At our chamber of commerce we had a long-standing habit of holding the meetings of our basic or recurring programs at our offices or at the same locations. With the impending remodeling of our long-outdated building, it became very evident that we had to find a home (or homes) for these events. Being responsible for […]
The Transportable Event Read More »
Everybody has an idea of what a chamber of commerce is. Whether it is from first-hand experience or urban lore and conjecture, we mostly think of a chamber in one of several ways. I was first introduced to chambers when my dad was a businessman in an Arizona small town. In those days (the 1950s)
What I’ve Learned After 18 Months At A Chamber of Commerce Read More »
From the time we are young children, we love playing with trucks. The Big D BBQ Battle was no exception. Geoeffery and I got to play with some pretty big trucks. We needed trucks for lots of things: A rental U-Haul became our dry storage and local hauler of water and supplies. A loaned refrigerator
Inventing An Event: Trucks Read More »
The Big D BBQ Battle presented a unique set of issues for the North Dallas Chamber. Typically we produce events (annual meeting, HR Conference, Real Estate Conference, et al) in existing places. Ballrooms, hotel meeting rooms, convention spaces and the like. But this was different. We actually had to create the space. I mean, really
Inventing an Event: The Venue Read More »
We were all on board for the event early on but it needed a name. And not just any name. It had to: Be timeless (stand the test of time). Reflect the content of the event. Fit with the brand of the North Dallas Chamber. Be able to be translated easily to social media and
Inventing an Event: What’s in a Name? Read More »
In the fall before the initial Big D BBQ Battle (even before it had its name), I was introduced by a friend in the non-profit segment to the development director of the North Texas Food Bank. Little did I realize at the time how important that introduction would become in the formulation of the mission
Inventing an Event: Heartstrings Read More »
When you choose a late April date for an outdoor event in Texas, consider that it might be a warm day. So, for the inaugural Big D BBQ Battle we knew we were going to need to provide water to our guests. And it needs to be iced. Our first avenue was to ask for
Inventing an Event: Water and Ice Read More »
It seems simple enough: the leader should be the voice. The one at the front should have the pipes to voice the organization’s image. Well, for us, it just happened to work out that way. The North Dallas Chamber’s partnership with Radio KAAM 770 for the Big D BBQ Battle meant we had to voice
Inventing an Event: Finding Your Voice Read More »
One critical element of a successful event is beer. All along we’ve been billing this event as “beer, beef and a band.” Let’s explore each of these elements as they relate to The Big D BBQ Battle.” OK, enough of the professorial posturing, this is about finding a good brew, a great brand that matches
Inventing an Event: Beer Read More »
When I signed on to the North Dallas Chamber a year ago, one of my assignments from my new boss was a “BHAG.” BHAG, you say? Well what he really meant was a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal.” I think the term has it’s origin’s in Jim Collins’ book, “Good to Great.” So, over the next
Inventing an Event: The Big D BBQ Saga Read More »
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