[Miami Nights] Rihanna Diamonds World Tour

Decided to get dolled up for Rih Rih.

[Miami Nights] Miami Science Museum's 11th Annual Galaxy Gala

Kelliann McDonald w/ Gala Guest, Mayor Tomas Regalado and Marlon Hill

INFOGRAPHIC The 7 Essential Techniques for Effective Event Management, Promotion & Production

[Download "The 7 Stages" Infographic]

[Purchase "The 7 Stages" eBook]

Have you been asked to coordinate a large-scale conference or charitable event? Are you panicked at the thought of planning and executing such a high profile gathering?

Rest assured, The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production Infographic is the guide for you!

Learn the seven tried-and-true stages of effective event management, including tips on preliminary planning and event approval, event budgeting, event promotion and post-event reconciliation. 

Discover the best practices and procedures used by corporate event managers to produce high profile events for high net-worth clients and investors. Take your career to the next level by wowing your co-workers and executive leadership with your stellar event management skills. 

So what are you waiting for? Download the Infographic and see how you can take your event and your career to the next level by executing the best damn corporate affair your company has ever seen. #POW

::USE THIS FREE INFOGRAPHIC AS::

• Your quick-reference guide for future events 
• A discussion item at your next Event Management team meeting 
• Content for your blog or social media portal to further position yourself as an Event Management expert

[Download "The 7 Stages" Infographic]

[Purchase "The 7 Stages" eBook]

Infographic: The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production by Kelliann McDonald

 

INTRO to The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production by Kelliann McDonald

[Download "The 7 Stages" Infographic]

[Purchase "The 7 Stages" eBook]

INTRODUCTION

Have you been asked to coordinate a large-scale conference or charitable event? Are you panicked at the thought of planning and executing such a high profile gathering? Then you've come to the right place. Rest assured, The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production is the eBook for you. 

In the coming pages, you will learn the seven tried-and-true stages of effective event management, including tips on preliminary planning and event approval, event budgeting, event promotion and post-event reconciliation. By reading this eBook, you will master the seven essential event management techniques that will guarantee that your event will be superbly planned, promoted and produced. 

Discover the best practices and procedures used by corporate event managers to produce high profile events for high net-worth clients and investors. Take your career to the next level by wowing your co-workers and executive leadership with your stellar event management skills. 

I developed The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production for Marketing and Public Relations professionals to use as a blueprint to expertly produce high quality events while working in a demanding corporate environment. In this eBook, you can expect straight-shot-no-chaser tips and tricks on how to do so. 

In each short chapter, you will find bulleted lists of action items that need to be accomplished before moving on to the next stage of production for your high caliber event. Also included are easy-to-read charts, highlighting your standard event budget line items, standard event marketing pieces with distribution time-frames and your standard day-of-event tasks. 

As a bonus, included is a free, downloadable 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production Infographic that you should print and post as reference or share via social media to further position yourself as an Event Management expert. 

So what are you waiting for? Turn the page and see how you can take your event and your career to the next level by executing the best damn corporate affair your company has ever seen!

PREVIEW IMAGES

[VIDEO] Phil Fung is a Ninja

Lately, I have been posting videos and articles that inspire me. This mini-documentary on Miami artist Phil Fung is no different. Take a few minutes to watch.

Moral of the story: Fall down seven times, stand up eight.

 

HERE is a kMc Profiles I did on Phil Fung a few years back. You guessed it, he's still kicking ass. 

[VIDEO] Ruby Velle and The Soulphonics at SXSW 2013

Bringing a lil Atlanta soul to Houston, TX for SXSW. Here's Ruby Velle and The Soulphonics!



And here's a one-on-one interview with Ruby Velle and Soulphonics Keyboardist and founder Spencer Garn:

 

PREVIEW The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production #ebook

[Download "The 7 Stages" Infographic]

[Purchase "The 7 Stages" eBook]

CLICK HERE to Download the FREE Infographic

Just a quick follow-up to the ebook preview I mentioned here.

"The 7 Stages of Highly Effective Event Management & Production" and the accompanying Infographic are done, just holding off on distribution for a few more weeks.

Please stand by!

xo

Top 3 Reasons Why a Vacation at the Gran Meliá in Puerto Rico is a Must

Coco Beach, Puerto Rico, Gran Melia Golf Resort, March 2013.

Let’s be honest, you need a vacation. We all do. The last couple of years have been tough on us all and we deserve some time to restore what little sanity we have left. 

Modern day professionals lead immensely hectic lives. Spouses, children, bosses, co-workers and aging parents, all vying for our undivided attention… who knew being an adult would be this hard, but there is a bright side, and it is called vacation. 

We must pencil in some time to disengage from it all, to get off the grid and to reconnect with our true selves and with the people in our lives who mean the most to us. 

I make a special effort to do just that every year for my birthday. For a few days each March, I trade in the stresses of life for sun, sea and sand. This year’s annual excursion took me to the shores of la isla del encanto, better known as Puerto Rico. 

Here are my top three reasons for vacationing in Puerto Rico, specifically at the breathtaking Gran Meliá Golf Resort. 

1. Puerto Rico is Convenient. Puerto Rico is easily accessible from the contiguous United States. The flight is a quick 2 ½ hours (from south Florida) and the Caribbean island is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning your cell phone, iPad (think Google Maps, Pandora + Yelp) and your U.S. currency all work 100% the same as they do stateside. Yes, one less thing to worry about while traveling and dining throughout the island and no unexpected cellular roaming charges when you return home, winning! Also, if you are not too comfortable with Spanish, no worries, most service professionals on the island speak English fluently. 

2. Gran Meliá Resort Offers an Exclusive Location. The Gran Meliá is situated on a peninsula in the town of Rio Grande, about 25 minutes east of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). It is an easy drive, a rental car is recommended, and takes you just far enough outside of the hustle and bustle of the city to offer a truly soothing retreat. This location offers tranquil surroundings and beautiful views of Coco Beach and is a 5 minute drive from El Yunque National Forest, one of the most sought-after attractions on the island for hiking and other rain forest adventures. If you are looking for serenity and views of a tropical paradise coupled with the exclusivity of a high-end family friendly resort, I assure you, the Gran Meliá is the place for you. 

3. You Can't Beat a Memorable Vacation Where Value Meets Luxury. Once you decide that the Gran Meliá is the resort for you, splurge a little and go for the Red Level access. Red Level caters to guests desiring a highly-personalized stay. In addition to a private lounge, a daily complimentary beer and wine happy hour, an upgraded suite, access to the private pool, discounts on dining at all of the gourmet restaurants on-site, and private check-in and check-out (all of which we took full advantage of), the Red Level access also affords a daily complimentary gourmet breakfast buffet and a personal on-call butler. Yes, it is definitely worth it and if you really want to ensure that everything goes flawlessly, call on Ivan Sotomayor, the VIP guest services manager, before you head down and he will make sure everything is perfect once you and your guests arrive. Ivan is truly a God-send and will take good care of you.  Be sure to tell him Kelliann sent you, name dropping will definitely help the cause.  

So there you have it, my top three reasons for vacationing in Puerto Rico. 

One thing to keep in mind while traveling internationally: the swiftness of customer service differs from country to country. Keep in mind that you are on vacation, so a slower pace is acceptable. I find that Americans tend to be a bit pushy. Take it easy, my friend, you're on vacation!

VIP Guest Services Manager Ivan stopped by to greet us on his day off.

Coolin' in the 24 hour pool.

24 hour pool.

Sun kissed. Holdin' a meds. 

w/ the bestie.

24 hour pool.

en El Viejo San Juan.

Red Level private pool.

Coco Beach.

Happy Vacay!

--

Here is the Gran Melia on FB.