BRANDED!

From left to right -- Scott Barnes, Debbie Meyers, me, David Fischette

Just got back from Las Vegas and another speaking engagement! This time it was for the Catersource / Event Solutions 2009 Conference & Tradeshow.

We didn't have a talk show set as you saw in the last posting but the format of the "Dave Merrell Tonight" talk show with me interviewing each guest still worked beautifully. I love it because the panel is so at ease. The topic was branding a product, service or message through an event -- very important in these days when every event must have a purpose.

First, I talked to Scott Barnes, Special Events Manager from Cashman & Associates in Philadelpha. He showed photos from several amazing events, my favorite being how an event for a high-end luxury hotel that wanted to instill its brand message into its diverse group of employees. Everyone from the bartenders to the valet car parkers were feted in the same style as if they were a guest at the hotel. The event crossed all boundaries of language and culture and made everyone really understanding what they were "selling." Great concept, great event!

Next up was Debbie Meyers, CSEP, a designdawg guest blogger (see January 21, 2009) and owner of Bravo! Entertainment in Dallas, Texas. While Debbie has some very far out entertainers in her repertoire I think everyone liked the simplest concept the best -- dancers who dance in silhouette (be it in front of the sun for outdoor events or behind a screen) and finally come to rest in the form of the client's logo. Simple, effective, memorable. What could be better?

Finally, it was time to interview David Fischette from Go West Events & Multimedia in Westlake Village, California. My favorite effect that David shared with the audience was a three-screen reveal of a logo suring which dancers literally "threw" graphics to one another on each screen. To be believable, the choreography had to be absolutely precise. Audiences literally looked at the client's logo for the full performance, etching it in their memory. Only David could pull this off!

Great work everyone!

And now, after being on the speaker circuit for the past two months, all I can say is: "Where can we take our traveling Dave Merrell Tonight road show next?"