You have the next 6 months to  party mid-decade. You Can believe the rush will be on to plan those perfect parties.

But why wait until year end? Start with New Years Eve and don’t stop the parties until you say so. The Party ReduX Showcase can help.

Party

Start with the basic social gathering we call the ” get together”.Move on to the political organization victory celebration. Then get your favorite groups together, whether individually or collectively for merrymaking,revelry, and festivity. Make your party a real event.

ReduX

A mid-decade party should bring back memories and establish new ones.

The last five year Old memories should be Revived – brought back,  restored to their former importance or prominence if only for a few hours. Not all of us will relive The Great Garsby, but some of us should.

Showcase

The venue is a critical factor to a successful party. The decision to open our home – the Most favorable setting- or go out is paramount .

A house party allows you to Present it as-is or decorate it in a way that’s designed to attract attention and admiration of guests. Think of you house as a platform for socializing or perhaps a vehicle for political growth.

When you bring these elements together – Party ReduX Showcase – your mid-2014 resolution is assuredly one to be kept.

Finally ,  If you need help along the 2014 journey, I recommend contacting Jeffery Jackson Enterprises Inc At 205 East HighPottstown ( phone 484-949-4160), under The Party ReduX Showcase brand. We Put the  SPECIAL in Special Events all year long. That’s our mid-2014 resolution.

The Special Event for Business

“This will be the event of the year….the party to surpass all before it…an experience like none other”. For the uninitiated business event planner, the reality is that you’ll probably get a headache trying to focus on what you really want, compared to what you can afford or are willing to spend.

There are so many things, themes, and choices to make, but take a deeper look and focus in on what you really want. One of the best things you can do to make your event special is be organized and have someone you can trust handling everything that has been put in place, stay that way, so you can enjoy the event. So many small business owners are stressed and too exhausted, to enjoy what should be a memorable event.

So how long have you been thinking about this special event for your business?  Have a clue about the cost of a facility, catering, décor or a destination meeting? There are so many questions you should ask yourself and answer before you start planning anything and writing notes, so let’s get started by building a firm foundation. For every idea, thought or plan please have a reality check. Even with the best laid plans…. stuff happens!

• How much stress am I willing to handle and what is my timeline?

Be honest. If you take a few months or more to plan, at the beginning you feel that you can take on the world. Little time to plan is sure to create a higher stress level. Quick choices may cost more or may not be available. The larger the event, the more help from dependable people or services you need. A professional event planner will ask you all the questions and put everything in place. The only thing you should have to do is answer the questions, pay the bill, get dressed and show up on time. What to look for in a planner is something you can discuss with The Party ReduX Showcase in Pottstown.

• What is my budget and how many guest?

Professional services want commitment, contracts and payment in full prior to services. What you want and what you can afford may be two different things but it is a reality check. Get a realistic figure and stick to it. Before you can even get to what appetizers to serve, this can be the deal breaker! Your guest list is also linked to the budget

Whatever the special business event, being organized, paying attention to detail and not procrastinating will help to pull all the things and people together for an occasion worth remembering.

We previously discussed venue selection (#2 Choose Your Office, Small or Outdoor Venue), which has implications on how you cater the menu. Let’s take for example an outdoor venue.

Being outdoors, makes sit down tables optional and allows for a simpler and less expensive menu such as barbecue, boiled crabs, pig roast or deep fried foods.

Some more casual venues also allow greater event flexibility for the caterer to theme it — think pizza party or make-your-own taco stations or smoothie stations, which bring together fresh seasonal fruits with premise made ice cream.

Regardless of venue, the food budget line is all the more palatable if it doubles as the decoration budget line. Think whole fresh fruit centerpieces, craved fruit bowls, or cake pops in pseudo-floral arrangements.

“Visually stunning, enhanced hors d’oeuvre trays, such as texture-filled shadow boxes and even larger hawker-style carry trays, make for an exciting presentation of finger foods and smaller bites,” says Warren Dietel, president/owner of Puff ‘n Stuff Events and Catering, Orlando, Florida.

The caterer selection is important. Attention to detail, food quality and visual appeal, exceptional service and range of capabilities are what make your choice truly full service. Some caterers event assist clients with a range of services including hiring servers and entertainment, renting equipment and arranging for floral, lighting and other décor.

If you’re looking for additional catering menu ideas, reach out to an executive chef, event planner or rental resource for support and inspiration.

Check out The Party ReduX Showcase in Pottstown and tell them that Jeff sent you.

When it comes to saving money on an event venue, the old Wizard of Oz saying is true, there is no place like home.  Your office or home turf is a wonderful place to sell and/or entertain clients, and with some help, it can be transformed in ways you may not initially imagine.

However, if an office or home turf transformation is not your vision, then other low cost public building options include volunteer fire company banquet halls, local community centers, libraries, churches, schools and community colleges. The venue availability and rental rates vary by entity.

Additionally, there are private building options, such as VFW, Elks. Knights of Columbus or other civic groups who may offer their private property and event space for rental.

Let us not forget the great outdoors as an event venue. Perhaps it is the backyard of a private residence, a public flower garden or park that excites you.

In my  previous article – #1 Be Creative -You learned to pay close attention to the amenities offered by the chosen venue. Some may offer banquet catering, tables and chairs, while others may only offer a blank space.

Regardless, your office or small or outdoor venue may be transformed via the services of event planners, decorators and party rental service providers.

Choose either of these venues and you’ll certainly take a large bite out of your event budget.

If end-to-end event savings are what’s needed, then contact an available event planner. I like The Party ReduX in Pottstown. Tell them that Jeff sent

you:-)

From event planning to rentals to consignment, there isn’t much that The Party ReduX can’t do for brides-to-be

In early 2011, after throwing a memorable birthday party for his current fiancé, Jeff Jackson started thinking about the concept of a business that offered party planning, decorating services and rentals to the public and businesses as a small business. He thought that freelance party planners, chefs, designers, musicians, entertainers and other experienced workers could offer services to businesses and the consuming public who couldn’t justify hiring several persons for the events and parties they wanted to be done.

“I kept reading research about how people say, we need all inclusive offerings or we want to DIY, but we sure could use some help” Jackson said.

After investigating the idea, business incorporation, and leasing showroom-warehouse space, in May 2011 he decided to invest in it. As his first branded idea, The Party ReduX,  began with the aid of his daughter working in conjunction with other event professionals. Jackson has 30 years of experience in business, and is professionally certified in sales and marketing.

As news of the business spreads, he’s started to hear from people who feel their services would be a good addition. Today, the business is made up of an additional two brands, including The Brassbull Catering Network and the Talking Trumpeter Entertainment Bureau that offers an ever increasing array of services.

“We want to be as inclusive as possible,” Jackson said.

The Party ReduX creates special events for clients who often can’t afford to hire and then manage team of independent purveyors or Divas. Under his three brands, Jackson says “We Put the SPECIAL in Special Events”.

“My heart is really in the home based or freelance small businesses community,” he said. “What better way than this to help them?”

JJEI is available for one-time events or on an ongoing basis, tailored for what each individual business needs. Team members are experienced, proficient in their fields and educated, Jackson said. He is being particular in who is added to the team. “Together  we have momentum and know what we’re doing.”

When it comes to planning and executing a wedding Brides-to Be………..do what they do for love, Jackson  said, not because they enjoy the day-to-day chores of running a event planning operation, and the business works to help anyone from BRIDES-to- Be to small businesses succeed in an economical and efficient way.

The Big Picture— During 2014, turn your annual get together into a party, or even the event of your social season.

We all know how expensive great parties and events can be. So over the next ten months of 2014, I’ll collect and share thoughts on how you can manage those costs. If you have experience with other ideas, please pass them back for the benefit of other readers.

The Big Idea — #1 Be Creative

Now that we are in the football off-season, you have time to think “off,”meaning off-season, off times, off locale for your party of event.

The opportunity to capture the deepest discounts can come under those circumstances.

A bridal example would be to plan your nuptials January through March rather than the peak seasonal wedding month of June.

Most times weddings occur on Friday or Saturday. However, a wedding on Sunday thru Thursday opens up tremendous off peak time cost saving opportunities.

The hottest urban wedding venues are booked months and sometimes years in advance. But if you travel to the edge of the typical 50-mile radius from the bride-to-be childhood home, you may find venues well worth the trip.

Similar examples can be used regarding other event resources, such as using a DJ instead of a band, and replacing tabletop flowers with tabletop candles.

Lastly, we all can appreciate that food is a budget item that can be massaged with creativity.

So make calls, write, or e-mail your old pals, new friends, and business acquaintances that invitation. Then get your creative ideas flowing.

If you’re experiencing an idea block, reach out to an event planner or rental resource for support and inspiration. Check out The Party ReduX Showcase in Pottstown and tell them that Jeff sent you!

Millennial’s, those between 17-34 years old, are a part of a major consuming group that is 77.5 million strong, with up to $2Billion in spending influence. They have matured during the social age of personal gratification — instantly.

Businesses serving Millennials, such as Jeffery Jackson Enterprises Inc.

(JJEI), realize that being personal and instantaneous with our product or service fulfillment can be a challenge. To help meet this expectation, our quotes are unique to our clients and include options that are within their budget and event preferences. This will help them to see right away what we can do for their special event that is exclusive to them. It also underscores that We Put the SPECIAL in Special Events.

In an article by Katie Effering entitled, “Why and How to Market Your Small Business to 77.5 Million Millennials,” it is noted they crave customized products and unique offerings that let them express themselves. At JJEI, we certainly do see that some special event planners value exclusivity when shopping for products or services. For a B2C special event example, consider that with the cost of a 2012 wedding reaching an average of $25,656.00, brides control real spending power and she doesn’t want the same exact items every other bride has used.

A further look into this B2C example also reveals a Millennial bent for Do IT You. Six out of ten Brides agree that anything you do yourself, either to save money, to make it more personal, or because you can’t find anyone else to do it. These brides define the DIY experience. Recent research suggests that just fewer than 25 percent of 2012 wedding could be considered the DIY type; as they sought to save money, include a personal or sentimental item, or feature some custom creation.

JJEI under its’ brands including; the Best Party Stars for event/wedding planners, The Party ReduX for wedding décor rentals, Talking Trumpeter Entertainment and The Brassbull Catering Network, cater to the expectations and demands of couples planning their big day or businesses executing event marketing strategies. To do this well and satisfy the instant gratification and DIY expectations of our Millennial consumer, we must be creative.

Need more examples? Picture this, a couple needing wedding décor for a party of 100 “last minute” comes to us for instant fulfillment and walks out the door happy about how the décor makes their wedding fabulous. Picture this, at noon a local salon calls in need of several tables, chairs and linen delivered by 5:00 p.m. for an on-premise hair expo for 25 patrons at 6:00 p.m. that day, and she is thrilled to see an on time delivery. In both examples, they got what was wanted within budget.

There have been other ways we’ve helped our Millennial clients by instantly fulfilling their orders. If you are a Millennial customer with an event dream beyond cookie cutter, and/or a bent towards DIY, call the Best Party Stars of Jeffery Jackson Enterprises Inc at 484.948.3280 for an appointment to visit our showcase at 205 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 or call

484.949.4160 if it is last minute.

At The Party ReduX Showcase,

We Put the SPECIAL in Special Events!

Read on as our associate Paulette Strand discusses this very issue, as a Chef.

Jeffery Jackson Enterprises Inc

205 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 484-949-4160

“A special satisfaction comes to a chef when their hard work and creativity in the kitchen is appreciated. As a professional you always want to please your clients, after all your name and reputation is on the line. The degree of elegance or simplicity will be determined by the clientele you choose to service. Whether you are the sole owner or working for a hotel or casino where large parties are common you can’t afford to loose the passion or professionalism of your craft.

For the chef to put the SPECIAL in any event, the food has to multitask. Whatever is being served must be pleasing to all the senses. We have all seen or heard comments through the years on different occasions. Someone may ask who the chef or caterer is so they can obtain their services or make sure they never hire them. Word of mouth from a satisfied guest is worth more than a printed ad.

Today’s chef is challenged by high-tech equipment, more availability and varieties of food and an increasing sophistication of health-conscious consumers. Standard preparation methods must be changed to accommodate and produce new taste preferences.

• When possible know what your client likes or dislikes

o   Everyone doesn’t love garlic, chili peppers or curry.

• Give your finished dish an honest evaluation

o   Check flavor, aroma, garnishing, color, textures. A sauce can make or break the entire presentation!

• Pay attention to details

o   The sauce for the hot wings is just as important as the jus de veau for your sauce chateaubriand!

• Stay informed of new ideas and trends in the industry
• Mise en place…from beginning to the end

People may say “It’s all in the presentation.” but this will not hold true for the chef that wants that special event to also be unforgettable. The whole package includes on time, correct temperature, appropriate quantities, flavor, color, aroma and layered textures prepared from the freshest ingredients presented with an artistic flair that may range from simple, to understated elegance to outrageous.”

Now is the time to plan those holiday parties and other social gatherings.

So get out your calendars and pick the dates for the small or large events

or simpler meet ups you’ll host. Whether for those business clients you

want to entertain or family members send a semi-formal invitation or quick

e-mail save-the-date alert today. In today’s hyper-paced environment, people

are more challenged than ever to deliver on customer engagements or

family plans. It has never been clearer that in order for your event to succeed,

you must be prepared to give them advanced notice so as to participate.

Party Planning? Renting Is Common Sense Idea!

When it comes time to party, remember The Party ReduX Showcase

brand brings together know-how, and know-who. Our Best Party Stars can be

your party planners. They’ll put together the team of caterers, and other event

professionals with our sales and rentals of party décor and accessories. Together,

in one space, we’ll help you to deliver upon both your own personal engagements,

as well as that of your company. Most importantly, The Party ReduX Showcase

brand provides the platform of event services to really build lasting relationships

that will help you retain or develop increased business in your markets, and provide

the event resources you need to drive deep engagement with your customers and family.

Call us at 484-948-3280 or visit us at 205 East High Street, Pottstown, PA. From a

few extra tables and chairs, to the complete event, We Put The SPECIAL in Special Events!