Table setting guidelines and tips may vary based on the occasion and cultural context. However, some general guidelines and tips can help you create a beautiful and functional table setting. Whether you are hosting a formal dinner party, a casual brunch, or a romantic dinner for two, a well-set table can enhance the dining experience and make your guests feel welcome. Below are some helpful tips from My Big Day.
Sample Table Settings: Informal -Place a large dinner plate in the middle of a place mat. -If soup is being served, a soup bowl is placed on top of the dinner plate. -The fork is placed to the left of the plate. -The knife and spoon are on the right. The knife is positioned directly next to the plate with the blade facing in. The spoon is right of the knife. -Soup spoons can be found to the right of the beverage spoon. -If salad is being served, include a smaller salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. -And what’s dinner without bread? The bread plate is placed above the forks with a butter knife on top. -Place the water glass directly above the knife. -As for the napkin, placement is at the discretion of the host. Under the forks or between the dinner plate and bowl are two popular choices. Formal A formal place setting is very similar to the informal, just with a few more add-ons. -Begin with the informal setting. -Include a wine glass next to the water glass above the knife. -A dessert spoon can be added to the right of the beverage spoon, a fork can be placed to the right of the dinner fork, both placed above the plate, or simply brought out with the course. -To dress your table up a bit, add a charger beneath the dinner plate for extra flare. As with any event, make it your own! These are simply guidelines and are not absolute rules. Feel free to create your own table setting that will make your table unforgettable. Table setting is an art that requires attention to detail and creativity. By following these guidelines and tips, you can create a beautiful and functional table setting that enhances the dining experience and makes your guests feel welcome. Remember, the table setting should reflect your personality, theme and style, so have fun and experiment with different ideas!
As a business owner, you probably (hopefully) want to see your employees happy. But did you know employee happiness matters for your business’s bottom line, too? Joy is part of all aspects of our work at MBD Marketing & Events. Here are seven reasons employee satisfaction is crucial for business success. Happy employees are more productive Happy employees are 12% more productive than their dissatisfied counterparts (Snacknation). Happiness is an invigorating, motivating emotion. In fact, employee satisfaction has a greater impact on performance than financial incentives. In fact, nine out of 10 employees would trade a percentage of their salary for “meaningful work” and positive company culture (Harvard Business Review). Research shows that people who are happy at work are more collaborative, more creative, and better at problem-solving. (Sound like a team you know?) Coworkers who are happy in the workplace and who get along well are more likely to work effectively to achieve common goals. Greater happiness = greater sales Like with productivity, greater happiness translates to greater sales - by 37% (Gallup). Not only have we determined that engaged employees are more productive, but that positive attitude resonates with customers. Potential customers or clients are much more likely to commit when interacting with upbeat salespeople. Companies with happy employees outperform their competition Not surprisingly, companies with happy employees, better productivity, and greater sales outperform their competition in all areas. Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” enjoyed a raise in stock prices of 14% per year from 1998-2005, compared to 6% for the overall market (Forbes). Positive workplace culture creates a beneficial snowball effect by creating happier employees who in turn contribute to a better workplace climate. The Harvard Business Review notes, “Decades of data have confirmed that higher employee engagement, or the strength of the mental and emotional connection an employee feels toward their workplace, has many positive benefits — including reduced stress, improved health and job satisfaction, as well as increased productivity, job retention, and profitability.” Engaged workers are less likely to look for new employment Happy employees want to stay with their companies. Losing an employee costs a company 1.5 to two times that employee’s salary (BuiltIn) and leads to decreased productivity and decreased employee morale. In addition, happy employees attract top talent. The most in-demand employees in any field have their pick of companies to work for, and company culture is the top priority for most workers. High-quality employees attract other high-quality workers. Happy workers have fewer accidents Satisfied employees produce better quality products and services and have 50% fewer workplace accidents (Lorman). Happiness leads to higher engagement, which leads to greater focus and motivation, and in turn, fewer mistakes at work. Employees who are worried, stressed, or distracted at work are at the highest risk for quality and safety mishaps. Happy employees take fewer sick days Sick days are a business expense, and employees who report being happy at work take 10 times fewer than average (iSmartRecruit). The Integrated Benefits Institute found in 2019 that sick days cost employers an average of $3,900 per employee in lost productivity. When unhappiness in the workplace increases, so do sick days. What happens when employees are unhappy at work? A 2013 State of the American Workplace Report estimated that actively disengaged workers cost the U.S. $450-550 billion per year (CBS News). Here are some other alarming statistics about employees who are unhappy at work:
For more business success tips and ideas, follow MBD Marketing & Events on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Making Business Personal
As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events *** Bringing Joy to the Job *** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us The President of MBD Marketing & Events has been requested to be a speaker at the 2023 Made In Loveland Entrepreneurship Series for Businesses. Date and time Tue, February 28, 2023, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM MST Location Business Warehouse Accelerator 815 14th Street SW, Suite C250 Loveland, CO 80537 Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/made-in-loveland-featuring-christine-forster-tickets-516366605417 Exploring Software; Time-Tested Platforms Small Businesses Prefer:
Small business owners and nonprofit teams often wear a dozen hats at once. Why work harder when you can work smarter? Consider some of these software tools to make your organization more efficient and effective. Christine will take you through software that most small business owners need to get up and running, and to achieve growth. Curious about easy website creation, CRM, marketing and financial tools? This is the session for you. About the Speaker - Christine is an influential business leader, passionate about driving innovation and deploying go-to-market strategies. A consultative and collaborative industry expert, and a masterful relationship builder known for nurturing deep and enduring relationships with customers and colleagues alike. A versatile and visionary leader, champion of inclusivity and steward of company culture. As a small business owner with over 20 years of marketing, event planning and software experience, Christine is excited to share her time-tested tips with you. As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in the creative touches so many marketing campaigns & events these days are lacking. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority!
​Whether you're opening a new location, unveiling a remodel or opening your doors for the first time, a grand opening celebration is a great way to spread the word about your business and attract new customers. Here are some ideas to make your event a hit!
Download our free printable below.
Free Download: Tips for Making Your Grand Opening A HIT
Making Business Personal
As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. ​ As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events ​​ *** Bringing Joy to the Job *** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us Running a small business is hard work! Small business owners tend to wear many hats: project manager, logistics manager, operations manager, human resources department, and often times, marketing manager. That is a lot to maintain and control! Marketing mistakes and pitfalls often occur due to the fact that so many small business owners aren’t confident in their marketing skills and they are simply just spread too thin. Marketing mistakes won’t necessarily ruin your business, but they do sometimes cost time and money. The My Big Day Marketing & Events team recently pulled together a list of common marketing mistakes that we have noticed clients and potential clients make. Our team has over 127 years of marketing experience - we’ve seen it all! Hopefully this list will help your small business avoid or correct potentially costly mistakes. Outdated Website Your website is your most valuable marketing asset. It is the key to reaching all of those searching potential customers. It is oftentimes the channel that delivers your company’s first impression to potential customers. 97% of consumers search online for products and services. A missing or outdated website can have a detrimental effect on your ability to do good business. Creating and maintaining a website isn’t hard or even expensive. There are a variety of easy-to-use website builders that are affordable - Wix, Weebly, Squarespace - are all user-friendly for even the most tech-fearing person. Neglecting Data If you don’t track the results of marketing campaigns, website traffic, or social media data, you never get a solid idea of what actually works. Not tracking goals, conversions, click-through rates, or engagement is like throwing something “against the wall” and hoping that something sticks - a sometimes costly mistake. There is no way to learn from your mistakes when you neglect to track. There is no way to improve. My Big Day Marketing & Events suggests building a strategy that includes campaigns with goals, milestones, defined messaging, targeted channels, and data collection. We suggest tracking website metrics, including the number of sessions, users, pageviews, top pages, traffic sources (which social media channels or ads bring your website the most visitors), visitor demographics, and conversions. When you collect this data, you’ll be able to track where to spend your time and money for campaign promotions. You’ll also learn a lot about your audience and customer base. My Big Day Marketing & Events tracks these metrics quarterly for all of our clients. This data helps us shape and adjust our marketing messaging. You don’t have a clear idea of who your audience is Your audience is the people you want to purchase your service or product - those that are buying your solution to their problem. Sometimes the audience we want can blind us to the customers we actually have. No matter how great your messaging, logo, or campaigns are - if you don’t really know your audience, your message will miss the mark. Some small business owners try to avoid this problem by targeting the masses (remember before we mentioned throwing something against the wall in hopes that it will stick???). This is a sure way to drive up marketing costs and see very little on your ROI. My Big Day Marketing & Events helps small businesses study and get to know their customers and target audiences. We help companies segment their customer base, allowing tailored messaging to reach the right people at the right time. Wasting time on social media by not following the 80/20 rule The 80/20 rule is a standard in social media marketing - 80% of social media posts should provide useful information to your audience (educating, entertaining, and offering solutions), 20% explicitly promote your business. People do not engage on social media to watch advertisements. They scroll through their timelines and feeds to connect with others, to be entertained, to learn, and to be inspired. Your social media strategy should reflect that. Also, when you provide helpful content for your audience, you are establishing yourself and your company as an authority on the matter. It builds trust. My Big Day Marketing & Events will often create posts and blogs that provide links to helpful articles or videos, industry insights, inspirational quotes and images, timely articles, and uplifting stories. These are peppered in with posts that promote our clients’ businesses and events. All of this is created to draw your customers in and engage them around your mission and business. No strategy or plan All of the previously mentioned mistakes could be avoided with one simple solution - having a strategy and plan. Failing to plan usually leads to a high rate of failure. Every client, event, and campaign is unique. My Big Day Marketing & Events works with each client to build a marketing strategy that works for their specific needs and goals. Our typical marketing strategy is built around these 7 steps:
Failing to see marketing as a business investment Expenses are something you buy and are often cut or curbed during tight economic times. Investments deliver future value. The entire purpose of marketing is to drive leads into future and long-time customers. When you treat marketing as an expense, your ability to find future leads, customers, and company ambassadors is greatly diminished. Marketing should be viewed as a business investment. Marketing will help drive growth and new opportunities when your company needs it the most. My Big Day Marketing & Events helps coach clients to avoid these common mistakes. We work to help small businesses create effective, scalable, and brand-building marketing campaigns that really work. We specialize in marketing, advertising, social media strategy & management, website design & maintenance, and event marketing. We have the time and expertise to help support small business goals and growth. If you would like help with your marketing goals and strategy, reach out for a one-on-one consultation. We will help you avoid these mistakes and find success! Making Business Personal
As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events *** Bringing Joy to the Job *** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We hear the question all the time, "Do I really need to hire an event planner?" Maybe you are really organized... Maybe you are surrounded with helpful people. While there is no question that organizational skills and reliable friends can aid in an event's success - there is nothing like having a professional team to ensure your event is successful and stress free. With over 160 years of combined experience on our event planning team, we have compiled a number of memorable 'Event Planner to the Rescue' moments during our time working together. So many popped up that we had to make this a multi-part blog! Examples of how we have saved the day at events: - Guest Book Tree Stump: Some over-served guests at a wedding decided to create their own art masterpiece and ruin a bride & groom's tree stump guest book. MBD jumped into action, had the guests removed, and came up with an alternative guest book to capture the day. - Safety Pins: We have them in our emergency kits and need these at every other event. We can't tell you how often there is a fabric emergency that requires a safety pin! -Cabs/Uber: We have called countless car services to get guests home safely. 50% of our own planning team have actually been designated drivers at client events when a car service wasn't available. - Bubbles: Can't get kiddos down the aisle? We can, and have. We carry bubbles in our emergency kits. Little kids who are too small to be predictable in a wedding party will make it down the aisle if bubble are available! -Vodka Run: We have planned countless events where the amount of alcohol the client provided was underestimated and MBD ran to the liquor store to pick up more. Booze, juice boxes, ice.... you name it. We are often the wheels and credit cards behind the scenes so your fun isn't interrupted. -Bussing tables: We aren't caterers, but you would never know it. If your caterer doesn't have enough hands, or you ordered 'drop & go catering' without realizing that you need someone to serve the food and clean up.... we are often in the background, cleaning up. -Pen for marriage certificate: You just said I do. You need to make it official. Who has the marriage certificate? Who has a pen to sign it? We do. We even bring a 'pretty pen' which you would prefer to have in photographs over that pen with your realtor's address on it. -Sewing kit repairs: Our emergency kits include a sewing kit... and yes, we have run out of thread! You may be surprised how many outfit fails happen a year. We can sew too! MBD's Event Planner Saves the Day Video: Planning an event? You NEED us. Making Business Personal As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events *** Bringing Joy to the Job *** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us
Whether you're throwing a high-end fundraising event, a luxury client appreciation party or just want to provide a simple thank you to your employees, here are a few gifts ideas that are sure to be a hit with any size budget.
​Download our free printable below!
Free Printable: 10 Thank You Gift Ideas
MBD preaches the importance of bringing the added touches to every event that make it memorable and extra special. Showing appreciation for your event host is one way to bring that EXTRA to the event! Whether you're staying with friends for the weekend or attending a party thrown in your honor, thanking your host is an important step in ensuring future goodwill. Here are a few ideas to acknowledge the effort made on your behalf. See our free printable below.
Making Business Personal
As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events ***Bringing Joy to the Job*** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us
CORPORATE HOLIDAY PARTY PLANNING TIMELINE
TIPS FROM MBD MARKETING & EVENTS Around this time of year we feel the last minute hustle from businesses and they try to scramble with planning the company holiday party. It doesn't have to be stressful. MBD has put together a tip sheet on how to time out your holiday party planning so you don't have to feel the stress and can simply enjoy the season. ​And of course, having planned countless holiday parties and having incredible vendor relationships - MBD could plan it all for you and give your company an amazing experience! Download our tip sheet below and keep on hand!
Book the Northern Colorado experts at My Big Day Marketing & Events. We take on the behind-the-scenes stress, so you can enjoy your event.
For business and private event tips and ideas, follow My Big Day on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Making Business Personal
As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. ​ As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events ​​ ***Bringing Joy to the Job*** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us My Big Day Marketing & Events has spent hours scouring northern Colorado for this comprehensive list of event spaces for small private events in Loveland and Berthoud. These venues are ideal for groups of 50 or less and include flexible event spaces, restaurants with private dining rooms, and activity centers. Flexible Event Spaces in Loveland and Berthoud LOVELAND Courtyard by Marriott Loveland Barnesville Room accommodates 40 guests; The 1881 Room accommodates 10 guests
Candlelight Dinner Theater (Johnstown) Inside the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse is Northern Colorado’s newest event center featuring over 3,000 square feet of brand new, state-of-the-art meeting and conference space. As Colorado’s largest dinner theater venue, Candlelight provides everything you need to create a truly memorable experience for you and your guests. Desk Chair Workspace The Rooftop seats 40 guests; The Exchange Conference Room seats 20 guests; The Reserve Conference Room seats 10-15 guests; The Boardroom Conference Room seats 6-8 guests
Fairfield Inn & Suites Loveland Fort Collins Clean, fresh look and friendly service near shopping, restaurants, and sightseeing
Warehouse Innovation Hub Arrowhead Conference Room Meeting Space Maximum Occupancy: 63 Rates:
Price includes up to 1 hour of set up and 1 hour of breakdown.
All tables are provided uncovered (no linens). Hustle Workshop Large Conference Room seats 16 guests; Outdoor patio also available for rental
Maya’s Ballroom Dance Blank-slate event space with wooden floors
McCreery House Indoor space accommodates 30 guests, seated.
Residence Inn Loveland Longs Peak Room accommodates 20 guests; Trailridge Room accommodates 30 guests; Patio accommodates 60 guests maximum
Towneplace Suites by Marriott Meeting Room 116 and Meeting Room 117 each accommodate 15 guests seated
BERTHOUD Berthoud Historical Society Facilities McCarty-Fickel Historical Home and Pioneer Museum Courtyard
Berthoud Parks Reserve pavilions and sport facilities at City of Berthoud-owned parks
Blue Mountain Vineyards Gorgeous gardens, private lake, and view of Longs Peak
Berthoud Recreation Center at Waggener Farm Outdoor pavilions, park, and indoor event rooms
Brookside Gardens Two indoor rooms and an outdoor courtyard
TPC Colorado Indoor facility with onsite alcohol and catering available
Restaurants With Private Party Rooms in Loveland and Berthoud LOVELAND A.K.A. Kitchen Voted best brunch in town - also serves dinner
The Ball Joint Casual fare restaurant with private “Ball Room” for up to 10 guests; Inquire online Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano Italian restaurant with a private dining room
Big Beaver Brewing Co. Small brewery with 16 beers on tap and a cozy taproom
The Boot Grill Private indoor room and outdoor patio available for rental in the summer
B Sweet Cupcakes Semi-private space located in back of business
Door 222 Food + Drink 400s Space accommodates 20 guests (curtained off from main dining room); private room accommodates 10
Loveland Chophouse Private dining in Roosevelt Room
Monroe’s Lounge at Best Western Plus Loveland Inn American plates with Colorado flair and craft beer
Nordy’s BBQ & Grill Top-rated BBQ restaurant with private event room
Origins Wine Bar and Wood Fired Pizza Private room off main dining room
Pinocchio’s Loveland Italian restaurant with semi-private dining area
Rocky River Bar and Grille (in Embassy Suites) American pub-style restaurant
Scalzotto Italian Restaurant Italian restaurant with private dining room
Vatos Tacos + Tequila Loveland* Casual taco and tequila restaurant – opening private dining room by the end of 2022* Verboten Brewing Barrel Room available to rent for private events (open to the public when not in use).
BERTHOUD 773 Prime at TPC Colorado Formal, upscale steakhouse with wine room available for private events
City Star Brewing Zoller Barrel House - seats 20-40 adults and is free to reserve - City Star asks that you are respectful of the space and tip staff who help with setup and tear down; they have done birthday parties, baby showers, rehearsal dinners, etc. in this space Beer Garden Tent - heated tent, can be rented out November-March, seats 35-60 adults, great for company parties, holiday parties, rehearsal dinners Bradfords Grub & Grog Family-friendly, modern home cooking
Activities for Private Events in Loveland and Berthoud LOVELAND Clueology Escape Rooms Customized escape rooms, by appointment only
Fiona’s Fairy Garden Parties Create your own fairy garden or terrarium at the Fiona’s Fairy Garden workshop.
Glowgolf Loveland Play a round of mini golf on a glow-in-the-dark indoor golf course
Loveland Laser Tag Laser tag facility with lots of amenities on-site
Metrolux 14 Theatres at Centerra Movie theater with 14 screens and lots of amenities available for private screenings
Studio Vino Enjoy wine, beer, and fizzy drinks while you paint a canvas with an instructor
The Flipside 140 Unique pinball arcade and bar in downtown Loveland
Time Emporium Escape Rooms Three action-packed, immersive escape rooms to choose from
Time Escape Loveland Choose from four unique escape room themes
BERTHOUD Glass of Art Paint-your-own pottery and canvas painting studio
For help planning your next event, retreat or conference, book the Northern Colorado experts at My Big Day Marketing & Events. We take on the behind-the-scenes stress, so you can enjoy your event. For business and private event tips and ideas, follow My Big Day on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Making Business Personal
As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! My Big Day makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do. As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events ***Bringing Joy to the Job*** Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us |
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Making Business Personal. We pride ourselves on giving you something to look forward to. We are a connected collective of creatives - owned an operated by outstanding women. Want More?Never miss an event or opportunity. Sign up for our newsletter!
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