To plan a successful event, whether it be a luncheon, panel or sales meeting, you need to have good communication, organization and an open mind. Successful event execution will leave your guests with a lasting impression. Other important factors during the planning process include location and event topic.

Planning an event includes creating a strategy and identifying steps and tactics for success. You need to have an event coordinator who can constantly juggle multiple tasks.

Every time you host an event, there is always a budget to guide your planning. For smaller budgets, explore more cost-effective options and use creative thinking when utilizing your resources. Call several different venues for a wide range of prices or consider holding the event within your office to save on costs. Look at each part of your event and determine which costs can be reduced or eliminated.

As you begin planning your next event, here are some things to remember:

Communication
Whether you’re using an e-mail or print invitation, give your guests adequate time to RSVP. If you have the budget, we highly recommend a save-the-date card, allowing attendees to plan ahead. If you have a larger event, send save-the-dates notices in advance. Follow up with formal invitations six to eight weeks in advance. Read More...

A savvy CMO or marketing manager regularly audits their marketing plan to make sure they are on track, evaluate for success and establish future goals. The halfway point of the year is a great time to revisit your marketing efforts because of the summer slowdown that many industries experience.

As you reflect on your plan, ask these questions:

How has the recession affected sales within the first six months of the year? Was the effect better, worse or as expected?
During your mid-year audit, look at your sales and consider the contributing factors. Was the success due to a recent ad campaign or social media application? If a recent campaign or tactic was successful, how can you build on that momentum in other areas? If something was not as successful as you hoped, consider adjusting your messages and communication efforts to offset these affects. Read More...

While consumer-facing companies have been getting the bulk of the social media limelight, business to business (B2B) companies have been slowly testing the social waters and are expected to soon join their predecessors.

According to studies conducted by Outsell and Forrester Research, B2B spending on social media marketing is expected to increase 43 percent from 2009 to 2010 and will quintuple in the next four years. This is part of an overall trend of increased B2B interactive marketing budgets, which are anticipated to grow to $51.5 billion this year.

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thunder::tech Account Manager Michael Schwabe couldn't wait to get up at 6 a.m. last Saturday to head to the Apple store for a brand new iPad. After using the device for a week, Michael has a very positive impression of its capabilities.

Check out the video below to watch a clip from Michael's visit to WEWS to review the iPad.


You can also read Michael's reactions to the iPad on Cleveland.com.

thunder::tech President Jason Therrien participated in the Government 2.5 Conference in Washington D.C. earlier this month.

Social media experts, executives and support staff of local, county, state and federal agencies and government convened for the two-day conference to discuss the convergence of social media, Web 2.0 and government.
Jason gave a presentation on the application of social media and Web 2.0 via channels such as::

• Government to citizen – Government agencies and departments can communicate to residents via social media channels.

• Citizen to government – With the right tools, individuals can aid government efforts. Jason provided the example of the iPhone application Boston citizens use to alert their city government of street light issues, graffiti, potholes, and more by submitting photos and a description.

• Government to business – Government entities can give businesses tools to help them work with government more efficiently and self-service their issues and questions. Jason discussed the ::ticc system that thunder::tech designed for the City of Strongsville, allowing businesses to publish available land, office, warehouse and retail space within the city.

Learn more about these applications and thunder::gov by contacting us at 888.321.8422 or following @thundergov.