In this issue
Be a fly on the wall at a recent SPIN Panel on what's next (besides dessert)
Gobs of love for two renewing SPIN supplier family members!
Top 10 FUNtastic things to do with SPIN!
Come join us...you know you want to!
Totes McGoats...Just Because
Be a fly on the wall at a recent SPIN Panel on what's next (besides dessert)
Gobs of love for two renewing SPIN supplier family members!
Top 10 FUNtastic things to do with SPIN!
Come join us...you know you want to!
Totes McGoats...Just Because

I don’t know about you, but by February I’m feeling pretty frigid about the winter (YAAAsss that pun was intended). Gone are the shiny glittering days of December, the excitement of the new year in January and well here comes February, nothing too special about her and her aura leaves me cold.
But like everything in life, there are some good points about February. First, it’s the month of LOVE, and that’s a pretty powerful emotion. Also, it is American Heart Month, so take some time to take care of that ticker, even if it means bundling up and taking a nice brisk walk in the cold and frosty air. Or if you tend to be a recluse (like me) wrap yourself in a blanket by the fire and sip some hot chocolate.
Now sit down and enjoy all the goodness that is our February newsletter, written with LOVE.
- Stephanie Veiga
I don’t know about you, but by February I’m feeling pretty frigid about the winter (YAAAsss that pun was intended). Gone are the shiny glittering days of December, the excitement of the new year in January and well here comes February, nothing too special about her and her aura leaves me cold.
But like everything in life, there are some good points about February. First, it’s the month of LOVE, and that’s a pretty powerful emotion. Also, it is American Heart Month, so take some time to take care of that ticker, even if it means bundling up and taking a nice brisk walk in the cold and frosty air. Or if you tend to be a recluse (like me) wrap yourself in a blanket by the fire and sip some hot chocolate.
Now sit down and enjoy all the goodness that is our February newsletter, written with LOVE.
- Stephanie Veiga
Our SPIN members were featured in a Panel for CSPI (Convention Sales Professionals International)
This month, four of our smarty-pants SPIN members were featured in a virtual panel for at the CSPI Annual Sales Summit. They shared their wisdom on “pivoting” (ahhh take a drink) in today’s challenging times for the event industry. Here are the panelists and a sampling of their brain nuggets:
- Alison Huber, CMP – Program Manager, Fox World Travel, Wisconsin Dells
- Sheila McComb Fox, CTA – Owner, Events in Site, Columbus Ohio
- Yush Sztalkoper – Director, Conferences and Events Foundation for California Community Colleges
- Shawna Suckow - SPIN Founder, moderator of the Panel of Awesomeness*
(*not an official title)
SS: What specific event sectors are you predicting will make a comeback before others? (Example: Corporate, Special Events, Association, Government, etc.)
Y: Sporting events because people are wanting to attend these events, and are huge sports fanatics wanting to feel a sense of “normalcy.” A: Incentive events because of similar reasons, people can choose to participate in these events where people can have options for social distancing while feeling comfortable doing things on their own. S: Agree with Sporting events, and also feel that people will want to do Social Events. People are going to want to do Birthdays, Weddings, and the like. SS: Are you working on events right now? If so, are they live, hybrid, or still virtual? A: Yes, a corporate client is looking at a live program, and also planning on sending a survey to see about attendance and will likely make a decision in early Q2 about planning. S: Yes, working on a current program now and provided a survey to the guests on when they would feel comfortable to attend a live event. Right now it is looking like Fall will be the best time. Y: Similarly, to others, we’re optimistic about Fall of this year, and what is comfortable for the attendees. Doing everything that we can to prepare for in-person and hybrid events. |
SS: How are you planning for hybrid and how do you feel venues can help us as planners prepare for the hybrid events? A: Set expectations with the venue and establish responsibility and protocols around regarding sanitation, and biometric checkpoints. Ensure that venue AV staff are educated and know what it means for the outcomes and goals of the hybrid events. S: Consider your costs. Be sure you’re staffed appropriately for a hybrid event. Having people in the room and people for monitoring the virtual portion. Venues can make sure that logistics and technology can be supported with the extra need of the hybrid event. |
SS: How would you feel about a venue having a “Hybrid Event Manager” as a part of their staff to help with the planning process?
A: I would like venues to demonstrate that they have production resources on-site. This would be a differentiator.
S: Planners will want to know from the venue that they have thought through the technology, even if it means the ability to have a virtual exchange between the live attendees and the virtual attendees. When it comes to the hybrid aspect, be sure you are doing rehearsals and planning for issues that may come up.
Y: It is highly appealing to know that a venue can offer an enhanced production service with an enhanced AV department. Also knowing that there are certain aspects that have been taken into consideration with new roles such as “Safety Coordinator” which brings a level of confidence in the planning.
A brief discussion on Budgets
All agree that budgets will need to be reviewed with a closer lens because the costs may rise given the new hybrid component. Also they believe planners need to take into consideration shifts in other budget costs like potentially having fewer live attendees, therefore less spent on food/beverage costs as one example, giving more funds to divert to stronger tech and production. A re-purpose of funds will need to be logically reviewed.
What are your thoughts on the questions our panelists answered? Give us your feedback on the SPIN members-only page in Facebook!
A: I would like venues to demonstrate that they have production resources on-site. This would be a differentiator.
S: Planners will want to know from the venue that they have thought through the technology, even if it means the ability to have a virtual exchange between the live attendees and the virtual attendees. When it comes to the hybrid aspect, be sure you are doing rehearsals and planning for issues that may come up.
Y: It is highly appealing to know that a venue can offer an enhanced production service with an enhanced AV department. Also knowing that there are certain aspects that have been taken into consideration with new roles such as “Safety Coordinator” which brings a level of confidence in the planning.
A brief discussion on Budgets
All agree that budgets will need to be reviewed with a closer lens because the costs may rise given the new hybrid component. Also they believe planners need to take into consideration shifts in other budget costs like potentially having fewer live attendees, therefore less spent on food/beverage costs as one example, giving more funds to divert to stronger tech and production. A re-purpose of funds will need to be logically reviewed.
What are your thoughts on the questions our panelists answered? Give us your feedback on the SPIN members-only page in Facebook!
We heart these wicked-cool* SPIN supplier family members for sticking with us through the pandemic!
*Adjective. /WI-kid Kewl/ A Bostonian idiom meaning great or amazing.
*Adjective. /WI-kid Kewl/ A Bostonian idiom meaning great or amazing.
OH EM GEE - DID YOU KNOW?

'Oh Em Gee - Did You Know?' is going to be a new regular segment for our SPIN Newsletter. Each month we'll highlight a fun and quirky holiday celebrated somewhere on the third rock from the sun (man I miss that show).
In this month's inaugural launch I am THRILLED to share with you that in the month of February is a fully trademarked holiday named...
....(wait for it)... Spunky Old Broads Day (SOB)! Imagine if you will my excitement when I learned of this little gem of a holiday. It went something like this --- a smiled starts to curl in each corner of my mouth, progressing to a full-on Cheshire cat grin, followed by a sound emanating from my noise tube like "sssqqquueeeeeeeee!!"
Well, let me tell you all about the Spunky Old Broads Day (SOB) holiday. Officially kicking off on the 1st of February, Spunky Old Broads Day is designed to celebrate older women for all their courage, wisdom and vivacity. It is celebrated the entire month of February and according to the originator, Dr. Gayle Carson, "Although I am a Spunky Old Broad, generally for women it means Spunky, Open and Brave. I think that says it all." Guys can share in the celebration by supporting the SOBs in their life. For the young ladies, you can get in on the holiday fun by practicing your Spunky ways of the future!
Well, I don't know about you, but this SOB was delighted to learn of this relatively new holiday and will likely go celebrate tonight by buying a cake, and eating the cake, because...cake! (mmmm cake...)
In this month's inaugural launch I am THRILLED to share with you that in the month of February is a fully trademarked holiday named...
....(wait for it)... Spunky Old Broads Day (SOB)! Imagine if you will my excitement when I learned of this little gem of a holiday. It went something like this --- a smiled starts to curl in each corner of my mouth, progressing to a full-on Cheshire cat grin, followed by a sound emanating from my noise tube like "sssqqquueeeeeeeee!!"
Well, let me tell you all about the Spunky Old Broads Day (SOB) holiday. Officially kicking off on the 1st of February, Spunky Old Broads Day is designed to celebrate older women for all their courage, wisdom and vivacity. It is celebrated the entire month of February and according to the originator, Dr. Gayle Carson, "Although I am a Spunky Old Broad, generally for women it means Spunky, Open and Brave. I think that says it all." Guys can share in the celebration by supporting the SOBs in their life. For the young ladies, you can get in on the holiday fun by practicing your Spunky ways of the future!
Well, I don't know about you, but this SOB was delighted to learn of this relatively new holiday and will likely go celebrate tonight by buying a cake, and eating the cake, because...cake! (mmmm cake...)
Top 10 things you can do in our
FACEBOOK SPIN MEMBERS-ONLY page!
- If you are a planner with 10+ years' experience, JOIN OUR SPIN Members-Only page on Facebook here
- Book a virtual SPIN gathering and post it on the SPIN Page in the Events tab
- Pick someone at random and send them a “thinking of you” FB message
- Post a fun and interesting fact. This month Tracy Smith posted about how to find radio stations from around the world on Google!
- Need a quick “brain trust”? Post a question about an event you’re planning and get lots of different ideas back
- Give us your top 3 tips for conducting virtual meetings. Or raising goats. Or knitting little sweaters for penguins.
- Reading a new book that you just can't put down? Let us know about it.
- Goat meme? Goodness yes!
- Prepare now and take a ton of pics of your pup and be ready to share them in a special thread we’ll be posting on National Puppy Day coming up on March 23rd! Puppers of all ages welcome!
- Plan on promoting something each #pitchTuesday. It can be your day job or a side hustle!
Psssst.... join us and find the
Fountain of Youth!
(really it's all about just using a filter on Zoom calls - we hear it takes 10 years off your face.)
PLANNERS:
Here's the thing...it's free, it's only available on Facebook, but you have to be a planner with 10+ years' experience to qualify. |
SUPPLIERS:
Suppliers can join only if they are one of our amazing SPIN Sponsors. Come and see what the cool kids are doing! Learn more below. ![]()
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Ok, ok, so MAYBE this Newsletter was lacking a little in the usual "snarky comments" area, but LOOK ... here are GOAT pictures!
Sad to see this month's Newsletter end? Well then! SEE YOU IN MARCH!