How to Host a Silent Party

How to Host a Silent Party

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These days, the concept of "silent parties" or silent discos is becoming increasingly popular—especially in the world of event planning. If you're looking to host a party that will have people talking for months, this unique concept may be worth a try. Before you tackle the task of planning and hosting a silent party, however, there are some things you need to know.

Start with a basic understanding of what constitutes a silent party! Generally, a silent party is an event where attendees are handed a pair of headphones when they step into the space; all music and announcements are played only over these headphones.

Benefits of a Silent Party

To somebody without headphones, a silent party might look a little silly, but there are numerous benefits to hosting this unique type of event.

Avoid Noise Complaints

For starters, a silent party allows you to reduce the potential for issues like noise complaints. This, in turn, makes it easier for you to host your party just about anywhere and at any time. 

Enjoy Easy Conversation

Have you ever been to a loud party where you couldn't even hold a conversation without having to yell over the music? A silent party removes this common frustration, since attendees can easily slip their headphones off to chat with friends.

Tailor the Experience

A silent party allows you to customize the experience for your attendees by playing different music into different channels. This way, you can give attendees a choice when they walk in to select between two different experiences!

Preparing for a Silent Party

Are you sold on the idea of hosting a silent party? If so, then you may be wondering what steps you can take to ensure a smooth and successful event.

Select Your Equipment

Start by deciding on your equipment. There are many different companies out there that will allow you to rent out headphones for your guests. Will you choose over-the-ear headphones or ear buds? How many different sets of headphones will you have, and what other rentals will you need in terms of audio equipment?

Deciding on Audio Channels

If you'd like to offer a tailored silent party experience, you'll need to be able to set up more than one audio channel for your attendees. This can complicate things a bit, since you'll need two different sets of headphones as well as different audio components. If you're hiring a DJ, you might also need more than one DJ, depending on their level of experience. 

Setting Up Staffing

Depending on the size of your event, your staffing needs will vary. Aside from needing someone to hand out headphones to guests as they walk in and collect them when they come out, you might also want to consider hiring security for events of 50  or more people.

Keeping Your Equipment Safe

Again, depending on the size of your group and how well you know your attendees, you might want to take additional precautions to keep rented equipment (such as headphones) safe. Consider, for example, collecting IDs as collateral and returning them to attendees in exchange for their headphones when they leave. You might also consider collecting a cash deposit as people arrive, as this will offset any potential costs related to damaged or lost headphones.

With a little bit of careful planning, your first silent party can be a resounding success! When pulled off correctly, a silent party can be a great way to get people talking and can make for an experience that your attendees won't soon forget! Looking for the ideal location to host your silent party? Check out Soho Studios today!

7 Best Cities to Host a Pop Up Event

7 Best Cities to Host a Pop Up Event

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Are you considering hosting a pop-up event? You should. They are becoming increasingly popular, and are an excellent way to get your brand out there, make an impression, and gain new customers. If you aren't familiar with pop-up events, the concept behind them is pretty simple. They started becoming a "thing" about a decade ago, and are more popular now than ever. They are events that seem temporary or unplanned, but are actually anything but. To pull one off, you have to have an event planner who knows how to make an intricately designed event look totally casual, even like it was thrown together on the spur of the moment. You also need a large audience, because you want your event to gain a lot of public attention.

This need for an audience of passersby means you should ideally be having your pop-up event in a place where it will be easy for you to get a lot of foot traffic. These are the seven best cities in which to host a pop-up event, including a few examples of successful ones, to give you a few ideas for your own.

1. New York City, NY

As one of the busiest cities on Earth, and a top tourist destination to boot, New York City is an ideal location for any kind of pop-up event. In the world's melting pot city, you may even attract the attention of a few celebrities to your event. There will certainly be no shortage of potential participants.

A really successful pop-up event that was held here was done by the Culinary Institute of America, where students took over the famed Pangea restaurant to host a unique dinner. The menu was planned to contain only items that drew attention to how we will feed the planet as our resources dwindle in future generations. Conscious dining was the theme, and innovative, sustainable dishes were served to great acclaim. Because the event let visitors feel good about the cause they were supporting, they were also willing to pay more for it than a typical restaurant.

2. Los Angeles, CA

The home of the world's entertainment industry is another ideal location for a pop-up event. The possibility for celebrities coming and bringing attention and prestige to your brand is high. Like NYC, there is also a lot of tourist traffic. Plus, the paparazzi are everywhere here, and likely to cover your event, especially if someone famous shows up.

A pop-up store was set up in LA before the premier of the movie, Where the Wild Things Are, to sell memorabilia. The store was created to look like a nest in one corner, and a giant child's fort in another corner. The mannequins were given horns to resemble wild creatures. It was such a fun place to shop, and looked like it had always been there. For the short time the store was there, it pulled in an amazing amount of traffic and sales.

3. London, UK

The NYC of the UK, London is a city that always has something happening, and foot traffic from regular people, celebrities, and nobility alike. It is also the location of a highly creative pop-up event that shows their versatility. This one was put on by the Wieden+Kennedy ad agency, and its purpose was to show anyone who happened by what it is like to work there. The front window of the office was transformed into a cartoon set, where employees took turns working. It looked like they were working in an animated cartoon environment, and passersby loved it. There was even a webcam on the agency's website so anyone in the world could watch. This event went on for a few weeks, and gained a huge amount of attention and brand recognition for the agency.

4. Paris, France

Probably the second-best place to have a pop-up event in Europe besides London, Paris has everything going for it that London does, only with that traditionally romantic Parisian background. It would be a perfect location for any dating or romance-themed event.

5. Seattle, WA

Known for its eclectic residents, this is the home of Starbucks and grunge rock, among other things. With a large population, and high tourist traffic, with people who are known to be environmentally aware, this is the perfect location for any "save the planet" or sustainability pop-up event.

6. Orlando, FL

It's the vacation capital of the world. If you are looking to put on a family-friendly event, or one that caters to a fun-loving, irreverent crowd, like college students or hipsters, this is the place to do it.

7. Miami, FL

The southernmost home of the nation's celebrities, heirs and heiresses, and other glitterati, as well as vacationers and partiers of all ages, Miami is a hotspot of non-stop activity, making it an ideal place to host a pop-up event of just about any kind. Plus, it has the advantage of having Soho Studios there, which is a perfect location for an event, or to find the people with the right experience and knowledge of the Miami crowd to plan an incredible one for you.

Why Teaming Up With Other Brands Can Increase Your Attendance

Why Teaming Up With Other Brands Can Increase Your Attendance

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If you want to create record attendance for your next event – and who doesn’t? – consider bringing in a partner brand. You can team up to boost attendance, which is beneficial for both/all of the brands that are included. And a partnership can also mean that your event has more to offer its attendees, which can translate into it being successful and popular. Let’s take a look at why teaming up can increase event attendance and how you can make it work.

Why Event Partnership Works

When more than one brand is marketing the same event, you’ll reach a wider audience. Together, you can spread the news to more people on social media and create more buzz before an event. When you reach more people, you’re more likely to have a higher attendance. And you can always include numerous partners who can all separately promote the event and add to it. For instance, your partners could include a food vendor, a speaker, an event venue and an entertainer.

By partnering up, your event can also offer increased value, which can make more people want to attend. People might become interested because of the caliber of the brands you have attached to the event and because of increased event offerings due to the partnership. For example, if your partner will provide entertainment, giveaways, a prominent speaker or something else of value, you could draw more people. Plus, Eventbrite points out that events can become interesting through “hybridization,” which feature a fusion of two elements. It gives an example of bringing a beer tasting to a yoga session.

When you search for partners, it’s a good idea to find ones that align with the purpose of your event and your organization’s mission. The goal is not just to reach more people with news about the event but to reach the right people who would actually attend the event. Nonetheless, the hybridization idea shows that you can sometimes reach seemingly unrelated audiences through unique events.

How to Make Event Partnership Work for You

The best way to learn a technique is often to find successful examples and think about how to achieve similar results within your own brand and target audience. Often, it helps to focus on a theme that can incorporate different brands.

A successful example was the partnership between Red Bull and GoPro portable camera brand for the stunt event “Stratos,” which included a stuntperson jumping from a space pod with a GoPro attached to his body. This joint event fit both brands’ values. GoPro helped capture the experience, while Red Bull provided its reputation and experience. Other event partnerships that have worked well over time include Levi Strauss and The Fader magazine at the Texas-based South by Southwest festival, the Consumer Electronics Show and iLounge, and Belvedere Vodka and Bustle Clothing’s team-up during Toronto Fashion Week.

Sometimes, a brand strives to reach a new or broader audience by working with a partner, while other times the partners try to reach the same audience together. Finding the right partner(s) depends on the type of event and the goals of each brand. To use this team-up technique for your own brand, think about brands that could align with your audience or with the type of event you're putting on, and find ways to add value to the event through partners. 

Many brands say that teaming up with other brands improved their events. A partnership can increase the value offered to attendees and increase buzz, helping you gain more attendees to boost your brand presence

Why Choosing the Right Music for your Event is Crucial

Why Choosing the Right Music for your Event is Crucial

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Whether you decide to hire musicians or use a DJ to play music for your event is up to your preferences and budget. What’s more crucial is that you have your chosen entertainer play the right kind of music to fit your event.

Why Does the Music Matter So Much?

Music plays a major role in setting the mood of an event. Choosing wisely can help your attendees better enjoy the event and get into the proper state of mind to fit the event’s purpose. Music that doesn’t fit your event or your crowd could even cause people to leave.

Music has so much variety and personality that it can be easy to get it wrong. For a formal event, you don’t want to play tracks with cursing or songs about revenge against an ex. Also, music can be used to break up different parts of an event and create better flow.

Because of these reasons, you should really think in advance about the type of music you’ll be playing.

How Do You Choose the Right Music?

Make It Part of the Planning Process

The most essential tip is simply to include music early on within your event-planning process. Don’t neglect it, and don’t leave it up to vendors the type of music they will play. Think about what you want to accomplish with your event and how music will play into that experience.

Consider the Volume

The music itself is not the only important factor when it comes to your event’s sound experience. The volume also matters. Music can be played in the background, be used to create energy or act as the main event. If you want your guests to interact with each other, you’ll want softer tones that allow them to hear each other converse, whereas you can play louder beats if you’re going for a club atmosphere or high-energy function.

Decide on the Type

Of course, the type of music matters. Consider piano music or other instrumental tunes for formal events. You could play more fun music with vocals for festivals, concerts and other energetic atmospheres. A DJ could help you play a variety of music while a live band can help create an energetic vibe or special experience. Also, you could use a particular band to connect with a theme, such as a local band within an area you want to reach or an all-female band for a women’s event. Overall, try to fit the type of music to the level of formality, the mission and the audience of the event.

Mix Up the Music

Sometimes, it works best to alternate between different types of music. This method provides a great way to get people into different moods and to direct them throughout the event. For example, you could play soft music during a welcoming and networking period, play energetic music to get people’s attention or build excitement when introducing a speaker, switch to soft music during a meal and so on. Even when you pick a certain energy level, you can think about mixing tunes from different genres and time periods. A DJ could help you play different types of music, or you could hire multi-talented or multiple musicians.

Review Practical Aspects

Don’t forget to factor in the practical aspects of choosing music. You might dream of a band but not have the budget. Consider your venue’s size and audio capabilities, your budget and your limitations. 

Music is an essential part of any event. As long as you consider it within your planning process, you'll be fine. 

How to: Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Event Planning

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How To: Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Event Planning

Holidays are great event occasions. Sometimes, however, the holiday cheer gets in the way. If you’re planning a holiday-centric business event, make sure you’re packing in the essential ingredients. Also, avoid the pitfalls associated with holiday meet-ups.

Soho Studios has the resources you need to make an awesome holiday event. If you need room, need ideas and need a good host, we’re here to help. Before you settle on a location, though, check out these holiday event do’s and don’ts.

Do Have Good Timing

Holiday ads, event invites and shout-outs during late summer can annoy customers. The Christmas creep exists, but it isn’t going away. Target the holiday’s early birds, sure, but don’t blast them with event reminders when it’s too early. Maximize the November weeks. If you’re planning a summer event, don’t give notice two months before the actual event.

Do Use Technology Benefits

Connect to users via mobile. If you’re hopping on the Black Friday and Cyber Monday train, offer discounts at your event. Make technology an integral part of your business’s meetup, and give customers mobile-exclusive access to discounts, promotions and rare opportunities. If you can, integrate virtual reality and augmented reality.

Do Offer Entertainment and Refreshments

It’s a holiday, after all. Your brand’s biggest fans have things to do. They’re going to other parties. If you’re going to create a holiday-centric event, give event-goers a way to let loose. They’ll be enticed by a branded event which offers live entertainment, drinks and a place to party. As a rule of thumb: Offer shuttle rides, unique drink offers and food.

Don’t Plan Over a Big Weekend

The holidays are packed with traffic, bustling shoppers and busy families. If you want your event to take off, make sure it’s in the average eventgoer’s “free spots.” If possible, avoid Friday and Saturday nights. Plan to kick off the event before the holiday’s date and give customers easy access to your location.

Don’t Forget Social Media

Too many brands forget about the power of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Social media sites are buzzing with activity over the holidays. Work is cut short, school is out and newsfeeds are watched closely. If you leave out the social media angle, you’ll miss a huge opportunity. Help customers connect, and make social media networking a big part of your holiday event.

Don’t Push Your Products

If you’re creating an event around Thanksgiving or Christmas, you shouldn’t make your brand’s products or services the main focus. It’s a time for celebration. Connect with consumers. Offer live demos, sure, but don’t make money the event’s main focus. If you do, eventgoers will get the wrong impression. During the holidays, a lot of brands advertise to make a profit. If you want to stand out, you’ll need to take the higher ground.

Make sure your vent has unique highlights, and promote its success on social media. Good event planning exists before, during and after an event. To resonate with your customers, you’ll need to educate yourself on their social media activity, favorite engagement strategies and personal preferences. More than ever, your brand will need to appeal to its audience with laser precision.

Make your campaign powerful. Zero in on your audience. Contact us today, and check out our event availability. Between great rates, holiday hosting opportunities and great planning options, Soho Studios is the place to settle in during the holidays. We’re brimming with ideas, and we can make sure your brand’s holiday is a cheerful one. Exceptional events aren’t born overnight. They require time, a knack for fun and some holiday cheer to work. So, stop on by! We’re ready to party.

Brighten Up Your Summer Events With These Theme Ideas and Tips

Brighten Up Your Summer Events With These Theme Ideas and Tips

Renting a venue is just the first step to making your summer corporate event a success. You need to bring in the bright, exciting feel of summer so that your guests are glad to have chosen your presentation over other possible activities. Here are some ideas that should give you inspiration for planning your expo:

First, a Caveat: Make Sure the Theme Resonates with Your Brand

If your theme is summery, but doesn't tie into your brand's image, you'll miss a powerful marketing opportunity. Be sure to keep your event on-point as well as fun. This way, your guests will firmly connect your brand with the experience rather than thinking of it as a generic sponsor.

Roses and Wine

The aforementioned roses and wine theme was done to great success by Kim Crawford Wines, which wanted announce its new rose wine in grand style. It filled its area with roses and even had a bar made of live rose bushes. The roses were very summery, and they tied in perfectly with the launch of the new rose wine. On top of that, there were enough roses that just looking at the event area made an indelible impression – and connection with the advertised product.

A Rocking Summer Night

This type of theme is great for many companies that cater to younger audiences, but it's perfect for companies associated with making rock music. What better way to show off instruments, amps, stage lighting rigs, and other musical equipment than to have people come and experience the sounds and sights of professionals using the products? Hold the party outdoors under strung-up lights for that summer feel.

Have a Barbecue Party

Everyone loves to eat, and barbecuing is a quintessentially summer activity. This makes a barbecue a perfect event for any company that wants to be seen as fun and exciting while avoiding faddish trendiness. For maximum impact, make the event large enough for a huge number of guests and cook the food over one or more showy firepits.

Always Make Sure Everyone is Comfortable

The level of comfort expected will depend on your audience and the type of event you're holding, but it's always important to avoid the chance of outright misery. For outdoor events, one great way to do this is to offer branded umbrellas. If the event is on the upper-class end, provide them as part of the package. Otherwise, set up kiosks and sell them at reasonable prices. Be sure to keep the cost within the "impulse buy" range – the more people buy them, the more your brand and event name will be seen later on!

Other ways to ensure comfort include providing cushioned seating, decent plates and utensils, and easy-to-navigate pathways between tables or exhibits. If your event uses disposable serveware, be sure to have plenty of trash cans and recycle bins set up so people can conveniently offload them once they're done with their food and drinks.

For a spacious event space in sunny Miami, consider Soho Studios. We have both indoor and outdoor areas that can be customized to match any theme you choose.

When is the Best Time to Plan an Experiential Marketing Event?

Experiential marketing gives your brand a chance to engage with people like nothing else. Unlike traditional advertising, or even standard "pull" ads, it puts the audience directly into the action to create total-immersion experiences. For example, a company may set up a location that sends attendees through a themed area in an almost amusement-park fashion – but this time, the themes are all connected to the brand's overall image. These events truly join the company's name and brand with great feelings of happiness, excitement, or other emotions that the company wishes to impart. A well-done event also motivates the guests to share their experiences both directly and via social media.

One thing you may be wondering about is when it's best to hold an experiential marketing event. There is no single answer, but instead, several guidelines to look at to determine the optimum time for such a presentation.

Tips for When to Hold Your Event

1. If your brand or product has a powerful seasonal association, plan your event for the beginning of that season or the end of the one prior to it. This will give your audience time to go buy your products before the active season starts. A good example of a seasonal association of this nature is the connection between snow skis and winter.
2. If there is a mild seasonal association, you likely sell some products during the "off" season but many more during the high time of the year. In this case, the middle of the high season is a good time for an event. An example of this type of product is cola. People drink it all year long, but there are even better sales during the heat of summer.
3. Brands with no seasonal association don't have to worry about hitting a specific month or season, but should try to avoid times that compete with too many other events, conventions, or general attractions. It's easier to get people to attend when there aren't as many other things trying to draw their attention.

When to Start Planning

It's a good idea to plan an experiential marketing event as part of a larger ad campaign. This will allow it and the traditional advertising to strengthen each other. Therefore, both should be planned at the same time.

Planning for experiential marketing requires more than deciding to include it in your overall strategy. You'll need to secure a venue, sets, performers, and other essentials far enough in advance to avoid any foreseeable problems. Many venues and performers are booked months in advance, so be sure to leave enough lead time before the expected date. How much time is "enough" depends on seasonal booking fluctuations, geographic location, and the popularity of the venue, band(s), and other personnel you intend to hire. Call them all far in advance to find out how soon before your event you will need to commit to a booking.

To book your event in Miami, call Soho Studios. We have up to 70,000 square feet available. We can configure the space to meet your needs and arrange for all of the peripherals you require, such as lighting, sound, sets, videography, and more.