GEC Events | Innovative Event Organizers

2011-10-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

Teen Party Expo | The Ultimate Celebration Showcase

The Teen Party Expo promises to be an event like no other. It has been created with the teenager in mind and is designed to focus exclusively on everything a young teenage girl/boy will need for their Quinceañera, Sweet 16, Filipino Debut, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or High School Prom. These traditions are one of the most anticipated milestones in the lifetime of the majority of 12-18 year old teenagers and the Teen Party Expo wants to help them make their dreams come true. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

Los Angeles Convention Center | March 25, 2012 (12pm to 5pm)

The Teen Party Expo will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90015 on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 12:00pm – 5:00pm. The event is $10.00 for general admission and will be open to the public. There will be Fashion Shows, Choreographed Dance Performances, Product/Service demonstrations, an electrifying D.J. Spin off Contest and Grand Prize Drawings.

Save Money On Your Next Celebration

The Teen Party Expo will be geared towards providing the attendees with not only the basic information they need for creating a memorable event, but will also feature workshops that will assist in better planning this celebration. These workshops will include how to select a florist, do-it-yourself invitations, financing options, music selection, and other simple things most people can do on their own to help save money. Young teens enjoy celebrating life achievements but often feel that they cannot enjoy the splendor of a sophisticated celebration due to costs involved. The Teen Party Expo hopes to bring alternatives that will make these dreams a reality.

Become An Official Exhibitor/ Expo Sponsor | 800.769.5137

Did you know that Teen Party Expo is the only event of its kind in the Nation? Unlike other expos which only target one type of teen celebration, we target all of them for your convenience. Now, for the first time you can cross promote your product or service to thousands of teens and their parents in one convenient location.

Our years of organizing large scale events have given us extensive knowledge and expertise, that we now offer the only guarantee in the industry. If you’re not satisfied with the expo, we’ll step in and help make it right GUARANTEED!!!

If you would like to become a Teen Party Expo Signature Exhibitor or Official Sponsor, contact GEC Events: (800) 769-5137 | Expo@gecevents.com

Teen Party Expo: http://www.TeenPartyExpo.com

Teen Party Expo | 2011 | LA Convention Center

2010-10-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Teen Party Expo | The Ultimate Celebration Showcase

Los Angeles Convention Center | March 13, 2011 (12pm to 5pm)

The Teen Party Expo will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90015 on Sunday, March 13, 2011 from 12:00pm – 5:00pm. The event is $10.00 for general admission and $15.00 for VIP Access and will be open to the public. There will be (2) Fashion Shows, Choreographed Dance Performances, Product/Service demonstrations, an electrifying D.J. Spin off Contest and Grand Prize Drawings.

Save Money On Your Next Celebration

Teen Party Event Planning | GEC Events

GEC Events is the award-winning bilingual leader in organizing affordable and elaborate Quinceañeras, Sweet 16, Filipino Debut, Mitzvah’s, and High School Proms. Our team produces only the most memorable and affordable events in the industry. From our talented D.J.s to our elaborate settings, we have the right contacts to make your event truly unique and most importantly, affordable. Call (800) 769-5137 or visit www.GECevents.com

Teen Party Expo National Tour | "Come Dream"

2010-01-29T17:27:00.000-08:00

The San Fernando Valley Quinceañera & Sweet 16 Expo in 2009 was a huge success for us. We received great media attention and even made the Top Story of Monday's Daily News Website and Newspaper. It got me thinking that we had created something very special and I wanted to take it to the next level. What we decided to do is create the Teen Party Expo National Tour. Now young teen girls/boys between the ages of 12-18 who are getting ready to celebrate their Quinceañeras, Sweet 16, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Debut or High School Prom, can come find everything they need to make that day memorable.

This event is designed to bring together at one time and in one single unique location various products and services that are essential in the celebration of these festivities and traditions. The products and services showcased will focus exclusively on the teenage girls/boys and what they may need or want as part of her celebration. The idea behind this is to bring unique products and services that are true to these teenage celebrations and not ones that are part of the wedding industry and are forced to simply “fit in” or “make them work”. These vendors are committed to helping them create an unforgettable event that will honor their youth and pay tribute to their parent’s hard work and dedication. All of our hand selected vendors will be providing a vast majority of pricing options to fit all types of budgets. The hotel ballroom will also be transformed into a cool and hip setting as opposed to the exhausted traditional wedding expo layout which most girls/boys are presented with.

The Teen Party Expo will be geared towards providing the attendees with not only the basic information they need for creating a memorable event, but will also feature workshops that will assist in better planning this celebration. These workshops will include how to select a florist, do-it-yourself invitations, financing options, music selection, and other simple things most people can do on their own to help save money. Young teenage girls/boys enjoy celebrating life achievements but often feel that they cannot enjoy the splendor of a sophisticated celebration due to costs involved. We hope to bring alternatives that will make these dreams a reality.

The Teen Party Expo will take place at the Radisson Los Angeles Westside Hotel, 6161 W. Centinela Avenue, Culver City, CA on Sunday March 21, 2010 from 11:00am – 5:00pm. The event is $10.00 to attend and is open to the public. There will be an appearance by the 97.1 Amp Radio and 93.9 Exitos Street Teams, 2 Fashion Show, Choreographed Dance Performances, an electrifying D.J. Spin off Contest and a Party Theme Makeover Grand Prize Drawing. The first (100) teenage girls will receive a special gift for attending and all attendees will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing valued at $5,000.

In 2011 we will be taking the show on the road visiting the cities of Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Miami and Las Vegas. The shows will take place between March and April to capture the High School Prom audience. Then throughout the rest of the year we will host “Teen Party Expo: Quinceañera Show.” These shows will be designed to focus exclusively on the celebration that honors a young Latina girl’s rite of passage from childhood into womanhood. This tradition is one of the most anticipated milestones in the lifetime of the majority of 12-14 year old Latina girls. They will take place in high Hispanic demographic markets throughout the states of California, Arizona, Illinois, Nevada and Florida.

For More Information visit www.TeenPartyExpo.com or Call (800) 769-5137

The San Fernando Valley Quinceanera & Sweet 16 Expo

2009-09-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

What can I say I am a sucker for a good idea. In creating so many events I have always taken the time to see the reaction of the audience to ensure we were doing our job in creating memories. There is nothing more pleasing than seeing people laugh and smile for something you did without them knowing it was you.

With so many bridal expos we noticed that there wasn't really anything out there for the young girls of this vast industry. So as everything else we got together with our resources and contacts to start the first in a series of expos that we will be doing throughout Southern California.

Take a look at some of our press release to get a better idea of this project:

San Fernando Valley (September 22, 2009) – The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, 97.1 Amp FM Radio and GEC Events will present The 2nd Annual San Fernando Valley Quinceañera Expo on Sunday October 4, 2009. This event is designed to focus exclusively on the celebration that honors a young girl’s rite of passage from childhood into womanhood. This tradition is one of the most anticipated milestones in the lifetime of the majority of 12-14 year old Latina girls.

This event is designed to bring together at one time and in one single location various products and services that are essential in the celebration of this special occasion. The products and services showcased will focus exclusively on the Quinceañera and what she may need or want as part of her celebration. The idea behind this is to bring unique products and services that are true to the Quinceañera celebration and not ones that are part of the wedding industry and are forced to simply “fit in” or “make them work” in the Quinceañera setting. Quinceañeras are young girls with big dreams who are celebrating a special family tradition. These vendors are committed to helping them create an unforgettable event that will honor their youth and pay tribute to their parent’s hard work and dedication. All vendors will be providing a vast majority of pricing options to fit all types of budgets.

The 2nd Annual San Fernando Valley Quinceañera Expo will be geared towards providing the attendees with not only the basic information they need for creating a memorable event, but will also feature workshops that will assist in better planning this celebration. These workshops will include how to select a florist, do-it-yourself invitations, financing options, music selection, and other simple things most people can do on their own to help save money. The Hispanic culture enjoys celebrating life achievements but often feel that they cannot enjoy the splendor of a sophisticated celebration due to costs involved. GEC Events hopes to bring alternatives that will make these dreams a reality.

For more info. just log onto www.GECEVENTS.com/Expo or call 800.715. 1704

Below is our radio commerical with 97.1 Amp Radio to promote the expo.

3rd Annual Festival Salvadorenisimo

2009-09-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

What would you do if someone asked you to organize a festival for over 2,500 people with less than a months notice? Would you say yes? We did which brings us to our next story. From the success of the Hansen Dam 4th of July Spectacular the City of Los Angeles called us and asked if we could assist them in organizing the 3rd Annual Festival Salvadorenisimo (it easier to pronounce than you might think :). The event tool place at Hansen Dam which we are very familiar with and since most of the behind the scene items were in already in place, we jumped on the opportunity to once again do what we do best.

With such a short time period I went to our vendors and quickly started putting together a plot plan and taking control of what is required to put on a great festival. The event promoters had done this event the previous two years at Hollywood Park Casino so this was a whole new arena for them. With careful planning the event went off without a hitch and once again we were able to ensure the City of Los Angeles shined for the community.

This event was made even more special to me since my parents are both from El Salvador which is what the event was celebrating. My mom and dad got front row seats to see one of their childhood bands back on the main stage and seeing thier faces was all I needed to know that we once again did a great job.

Disney Legends Dinner Reception

2009-09-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

Many people ask me who has inspired you to imagine these elaborate festivals and events. I will always have the same answer for them, my inspiration comes from a man named Walt Disney. The reason is very simple, he is someone who has created so much not for his own pleasure, but for all those around him. This respect and admiration for him made me meet someone very special that brought us to The Disney Legends Dinner Reception.

Ollie Johnston was the last living animator of Walt's nine old men. A friend of mine gave me a video that showed the close relationship between Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. Both are living Disney Legends that created so many of the classic animation movies we have all come to love. In my curiosity I researched to see if they were still alive and to my surprise Ollie Johnston was still around. Filled with excitement to actually meet someone that worked so closely with Walt Disney I made every effort to get in contact with him, and so I did. I soon after was given the distinct honor of coming to Ollie's home and actually shaking his hand. You can only imagine the smile on my face. For the next couple of months I came to visit Ollie and even brought over a couple of trains which were his favorite. Then one day his son took me on a tour of the backyard which was home to Ollie's very own miniature train that he rode around in. Even though the trains no longer ran there was an old yellow train depot that caught my attention.

I met a friend by the name of Bob Lemberger who volunteers his time at the Carolwood Museum located in Griffith Park. This is a great place to find miniature trains that the public can come ride on Sunday's. What makes this place even more special is that the actual barn where Walt Disney played with his own trains at his home in Beverly Hills stands here for all to see. Since Ollie Johnston was such a huge train fanatic, as was Walt Disney, we decided to see if we could restore the old Train Depot and place it next to Walt's Barn. Several months and volunteer hours later the Train Depot again shined and could now be enjoyed by all who come to this wonderful place.

This entire story created a great relationship with Bob Lemberger and I which still continues til this day. They had a special dinner for those Disney Legends that are still alive and started the magic with Walt Disney himself. We catered this special event and added our special touches which Walt called "plus-ing". All in all the event went very well but it was the story leading to this special relationship that truly was remarkable.

"Live Right and Things Will Go Right For You" - Walt Disney

Hansen Dam 4th of July Spectacular

2009-09-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

We once again were asked by the City of Los Angeles to assist in the organizing of the largest fireworks festival in the San Fernando Valley. It had been almost 4 years since our last participation of this event and it was great to be back. The Hansen Dam 4th of July Spectacular has been going on for the last 15 years. What started off as a small fireworks display has turned into a 50,000 audience extravaganza.

This year we paid tribute to Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper on the 50th Anniversary of their tragic flight. It was very special to see how the community took in the celebration and truly enjoyed the evening. With another great event in the books the City of Los Angeles and Communities in Schools has given us the opportunity of taking this festival into a whole new direction for 2010.

Below is the radio commerical from our official radio sponsor Exitos 93.9 FM. They did an amazing job in capturing the event for the Latino Community.

Official Festival Website: http://www.Hansen4th.com

7 Ways to Stimulate Your Employees in a Poor Economy

2009-03-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

You can not turn on today's news without hearing about the large numbers of employees losing their jobs on a daily basis. More and more companies are having to make tremendous cuts in staffing in order to stay afloat. So what about the employees who are left behind, what can you do to stimulate their full potential?

I have put together a few of ideas that are easy to do and virtually at no cost to your company.

1. A Pat On The Back

A pat on the back can go a long way. This is a great way to reward employees who do an outstanding job. You can then place a notice of the award in their employee file. Studies have shown that recognition is the most significant reward for employees and will prolong their loyalty to a company.

2. Dedicate A Piece Of The Office

Your employees are a vital component to the success of your company so why not remind them everyday. Dedicating pieces of office equipment with a small name plaque will make them feel valued and appreciated. When employees see their name displayed they become proud and thankful which they then share with their colleagues, friends and families for years to come.

3. Adopt An Official Office Mascot

Adopt a large stuffed animal mascot. Have a contest to select a name. Then each week the mascot is taken to a different department with a note from the previous team. This creates teamwork among different departments and also increases employee morale.

4. Go On A Field Trip

Take a short walk as a group outside of the office. This is a great way for employees to interact and get a bid of fresh air. You can even take different groups around the office to say hello to other departments. With more employees keeping to themselves at work, this is a great way to build employee interaction and create conversation.

5. Special Events

Share special employee moments with the team. This could be a new child in the family, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It is always nice to show others that there is a lot that goes on outside of the work place. Make sure the employee is comfortable with everyone knowing before making any announcements.

6. A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words

Ask your employees to bring in their baby pictures and place them on a collage in the break room. Have a contest in which employees try to identify them by placing their entries in a small box. The winner (s) can get a $5.00 gift card. This is a great way to demonstrate to employees your interest in their lives outside of work.

7. Plant A Tree

With more and more companies making an effort to go green why not join the cause. You can have each department plant a tree together which they can then watch grow everyday. This is a great way to demonstrate camaraderie and team spirit.

As you use these simple ideas you will notice that your employees will come to appreciate and value them. In these hard times a little can go a long way in helping keep your employees motivated and happy.

About the author: Oscar Urrutia is an Innovative Eco-Friendly Event Organizer with GEC Events. He writes about employee motivational ideas along with what is new in the event industry. Visit his blog at http://gecevents.blogspot.com/. For more information on GEC Events call 800-769-5137 or visit http://www.gecevents.com/

Go Green Expo | L.A. Convention Center

2009-01-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Due to the popular demand from our clients to create a Blog to discuss different event ideas, I have decided to move forward. You will now be able to get up-to-date information on our innovative ideas along with what is new in the industry. With that said we will now like to let you know about our experience at the Go Green Expo at the L.A. Convention Center.

The expo took place from January 23 to January 25. There were over a hundred different vendors displaying numerous eco-friendly ideas for both the needs of consumers and businesses. From Hemp Clothing to Solar Power Generators you can not help but appreciate the effort that is being made to improve our surroundings.

Some of the items we saw that were of interest for our events included: eco-friendly trash bags, cotton canvas tote shopping bags, air powered waste compactors, and more durable goods for our upcoming Eco-Party Box. We are already in the works to secure some of these items for the upcoming picnic season.

The Go Green Expo was a great event and we look forward to other such shows. Our goal is to be the most recognized eco-friendly company in the industry. Send us a comment below with your thoughts on what your company is doing to go green.

Thank you and I look forward to our next blog.

Oscar Urrutia - Innovative Event Expert

GEC Events | 800.769.5137