Posts Tagged ‘transportation’

There are a few days throughout your life that you want to be perfect, and your wedding is one of them. From selecting the reception hall to choosing the best colors for your special day, the possibilities you have are endless. The same goes for wedding transportation; no longer do you have to settle for a standard, white limo. There are many options to fit the modern-day bride and groom.

Wedding transportation is necessary on your special day, as not only will it transport you and your mate, but also your wedding party. Let’s take a look at practical wedding transportation tips that will ensure your day will go on without a hitch!

Tip #1: Evaluate all the options.

While a limousine is still the most popular option, there are many other forms of transportation. Consider large stretch SUVs or a colorful party bus for the casual affair. A horse and carriage is especially romantic, while an antique car will suit a formal event. Trolleys are full of character and can fit your wedding party, while a tractor will accommodate the country-themed wedding.

Tip #2: Consider the space.

Depending on the size of the wedding party and the location of the ceremony to the reception, you may want to provide transportation for just you and your partner or the entire wedding party. Factor in how many cars you’ll need, and don’t forget to add extra space for wedding gowns and your veil.

Tip #3: Arrange your package.

As you’ve probably seen already, planning for a wedding is costly. You can expect the same with your transportation service, so instead of trying to cut corners, make sure you get the most for your money. Wedding packages are often best, as they generally include a stocked car, simple decorations and perhaps a carpet rolled out in your honor.

Tip #4: Have a signed contract or written agreement.

Once you’ve chosen a package the suits you, make sure you and the driver are on the same page. Agree on a time, location, etc. Get all of these details in writing. Also be sure to give your driver copies of the directions. Having this information in a separate manilla folder will keep it organized for the big day. Be sure to read through the contract, including the fine details, and find out about any penalties for canceling.

Tip #5: Stock the car.

Find out what the company will be providing for you, and we don’t just mean the bottles of champagne. It’s important to have a few essentials on hand such as bottles of water and snacks with protein. Also stock the car with a few things to come in handy, including comfy flip-flop sandals, lip balm and disposable cameras.

Image: classatransportation.com

There’s no doubt about it, companies and organizations like hosting their big conferences and events in New Orleans.  Our city offers lots of great meeting venues to choose from, great restaurants, great culture and music.  In fact, we just posted a list of top New Orleans fall meeting venues  in an earlier blog post.

Another big plus with New Orleans is the “walkability” of the city – meaning you can get most places around the downtown area on foot, or using the Street Car system.

However, just because it’s easy to get around New Orleans doesn’t mean your attendees wouldn’t enjoy planned transportation – whether to and from the airport, to and from special events, or even an organized tour of the local areas that you can’t get to by walking.

Don’t take chances with transportation problems

Transportation is something that meeting planners are often tempted to try and coordinate on their own, or simply hire a local motorcoach company to handle transportation.  But if done improperly, it can lead to poor experiences by attendees, which is something no meeting professional wants.  As a full service destination management company (DMC), ACCENT On Arrangements is in a unique position to help with transportation for your New Orleans event.

6 Reasons to Let a DMC arrange your event transportation

1. Risk Management:  A DMC is going to be able to provide an additional layer of general liability insurance. This gives peace of mind to the end client.
2. Insider Knowledge:  A DMC has insider knowledge of road closures and other activities in the streets within their destination. A  DMC works closely with the local police to avoid any safety issues.  This is especially important in New Orleans with so much construction happening throughout the city.
3. Feet on the Ground:  A DMC is on the ground at the airport, hotels and venues with local staff. A DMC knows the “ins and outs” of these destinations to ensure timely and safe arrival.
4. Save Time and Money: A DMC is going to be able to negotiate with their preferred vendors and pass along those savings and time to you. You may have several motorcoach companies involved all giving you excellent service and cost savings because of their relationship with the DMC.
5. Simplicity:  All Aspects of Transportation, a DMC has the expertise to manage all aspects of transportation. From airport transfers to a meeting shuttle, it’s simply a one contract, one vendor and one stop.
6. Providing the best experience possible to attendees:  This is perhaps the best reason to use a DMC for transportation – and this is to assure that your attendees have a great time at their conference or meeting.

So next time, don’t take the chance of letting something as important as transportation derail your meeting.  Let a local, New Orleans based destination management (DMC) like ACCENT on Arrangements handle this part of your event and ensure everyone has a great time!

Yes it’s August, and we’re in the middle of the summer, but businesses are starting to plan their fall corporate events in New Orleans, and clients are already starting to ask “What’s hot this season for company holiday event?”.

Our very own Diane Lyons has this advice: Everybody wants beautiful linens and florals on the tables. But in New Orleans, decorative lighting as decor continues to create the ambiance needed to enhance the many historic venues we have in New Orleans for corporate events.

“Must Haves” for an awesome fall New Orleans event:

• Warehouses – these wonderful old buildings are great locations for events where brick walls are washed with colors.
• Local music – Our Grammy award winning musicians create magical experiences for all types of budgets.
• Street parades – Our favorite people mover is a street parade. Motorcycle police, costumed revelers and walking heads or actual Mardi Gras floats for your guest to ride on create the “real N’awlins experience. Read more about how to have your very own Mardi Gras street parade.
• Holiday green screen backdrops
• Photo and dancing machines – They have a dancing machine where you’re singing but not moving, and people can watch you on a video that shows you dancing. The bands are back, and these sort of features give people what they want which is that local feel and authentic, New Orleans experience.   

  

  Other “hot” company event venues

  Mardi Gras World is a great space an extremely versatile for events. The Foundry is also popular because it’s close to the Convention Center.

  In the French Quarter, one of my favorites is LaTrobes on Royal Street. This venue is in a wonderful location perfect for very special events.

  As for restaurants, did you know that New Orleans has 400 more restaurants than before Katrina? That’s right, the New Orleans food scene is not only “back” but it’s actually “better than ever”.

  New Orleans is home to some of the nation’s best chefs, even those that learn to cook in New Orleans attribute their success in other places to “the Big Easy”.

  As for favorites, well you really can’t get a bad meal here. But you sure can have fun trying out some of these great establishments.

   

  Our Favorite New Orleans restaurants in the fall

   

  • Dominiques on Magazine
  • Arunauds
  • Galatoires
  • Murials with a beatuful view of Jackson square.

  There are new restaurants opening all the time, so contact ACCENT to handle your event planning… And don’t wait because the most popular places are booking up right now for the holiday season.

   

  What are the advantages of working with a DMC who is ADMC certified. (Association of Destination Management Certified) ?

  With today’s tight budgets, you might be tempted to try and plan your next business function on your own. However when you work with a DMC and especially one who is certified by ADME with the ADME certification you will actually save money. We know all the best venues, caterers and transportation companies. We negotiate for you and because our event managers are all DMCPs ( Destination Management Certified Professionals we are not just a DMC but an extension of your staff. You staff can continue to do their job and we will handle the details. We make you look good and give you peace of mind… will help you create a great event your employees will love AND stay within budget.

   

  ADME DMC’s have years of experience before they can become certified at planning meetings and events, transportation and all the logistics needed to create a great event. Believe it or not DMCP’s who work for a Destination management company know all the formulas .We know how many people can fit in this room or how many beverages or alcohol you are going to consume in an hour based on how many people you have. We know how to do those formulas. It’s not just guesswork. For an average three-day meeting, it takes 1,800 logistical details involved in planning that event out. The devil is in the details and you’re only as good as your last event.