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Check out professional conferences and upcoming speaking engagements.

2006 Speaking Engagements:

Eventworld 2006 - Honolulu, Hawaii - August 24 - 26, 2006

Association of Bridal Consultants New England Chapter Meeting, August 7, 2006 - 6 - 9 PM

Canadian Special Events & Meetings Expo 2006 - Toronto - March 22 - 23, 2006

Book signing in Dallas at TSE-Thursday, 1/12 1:30 PM

The Special Event Show - Dallas, TX - January 10 - 13, 2006

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December, 2007

Don't miss our latest project Crafts at the Castle - Nov 29 through Dec 30 at the Hynes Auditorium, Hall B, Boston, MA. Check out the website at www.craftscastle.org.  Take a peek at  the American Craft video produced by jsmoran featuring Norm Abram, this year's honorary chair and several artists.

The following link will launch with Real Player.  You will need to have Real Player installed on your computer to view it.

<click here for video>

(You will need Real Player to view the movie.  To obtain a FREE copy of Real PlayerBETA, click here.)

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jill at events@jsmoran.com.  For tickets and more information, visit www.craftscastle.org.

November, 2007

Check out Jill's web cast on http://www.startingabiz.com/starting-an-event-planning-business/               

She shares advice and pearls of wisdom on starting your own event planning business.

December, 2006

Check out these excerpts from the December issue of Meetings and Conventions Magazine for Jill's comments on The exacting art of budgeting for meetings: On the Money

Analyze the data. By its very nature, an event’s historical data provides benchmarks for future planning. Of course, “If there are things that didn’t go well at the past event, any changes made to correct them, say hiring a better band, might affect pricing and the whole budget,” notes Jill Moran, CSEP, founder of JSMoran & Associates, a Boston area independent meeting consultant and author of How to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Business (Globe Pequot Press, 2004). “The final budget you come up with should fit the expectancy of the meeting.”

Among the questions a planner should keep in mind when reviewing a meeting’s data: What were the final numbers for F&B functions, room block pickup and no-shows?

Pay special attention to data on the final night banquet, which actually can be a revenue generator. The banquet usually is included in the registration fee, so for every person who elects not to go, that money can be applied elsewhere.

Break down the food. Organize the F&B worksheet by creating a column for each meal category: breakfast, lunch, dinner, meeting break, reception and final night banquet. Within each of those, include a separate line for cost of the meal, tax and service charge. For example, breakfast might read: meal, $8; tax, $1.20; service charge, $1; total, $10.20.

Each meal category also should include columns that allow the planner to calculate the total cost per meal based on number of attendees, the actual cost per attendee, as well as the total F&B spend for each day. It should also include a “no show” line for each meal, which should be filled in right after each function.

The more detail, the greater the ability to control the F&B budget by increasing or decreasing anticipated attendance or adjusting menu pricing. “Food and beverage is one of those line items that can take a huge swing in either direction,” says Moran. “The more attention planners pay to attendance, the better their final guarantee numbers to the kitchen. And the better chance they have of staying on track and not wasting money.”

To read the entire article visit http://www.mcmag.com/on-the-cover.aspx?page=2&pageid=60016

June, 2006

jsmoran has been nominated for an ESPRIT Award!  The International Special Events Society selected jsmoran for a coveted ESPRIT Award from over 200 applicants for an October 2005 Destination Wedding in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Highlights of the wedding can be found on the Special Events tab under Weddings.  The winner will be selected at Eventworld held in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 26th.

Tips and Advice for Non-Profits: Catch a recent article in The ABC's of Profitable Fund-raising Events: How to Pull Off Winning Events from Start to Finish on Celebrity Appearances.  Click the thumbnail below to read!

May, 2006

jsmoran, special event planning has been nominated for Boston's Best Wedding Planning Company!  Cast your vote by clicking the link on the icon below! 

 

Jill will be speaking at the August meeting of the Association of Bridal Consultants to other wedding event professionals! Visit the site in next month for professional tips on planning your wedding like a pro! Here's an overview of her presentation:

Jill Moran, CSEP, author of How to Start A Home-based Event Planning Business will offer her insight on developing a professional wedding planning business, finding your niche in the wedding industry and working in the growing area of destination weddings.  Jill will share some stories on planning a destination wedding including the unique challenges, tips on making everyone happy and making sure you and the bride are ready for the big day!

March, 2006

Canadian Special Events & Meetings Expo - Toronto, Canada
Jill attended the CSEME in Toronto as guest speaker delivering a session on "The Business of Events", which overviewed trends in the industry, niche marketing and helped attendees to track the position and progress in their event careers.

January, 2006

Special Event Show - Dallas, TX
The new year started off with a bang at the exciting Special Event Show in Dallas during the second week in January.  The week was filled with inspiration and education and plenty of opportunity to network with fellow event professionals.  Jill presented in the CSEP track on the topic of Portfolio Preparation and held an  book signing session for attendees at the show.  Please click here to view the Portfolio Presentation in PDF format-Size 303k.(or Right Click and Save As to download.)


HBS Event Planning Field Study
Results from a recent field study course survey from students at Harvard University have also been finalized with the full report available on the link below. Feel free to check out their findings on the current state of the special events industry.

Please click here to view the Field Study Course in PDF format-Size 146k.(or Right Click and Save As to download.)

December, 2005 - jsmoran highlighted in Holiday Decorating Segment!

Boston NBC affiliate WHDH Channel 7,  featured Jill on Gretta's Got It!, a style segment reporting on hot and trendy ideas.  Jill showcased three table settings and complementary mantle decor which included a traditional burgundy and gold, a seasonal silver and white and a 'tweens table that hits the spot for entertaining the younger set!  Take a look at the behind the scenes filming!  Visit the Site Map and select TV Clips to view the entire segment. For more photos on decorating ideas, visit the Celebrations page of the Special Events tab.

       

November, 2005

Jill was invited to participate in the ISES Indianapolis Educational Conference November 16th as well as the keynote speaker for the Minneapolis ISES November meeting on the 10th. Both speaking engagements gave her the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for special events and assist novice planners in getting their businesses off the ground.  Sessions included CSEP training tracks and an overview of the Business of Events.

September, 2005

Check out the latest in The Business of Events, as Jill was the featured keynote speaker at the September meeting of the Washington DC Chapter of ISES.  Hosted at HOME, a multi-level art deco nightclub, offering a taste of Miami in the heart of the historic Penn Quarter, DC event professionals mixed and mingled and walked away with some pearls of wisdom.  Jill shared her insight on event trends, building your business, niche marketing and more, urging attendees to self-assess their current role in the industry and how to respond to change and growth for business success!

Fall, 2005 - Award-winner!

The International Special Events Society honored Jill Moran, CSEP with the esteemed 2005 Esprit Award for Best Industry Contribution for her recent book, How to Start A Home-based Event Planning Business.  She was the 8th recipient  of this award acknowledging her vital contribution to the betterment of the events industry.  She was also the recipient for the 2003 Esprit Award for Best ISES Team Effort for an event she created for the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  See press release for more information.

August, 2005

Jill shared her experience and advice at Eventworld in Los Angeles, CA presenting the CSEP Track on Portfolio Preparation to over 50 candidates for the CSEP designation.  She has also presented on Legal, Ethical and Risk Management and Marketing at prior conferences.

Get your book now!

Check out Jill's award-winning book, How to Start A Home-based Event Planning Business, published by The Globe Pequot Press and available on line at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, Borders and Barnes and Noble retail locations or at your favorite book store.  Packed with helpful hints on running a home based business, you will also find specific tips on becoming a competent event planner, selecting the right vendors, contracting for a safe and trouble free event relationship, and finding your niche within the world of events!  Autographed books available at speaking engagements!

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