Mart Weekend to End Women's Cancers saw 4013 participants walk a 60km route over two days who raised 9.4 million dollars for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.  Once again joining the incredible execution team, we worked tirelessly for five days straight to produce the opening, overnight camp, and closing ceremony sites to celebrate these dedicated walkers and cancer survivors.

September 25 - October 8, 2011

Global Village Program through Habitat for Humanity in Braga, Portugal 

While this one isn't exactly part of my party guru world, it was definitely a highlight of 2011.  I participated alongside 10 other dedicated Canadians to help rebuild a family's home in need.  I truly believe in the importance of volunteerism and giving back and have to say that this was one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences of my life.

November 6, 2011

Having served at Salt Wine Bar before, I was honoured to help them out with their 1st anniversary event, Salt Speakeasy.  This event theme was a cheeky play on their early days when Salt wasn't able to acquire a liquor license due to the moratorium placed on Ossington restaurants and bars.  It was a fun evening that featured prohibition-style cocktails, flapper girls, a jazz band and raised funds in support of Nazareth House,