Plantable Favors

Just discovered these great plantable favors on the Paper Source Blog. These could be used for both decorations at your next event and as a take-home favor for your guests. And bonus, Paper Source sells take-out containers (used for this project) that are made from recycled materials. They come in 8 great colors and prices start at just .40 a piece.

Fresh, Cool Cocktails for Summer

June is here, and summer is almost upon us. Although, we have to admit that we've been in a summer state of mind for quite some time now. When we think of summer, two things come to mind: cool cocktails and watermelon. What better way to kick off warmer weather than by combining the two?!

We've poured over cookbooks, perused websites and finally compiled our four favorite watermelon cocktails. Here they are, in no particular order. Drumroll, please . . . .

Watermelon Punch (from InStyle.com)

Ingredients:

6 cups watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)

3 oz frozen lemonade

6 cups vodka

1 liter club soda

Directions:

Combine first three ingredients and chill overnight. Add the club soda just before serving. Float small watermelon wedges and lime slices in the punch bowl. For an added touch, freeze balled watermelon and float in the punch to keep it cool without watering it down with conventional ice.

Watermelon Margarita (from drinksmixer.com)

Ingredients:

2 cups watermelon juice (puree fresh seedless watermelon)

juice of 1/2 lime

6 oz gold tequila

3 oz triple sec

1 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Add 1 cup of ice and blend again. Coat the rim of a glass with sugar by dipping it onto a saucer with lime juice and then into a saucer with sugar. Pour margarita into the glass and garnish with a small wedge of watermelon.

The Watermelon Wave (from Cocktail Times)

Ingredients:

4 oz tequila

3 oz orange liqueur

3 oz marischino liqueur

20 oz watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)

2 oz pomegranate juice

2 oz lemon juice

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Strain into glasses and garnish with watermelon wedges or balled melon on a toothpick.

Watermelon Martini (from About.com)

Ingredients:

1 cup watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)

1/2 cup vodka

1/2 cup simple syrup

juice of 1 lime

3 tbsp salt

3 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Wet the rim of the martini glass with a piece of watermelon and dip the rim into the sugar/salt mixture. Combine the remaining ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake to mix/chill. Strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.

And there you have it, our 4 favorite watermelon cocktails of the season. Have fun trying these out at home or serving them up at your next big summertime event! And for the really brave, why not make a drink dispenser out of a watermelon?

Wedding Day Snacks

On your weddding day, it's very important to make sure you take the time to eat throughout the day, especially if you're partaking in some pre-wedding mimosas. Take it from me, there's nothing worse than a drunk bridesmaid stumbling down the aisle and I speak from experience. (Perhaps I should clarify...I had a drunk bridesmaid at my wedding. I have never been one myself.)

This past Friday, my good friend A got married. I offered to take care of the wedding day food for the girls. The bride only requested devilled eggs, and left the rest up to me. Since we were going to be travelling between the hotel, the salon and the church, I wanted to make sure we had snacks that could easily be transported. I opted for snack bags for each of the girls. That way, we could each bring our own bag and there'd be no one getting stuck lugging an over-sized cooler all over the city.

So here are the bags I made (click to enlarge photos):

Each bag got 1) bottled water; 2) napkin and a small glass for mimosas and sangria (packaged separately); 3) veggie dip; 4) two sugar cookies iced in wedding colors; 5) celery and carrot sticks; 6) Melba toast crackers and Laughing Cow spreadable cheese wedges; 7) fruit salad; 8) slice of quiche and two devilled egg halves; 9) a menu

I packaged everything together in white gift bags (with a convenient handle for carrying). The containers and bags cost me a total of $12, and all of it was purchased at the dollar store. What a steal!

To fancy things up a bit, I made cute labels for the outside of the bag. The labels were designed using computer software and personalized for each girl. I cut them out and backed them on green card stock and used gift ribbon to make a bow. I glued the labels on and then tucked a matching menu into each bag so the girls knew what was included.

These bags got rave reviews. People I had never met before were coming up to me at the reception asking if I was the girl who "made those adorable lunch bags." These were easy to make and a big hit, so I'll definitely be making them again.

If you're interested in making these, let us know. We can help you create custom labels and menus in your event's colors/theme. We can also help you create the perfect menu for your event!

Cinco de Mayo - Event Recap

We’ve got it! Chicago had the great pleasure of planning a Cinco de Mayo party last weekend and WHAT A BLAST! From the Mexican flag and sombreros to the sangria and the piñata this was a fiesta tailored to our host.

Our Host, Tom, a 28 year old male living in Bucktown wanted to throw a Cinco de Mayo party that he could invite his boss and his buddies to. With a full time job, Tom, left it to We’ve Got It! Chicago to develop the final details for his classy fiesta!


Here are a few of the FUN and simple ideas that we used for Tom’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta:

*We kept the food simple. We used a mixture of traditional Mexican favorites and a few new recipes that all fell under the appetizer category to ensure prep time was minimal. We also made sure to have plenty of red and white sangria on hand!

*We went Green – at least a little. One very easy way to go green is using eco-friendly invitations (we used Evite).

*We decorated, subtly. Using green, white, and red tissue paper we made “fresh” flowers (we hung them individually around the house but these flowers are also great to bunch together for a dramatic center piece).

*We got into it. Mexican Candles were placed throughout the house to add color and ambiance, a large Mexican flag was hung on a main wall of the house to catch the eyes of Tom’s guests and we also purchase 3 Sombreros that were offered to the first guests of the night!

*We took it outside. A Bags Tournament was set up outside complete with great Mexican prizes (we used a nice bottle of Tequila!). This helped to spread the crowd throughout the venue and gave Tom’s guests some options on activities.

*We had a Main Event. By far the highlight of the party was the PINATA!! Purchased from a local party store and stuffed with age appropriate goodies this seemingly innocent Mexican tradition really got the party going – and was our Host’s favorite part of the night!

We’ve Got It! Chicago had a great time with Tom and his guests and look forward to more great parties this summer.

CHEERS!

Do you have a great idea that you used for a Mexican Fiesta, let us know about it!

Questions to Ask Your Event Planner

Chances are, if you’re reading this website, you love to host events and you’re looking to hire an event planner to make your life much easier--at least that’s what we’re hoping. So how do you go about hiring an event planner? Are they all the same? Should you just open the yellow pages and plop your finger down haphazardly? The answers are: carefully, no, and heck no!

If you’re looking to hire an event planner, there are several factors to consider. To help make the process easier for you (because that’s what event planners do), here’s a list of questions to ask and thoughts to ponder when determining which event coordinator you should select.

1. How important is it that you stick to your budget? Do you want a planner who will maximize your money and not go over by even one penny? Or are you looking for someone who will take your ideas and run, giving you an over-the-top, extravagant affair?

2. Is the coordinator familiar with all the best local vendors, from catering to flowers to photographers and DJs? Coordinators with ties to local vendors are often able to get you a better deal because of their long-standing business partnership.

3. Will your planner handle the invitation process for you? Do you want someone to draft wording, order, mail and even tally up responses for you?

4. Will the coordinator be there on the day of the event to trouble-shoot, or just leading up to the big day?

5. Will the planner be able to assist you with social etiquette or help you incorporate the hottest trends into your event?

6. How involved do you want to be in the planning process? Do you have ideas or do you want the planner to create your event?

7. Has your coordinator worked with your preferred vendors before? A relationship isn’t necessary, but it’s good to know if your planner has a positive relationship with the vendors you want to use.

8. Will your coordinator review your vendor contracts for you and be your advocate when it comes to negotiating and ensuring you get just what you asked for?

9. Does the planner have references for you or past clients you may speak with? If the answer is no, you should be wary.

10. Will the planner provide you with a master plan, checklists and timelines? Better yet, do you want these documents or do you just want to know that it’s all being done by your trusted planner?

At your initial meeting, ask as many questions as you have. This will help you get a feel for the type of planner you’re working with and if your personalities and visions will mesh well. But in the end, it’s just as much about the questions that the planner asks you too. A good planner will have lots of questions about your event and the feel that you want your event to have. Expect to have a few in-depth conversations with your planner about your event, followed by brief follow-ups along the planning process.

What is a Social(ly Responsible) Butterfly?

Quite simply: it's a cross between a social butterfly and one who is socially responsible. Put them together and you've got one great host(ess) who throws one heck of a party, all while doing his/her part to save the planet.

Now don't let us scare you off. We're not preaching blandness and minimalism. No sir. We don't expect you to treat your guests to wheat grass smoothies and dismally gray recycled paper napkins. It is possible to be lavish and elegant AND be eco-friendly. Hence, the Socially Responsible Butterfly. Just look for the butterfly logo throughout our blog and website to indicate an opportunity to make your event green and grand!

Getting Organized

One of the keys to a successful event is planning ahead. And the key to planning ahead is getting organized. The more you plan ahead, the less stressed you will be at the last minute and even during your event. My favorite organizational tool is Microsoft Excel. I love using Excel Spreadsheets as a way to organize all my thoughts, ideas and to-do lists for an event.

If you've never used Excel before, don't be scared. It's a super easy program to learn, and you can make it as complex as you'd like. For the purposes of event planning, I use only a fraction of the features and functions and Excel still makes planning so much easier.

Most recently I made spreadsheets for Mike's graduation party. I started one document and created new tabs (pages) for each area of planning. Below are a few of the pages I created to show you the possibilities of Excel.

The first order of business is to draft a guest list. In Excel, it's easy to create a table of guests' names, addresses and RSVPs. In this instance, I gathered email addresses since we sent out e-vites. Making a spreadsheet also makes it easy to keep track of contact info for future events. No need to worry about losing loose sheets of paper with notes. For events with large guest lists, Excel also offers a "sum" function where you can set up the spreadsheet to automatically update the total number of guests each time you add an RSVP response.

Next, I set up a menu. Creating a menu allows me to visualize exactly what I need for each item and makes it much easier to create shopping lists. It also prevents me from forgetting a crucial ingredient. (Did you notice I forgot to list hamburger and hotdog buns on this list? Fortunately they made the shopping list.)

Third, I create a shopping list. I go through all of the menu items and create lists of items I need. It's simple to update quantities of items as I go through the recipes. No crossing out and scribbling in new numbers with a pen. This list stays neat and legible. Then, with a simple cut-and-paste function, I can easily categorize my list by the stores where I will do my shopping.

Finally, I create a "last week" schedule. This is where I list all of my to-dos for the last week prior to the event. Excel offers a "strikethrough" font so I can even cross off tasks as I accomplish them and reprint updated lists. Again, using cut-and-paste, it's super easy to switch an item to another day if I need to reconfigure my schedule.

We'd love to hear how you get organized for a big event. Do you use technology like Excel spreadsheets or do you have an old-fashioned, tried-and-true method? Tell us about your best organizational tips.

Idea Board: Graduation Party

click on the photo to see it enlarged

This weekend, we're coordinating a graduation party for Mike. Mike is graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in Building Construction. It was pretty easy to come up with a theme for this one. Too easy, in fact. We had two themes: the Gators and Construction. So we set out to find the best way to blend the two themes together without going over-board on either. (Mike's not a big themey person.)

Above is the idea board that we put together for Mike's party. We're throwing a laid-back barbeque at Mike's house on Saturday afternoon. Here's what we're planning:

1. To tie in the Gators and graduate theme, we're using a cluster of Gator and graduate balloons as a centerpiece on the welcome table. This will also serve as a gift table at the entrance to the party.

2. Pastashoppe.com offers a ridiculous array of pastas to fit your needs. We found this great UF pasta, which is perfect for our delicious pasta salad. Check out their site, they've got tons of great unique pasta shapes for every meal you can imagine.

3. Upside down toy hard-hats will serve as chip bowls along our buffet, tying in the construction theme.

4. This is a back-yard barbeque. So we're breaking out the folding tables and umbrellas and dotting the yard with shaded areas for guests to kick back and relax while they chow down on some delicious grub.

5. Construction tool candles will be the perfect topper to the cupcakes on our dessert buffet. We won't be lighting them, but we still love these!

6. Bob the Builder was a must. We scored big when our local party shop had BTB stuff on clearance (70% off!). We scooped up napkins and wrapping paper to use as fun construction-themed accents.

7. Adorable Gator cookies will also be featured on the dessert buffet, as a reminder that "it's great to be a Florida Gator!"

8. A "build your own" burger buffet is the feature of this party. Guests will have more than a dozen fun toppings to construct the burger of their dreams!

Finally, the background of the idea board also serves as the background for the invitations and the menu cards along the buffet. You can't see it too well here, but it's the blueprint for Mike's college, which adds another great touch to both the UF and Construction theme!

We can't wait for this party on Saturday. Check back next week for lots of photos and an event recap! Congrats, Mike!

The Hightower Experience

Do you have friends or family coming in to town? What are you going to do with them? Here are two ways to showcase your city and yourself!

1. Put together a map

Your guests may not be very familiar with the area so any map would be helpful, but why not go the extra mile? Put together a detailed guide for your special visitors using Google.com/maps.

Click on the "my maps" tab to get started. Put a thumb tack on your house so they know where home base is, link your favorite restaurants' websites so your friends can check out the location and the menu, point out major landmarks, museums, theaters or parks in your neighborhood, as well as downtown.

Do your guests have GPS and internet enabled phones? If so they can have you and your map as their own personal tour guide at all times. And by using thier phone you are helping your guests go green by eliminating the need to use ink and paper for printing!

2. Create an Itinerary
If you are unable to get off of work for all of the days your houseguests are going to be in town (or if you just want everyone to be on the same page, which we love!), it is helpful to create an itinerary. Letting your guest's know your schedule before hand helps to ensure everyone's time is used wisely. This itinerary can be as detailed or as minimal as you wish. Let them know what time you usually get off of work or what time you made dinner reservation at your favoite restaurant. This is also a good place to include links to helpful websites such as: The map you created for them, the CTA Trip Planner, where to buy CTA Transit Passes, and the CTA Bus Tracker.

Other useful information you might want to include: flight information, typical weather for the time of year guests are visiting, and distances between major sites.

Click the links below for an example of a map using google.com/maps and an itinerary:
Hightower Experience - Map
Hightower Experience - Itinerary


Do you have an idea on how to make your guests visit more exciting, eventful, easier, safer, more economical, etc? Let us know about it!

Throw a Party for Earth Day

Earth day is this Wednesday (April 22) and here at WGIC, we think that’s something to celebrate. This is a great opportunity to plan a fun party and put some of our best eco-friendly ideas to use. Here’s a few of our favorite ideas for celebrating Earth Day in an earth-friendly way.

Invitations
Instead of sending traditional invitations, why not send an invitation that can be planted? Using these templates, why not design a fun, festive invitation label and stuff it with a pack of your favorite wildflower seeds. After the party, the guests can plant the seeds as a reminder of the fun day you all shared. As a bonus, be sure to use recycled paper for your seed packet labels.


The Venue
We think Earth Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate out in nature, so take your party outdoors to a local park. Better yet, do double duty by hosting a volunteer effort to clean up your local park or plant a tree there. (Be sure to check with local authorities before planting anything.) Then celebrate your volunteerism with a special thank you picnic for all of the helpers.

Food
Organic, natural and wholesome recipes seem to fit best with an Earth Day celebration, but for an extra special treat, why not serve your guests a flowery dessert like this one ? Easy and delicious, these flower pot ice cream desserts will wow your guests while keeping with the natural theme of the earth.


Activities / Favors
Instead of typical party games, why not spend the afternoon creating something for your guests to use? Supply them with ceramic flower pots and an assortment of non-toxic paints and let each guest decorate a pot in which to grow their invitation seeds. Check out these pots on etsy.com for some groovy inspiration.


Or create rain barrels for guests to use, following simple directions found here. Or try a nature scavenger hunt. Give guests a list of items (on recycled paper, of course) and let them have fun running around finding everything. Be sure to give each team a reusable shopping bag to collect all their items. The winning team gets to go take home all of the shopping bags as a prize.

At the end of the party, just remember to leave the space clean and tidy just as you found it because the best way to celebrate the earth is by making a big impact on your guests and small impact on the planet.

How are you planning on celebrating Earth Day? Leave us a comment and let us know what fun and eco-friendly ideas you have for the day.

For the Dogs - Event Recap

In October one of our planners here at We've Got It! Chicago had the privilige of planning a local 2008 Pit Bull Awareness Day event on behalf of Phoenix Animal Rescue. Here is her EVENT RECAP.



Our pit-mix, Marley, is a Phoenix alumni, and we volunteer with the rescue as foster parents and helping out at the kennels. The rescue director caught wind of the fact that I was an event planner and asked me to step up to the plate. I happily obliged, as pit bulls and planning are two of my favorite things.

Pit Bull Awareness Day (PBAD) is an international event hosted locally by various rescues and pro-pit organizations. For more information on the day, please check out the official website at http://www.nationalpitbullawarenessday.com/

In 2007, Phoenix Animal Rescue hosted a very small test run of this even locally. We had about 10 volunteers with pamphlets, a couple of local journalists, a rehabilitated bait dog, and a pit bull being adopted. It was hosted at a local park with very little publicity. We had only a handful of visitors stop by (most of whom were just passing by at the park).

2008 was a drastic improvement. We had about 30 volunteers from the rescue and the local Vet School. We put together a huge day of festivities at a local veterinarian's office who is a strong advocate for the breed. The event included:

*Pit bull talent show
*Canine Good Citizen testing
*Weight-pull demo and try-outs
*Photo opps for pitties
*Microchipping booth
*AADR dog show
*Adoptable dogs
*Bake sale (for humans and dogs)
*Eight interactive booths with information and games

We spent months organizing volunteers and spreading the word. But we weren't sure what the turn-out would be. We had local journalists from two different newspapers, a news channel, and a local cable access TV show. The event was open to all ages and all well-mannered dogs (not just pits). Well, our event was a success. We estimate over 300 people and 100+ dogs visited our festivities througout the day, and we raised over $1100 for Phoenix Animal Rescue to continue doing ther part to help local pit bulls in need. We're currently seeking a larger venue for 2009, as we've seen the potential and we know that this year we'll have outgrown our space at the vet's office. We're in the early stages of planning for this year, and I'll be sure to keep you posted on our progress.

To see the local news article on the event click here.

Don't Break the Bank

It seems these days that everyone is pinching pennies. Recession sounds a lot like depression, but don't worry, your next event doesn't have to be sad and gloomy. There are many ways to be thrifty and still have a great event, even in our current economy. Whether you're planning a huge corporate event or a small fete at home, follow these tips to trim your budget.

*Send e-vites: By emailing your invitations, you're saving not only the cost of the paper they are printed on, but also the cost of postage. At .43 a stamp, the savings can really add up. Plus, it's much easier to be creative with your invites when they are online without worrying about the high cost of printing in multiple colors or with special effects. (We especially like this idea because it's also eco-friendly.)

*Use what you've got: Don't be afraid to mix and match plates and flatware. It doesn't have to be a perfect match to work perfectly for you. Arrange plates, cups and forks in a funky manner and guests will be impressed, even if no two people have a matching set.

*Go with what's in season: When it comes to food or flowers, what's in season is always cheaper. Going out of season means you're paying big bucks to have something shipped to your area. Plus, seasonal foods taste much better as they are freshest. Going seasonally also enables you to hit up local farmers' markets where you can find great deals and may be able to create a lasting relationship with certain vendors (which comes in handy next time you need fresh produce or flowers).

*Ebay, Craigslist, and Freecycle: There are thousands of other hip hosts out there who have probably thrown a similar party recently. And what are they doing with all the decor? They probably aren't interested in hanging on to 250 small glass votives. Nope. Instead, they are selling these items at a super discount online. By cruising online selling sites, you can find the perfect items at a fraction of the price. And the best part about it, you can sell it to someone else when you're done, which means even more money in your pocket!

*Turn off the lights: Instead of using low-watt bulbs or dimmers, turn off the lights all together and use candles to set the mood.

*Buy your own booze: A stocked bar can be an expensive feature to hire for your party. Instead of leaving it up to the caterer, buy your own booze at a whole-sale club and hire a couple bartenders from your favorite local bar. Most bartenders are happy to make some extra cash on the side, and it can be a lot cheaper than using a caterers bar staff.

*Serve a custom drink: Another way to save on booze is to offer up a signature drink. Instead of a fully-stocked liquor bar, offer beer, wine and one custom drink designed specifically for your event. That way you won't be splurging for alcohol that may or may not get served. Try Webtender for some great drink ideas (the "In My Bar" feature is great!)

There you have it: seven easy ways to save some money at your next party. Do you have a simple way to save? Leave us a comment about how you've taken an easy step to saving some dough and we'll be happy to share your ideas with our readers.

What is a Social(ly Responsible) Butterfly

Quite simply: it's a cross between a social butterfly and one who is socially responsible. Put them together and you've got one great host(ess) who throws one heck of a party, all while doing his/her part to save the planet.

Now don't let us scare you off. We're not preaching blandness and minimalism. No sir. We don't expect you to treat your guests to wheat grass smoothies and dismally gray recycled paper napkins. It is possible to be lavish and elegant AND be eco-friendly. Hence, the Socially Responsible Butterfly. Just look for the butterfly logo throughout our blog and website to indicate an opportunity to make your event green and grand!

Limoncello

How will you keep cool this summer?

Well, if you start now you can chill with a traditional Italian favorite, Limoncello. The most important ingredient in this recipe is time - most widespread recipes suggest around 80 days (or two and a half months). But this delicious treat is worth the wait! Ingredients include 2 bottles of 100 proof vodka, 15 large lemons, sugar and water. Click here for the detailed recipe. Try sprucing things up by using any one of your other favorite fruits such as oranges or grapefruits in this southern Italian staple.


Don't want alcohol, no problem. Cucumber Water is one of the most refreshing ways to get your 8 glasses and takes considerably less time to prepare than the citrusy option above. Fill a pitcher with water, drop in one, small, thinly sliced cucumber, cover and chill. The water can be left for 10 minutes or 10 hours. Try adding a few mint leaves or a slice or two of lemon for a fresh twist.




Cheers!

Spring is here!

It's official, Spring is here! And it's time to get organized...

Open your windows, shake off the cobwebs and fix yourself a drink because it is Sprint Time in Chicago. That distinct smell of rebirth has come once again. Congratulations, you've made it through another brutal winter and now it's time to celebrate. One great way to kick off this spring clensing is to rearrange. Pick a room, any room, and move stuff around. Move your couch to a different wall; you might end up with some extra, usable space. Get rid of the heavy, dingy blanket and add a simple centerpiece or picture. This novel placement is also great at providing some much needed mental stimulation. So take advantage of the lingering sunshine and reorganize your world this April with three easy steps: purge, repurpose, and recycle.
1. Purge
After you've changed things up you might find that you just had too much stuff. This is good! Now it's time to decide:
throw away
Some items have run their course: socks with tears, rugs with stains, or holiday decorations. Recharge this spring with a fresh, simple approach. Get rid of the unnecessary clutter, you'll thank yourself later.

donate
Gently used clothes and furniture can be dropped off at a nearby Goodwill. Many items can be given away for free on Craig's List. Perhaps a friend or relative could use picture frames or knick knacks you don't have space for anymore.
2. Repurpose
If, when you're done tossing and donating, you still find yourself with a few pieces that you're just not ready to part with don't worry, just repurpose! Sand and paint that nightstand that no longer works in the bedroom and use it as a new end table by the couch. With a quick trip to your local nursery you can repot and relocate your favorite household plant to spruce up the color scheme in any room.
3. Don't forget to RECYCLE! Even things that no one wants or needs can still be 'reused' by being reclycled. Check out Chicago Recycling Coalition's list of ways to reuse all sorts of household products.

Our Mission

Hello Chicago!

Our mission is your satisfaction and enjoyment. With a fresh and creative approach We've Got It! Chicago is dedicated to ensureing that our customers' expectations are exceeded. As event planners in the city of Chicago our possibilities are endless, only to be tailored to you! Your vision is our compass, let our imagination be your guide. Don't stress about an upcoming event, sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself because We've Got It! Chicago...

Visit wevegotitchicago.com for more information

hello

Hello Chicago!

Welcome to our blog! 'We've Got It! Chicago' is a full service event planning company that will handle all of the worrying for you. We specialize in all things related to events such as: event design, site selection, color schemes, contract negotiation, creating budgets(and sticking to them!), vendor searches, product research, and much, much more!

Call us today at 312-285-4544 for a free consultation and make the most out of your upcoming event.

We plan all types of events including: weddings, movie nights, pet parties, birthday parties, corporate events, meetings, private parties, and so much more!