Articles

Superhero Spotlight: Deconstructing a Tradeshow Budget

A few weeks ago, I posted about being a corporate Superhero by hosting events!


In this week’s “Superhero Spotlight” we focus on Tradeshow budgets. I recently had a conversation with a new prospect that was interested in diving into Tradeshows with a brand new 20x20 booth that the client wanted to pur...

Wendy Porter
04/16/2024 04:01 PM - Comment(s)
Know the Value: Hire an Event Pro and go from Chaos to Control

CLIENT– How much will it cost for you to plan and manage our corporate event?

EVENT PLANNER - $28,000 dollars.


CLIENT – That’s too expensive for planning an event!

EVENT PLANNER – What budget did you have in mind?


CLIENT – $8,000 max! It’s a simple event!

EVENT PLANNER – I can’t organize the event you’re...

Wendy Porter
04/01/2024 04:08 PM - Comment(s)
Nurturing Your Professional Garden: Lessons from Eight Years in Business

Today, I am proud to announce that Wendy Porter Events, LLC is officially celebrating our eighth anniversary. My entrepreneurial venture began after a corporate downsizing shook me to my core. I had worked tirelessly for my employer in the corporat...

Wendy Porter
11/30/2023 04:12 PM - Comment(s)
Top 10 Lessons We've Learned About Planning Events Since the Pandemic
Wendy Porter
10/20/2023 11:11 PM - Comment(s)
Congress passed the Save Our Stages Act. The Live Events Industry is good now, right? Not so fast...
Along with local IATSE Union stagehands, WPE executive produced the Minnesota Live Events Coalition “Empty Event” in December 2020, where all 480 chairs — 10 each at 48 tables — were, by design, unoccupied. These empty chairs and tables signified the 12 million live-event workers across the nation w...
Wendy Porter
01/21/2021 11:55 PM - Comment(s)
The One Display EVERY Event Needs
It’s National Cheese Day! I reside in the Midwest so cheese is a specialty of sorts, and we Midwesterners are highly fond of good cheese. In addition, we know how to create with, cook with, and blend other flavors with cheeses. And we want it done right!

So, what is the best way to serve cheese at an...

Wendy Porter
06/04/2020 11:30 AM - Comment(s)
Ten Tips For Hosting A Memorable Virtual Event
It’s no understatement to say that we are living in unprecedented times. The COVID-19 virus has brought the world economy to a screeching halt, leaving many businesses and industries grappling for substitute methods of operation. And for many of those industries that rely on the nuances of interpers...
Wendy Porter
04/28/2020 01:11 AM - Comment(s)
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day has arrived! 

One of the more overlooked holidays, St. Patrick’s Day conjures images of seas of green, shamrocks, leprechauns, beer, and all things Ireland. But what IS this elusive holiday, and how can all its festivities be incorporated into a professional, classy event?

The s...

Wendy Porter
03/11/2020 11:28 PM - Comment(s)
It’s Mardi Gras! Let’s Plan an Event!
Mardi Gras is one of the lesser known, but truly exciting holidays that is celebrated in the United States. Every year, Mardi Gras takes place in the bustling historic city of New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s an exciting backdrop and theme to utilize for hosting truly unique events, no matter the indust...
Wendy Porter
02/25/2020 12:28 AM - Comment(s)
Why You Should Host An Event On Martin Luther King Jr Day
“The time is always right to do what is right.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

We are all familiar with the story of the great Martin Luther King Jr. He was the well-loved reverend, civil rights activist, and advocate for his fellow African Americans during a tumultuous time in our nation’s history. He is ...

Wendy Porter
01/20/2020 08:04 PM - Comment(s)
The German Christmas Market Event
One of the most charming Christmas traditions is the German Christmas Market event. Over the years, I have had the privilege of both living and traveling in Germany, and I consider these events to be some of my fondest memories of my time there.

The German Christmas Market, or Christkindlmarkt (trans...

Wendy Porter
12/10/2019 11:40 PM - Comment(s)
Minnesota B.O.L.D. Serves Super Bowl LII
Event planners need to be capable of thinking outside the box. Good event planners will try to always think outside the box. Great ones will shatter it completely and create life-long memories.

Event planners tend to create events indoors, and many times this is appropriate. However, sometimes, it’s ...

Wendy Porter
11/21/2019 05:56 AM - Comment(s)
How To Host A Classy, Professional, Magical Event During The Halloween Season
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year. Let’s face it - even adults can thoroughly enjoy the festivities that come along with the scary season! It’s a great time for a variety of events, as it seems to kick off the holiday season.

I have some top tips and strategies that we use and r...

Wendy Porter
10/25/2019 03:34 AM - Comment(s)
The Wendy Porter Magic: From Lemonade Stands to an Event Management Agency
Wendy Porter has always been a planner: from her childhood days of organizing lemonade stands in her neighborhood, her friend’s birthday parties and neighborhood plays, to her adult years of coordinating office happy hours, the first neighborhood holiday progressive party (now on its 26th year!) and...
Wendy Porter
08/08/2019 09:07 PM - Comment(s)
By: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com


You’ve all been to the typical 4th of July party in someone’s garage or backyard. You walk in and see people wearing red, white, and blue, and kids running throughout the yard. You hear an old bean bag as it hits the rusted board laying in the grass. Ever...

Wendy Porter
08/08/2019 09:02 PM - Comment(s)