http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/rss/feedsChristine DiCarlo is a leading event producer. While Boston is home and her primary residence, DiCarlo's CD Events Co has designed and produced events not only in Boston but also in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Phoenix, Seattle & Washington DC. Ms. DiCarlo's client list is diverse and represented by a blueThu, 14 May 2026 03:37:34 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/event-modehttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/event-modeEvent Mode is a state of mind. It is when you are a couple of days, a week or even a month out from an event and all you can do is focus on getting through and making it a success. It is when you double and triple check the flight itineraries, the ground transportation, the menus, the scheduled activities, the vendor installation schedules, the hotel resumes, the Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and the staffing plans. It is when you do your job and everyone else's because you become a control freak, or in my case, more of a control freak. It is when you neglect your own well being and then wake up, look in the mirror and the realize you need to make a few beauty appointments and fast. It is when you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about some little detail and writing it down so you don't forget it the next day. Or worst yet, waking up in the middle of the night convinced you have completely missed a scheduled Committee Meeting and then actually get up, rush to get dressed and try to catch some of the meeting. This just happened to me this week and when I finally calmed down and looked at my phone it was only 3:37AM and the meeting was the next day! Event mode is how they describe one of us when we are in this state. It becomes an all encompassing excuse for our behavior. "Oh don't mind her, she is in event mode." It is when the work life balance becomes extremely difficult. My husband and friends have dealt with me and this for years now. It is when you try your hardest to smile, to be polite and to appear interested in the conversation someone is trying to have with you while truly you are looking over their shoulder at the lighting that is being installed incorrectly or the sound tech who missed a cue. There is no time for tolerance, please and thank you's or trying to calmly explain things. It's just get it done. Minus the bags under my eyes, half chewed finger nails and tired looking skin, I actually love event mode. Event mode is exciting and challenging. It's a head spinning rush and a whirlwind of activity. And it's a way of life. Event mode is what makes me good. Please and thank you. Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:34:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/sunday-vibehttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/sunday-vibe It’s late Sunday afternoon and I am on a flight back to Boston wishing I had a couple more days to enjoy the beach having just spent four great ones in Boca Raton, FL. It was two days of work for an upcoming annual Board Meeting we are producing later this spring and two days of sun and fun with my husband who accompanied me on this trip. I am one of those people who works hard and plays hard too. It is really only in the past few months, that I have truly been able to shut off over the weekend or when I am on vacation. My mind just keeps going and I dream about my events, wake up thinking about things I need to do, or in my most crazy of times, I wake up in a panic that I don’t have enough time to accomplish all I need to or that I forgot some detail. I don’t but the mind plays tricks sometimes. My mood also almost automatically shifts on late Sunday afternoons. Sure we have Sunday Fundays and I have been known to stretch out a weekend here and there (especially in July and August) but for whatever reason that weekly Sunday night vibe is always a bummer. Even today while sitting on the beach, I started thinking about my week – how much catch up work I will have after being away, how many weeks I have left until my next big event (two) and what I need to do to prepare for my next work trip which happens to be in a few days (NYC bound on Thursday). I realize now there is no use fighting these feelings – it’s just the nature of who I am and what I do. I think whether you love your job or not, many people suffer these very same feelings on a weekly basis. But I can trick my mind too. I have been trying some new things to help me combat the start of the weekly grind and that have also helped me better prepare for my week and even look forward to my workload. See my list below and try incorporating one or two next week. You might just start to embrace your Sunday vibe too. Make a plan to meet someone professionally or socially to start your week – this can be a weekly staff meeting to set expectations, grabbing a coffee with a colleague to share ideas or just meeting up with a friend after work for a glass of wine Do something for yourself early in the week - get a manicure, indulge in a home spa night, make a bunch of healthy meal options that you can enjoy the whole week Do a little retail therapy – while your face mask is drying, check out your favorite on line shopping sites and treat yourself to something new for the approaching season or score that coat that you have been eyeing that’s now on sale at 75% off Make a list of all you need to get done that week – I have work plans for all my events, but I also write daily to do lists of everything I need to get done on any given day. Combine your professional tasks with your personal errands - being able to check off a bunch will give you immediate gratification. And sometimes when you list things on paper, they are not as daunting. Check them off one by one, you will be surprised how much you will get done. I am going to draft my week’s plan now and then turn off my computer and sleep for a bit. Sure my list might be long, but it will be organized and in one place – just typing that made me feel a whole lot better. Bring it Monday. Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:30:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/the-show-must-go-onhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/the-show-must-go-on Last night's Grammy Awards inspired this post, although I really did not watch the whole show. I tend to focus on what everyone is wearing to these shindigs and on any live performances rather than the actual awards. Plus in this case, I knew this year would be all about the two queens. As we know, you can rewatch just about every minute and relive just about every detail the next day on social media. . . whether they are good or bad minutes and details. Last night there were quite a few faux pas - Adele's restart, Metallica's frontman not having a microphone, Laverne Cox not even introducing Metallica and more. In an event producers world, the missteps are what we lose sleep over and that can ruin a reputation. As I tell my interns, it is how you handle these missteps that matters. I have been producing events for years and could write a book on all the things that have gone wrong that have now become funny stories. The featured photo here is a colleague and me working a recent charity dinner in NYC. It was a very high profile event with a long celebrity attendee list and swarms of security and press. Staff, of course, is expected to behave a certain way - skip to the above photo again. First, I don't even know how we found time to gather for a "girls photos" and then I leaned back onto the table of perfectly stacked wine glasses. . . hundreds and hundreds of them. Hence the face. Nothing happened and we got this shot. There have been plenty of other events where "situations" have arisen. At one charity golf event, I had to call an ambulance to the course 4 times (the last time was for a golfer who had flipped his golf cart). At another, this one a charity dinner, I had the fire alarm go off 3 times in less than 2 hours. During one weekend long series of sporting events, we lost an intern (as in she could not be found for two days and my other staff elected not to tell me). This same event, I had a guest tackle a vacuum cleaner in the elevator. . . you're getting the picture? More recently at a late night event in NYC, a piece of necessary AV equipment was lost in the packaging and not recovered until 10 minutes before show time. The hits keep coming, at another charity event the hotel mistook all our live auction items for trash (we found them), and even most recently, my 2016 Christmas dinner here at Casa DiCarlo brought some surprise guests - the Boston Fire Department, who had to come to our rescue for after an over zealous merlot jus smoked up the kitchen. Mistakes happen and my list goes on and on and on. Now, in some cases the audience is going to know there is a problem - last night Adele stopping and restarting (gloriously might I add) was a big clue. Also from last night, we couldn't hear Metallica's James Hetfield, another big clue, but rest assured, my guests definitely heard the smoke alarm in our home at Christmas!!! My solution always remains the same. If you stay calm and focus on how to fix the problem, as opposed to what went wrong, your event will still appear seamless to the audience and you will have succeeded. After all, the show must go on. Mon, 13 Feb 2017 18:02:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/snowed-inhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/snowed-inEarlier this week, I was working at a client's office and we were talking about the nearing blizzard and how great it would be to have a snow day and to work from home. I was fully engaged in the conversation and adding that I was excited to work in the comfort of my favorite Monrow camo sweats. The conversation continued for a bit before I realized I could basically do that every day if i really wanted. I work from home. I gave up my cushy office and address in Copley Square a few years back when I confirmed I spent more time on the road then I did in my office. One year in fact I spent 91 nights in NYC alone. To this day, my job takes me on the road on average about twice a month. My meetings are mostly in a clients office or on site at a host venue and my work can be done anyplace I have internet. When I am in Boston, I cherish being at home. And I find more people telecommunting whenever possible. The workplace has really shifted due to advanced technology, the emphasis on having a work-life balance and all the wellness stories out there stressing how we need to reduce well, stress. Don't get me wrong, I still look forward to getting dressed for my day and picking my latest and greatest outfits for my trips. And truth be told, I'd also love to have a super curated sleek office again one day and hope that just maybe the launch of CD Events Co will fuel (and fund!) that desire, but for now I am very content to be snowed in. Fri, 10 Feb 2017 07:26:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/cd-events-cohttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/cd-events-co To rebrand or not to rebrand, that was the question. Rebranding is a major decision for any company. It can mean thousands of expenses, weeks or even months of stalled projects and many sleepless nights. So now you know how I spent my time from December 26th to today. But it can also mean a fresh spin on an old idea, a reenergized way of thinking, increased visibility and a new motivation that stems from within. And with that, I am happy to introduce you to CD Events Co. It's time for Front Row to take a back seat. I am proud of my work and what I have accomplished as Front Row. That name originated when I was in grad school and sat in the front row of class every day. A small shift in perspective from my undergrad days at Boston College, but lets just say my social and party skills at BC and my studious ways at Emerson both fueled the start of my company. And I grew it and its reputation ever since. If you look at my events and list of clients, you will find they are pretty high profile. They are a big deal, not me. I am a boutique agency that delivers big. And when I deliver, I stand behind it. You can say I put my name on it. Combine that with the fact that just about all my clients (and many of my friends) call me CD and voila - CD Events Co. makes sense. I love what I do. I mean, I truly love what I do: the benefits are the people I work with or have met and the amazing experiences. Don't get me wrong, event production is not all fun and games. In fact, I cringe when people say this and don't fully understand all that it entails. Yes, I plan some fantastic parties, but I am not a party planner. I also decided it was time to kick it up a notch or two (or ten in my case) with a blog to give me another creative outlet. Hopefully, you will find inspiration for everything from what to wear and helpful tips to event style and design ideas. "CD That's Me" will now be a real life digest of my events, my projects and all the things that matter in my world. My life is one big event after another. CD That's Me! Wed, 01 Feb 2017 09:13:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/internhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/internFront Row Associates is currently accepting resumes for an intern position for the Spring/Summer 2017 season. Please forward resume to info@cdeventsco.comTue, 24 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/fasten-your-seatbeltshttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/fasten-your-seatbelts Greetings from the sky. I read a recent post from a fellow blogger that resonated with me because we both have to travel all the time for our jobs and share a fear of flying. Of course she is a well-paid (and even better well-dressed) fashion blogger who was on her way to Paris with many show invites to PFW, and I am just an event producer doing my thing. To find out she was afraid of flying too made me feel a little better. Here I am sitting on a JetBlue flight on my way to Miami for both work and play – well okay one day of work but nonetheless, I am in the friendly skies again. The plane just started to shake (a lot) and the Captain came on asking us to return to our seats and fasten our seatbelts. I immediately tense up, look out the window for any visible signs of bad weather and grab whatever I can to hold on to (in this case its my laptop). Michael (my hubby who remember is the quick and efficient packer and very experienced and obnoxiously calm flyer) just leaned over from across the aisle and mouthed to me “OMG,” which of course was a joke, but just fueled my fears even more. Welcome to my world. Its either that or he sends me statistics about flying, how turbulence is nothing to be afraid of, blah blah blah. None of which helps when you are smack in the middle of rough air. Normally I travel with my “airplane medicine” as one of my BFFs and esteemed doctor friends Alex calls it. But today’s 7AM flight time and the fact that once I land I am representing a well respected client and in back-to-back meetings straight through dinner didn’t really warrant the meds. Hence I remembered what Sophie would do. The only problem is that in my frenzy to wrap my week and prep for this trip, I forgot to download the meditation app she recommended. I am going to do that as soon as I am safe on the ground. Now If I could only shop her closet, I am sure that would eliminate more of my fears too. And just like that, the seatbelt sign went off and the wonderful JetBlue pilots found us some smooth air. The Captain came on again and this time told us to sit back and enjoy the flight. I wonder if they read my blog? Thu, 03 Mar 2016 01:30:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/tastings-the-ingredients-to-a-great-eventhttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/tastings-the-ingredients-to-a-great-event After each event, we meet with the client to debrief on all aspects of the project: the successes, the areas for improvement and the highlights. We prepare for the debriefs by listing the ingredients to a great event. Food has a starring role and plays an integral part in just about every event. Who is at your table is key, but what you serve on that table is just as important. Enter tastings. Yesterday we sampled some good old southern comfort food at Loretta’s Last Call in Boston. This tasting was significant because the event is a themed event which our guests are not all accustomed to, nor is it a popular cuisine here in the city. We asked the Chef to come up with a menu that showcased the venue’s flavors and that would appeal to the masses. There were only two of us at this tasting so a wooden platter was presented with 4 different appetizer sized items for us to try. And of course we had to try the various moonshines to wash down all that fried yumminess. Besides enjoying a fun afternoon with my client, we were able to make some educated decisions about what and how to serve both our food and beverage for this March event. When doing your own tastings, make sure your menu is not only delicious but also is easy to consume (is it better passed, plated or buffet), presents or sets up well (how is it passed or will it hold up on a buffet), has enough of a variety and options for all (vegetarian items, gluten free items and/or options for any allergies etc.), represents your event theme and is pleasing to the attendees (is this something you would order yourself). Good food is always a recipe to success. Cheers! Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:15:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/the-science-projecthttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/the-science-project Valentine’s Day, like almost every other holiday we celebrate, is really just another event. This year I decided to bake cakes to celebrate the day. Martha Stewart proudly posted a perfect, super styled photo of a hidden heart pound cake on Instagram. It caught my eye and I thought how fun and what a great way to bake my love and recognize this event. Plus after my self inflicted Christmas gift wrapping project, I figured I could easily tackle a ton of butter and some pink food coloring. After about two minutes of thinking how and when, I decided to make one for Mike, one for my parents and one for my in-laws and visited Amazon to see how fast they could deliver a loaf pan and heart shaped cookie cutters. I love learning new things and always pick up a few pointers from all my events. Below is what I learned on February 14, 2016: I am not a baker. I love to cook, but have my own way of doing things and following recipes. Let’s just say, I am not precise. Everything else I tackle in my life has been pretty spot on, baking. . . not so much. Organic food coloring from Whole Foods might be slightly better for you, but does not work. You need gel food coloring when you want the colors to actually look like colors. Thanks JoeDee. I am a pretty determined control freak. I made 8 cakes to get it right. And micromanaged my poor Valentine and our friend Marcelene on their respective tasks. Truth be told, I didn’t really just learn this – but it is applicable here. Events are a labor of love. See above, I did succeed. And last but not least. . . Baking is a science project. Mon, 15 Feb 2016 22:45:00 -0700http://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/five-million-dollarshttp://www.cdeventsco.com/blog/post/five-million-dollars Thirty seconds can be very expensive. It’s recorded than more than one third of the US Population tuned in last night to watch Super Bowl 50, cheer on their teams and watch the Halftime Show. And to watch all the ads. Major corporations and brands spent millions of dollars for a thirty second spot to promote their goods. This year they paid Dr. Corporate America upwards of five million dollars to be in the game. This is the most expensive it has ever been. Our ad makers had already taken over the internet with their latest and greatest. The Heinz Hot Dog Stampede commercial went viral over a week ago, Drake’s Hotline Bling is a hit again and just about everyone was humming the Nationwide Insurance ditty whether they were a fan of Peyton or not. And then last night it kicked off with Ron Howard and the star-studded lineup to start the broadcast. There were some funny spots, but make no mistake, this year’s top ads were just as about who was starring in them as what they were selling. Advertisers and event producers share similar skills. We capitalize on the fact that large events and star power generate awareness and encourage action. We create and promote them to build anticipation and to punctuate the goals of our carefully planned creative strategies and PR programs. And fortunately when they are done well, they can be very entertaining and very persuasive. I was sad that I wasn’t screaming for the Pats last night. It was a great season, but just didn’t end the way we all hoped. I was more saddened by the fact that our three time MVP was booed while Ray Lewis was applauded. Come on guys this was really bad form. Haters gonna hate. It changes absolutely nothing. I knew I wouldn’t really be paying that much attention to the actual game, so I thought it would be fun to engage in a little sport of my own – – introducing “If We Had an Extra Five Million.” Loud shout out to my husband and our friends Patti and Steve for their assist and extra points. We rated the commercials on the following: Knowing the audience Involving the audience (emotionally, call to action, etc.) Current event relevancy Overall fun factor Best celebrity endorsement Best use of $5M Congrats to the Denver Broncos, all the MVPs and to the agencies behind last night’s ads. We now know that Super Bowl fans seem to make a lot of babies every year and that Mountain Dew needs a new ad agency. #whatwasthat We actually struggled last night as most of the ads failed to impress or meet more than one of our criteria. So we decided on a tie between many because we were just too tired to go into overtime. Our congrats go out to Budweiser as Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen really know how to throw a political party and invited Helen Mirren to make sure you didnt drive home drunk from it; to the candy companies for using tried and true sex appeal and rock and roll to make you want to consume sugar again (William DeFoe was classic); to Jeep for both its 75 anniversary ad and using an up and comer Morgan Dorr to write, sing and star in one of their spots (great song Morgan!); to T-Mobile for being the best spin doctors, to Hyundai for their first date and to Kia for the Walken Closet. The ads were winners, losers and gave us something to talk about even after the closing ceremony. Sort of like your favorite home team. Speaking of which. . . although the Patriots were not on the field, if I had an extra $5M, I would bet on them. Mon, 08 Feb 2016 16:00:00 -0700