Inauguration Party notes.....

Four days after the Inauguration reception I worked on, am still wiped out.....Some random thoughts about helping a wonderful friend and client with a non-partisan Inauguration reception.

....and please look at the photos, even though I'm not in any of 'em!  To see some of my effort, go to:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjDGTyu4

It was a lovely party, with volunteer contributions by many! I recruited two student-photographer volunteers from a local art school to take photos, and students from Georgetown U assisted with VIP guests, and guest check-in. For affordable photographers and videographers, I highly recommend tapping into local colleges. For the photographers, I went to the school's internship program director. For the Georgetown students, I emailed the president of the student association. It helps to have a child or other family member alums.

Take a look at the flowers in the photos: Trader Joe's best. Had pre-ordered to ensure they had enough tulips. When one preorders from Trader Joe's, they can't guarantee color choices for any flowers. Color scheme was yellow and turquoise. Arranged 80 bunches of flowers in less than 2 hours! My exercise for the day! Picked up unmatched whiskey glasses at Goodwill for vases for bistro tables, with pasta canisters for vases stuffed with oranges, for buffet table. Am NOT a flower person: if I can make nice flower arrangements, anybody can.

Trader Joe's also came through very, very well with wine selection. Because I don't know a lot about wines, I usually choose by label designs and price. Fortunately, Eric, the Trader Joe's Foggy Bottom wine expert, worked with me. From the wine labels and prices (low end) I liked, he chose the best ones. A VIP-ish guest mentioned that she loved the chard! I did not tell her that it was a $3.99 bottle she was enjoying!

http//susansbijouindc.blogspot.com

The 37 door prizes were all nice. Two hotels contributed weekend stays, Oprah's restaurant Art & Soul gave a great gift bag with cookbook and spices, Elizabeth's Gone Raw Restaurant contributed a $150 gift certificate, I donated two pairs of labradorite earrings that I made, and many others donated great door prizes. Wish I had won the personal training package from Fitness Together! We had give-aways like Uber gift certificates at the sign-in table.

The food was outstanding -- catered by Navajo Caterers, who came from New Mexico and Florida to prepare food, at a nearby church kitchen, for the event. Ir was very very good southwestern cuisine --lamb and beef and a lot of corn dishes, including a blue corn dessert. For this party, I rated the calorie count as 'guilt free.' Will post website later, with recipes.

The only grumpy part of the eve was the gridlocked traffic. Getting across town to Cap Hill was bumper-to-bumper, in part because the Obamas were at a party at the National Building Museum, near this Inaug party. Further, everyone was trying to get to Inaug parties at the same time. After working on site all day, I had gone home to change. Getting back to the party at 4:45 p.m., about 4 miles away, took 1 hour and 25 minutes. Was gonna go back and bicycle to get there, and only didn't, but because it was very cold.

Happy to say that it was a lovely party -- nice people, convivial, all done well, due to an amazingly wonderful collaborative spirit! Wish you were there!

Planit Meetings is happy to help our clients with all their events, in any way we can. Helping is what we do best. The next time you need party help, we're here for you too.

All the best,

susan

Happy 2013

Catching up again....after going two months without posting! No news...Is that good news?....Will the 2013 Inauguration be fun?.... What's cooking with Planit Meetings this year?

First, hotels and the Inauguration.... In November and December, after the elections, hotels put their hotel rates and restrictions in place...Most hotels had 4 night minimums, prepaid, non-refundable. People bought rooms, from hotels, from us, good faith....Now, because of the economy, second-term boredom, the economy again, maybe Sandy and other weather crises, people are not coming to DC for the Inauguration, and hotels are selling their rooms, previously rated as $1,000 per night, for almost half that via a couple of discounted services. It doesn't seem fair to the consumer who paid $1k for non-refundable 4-night minimums. On the other hand, who knew, back on November 25, exactly how many people were coming to DC for this Inaug!!   Yes, there are still many hotel rooms in DC for the Inaug...We can get you one-night stays, without prepay, at rates that parallel rates during times in DC, when there are city-wide conventions.

Planit Meetings has been working hard helping a client with their non-partisan Inauguration event, January 20...There will be many parties in DC this weekend.... This morning, talked to an academic VIP on the guest list, who is not attending. His wife, a university chemistry professor in DC, is attending the Vogue Knitting Conference in NYC this weekend. So much for a university administrator's interest in Inauguration parties...even fun ones, like the one that Planit Meetings is helping with......Spent 4 hours sewing a dressy halter top from 2 sari silk scarves. The You Tube version involved no sewing, but I opted for a double layer scarf sewn and with added hooks and eyes. Promise to post a photo if it works.

But this is why our clients respect us. Re: the last minute help with the Inaug event...we help our clients when and how they need our help, pro bono, and with good cheer. They know they can count on us, whether it's for one hotel room night or many rooms in blocks for events....

Speaking of events....National Police Week's coming up in May.... college graduations....Memorial Day weekend with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (we are so so honored to work with them)

All the best Watch this space for weekly, I promise, posts!

susan@planitmeetings.com

Let Planit Meetings solve your New Years Eve dilemmas

Four Seasons DC

Whether you want to spend New Years Eve in DC, Baltimore, NYC, SF, Charlotte, Miami or Chicago, alone, with your honey, or a bunch of friends, Planit Meetings can help you find what you’re looking for in a hotel-New Years Weekend celebration package! 

Looking for an in-town getaway, or a good deal at a resort close to your home? We’ll find what you think you want, at the rates you need. No charge for our services.

In DC, Planit Meetings friends receive discounts at several local restaurants and one party bus company. Hotel rates are comparatively low on winter weekends, even at the very best hotels,  so New Years Eve at most hotels sell out!

Many hotels have good New Years Eve packages, at great rates, that might include dinner, dancing, a party, with various amenities, like sparkling wine in hotel room. But what if you want a hotel room, and the kind of music or party at another location? Or you might have an idea what your significant other might like, but you don’t really know….How about Freddy Cole & the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band at Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, a walk along the Potomac, and a night at a nice hotel, nearby? Or a First Night celebration with your family, including the kids, in Old Town, and then hibernate at a hotel with an indoor pool?

We are here to figure it all out for you, keep your celebrating within budget and make plans for you that satisfy everyone in your party!

Email us your budget, the kind of hotels you like...boutique....rooms with balconies..., indoor good gym with indoor pool, restorative spa, quiet or lively...? Let us help you make the best plans for your New Years holiday!   susan@planitmeetings.com

"New Year New You" Washington, DC In-Town Winter Getaway Package, custom-designed just for you!

Planit Meetings has created a “New Year New You” weekend in-town getaway package, just for you...to help you re-charge, re-connect, available weekends through January 14, 2013.

Your in-town getaway hotel will be your choice from four wonderful west end hotels... for up to 4 people. We love these hotels for their quality and spaciousness, and service....at Planit Meetings rates.

It can be an intown getaway for alone time, or with a significant other or a group of friends, for a PJ party like in college....

For your DC in-town getaway weekend, you may select from the following services brought right to you:

Personal training, designed to help you fix posture and gait. The trainer will create an at-your-desk work-out that's realistic;

Make-up lesson  and hair styling session from the best experts at Roche Salon;

Mani-pedi, massage therapy;

Work with life-coach 1 on 1 or have a group coaching session with your friends re: learning how to overcome obstacles so you can achieve goals you’re reaching for.

We will also arrange bicycle rental and create custom bike ride routes photo session, dinner, and more. If you're traveling with your dog(s), Planit Meetings will provide complimentary dog-walking services.

For prices and other info, email Planit Meetings: susan@planitmeetings.com

Stella Bonds Fashion Networking Event to Raise Funds for Sandy Relief Friday, November 16, Fitness Together Central Georgetown

UPDATE: 11/22: Planit Meetings, Fitness Together and Stella Bonds raised more than $500 in checks written to American Red Cross, earmarked for Sandy Relief at our event last week! Thanks to all who bought auction items and earrings re: Sandy relief funds!

Planit Meetings and Fitness Together in Georgetown are joining forces to host a fashion networking event, showcasing Columbian designer Stella Bonds, at Fitness Together's Central Georgetown location, Friday, November 16, 5:30 – 7:30.

Our (free) event will benefit Hurricane Sandy, with one of a kind earrings being 'sold' for your text message donation of $10 to the American Red Cross #90999 (lots of earrings, real stones, like amethyst, carnelian, pearls).

We will also be having a silent auction, that will include a man's shirt created by Stella Bonds, a training package contributed by Fitness Together, necklaces created by Susan at Planit Meetings, sports clothing and equipment,  a basket of vegan cosmetics and more. (For silent auction winning bids, we will accept checks made out to 'Red Cross, Sandy Relief' only.)

Location: Fitness Together Central Georgetown

                3222 N Street, NW

                Near the corner of Wisconsin and N, 
                by Martin’s Tavern and the Georgetown Inn

              

               On the 30 Metro Bus and Circulator routes

Parking: Georgetown Inn for paid parking, and metered and unmetered street parking.

Planit Meetings' fashionista friend Stella Bonds, from Bogota, Columbia,  has been creating clothing for women and men since she was 14, ...studied couture design in Spain and Latin America. We love her, because she creates vibrant designs.... eminently wearable couture that flatter every figure.  Stella's designs make us think of the Caribbean and Carnival, with all the joy and fun....Perfect for Inauguration parties....

Please join us for spirits and laughter, door prizes, silent auction to benefit Sandy relief….meet Stella Bonds, fashion designer...invite her to create a one-of-a-kind dress for you, or a shirt for your guy….bring your hotel and meetings (weddings, reunions, corporate meetings) questions, and fitness issues to us….  Peruse earrings created by Planit Meetings' Susan, for 'sale' for a donation to Sandy relief and plan to hang around a bit, before starting your weekend!

Hope to see you Friday, November 16, at Fitness Together, by Billy Martin's!

Planit Meetings and Fitness Together in Georgetown te invitan a nuestro evento sin costo de entrada que beneficiará a los damnificados del Huracán Sandy, con un par de  aretes (diseñados por Susan de Planit  Meetings) y  serán "vendidos" en una donación que se hará por un mensaje de texto de $ 10 a la Cruz Roja Americana # 90999

También vamos a tener una subasta silenciosa, que incluirá una camisa de hombre creada por  StellaBonds, un paquete de entrenamiento de Fitness Together, collares creados por Planit Meetings, ropa deportiva y mucho más. (Para las ofertas ganadoras en la subasta silenciosa, aceptaremos cheques a nombre solamente de "La Cruz Roja".)

Ubicación: Fitness Together in Georgetown
3222 N Street, NW
En la esquina de Wisconsin y N,
al lada de Martin Tavern y Georgetown Inn

Puede tomar el autobús # 30 del metro

Estacionamiento: El estacionamiento más cercano es el del hotel del Georgetown Inn o en la calle con uso de parquímetros

StellaBonds es amiga "fashionista" de Planit Meetings.  Ella crea ropa para hombres y mujeres desde los 14 años, estudió diseño de alta costura en España y América Latina. La amamos, porque ella crea diseños vibrantes, costura que halaga cada figura. Stella dice que se inspira en la elegancia y la feminidad de la mujer y le encanta utilizar colores brillantes para recordarnos la felicidad en que se debe vivir. Los diseños de Stella nos traen memorias del Caribe y del Carnaval, con mucha alegría y diversión....

Por favor, únase a nosotros en un espíritu de risas, premios y una subasta silenciosa que servirá de beneficio a los damnificados de Sandy.... Conozca a StellaBonds, diseñadora de moda... invítala a crear un vestido único en su estilo para ti, o una camisa para tu chico.... trae tus preguntas de  hotel y reuniones (bodas, reuniones, reuniones de empresa)  y temas de fitness y nosotros se las aclararemos.... ten presente el  pendiente diseñado por Susan de Planit Meetings, para la "venta" que será una donación para los damnificados de Sandy y planee  en compartir con nosotros y conocer nuevas personas antes de comenzar su fin de semana!

Nos vemos el viernes, 16 de noviembre en Fitness Together

Make a hotel reservation through Planit Meetings to help Sandy relief fund.

Planit Meetings is giving a portion of all commissions earned on hotel reservations, for one room for one night, or for groups for many nights, at hotels anywhere in the U.S., made with us through November 30, 2012. You need to mention this blog or Planit Meetings's tweet.

Planit Meetings is committed to helping all those in New Jersey and New York recover from Sandy. Please email us pictures and stories, and we'll post. We're rooting for all left homeless in New Jersey and New York.  We're a small company, but we are committed to doing all we can for all who have survived this catastrophic storm.

For further information, contact Kevin Elder, Planit Meetings principal, at 919-387-0057, kelder@planitmeetings.com, or Susan P. at susan@planitmeetings.com.

In December, we'll post the amount for Sandy relief. We are also open to suggestions, re: Sandy relief recipient.

 

Travelers Aid in Washington, DC

Planit Meetings is here for anyone stranded in the DC area, who needs affordable lodging.

This week, we have 'the big storm' room blocks at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, the Avenue Suites Hotel, L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, and the Georgetown Suites Hotel. See previous blog for descriptions and rates. Planit Meetings also has discounted rates at hotels all over the DC area, and we use our leverage to meet our clients' lodging requirements.

If you’re reading this, and in need, easiest to contact Kevin on his mobile 202-257-8330, or Susan at 202-315-8837. 

We’re in DC, and are on to the pulse of the city. Having endured storm power outages in the winter with small children and pets, on budgets, and being stranded away from home, we understand what you're going through. Our years of hotel expertise coupled with our experiences, help us better help you. We will get help you with your needs, and requirements.

Save the above numbers and feel free to call when you need lodging help!

Affordable hotel room blocks in DC for Frankenstorm

Ritz Carlton Pentagon City pool

Planit Meetings has affordable room blocks at four wonderful DC hotels, for anyone stuck in our Frankenstorm.

In Virginia, the sumptuous Ritz Carlton Pentagon city has rooms for $149/night. At this fantastically low rate, now is a good time to try this luxurious four-plus star hotel.

Ritz Carlton Pentagon City

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel

The L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, near the Holocaust Museum, has standard rooms, one or two beds, fitness center, spacious common areas, restaurants, bars, and is pet-friendly. Rate is $129/night.

The Avenue Suites Hotel, also $129/night, is a pet-friendly, all-suites hotel, one bedroom, with one or two beds, sleep-sofa in the living room, full kitchen, and sleeps 6. Hotel is located at 25th and Pennsylvania.

Avenue Suites Hotel

The Georgetown Suites Hotel is located in the heart of Georgetown, one bedroom suites, full kitchen, sleeps up to 6 and includes buffet breakfast. Rate is $180/night.

To reserve a room, email both Kevin and Susan at: kelder@planitmeetings.com, or 919-387-0057, or mobile 202-257-8330 and susan@planitmeetings.com, mobile 202-315-8837.  

(Susan is in DC...Kevin is out of storm area, to better help our east coast friends.)

We also have negotiated rates at all major chains and boutique hotels. Hopefully, the storm won't be as bad as predicted, but if you need a hotel room to ride out the storm, in DC or anywhere, we are here to help you!