Nice Ice: 6 Functional and Unique Ice Sculptures
EVENT PRODUCTION INSPIRATION
Just when you thought the whole Princess Elsa thing was over, we dug up these awesome indoor ice sculptures sure to give you chills. Oh man. Sorry. Puns are the WORST.
PLAYSTATION Ice Sculpture from Jack Whiteley on Vimeo.
This video, produced by Jack Whitley, is an inside look into the process of creating a giant Playstation gaming controller ice sculpture. The sculpture was created by the talented folks at Glacial Art, based in Liverpool, one of the leading ice sculpture companies in the UK.
Carvers extraordinaire Brice and Brice from Alaska the use a lathe they custom-designed themselves to carve martini glasses out of ice.
LA Ice Art created this awesome paddle wheel boat that was later filled with ta da appetizer shrimp. Great creativity.
Something about this table-top biking ice sculpture by Indiana Ice Studio struck us as unique. It s well-crafted and clear, but the angles and style feel modern and almost abstract. Who says ice sculptures are outdated?
Hooey, these guys are awesome: based in Baltimore, MD, Icelab does some industry-topping work. Above, a picture of one of their creations: a series of faceted ice gems mounted on strings to create a beaded ice curtain.
Neat idea by Las Vegas Ice Studio: Japanese temple ice-carving sushi server!
White House Business Council
COMPANY NEWS, POLITICAL
Decibel Management was invited to attend the White House Business Council meetings and briefing in early March. We had the opportunity to meet with administration officials to discuss strengthening the economic competitiveness of America s small businesses. This half-day meeting was held in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. It was a great event to attend, and we loved getting to know and openly discuss issues that small businesses face and how the administration can become more involved.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 17, 2014
Local Business Leaders Discuss Priorities with White House Officials
Senior Obama Administration Officials Heard From Business Leaders on a Variety of Issues
Washington, D.C. Small business leaders from across the country gathered at the White House yesterday to brief Senior Administration officials on their priorities, including creating a business environment conducive to job creation.
Administration officials gave an update on the economy and job creation. They also outlined several programs that encourage hiring and improve access to capital for small businesses. These programs include Small Business Administration loans and assistance from the International Trade Administration in helping small businesses sell their goods and services to new foreign customers.
Business leaders spoke about recent successes they ve experienced, but also highlighted the need for immigration reform, increased workforce development programs, and more awareness of programs that provide support for small businesses.
Business leaders bring a results-oriented approach to Washington that stands out, Jim Doyle, Business Forward president said. They don t agree with each other or the Administration on every point, but they expect solutions that create jobs and grow the economy.
Senior White House officials who participated in the briefing included:
Dr. Mark Doms, Undersecretary of Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce
Ann Marie Mehlum, Associate Administrator for Capital Access, U.S. Small Business Administration
Fred Baldassaro, Assistant Administrator for Communications, U.S. Small Business Administration
Peter Davidson, Executive Director of the Loan Program Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Michael Masserman, Executive Director for Export Policy, Promotion, & Strategy, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Americo Mack Tadeu, Deputy Director, Advocacy Center, International Trade Association, U.S. Department of Commerce
Diana Doukas, White House Liaison, U.S. Small Business Administration
Sam Brown, Director, White House Business Council
Business leaders had the following to say about the briefing:
Roz Lewis, President & CEO of the Greater Women s Business Council, located in Atlanta, Georgia said, The women businesses in my organization are interested in access to capital and procurement opportunities. It was great to hear of all of the financial products that the Small Business Administration has to offer our constituency at the Greater Women s Business Council. More importantly, the briefing was proof of the White House Business Council s commitment to the growth and sustainability of small businesses.
Sean Cochrane, President of Super Green Solutions, located in West Palm Beach, Florida said, I was extremely impressed by all the speakers at the White House Business Council meeting. I found the meeting enlightening particularly in the focus on job creation, export dollars, and the efforts to bring energy efficiency to other countries. I was particularly impressed with the discussion of promoting USA Export trade with Sub Saharan Africa. We have seen a keen interest in this region for SuperGreen Solutions franchises as energy stability, rising energy costs, demand side management, load shedding, and carbon emissions are affecting the lives of people in Sub Saharan Africa.
Joe Mechlinski, President & CEO of entreQuest, located in Baltimore, Maryland said, It was an honor to participate in the White House Business Council s meeting focused on helping small businesses to grow and strengthen the economy. We wrote the #1 best selling book in the world on how to Grow Regardless and the discussion was perfectly aligned with our mission and purpose as a company. The meeting affirmed that there are tremendous bright spots with job growth, but there is still much more to do to support small business growth in our country.
My recommendations were basic: change the paradigm for small business from risk, regulation to risk, and reward and instead find opportunities to incentivize, not penalize, companies to hire people in all ways. I look forward to my continued participation with the Business Council and this conversation.
Mike Sawyers, President & CEO of 7Delta, located in Columbia, Maryland said, As a small business primarily doing federal contracting, the gridlock in Congress has been very frustrating and has made planning for growth extremely challenging.
I attended the White House business meeting to hear about what this Administration is doing to support small businesses with and without the help of Congress. I was impressed with the number of programs available through the SBA, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Energy to financially assist small businesses to start and grow as well as efforts to expand small business exports. I also enjoyed the opportunity to network and share experiences with fellow business owners.
Dr. Sherri Henderson, President & Senior Consultant, Global Business Development Firm, located in Lansing, Michigan said, To achieve economic development for small businesses, entrepreneurs must remain competitive and utilize local, national and international resources to build their brand, strategically plan and be prepared to present their products and services to a global market.
Susan Jones, Founder & Publisher of Impact Detroit Magazine, located in Detroit, Michigan said, As a female business owner, the knowledge I gained through my participation in the White House Business Council briefing is an added value and very relevant, too. It s not business as usual here in Detroit, so I ll be paying it forward, sharing the wealth of knowledge I gained with my colleagues and readers of Impact Detroit Magazine.
Charles L. Moore, CPA, President of C. L. Moore & Associates, located in Lansing, Michigan said, There was a strong delegation of small business owners from around the country that listened to President Obama s senior level cabinet members discuss programs tailored to strengthening the economy for small businesses. They gave us an opportunity to give feedback on their programs. This feedback was received well and the lines of communication were opened for more dialogue in the future.
I gave recommendations on how to get small businesses more capital and what I see as current pitfalls in the lending program. The prospective was from me, a former Bank Regulator and current CPA that works with small businesses. The Small Business Administration officials were happy to get the feedback and wanted to continue to discuss possible changes to the SBA lending policies to get more loans to those small business owners that need them. It felt good to be heard!
Ada Nicole Smith, Principal Consultant at JAS Events, located in Detroit, Michigan said, The early start up costs and lack of strategic planning skills can be discouraging to anyone looking to own a small business. As a young entrepreneur, it was encouraging to hear that the SBA offers mentoring, coaching and classes to entrepreneurs to help close the gaps. Additionally, I am excited about the new approach to partner with local colleges and universities to give young people an earlier start on their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Mary Castro, Executive Board Member of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce located in Warrensburg, Missouri said, Attending the White House Business Council briefing was an amazing opportunity for me. I was impressed with the expert panel of speakers and the eloquence and passion of the attendees. I learned there are resources in place to assist the small business owners, which are accessible and sincere. The White House reached out to us, that is something to take note of and appreciate.
Tammy Long, President of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, located in Warrensburg, Missouri said, I am so honored to have had the opportunity to attend the White House Business Council forum and to learn of new programs which will assist in the expansion of small business in Warrensburg and Johnson County, Missouri. The speakers were factual, informative and sincere in their updates on programs. The Veterans and Community Advantage are two programs in particular which could have a positive impact on our local economy. Business Forward should be commended for their leadership in the promotion of business expansion!
Pamela Cager, Owner of For All Occasions Catering & Vice President of the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce, both located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina said, As the owner of a small business, and the Vice President of the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce, it was a great opportunity to be able to address issues that affect all small businesses and to be given the platform for our issues to be heard by the administration. It was encouraging to see the administration soliciting ideas on small business creation and sustainability. The briefing was very informative and full of useful information.
Greg Gentner, COO of rFactr, located in Charlotte, North Carolina said, The rFactr Executive Team was honored to be invited to participate in the conversation with Senior Administration officials at the White House. As a global Social Sales Software company, we feel it is very important to establish an economic environment in the United States that helps entrepreneurial technology companies grow efficiently, empower advantages in technology, and create innovative solutions that provide value. It was great to be a part of the discussion about the challenges we continue to face as we grow our businesses.
Sandra Miller Jones, Founder & CEO of Segmented Marketing Services, Inc., located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina said, We were extremely pleased to participate in the White House Business Council s briefing yesterday. Our primary reason for attending was to help find ways to reach and secure health insurance for as many people as possible in these final days of Affordable Care Act enrollment. But we also learned a great deal about the outstanding work that the Obama administration is doing to assist small businesses across the nation. This was a worthwhile, action-oriented effort.
Carl Terrell, Founder & CEO of EcoCitement, located in Charlotte, North Carolina said, I was surprised and pleased by the amount of grassroots input the Obama Administration sought from the small business community at large. As a service provider of solid waste management solutions, I was particularly pleased to learn about service exporting opportunities and the support and advocacy of the U.S. Government for U.S. business interests. In addition to receiving information, I shared my thoughts on the need to preserve net neutrality, which if replaced by a premium tiered service model, will increase small business operating expenses and decrease our ability to compete with large companies on the Internet.
Kellam Warren, Managing Member of Mainsail Lawyers, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina said, I m tired of gridlock in Washington. Mainsail Lawyers was started with a Small Business Administration loan and it was nice to talk directly with Senior White House Advisors, so that I could offer a few specific suggestions for improving the SBA loan program and for accelerating the number of jobs small businesses add to the economy. I came to Washington with the benefit of perspective gained from my own start up experience, and from my representation of entrepreneurs and businesses of all kinds in North Carolina s Research Triangle.
While politicians in Washington continue fighting about how to improve the economy, I thought it important that the President s Senior Advisors hear from someone who has actually created jobs in this economy, and used a SBA loan to start a business. I was pleasantly surprised, to find a receptive audience too.
Ad Lawal, President & Owner of Express Employment Professionals of Philadelphia, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said, I found the White House Business Council briefing extremely valuable. Since my company provides temporary and permanent staffing services, finding jobs for people is essentially our business. Our business volume is an indication of the direction of the economy and we have noticed an upward trend as the government s initiatives to create jobs have paid off. At the briefing, I learned about a number of resources available through the SBA that could further our success as a company and help put more people to work in Philadelphia.
Wadria Taylor, Founder, Style & Steel located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said, The White House Business Council Meeting reinforced that small businesses are the mitochondria of the U.S economy. Small businesses can do more and employ more people with access to capital. For many small business owners who fall short of meeting lending criteria for loans, their growth is stifled. My recommendation is for the SBA and the government to adjust the lending criteria and/or implement programs to help small business owners gain access to capital. As a business owner who is also a woman of color, having a seat at the table where I could exercise my voice and recommend solutions is priceless.
Tony Goodesmith, Founder & President of Standard Medical Services located in Arlington, Virginia said, We are very appreciative of the opportunity to brief the White House Business Council on some of the challenges we face on a daily basis while operating Standard Medical Systems. We are a serviced-disabled, veteran-owned small business seeking to compete on a level playing field when it comes to providing medical devices, equipment, and supplies. Often times we find ourselves competing against our own distribution partners for the same services solicited by VA medical centers. Additionally, we re concerned that the medical device tax will negatively impact small independent firms like ours as we work to compete with some of the largest medical device companies in the world.
Dave Sonntag, President of Decibel Management, located in Alexandria, Virginia said, With Decibel Management, I have planned events all over the country including the White House. I m honored I was invited for the first time as a guest to provide the Administration with feedback from small businesses. The discussion with the Small Business Administration was paramount for us, including the information on capital access and lending to grow our business. Additionally, gaining knowledge about the Department of Commerce s Advocacy Center and offering services overseas will help us expand into new markets.
About Business Forward
With the help of more than 50 of the world s most respected companies, Business Forward is making it easier for tens of thousands of business leaders from across America to advise Washington on how to create jobs and accelerate our economic recovery. Together, we have organized hundreds of local briefings with more than 450 senior Administration officials, Members of Congress, mayors and governors.
To date, we have also brought more than 3,000 business leaders to the White House to brief the President s economic advisors. Business leaders who have participated in our briefings have seen their suggestions implemented in the Affordable Care Act, the Jobs Act, three trade agreements and every one of the President s budgets. Many have also shared their recommendations with their representatives in Congress and through op-eds and interviews with local media. Ninety-eight out of 100 business leaders who have participated in a Business Forward briefing would be interested in participating in another one.
For more information please visit www.businessfwd.org or contact kayish@businessfwd.org.
Unique Team-Building Exercise Ideas: The Good, the Bad and the Very, Very Ugly
TIPS & TRICKS
A clients workplace recently organized a team-building event over the course of an afternoon during their annual meeting. The meeting itself was held in a swanky Denver hotel, each guest reveling in luxurious surroundings. All seemed well, until HR decided that the best way to complement all that awesomeness was to follow it up with a group obstacle course in the sweltering summer sun.
The full, unvarnished horror of this mistake was realized when a number of staffers simply quit and returned to the hotel. So much for team-building.
Team-building exercises suffer from an unfair reputation among many companies, in large part because hapless HR managers or even external corporate training consultants pick the wrong activities, or at least don t seem to view the big picture. Badly done, a team-building activity can actually be more demoralizing than unifying but, done the right way, it can be a welcome addition to a conference schedule.
More than that, a shared experience outside the humdrum routine of a conference can be a bonding experience for staff who don t see each other regularly. Having your Austin IT team face your Chicago sales team at laser-tagging may not be an obvious productive boost but it will help create a real sense of unity despite working from disparate locations.
Listen to suggestions
Sure, sometimes it takes a little tugging to get everyone outside for a game of handball, but if your team-building activity announcement is met with groans or oppressive silence, you ve probably crossed the line from they ll-thank-you-for-this-later into they ll-never-forgive-you territory. People know what they like put together a list of suggestions and take a vote. This can absolutely be included in the online registration system as a required field, so no excuses!
And it sounded like such a good idea on paper
Original and unique team-building exercises win out
People tend to enjoy learning new, interesting and useful skills. Doing something creative and unique not only gives your crew something to brag about later, but it brings your team together under the banner of an experience they probably haven t shared with many others. It can also bring new skills and experiences to a team. At the most recent PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Meeting, they had a very unique experience that did just this. During the first day of the conference, the organizers brought in the team from Banding People Together. The entire conference divided into four teams and in an hour we had four original songs that we performed. The winning team had bragging rights for the conference, and we had something very unique to share and discuss for the rest of the conference. Here s a few alternatives to the norm, as well as the original song videos from first and second place:
- Song Writing Workshop
- Photography Skills and Creativity Class
- Cocktail Creations and Mixology
- Drawing/Painting Tutorials
We Love PR by the Brazen Squirrles (Second Place)
We ve Got the Power by the Sh!tkickers (First Place)!
No one has to get dirty
Team-building isn t about punishing people, it s about promoting cooperation. And though we could probably all benefit from a little more time outdoors, rolling around in the dirt boot-camp style isn t everyone s idea of a good time. Organizing a sweaty event also limits your logistical options in terms of how, where and when the event can be held. But getting messy isn t the only way to bring people together. Your people could also:
- Take a challenging, team-based cooking class
- Build a complex gingerbread house
- Build a derby car or electronics kit
- Hold a PacMan competition
- Compete at team darts
- Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon Boat Racing!
Want to incorporate unique team-building exercises into your event?
Call Decibel, we d be tickled pink to help you out.
Compassionate Events: Enable Passive Attendee Donations with Checkin for Good
EVENT PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
We just stumbled across this, found it inspirational, and we think it deserves some attention: One of the event industry buzzwords in 2014 was definitely sustainable events , and we saw a lot of great blog articles and innovative guides on how the we can better plan to cut down waste and protect the environment. But green isn t the only way to compassionate event planning, and we wanted to highlight another way that event managers can give back, called Check-in for Good.
So, what is it?
Check-in for Good is a Foursquare-esque mobile platform that facilitates small donations. Users download the app, and then, and we re quoting here, Every time a patron checks-in on their smartphone, the participating business makes a donation to the cause they are supporting.
How does that Apply to Event Managers?
While the language on the Check-in for Good website is targeted at businesses, the platform isn t limited to that use. Event managers first drum up some support, asking a client or event sponsors to pledge a certain amount of money for every user check-in. During app set-up, event managers can set the times and locations that attendees can check in, and apply to make their event a Check-in For Good Donation Hotspot. When attendees arrive on the day of, event collateral would urge them to download the app and complete the check-in, and a small sum would go to your charity (or charities) of choice. Enough checkins, and those small sums can add up to big help for struggling NGOs.
You can also set a maximum limit or target on donations, ensuring that backers don t spend more than they re willing to throw in.
Don t get Pigeonholed
During the set-up process, event managers are offered the option to choose which causes the event will support one or many. Choose a single cause that aligns with your event s message, or you can spread the love around for more a more cross-issue approach.
Customize
You can build special offers into the app, so that attendees are rewarded for checking in at your event. For example, you might offer checked-in attendees a discount on their ticket at the registration window.
Sharing = Caring = Buzz
Whenever an attendee checks in via the app, they have the option to share their check-in (and thus, their donation) on a range of social networks, generating buzz for the event and the charity both.
As far as we see it, this is a win-win for everyone involved, and if you ve got willing backers, we recommend giving this a go!
Better Conference Badges: Best Practices for Usability
EVENT COLLATERAL
There s a lot of chit-chat about website usability online today usability essentially meaning best practices for smooth usage by the largest number of people . But websites and applications aren t the only places the principles of usability are important. We stumbled across a super interesting post by Mike Davidson, head of design at Twitter, discussing some of his thoughts on the usability of conference name badge design. Mike isn t alone in this assessment the Wall Street Journal published a 2013 article about badge snobs conference name tag aficionados that sneer at Microsoft Word-produced name badges . This sent us down a rabbit hole of nametag best practice articles, and we ve collected some expert opinions on which little details matter when you re designing badges for your next conference.
Badge size: bigger is better
Mike notes that at the conference, he couldn t read anyone s names on a card size as mall as 2 3. Make the card at least 4 6, he says, for optimum readability. But readability isn t the only reason: in the WSJ piece, a badge manufacture is quoted as saying that big badges make people feel like a rockstar .
Say my name, say my name
The S.O.B. treats the conference badge like a highway sign, complete with a typeface modeled from U.S. highway signs: Interstate. Highway signs are designed to be read from as far away as possible and always present the most important information biggest and boldest. The S.O.B. allows you not only to minimize the awkward glances down while you re talking to someone whose name you don t remember, but also makes spotting people across the room a lot easier. The typical conference badge loses its readability at about 10 feet but from my own crack-testing, the S.O.B. appears readable from up to 30 feet away.
Use readable font sizes and families
Scott McKain, designer and badge connoisseur, says badges should detail the attendee s first name in at least 36-point type, which is a half-inch tall, followed below in 24-point type by full name, title, company, city and state. He also prefers serif fonts because they are easier to read from a distance. He likes ribbon cloth lanyards because, he says, they feel rich.
Protip
In his article, Mike also provides a link to an Illustrator file for usability-optimized name tags go get it!
5 Fancy-Pants Ways to Serve Plain ol Water
TIPS & TRICKS
I don t know what it is about serving specialty water, but people love it: there s something about it that feels decadent. And yet there s really nothing so easy as tossing a handful of fruits or foliage into a pitcher. We ve all got the lemon gig down, but it doesn t cost much to kick it up a notch. Even better? You can match your water to your color palette.
Lavender
Visually arresting and strongly fragrant, tossing a few sprigs of lavender into your water pitchers creates a rural, musky floral scent. Lavender oil is strong, so you won t need much maybe 2 sprigs per pitcher. The water and lavender should soak together for a few minutes prior to serving, so it s good to have multiple pitchers on rotation. (Pro tip: Lavender also does wonders in a pitcher of lemonade).
Cucumber
We couldn t get enough of our first try of cucumber water. Cucumber is famously hydrating, and when we toss it in a pitcher and let it soak, the effect was deeply thirst-quenching: a wonderful mixture of freshness and savory. This one is probably best served in summer, and, unlike lavender water, feels a bit more gender-neutral.
Mint
Too early for a tipple? Let plain ol water stand in for morning mojitos. Muddle up at least 10 sprigs of mint before soaking them in your pitcher.
Goji Berries
Another eye-catcher, toss a handful of brilliant red goji berries into a pitcher of water or at the bottom of each guest s water glass. When the glass is full, the delicate berries slowly float and sink from the top of the glass to the bottom. As they soak, they fatten slightly and a acquire a soft raisin-like consistency. Goji berries are a visual addition only: they impart almost no flavor to the water at all. Bonus: anti-oxidants!
Ginger
Ginger water is excellent in both cold and warm weather, and pairs well with Asian-inspired cuisine. Peel your ginger first, then cut into spears or rounds. Half a large root will flavor a pitcher.
A/V Inspiration: 5 Amazing Video and Light Art Installations
EVENT PRODUCTION INSPIRATION
If you re familiar with some of our audio-visual work, you ll know Decibel has done some interesting projects in the past on projection / facade mapping, and we frequently draw inspiration from cross-disciplinary visual artists. These five videos are stunning examples of using light and video to create brilliant and artistic spaces. May they inspire you in the creation of a unique visual environment at your next event.
BASE Video Installation
Set up in 2006, this psychadelic video installation from Lima, Peru, plays with the viewer s perception of space, its dimensions and limits. It will not just be the physical space where he stands, but also of his condition as a reflection of society. The video illustrates how the effect was achieved, using mirrors and videos projected onto the floor.
320 LICHT | SPATIAL EXPERIENCE from URBANSCREEN on Vimeo.
320 Degrees Licht Spatial Experience
Created by German installation large scale projection design group URBANSCREEN, the 320 Degrees Licht Installation uses the cathedral-like beauty of the Gasometer Oberhausen as the starting point for a fascinating game with shapes and light. Within a radius of 320 degrees graphic patterns grow and change on the 100-metre high inside wall of the Gasometer.
The observer experiences the interplay between real and virtual space, in which the Gasometer seems to dissolve into its own, filigree structures and yet finally always reverts to its clear shape.
LIGHT CANVAS 2 from Joanie Lemercier on Vimeo.
Light Canvas 2 by Joanie Lemercier
This exceptional work is more than an installation: it s like a gallery and an installation combined into a light-augmented environment. Light Canvas, by artist Joanie Lemercier, is a series of paintings enhanced by cleverly projected light. The results are magnificent and endlessly inspiring.
Vanishing Point from United Visual Artists on Vimeo.
Vanishing Point
Created by United Visual Artists: Vanishing Point employs perspective as both tool and visual outcome to reshape, redefine and represent a space. Inspired by sketches of Leon Battista Alberti, Leonardo DaVinci and Albrecht D rer, UVA sends lines into space from an arbitrary vanishing point, creating different volumes, divisions and rooms to be explored by the audience.
advection | robert seidel | projection on a water fountain | lichtsicht biennale 2013/2014 from Robert Seidel on Vimeo.
Advection
Holy moley we love this idea. Artist Robert Seidel created a projection over the mist of a water fountain, pairing it with intense audio. Maybe a bit heavy-handed for a fundraising soiree, but the idea of projecting light visual on water is very enticing.
It s the most wonderful time of the year . at Decibel!
BACKSTAGE, COMPANY NEWS, EVENT INDUSTRY, EVERYTHING ELSE, LIVE EVENTS, PERMITS
Decibel Management has been very busy since September and we are happy to finish out 2013 with an exciting amount of events we were fortunate to be a part of during the fall months!
National Book Festival, SHIRE Mobile Tour, National ATI Day, Glass Packaging Institute s Annual Meeting, Clorox Caroling with Busy Phillips, NextGen Climate Action Summit, Raleigh Christmas Parade, London Financial Forum, just to name a few.
We have already told you all about the National Book Festival in our last post, but we have lots more to share with you.
We worked with SHIRE to produce a mobile tour that went to two different cities to promote awareness about ADHD. Both the client and the participants had great feedback and we are looking forward to travelling again in 2014!
National ATI Day took place at the Newseum in October. We worked with our longtime client FleishmanHillard to produce the event that focused on the Made by Me National Challenge which brought a student made video idea to life with a professional video producer to create the new Above the Influence commercial.
Of course we loved working the 2013 Glass Packaging Institute s Annual Meeting- especially because it was held in Sonoma, California. Attendees participated in an Annual Golf Tournament, association meetings over three days and of course, a Wine Tasting Reception. Really, when in Rome!
Earlier this month Clorox launched their new campaign Bleach it Away for the Holidays. Clorox selected Busy Phillips to endorse their campaign. She joined the Clorox Carolers at two locations in New York City to sing about holiday s bleachable moments to people passing by.
NextGen Climate Action gathered at Georgetown University to host a summit discussing the Keystone Pipeline. Decibel assisted with registration, production, and logistics behind the summit to ensure a successful event for the client.
WRAL TV in Raleigh, NC gave us a call about a week before the Annual Christmas Parade with a potential rainy weather situation. Since we couldn t change the weather they asked if we could provide a tent for their on-air talent to be covered in case of rain during their broadcast. We provided a custom tent that fit perfectly on top of their scaffold and everyone remained dry throughout the parade.
Decibel also went international this year! Dave Sonntag was tapped by Linder and Associates as the producer for the Financial Inclusion 2020 Global Forum in London. We worked with a great team to produce a great event.
Phew. We have a few weeks to enjoy the holiday season and then we are gearing up to launch a tour in January! Stay tuned for Blog posts, Facebook Updates and Tweets about everything happening at Decibel.
New Department of Transportation Regulations for Mobile Tours
EVENT INDUSTRY
We love mobile tours around here and have been part of quite a few over the years. Mobile Tours, for the uninitiated, are essentially traveling events and can take on many forms and involve many different type of vehicles, including tour coaches, equipment transport, buses, food trucks, custom fabricated vehicles, SUVs and trailers the whole deal.
That being so, many of the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) regulations that govern mobile tours can be confusing, and we wanted to take the opportunity to pass along a few of these important rules for a safe mobile tour. If you re considering hiring a mobile tour operator yourself, it s best to check that they re familiar with the current regulations.
Is your tour subject to the regulations?
Most of the tours that we produce are subject to D.O.T regulations. While there are operators out there that disregard this, it is important for you to understand if your tour is subject to these regulations. If your tour includes the operation of any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles (truck & trailer) that weigh in excess of 10,000 pounds moving across state lines while conducting commercial operations, you will need a D.O.T. number, and will need to comply with all applicable Federal Motor Carrier Regulations. The penalties for non-compliance can get pretty nasty.
Custom cookie truck for the Doubletree by Hilton mobile tour
Hours Of Service
Hours of Service refers to the maximum number of hours a professional driver can work in any given week, for how many consecutive days, and how many rest periods are required. The regulations also make a distinction between drivers that are carrying property, and drivers that are carrying passengers.
Hours of Service is one of the most important safety factors on tour, and this is by far the most abused and disregarded element of all the regulations. This is particularly important for mobile tour producers to know, as the Hours of Service regulation applies not only to driving hours worked by the driver, but any additional hours worked by a driver on non-driving tasks. We understand that on most mobile tours, the driver is typically involved in the setup and production of the event, and we know those hours add up fast, so it s important to keep a strict eye on
Keeping correct Hours of Service is a process that begins in the route planning phase, making sure that the tour stops are spread out enough to be able to comply with the rules. On July 1, 2013 the regulations regarding drivers work hours changed for the first time since 2003. The changes reduced the amount of time a driver can work in a 7-day week and also defined egregious violations of maximum driving time which now call for the maximum civil penalties for violators (this could include jail time for company owners that permit or allow violations to occur).
11 Hour Driving Limit: A Driver can only drive a max of 11 hours after 10
off duty
14 Hour Limit: A driver may not drive after they reach 14 hours. This includes the time the driver is used to set up and tear down a mobile tour.
60/70 Hour On Duty Limit: A driver may not drive after 60/70 hours in 7/8 consecutive days. The 34 hour reset may only be used once per week and needs to include (2) 1am-5am overnights.
You can download the official info sheet below for basic reference. Please use the FMCSA rules in their entirety for the details necessary to operate.
Download New Regulations (PDF)
More things to keep in mind
Driver Qualification Files
DQFs must be completed and on hand at the tour operator s location. These files must include background checks, driving records, medical certificates, drug screens and more.
Vehicles & Maintenance Records
Check that your tour operators and tour producer are completing their daily vehicle inspections, and that they have proof that certain repairs were performed by a qualified repairman (and yes, the regulations define how a repairman is qualified). Other requirements include fire extinguishers, warning triangles, and other safety gear.
Proof of Insurance
Ya gotta have insurance! But not only must the tour operator maintain a certain level of financial responsibility, the coverage must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Licensing & Insurance Division (talk to these guys) and the evidence of coverage must be shown on a specific form called the MCS-90.
And they re gonna check that you re doing what you say you re doing, too. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also conducts new entrant compliance audits within 18 months of obtaining your D.O.T. number. Audits can also be conducted for other reasons, like when problems are found during roadside inspections.
Companies must be able to prove they have an effective set of policies and procedures which promote compliance otherwise they can face fines in excess of $11,000 per violation.
The best approach is to remember the old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure . Take the time to be sure both your operation and your agency is within the regulatory guidelines and you can rest a little easier and pay more attention to your customers.
Keeping Warm: 4 Neat Ways to Incorporate Fire into Your Event
TIPS & TRICKS
It s hard to lure attendees out of doors once the February chill sets in, but the promise of a roaring fire might galvanize your audience to bundle up and get outdoors. Here are a few ideas for (safely) incorporating fire into your next event.
Safety first, kiddos
There s the snuggly warmth of a toasty bonfire, and then there s the raging inferno of horror as you stare at the pile of rubble where your venue used to be, bracing for the influx of lawsuits. If flames are in any way part of your event, cross all your t s: Ensure that your event location is up to code, that fire extinguishers are readily available, fire exits clearly marked, and that there aren t any combustibles around. You may also need a permit do feel free to contact Decibel if you need help with those arrangements.
Fire Dancers for Hire
Fire-based acts, like world-famous Flambeaux, can really turn up the heat. Headquartered in New York, Flambeaux gets booked by A-List clients like IBM and Heidi Klum, and their act is a mix of acrobatics, dance, fire-breathing, and fire-eating. Being among the world s best may put Flambeux out of your price range, but most major cities have a few fire performance troops available for hire.
Fire pits
Fire pits can be a real hazard, and they can severely limit available venues. There is, however, such a thing as an electric fire pit, like this rental unit from Talk of the Town:
Fire Writing
Professional pyros like Lancework, Add Fire Inc. and similar vendors can render words, images, or any logo in sparkling flames, as a stand-alone piece or as a great complement to a traditional fireworks display.
Fire-Themed Venues
Hold your event in an old fire station, at a fire museum, or other fire-themed venue. The Aurora Regional Fire Museum in Illinois, for example, is open for meetings and event rentals, and includes an indoor theater. Many cities, like Houston and New York, have similar facilities.
