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!