The Sun Also Rises...

Life right now is a roller coaster for everyone it seems. If you watch the news one day the world is coming to an end, but the next day the forecast is brighter. It is hard to know how to cope with the uncertainty, at least that’s how I have been feeling. The good news is, we believe the once amorphous future of events is starting to take shape. I was particularly heartened after reading a few articles discussing the adaptability of our industry and the progress of live events taking place in the upcoming months and I wanted to share those details with you….

TicketMaster has reported they will be moving forward with concerts in 2021. The precautions will be many with the first and foremost caveat requiring ticket holders to have a negative COVID-19 test in order to attend. The logistics of the plan is still being fine tuned, but the working concept is the ticket holder would verify their COVID-free status via their cell phones within a 24- to 72-hour window of concert date. This is not vastly different than the requirements of air travel to certain locations.

The ability to attend a concert won’t be the only return to normalcy. In fact, there are quite a few smaller events happening throughout the state of Texas this holiday season. One of the larger being “Luminova Holidays” which will be held at Globe Life Park. The stadium will feature what’s sure to be millions of twinkling lights and an outdoor skating rink providing a truly unique on-field experience. For tickets, use "ACVB" as the discount code to get 15% off tickets, valid Nov 20 - 29.

Arlington can also boast of being the neutral site for this year’s MLB World Series back in October. The venue restricted occupancy to 25% of the capacity, still a whopping 11,500 patrons, and there were no reported outbreaks in correlation to this event. Many outdoor stadiums and arenas can take their cues from Globe Life Park’s success and feel confident that, with vigilance and proper safety measures in place, live sporting events can be made accessible to the public again.

In Austin this week, Dave Chappelle held 3 live shows all of which immediately sold out. Of course, ample safety precautions were in place and well-received by attendees. All shows were held at an outdoor venue with seating by party in bookings of 4-8 people, socially distanced from others. Guests were asked to take a rapid COVID test upon arrival and, naturally, masks were required.

In the hospitality industry specifically, a national industry meeting dubbed the “World Education Congress for Meeting Professionals International” was held live at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, with 600 professionals in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was not only to discuss safe meetings and proper disease mitigation at events but also to demonstrate it.

All of the events that have taken place over the last few weeks combined with those on the horizon of 2021, prove that, as an industry, we are capable of tackling the challenges before us. The creative, intelligent, resourceful professionals who are in the trenches, working every day to create safe spaces and smart strategies with our clients and their guests in mind will no doubt, see the sun rise on a new and better day for live events.

“We’ve got this!”

- Katie Day, President

Meritage, Making Good

A few of the members of our Meritage Events team have been taking time to use their unique skills and connections to give back to their communities over the past few months. Here are their stories….

Food For Thought

At the onset of the COVID pandemic, there was an emergent need within communities across the nation to feed children who relied on the free and reduced breakfast/lunch programs of public schools. A number of churches, non-profit and volunteer organizations stepped up to the plate, pun intended, to fill the gap left by the shutdown of schools in response. For someone who has a soft-spot for children (I have two myself) and is already heavily involved in our church, I felt compelled to help those in need by volunteering some of my time to assist with a supplemental lunch program.

Twice a week, since the first week of lockdown, my children and I have had the privilage of meeting with friends and fellow parishoners to prepare meals for students in the Dallas area to be distributed to families in need. We have now provided over 65,000 meals since the end of April and continue to provide vital resources for families in the area. The program has been a huge success and we plan to continue providing this service until students are safely back in the classroom.

-Mendie

Community Kindness

I think we can all agree that one of the positive things to come out of this pandemic is the emphasis on the little things that make us happy. A trip through the Starbucks drive-thru, a walk around the neighborhood, driveway hangs with neighbors...anything to get us out of the four walls of our homes and something other than video calls!

I recently noticed a Facebook post by one of our local food truck partners. They were searching for nearby neighborhoods/home owners associations where they might provide on-site service during this slower-than-average summer and a light bulb went off in my head. Why not spearhead summer food truck nights in my neighborhood? It seemed like a win-win.

• Support local businesses, check!

• Provide an activity to the neighborhood to break up the monotony, check!

• Plan a “live event,” check!

And, in my own self-interest, bring my favorite food truck vendors from all over Austin to my neighborhood. No brainer. I reached out to our HOA board and management company and everyone seemed enthusiastic about the idea. Since the program wasn’t something we’d budgeted for, the HOA wouldn’t be able to commit to any food and beverage minimum. The lack of investment from the association meant I was welcome to negotiate the details and that I would be the point person. Food Truck Fridays in Sendera were born! 

I was able to work out the food and beverage kinks for this summer and, with most of the vendors now operating through online pre-orders, they’re able to avoid risk altogether. I reached out to trucks that Meritage Events has worked with before, as well as new ones to spread as much love and yummy food as possible. We booked everything from tacos to BBQ, snow cones, ice cream and more!

Beginnning at the end of June and continuing through September 4th, every other Friday, I booked several trucks to drive out, set-up in front of our pool house and serve our neighborhood. So far it has been a hit - families bring blankets, chairs, giant jenga sets, etc. and hang out for the evening while social distancing. Kids run around the patchwork of front yards and neighbors wave to each other from afar. It may sound silly, but it really does feel like time was rewound, to a simpler era, and people are just happy to be out of their house doing something different, enjoying a meal they didn't have to cook. And the best part? No dishes!

All of our food truck partners I have worked with have gone above and beyond. It's so encouraging seeing everyone still so positive, and inherently happy to have business and be able to put their folks to work, even if it's for a few hours. I’ve kept records of all of the sales data and hope to make this an annual event and recruit more trucks next summer. I’m also hopeful our HOA board will see this program worthy of allocating some funds for in 2021 when business rebounds. In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy my Fridays off from cooking.

-Nicole

A group Effort

Working in the events industry, we form real bonds with our partners and vendors. Maybe it’s the long hours on-site, maybe it’s just the similarities in personality, but cohorts quickly become friends and friends become family. When one of our “family” members, Fallon Allison of McGuire-Moorman Catering asked if Nicole and I would be open to joining a fundraising team to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we jumped at the chance. 

Since our team was comprised primarily of events industry professionals, we had lofty goals and grand notions of throwing one or two large events and a few exclusive parties where we were all but guaranteed to raise substantial donations for the cause. We are, of course, professional curators of FUN! 

When March hit and the reality of the global “situation” sank in, everything changed. The majority of our key contacts we planned to approach for donations were in the events and hospitality industries left decimated in the COVID wake. Because of the impact of layoffs and furloughs, Nicole and I had to rethink how we could put our skills to work assisting in other ways. We learned another team member secured a highly sought-after motivational speaker pre-pandemic and, rather than let good fortune go to waste, a hybrid event was born. 

It is here I must give serious credit to our team leader as she took the changing parameters around us in stride and had also begun to ideate on other ways to continue the mission. We brainstormed as a team, deciding to test our knowledge of remote engagements as well as our familiarity with new safety standards to create an intimate, hybrid event to provide another avenue for fundraising. 

The Meritage Events team members donated our time and resources to plan, manage and execute the event; following all the current city and state laws as well as CDC recommended guidelines for meetings set at the time. To reach a broader, remote audience, we hosted a livestream of the keynote speaker resulting in increased awareness of the cause and fundraising efforts. 

Having the opportunity to use our expertise pro-bono was time well spent! Not only was the event a success but we ended up raising the most money of any team in Austin for the 2020 competition. Our fearless team leader, Fallon, was honored by winning the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Woman of the Year” Award for the Austin area!

As it turns out, we’re at our best when we’re challenged and we’re even better when we can count on our event family. Special thanks goes out to FILO Productions, McLendon Photography, Antone’s Nightclub, McGuire Moorman Hospitality and the SEAL Legacy Foundation for their inspired efforts and contributions to a great cause.

-Tacy

How To Look Great On Screen

This week I decided to compile all the fun tidbits I’ve learned on looking great on screen. From lighting angles that work wonders to light-reflection in SPF, I’ll take you through the good, the bad and the ugly of being recorded in high definition and how to avoid all those extra chins.

Quick Summary

Step 3: Use the right equipment

Step 4: Adjust your settings

Step 1: Perfect your lighting

Step 2: Find the best camera angle

Ready, Set, Go!

UncompliKated SPF is the perfect face sunscreen solution to set your makeup and protect your skin!

• Super fine mist for more even coverage

• Sets makeup instantly

• Provides a matte finish and soft focus effect and blurs the appearance of lines and wrinkles

• SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen protects skin from harmful, skin-aging UV rays

• Light Diffusing Silicone Powder softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles, reduces shine and provides a matte finish

• Hyaluronic Acid increases hydration and helps to smooth the appearance of skin

• Fragrance Note: Lavender Essential Oil

This organic SPF 30 sunscreen spray provides sheer sun protection and keeps your morning makeup fresh until you hit the hay. Talk about a multi-tasker! Infused with soothing aloe vera and cooling cucumber, this matte-finish sunscreen mist also hydrates. Spritz on the SPF mist for weightless, no-shine protection anytime, anywhere.

A Firm Foundation

This modern foundation combines a matte finish and medium-to-full buildable coverage with broad spectrum SPF 15 protection. Applies, builds and blends easily and evenly while controlling oil and shine with a non-caking, breathable formula. Comfortable and extremely long-wearing, it helps minimize the appearance of pores and imperfections, giving skin a smoother and more even look and finish. Available in our most inclusive range of colours.

• Broad spectrum SPF 15

• 24-hour wear

• Controls oil and shine, 6 hours

• Provides immediate and long-term moisture, 8 hours

• Non-acnegenic, Oil-free

• For all skin types, especially oily skin

• Sweat- and humidity-resistant

Shockingly lightweight, waterproof and pigmented AF, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation is a full coverage classic foundation that hustles as hard as you do. This comfy, long-wearing waterproof liquid comes in a wide range of flattering tones that don’t transfer. Every creamy liquid shade glides on smooth, delivering matte coverage that stays true up to 24 hours. This over achiever also works to control shine and mattify your complexion all-day long. But it doesn’t stop there: this classic foundation is noncomedogenic and suitable for normal, oily, combination, and sensitive skin types.

Pure Flesh is a lush liquid foundation that comes in 40 shades covering 7 different undertones. With medium, natural-looking coverage, it’s never cakey, lasts all day, and cares for your skin as much as you do with its skin-loving ingredients.

• Medium to Full coverage with a natural, skin-like finish

• Infused with Aloe vera to help soothe and hydrate skin

• Contains glycerin, squalane, sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid), to help skin feel smooth and moisturized all day long

• Contains pomegranate extract for an exceptionally soft, lightweight texture and a velvety finish

• Cleanly formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, mineral oils, silicones,. Whew!

• Fragrance free, Cruelty Free, Vegan

Contour & Control

Keep oil at bay all day with this simple, fuss free compact by Revolution Beauty. The portable pressed powder is formulated to leave skin with a matte finish, diffusing the appearance of shine and pores. True to skin tone, it won’t settle in lines or pores. A pressed powder is for those who want more control over coverage and on the go touch ups. Suitable for all skin types and available in 10 skin-true shades.

This Contour Powder Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills is an all-in-one contour powder kit containing 3 highlighter shades and 3 contour shades in matte and shimmer finishes. Featuring Anastasia Beverly Hills’ innovative pressed, contour powder formula, this professional-quality face makeup collection lets you brighten, sculpt and color correct with seamless blendability. The finely milled powder formula provides buildable coverage and effortlessly blends and adheres to skin.

A favorite for prolonging the wear of makeup, banishing shine, brightening and balancing skin tone. For a natural look, this finely milled powder can be dusted on using a fluffy brush or using a sponge makeup applicator for baking precision to lock in contour and highlight. If you want areas to look brighter, make sure to damp the sponge and pat on a thick coat of powder. Loose powders are a good option for those who desire a luminous, silky and even finish. Now in 10 shades for all skin tones!

This finely-milled, gluten-free, vegan, Oat (Translucent) Flour® Setting Powder allows you to set your concealer and foundation in place for a long day's wear. This amazing, colorless formula puts the oily face battle to rest. With an HD feature, it will noticeably blur your pores and soften your complexion leaving you with a beautiful, matte finish. Plus, the jar's lock mechanism prevents product from spilling out - so you can bake with every. last. bit!

From The Many Desks of the President...

As I finally sat down to write this blog post, my kiddos buzzing around my desk, I began to consider how I could possibly sustain the situation I found myself in. Quarantining in Dallas, Texas, our household includes myself, my husband and our 6-year-old and 9-year-old children, both of whom we are now homeschooling. Surprise! Now I know I’m not the only one in this position but I am also the Owner and President of a small business that has been hit remarkably hard by this pandemic.

When the world started closing down and clients began to reschedule and/or cancel their events, I had a lot to consider. My primary role in my company is mostly as the CFO; taking care of day to day finances and strategizing for the future. As one can imagine, spending the last few weeks learning the ins and outs of new government stimulus options for SBAs, filing insurance claims, and worrying about our own staff has been compounded by the complexity of vendor payments and, honestly, trying to predict the future. Did I mention I now have my family leaning on me during work-hours for meals, learning, entertainment and general mom-things?

Pre-COVID19, I had a blissfully predictable schedule. My kids attended school from 8:00am to 4:00pm, I had the opportunity to manage a good workout and a solid six to seven hours of focused work. I really had it all. Now, my days have been overrun by video calls for my children’s school, teaching, reading, overseeing test-taking, math facts, and what feels like endless paperwork. (THANK YOU to all the teachers out there who do this Monday through Friday!) Amidst the chaos, I’m lucky to muster two hours a day to put my head down and really work.

I have always considered myself an exceptional multitasker and early on, I woke up each morning with a sunny disposition, saying, “I am going to take on this day like I do any challenge and I am going to conquer it.” I planned, reviewed lessons, scrutinized my schedule, and assigned my own work duties each day and yet, a productive day seemed out of reach. After a few weeks of incomplete to-do lists and falling short of my goals, I began to feel uncertain about the woman in the mirror. I‘ve run marathons and completed an Iron Man and somehow, the hurdles of managing my life, my family’s lives and keeping the business afloat were bringing me to my knees.

March was a difficult month, April felt impossible, but then came May. The end of the school year finish line in sight and I finally feel like I’ve “hit my stride.” The normalcy of a schedule is beginning to emerge from the craziness and, thanks to the regular chats I have with Tacy (our VP) the lows don’t feel quite so low and the tearful moments are fewer and further between. I am learning to operate in a new way and, most importantly, I’m learning to allow myself a little grace.

I have always been a goal-setter and in the past few weeks, I have redoubled my efforts on the outlook for 2021 and beyond. I have allowed myself to dream with big goals and celebrate little wins with smaller ones. I have had the opportunity to reflect not only on the business, but on my personal life as well. Giving myself the space and time to articulate both my frustrations and my aspirations has left me in an overall, better place.

Today, I see more clearly. My children are doing well with school and I am lucky to have the time with them that many parents do not have with their kids. Meritage Events is still in business despite the fiscal consequences of coronavirus and the uncertainty of what is to come for our industry.

And here I am, still setting audacious goals with fierce determination to conquer them.

- Katie

Back To Life, Back to Reality

Imagine you are going about your daily routine and job responsibilities in early February, then you snap your fingers and BOOM, you are transported to mid-April in the thick of a global pandemic with a shelter in place order and a crying eight-week-old baby. That’s essentially what happened to me. 

You see, I began my 8 week maternity leave in mid-February, the day before I was induced to have my baby girl, Emma. Being a planner, I worked on a maternity plan for MONTHS full of proposals to finish, clients to check in on, leads to follow up on and more. I tapped different team members to help with different items, set reminders in our project management software, and had already anticipated what would be waiting for me when I came back in mid-April.

Well, let’s just say nothing went according to plan. As we now all know, about 2 weeks into my leave $h*t hit the fan. Being the amazing ladies they are, my team was trying to protect me from the tough, awful reality they were dealing with. The clients canceling events, leads no longer interested in talking to us, fellow planners and partners being laid off or furloughed...I could not believe what I was hearing.

Before I left, my plan was to come back after eight weeks and seamlessly resume the role I’ve maintained for over seven years. But you know what they say, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” I came back to a smaller team, an empty Spring calendar, a list of leads no longer needing our services, prospects no longer interested, a slew of relationships I spent 7+ years building no longer relevant due to lay offs and furloughs, and new job responsibilities due to our downsizing. Apparently we have a blog now? All while trying to figure out what the future brings for the hospitality industry and our clients and how to manage a household with a newborn and trying to avoid COVID-19.

Aside from the struggles at “the office”, there is the whole “raising a newborn during an epidemic” we’ve had to deal with. Not being able to have friends or family visit to meet Emma; not being able to just throw her in a carrier and roam Target on the days you just NEED to get out of the house; having to suit up in masks and gloves just to go to the pediatrician, only to then have to decide which parent gets to go into the exam room with her for her 2 month old shots; not being able to leave her with Grandma and Grandpa for a few hours just so we can get out of the house because really, there’s nowhere to go. Then there are the complications of running to the grocery store for essentials and having to sanitize everything when we get home to ensure everyone is safe (while she’s crying because you’re home and she wants you to hold her.) It’s tough. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t lay awake at night thinking about what would happen if my husband or I contracted COVID-19. Weeks without being able to hold my baby? Kiss those cheeks? Notice the changes she’s making daily? Surely enough to keep me awake more than I’d like to admit and I do not need another reason to lose precious sleep!)

My transition back to “the office,” however remote, was a bit more jarring than I’d planned. My days went from baby snuggles on the couch while binging Ozark season 3 and Tiger King, to staring at my Outlook inbox with no idea what the heck to do next. Not an awesome feeling for someone who always tries to have a Plan A, Plan B and 87 or so check lists at any given moment.  

To say the past few weeks have been stressful is an understatement. With all of this being said, I am ridiculously grateful for my supportive family nearby, a rockstar husband who my daughter adores, and the best team on the planet. A team who has understood this tough season I’m going through; a team who is giving me the time to adjust to this “new normal” they have had a few more weeks to process; a team who is working around newborn nap schedules (and I’m using “schedule” loosely); a team who looks past my blank stares on Zoom calls when I just cannot process anything else at the moment; a team who is giving me the grace I need and understands this is all temporary.

I think it’s safe to say 2020 has already been full of high highs and low lows. It’s also safe to say that I’ve never been more proud to be a part of the Meritage team.

We have been using this time to adapt...we have been brainstorming like crazy; acting like sponges to all types of new technology and virtual services; redesigning marketing collateral; checking in with clients and partners to see how they are hanging in there; strategizing, and, well, reaching for the stars.

This year Meritage will celebrate 15 years in business, and I’m going to assume on behalf of Katie and Tacy that this 15th year is the hardest. However, we are here to stay and excited for what the future holds, crying babies in the background of Zoom calls and all.

- Nicole

How to Outfit Your Home Office To Look & Sound Like A Pro

I think we can agree, we’re all spending A LOT more time in our “home offices” and on video calls these days and not all of them are great. Sometimes it’s a connection issue, sometimes we just don’t feel good about the angles our laptop is giving us and sometimes the person you’re on the call with is just a silhouette, giving us real Bond Villian vibes - no matter how sweet he/she is.

The truth is, there aren’t many of us who are used to having to interface with others solely via screens. Luckily, there are a rules you can apply (and pieces of tech you can buy) that will make your virtual interactions look, feel and sound far more polished and professional!

The Rules:

• DON’T let your “shine”, steal your shine. Being on camera can make us look a little oily even if in the mirror it’s just a dewy glow from our moisturizer. I love to keep these little blotting papers handy and touch up right before I join a call to make sure I look cool and collected.

• DO screen test your look! Open your camera or photobooth app on your computer to take a quick peek “in the virtual mirror” before logging on to allow you to see how your look is going to translate in pixels.

• DON’T sit in front of a window. If you must, purchase some chic, light-filtering window treatments and close them behind you for a easy, built-in backdrop!

• DO consider what others will see in the background of your call. Make sure your space is neat and tidy and exercise restaint with cutesy virtual backgrounds. If your call is with professionals outside your team, it’s best to avoid anything distracting and opt for your bookcase or gallery wall at home instead.

• DON’T take calls from your couch. You should have a designated space set up to make you look and feel your best.

• DO make yourself at home. Make sure you’re seated upright comfortably since you won’t be doing the amount of natural shifting in your seat you would in an in-person meeting.

Now that you’re crushing the rules, you’re ready to upgrade your home office experience! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best in tech to outfit your space. These inexpensive additions can take you from low-fi to studio quality.

The Setup

Rode NT USB Condenser Microphone

• Price: $169

• Why we like it:

  • Ease of use and installation

  • Broad range

  • High quality

  • 3.5mm stereo headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring

  • Direct mix control between mic input and source output

  • Includes pop filter, tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch and 20’ USB cable included

Audio Technica AT2020 USB+ Condenser Microphone

• Price: $129

• Why we like it:

  • Ease of use and installation

  • Built-in headphone jack with volume and mix controls

  • Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use

  • Permanent pickup pattern reduces noise from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source

  • Ideal for project/home-studio applications

  • Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable and storage pouch

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Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone

• Price: $50

• Why we like it:

  • Ease of use and installation

  • Small Setup

  • Great for recording the human voice

  • High fidelity for Skype, Zoom and FaceTime

    • Frequency Response: 40 –18 kHz

AIXPI 10” Desk Ring Light

• Price: $39

• Why we like it:

  1. Includes desk tripod stand, hot shoe mount, phone clip.

  2. Dimmable, 3-color model: cold, warm, and neutral.

  3. Universal Smartphone Clip

  4. USB Powered

     2-Year Replacement Service

1. 18” Standing Ring Light

   1. Price: $59

   2. Why we like it:

      • Includes (1)18 inches LED ring light,(1)74 inch light stand,(1)white and orange color filter set,(1)tripod head hot shoe adapter,(1)universal Adapter with US plug,(1)smart phone holder, comes with a carrying bag for convenient storage and transport.

      • Adapter for most DSLR cameras and smartphone holder for most smartphones.

      • Warm light/White light dimmable range 18 inch outer. Comes with 2 color filter (white and orange.) Adjustable ring light head, 36. 2-74 inch adjustable aluminum material foldable stand.

      • USB Powered

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Logitech StreamCam

Price: $169

Why we like it:

• Resolution: 1080p, 9:16 format

• Content creation features

• Facial tracking

• Auto-focusing

• Built-in image stabilization

• USB Type-C connectivity

Microsoft LifeCam

Price: $150

Why we like it:

• 720p HD, widescreen

• World-class optics - Auto Focus, High-precision glass element lens

• Clear, high-quality video - ClearFrame Technology for smooth, detailed video.

• Crystal-clear audio - Digital, noise-canceling microphone helps improve speech quality.

• Aluminum body

• Flexible stand for notebook and desktop PCs

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Rain Design’s iLevel Adjustable Laptop Stand 

Price: $54

Why we like it:

• Keeps your desk organized with an on-board cable outlet and keyboard storage

• This stand is designed to fits all MacBooks and is compatible with most non-Apple laptops.

• A tiltable design brings your screen closer and improves notebook airflow and anodized aluminum build acts as a heat sink for cooling and

Rain Design’s mStand Laptop Stand 

Price: $39

Why we like it:

• Provides an ergonomic solution for working on your laptop; raises screen height approximately 6"and prevents slouching

• The aluminum panel cools the laptop because it acts as a heat sink and tilted design improves air flow around computer, preventing overheating

• The one-piece design requires no assembly and provides stability

• Cable organizer keeps cables out of the way and discrete

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Purple’s Double Cushion

Price: $89

Why we like it:

• 30-Day Trial, 1-Year Warranty

• Free Shipping, Free Returns

• Unique dual-support comfort grid, the two-inch Double Seat Cushion can be "flipped" for use on either firm or soft surfaces.

• No-Pressure Support, 8+ Hr Sit Time, Doesn’t “Sit Hot”

• Extremely Durable & Super Easy To Clean!

Which technologies have you found most helpful for your home office? Leave us a note in the comments!

- Stratton

Virtual Happy Hours: Awful or Awesome?

It’s no secret that Covid-19 has us all living a little bit differently. Here in Austin and Dallas, that is certainly no exception. The weather is getting warmer and by this time of year, patios are typically at capacity and the drinks are flowing as soon as your friends can sneak out of the office for the day. To say we have cabin fever is an understatement. That said, we’re all proud to do our part to keep people safe and #flattenthecurve.

Cue: A team call.

Two weeks ago, our rowdy bunch decided to host an industry-wide virtual happy hour and try to bring a little levity to a spring that feels a bit heavy for many of us. We invited all of our favorite people: event planners, caterers, rental companies, fabricators, audio-visual gurus, etc and decided we’d steer clear of the gloom by sharing funny, on-site stories from brighter days.

As people logged on, there were smiles and waves and shout-outs in the group chat. We giggled at those who brought an entire bottle of wine for the hour-long call and marveled at others who went full mixologist with their cocktails. Seeing friendly faces who we’re usually working arm-in-arm with during this season made the world feel a little less like The Upside Down. From a story about a delivery truck’s near-miss with a rather large lake to tales about wedding guests (and brides) gone wild, unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions to mirrors that came out of nowhere, laughter truly felt like the best medicine.

If you’re considering hosting your own virtual happy hour, here are some of our takeaways…

• Designate one person to kick things off.

• Establish the rules: muting, chatting, bathroom etiquette…

• Engage with everyone.

• Use the chat function.

• Keep it light.

• Keep it short.

• End on a high note!

To everyone out there learning to socialize without handshakes, hugs and high fives, we’re with you. We’ll see you at our next Virtual Happy Hour, April 24th at 3:00pm - BYOB.

- Stratton

PS. The Password is “Tipsy”