A Celebrated Desert Oasis
Orange Tree Golf Resort - Golf Course Lake
Planning your theme event…on a budget!
As a meeting planner, you have pretty it tough these days. Your boss expects you to plan an employee event that will reward, motivate and inspire them, but you also have to plan an event that won’t be perceived as “spend foolish” and stay within a budget. No worries, there are a lot of theme options available that are fun, and won’t break the bank.
First – ask your catering/convention services manager for ideas of what they’ve done in the past at THEIR hotel. Most resorts have a particular theme event that they tend to do over and over again. This means that they’ll most likely have some props and décor for that event – stuff that you don’t need to buy. Also ask about locations, instead of a meeting room maybe they have an outdoor area or a unique room that will add to the atmosphere.
Second – choose a menu that compliments the theme. If the resort doesn’t have a menu for that particular theme, don’t be afraid to ask for a custom menu – usually the Chef is excited to use their creativity. Also, choose cocktails or a punch that goes with your theme.
Third – get your attendees into the theme. Let them know ahead of time so they can dress appropriately, especially if the event is outside. Another great idea is to hand out costume items as they arrive. For example: hats, necklaces, bandanas, glasses, (we did villainous mustaches for a western event) and so on. Lots of these items can be purchased cheap at your local discount party supply store or on-line. Check out www.orientaltrading.com
Forth – entertainment doesn’t have to be over the top. Choose a time when you’ll get the most bang for your buck. It might be at the welcome reception, right before dinner or during dinner. It just depends on your agenda and what you want to accomplish. If you want to have entertainment during the whole event try mixing it up with games, comedians, music, etc. You can create a networking game that’s inexpensive, fun and gets your attendees to know each other – the trick, offer a prize for participating.
Fifth – audio visual equipment is always expensive. Take a look at what you want to accomplish and streamline your AV. Is that Power Point presentation or slide show REALLY necessary? Do you really need wireless microphones? Will a wired microphone work just as well?
Sixth – awards. People love getting awards, but make sure you get something that they’ll be proud to display & won’t toss out or leave in a drawer. Otherwise, it’s a waste of your precious budget money. This is the time that you may want to deviate from your “theme” and just get something classy. Make sure the award has their name engraved on it along with the date and what the award is for. I recommend acrylic plaques. They look just as nice as glass, are much cheaper and less likely to break.
NOVEMBER and DECEMBER 2009 VALUE DATES
Whew, 2009 is almost over…but yikes, you still need to hold a meeting before the end of the year. No worries! Orange Tree Golf Resort still has group VALUE dates available in November & December! For $99.00 per night your guests will receive superior guest room accommodations at a fantastic value.
- October 25 – October 31, 2009 - 40 rooms per night available
- November 1- November 4 - 60 rooms per night available
- November 8 – 11 - 80 rooms per night available
- November 15 – 20 - 80 rooms per night available
- November 22 – 24 - 50 rooms per night available
- November 28 – November 30 – 70 rooms per night available
- December 1 – 4 – 70 rooms per night available
- December 7- 24 – 80 rooms per night available
Rates offered are for NEW contracted group bookings of 10 or more guest rooms per night. Rates are per night, per room and subject to 12.27% occupancy tax.
See our $48.00 meeting package – listed in Banquet Menus tab for best meeting value!
For more information email pamp@orangetree.com
Great way to test out a Tempur-pedic mattress…
If you are interested in buying a Tempur-pedic mattress but haven’t ever slept on one, then I suggest making a reservation at the Orange Tree Golf Resort. All of our beds have a Tempur-pedic mattress so you can test one out prior to making your purchase.
Recently, Orange Tree was featured on the ABC 15 Smart Shopper segment and the news correspondent really liked the idea of being able to test out a Tempur-pedic bed. This segment also shows our renovated rooms really well. Go to http://www.abc15.com/content/news/smartshopper/story/Stay-at-a-Valley-resort-just-50-with-this-Deal-of/0r8rwpvc_kusiVFp1bf3RA.cspx and click on PLAY in the right hand corner.
If you are interested in taking one for a test drive, call the hotel. You might not get the smokin’ deal that we were offering on the ABC 15 Smart Shopper segment, but it gives you the opportunity to try out something prior to making a big investment on something that you’ll use every night. Here’s to a good nights sleep!
Tips From Our Golf Pro…
By Mike Wegner
Q: Have you ever hit a bad golf shot and had your partner tell you, you lifted your head or you took your eye off the ball?
A: While this is not altogether bad advice, it doesn’t really get to the source of the problem. Your head can only go where your upper body lets it go. Think about your posture when you set up. Maintain that position through impact and you will find your club will be where it should be and make your missed shots much less frequent.
Golf Course Over-Seeding Dates
The Orange Tree Golf Resort will begin over-seeding the golf course on Monday, September 21, 2009. For those not familiar with over-seeding, it’s when we change from the summer Bermuda grass to a Winter Rye grass. The golf course is not closed during this time, but the course is considered to be in “marginal condition”, which means it will be wet and the grass is “shaggy.” Typically, we will begin tournament play starting on October 16, 2009. We do enforce a “cart path only” rule during this time. If you’ll be staying at the resort during this over-seeding period, please contact our golf shop for a list of alternate golf courses. If golf is an important componant of your event, consider scheduling it around this over-seeding period.
![resort_property[1]](http://orangetreemeetings.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/resort_property1.jpg?w=300&h=144 "resort_property[1]")
Seating Arrangements Made Easy
Conference Set
When a customer calls inquiring about holding a meeting, one of the early questions I ask to determine the size of the meeting room required is ”what kind of seating do you want?” Well, not everybody knows the lingo when it comes to seating arrangements, so here’s a cheat sheet for you…
Theater Style: Rows of chairs (no tables) are set about 33 inches apart. Perfect for a lecture with a minimum amount of interaction or note taking. This set is less labor intensive to set & requires less meeting space, so if you are on a budget, this is a good pick.
Classroom: 6-8 foot tables which are 18″ wide are placed in rows. Typical set is 3 chairs per 6′ table or 4 chairs per 8′ table, but you can request 2/6′ or 3/8′ to give attendees more space, but be prepared to pay more for this extra space. Great for working or training session where there will be note taking.
Banquet Rounds: Use when participants must collaborate or have in-depth discussions. Best for meal functions.
Crescent Set Rounds: Regular size round tables with half of the table set with chairs which face the speaker. You get the benefits of both Classroom and Banquet Rounds. This set is more space intensive.
Conference Style: One large table. Most suitable for functions with a limited number of attendees where ideas are being exchanged, board meetings or committee meetings.
“U” Shape: Seating is placed outside the “U” with everyone facing inward. Power position is created for a speaker making an audio/visual presentation. Should not be used for more than 30 participants.
Hollow Square: Seating is placed outside the box with everyone facing each other. Use this format when everybody’s input is equal. Should not be used for more than 40 participants.
Now you know the lingo!
School is back in session – yeah!
Yesterday, my daughter went back to school and both of us were excited. She was excited to show off her new outfit, use her new lunch box and see all her friends. I was excited because when school is back in session, parents are also back at work. And, when parents are back at work, companies plan meetings.
Today I got here at 6:30am and the hotel was abuzz with action. We have two events happening right now - one for 250 people and one for 40 people. It’s 8:30am now and the meetings are in full swing, the parking lot is full and the employees are working.
School is back in session – yeah!
August 14 Breakfast Meeting for 150 Guests
On Friday, August 14, 2009 we had the pleasure of being the location of a wealth management seminar hosted by a local company. The event was booked for 80 people, but program was so popular that more than 150 people RSVP’d. Our customer was very happy our facility, service and food.
Mariposa Ballroom with crescent set rounds
