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Retailers, restauranteurs and event organizers all know that music can be a magic ingredient to set the mood. We asked one of the country’s in-the-know music stylists, Noel Steen, for tips on improving your own tracks.
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Match sound with brand. Steen’s Vancouver-based company, Music Direction, works with clients to create what he calls audio branding, choosing artists to match the image, whether it’s a club, a special event or a hotel venue. The concept started with work for Vancouver’s hip Opus Hotel, whose owners wanted to create something more customized than available via traditional services like Muzak or satellite radio music providers.
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Use music as a design element. “Think of music as an interior design element as you begin to envision your event and venue,” urges Steen. Event organizers often sweat the details of décor, seating, room layout and technical equipment, only to leave the choice of music to chance with a production or A/V company.
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Sell with your sound. Of all our senses, both sound and scent are “passive,” hitting us at a subconscious level: it's what makes music such a powerful medium. Think of how you want your guests to feel through each stage, and consider how music can energize, motivate, relax or signal a change.
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Think about timing. Everyone’s been to at least one event where a live band plays to an empty floor or listless crowd: it’s all in the timing. “While you may want to showcase a great talent at your event, realize that people need time just to say hello to each other,” says Steen.
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Be ready to make a switch. Think of music as a mood dimmer that you can be ready to turn up, turn down or switch genres if the crowd gets restless. Great DJs will know this, but less experienced ones may be slaves to their playlists.
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Watch the volume. “The biggest mistakes I hear at events is that the music is either way too loud or way too high-energy at the wrong time – it stresses people out,” says Steen. “If it’s lunchtime and you’re playing club tracks, something’s going to feel out-of-place to your crowd.” |
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A winter conference under the Aurora? A summer meeting under the midnight sun? Dogsledding, flyfishing, canoeing? Join us to explore the spectacular Northwest Territories. There are pre- and post-conference tours to suit all tastes. Our Meetings and Conference Guide has all the details. |
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CSEME 2011 TORONTO
When: March 23-25
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Why go: Get inspired with fresh ideas for all your special events at this blockbuster conference and one-day tradeshow showcasing the latest in decor, technology, cuisine, and more.
What’s in it for you: While the trade show is free for event planners, invest in the educational sessions and networking events for a career-boosting schedule.
More industry events at Ignitemag.ca
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INCENTIVES + MEETINGS
Looking for the right venues? Try our new engine
Naturally, the e-Sp@rk team humbly hopes you have already bookmarked our mothership ignitemag.ca as a resource for planning ideas and the latest trends. Now, a recent enhancement to serve you better: Our search function is now powered by the Cvent Supplier Network, featuring over 100,000 event venues and service providers around the globe. Add your profile to submit RFPs, and then compare bids and side-by-side supplier comparisons. After all, helping you save time and money is our way to Ignite your career! |
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CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
Get to know Latin America for business travel
Get to know the hottest destinations when it comes to business-building opportunities: put Chile, Brazil and Argentina on your research list. These are among the places leading the world right now in business optimism, according to the 2011 Grant Thornton International Business Report. Latin American markets dominate the top ranks, so expect business travel trends to follow. See the rankings here. For a travel manager’s perspective on these markets, sign up for the Association of Corporate Travel Executives timely online webinar on March 3, 2011 at noon. |
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CORPORATE GIFTS + REWARDS
Incentive trend: prizes for healthy living
Would you quit smoking for a free trip, lose weight to earn points for an iPod, or cut back on the booze for a big screen TV? One of America’s largest healthcare services providers, Humana Inc., is turning to a loyalty program offering points for just such rewards to promote healthy behaviour among plan members. The company is investing in Discovery Vitality, an international wellness program. Closer to home, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Driven to Quit program echos the incentives-for-life trend: people who quit smoking for the month of March are eligible to win a Honda CR-Z hybrid or Honda Insight hybrid, $5,000 vacation getaways or one of seven $2,000 MasterCard gift cards. |
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Share your event news, case studies or story ideas with us here at ignitemag.ca. |
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This event is friendlier than a Dragon’s Den
If you’d love to potentially help discover the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, Ernst & Young Canada is seeking a Program Specialist to manage the process for the Ernst & Young Ontario and National Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) program. From nominee selection, to organizing the judges, to working with the gala event team, this supporting role will reward a star-in-the making. Search for job number TOR000DP on the E&Y website. |
Inside this box: a rewarding experience
Smartbox Experience Inc., which develops experiential products and gift packages for incentive and reward programs, is unwrapping plans for growth and seeking a B2B National Sales Manager for Canada. At least five years’ sales knowledge of the loyalty or incentive market is a must. Download full job details, or get in touch with hiring manager Kelli Mergenthal at her LinkedIn page. |
Take on a key recognition role in corporate HR
The Region of Peel is looking for a Recognition Specialist with experience to dive right into a one-year contract to oversee its Employee Engagement Programs, from annual recognition events and awards to management lunch-and-learns and informal staff recognition. See the full job description for the position based in Brampton, Ont. |
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