Waterslide! Dunk Booth! Pineapple Cole Slaw! Welcome to Paradise in the 214!

Dallas Picnic Company, Kris Patrick hosted the 34th anniversary for one of the most creative companies I have been privileged to party with! With a special menu including Pineapple Cole Slaw created just for this luau! Kudos to Sue and Sherry for an amazing event, Scott and the band for top notch freestyle jam session, and JR for the Minute to Win It Games! Check out a couple of the entries for the Surf Board and Flip Flop decorating contests. The dog flip flops are even cuter on!

Texas Sumo Games included the Tropical Breeze Water Slide, Tropical Obstacle, and Dunk Booth. Get a waterslide for your next event!

Aloha!

Monica

Elephants, Giraffes, and Monkeys … Oh my!

A safari fit for a princess, welcome to the world and all the adventures ahead.

“Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely.” – The Land Before Time

Monica

Lightning McQueen is in the building!

Oooh, I didn’t get pictures of the Unleaded and Diesel Fuel strawberry and margarita drinks! Enjoy.

Vendors include Balloons Everyday, Golly by Jolly, and Texas Sumo.

Happy Birthday Grayson!

Monica

Grace After Fire

Are you having trouble adjusting to civilian life after years of service in the Marine, Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard? The answer to your situation, contact Grace After Fire. An organization dedicated to women and expanding their reach to include men with training, resume building and in your job search after the military. They also have support groups, additional benefits, and great networking with your peers across the state.

http://www.graceafterfire.org/

This weekend sponsors and vendors were lined up to answer questions and provide the support you are searching for. Fun Texas Sumo games included were the Tree House Bounce House, Inflatable Money Machine (A Winner Every Time!), Potty Toss, Cow Pie Fly, Duck Pond, Hoopla, Gone Fishing, Ring the Bottle, and an Interactive Photo Booth. The event also included face painting, arts and crafts, and beauty makeovers for the kids. Our hostess for the afternoon, Stacy Keyte did an amazing job! Talk about what military training can do for you, I didn’t have to pick up a finger but you know I did. Here are a few pictures I asked to share with you of Stacy’s experience in Iraq.

The fire burns strong with this group.

Monica

Talk about teamwork with the Dallas Picnic Company!

A bicycle assembly and race, Human Foosball (Texas Sumo), The Big “D” Mechanical Bull (Texas Sumo), Giant Jenga, Derby Horse Challenge (Texas Sumo), followed by an awards ceremony and donation to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Dallas Picnic Company hosted one amazing corporate team building event at Texas Star Meeting and Event Facility. Thanks Kris Patrick for allowing us to be part of your event! Shout out to Marshall at i-Entertainment for keeping the party going and Dre for his skills behind the bar. Here’s a clip and photos!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17320325@N03/5875612738/in/photostream

A great way to the start the weekend!

Monica

Great teamwork is the KEY to building a great organization!

Team building games, exercises, activities, and quizzes also warm up meetings, improve training, and liven up conferences. At the heart of this approach is love and spirituality which helps bring mutual respect, compassion, and humanity to work. Be sure to get the families and children involved too!
Many team-building activities now incorporate charities; one that I love is having teams compete to put together toys and bicycles then donating them to Boys and Girls’ Clubs or any other charity close to your organizations heart. What would you do?
Signing off,

 

Monica

HOW TO NETWORK A ROOM LIKE YOU MEAN IT.

  1. Set a goal before you walk into a room. Secure 3 business cards.
  2. It’s not a social hour. Move around and don’t stay with just the people you know.
  3. You have to give to get. With some networking groups, you’ll need to invest some time and “give” before you’ll “get” leads or referrals.
  4. It’s all about them. Ask people about themselves instead of telling them about you; show genuine interest and ask questions to keep the conversation going.
  5. Honor the three-foot rule. If someone is within 3 feet of out, strike up a conversation; someone you meet could be a good contract in your network

-Laurie L. Dove, Texas Meetings and Events

Happy Networking!

Monica Pi

Event Industry Going Green

Featured in Texas Meetings and Events, Spring 2011:
Why is it that some manufacturers think that making a product good for the planet, they can get away with having sub-par design? Wasara successfully combines both-sleek Japanese design and eco-friendliness-in its line of disposables. Made from tree-free materials (sugar cane fiber, bamboo and reed pulp), the 14-piece line is 100-percent biodegradable and every piece is engineered to fit comfortably in your guests’ hands. Unlike some plastic substitutes made from corn or potato, this line can handle hot and cold items, and is water resistant. Bargain hunters will appreciate the fact that you can buy in bulk. Learn more or order a sample pack at www.branchhome.com/wasara

I’m ordering my sample pack!

Monica Pi

Meeting Professionals International (MPI): Dallas Chapter Luncheon with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Lawana Gladney – “The Mind Doctor”

Attended my first Meeting Professionals International luncheon today to decide if MPI is my industry organization of choice and I was absolutely impressed!

The name badges are clearly labeled as Planner in Blue or Supplier in Orange, the members were very welcoming, the program was on time and well organized, and the menu was superb-Proscuitto wrapped chicken over roasted sweet potato and a side of broccolini. Can’t forget the chocolate brownie cake and white chocolate walnut cake! It was all brain food too.

I’m very excited to say that I will be a new MPI member. Thanks Dr. Lawana Gladney!

Monica Pi

Game Spotlight: Big Tex Water Slide

Texas Sumo has done it again! We have the biggest portable water slide in Texas, and it’s over 38 feet tall and has a heart pounding 125 feet of sliding surface, a Texas Sumo exclusive. Double knots in your bathing suits are highly recommended. Dimensions: 125L x 25W x 38H, Staffing: 1.

Need an adventure!

Monica