The Power of Golf

"The power of golf?" you might ask. Indeed, I insist. The game of golf has a lot of pull in the events industry. Golf is a great activity for networking, fundraising, and team building. Professionals and amateurs alike can participate in golf events that bring people together for entertainment, education, and many different causes.

You may attend a professional PGA tour event with coworkers, industry colleagues, or potential clients for a day of networking and bonding. You could also opt to play a round of golf in the same circles to boost camaraderie and communication. Golf outings are great activities during conferences and educational seminars to get everyone talking and provide a welcome break from indoor sessions and lectures.

Human resource departments and other groups interested in team building have long understood the power of golf. It is an individual activity that yields teamwork as if by magic. You are scored individually, but everyone can bring something to the course to help each other improve. In golf, helping and learning from others means building on strengths and overcoming weaknesses for better performance. The dynamics of the game promote analysis and objectivity -- as well as strong character, humility, and a sense of humor.

Golf benefits and fundraisers are popular to bring together people to play and observe the game and sportsmanship associated with the sport. Families, professional networks, and various other communities are brought together to enjoy time interacting in the beautiful setting of a nicely manicured golf course. Golf has also become a popular activity for bachelor and bachelorette parties and other pre-wedding activities. Golf is a sport that people of all ages and abilities can appreciate, so consider integrating this activity into your next big event.

Quick Planning Tips to Minimize Weather Worries

Spring and summer are popular times for many events from graduation parties, to community festivals, to family reunions, and concert series. Unfortunately, mother nature is not always cooperating. Having worked many, diverse events at an up-scale banquet facility, I can tell you that nothing puts a damper on festivities like inclement weather.

For most events, well-intentioned people put in months of planning to coordinate the facility, invitations, catering, and decorations. They invest their hopes and often reputations into organizing event logistics so that everything will go off without a hitch. Violent, seasonal weather has the power to destroy all of this planning in short moments.

Here are a few simple strategies to minimize the inconvenience of seasonal storms:

1. Plan for power! In case of a power outage, check that your event location has back-up generator power available. 
2. Be flexible! It is wise to include a 'rain date' whenever possible for events that take place partially or completely outdoors. Another option is to have weatherproof tenting or indoor locations on standby in case of bad weather. These accomodations may be slightly less than ideal, but this is where event planners should work in some flexibility for the safety and comfort of guests. 
3. Consider event insurance! You can purchase an event insurance policy to cover the loss and expense associated with cancelling and rescheduling an event. This can go a long way to minimize grief and aggravation when things don't go exactly according to plan.

At any event with an outdoor venue, always be sure to provide adequate relief from too much wind, sun, and precipitation with stable shelter and adequate refreshments. Another practical step for your guests' comfort and convenience is to have valets walk guests into the event with an umbrella in the case of rain.Your guests will certainly appreciate the attention to detail!