Small Businesses Combine Christmas Parties to Cut Costs, Increase Fun

Durham, NC (PRWEB) November 19, 2008

Companies across the world are being hit by a bad economy and canceling holiday parties. There are good reasons not to cancel the party. Save costs by combining parties with another small business and plan entertainment that boost employee morale with employee awards certificates.

The news is full of big companies canceling parties. There's Morgan Stanley, Hearst, Barclays Capital, ABC News, American Express, CitiGroup, and even MTV. It's enough to kill any Christmas spirit.

Small businesses don't have to follow AIG's example by throwing a lavish party and letting someone else foot the bill. Larry Weaver, author and expert in planning fun company parties says its time to be creative.

The tip to combine parties was mentioned in the article, More the Merrier at Christmas, in New Zealand's Star Times. "Auckland-based New Zealand Corporate Events is helping smaller companies make the most of their Christmas party budget by organising combined functions for businesses wanting a little extra for their money," it reads.

Renting a place to hold the party, decorations, entertainment, and food can add up - and combining parties means splitting the bill. "Find a small business with a similar company culture or one that you already work with as a vendor or partner. See if you can combine holiday parties. Not only will this help cut costs, but it can help solidify relationships," said Weaver.

Benefits of Holding a Combined Holiday Party:

Cost savings
More networking opportunities
Bigger company party atmosphere
Higher quality location and food
Better entertainment
Shared party planning responsibilities

Another way to make the party better is to add humor. Weaver's new book Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony, has funny certificates which can be framed and presented to employees.

"Giving out funny employee awards can be part entertainment, part morale booster at your holiday party. It gives employees a chance to get to know each other better, and it keeps the mood things light. My book is full of awards and ideas for small businesses to make the most of their company party this year," says Weaver.

About Larry Weaver:

Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and creator of the Funny Employee Awards Show - the company party where your employees are the stars. With nearly 20 years as both a corporate comedian and office worker, Larry brings a unique and refreshing perspective to workplace humor. The Funny Employee Awards blog has stories from successful or humorous office parties around the world.

To see samples of funny employee awards or to order the book, visit http://www.funawards.com/

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Rates for Search Marketing Expo - SMX East Increase July 16; New York City Conference Features 5 In-depth Workshops

Redding, CT (PRWEB) July 05, 2011

The organizers of search engine marketing conference Search Marketing Expo SMX East announced the workshop schedule for this Septembers event.

SMX East will feature five workshops hosted by leading experts in internet and search engine marketing. Topics include search engine optimization (SEO), Google AdWords, international search, Facebook marketing and SEO for in-house marketers.

SMX East will be held September 13-15, 2011 at the Javits Center in New York City. The conference agenda features more than 50 sessions over three days, networking activities and keynote addresses.

Those interested in attending can take advantage of lowest-available Super Early Bird rates until July 16. Register online at http://smxeast.com/ or by phone at (877) 242-5242.

The workshops will be held September 12th. Attendees can choose from:

Advanced AdWords Training: Paid search is key to interactive marketing campaigns. Join certified AdWords trainer Brad Gedes for a full day of AdWords best practices and advanced strategies to maximize the effectiveness of your PPC campaigns.

International Search Summit: International search and social media campaigns are complicated - there are language issues, cultural factors, legal requirements, local search engines and social networks, differing trends and user needs. The International Search Summit (ISS) is the only event focusing on the challenges facing international marketers and provides practical solutions, advice and techniques for improving global online performance.

Bruce Clay SEO Training: Bruce Clay is one of the most knowledgeable, experienced and quoted search marketers on the planet. Bruces SEO Training workshop teaches marketers how to implement an effective search engine optimization process. Hell cover how a search-engine-friendly web site impacts traffic, conversions and online revenue. And hell get down to the nitty gritty, white-hat-only tactics that improve site performance.

Facebook Marketing Intensive: With nearly 600 million members, the Facebook community demands every marketers attention. Figuring out how to effectively engage this group is the challenge. Attend aimClear Facebook Marketing Intensive and learn how to leverage the traffic-driving power of this community with "free" optimization techniques and paid Facebook advertising.

In-house SEO Exchange: In-house search marketers face unique challenges. That's why Jessica Bowman, a leading advocate for in-house SEO, created this all-interactive workshop focused exclusively on the issues faced by in-house search marketers. The content is guaranteed relevant because attendance is limited to in-housers. Attendees will share solutions and build relationships. Its unlike any event you have ever attended!

Additional information about all of these workshops can be found at http://searchmarketingexpo.com/east/workshops

Tickets to workshops are limited, so prospective attendees should register early. Combination SMX East All Access + Workshop passes are priced at $ 2095 until July 16 and include all four days of sessions, keynotes, networking activities and meals.

Passes for the Workshops only are also available and priced at $ 895 until July 16.

Register for either pass at http://searchmarketingexpo.com/east/register

About Search Marketing Expo SMX East and Third Door Media

SMX East features sessions just for you, whether you are looking for advanced tactics or just starting out in search, work on an in-house SEM team, hail from an agency, or own your own business.

Attend SMX East for:

Exceptional content so compelling, youll want to implement what youve learned before leaving the conference. Super-charged sessions on PPC, SEO, social media marketing, local and mobile search will help you succeed today, tomorrow and in the future.

Invaluable connections made possible by the ultimate mix of structured networking opportunities and social events. Meet new contacts and reconnect with colleagues. SMX makes it easy to interact and exchange ideas with other industry thought leaders.

Essential conveniences to help you juggle your every-day responsibilities while maximizing your conference time: always-available and free Wi-Fi; hot lunches, snacks and beverages all day; access to all presentations and tools to pre-plan your custom itinerary. SMX has got you covered.

The Search Marketing Expo - SMX conference series is produced by Third Door Media, Inc. Third Door Media's mission is to empower internet and search marketing professionals by providing trusted content and community services they need to be successful. Search Marketing Expo conferences are held around the world and include: SMX West (San Jose, CA), SMX East (New York City), SMX Advanced (Seattle, WA and London, England), SMX Munich, SMX Toronto, SMX Sydney, SMX Melbourne, SMX Paris, SMX Stockholm and SMX SoLoMo Social, Local & Mobile Search (Phoenix, AZ).

Third Door Media publishes Search Engine Land, the leading search marketing news and analysis site, and Sphinn.com, a social news site that allows search and internet marketers to share news stories, participate in subject-specific discussion forums, and build their professional networks. The company also provides a full range of innovated marketing services including lead generation, content creation and licensing via its Search Marketing Now brand.

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