Event Service Providers (ESP): Networking and Education for People Who Plan Events

Event Service Providers (ESP)
Networking and Education for People Who Plan Events
Event Service Providers is a networking group for those who plan events or sell products or services for events in Northwest Arkansas. This group was created to bring us all together to share ideas, information, and leads. We launched the group in November 19, 2009.

Networking We meet each Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 for regular networking meetings (except on excursion days) at Atlanta Bread Company, 4602 West Walnut Street, Rogers, Arkansas (next to IHOP and Office Depot). Anyone is welcome and there is no cost to attend.

Excursions
Our special Destination Education excursions give us a chance to showcase an event facility, highlight a member's business, and provide educational content relevant to a variety of types of event planners.

Get Connected Click here to become a Facebook fan of Event Service Providers.
Click here to join their LinkedIn group.
Click here to e-mail someone for more information on Event Service Providers.

Sign Up to Receive Meeting and Special Event Reminders
Get Connected So You'll Hear about Future Events and Meetings
We keep in touch via e-mail. If you'd like to receive updates about member news, networking meetings, and special events, fill in the form at the left to be added to our e-mail database. We'd love if if you'd tell others.

Interested in Learning More about Other Networking Events in the Area?

Click here to visit the networking group page on the Soar with Eagles website. It has the most current list of Northwest Arkansas' grass roots networking groups. They are free and open to anyone.

Past Destination Education Events

October 19, 2010: Event Service Providers Expo at Compton Gardens in Bentonville. Go to www.nwaevent.com for details and info on becoming an exhibitor. Booth space is $25 for networking group members and $50 for non-members. Anyone can attend.

Focus: Showcase companies that provide products or services for events. It is designed as an opportunity to network with potential customers and other event service providers.Exhibitor space is $25 for ESP members and $50 for non-members (if you've been to a meeting, you're a member).
Only 20 to 25 exhibitor spots are available. Reserve your space early. Exhibitor fees are due by October 9. There will be no refunds after October 9.
There will be at least one theme room but we could add more. There is a wedding theme room where the exhibitors will decorate the room instead of just having a table display. For instance, one company could provide flowers, another rental equipment, another music, another lighting, another photography, etc. It's an opportunity to SHOW and tell. If you have ideas for other theme rooms, let us know. There are other rooms and a patio we plan to utilize.
We will have a small budget for purchasing food (not sure until we know how many are exhibiting). If you are a caterer and would like to participate, please let us know. Depending on the interest, we probably won't order from just one caterer just to give more the chance to participate.
Interested exhibitors should e-mail Carrie Smith at carrie@soarhigher.com or respond using the registration form at www.nwaevent.com.
We're working on some marketing materials and hope that you'll help us get the word out.
The event is going to provide great networking and is open to anyone in the community. Even though we are at an event facility, we hope the other event facilities will participate or at least attend so they can learn about other service providers they can refer customers to. Sometimes the greatest act of customer service is connecting a customer to a provider you know and trust that has what they need.
Hosted by Russ Kuhn of the Peel Compton Foundation (russ@peelcompton.org).

Other Upcoming Destination Education Events

Date TBD Choosing Food for Events of All Types and Budgets
Date TBD Managing Event Safety, Liability, and Risk
Here Is Information About a Past Destination Education Event

April 8, 2010 Planning Charity Golf Tournaments

Topics included: Golf course etiquette from Paul Eiserman, the head golf pro at Pinnacle Country Club; typical costs and logistics to consider; and how to help your sponsors get more from their investment by using face-to-face marketing

Click here to download the handout on Selling Gold Sponsorships.
Hosted by Hosted by Jamie Pristupa (jpristupa@pinnaclecc.com) of Pinnacle Country Club and Ken Abernathy (ken@bighatsconsulting.com) of Big Hats Consulting.

Networking	We meet each Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 for regular networking meetings (except on excursion days) at Atlanta Bread Company, 4602 West Walnut Street, Rogers, Arkansas (next to IHOP and Office Depot). Anyone is welcome and there is no cost to attend.
Excursions	Our special Destination Education excursions give us a chance to showcase an event facility, highlight a member's business, and provide educational content relevant to a variety of types of event planners.
Get Connected	Click here to become a Facebook fan of Event Service Providers. Click here to join their LinkedIn group. Click here to e-mail someone for more information on Event Service Providers.
Sign Up to Receive Meeting and Special Event Reminders	Get Connected So You'll Hear about Future Events and Meetings We keep in touch via e-mail. If you'd like to receive updates about member news, networking meetings, and special events, fill in the form at the left to be added to our e-mail database. We'd love if if you'd tell others. Interested in Learning More about Other Networking Events in the Area? Click here to visit the networking group page on the Soar with Eagles website. It has the most current list of Northwest Arkansas' grass roots networking groups. They are free and open to anyone. Past Destination Education Events October 19, 2010: Event Service Providers Expo at Compton Gardens in Bentonville. Go to www.nwaevent.com for details and info on becoming an exhibitor. Booth space is $25 for networking group members and $50 for non-members. Anyone can attend. Focus: Showcase companies that provide products or services for events. It is designed as an opportunity to network with potential customers and other event service providers.Exhibitor space is $25 for ESP members and $50 for non-members (if you've been to a meeting, you're a member). Only 20 to 25 exhibitor spots are available. Reserve your space early. Exhibitor fees are due by October 9. There will be no refunds after October 9. There will be at least one theme room but we could add more. There is a wedding theme room where the exhibitors will decorate the room instead of just having a table display. For instance, one company could provide flowers, another rental equipment, another music, another lighting, another photography, etc. It's an opportunity to SHOW and tell. If you have ideas for other theme rooms, let us know. There are other rooms and a patio we plan to utilize. We will have a small budget for purchasing food (not sure until we know how many are exhibiting). If you are a caterer and would like to participate, please let us know. Depending on the interest, we probably won't order from just one caterer just to give more the chance to participate. Interested exhibitors should e-mail Carrie Smith at carrie@soarhigher.com or respond using the registration form at www.nwaevent.com. We're working on some marketing materials and hope that you'll help us get the word out. The event is going to provide great networking and is open to anyone in the community. Even though we are at an event facility, we hope the other event facilities will participate or at least attend so they can learn about other service providers they can refer customers to. Sometimes the greatest act of customer service is connecting a customer to a provider you know and trust that has what they need. Hosted by Russ Kuhn of the Peel Compton Foundation (russ@peelcompton.org). Other Upcoming Destination Education Events Date TBD Choosing Food for Events of All Types and Budgets Date TBD Managing Event Safety, Liability, and Risk Here Is Information About a Past Destination Education Event April 8, 2010 Planning Charity Golf Tournaments Topics included: Golf course etiquette from Paul Eiserman, the head golf pro at Pinnacle Country Club; typical costs and logistics to consider; and how to help your sponsors get more from their investment by using face-to-face marketing Click here to download the handout on Selling Gold Sponsorships. Hosted by Hosted by Jamie Pristupa (jpristupa@pinnaclecc.com) of Pinnacle Country Club and Ken Abernathy (ken@bighatsconsulting.com) of Big Hats Consulting.