Event Blogging

Blogs are not just reserved for people who want to rant about their favorite sports team or give their two cents on the latest political scandal. A blog can also be a useful tool for promoting your event. It is the perfect way to engage people and make them feel like they are part of the action.

An event blog is because is the perfect way to build relationships with people who are attending your event. Writing blog posts lets you share important information and create a strong buzz for your event. If you are at one of the best party venues Miami has to offer, for example, you want people to be aware of why your event is there and what is going on at your event.

When you start creating content for your event blog, an important guideline to remember is to keep it personal and conversational. Engage your followers with content that will matter to them. One way to promote conversation is to open up a comments section for blog visitors. It can serve as a message board where you can answer questions and respond to feedback from your followers.

Incorporate visual and audio elements into your posts. Include video or podcast interviews with any notable guests in attendance. Post lots of photos of the event to your blog and the activities leading up to it. This will make the event come alive and it will generate interest from blog visitors. People are drawn to big events with lots of hype. Throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the event blog will make it feel like a big deal to them when they check out the latest post.

Internet access is important in event blogging. Make sure your chosen venue is equipped with high speed Internet to handle what you will need to make your blog run smoothly. Your event blog will add another dimension to the event and make it an unforgettable experience.

Would you buy concert tickets from Facebook?

For years concert promoters have recognized that concert tickets are best sold by word of mouth. With the Facebook Buy Ticket button, word of mouth ticket sales have taken a big stride with social media.

Facebook’s Buy Ticket button allows music lovers to buy concert tickets right from their Facebook page. The online ticket sales app will post the purchase to the user’s news feeds, and allow them to invite others to the show. The app promises to spread the word of tickets sales online more quickly through the social media giant.

Not only is the app expected to help promote and sell concert tickets, but it also is tied in with Spotify. This relationship tracks the type of music the Facebook user is interested in and can make them aware when artists they listen to will be performing in their area. This particular application also ties in the "likes" of a Facebook user, making it a powerful marketing tool especially when used for lesser known artists who do not get mainstream press.

At Soho Studios, we are the premier concert and event space Miami has available. While there are lots of party venues Miami offers, our facility has a staff experienced in setting up every type of concert, from intimate acoustical performances to arena style shows. Our 65,000 square foot, versatile facility located in Miami’s trendy Wynwood District, has been host to shows like Art Basel Wynwood. Soho Studios is even used as a photography studio Miami photographers have come to rely on for our creative use of space. Our list of worldwide customers includes Ford Motor, Absolut, Telemundo, Evian and Puma.

If you are considering staging or promoting a concert in South Florida and selling tickets online, consider employing use of the Facebook Buy Ticket button, and consider working with us at Soho Studios. From planning through promotion through post-concert wrap-up, we will be there to help make all your events in Miami a success.

The key elements to an unforgettable trade show booth

Trade shows are one of the best marketing tools you can use for your business. Setting up a trade show booth is a good way to attract attention from potential customers, network with others in your industry and demonstrate what you company can do with its newest products and services. A trade show booth only works effectively, however, if people notice it in the first place.

Creating an unforgettable trade show booth means doing everything necessary to stand out from the crowd. Trade shows can feature hundreds of companies grappling for attention from the same target audience.

You can make sure no one skips your booth by incorporating these key elements:

Use Social Media

Social media is a quick and effective tool for getting the word out about your booth and get people chatting about your company. Use a custom Twitter hashtag and send out tweets about your company booth from the trade show. Post a Facebook update to let people know where you are and offer special promotions and prizes to trade show attendees via your Facebook page. These things will help generate tons of buzz in a short time.

Get Visual

Many people are drawn to interesting or funny videos. You can capitalize on that by running a short video on a loop at your booth. It can be an advertisement for your products or services or it can offer testimonials from satisfied customers. You can pair the video with a memorable tune. All you need is a laptop or tablet with speakers, to get you going.

Offer Swag

Everyone likes getting free gifts. You can't go wrong bringing along plenty of swag for trade shows. Hand out everything from pens to baseball caps. The main thing to remember is to brand each item with your company's logo and colors. It will spread your company name among the attendees and create several walking advertisements for your products and services.

Create Dynamic Signs

Avoid boring signs. Use bright and bold colors. Create a catchy slogan to pair with your company logo. Give people a reason to stop and look when they pass by your signs at the trade show.

How to top last years event

Your event has ended, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, everyone is raving about what a hit it was. At first, you're extremely excited that everyone enjoyed themselves, but then reality starts to sink in.

How in the world are you going to top this event next year?

Get Feedback

While your event may have been a smash, there are almost always ways you can improve on it. To figure out the best ways to make your event production even better, solicit feedback from attendees, employees and vendors to find out if they had heard or noticed areas that needed improvement. Maybe, the lines to get in your event were backed up because you didn't have enough people taking tickets or a concession stand was located in a low traffic area so it didn't earn the income you had expected. Learn from these mistakes and make adjustments and improvements accordingly.

Publicity

If attendance at your function was lower than you expected, your event strategy for next year should include ways to increase your visibility with the public. One of the most effective and inexpensive ways to generate buzz about your event is to utilize social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook. Fortunately, actively publicizing your event on these two sites shouldn't add any more cost to your event planning budget.

You might also want to consider partnering with a coupon site, such as Groupon or Living Social. These sites will not only help you to generate more interest for your event, but they can also be an effective way to help you sell more tickets.

Choose an Exciting New Venue

If you've been throwing your event in the same old hotel ballroom year after year, isn't it about time that you move your event to a venue with more atmosphere, such as Miami's Soho Studios. Located in the vibrant Wynwood Art District, this 65,000-square-foot structure with its industrial detailing can add an edgy, modern look and feel to your event.

Surprise!

Everyone loves surprises and great ones can really make an event memorable. If you, for instance, hire a special guest for your festivities, you may want to conceal his identity until the day of your event. This could create great buzz and interest in your event as everyone tries to guess who your special guest may be.

Absolut X

Absolut Vodka came to Miami for their Absolut X event

With several thousand RSVP's only 2000 could come in. There was a line that went around a city block.

Those who were lucky to get in also had the opportunity to go crazy for the Absolut photo booth.

Then finally Bloc Party came on to get the party started.

At one point the crowd went nuts as the confetti descended on the dance floor during Bloc Party's performance.

John Lermayer was also present to shake a few drinks and show off some of his amazing skills by his mixology station.

The Absolut event was amazing. Free drinks all night, with plenty of bars through out our large Armory Studio. To make the night even tastier Absolut Tune was served during the night. For those of you who don't know about the new Absolut Tune, this drink is made of sparkling wine fused with vodka.

During the night guests could have a masquerade-themed makeover that took place center stage. This was a huge success among the guests as they had the chance to get the smokey eye and aloof facial makeup. Those who didn't have the guts to get a makeover, could get masks that were given out for free.

The pies de resistance of the night, was Bloc Party. One of Britain's biggest bands that came to grace the stage for a couple of hours

Check out some photos from the night.

What is your event strategy?

Planning an event is only half the battle. You also need clever event marketing techniques that will convince people they cannot afford to miss your event. Marketing your event is made much easier when you turn to the Internet as a resource and craft a digital event strategy. It lets you engage more people while removing time and geographical constraints found in other forms of marketing.

You should consider these important elements in crafting a digital strategy for your next event:

Create Social Media Conversations

Initiating conversations through social media channels is an effective tool for getting people to talk about your event. For your Twitter account, for example, you should decide on all event hashtags in advance. Then start promoting those hashtags on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other popular social media sites. Encourage people to follow the event hashtags for news and information related to your event. Create a pre-event network and allow attendees to submit proposals and offer feedback on your upcoming event. Giving them a voice will make your event more appealing.

Blog about It

You can't surf anywhere on the Internet without splashing into a blog. Still, there is no reason why you shouldn't blog about your event. You can consider a couple of options with blogging. The first is to live blog during the event. You can post photos and offer real-time updates on what is happening. This approach works well with annual events.

A second option is to blog about the event afterward. You can create a post that summarizes the event and link to any other relevant posts covering the event. Incorporate SEO keywords tied to your event so people can easily find blog posts in search engines and share them with their friends.

Engage with Mobile Apps

Create a mobile app for your event. It can offer attendees access to the event calendar or schedule. They can browse through scheduled speakers and entertainers, venue information, ticket prices and everything else related to the event. Mobile event apps will help keep your audience continuously engaged before and during the event so that you can accomplish your goals.

Absolut X Miami Event

ABSOLUT® WELCOMES THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLLABORATION WITH X AT OUR VENUE ON MAY 16TH AT 9:00 pm.

This ABSOLUT® X event will be the epicenter of Art, Music and Cocktails. Featuring indie rock band Bloc Party, Miami contemporary artist Agustina Woodgate & mixologist Lermayer will be combing their talents during Absolut's X event.

Taking experiential marketing to a whole new level with this event in Miami, ABSOLUT®  will incorporate music, art and mixology providing an immersive experience.

Soho Studios is located in Wynwood, Miami's arts district. Our venue is the perfect location for experiential marketing events. Repeating the success of Swedish House Mafia and Absolut's event at Soho Studios in 2012. We look forward to this exciting event in Miami.

Bloc Party are a four-piece from London who specialize in creative rock music and who have defined themselves as one of the UK’s most loved musical exports. Upon release of their debut, Silent Alarm in spring 2005, Bloc Party were catapulted into the global spotlight, garnering worldwide fans and critical acclaim, with the NME voting Silent Alarm “Album of the Year” and Urb Magazine calling Bloc Party “Band of the Year.” They made their American television debut on “Late Show with David Letterman,” which was soon followed by a performance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”.

Bloc Party will partner with Agustina Woodgate to create an interactive artistic collaboration, and perform hits like “Children of the Future” from their most recent album Four. Guests will create custom ABSOLUT® masks to develop their “ABSOLUT® self,” making their dream identity a reality. Working with the non-profit Architecture for Humanity, Woodgate’s finished art will be donated and installed in a selected public space, leaving a piece of ABSOLUT X to live on in Miami.

Agustina Woodgate aims to create art that fosters exchanges between people rather than encounters between a viewer and an object. Through these exchanges, meaning is elaborated collectively, rather than in the space of individual consumption.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1981. She graduated from the Instituto Universitario Nacional de Arte, Buenos Aires,  Argentina in 2004. Often responding to a place or situation, Woodgate makes objects, site-specific and context-based installations, performance, and collaborative event-based projects that focus on the interplay between human beings and their surrounding environment at both macro and micro levels. Site specificity is usually the point of departure for her creative process, involving research into the site and its relations. Agustina works inclusively and socially, finding new access points for communication to create public, intensive, and process-oriented works. She currently lives and works in Miami, FL.

Serving as ABSOLUT X’s instigator of creativity, Agustina and her work encourage thought and challenge “the norm.”

From Andy Warhol to Swedish House Mafia, ABSOLUT® VODKA has a long history of collaborating with and supporting cultural provocateurs. With the launch of ABSOLUT® X, the brand is challenging partygoers to transform their present and futures, creating a new reality where there are no rules. ABSOLUT® X will continue to ask “What is your X?” in Seattle, New York City and Philadelphia this summer. For more information visit ABSOLUT X.

Lincoln hello again Event in Miami

The Lincoln Motor Company brings a car experience and a brand launch to Miami for Lincoln's all-new 2013 Lincoln MKZ.

This new sedan brings a whole new meaning to luxury and with the Lincoln Hello Again event you will experience this luxury with different experiences. Combining the arts of  Wynwood with a series of places that are defining the industries that they are Lincoln Automotive invites you to our urban space where your experiences will begin.

Lincoln - Hello Again (director cut) from Tim Brown on Vimeo.

Our unique Pavilion Studio will provide you with a brief overview of the visionary creative enterprises, cultural organizations and game changing individuals that will guide your rediscovery of Miami, before setting out on a drive to explore them firsthand. For directions to this luxury event please click here.

The Lincoln Motor Company will provide you with the all-new 2013 Lincoln MKZ as your personal transportation through the hidden surprises and the new wave of Miami.

During your tour of Miami you’ll have exclusive access to SHIKANY prior to its public opening, with a taste of the cuisine that will be featured there. You will also learn to craft your own artisan cigars at the Wynwood Cigar Factory and sample the finest brews at Panther Coffee.

But that’s just a taste of what’s in store. RSVP to experience the re-imagining of Miami now.

You are invited to discover a Miami that very few have ever seen. May 16th - June 2nd every Wednesday - Sunday

Reservations are available from:

11:00am - 4:00pm (every 30 minutes) 6:00pm - 10:00pm (every hour) Say hello, again to the city you drive through every day as you experience new places, new tastes, new sounds. You won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity for you and a guest.

Here are some great Vine clips from the event including some photos of the Lincoln Hello Again tour.

and from the auto show

Your Hello, Again Miami experience will feature: Panther Coffee Turbo Cupping Experience Commissioned art installation by Evoca1

Tour of Wynwood Cigar Factory

Art drive curated by RAW

Behind the scenes tour of Shikany

As you can imagine, space will be limited. We encourage you to RSVP today.

Green Events

Making an event green is easy to do with a little careful planning. Staging green events is becoming a preferred choice as people grow more concerned about reducing damage done to the environment. Going green at non-profit events in Miami helps conserve natural resources and reduces the event's carbon footprint. This will put your event in a positive light.

Wondering how to put on a green event? Here are a few ideas on where you can get started on creating green events in Miami:

1. Conserve energy use

Choose a venue where you can schedule your event during the daytime and use natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Ask event participants to shut off lights and other electric or electronic equipment when rooms are not in use. For booths or displays that need lights, use energy saving bulbs.

2. Reduce Paper

Use electronic registration for your event. You can do it through a designated website or a mobile app. Go paperless with handouts and brochures whenever possible. Make these available on the website or app. If you need to print some paper documents, going with double-sided copies will reduce the amount of paper used. Distribute them by request only.

3. Recycle Everything

Paper products can sprout up faster than trees in a dense forest around your event if you let them. Put out recycle bins in conspicuous locations. Make an effort to collect paper, plastics, cardboard and beverage containers in all meeting, eating and exhibit areas. You can replace paper plates and plastic cups with reusable ones.

4. Serve Organic Food

Food sends a big message about your event and its commitment to the environment. You can go green by serving organic locally grown foods. Many restaurants and caterers already specialize in organic menus.

5. Offer Transportation

If you have guests flying in to attend your event from around the nation, offer shuttle service from the airport to their hotels and from their hotels to the event. It will reduce emissions from having a bunch of rental cars going back and forth.

Miami Events

Miami is the number one place in America for events and parties of all kind. Depending on the time of year different events will take place. There's the Miami International Boat Show, Miami Book Fair, Art Basel, Miami Fashion Week, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Ultra, Winter Music Conference and many more. These type of Miami events bring in huge crowds and have a huge economic impact. For example one of Miami events named Ultra (one weekend of electronic music) brings South Florida $79 million.

Other notable periods like Art Basel Miami in December have a much wider impact on Miami events. During Art Basel Miami many satellite Art Fairs setup in Miami Beach, Wynwood and Midtown. International brands look to jump on the exposure of Art Basel and align their brand with an Art theme. For example Heineken created the Heineken Mural Map.

Sony Ericsson Open

Where: Crandon Park Tennis Center, 7300 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne When: Mar-Apr Tel & website: 1-888 383 1515/305 379 7978/http://www.sonyopentennis.com/ Fifth-largest international tennis tournament in terms of players, prize money and attendance.

Art Basel Miami Beach

Where: Wynwood, Midtown and Miami Beach Convention Center When: December 4 - 8 2013 (usually first week of December) Tel & website: 305 674 292/www.artbasel.com

Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Where: South Beach When: late Feb to early March Tel & website: 305 627 1275/http://corporate.sobefest.com/ The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination Miami event showcasing the talents of the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities

Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail

Where: Miamarina at Bayside, 401 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown & other locations When: 3rd wk Feb Tel & website: 954 441 3220/www.miamiboatshow.com This popular Miami Event showcases the latest in yachts, powerboats, sailboats, engines, electronics and accessories.

Spring

Miami International Film Festival

Where: Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 E Flagler Street, at SE 1st Avenue, Downtown, & other locations When: early Mar Tel & website: 305 237 3456/www.miamifilmfestival.com By bringing the best of world cinema to Miami, MIFF presents the city and the film industry with a singular platform that fosters creative and technical talent.

WGC-CA Championship

Where: Doral Golf Resort & Spa, 4400 NW 87th Avenue, at NW 41st Street, North-west Miami When: mid Mar Tel & website: 305 447 4653/www.worldgolfchampionships.com

Carnaval Miami/Calle Ocho

Where: throughout Miami-Dade County When: early Mar Tel & website: 305 644 8888/www.carnavalmiami.com The Miami Event began as a club that started in 1975 by a small group of high school friends, to grow and become a major service non-profit organization.

Miami International Orchid Show

Where: Coconut Grove Convention Center, 2700 S Bayshore Drive, at SW 27th Avenue, Coconut Grove When: late Feb Tel and Website: 305 255 3656 / http://www.sforchid.com/

Winter Party Week

Where: on the beach at Ocean Drive, at 14th Street, South Beach When: late Feb Tel & website: 305 571 1924/www.winterparty.com Over 10,000 guests from around the world attend this Miami Event. A annual six-day extravaganza featuring the most spectacular venues, the most unforgettable parties and receptions and the best international DJ talent.

Dade Heritage Days

Where: throughout Miami-Dade County When: Mar-Apr Tel & website: 305 258 9572/www.dadeheritagetrust.org Dade Heritage Trust (DHT) was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit membership organization to preserve Dade County’s architectural, cultural and environmental heritage through advocacy, education and restoration. This Miami-Dade County event celebrates with open houses, lectures, and guided walking and canoe tours of sights like the Deering Estate and the Barnacle site.

Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition

Where: Tamiami Park, Coral Way/SW 24th Street & SW 112th Avenue, West Dade When: Mar-Apr Tel & website: 305 223 7060/www.fairexpo.com A private, not-for-profit organization will continue its dedication to enriching our community by promoting education and South Florida agriculture while showcasing and rewarding youth achievement.

Summer

Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival

Where: throughout Coconut Grove When: 1st weekend June Tel & website: 305 448 9501/www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com Who needs to go to the Bahamas. This Miami event brings the Bahamas to Miami over a three day event including music and food.

International Mango Festival

Where:Fairchild Tropical Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road, at SW 101st Street, South Miami When: 2nd weekend July Tel & website: 305 667 1651/www.fairchildgarden.org

Miami Spice Restaurant Month

Where: throughout Miami When: Aug-Sept Website: http://www.ilovemiamispice.com/

During August and September, Miami Spice bring a Miami event that features top restaurants, offering three-course meals (Lunches $19 or $23, Dinners $33 or $39) featuring signature dishes created by world-renowned chefs.

Autumn

Festival Miami

Where: University of Miami, Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, at San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables When: 4-6wks from mid Sept Tel & website: 305 284 4940/www.festivalmiami.com This Miami event brings a Premier Live Music Festival—provides world-class musical programming in diverse styles to all of South Florida.

Junior Orange Bowl Festival

Where: throughout Miami-Dade County When: Oct-Jan Tel & website: 305 662 1210/www.jrorangebowl.com Known as "The Largest International Youth Sports and Arts Festival," the Junior Orange Bowl Youth Festival blossomed in 1948 when the first Junior Orange Bowl Parade traveled through beautiful downtown Coral Gables and become and important Miami events.

Columbus Day Regatta

Where: Biscayne Bay When: mid Oct Tel & website: 305 858 3320/www.columbusdayregatta.net

Miami Book Fair

Where: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, at NE 3rd Street, Downtown

When: mid Nov

Tel & website: 305 237 3258/www.miamibookfair.com This Miami event features six nights of readings and discussions with noted authors from the United States and around the world.

South Beach Comedy Festival

Where: various venues When: mid-Jan Website:www.southbeachcomedyfestival.com South Beach comedy week is guaranteed to bring laughs and smiles.

Ocean Drive Volleypalooza

Where: Ocean Drive & 8th Street, South Beach When: early Feb Tel & website: 305 532 2544/http://www.southbeachvolleyball.com/ This Miami event brings all those fit young people out for a sexy volleyball tournament. For two days watch models from the world's top agencies get down and dirty in the South Beach sand.

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Where: throughout Coconut Grove When: 3rd weekend Feb Tel & website: 305 447 0401/http://www.cgaf.com/

What began in 1963 as an intimate “clothes line” art show featuring a handful of artists and a few thousand onlookers as part of a promotion for the Coconut Grove Playhouse’s production of Irma la Douce has transformed itself into South Florida’s most successful arts festival.