ALL THINGS BOSTON! November 2006, Volume II, Issue IV
News from NXTevent
Welcome to All Things Boston!
Once again, Boston experienced another outstanding New England fall – with minimal rain, plenty of sunshine, and beautiful foliage, not to mention some last minute 60º F temperatures in November.
As we head into yet another winter season you might find yourself hoping that the only thing frosty this year is a large beer mug. But Boston is fabulous this time of year and NXTevent is determined to prove it! We happen to love it because of end of year parties and special holiday extravaganzas …but maybe that’s because we’re just so darn good at planning them.
So in this issue, we bring you exciting ideas for your next event, give you a taste of a few fabulous holiday bash ideas, help you find the perfect way to seal the deal, offer a glimpse of what’s hot for incentive planners & tours, tip you off to a few great ways of simplifying your event planning, take a closer look at hotel restaurants, and offer up the latest news from NXTevent!
NXTevent is proud to announce that Ally O’Connor, NXTevent’s Founder & CEO, will be serving on the board of the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) New England Chapter, and has been nominated to serve on the board of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. We are extremely excited to be recognized for your leadership in the community and look forward to offering our expertise to such reputable organizations in Boston!
In every newsletter, NXTevent provides you with the latest and greatest that the area has to offer! We know New England and we know events! So grab some cocoa, bundle up, and read on to learn more about Boston from one of its leading experts! NXTevent, Boston’s premier Destination Management Company, specializing in destination, meeting, and event planning.
Holidays, Holidays, Holidays: Ideas for your special event! 
Cheers! Whether you’re planning an end of year party for 5 to 500 people, creating and executing a unique and exciting event can sometimes be chilling. That’s why NXTevent has gathered up a few ideas to get the (snow) ball rolling!
If you’re looking for an elegant way to thank your clients or employees, then an end of year event at Symphony Hall is the way to go. Pop the cork at a reception in one of Symphony Hall’s private event spaces, and continue the evening by enjoying the lighthearted sounds of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, one of the city’s most notable talents. During the holiday season, the BSO offers outstanding performances, some of which can be reserved for your special event or a buyout.
Or, if a Big Apple Spectacular is more your style, consider The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a New York Christmas tradition since 1932 that is now available in Boston! The New York Times says the show is “One of the grandest holiday traditions in the US. . .” so high five your employees for a job well done with The Rockettes’ world famous high kicks that wowed over 200,000 Bostonians last year!
Feeling charitable? Another great way to celebrate success over the holidays is to share in your success. Consider teaming up with a non profit organization to raise money for your favorite charity in conjunction with your charity-themed event. What better way to celebrate the season then by generating a feeling of generosity that your employees can end a great year with.
Want to keep things low key (otherwise known as inexpensive), but still shake it up a bit? Consider having an event that’s catered by one of Boston’s own Celebrity Chefs. NXTevent can call on one of many chefs to create a customized menu just for your company’s holiday party. From Barbara Lynch and Lydia Shire to Jasper White and Todd English, celebrity chef appearances are in. Why not consider importing Daniel Boulud or Bobby Flay?
And instead of a DJ, why not have an MC or Toastmaster such as Sir Jeremy to spice things up so that you and your employees can really rock around the Christmas tree.
Event Planning Made Simple 
Event planners who do it all. . .we’re a dying breed. But have no fear - NXTevent is here! Ok. . .maybe that phrase is outdated. . .but it’s true. From conception to execution – NXTevent can do it all. Or if you just need a little help, NXTevent can do that too.
So while sitting at your desk, staring at all of your piles of work, day dream about this: an event and destination management partner that is on target and on budget every time. If you can imagine it, we can deliver it – extraordinary events, remarkable results. As a hands-on, agile and turn-key firm, NXTevent will support your mission-driven and financially responsible team with event content that are unique and expressive to the community you and your team serves. In the final stages of your program, our guarantee is that you will realize returns in ways you had not yet considered possible.
NXTevent’s areas of expertise are extensive, ranging from: full service meeting and conference facilities, site inspection services, destination management, special events: design, production, event marketing and public relations, entertainment production, recreational tours and leisure, corporate hospitality, program staffing and mobilization, transportation management, and registration management. NXTevent offers a turnkey solution to event management.
The simple truth? We get things done. On target. On budget. Every time. It’s all we do.
What’s New for Tours & Incentive Planners 
Boston Design Center When it’s summertime in New England, trying to find something exciting to do couldn’t be easier. There’s kayaking, beach combing, outside dining, and of course strolling along in America’s Walking City. In the winter months, some say that finding a fun and exciting activity is a little harder. We think it just takes a little creativity and that’s where NXTevent comes in! With years of experience in what’s hot in Boston – take some tips from NXTevent!
For a stylish twist, try Boston By Design. Inspired by the recent hit "Bravo's Runway", this hands-on tour exposes you to the current trends in fashion and design, both for yourself and your environment. Visit with a recognized fashion and couture designer and hold an expert discussion on the design process, including a viewing of materials and the collections. Next, enter the Boston Design Center, open only to wholesalers and designers, which offers 75 wholesale showrooms featuring premier lines of furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, lighting fixtures, antiques, accessories, kitchen, bath and building products for every home and office. Enjoy a behind the scenes review on the history of the center, as well as contemporary design trends, and then have the exclusive opportunity to purchase directly from a showroom retailer at discounted prices.
No matter what the season, when you’re on La Dolce Vita, NXTevent’s North End Culinary Tour, NXTevent’s epicurean aficionado and guide inform guests on the infamous North End of Boston that attracts visitors and locals through its tight streets and familial neighborhood to delicious and authentic Italian cooking. Learn a brief history of the area, the evolving restaurant scene, and secrets on where to find and how to use authentic quality ingredients. Shop stops may include famous pastry shops, a confection store, a fishmonger coffee/spice store, a greengrocer, a bakery, and a salumeria. Sampling is encouraged, if not required, and remember to ask your "in the know" escort for the answer to the eternal North End question: Mike's Pastry or Modern?
Take fashion one step further with Dressing with Intention and Color. During this tour you will uncover the messages that you send with the colors that you wear. Learn how to present yourself with the message that you want and how to dress appropriately depending on the occasion or situation. Ladies, tie this in with Boston by Design and you may never go home!
Looking for something a little more traditional? Do you have a group of history buffs more interested in politics and the United States then design history? John F. Kennedy & the City of Presidents is a tour that’s just that. The magnificent John F. Kennedy Library and Museum celebrates President Kennedy's life, leadership and legacy. Far and wide, visitors come intrigued by the "American Royal Family", and the historic romance of Camelot. Today, follow JFK on his 1960 Democratic Campaign Trail into the White House corridors where he and Jacqueline brought grace, charm and an inspirational new vision to the American People. But the tour doesn’t stop there. Travel onto the Adams National Historical Park, where a story unfolds about five generations of the Adams family (from 1720 to 1927) including two Presidents and First Ladies, three U.S. Ministers, historians, writers and family members who supported and contributed to the success of these public figures.
Remember that sound of blades gliding across the ice? Return to your youth and enjoy an afternoon skating on Frog Pond on the Boston Common. At the Boston Common, dating back to 1664, you can spend the day twirling under the trees of America’s oldest parks. And while you’re skating, make sure you’re getting a good work out, because following Frog Pond is an indulgent treasure at the Langham Hotel. . .that’s right. . .we’re talking about their Chocolate Bar. Home of the “Try All You Like” chocolate buffet, The Chocolate Bar, has been voted “Best Indulgence” by Boston Magazine for a very, very good reason.
No matter what you choose to do, anytime of year, NXTevent offers exciting opportunities around Boston. Why don’t you try one on for yourself.
Vendor Profile: Hotel Restaurants 
Oh yes. . .hotel restaurants, often overlooked for their ultra close proximity and convenience. In Boston, we have a few that stand out against the rest and are worth that short elevator ride down to the lobby. Why make your delegates go far on a free night, when they can easily fine dine just seconds away.
Celebrating ten years in Boston, The Palm in the Westin Copley Place Hotel has carried a reputation that’s synonymous with prime steaks and outrageously outsized lobsters. Don’t worry about those awkward silences that can sometimes fall during a business dinner. The walls of the entire restaurant are adorned with caricatures of famous (and not so famous) celebs that can keep any conversation lively. The restaurant offers three different private dining rooms that can seat 12, 24, or 34 people. However, the entire restaurant can seat 235, or can host cocktail receptions for up to 550 people.
On the topic of easy entertaining, the Boston Four Season’s Aujourd’hui brings new meaning to effortless luxury. The rich mahogany décor and views of the Public Garden speak for themselves, inviting guests to sit back. . .relax. . .and enjoy the culinary delights. Le Soir, the restaurant’s private dining room is available for up to 18 guests and for larger parties, the restaurant can seat up to 124.
Great Bay, Hotel Commonwealth’s restaurant, is just that – great. As Esquire Magazine winner for Best Restaurant in the first year of opening, their menu offers up Chef Michael Schlow’s finest seafood sensations. Schlow, who was voted one of Food and Wine’s Top New Chefs in the Country, has blessed other well known Boston restaurants such as Radius and Via Matta.
What’s New from NXTevent: Meet Declan 
Get it done. Every day, beyond our and our client’s expectations. That’s what Declan says every day to our team at NXTevent. Oh, and lest we forget. . .we manage change and we manage solutions. . .that is what our client’s need and that is what our client’s want.
After many years in the event and incentive industry, Declan’s hand on approach to company operations leaves an indelible impression on our clients. His complete comprehension of a client’s success story allows him to both strategize the program execution as well as shift with any changes thrown his way.
Following his degree in Communications and Marketing from the Dublin Institute of Technology, Declan worked in Marketing and Public Relations for Ward Anderson Cinema Group. He moved to America in the late 1980’s and began his incentive travel career with JourneyMasters in Salem, MA, where he helped establish a very successful Sales Promotion Department.
For the last 15 years, Declan has been with boutique incentive houses in Massachusetts and Connecticut. He has managed international incentives for corporations on three continents as well as countries including Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Australia, Canada and his native Ireland.
He is an active participant in SITE (Society of incentive Travel Executives) and is the recipient of a SITE Crystal Award for Promotion and Communications. He was also the instrumental in securing Valderrama Golf Course (Home to the 1997 Ryder Cup), for Spalding Sports Worldwide, the first time in the courses’ history that it ever hosted a private corporate event. He has also managed golf tournaments in Scotland’s St Andrews and many other top courses through Europe and the Americas. In addition, he has created special events at Skibo Castle, Scotland, the Versace Mansion in Miami, and corporate hospitality at the British Open, the Masters and the Kentucky Derby. Other accomplishments include organizing the first ever Duke University Conference on Leadership and the PricewaterhouseCoopers Discovery Conference Series.
In his spare-time, Declan is involved with multiple international non-profit agencies. He enjoys kayaking, tennis and the odd game of bad golf. He is a Red Sox fan, a Kilkenny Hurling supporter and a Manchester United Soccer fan. He is an occasional travel writer and contributor to NPR and BBC Radio and is member of the Nation Union of Journalists (UK). As General Manager/Director of Business Development, Declan relishes married life with wife Laura and their Yorkshire terrier, Willow. Declan enjoys his leading role at Boston’s Event + Destination Management Solution.
NXTevent Moves into the Seaport! 
Our New Neighbor - the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center NXTevent is growing, growing, growing and it you knew it wasn’t Lat Long until NXTevent was on the move!
To accommodate our company’s recent staffing additions and to better serve our clients needs, NXTevent has moved into the heart of Boston – right next to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the Seaport!
Come visit us at our new location at 850 Summer Street!
Where to Find Us Next 
To keep in contact with our industry partners, NXTevent will be at the following tradeshows:
EIBTM, Barcelona: November 30 – December 1, 2006
Holiday Showcase, Hyatt Regency Chicago: December 12, 2006
PCMA, Toronto: January 8 – 11, 2007Dedicated to the art of event, meeting and destination management in Boston and New England, NXTevent is global in scope yet dedicated in regional resourcefulness. What's your NXTevent?
