CRE8AD8 Blog

TIme for Weddings!

2010-07-06T17:56:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again for Weddings and Summer events!

Join CRE8AD8 and for fun-filled summer events and on the travels we take for our brides and grooms!

Stay tuned for more exciting information!

CONGRATS ARE IN ORDER!

2009-10-19T22:14:00.002-05:00

Congrats to our CEO, Gregorio Palomino!

Recently Greg was named Entrepreneur of the Quarter by Hispanic Executive Quarterly, a national publication based out of Chicago, IL.

Greg was also featured with Wedding Planner, Michelle Franco, in the summer edition of San Antonio Woman magazine as the first 100% male owned business to be featured in their 8 year history!

CRE8AD8 was also recently named one of the Best Destination Management Organizations in TEXAS by Texas Meetings & Events Magazine for 2009!

-CRE8AD8.com

CRE8AD8 Opens up travel to everyone

2009-03-31T11:55:00.002-05:00

CRE8AD8 has recently partnered with WorldVentures to offer our brides, grooms, clients, corporate travelers, vacationers and more a more cost effective option to travel...no matter the reason.

We DARE you to compare rates against other leading sites!

www.palomino.worldventures.com

-CRE8AD8.com

VIVA FIESTA!

2009-03-31T11:53:00.004-05:00

It's that time of the year again in San Antonio, VIVA FIESTA!

This year, CRE8AD8 has secured the beverage portion of the King William Fair in only our 2 year history! This is a great accomplishment for us as we are the new guys in town and we've already beat out regional competitors in this field.

We hope to see you at the Fair on April 25, booths open at 9am!

-CRE8AD8.com

March March March

2009-03-02T18:11:00.003-06:00

Happy March to all!!!

If you haven't planned those holiday events by now, you're behind the game!

Let us know if we can help plan that special holiday event! Weddings, Corporate Events and more!

-CRE8AD8.com

Wedding Fairs

2009-02-08T17:14:00.003-06:00

'Tis the season for Wedding Fairs!

Booth after booth of caterers, decorators, chocolate fountains(remember when they used to be champagne fountains?) and beauty consultants. So many choices and options. Here is how to weed them out:

- Find someone who is like you, remember your vendors need to understand you and have your same energy
- Ask for pricing, seriously, most people can give you some ranges of what to expect and put some numbers in your head
- If a vendor seems too out of your "realm", they probably are.
- Never try to work with a vendor who doesn't seem like they want to work for you(i.e. Sending the minions after you before they talk to you), seriously, are you hiring the planner or their assistants, your wedding isn't a movie and it shouldn't be treated as one
- Price doesn't equal quality, many service providers(planners, consultants, DJs, etc...) are dropping prices drastically, beware, they will often cut their package services by that much too!
- There are things you do not cut back on(photography, planning, catering & decor), you will get what you pay for
- If you're more than 12 months out, don't rush into making decisions, look everything over
- If you're within 12 months of your wedding and nothing is done...hire a planner immediately, they have powers you do not(securing venues, getting some bumped, putting you first on lists, getting things expedited, DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS!!)!
- Steps - 1) Set date; 2) Set budget; 3) Hire planner; 4) Relax...and have fun!

And most importantly...remember CRE8AD8 is a FULL SERVICE PLANNING AGENCY.

-CRE8AD8.com

LOOKING FOR A VENDOR?

2009-02-02T00:59:00.004-06:00

I am always telling everyone to put their information in the body of requests you fill out online. Trust me it helps in the long run, remember it costs us money to find you and as much as we all wish we could afford to purchase every lead and help everyone, we cannot; forcing us to be more selective on who we pursue especially during the "recession."

We all need to help each other in this time of need. No matter how large or small we all are.

We want to help everyone as much as possible and sometimes being selective means we may miss someone to who really needs help. We know it could be more stressful in the short run, but in the log run, it'll save time and money!

TIP: Type out everything you need in Word and copy & paste it into the sites(bodies) you have...always include NAME, PHONE & E-MAIL!

On top of that, check your SPAM boxes since most of us have "love, beauty, marriage" and more filters are made to single these out and trash them!

Greg P., CWP, CEP
-CRE8AD8.com

Embajador of the Year

2009-01-27T20:46:00.005-06:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN:

GREGORIO PALOMINO for becoming one of the 2008 Embajador of the Year for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

This honor is bestowed on the Embajador who shows volunteerism, activity within the chamber, community efforts and initiatives and more.

Please help us in congratulating Greg! He will receive his award at the annual San Antonio Hispanic Chamber Installation Banquet on Jan 30, 2009 at the Grand Hyatt in Downtown San Antonio, Texas in front of fellow business owners, Fortune CEOs, colleagues, friends, family and more.

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 80th anniversary as the largest and oldest Hispanic Chamber in the United States.

-CRE8AD8 Staff

1st Freeze - San Antonio

2009-01-27T20:44:00.003-06:00

It's the first Freeze in San Antonio since 1905...JUST KIDDING, but it's been a whole year jut about.

Be safe and remember to take care of yourself and your family. Work, school, errands and bills can wait one more day. Stay inside, eat some soup and remember, it's not about living 100 years, its how you spend those years that matter the most!

-CRE8AD8.com

Weddings Weddings Weddings & The Box Office

2009-01-25T15:55:00.003-06:00

REALLY! WE ARE IN FULL FORCE!

It's wedding planning season. And another wedding movie, Bride Wars, has hit the big screen. Although many of you have already seen this movie I am sure with your girlfriends...it's my job to see it as well and fill.

Yes:
- Some places book years in advance(although some venues do not book more than 1 year out)
- Stop looking once you find something you like
- Always pick a MOH who will support you in being married, not be a hassle to you
- Be flexible if you're going to put a budget to the wedding
- It is always safe to have a budget, however, movies can be deceiving...American Wedding(American Pie)-$50K+; Bride Wars-$45K+; My Best Friend's Wedding-$80K+; Wedding Crashers(final wedding)-$100K+
- There will always be stress of some sort
- Yes, pamper yourself and make room in the budget for this!
- Make sure you feel for your soul mate as they feel for you...love is work, but it shouldn't feel like an obligation!
- Wedding Planning can start anywhere from $3K-$15K depending on location of USA

No:
- Wedding Planners are not like that, we should be nice and fun
- You shouldn't try and plan two weddings at the same location, in different facilities wit your best friend
- You shouldn't be upset if others want to help you
- Unfortunately, wedding planning is not always so bright and fluffy as it looked, it takes time, there's money to be paid and finances to consider
- Wedding Planning offices are not all digital as they were in Bride Wars(the picture frames)
- The Wedding Planner will not assume you know what you want and have photos of mock-ups digitally enhanced for your pleasure
- You should always be flexible no matter what...not being flexible could cause challenges and could ultimately cause more stress
- You should always stand by your friends no matter what
- You should expect what can be afforded and try not to squeeze things into a tight budget...quality goes down as the quantity goes up...good for exposure, not for your special day!

These are just some things to think about when planning your wedding. To give you an idea of what we would charge in that type of setting and in that location...it would be around $25K just to PLAN the wedding.

Let us know if we can help!

Greg P., CWP, CEP
-CRE8AD8.com

Obama In Office

2009-01-24T18:09:00.002-06:00

Obama Obama, where art thou economy?

As our new Chief takes office, we are reminding those that have not taken advantage of our specials to take one more look! We are offering 20% OFF our Wedding Planning packages and Valentine Special only until Jan 31 2009!

admin@cre8ad8.com for more info!

-CRE8AD8.com

No Shows and What To Do...

2009-01-15T14:45:00.003-06:00

How many of you are in a sales/marketing position within your company? Most posts are about pretty, frilly or event stuff. However, today is one of those days where we have to balance our blog from all this light-hearted stuff to some reality. It caught my attention when I started to hear horror stories from friends, colleagues and within our company.

NO SHOW APPOINTMENTS

We are all guilty at least once in our lifetimes of missing or just plain not showing up for appts. However, the majority of us are very on par about calling and apologizing. Sometimes we don't realize how much it does bother us if they don't show. So today is all about calling ahead and confirming.

I have three simple steps in my opinion that should be followed:

1) Set the appointment and make sure they understand how valuable your time is as well as theirs. It works both ways.

2) Let them know you will be confirming the appointment 1 or 2 times before the proposed meeting time so they now you are serious. (Yes most of us are SURE about our appts and ALWAYS show up), but remember who your audience is. If my money is on the line, I will be confirming as I think about it.

3) Always try and get a day-of confirmation. Although it may not be answered in time, it does put the responsibility on the other party to at least make an effort to communicate.

Bonus) Never settle for less. No matter who the appointment is, always treat them with the same courtesy and respect as you would any other person.

If these tops do not help or do not make your life(whether business or professional) better, then sometimes the client isn't worth having. You can only chase so much before it becomes a losing battle.

In our industry, we see very few business professionals breaking this rule...as for our wedding side. It's impossible to tell. We clients all day long that seem uninterested in the fact that they can save money...yet these are the ones who always show up and buy...the others who seem interested and want to hire someone ASAP seem to just not show every once in a while. This has caused many sales/marketing reps to stay in the office and make their client come to them. Although unorthodox and a little off-beat, it has proved to save money for those unwilling to make contact for absenteeism. So next time you are wondering about a client standing you up, don't be afraid to meet in a central location or at your office. It may be inconvenient, but your office also holds all the materials you need to close the sell, not just progress it!

Good luck in 2009!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Wedding Planning Season

2009-01-10T16:38:00.003-06:00

It's Wedding Planning Season!

It happens every year and it seems to be the most busy time of the year. As you come to realization that not every wedding can be done within certain budgets, remember, things can be altered and can be simplified which means you could still get more bang for the buck. Before you plan your special day:

PICK A DATE
MAKE A BUDGET(and stick with it)
HIRE YOUR WEDDING PLANNER(if you wouldn't go into court without a lawyer, why plan an event without a professional?)

The rest is downhill!

Happy Shopping!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Valentine's Day is around the corner!

2009-01-03T14:05:00.001-06:00

Love is already in the air and we've got you covered! We have put together several packages to help make your memorable day hassle-free!

-CRE8AD8.com

ADIOS 2008, BIENVENIDO 2009!

2008-12-31T17:21:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year to all those who have made us who we are!

From San Antonio, Texas as our last post in 2008,
Greg

Party Hard, Drive Safely

2008-12-29T10:33:00.003-06:00

When out this holiday season, please remember to party responsibly as not only your life, but the lives of others depend on your safety.

-CRE8AD8.com

Mega Mixer Flyer

2008-12-27T01:13:00.001-06:00

RSVP to MegaMixer@cre8ad8.com

-CRE8AD8.com

Hello New Year

2008-12-27T01:06:00.002-06:00

As we roll into a new year of 2009, we hope everyone finds themselves in a position of prosperity, hope, love and more! We know that this year was not as easy to move through as others, we know it is the hope that keeps us strong and willing to keep driving, the love that keeps us alive and our hearts growing stronger by the day and the prosperity that will always be our reward if we cherish the things most important.

As we look behind us in 2008 and remember those who made a difference in our lives, whether positive or negative, we know they are those who have made us better people. We remember those who have touched us and those who have left us before their time.

As 2008 diminishes and 2009 approaches, we wish you the best in all your hopes, dreams, endeavors and aspirations.

From your friends at CRE8AD8.

Happy New Year

Mega Mixer Monday Announcement

2008-12-20T16:10:00.003-06:00

JUST ANNOUNCED

Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies will be Elsa Ramon, Anchorwoman; NEWS 4 WOAI.

The Plaza Club
Feb 2 2009
5:30p
RSVP to MegaMixer@cre8ad8.com
Complimentary admission

-CRE8AD8.com

The Holidays

2008-12-20T16:06:00.002-06:00

The holidays are in full force. As we are booked to the max, it is with great happiness that we thank those who make it possible. Our vendors and clients make us look the best. We thank you for your support and we look forward to a record-breaking new year!

Happy Holidays from the CRE8AD8 team!

Kasey
Roxanna
Marifer
Michelle
Ashley &
Greg

2008 was the year for CRE8AD8! Now in 2009, we'll have to make an exception...CRE9AD9. Not the same ring, but we'll make it work!

-CRE8AD8.com

Mega Mixer - February 2009

2008-12-18T15:46:00.002-06:00

CRE8AD8 will be hosting the third Mega Mixer Monday on February 2, 2009 at The Plaza Club in San Antonio, Texas. Sponsorships are available. RSVP to MegaMixer@cre8ad8.com.

Mistress of ceremonies: Elsa Ramon; Anchor, News 4 WOAI

-CRE8AD8.com

Want to get a faster response?

2008-12-04T10:38:00.002-06:00

Many of you wonder why you put in various requests from some of these broker websites online. One of the main reasons is because not everyone is registered or some vendors want at least a minimum order (say $2500 or mroe) worth of services. Although most events that take place are under 100 guests, many times companies have to choose where to spend their money meaning you get left somewhat in the dust because someone had a larger guest count. Unfortunately many companies have to decide where to buy their leads and how to spend their money. Many times it comes down to their profit margin.

At CRE8AD8, we encourage clients to visit our site directly and contact us...we not only return these calls/e-mails faster(beacuse you took the time to contact us directly), but it helps you due to the fact that we can service any size event and we never say "no."

Let us know how we can help!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Mega Mixer Announced

2008-11-29T16:49:00.004-06:00

Mega Mixer Monday
February 2, 2009
Plaza Club - San Antonio
5:30p-8:30p

Thanks for everything!

2008-11-27T21:05:00.003-06:00

First of all...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We want to thank our friends, clients, brides, grooms and all those who make us who we are today.

For your Thanksgiving piece of information:
Always remember the holidays are a time of appreciating your friends and family and to be thankful for everything they do for, to and through you. These are your lifelines in life and they will always be there no matter what your budget is, your progress in the planning stages or where you'll have your special event. Never be afraid to call on them as sometimes that can be the only source of reasoning!

Now...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Stick to your guns!

2008-11-22T17:08:00.002-06:00

When ever you get a verbal agreement from someone stating they will do something for you, get it in writing.

Although Texas considers a verbal agreement a binding contract, it is always best to have it in writing. So make sure you write it down, get it in writing and if the other party tries to back out...see if you can hold to them to their word. This is not a bad thing, it is simple business as we would want to take care of our clients as well. Make sure you use that leverage when securing any business for your event.

This service is included in your event planning agreement with CRE8AD8 as our legal team will look over any agreements and make sure all vendors perform as necessary.

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Requesting information...

2008-11-18T15:46:00.003-06:00

A good piece of advice...when filling out information on various websites, put as much information as possible when it asks for comments. Most websites that you can request information through are not monitored to the n-th degree, so many times they will allow you to enter contact information as well!

What does this mean to you?

Since they are not monitored so strictly, you can put, "My name is John, looking for wedding planner in this area in $$ price range, looking to book in 4 months, want several quotes in this range and my number is 000-000-0000 and my e-mail is john@ymail.com."

The reason for this is that when you put in, "Looking to book soon." This is not enough information for some to warrant paying for the request. That's right, we PAY for them! Sometimes $1, sometimes $10! This way we know you're serious and want to be contacted. Not just "Researching." Most vendors will not contact a "Researching" or "Checking Pricing" since they are not usually buyers and could result in a "Bad Lead."

We want to make sure that you are serious about planning your event so that we do not waste your time while preparing and following up with you if you are not ready to start the planning process.

When you send a request out, it goes to more then just one person. If you're looking for a venue, keep in mind that venues offer catering, planning, lighting, etc...So now that one request turns into 4! Which could mean more information than needed and more time on your end that it takes to organize it.

It's nice to shop around, but make sure you do it reasonably and smart. Your planner should be available and should do the shopping for you as it takes less time and you're already paying for it. If you're planner doesn't want to shop around or doesn't offer you more than a few options...you should be shopping for another planner.

Another way to blast multiple vendors is checking out various programs that are add-ons to your computer and use the local magazines to compile a list. That way you can e-mail different groups and they'll love you much mroe when you can tell them where you found them! Many times, there are discounts if you find them first instead of making them pay to find you! If it costs us less, we can rebate that price or put it in our "+Box" and remember it when we can discount in certain areas.

Think of it like Vegas...if you invest in their casino, they'll start to comp you!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Networking...

2008-11-13T15:56:00.003-06:00

Networking works!

So I got a call from a friend looking for a bid that really didn't seem in our usual scope of services to handle. Come to find out, we were able to put in a bid. The bid was large and for a very well recognized "party" event in San Antonio, Texas.

I have only met this person a few times and it turned into a very prosperous deal! Thanks to that person, we have been able to hire additional people and provide additional business benefits to our employees. Networking works, living proof.

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2008-11-10T23:19:00.002-06:00

The holidays are around the corner! No matter what holiday celebrations you decide to take on this year, make sure it's safe and you plan ahead!

As of now, about 90% of caterers are booked, about all casino companies and venues are getting full. If you have not started to plan that holiday event, start NOW! It's just about too late! Be prepared to pay prices given as demand is HIGH this year and many waited after the election.

If you have an office, we can always plan it there as well if needed. Let us know how we can help!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

San Antonio Singles Get Ready!

2008-11-09T23:51:00.001-06:00

San Antonio Singles, get ready!

CRE8AD8 will be launching a series of single events based around the quality professional singles in San Antonio!

Stay tuned and let your friends know...

-CRE8AD8.com

Communication is a big part!

2008-11-09T23:45:00.002-06:00

As many of you know better than others, communication is a big role in planning any event. I can't begin to tell you how important it is to communicate with your professional. No matter the reason or rhyme, if you do anything to your event and don't tell the professional, it could lead to large problems!

Even if it's changing the color, design, floral, entree, etc...it could cause damaging results to your event, not so much changing them, but changing them and not telling your professional! Especially if they have planned something around or related to that aspect. Planners do not like surprises that could lead to challenges unprepared for on the event date!

So please do us a favor and make sure you communicate everything with your planner...it could mean the difference between success or somewhat dismal.

Greg

-CRE8AD8.com

HALLOWEEN

2008-10-30T00:10:00.000-05:00

Halloween is upon us...stay safe and remember, the holidays officially start on November 1st!

-CRE8AD8.com

Photo of the Week!

2008-10-29T22:10:00.003-05:00

One of our photographers really get the shot they need. This just goes to show you that your professional shouldn't be afraid to get dirty to go above and beyond for their client.

ErikaBPhotography.com for this "down & dirty" fun photog!

-CRE8AD8.com

Holiday Parties

2008-10-29T22:01:00.002-05:00

Holiday parties are in full force! Last week we had little to go with...now we're bidding out 4-5 quotes a day! Strange how things go and when you least expect it...great things happen.

On this note...do not procrastinate! I can't begin tell you how much prices will go up especially when companies see the demand. I strongly suggest that if you're going to move forward with any event, go ahead and put some deposits down and work out the details with your planner throughout the process. It's always better to be safe rather than sorry. You'll save money, you'll get prime date options and your planner will be able to get you in places you normally wouldn't be able to afford!

The holidays are upon us and if you haven't looked into planning your party...you're already behind! Most caterers have over 200 events booked in December already!!! They are starting to deny events and that's never a good sign when businesses have to turn away business!

Let us take that burden off your shoulders!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Researching for events...

2008-10-27T23:29:00.004-05:00

A word of advice one of the planners brought to my attention...when going to these websites that ask you for information and what information you want, many professionals will not answer many of the requests with responses such as "just researching," "looking around," "getting quotes" or any of those. The reason you may be wondering why there may not be many professionals responding to these requests are that they cost money! As much as we would like to purchase all these leads, we may not always be able to due to various reasons:
-Incomplete information
-The information may not be valid
-The information given may be duplicated from another site you registered on
-Some leads rovided could cost anywhere upwards of $20 each!
And more...

One of the things we mention is try one website first that seems to be more of one of the popular sites(weddingmall.com, sanantonioweddings.com; your local convention visitors bureau, etc...) or the local area you're in. Google and Yahoo searches are always popular as well, but you may not find the professional you're looking for as only about 10% of planning professionals are able to advertise for whatever reason. This does not always mean quality, it could just mean that the professional is always booked and could actually mean they are more expensive than others.

Wait a few days or even a week or so and see who responds. As a professional opinion, I would say you want at least 5 choices from each area. This gives you a good idea of the ability and where the price range should be. It gives you a better idea of the market pricing so you know that any price you get in this range is fair.

If you do not receive the amount of quotes you want, try another site a few days later and always enter the same information! Never change your mind or the information about your event in hopes of getting different vendors to call you. This could open the door to vendors who are not in your league and waste time on both ends.

Want a good reason why you should always have a planner on your side?...Remember, who does more business and who can give more business to other businesses...the planner! A planner will almost always be able to get a better deal just beacuse the vendor wants repeat business from the planner. Whether your planner decides to mark this up(which about 90% do) is up to them and the agreement you have(CRE8AD8 doesn't do this).

Always be honest about your budget as well when entering these sites! As it is in a marriage and being up front and honest about your finances, this must also be true for the professionals working on your event. We want to shoot for the right stuff in the right price range in the right way all the time. If you give us a low budget, well find the budget professionals which may not be what you want. If you give us a high budget, we'll find the high-end professionals(which could be one-in-the-same) to give it to you. Our goals as event professionals should always be your best interest. It should not be what our vision is...it should be what you want. A great planner will always tell you how it is and how it needs to be. it may not be fun to hear, but this is why you brought us on board...to give you what you want for the price you want!

If you want the professionals to contact you by E-mail, remember...check your spam box! It's amazing how much e-mail goes to spam these days. We really want to reach out to you as soon as possible and if you don't know that we've done so...it could change the outcome of your event! We always like phone as well and don't be afraid to reach out to our e-mails first as well. It shows you mean business, are serious about planning smart and we're always more inclined to move you to the top of our lists since you took the time to research us!

Always remember, no matter the title(s), testimonials, certifications, position on a website, age, flashy website, etc...it all comes down to personality and experience! A good mix is always preferred and easy to work with. Testimonials are not always accurate and sometimes paid for by the planner. A referral is always the best route and references are always good. The higher reference the better. It builds credibility and you know they have experience with large budgets and money management of funds.

Remember, quantity does not equal quality!

Greg
-CRE8AD8.com

Band Advice

2008-10-27T21:34:00.002-05:00

Remember, most of you love to have the live entertainment, but also remember that live entertainment can be costly at times and it all depends on the industry! Be prepared to spend $2000+ for a local band(who is decent). Without help from your planner this could turn costly since your professional will know how to handle riders, accommodations, travel, lodging & more...EVEN IF THEY ARE LOCAL!

5 days to Halloween!

-CRE8AD8.com

The weekend before Halloween!

2008-10-26T20:36:00.001-05:00

As the Halloween weekend comes up, always be safe and remember that it's always better to scre than to be scared!

-CRE8AD8.com

Signing a recurring event...

2008-10-22T13:32:00.002-05:00

So we've signed a recurring event(our first since inception) and it's actually a good thing during the hard economic times. It's much easier for our clients to have minimal events on a monthly basis that are 35% less and when vendors are willing to work with us. You can do 10 smaller events rather than one big one for about the same price if the PR/Marketing is fit for the event.

Let us know if you have an event you think could benefit from a recurring basis rather than one large one. This is also a great tax break for both years!

-CRE8AD8.com

Fire Wok

2008-10-21T23:10:00.003-05:00

Tonight was a great event held at Fire Wok to support the Asian Community Affairs. We raised over $4000! Proceeds will benefit the non-profit to help out the San Antonio Police & Fire Dept.

Thank you to all!

-CRE8AD8.com

It's a Monday!

2008-10-20T17:42:00.000-05:00

Wow...Mondays are full of surprises! E-mails, e-mails, e-mails! We enjoy answering e-mails on Mondays because it's a great way to start the work week. We're so happy many of you rely on us for answers to your wedding planning and corporate event planning questions!

Ciao!