Working Backwards

It's been a busy couple weeks and we're gearing up for another great event in Washington D.C.  Part of my preparation process is reflecting on the challenges our team has encountered in the past month and evaluating our performance.  This post will highlight our approach of "working backwards," allowing us to better serve our clients in all areas of business.

Chairman's Conference,  Maui

Many people, in almost every industry, get stuck focusing on the little details of a project. This keeps them from seeing the big picture and ultimately, hinders creativity.  As a rule of thumb, our staff starts with the 5,000 ft approach and drills out the little details as the project progresses.

By doing this, our staff avoids a monotonous routine, and instead are able to think outside the box when facing even the simplest challenge.  Doing this while keeping the client's goals in mind allows us to keep and open, creative mindset to provide a superior service.

Load-in at Diamond Cross Ranch

As a plan begins to develop and take shape we allow ourselves to be driven by communication. Letting our client's message drive our focus allows us to take a unique approach to the way we run a show, and ultimately our business.  The creative material we develop, the staging we build and the gear we buy are all driven by the needs of our clients and the direction of their business.

Being a smaller, boutique company who deals with large corporations means we must focus on how we can best serve our clients, yet continue to stay cutting edge. This may not mean buying the latest and greatest gear, but instead buying the necessary tools to deliver the message.

The result is a tailored and extremely unique product for our clients to take their events to the next level.  We've essentially avoided the "fat" of the business world all together to provide lean, more focused and extremely competitive service.

Over the last few months we've worked on the beaches of Maui, a beautiful horse ranch in the Teton Mountains and a major conference center in Orlando. Our ability to stay extremely flexible has proven to be a key to our success as we look forward to another great event in Washington D.C. this weekend.

-Chris Mars

Office Watchdog

Those of you who have visited our office in the past have already met our office mascot, watchdog and creative companion here at Bow & Arrow Productions.  For those of you who have not, we would like to formally introduce Katie Mars, a three year old Golden Retriever who is a vital part of our office culture.

At Bow & Arrow Productions we rely on teamwork to function properly both in the office and on our show sites. As we all know, working in teams can be a difficult task when stress levels are high. In this article, published by Aaron Crowe of AOL Jobs, Crowe finds that dogs create a more cohesive work place, act as an "Ice Breaker" and can provide a creative spark in the office.  Katie is an excellent example of how a canine can positively affect an office environment.

When renovating our office our goal was to create an atmosphere where clients can escape the daily grind and focus on their upcoming event. Katie couldn't be happier to greet them with one of her favorite toys as they walk through the door. She plays a big role in setting the relaxed mood the moment a visitor steps into our our office.

According to Crowe's article, many businesses who rely on creativity also rely on dogs to keep the creative juices flowing.  High stress levels and tension in the office are things that can adversely effect productivity.  Playing fetch, going for short walks or just being a foot warmer are all things Katie has mastered to help us refocus on the task at hand.

Wether we're working individually in our offices or meeting in a conference room, Katie can be found laying under the table or waiting to play tug-o-war. We find these brief escapes from the daily routine can provide more than entertainment, they are a way for us to clear our minds and refocus on the task at hand.  The concerns and obstacles of the day seem to disappear when Katie comes strolling into your office.

Katie has become a vital member at Bow & Arrow Productions, specializing in the tangible things to keep our office culture focused yet relaxed.  We're extremely lucky to have such a positive member on our staff and hope you all get a chance to meet her at the door of 820 Prairie Street in Adel sometime soon.  

Maui 2011

Our latest journey took us across the Pacific to the island of Maui for a gala event and headline concert on the Kaanapali golf course.  In 2007, we produced a similar show which is still regarded as one of the most impressive events ever produced on Maui.  This year's event was a great opportunity for the new staff members at Bow & Arrow to prove their skills on the island.

After months of coordinating, conference calls and planning, it was finally time to let the ship set sail as construction began April 10th, 2011.  The event was located on the 5th hole of the Kaanapali golf course which sets directly between the ocean and the beautiful Honoapiillani Highway 30 ocean drive.  It didn't take long before the island was a buzz with excitement to see a major production back on the island.

After six days of load-in and smaller events on the island, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful sunset as 1,800 guests enjoyed dinner in anticipation of the headline act.  Just as the sun tucked away for the night, one of America's great rock & roll bands, Huey Lewis and the News took to the stage and put an excellent show capped with fireworks synced to custom music.  

Producing a show of this magnitude can be a daunting task with so many moving parts and uncertainties.  We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work on these extraordinary projects with great team members from everyone involved in the event.  Be sure to sign up for our next newsletter for a full recap and photos from our ten days in Maui. 

Communication Manager Update

By: Chris Mars

As we reflect on the first two months of 2011, I've been updating our communications pieces and took step back and evaluate the work we have done so far.  A new version of our website should be sent live in the next few weeks with an updated portfolio and the addition of some video elements we've completed in recent months.

Along with these updates, we are currently working to better describe our Mission Statement, Creative Excellence Through Effective Partnership.  This new material should be helpful in describing what drives Bow & Arrow Productions and separates our company from the competition.

As I work on these updates I began to think about the mission of this blog and how it can benefit our readers.  As a staff, we feel this can be a tool for our readers to get a sense of who we are on a more personal level, highlight the business relationships we develop, and the struggles and successes we have along our journey.

In the next couple weeks we will be updating this blog in hopes of giving you an insider look at what makes Bow & Arrow Productions unique.

Fast Start to a New Year

The new year has been extremely busy for our staff here at Bow & Arrow Productions. We started  with shows in Chicago, Orlando and two events in Las Vegas in the months of January and February.

One of the Vegas events gave us the opportunity to spread our creative wings and work with a new client.  The event was for Sealy Mattress Company and their Global Sales Meeting.  The goal was to launch their new Posturepedic mattress line and advertising campaign developed by the Leo Burnett Advertising agency.

We bid on the event 2 months out and put the show together in just over 3 weeks time. For a show this size, we normally bid the show at least six months in advance and work with the client's on messaging for three to four months before the event.  In years past, these meetings have been your basic production with little excitement or energy.  It was our job to take the event to the next level and give Sealy's new product a proper launch.

With limited time for planning, Sealy turned to us to bring the event together and support their messaging.  We produced several custom videos showcasing the rich history of Sealy and blending in their new marketing campaign.

This meeting would be the first time attendee's would be able to view the new Posturepedic line and Marketing material.  Sealy is the number 1 mattress company in the nation, yet they haven't done any marketing or promotions.  The sales representatives were dying for a new product and the tools to sell the product.  What better way to present a new product than put it front and center throughout the entire show?

Our staff worked with the Sealy Research and Development department to implement the new Posturepedic into our set.  We were able to shoot branding and video onto the surface of the mattresses, a simple design with unlimited capabilities for sharing Sealy's new Marketing materials.

Attendee's had the opportunity to preview new marketing material, hear from company officers and get to view the product first hand.  In a three day span, they were given the tools to fully understand the development, special features and how to effectively position the new Posturepedic line.

The event concluded with a recognition dinner and closing comments from Sealy's President and CEO, Larry Rogers.  The product launch was a huge success on multiple levels, from Marketing to Product Development and Sales.

Special Olympics Promotional Videos

This past week we've been working with the National Special Olympics Organizing committee on promoting the 2014 National Games to be held in Princeton New Jersey.  

We've developed a great relationship with this group so it was nice to touch base with some familiar faces.  The request came in to produce two promotional videos which would highlight the athletes of the National Games and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.  

This was a great opportunity for our company to stay in the loop with Special Olympics and take on a project most would turn over to someone other than a production company.

As part of the 2010 National Games we produced a series of videos highlighting Special Olympics Athletes from around the Nation and the Legacy of Eunice Kennedy Schriver.  These videos were played during the Opening Ceremonies to help share the message of what it meant to be a part of the Special Olympics.  

We took the same approach to these promotional videos in hopes that we could convey the energy at the National Games and the true passion of the Special Olympics organization.  The videos were extremely well received and we hope they continue to be a tool for Special Olympics to use into the future.  

With the trust of the Organizing Committee and solid understanding of the desired message, we were able to take the creative lead on the project's direction.  We feel this is a true testament of our mission statement "Creative Excellence Through Effective Partnership." 

Living by this motto has opened doors for our staff to grow into more diverse roles than simply production.  In this case, promotional material for the Special Olympics Organization.  

December Meetings

By: Ashley Reutter 

Being the newest member on a team can be a learning experience for anyone, but the true test is when your new company sends you to three different states in three weeks to produce eight shows.  Long story short, I survived.  But not only did I survive, I learned why someone would hire Bow & Arrow to be responsible for producing their events.  The attention to detail and effort put into making sure every “t” is crossed and “i” is dotted is what makes this company stand apart.

The shows produced were annual Kick-Off meetings, which consisted of the company leaders discussing the future of the company. These messages are extremely important for the audience who serve as the face of the company.  Along with presentations and messaging, a fun game of Family Feud was played testing the audience’s knowledge of key information from 2010. 

Being able communicate key messages to start the year is highly important to our client. Making sure these meetings were well organized and executed at a high level is what makes Bow & Arrow Productions so valuable in all aspects of our client’s events.

Bow & Arrow Welcomes New Staff Member

The Bow & Arrow Productions staff is proud to announce Ashley Ruetter as the newest addition to their team.  She will serve as the Production Coordinator and comes highly recommended in the event planning field. 

Ashley is a native of Boone, Iowa where she recently worked as the Event Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce.  She is a 2009 graduate from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Communication and a minor in Mass Media.  Some of her past experiences include working for the ASU Event and Meeting Services Department, Marketing and Public Relations for St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. 

Clients and Vendors of Bow & Arrow Productions will begin to receive information from Ashley immediately.  She started Monday morning in Adel and will be helping execute December events as well as planning the 2011 events.    

Why Not Widescreen?

Throughout this year we have been using a mixture of widescreen format (9x16) and standard format (4x3) for our client's video projection screens. We offer both to all of our clients which brings up the question "Why not go widescreen?"

From an audience member's standpoint, the widescreen is much more appealing to the eye. As a presenter, this format allows more room for graphics and photos making your presentation more appealing. (See our previous post on visual appeal ) The 16x9 format is an increasingly popular choice and is said to be the "format of the future."

In the past, some of our client's have encountered some difficulty formatting their power point slides to accommodate the difference.  In our business, this can be frustrating for meeting planners as they have little control over what a speaker may produce.  We find this aspect has been the number one draw back to moving forward with the different format.

Lets keep in mind that Power Point did not catch on as quickly as some might have expected.  For the longest time we had presenters bring us slides on carousels and overheard projector sheets.  You all remember those days, right?

Learning and teaching the new technology took some time and, as a production company, we had to be able to handle all requests. Times have changes and thankfully most presenters are accustomed to working in powerpoint. Being able to produce a presentation in the wide screen is not too difficult.

The only real change to make is in your Page Setup.  Simply change the size to the "on screen production (16X9)" setting.  If you're working with an older version of Powerpoint you can set 8 Inches for the Width, 4.5 Inches for the Height and the Orientation to landscape. This will produce the same result.

Some of the pictures in your presentation may stretch so be sure to proof and resize the images if you are changing the slides after completing your build. 

It's that simple, just a few setting changes and your off and running. We see this technology as another effective way to deliver the client's message to their audience.  Hopefully, this post has given you some confidence when looking into using the 16X9 format.

"Leadership Now"

 Last night, we had the opportunity to be entertained by "The Worlds Funniest Guitar Virtuoso," Mike Rayburn. Mike is an amazing individual and blends a unique message with his "Classically trained.... comically derailed" performance. His concert/comedy show was a huge hit with the audience and a great start to our client's 124th annual convention.

This morning we supported the Opening Session at the Polk County Convention Complex. Today's keynote speaker was Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors L.P., giving us hope that the financial future will be profitable in the long haul. His message is one geared around positivity and optimism, which is something a little hard to come by these days with our recent recession and national debt being key topics.

Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to hear Commander Kirk S. Lippold, USN (retired) and his message "Leadership and Accountability When It Matters". Commander Lippold was the commanding officer when the USS Cole was attacked by al Queda in the port of Aden, Yemen. Through his experiences as a commanding officer, Commander Lippold can give us all some valuable insight to becoming more effective leaders.