Time for Tree

THE TREE OF LIGHTS AT THE STREETS AT SOUTHPOINT!!! One of the longest days of my life….but very rewarding!  The event was a success with over 45,000 people in attendance! Lifehouse was great and all the local talent was great! 

 Yes, we had a few snags here and there, but that comes with any event no matter how much you plan!  Overall, it went really well.  The station team pulled it off again……

 Today we had a post-mortem meeting…the title “post-mortem” is another word that doesn’t sound that great (it sounds like I killed something), but it fits the purpose.  Everyone at the station who was at the event, helped planned the event or just watched it from home is invited to participate.  We discuss pros/cons/things to add/things to change….anything goes!  I’ve learned from past years of doing this meetings….just smile!  Being a part of the planning stages and hearing things that went wrong or suggestions for some improvement never is easy (because in your mind….you are your worst critic or everything is great).  But, these meetings are how each event gets better each year.  Things I would have never noticed since I was too involved.  During the event I never sit back from the “outside” and experience it….so with anything change is sometimes hard…but needed.

I hope you each got to experience the event from The Streets at Southpoint or your comfy couch at home…..

Now, we start planning next year! 363 days and counting! 

TREE OF LIGHTS VIDEO (click the video tab)

 or stop by the Community Content Liaison page…..with all the behind the scenes!

Today was an overall successful day even with all the rain….AND…cold weather!  At least it will feel like winter for the lighting of the Tree on Saturday!!    There were a few snags…nothing major….tent set up took a little longer than I expected..and the fire marshall inspection was a little confusing….but I was thankful that I keep most of my emails for that chance that I need to use it someday….today was one of those days! The Holiday Light Store in Raleigh is decorating the local talent tent, so they started that process today.  Seemed to be running smoothly when I left this afternoon.  All the other stages were up and the rest of the decorations will be placed tomorrow.  Friday will be a very, very busy day…..so I’m going to see how much sleep I can get tonight! 

Tonight, I’m sitting here watching The Office while my niece and nephew are sleeping (babysitting!). I realize how great being a kid is/was……the true joys in life…no matter how hard your day is….hanging out with a 5 year old and a 2 year old..sure is fun.  But, it got me thinking of the different personalities that you encounter throughout your life…in the workplace…..today was one of those days that I realized how different folks are, but hey…..it wouldn’t be exciting if we all were the same! We are all KIDs just different ages…..and change is sometimes hard.

I found these quotes that help me deal with some of my experiences today: 

Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.  ~Author Unknown

 One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.”
Chinese Proverb

Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music.  ~William Stafford

Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you’ll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.”

Well I’m sitting here at 9:15 pm at night……thinking that in about 48 hours….it will be November 17th….months of planning for about a 2 hour event….Well, it’s more than that if you consider the blood drive, meet and greet, pre-concert and the Show.  Compare to the very first year that we were at The Streets at Southpoint and now…this event has transformed itself into a night filled with energy, great talent and teamwork!  Once the Tree is lit….all the worries and a sigh of relief come over all the staff and volunteers!  30,000 bright lights twinkle, snow falls and everyone smiles! 

Today was pretty hectic, well the afternoon was, since I started packing up and realizing that I had alot of things scattered around my desk. Also, I had last minute request for client passes, volunteer information (it seems no one reads my emails until the day before an event….hey, I try), and checking off any last minute to-dos….

 It took about an hour to pull everything together…….pack the car…..

 Well, with that said….at 8 am Thursday morning….my timeline begins.  We have to get food for the production staff as well as meet the folks to set up the Tent onsite and a few things are being delivered (cases of water, tvs, programs)…..BUT….with the rain, this may or may not cause a few snags in the process.  Last year, the same thing happened.  It poured rain as our staff waited to set up the tent…I guess it’s tradition! But as I said with my wedding (2 month anniversary tomorrow!)…as long as it doesn’t rain the day of the event, I’m happy!!  I will have plenty to keep myself occupied…..to keep my mind off the fact that my husband will be taking a trip to Charlotte to see one of our favorite bands in concert (THE POLICE)…..bring me back a tshirt! Sorry to digress…  But he will be back to help out with this event on Saturday!  It came with the marriage license…permanent volunteer status at all events:-)

On Friday, we will start setting up banners, bring more food and maybe have to put out a few fires!  We have a very important production meeting on Friday as well. This will include all security and staff.   This meeting is probably one of the most important meetings of the week since any last minute changes, updates, security issues and other issues are discussed….if there are problems….this will allow 24 hours to FIX or FIND a solution for it.

Remember, come out to the event on Saturday…if you can’t come out….be sure to watch it starting at 7:30 on NBC 17!!! 

Hey! Well, it’s one week and one day away.  I’ve noticed I haven’t posted in over a week…because if you read my last post, I’m trying to get everything done this week so I can “breathe” next week.  So far that is working for me…but as for all events (that include a live TV show)….the couple of weeks leading up to the event…my “to do” list gets shorter and production and the news departments get bigger!  We had our last weekly internal meeting yesterday, but never fear…we have daily meetings starting next week…just to work out any last minute kinks. 

 Trust me, I still have a list of things to do…..including following up on all vendors we are using.  We are also having volunteer meetings starting today.  These meetings help me get all those folks who are helping out in the same mindset.  Making sure they know where to go and most importantly…making sure they know the answers to questions from folks the evening of!  Things are a little different when 40,000 people are around you!

The one thing that I finally did was pull out the Plunger.  I really have never figured out why we started calling this thing the plunger…but for the last 4 years…it’s been the plunger.  This is the thing that our On-Air Talent and sponsors push to “light the tree”   Up close, it’s not the nicest looking object, but from a TV standpoint…hey it looks pretty good on camera. We are discussing “retiring” the plunger next year….so any suggestions….let me know.  I’ve included a picture of the finale here….you can kindasee the plunger…Red, Big Bow….Striped handle….. I’ll search for a better photo.

 Until next time…..Have any crazy event stories you want to share….I’d love to hear them!

I had a comment (thank you Becky) about meeting the band.  Yes, we will be having a contest starting soon that will allow several lucky viewers the chance to Meet the band!  Stay tuned to NBC 17 (and my blog)….for more information.  Online promotion and on-air promotion start THIS WEEK!! YEAH!

 Can you believe the event is only 2 weeks away….this is the week that I try to get everything in place from RSVPs, invitations, signage pickup, volunteer packets (hey everyone has to know where to go!), approving online and on-air promotion……I also start putting together information for clients who are participating this year ( REX Blood Services,  The Holiday Light Store, Durham Regional Hospital,  MADD. I will come back and add anyone I have forgotten. I do not see these folks everyday  (like I do volunteers), so I have to make sure their information is concise!

 My goal is to actually “breathe” the week before the event.  This week and next week will be hectic.  

We also have a inclement weather walkthrough today at the event site (www.thestreetsatsouthpoint.com).  I can’t imagine doing the event anywhere else besides outside…..but just in case…you know…I’m not going to even talk about it! 

Can you believe it’s already October 22nd?  We are less than a month away from the Tree!  I always freak out when I hear the “less than a month” term on anything that I do.  It the “sign” that kicks me into gear of all the little things that need to be done. 

Signage is a big element in alot of people’s lives.  Some believe in signs from God, some believe that signs appear out of the blue for “fate” or just some believe that things just happen for a reason. 

 Our team is a big believer is signage - whether directional, informative or educational.  Have you ever been to an event and said “if there was just a sign that had told me that” or “where do I go?”  That is what we do not want to happen at our events, especially the Tree.  There are many elements that have to be controlled and we believe that by having signage around the event will help visitors have a better experience! 

 The last few days, I have put together drafts of signage including VIP stage signage, Local Talent Tent signage, Lifehouse meet and greet signage, post party signage….to name a few.  Once those are in….we will feel better….and on to the next tasks on my to-do list…..confirming sponsor needs!

Well, as you may have heard we have secured our National Talent for our Tree of Lights event!  Lifehouse!  I actually have one of their earlier CDs that contain the popular song “Hanging On.”   We are excited that they will be performing and bringing a large energetic fun crowd to the event.

 http://www.lifehousemusic.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCe2GwscXgo

Once we get a National Talent it sparks an interest in those folks that normally would not have been interested in the Tree.  The Tree is probably one of the most fun events we do at the station because…hey….who can’t have fun with a 50 foot tree, music, Santa Claus (and Mrs. Claus) and a great post-party station event? I think it brings the event to a whole new level, people realize…hey this IS a big event!  How can I get involved?  It’s great!

 It’s getting down to crunch time now!  We get to coordinate press surrounding the band, travel arrangements, food…..that’s something else. I love seeing Talent’s ryders!  A Ryder is a list of requirements from the entertainers.  Rumors have it that some bands have demanded only green m&ms, special towels, drinks, and event fancy furniture!  I’m not sure if I’ll ever work with those artists that require any “off the wall” items…but hey…you can never say you are bored!

Last Week - We had a good internal departmental meeting last week to discuss progress in each department and where we could all help out with….ideas, staff….just making sure we are all on the same page!

This week - FOOD, TALENT, ORGANIZATION! 

FOOD! - you never realize how important food is to people until you start planning an event.  People need to eat and like to eat and having to make everyone happy seems to be a challenge.  Between production staff, station staff and volunteers……food is important especially after setting up and working long hours.  This week I have worked on getting food secured for all! We have had some great partners in the past to help out with this. 

TALENT!  Another big concern this week is finding out who our “A” Talent is!  We are waiting anxiously to find this out!  This is Always a highlight of the event!  We hope to find who this is this week!  With Talent comes hotel (already securing), travel and anything else that they need!  Once we get the talent….that project will begin!

ORGANIZATION!  It is this time during the Tree planning process that I realize I need to step back and ORGANIZE!  Production schedules, contracts, artwork, volunteers….everything starts pilling up about this time.  All I need is a good 1/2 hour - 1 hour to get this done!

I forgot to mention that we have another station event this weekend (SHRED IT) that I have been devoted 1/2 my time to….next week….100% TOL!

September 25th 

It seems as if every year we pick the hottest day to walkthrough the Tree of Lights (TOL) layout at The Streets at Southpoint (SSP). 

Today, it was a mild 89 degrees!

A walkthrough for the TOL is where managers, coordinators and producers from both NBC 17 and SSP get together to review and discuss a variety of placments.  Placements inlcuding where each performer and NBC 17 Talent stage will be, where we will have barriers to keep the crowd *in* and *out*, where do we put the local talent performer tent, large screens for the crowds, walkways for talent and photographers, etc. 

Luckily, since this is the 4th year at SSP we have learn what works and doesn’t!  As with any job (and life experience) you learn from mistakes and get better with age! 

All of the techinical folks will get together in a few weeks to have another walkthrough to discuss all of the wiring, sound, TV signal topics.

On my plate this week - Internal meeting with all departments to review everything from A-List talent, volunteers, wristbands for guests, online and on-air promotion…..and the list goes on! 

54 days and counting!

(getting ready for the big night…2006 with former marketing manager heather kuh(left), me on the right)

Hello!! 

When I first started my job at NBC 17 as the Special Projects Manager…..alot of folks at the station and friends really wondered what “projects” were so “special” that they needed their own “manager.”  This October I will have been at the station for 4 years and trust me….there have been PLENTY of projects….(some more special than others) that have needed to be managed….To name a few….Tree of Lights, Health and Fitness Festival, Lazy Daze, Shred-It, sales promotions, interns,volunteers,  and the list goes on.  Oh…if you throw my wedding in the mix…now that was special!

My job is NEVER boring and ALWAYS amazing. 

I decided to start this blog to give everyone a “behind the scenes” look at planning one of the station’s marquee events -The Tree of Lights at The Streets at Southpoint.  This is the sixth year of this event! I’ll post about the ups and the downs….smiles and frowns….hey…you get it!

Stay tuned!