The Restaurant and Food Industry

It's been awhile. Probably because over the last few months I have been extremely busy working for my clients in the food and restaurant business. I have come to find this industry very exciting and tiring giving me a new found respect for all professionals involved in making delicious food and creating a relaxing atmosphere so we can enjoy a meal.

This week Landon's Corners in New Albany officially opened! This week Bellisari's Catering and The Culinary Table finalized their new summer menu, which I helped create. Before you know it the summer season and all its celebrations will be here. This catering menu is a tasty option to include in your graduation, milestone celebration, corporate or family event.

Commit To Be Fit & Columbus Metro Parks Wellness In The Woods Video

Last month Columbus Metro Parks and Commit To Be Fit held a Wellness in the Woods event. An incredible morning was enjoyed by all participants.

Look for the next Wellness in the Woods coming in April.

One of the Largest Midwest Maternity, Baby & Kid’s Expo Grows To Columbus And Cleveland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michele Savoldi, columbus imPRessions

740.816.3251 or Michele@columbusimpressions.com

or

Kendra, Nicastro, K.C.’s Creative Events

740.972.1471 or kcscreativeevents@yahoo.com

Ohio mom of two creates event that caters to expectant and young families

Becoming a parent and raising a family is a difficult blessing and Kendra Nicastro knows first-hand what that is like. Being a mother of two young children, as well as having a background in event planning, Nicastro realized there weren't any events specifically catered to expectant parents and young families and took the initiative to form her own company, K.C.’s Creative Events, LLC. creating the Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo. In 2007, The Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo was "born", and in just three years, the Expo has become one of the largest consumer maternity, baby and kid's shows in the country, specifically focusing on families with children ages 0 - 10 years of age.

"Raising a family is difficult. You need to gather a lot of information to make informed choices such as what hospital should you go to? What daycare should you choose? Where can you buy unique items for your baby and family?” Nicastro’s goal is to produce an educational and fun community event, one where attendees can gather a wealth of information from businesses and organizations, enjoy educational seminars and entertainment, but also shop for fun items for the family. Nicastro says another reason she created this Expo is “because I wanted to allow business of all sizes, large and very small businesses, the opportunity to market their products and services at an affordable cost. Many of the Expo’s exhibitors are women-owned businesses offering hand-made and unique items and our attendees love having a variety of companies at the show."

Nicastro and The Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo has received national recognition by winning the Show Manager of the Year award from The Expo Group in 2008, and has also been nominated by her exhibitors for the Trade Show of the Year and Show Manager of the Year presented by TSEA, as well as Honorary Recognition in the StartUpNation Home-Based 100 Competition.

The event has been produced in Columbus and Cincinnati attracting consumers from all over the state of Ohio and beyond. Now in its fourth year, the Expo has grown to include Cleveland. This year’s Expo, held in Columbus and Cleveland, will feature over 100 exhibitors, educational seminars, entertainment, diaper derby baby races, baby and toddler fashion shows, a dad's challenge, green pavilion, NICU reunion and interactive kids play areas, including a Princess Tea Party.

Columbus Event:

Saturday April 10 - Sunday April 11, 2010

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Veterans Memorial

300 W Broad St

Columbus, OH 43215

Cleveland Event:

Saturday, April 24 – Sunday April 25, 2010

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cuyahoga Convention Center

638 Transportation Boulevard

Garfield Heights, OH 44125

Each year, a portion of the proceeds benefit The March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health that is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality

For the future, Nicastro hopes the show will continue to grow at a steady pace and may produce the Expo in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Nicastro adds, "We are pleased with the growth of the Baby Bonanza and Kid's Expo and we want to continue to make it a quality event that has something for everyone in the family.”

The Baby Bonanza and Kid's Expo is currently accepting exhibitors and sponsors for the 2010 expos in Columbus and Cleveland. For more information, call 740-972-1471. Event information is located on the event Web site at www.BabyBonanza.net.

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Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo, columbus imPRessions Newest Client

I'm assisting my newest client, Baby Bonanza & Kid Expo, with some PR for their upcoming Expos in Cleveland and Columbus.

Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo has become one of the largest consumer maternity, baby and kid's shows in the country and specifically focuses on families with children ages 0 - 10 years of age. It's an educational and fun event where attendees can gather a wealth of information on businesses and organizations, enjoy educational seminars and entertainment but also shop for fun items for the family.

Mark You Calendars (more details soon):

Columbus, Ohio

Veterans Memorial, April 10-11,2010

Cleveland, Ohio

Cuyahoga Convention Center, April 24-25, 2010

Baby Bonanza & Kid Expo's new website will be unveiled soon!

Winter Hikes At Metro Parks Starting Soon!

Columbus Metro Parks are beautiful any time of the year. But there is something special about hiking in the snow and crisp, fresh air. Beginning in January, Columbus Metro Parks will begin their Winter Hikes series. Bring your friends and family for a hike through the fields and forests of your Metro Parks. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in winter.

• 13 hikes

• Refreshments

• Guided and self-guided hikes

• Complete seven hikes for a decorative patch

Hike Schedule:

1. BLACKLICK WOODS - Saturday, January 2nd |10 a.m. 2 or 4 miles
2. SHARON WOODS - Saturday, January 9th |10 a.m. 1.5 or 3.5 miles
3. SCIOTO AUDUBON - Saturday, January 16th | 10 a.m. 2 miles
4. PRAIRIE OAKS * - Sunday, January 17th |2p.m. 1, 3 or 5 miles
5. CLEAR CREEK - Saturday, January 23rd | 10 a.m. 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7miles
6. INNISWOOD - Sunday, January 24th | 2p.m. 2 miles
7. THREE CREEKS - Saturday, January 30th | 10 a.m. 1, 3 or 5.6 miles
8. CHESTNUT RIDGE - Sunday, January 31st |10a.m. 1.4 or 2 miles
9. BLENDON WOODS Saturday, February 6th | 10 a.m. 2, 4 or 6miles
10. HIGHBANKS - Saturday, February 13th | 10 a.m. 2.5 or 5 miles
11. GLACIER RIDGE - Sunday, February 14th | 2 p.m. 2 miles
12. SLATE RUN - Saturday, February 20th | 10 a.m. 2 or 4.5 miles
13. BATTELLE DARBY CREEK - Saturday, February 27th | 10 a.m. 2, 4 or 6miles

* meet at Darby Bend Lakes

Teachers Mark You Calendars for Staples Teacher Appreciation Day!

Get your calendar out and mark Saturday, August 22nd as Staples Teacher Appreciation Day. All Columbus stores will be celebrating teachers as they prepare to go back to school.

The event runs from 9a - 12 noon and is filled with gifts and special promotions including:

• A FREE gift bag (for the first 100 teachers, while supplies last)
• Staples Teacher Rewards® Bonus Season (Every $1 spent in product purchases will count as $2 toward earning rewards)
• Hot new items for the classroom
• Save on the Copy & Print services that benefit you in the classroom

Jill & Kevin's Wedding Entrance And Their Support of A Good Cause

This weekend I just happened across a very entertaining wedding video. When Jill & Kevin got married they made quite an entrance on their wedding day. Check it out here.

Due to the nature of the Internet popularity they decided to do something positive with it. Seeing the song is by Chris Brown and due to the circumstances surrounding the singer, Jill & Kevin decided to encourage people who view the video to make a donation to the Sheila Wellstone Institute, an organization that supports violence prevention.

A clever wedding entrance and a creative way to encourage people to give. Congrats Jill & Kevin!

Family Promise of Delaware County's BIG WEEK!

Big donation and planning a Big celebration to boot!

Media is invited to attend the August 1st event.

Baby Bonanza and Kid Expo

Yesterday I met with Kendra, Show Producer for Baby Bonanza Expo, to talk about possible ways columbus imPRessions could help with creating awareness for the family-friendly event. Plans are underway for the 2010 Expo and next year's event will be filled with new and exciting changes!

The first change is to refresh the brand. The once Baby Bonanza Expo will now be the Baby Bonanza and Kid Expo extending its reach from pregnancy through preschool to now pregnancy through ten-year-olds. This change will add new opportunities to the Expo.

The second change is that the Expo is moving to a new, larger venue - Veterans Memorial and will now be a two day event, April 10th - 11th.

Exciting changes are ahead for the spring show and hopefully I will become a part of that. That remains to be seen as I am waiting to hear back on how I might fit into the 2010 Expo plans. Fingers crossed!

Easton's Milestone Year

This summer Easton celebrates its 10 year milestone as well as its evolution into one of the top retail destinations in the U.S. Since 1999 more than 156 million visitors have shopped till they dropped in addition to enjoying plenty of entertainment along the way.

Throughout the years, Easton has given back millions of dollars to the community through the Easton Community Foundation. Programs like Cornerstone Events, Change for Charity and Community Foundation Scholarships have provided funds to hundreds of non-profit organizations and graduating students.

Change for Charity

Change for Charity selects six different non-profit organizations each year to receive proceeds from Easton's parking meters. This month's 2009 beneficiary is Buckeye Ranch Foundation.

Cornerstone Events

Since Easton began hosting Cornerstone Events over $8.7 million has been raised. The next Cornerstone Event is the New Albany Classic on Sunday, September 27th.

Community Outreach

Since the inception of the community outreach program, 34 students from Northland, Mifflin, Brookhaven and Gahanna Lincoln have been awarded the $2,500 renewable two-year scholarship.

Happy milestone year Easton! Thanks so much for giving back to Columbus!

Greatest City of All To Highlight Non-Profit Events

This week I'm going to start writing for another local blog - The Greatest City of All.  Yes, that would be Columbus, Ohio!

A Jason Blanton endeavor, The Greatest City of All features write-ups on all types of events happening in Columbus.  

I will focus on non-profit events.  Most of my posts will highlight upcoming events to help draw attention and possibly increase attendance. At times I will attend an event and provide a review with details and photos.

If you are a non-profit organization and would like me to highlight one of your upcoming events (pre-event or post event) contact me at michele@columbusimpressions.com.  I'd love to help raise awareness for the many wonderful Columbus, Ohio non-profit events!

The Woman Challenge

This weekend I was reading one of my favorite magazines, Health, when I came across a small blurb for The Woman Challenge.

A program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Woman Challenge encourages women across the country to enlist in an eight week health challenge pledging to get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week.  An on-line activity tracker monitors your progress as well as gives you news and exercise tips.

I made my pledge this past Sunday with a vigorous walk in the a.m. and bike ride in the p.m. even though the official kick off isn't until May 10th.  Warming up a week before can only help!

Occasionally I will post progress, photos and my imPRession of how this challenge is going. Want to join my virtual team?  I'd love it if you'd join me and post comments along the way. You can see the columbus imPRessions team profile here.

TasteCasting: Another Tortastic Event

Last night the Columbus TasteCasters were invited back to the Suisse Shop for a special Eurporean torte tasting.  Being a huge fan of the Suisse Shop Bakery I signed up as soon as I saw the invite.  As we walked in we were all welcomed as if we were family.  Since becoming a TasteCaster I have actually been to the Suisse Shop a few times to purchase goodies for family occasions.  So when I was greeted by name and asked how everyone liked the cupcakes they made for my daughter's party it made me feel special.  The warmth from the Suisse Shop is not just from their ovens!

Herb started the torte tasting by showing us the beautiful case of tortes and explained Torte Week.  During Torte Week you can by tortes by the slice for $3.50 per slice.  Buy just one, or mix and match. But because there are over 25 different types, buying just one might be a little difficult.  Torte Week is celebrated two times a year and is currently going on right now.  Stop up at the Suisse Shop, located on Polaris Parkway, between now and May 2nd.  You'll be so glad you did.  The quality is impeccable and the taste is delectable.  Each torte is a work of art made with the finest ingredients, which include imported chocolate and seedless marmalade.

Some of my favorites I tried were: Black Forrest, Chocolate Almond, Chocolate Decadence and Chocolate Peanut Butter (see a chocolate pattern here).

If you were wondering why the Suisse Shop invited the TasteCasters group back it's because since the cupcake tasting a couple months back their web site visits have increased almost 50%, and sales have gone up.  Social media marketing really works.  If your establishment would like to host a TastCasting event visit the web site for more info and to schedule a tasting.

What Can Happen Over Coffee

Yesterday I had a great coffee meeting with Ryan Bauer.  Ryan is a mover and a shaker with a dynamic personality.  Two hours flew and before the conversation was over I agreed to become a speaker at an upcoming Meetup group.

Recently moving back to Columbus, Ryan started the Meetup group, Columbus Social Media Network.  The purpose of this group is to gather social media "junkies"  to meet up each month. Some meet-ups are social for cocktails and some, like the one I'll be speaking at, are educational.

I'll be speaking at the May 12th Reputation Management: Social Media and Public Relations with my focus being Social Media/PR for Non-Profit Organizations.  Ryan has invited another speaker who will be discussing Social Media/PR for Corporations.  More details will soon be posted on the Meetup site.  

Meetup is a network site for local groups.  Meetups are a great resource for anyone to organize a local group or find a group to join in your area.  Thousands of Meetup groups across the country get together each day.  There are over 4.7 members in over 3,500 cities.   Find a Meetup group near you here.

Non-Profit Walk Season

Nice weather is upon us in the northern half of the country and outdoor activities are in full swing. For non-profit organizations it means the walk season is about to begin.

If you have a spring walk, you should be deep in the planning phases but if you have a late summer or fall walk you might just be starting.  If your event falls into the latter part of the season here are some things to consider or include in your planning:

1. Branding - If this is a first year event brand your event with a name, logo, key messages, purpose, etc.  If the event has been around for years, consider refreshing with a new look.
2. Sponsorship:  There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities in a walk event (paying and in-kind).  Start with securing media sponsor(s) - Radio, TV and Print act as inventory to entice other sponsorship types so go to local media outlets for sponsorship first.  Next look for a title or presenting sponsor, mile marker sponsors, beverage sponsor, celebration sponsor, starting line and finish line sponsor, etc.  Try to obtain sponsorships as early as possible.  Sponsor logos on brochures, posters and signage is also inventory and entices sponsors to become involved.
3. Logistics - Location, How long is your walk, are runners allowed, what is the route, what are event goals, budget, fees, authorization, food, entertainment, emcees, staging area, etc.
4. Committee - Do you have a core of volunteers to assist in creating event, volunteers pre-event, volunteers day-of, roles and responsibilities, meetings.
5. Walk teams - recruit corporate, school and individual teams. How many make a team?
6. Marketing & PR - save the date, brochures, posters, signage, pre-press, day of press, post press, e-blasts, newsletters.
7. On-line - Can you create an on-line walk page, collect donations, sign-up teams. Include sponsors as this is another form of inventory and a benefit.
8. Stewardship - capture all data, thank sponsors, walkers, volunteers.

As you can see there are quite a few elements to include when creating a walk.  But with a clear timeline and an organized checklist you should be able to achieve success for your organization. 

Need assistance on your upcoming walk?  columbus imPRessions can help.  I have over ten years experience with walk events - Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run, Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes, Crohn's & Colitis Take Steps and Epilepsy Foundation Stroll for Epilepsy.  Email info@columbusimpressions.com or call 740.816.3251

TasteCasting Elegance At The Culinary Table

Last night was another TasteCasting event.  This time I was the team captain because I set up the event with The Culinary Table.

The Culinary Table was fabulous and Annette, Regina and team pulled out all the stops! Walking in the door all senses were heightened.  I immediately smelled the most amazing aroma, heard classy music in the background and saw gorgeous spring decor, fresh flowers and elegant food displays. I knew we were all in for a real treat!

Then came the tasting!  In Rachel Ray's word - YUMO!  We were spoiled with amazing appetizers, a food demonstration by Chef Brooke and homemade Toasted Sesame Ice Cream. Amazing!

For months now, The Culinary Table has been a client of mine.  I love this concept and really believe in what Annette and Regina have decided to do by fusing their incredible talents with Bellisari's Catering and Natural Designs.  By combining food and floral/decor you create the perfect combination making any occasion the most special it can be.  

Book The Culinary Table for wedding occasions, corporate events, cooking classes, as well as culinary kids events.  Trust me, whatever you decide to do there  you will get a first-class event and now I know after last night all the TasteCasters feel the same way.

Special thanks to Annette, Regina, Brooke, Kelly, Elizabeth and Emili for an incredible night. Thanks also to all the TasteCasters for coming out. I look forward to getting to know all of you better through these terrific events.

Put Your Walking Shoes On Today

Just wanted to post a quick reminder that today is National Start! Walking Day.

The American Heart Association wants us all to beat heart disease.  One way to do that is by exercising and walking.

So lace up those tennis shoes and walk for 30 minutes today anytime between 8a and 11p.

It's Grilled Cheese Month

Show some grilled cheese love at www.iheartgrilledcheese.com.

Kraft created a micro site for the month of April where, in 50 words or less, you can express why a grilled cheese sandwich makes you smile.   Your words could win you a coupon for a free packet of Kraft singles.  Five hundred winner will be selected each Monday in April.  Contest ends May 3, 2009.

Cute campaign but not enough?  Then feel free to Join Kraft in LA on April 25th at the 1st 7th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational. It's the largest, craziest, and most exciting grilled cheese cooking contest in the country.  Judges of the contest are in pursuit of the perfect grilled cheese "sammich."  What do you win?  The coveted Spaz award, and bragging rights.

Holibaugh Helping Hands

In Support of My Good Friend, Dianne.  

It's not too late to join.  I just found out yesterday and will be attending.

Commit to Be Fit - While Helping a Cause

A 2 mile WALK / RUN at Hyatts Middle School

Saturday, April 4th ~ 9:00AM - 11:00AM ~ Hyatts Middle School

Sponsored by Channel 10 TV Kids Club, Fleet Feet Sports, and Kinsale Country Club

Registration is $10.00 per person - a donation to the "Holibaugh's Healing Hands" fund established this year. Early registrants will receive a t-shirt and goodie bags. Please feel free to join us at the last minute...every foot that walks counts that day - goodie bag or not - we want to see your smiling face!  

April Fool's Day

The history of April Fool's Day isn't clear, but it's thought to have started around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1. Because communication traveled slowly in those days some people were only informed of the change several years later. Others refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled "fools" and were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. 

Today people still play harmless pranks on April Fool's Day.  But now April Fool's Day is used as a marketing opportunity to launch new products.  Did you know Google Gmail was launched April 1, 2004?  At first it was thought to be a hoax but obviously ended up being true.  Double the exposure and publicity.  Smart stunt.

Today will unveil both hoaxes and truths.  Hopefully everyone will have good clean fun and no one will be affected by the Conficker.c virus.

Now I'm off to TP my kids bedrooms!