In this issue
The Top 5 Things I've Learned about life from an inflatable pool, by Stephanie Veiga, SPIN Happy Helper
It's Time to Prepare to Get Back Together, by Bonni Scepkowski, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Stellar Meetings and Events
Weird Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day from around the WORLD!
How our spectacular Sponsor – Wildly Different stayed ahead of the COVID crisis curve.
Celebrating Summer Solstice
Back to Goats, big, small, tall, and all things Goats!
The Top 5 Things I've Learned about life from an inflatable pool, by Stephanie Veiga, SPIN Happy Helper
It's Time to Prepare to Get Back Together, by Bonni Scepkowski, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Stellar Meetings and Events
Weird Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day from around the WORLD!
How our spectacular Sponsor – Wildly Different stayed ahead of the COVID crisis curve.
Celebrating Summer Solstice
Back to Goats, big, small, tall, and all things Goats!
The Top 5 Things I've learned about life from an inflatable pool . . .
One day I had a thought; this was going to be the year I create my backyard oasis! Gone are the days of me looking over the fence at my neighbor's beautiful pool. No matter how many times I looked over the fence like Mr. Wilson from Tool Time and gave "kitty eyes" in her direction I have yet to be swimming in the beautiful, serene chlorine enhanced waters. So, this year darn it, I'm creating my own back yard oasis, inflatable ring pool and all! Here is what I've learned about life along the way!
1. It all starts with an idea! With anything creation starts with an idea. Whether it be a beautiful painting, a tall building, or a place to experience serenity.
2. Measure twice; cut once. This is practical advice whether you're building something from wood, planning an event, or buying a bunch of stuff online. Make fully sure that whatever you're building will fit with in the space, budget, or excessive purchase & returns from a company that rhymes with Ma-zon will most likely be in your future.
3. It’s all about perspective. Whether you believe or not, it’s true! I believe that my backyard will be an oasis, therefore it is true. It also doesn’t hurt that I bought a hammock to lounge the lazy days of summer away.
4. Even with careful planning something will go “lopsided” – Watching a pool fill with water is even more boring than watching paint dry or a water boil (I know this from experience). An act of true patience. As the pool filled, I did everything in my power to make sure it was PERFECTLY straight, but in the end, it tilts to one side a little bit, and I have accepted this fact. I’ll do what I can to work with what I got and enjoy it anyway.
5. Relax! Work is hard, relaxing is even harder. For type “A” people such as myself, taking downtime is somewhat of a chore. There are always things to do, plans to make, puttering around activities in perfecting an oasis. But this summer I promise, I will take it easy and relax because I know that very busy days are just around the corner!
- Stephanie Veiga
The Top 5 Things I've learned about life from an inflatable pool . . .
One day I had a thought; this was going to be the year I create my backyard oasis! Gone are the days of me looking over the fence at my neighbor's beautiful pool. No matter how many times I looked over the fence like Mr. Wilson from Tool Time and gave "kitty eyes" in her direction I have yet to be swimming in the beautiful, serene chlorine enhanced waters. So, this year darn it, I'm creating my own back yard oasis, inflatable ring pool and all! Here is what I've learned about life along the way!
1. It all starts with an idea! With anything creation starts with an idea. Whether it be a beautiful painting, a tall building, or a place to experience serenity.
2. Measure twice; cut once. This is practical advice whether you're building something from wood, planning an event, or buying a bunch of stuff online. Make fully sure that whatever you're building will fit with in the space, budget, or excessive purchase & returns from a company that rhymes with Ma-zon will most likely be in your future.
3. It’s all about perspective. Whether you believe or not, it’s true! I believe that my backyard will be an oasis, therefore it is true. It also doesn’t hurt that I bought a hammock to lounge the lazy days of summer away.
4. Even with careful planning something will go “lopsided” – Watching a pool fill with water is even more boring than watching paint dry or a water boil (I know this from experience). An act of true patience. As the pool filled, I did everything in my power to make sure it was PERFECTLY straight, but in the end, it tilts to one side a little bit, and I have accepted this fact. I’ll do what I can to work with what I got and enjoy it anyway.
5. Relax! Work is hard, relaxing is even harder. For type “A” people such as myself, taking downtime is somewhat of a chore. There are always things to do, plans to make, puttering around activities in perfecting an oasis. But this summer I promise, I will take it easy and relax because I know that very busy days are just around the corner!
- Stephanie Veiga
It's Time to Prepare to Get Back Together
by Bonni Scepkowski, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Stellar Meetings and Events
by Bonni Scepkowski, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Stellar Meetings and Events
During these “unprecedented times” there is a “new normal” underfoot, one in which we will need to use an “abundance of caution,” because “we’re all in this together.” Hopefully, this article will help as “we all get through it together.”
I’m sorry. I needed to get that out of my system. Now that we got that out of the way let’s “pivot” and talk about how we need to prepare to reemerge into live interaction with actual humans.
I’ve missed everyone. Friends and family, of course, but my colleagues, too. As time goes on, the disconnect grows. This pandemic has walloped us with collective grief that we have not seen in our lifetimes. A year of fear and loss and separation.
We’ve needed this time apart for our safety, of course, but we have paid a price. The time we’ve lost as teams and with our peers has been more than an inconvenience. We’ve got co-workers with whom we’ve never been face-to-face. And equally important, we haven’t shared a beer. A lunch. A casual conversation.
There is an upside: the positive by-product of our separation is the magic reset button we’ve all received.
Everyone I know has a stronger need to connect on a more meaningful level.
More and more states are lifting restrictions now that the vaccine has rolled out, and we are beginning to see in-person events return. For that, I am immensely grateful. Grateful and glad that I can get back to doing what I love: helping others make connections by creating environments that are designed for just that.
But that also means we need to be prepared to make the most of our time together as we reemerge.
Spring is a time for rebirth. What a perfect time to start preparing to get back together. I’m spending a lot of time on Zoom calls these days with clients, vendors and my industry colleagues, preparing for the reemergence. It’s a good time to plant seeds that we will sow when we return. Within months, or even weeks, we will be together again.
We need our teams to be strong because soon we will be going full throttle. For now, let’s use our digital time together to exercise our metaphorically flabby in-person interactions.
How about scheduling a live online spring cooking class with a world-renowned chef? Or a veggie planting workshop with a master gardener? Or book a date for a Zoom wine and chocolate (or beer and donut) pairing? A virtual tour of a museum or a coffee farm? A team-building with a NASA engineer? Give your team members a chance to nourish those connections with each other.
Now’s a great time to remind your sales team of their value, and of the rewards that their efforts can bring. To reconnect with clients. To engage with everyone that brings value to your organization. Plant those seeds now, and you’ll reap the benefits when live events return.
If you enjoyed this article, please head on over to Bonni's LinkedIn page and give it a LIKE or make a comment! Not only will it give her a boost and will also lift her spirits!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-prepare-get-back-together-bonni-scepkowski/
I’m sorry. I needed to get that out of my system. Now that we got that out of the way let’s “pivot” and talk about how we need to prepare to reemerge into live interaction with actual humans.
I’ve missed everyone. Friends and family, of course, but my colleagues, too. As time goes on, the disconnect grows. This pandemic has walloped us with collective grief that we have not seen in our lifetimes. A year of fear and loss and separation.
We’ve needed this time apart for our safety, of course, but we have paid a price. The time we’ve lost as teams and with our peers has been more than an inconvenience. We’ve got co-workers with whom we’ve never been face-to-face. And equally important, we haven’t shared a beer. A lunch. A casual conversation.
There is an upside: the positive by-product of our separation is the magic reset button we’ve all received.
Everyone I know has a stronger need to connect on a more meaningful level.
More and more states are lifting restrictions now that the vaccine has rolled out, and we are beginning to see in-person events return. For that, I am immensely grateful. Grateful and glad that I can get back to doing what I love: helping others make connections by creating environments that are designed for just that.
But that also means we need to be prepared to make the most of our time together as we reemerge.
Spring is a time for rebirth. What a perfect time to start preparing to get back together. I’m spending a lot of time on Zoom calls these days with clients, vendors and my industry colleagues, preparing for the reemergence. It’s a good time to plant seeds that we will sow when we return. Within months, or even weeks, we will be together again.
We need our teams to be strong because soon we will be going full throttle. For now, let’s use our digital time together to exercise our metaphorically flabby in-person interactions.
How about scheduling a live online spring cooking class with a world-renowned chef? Or a veggie planting workshop with a master gardener? Or book a date for a Zoom wine and chocolate (or beer and donut) pairing? A virtual tour of a museum or a coffee farm? A team-building with a NASA engineer? Give your team members a chance to nourish those connections with each other.
Now’s a great time to remind your sales team of their value, and of the rewards that their efforts can bring. To reconnect with clients. To engage with everyone that brings value to your organization. Plant those seeds now, and you’ll reap the benefits when live events return.
If you enjoyed this article, please head on over to Bonni's LinkedIn page and give it a LIKE or make a comment! Not only will it give her a boost and will also lift her spirits!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-prepare-get-back-together-bonni-scepkowski/
Bonni Scepkowski is the founder of Stellar Meetings & Events, a strategic meetings management company focused on the life sciences. You can reach her at bonni@stellarmeetings dot com or visit her website at www.StellarMeetings.com
The "Unofficially Unofficial" Word on the Street
Through some super sleuthing, some real deep dark digging through the dark web, (emerging feeling kind of dirty) we have found what could be the Holy Grail! Oh goodness me, NO, not the Holy Grail, it's actually a possible, probably, maybe date for SPINCon XI. Now, don't tell anyone I told you so, but let's just say that I'm going to try my darndist to get back in shape so I can fit into an airplane seat to attend on or around December 12-14 or something like that. Again, don't say this came from me... shhhhhh....
Hello to our dazzling SPIN family members!
OH EM GEE - DID YOU KNOW?
Next month is June, the month we celebrate Father's Day and in the United States is celebrated on June 20th this year. In the USA, Dad's day is typically celebrated with cookouts, cold ones, gift giving, and relaxation.
Just like last month for Mother's day, I wanted to find out how others celebrate this day. Again I found weird and strange ways Dad is celebrated around the world!
MEXICO: Run Forrest...Run!! Mexico has an annual 21K Father's Day race, Carrera Día del Padre 21K Bosque de Tlalpan, each year on the third Sunday in June. They also celebrate with parties and gifts for dads.
GERMANY: Day drinking anyone? In Germany, Father's Day, or Vatertag, is a federal holiday. Men in Germany traditionally celebrate by pulling wagons loaded with beer and liquor into the woods. Instead of hiking and drinking, some men celebrate by going on bar crawls.
SOUTH AFRICA: Teach a man to fish! Like Father’s day in the US, South African children present their fathers with gifts and cards. They also spend the day fishing in hope of catching something for dinner.
NEPAL: A ceremony is performed in which boys touch their heads to their father’s feet, while girls touch their heads to their father’s hands.
THAILAND: Who says flowers are only given on Mother’s Day? In Thailand, fathers are typically presented bright canna flowers from their families.
Just like last month for Mother's day, I wanted to find out how others celebrate this day. Again I found weird and strange ways Dad is celebrated around the world!
MEXICO: Run Forrest...Run!! Mexico has an annual 21K Father's Day race, Carrera Día del Padre 21K Bosque de Tlalpan, each year on the third Sunday in June. They also celebrate with parties and gifts for dads.
GERMANY: Day drinking anyone? In Germany, Father's Day, or Vatertag, is a federal holiday. Men in Germany traditionally celebrate by pulling wagons loaded with beer and liquor into the woods. Instead of hiking and drinking, some men celebrate by going on bar crawls.
SOUTH AFRICA: Teach a man to fish! Like Father’s day in the US, South African children present their fathers with gifts and cards. They also spend the day fishing in hope of catching something for dinner.
NEPAL: A ceremony is performed in which boys touch their heads to their father’s feet, while girls touch their heads to their father’s hands.
THAILAND: Who says flowers are only given on Mother’s Day? In Thailand, fathers are typically presented bright canna flowers from their families.
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How our spectacular Sponsor – Wildly Different stayed ahead of the COVID crisis curve.
Through a quick “pivot” Wildly Different changed their business model and was able to stay in business, keep their staff and help companies stay connected.
Just over a year ago when the COVID pandemic hit the United States there was a quick and immediate shift felt by all businesses. Everyone found themselves in a circumstance that has not been experienced since shortly after the turn of the century. Wildly Different immediately went to work to make the necessary changes to support their clients and adjust to a business model to keep things going.
Here at SPIN we’ve experienced first hand the fun and engaging activities that Wildly Different brings to their clients. When the COVID pandemic hit things needed to change immediately to support the virtual world, and Wildly Different did not disappoint. Quickly they brought new and fresh “virtual versions” of their corporate team building, intern recruitment events, custom games that integrate company training, and for other client entertainment activities since no one was meeting face to face. Wildly Different went from offering 3 virtual activities to offering 19 different virtual games!
Lisa Jennings, Chief Experience Officer of Wildly Different has this to say. “Things were very slow at first, but we stayed the course. We already had virtual games in our portfolio, but people weren’t booking virtual at first because everyone thought the crisis would just blow over. When people realized we were in this for the long-haul, they knew they had to do something and thankfully, virtual games became a hit.”
Wildly Different is now helping many Fortune 1000 companies, associations, and universities engage with their audience, employees, students, and clients!
“Virtual team building activities allow people to connect, collaborate and bond without having to travel. They enable employees working remotely to connect on a very personal level and stay engaged with each other and the organization,” explained Jane Schuliger, Chief Fun Officer at Wildly Different. “With the combination of our great technology and team building expertise, companies are able to bring their staff together despite them being apart.”
We are happy to hear how Wildly Different stayed ahead. Do you have a client looking for a fun, engaging and entertaining virtual experience? Give the team at Wildly Different a call and find out how they can help you today!
Just over a year ago when the COVID pandemic hit the United States there was a quick and immediate shift felt by all businesses. Everyone found themselves in a circumstance that has not been experienced since shortly after the turn of the century. Wildly Different immediately went to work to make the necessary changes to support their clients and adjust to a business model to keep things going.
Here at SPIN we’ve experienced first hand the fun and engaging activities that Wildly Different brings to their clients. When the COVID pandemic hit things needed to change immediately to support the virtual world, and Wildly Different did not disappoint. Quickly they brought new and fresh “virtual versions” of their corporate team building, intern recruitment events, custom games that integrate company training, and for other client entertainment activities since no one was meeting face to face. Wildly Different went from offering 3 virtual activities to offering 19 different virtual games!
Lisa Jennings, Chief Experience Officer of Wildly Different has this to say. “Things were very slow at first, but we stayed the course. We already had virtual games in our portfolio, but people weren’t booking virtual at first because everyone thought the crisis would just blow over. When people realized we were in this for the long-haul, they knew they had to do something and thankfully, virtual games became a hit.”
Wildly Different is now helping many Fortune 1000 companies, associations, and universities engage with their audience, employees, students, and clients!
“Virtual team building activities allow people to connect, collaborate and bond without having to travel. They enable employees working remotely to connect on a very personal level and stay engaged with each other and the organization,” explained Jane Schuliger, Chief Fun Officer at Wildly Different. “With the combination of our great technology and team building expertise, companies are able to bring their staff together despite them being apart.”
We are happy to hear how Wildly Different stayed ahead. Do you have a client looking for a fun, engaging and entertaining virtual experience? Give the team at Wildly Different a call and find out how they can help you today!
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Welcome Summer! You beautiful Season you!
The Summer Solstice is a time to reflect on your personal growth and the meaning of the season is of light and growth. Celebrations surrounding the June Solstice have a time-honored history. In ancient times, the date of the June Solstice was used to organize calendars and as a marker to figure out when to plant and harvest crops.
Summer Solstice 2021 in the Northern Hemisphere will be on Sunday, June 20, at 11:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, or Monday June 21 5:31 AM Central European Time.
The word “Solstice” is derived from the Latin words Sol+systere, meaning “Sun”+ “standing still.” The Summer Solstice is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Following this Solstice, the days get shorter, the nights longer.
Fire is used symbolically during summer solstice celebrations to praise the sun. People dance and weave around in circles to celebrate the sun.
Today, revelers still gather at Stonehenge to see the sun rise. So, what’s with the Stonehenge gathering? Some historians point to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England as evidence of that humans used the June Solstice as a way to organize their calendars. (try carrying THAT around as your day-planner!)
Need some ideas to celebrate Summer Solstice? Here are 5 for you to pick from; maybe you can come up with some fun alterations:
- Plant healing herbs – maybe some St. John’s Wort or even edible herbs like Basil! Yum, pesto!
- Gather with friends and form a circle or spiral. Tell stories and share experiences. As The Men in Hats say, “We can dance if we want to, and we can dance or sing!” (sorry about that; pretty sure that song will be stuck in your head now)
- Find a coloring page of the Sun Wheel or mandala (a symbol for the circle of life) and color it! Just google free mandala coloring pages and ka-BOOM! 100’s of images to print out.
- Have a backyard campfire and share with friends, eat a marshmallow, heck eat 10 marshmallows! Not all at once though, no choking.
- Send prayers or meditations out to the universe to those who are sick or need of healing.
However you choose to spend your day, be sure to get outside and enjoy those extra minutes of daylight.
The GOATS of Summer!
Soon it will be June...
I'm always amazed with the Newsletter comes to an end; but does it really ever end? Not really, because in the subconscious mind, I'm always thinking about what to put in the NEXT newsletter. (Seriously, that's some deep thoughts, and I'm not Jack Handey, nor do I play him on TV)
What would YOU like to read about? Let me know at [email protected]
What would YOU like to read about? Let me know at [email protected]
