July 8th, 2009
A lot of families are finding fun, exciting summertime alternatives to costly trips out of town, and the term “staycation” was recently coined to describe just such a phenomenon. Here are our top picks for this summer’s best staycation possibilities:
1) Tourist in your own town
Odds are, within a half-hour’s drive of your home, there are many cool venues and attractions that you haven’t yet explored. Imagine you were visiting your neck of the woods from elsewhere — visit your chamber of commerce, tourist info office, local websites and more to see what new and exciting activities await your discovery. You can also stop by one of the local hotels in town — they’re bound to have a rack of discount coupons, attraction flyers, maps and more. And when you venture out, be sure to bring your camera.
2) Outdoor recreation
Armed with plenty of fresh water and sunscreen, this is the perfect time of year to venture outdoors. Plan a picnic at a local park, take the kids to the playground, go for a hike or bike ride — the choices are virtually endless. Try searching the internet for the name of your town plus “parks and recreation.” Many cities and even small towns have a Parks & Rec site that’s loaded with useful information about camping, fishing, hiking, and much more, all within easy reach of you. Odds are, there are nearby parks, trails and green spaces you haven’t yet discovered. Stay active this summer while exploring your local natural resources.
3) Free tours
You might be surprised how many free tours or activities are available in your own town. Many local libraries feature story hour for kids, as well as local workshops and free classes. Larger cities have many free options including commercial tours (bread making, wine tours, candy or candle making, etc.), government tours (U.S. Mints, state buildings, etc.), eco-tours (like guided hikes and nature trails) and much more. Some paid venues offer free days, BOGO (buy-one-get-one free) offers, and kids’ day specials where kids get in free with paid adult admissions. You can search “free activities in [your town]” for more info about local opportunities.
July 6th, 2009
In the Audiovisual Tips for Beginner post, we gave an overview of general guidelines for using audiovisuals at any event. But today, we’re bringing you the sequel: advanced AV tips.
There’s no need to be afraid of adding audiovisual to an upcoming 
gathering, and these simple steps can help ensure that your A/V enhancements add value and impact to your event.
1. Less is more. Generally speaking, you don’t need more than 1 kind of A/V support at a time. For example, if you decide to rent a projector to showcase a video montage at an upcoming party, wedding or shower, be sure to turn off the party music before you start the video so the music isn’t competing with the show. And to maximize your value, you could create a simple photo montage that loops, and run that loop throughout the party.
2. Know your audience. Always try to plan your event from your guests’/participants’ perspective. What are people seeking? How can A/V enhance their overall experience, without detracting from the event or creating sensory overload? Consider that older audiences will have different needs than younger demographics.
3. Plan ahead. Do as much as you can ahead of time, so that all you have to do during the party or meeting is “press play.” During your event, you’ll have plenty of details to manage, and there’s no need to add A/V mishaps to the list. Set up early and test everything (sound, lighting, function, focus, remote, etc.) before guests/participants begin to arrive.
4. Push the envelope. Don’t settle for “simple” or what’s been done before — to truly wow your audience, push the limits of your capabilities (or better yet, ask a techie cohort for assistance). Add drama, effects, and more — but don’t go over the top or you’ll lose your audience.
5. Get a second opinion. Whether it’s your PowerPoint presentation, your handouts, your signage or your slide show/montage, it always pays to have a second set of eyes review your creation.
Got a great A/V tip we can use? Post it here as a comment or email us! And when you need to reserve a projector rental, be sure to visit us online at Projector123.com.
July 2nd, 2009
This summer, why not upgrade your family backyard bar-b-que with a new twist on classic flavors and big screen movies at home?
More and more families are looking into “stay-cations” this summer, finding ways to enjoy fun times in each other’s company without the costly expenses of airfare, lodging and fuel.
For significantly less than the price of a single plane ticket, you can plan a fun-filled weekend for the family that is sure to create memories to last a lifetime.
Instead of tossing some store-bought burgers and dogs on the grill, get the whole family involved in making a weekend’s worth of affordable gourmet grilling meals right at home.
The Food Network has a slew of exciting recipes, and Iron Chef Bobby Flay is a grill master in his own right.
Consider some of these delectable Bobby Flay dishes you can easily create and grill in your own backyard (without breaking the bank):
Big screen movies are another welcome addition to BBQ 2.0 — hang a sheet or choose a blank wall inside or outside to enjoy a summer movie fest where YOU get to pick the flicks. Invite some friends if you like and call it a party — it’s up to you!
Projector123.com rents projectors in the most easy, affordable, hassle-free manner imaginable. Weekend rentals start at just $99 and we’ll ship the projector straight to your front door with just a few clicks of your mouse. When the weekend fun comes to an end, just pack it back in it’s shipping/carrying carton and call FedEx for easy prepaid pickup and return delivery.
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