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What’s the Difference Between Event Planning and Event Design?
What’s the Difference Between Event Planning and Event Design? When it comes to creating memorable and successful events, there are two key roles that play a crucial part: event design and event planning. While these terms might be used interchangeably, they...
The Vital Role of the Events Industry: The Heartbeat of Anchorage
Nestled amidst snow-capped mountains and pristine wilderness, Anchorage is home to a thriving events industry that plays a pivotal role in bringing our community together. At Toast of the Town, we believe that the events industry is the heartbeat of our city,...
Friendsgiving; What’s Trending in 2023
Hosting in any form involves lots of moving parts. Whether the event is a large-scale, multi-day conference, or a group celebrating a holiday, we all need a plan. November is right around the corner, and be it turkey, stuffing, or a good old-fashioned nap, there are...
What Makes Anchorage Alaska a Great Place for Hosting Events
Hosting events in Anchorage is a no-brainer, as many say a trip to Alaska is a bucket list destination. Anchorage has many venues to choose from and your attendees can enjoy a mini vacation as part of their conference experience. It’s unique blend of natural wonders...
Creative Networking Ideas for Conferences
Conferences are not only about gaining knowledge and exchanging ideas; they are also about building valuable connections, fostering collaborations, and expanding professional circles. However, traditional networking activities at conferences can sometimes feel...
Top 5 Spas and Hot Springs in Alaska
Alaska, with its pristine landscapes and untouched wilderness, offers a plethora of natural wonders to explore. Among these treasures are the enchanting hot springs scattered throughout the state. Nestled amidst breathtaking views, Alaskan hot springs provide a serene...
Toast of the Town’s Easy 10 Step Process for Basic Event Design
Toast of the Town (TOTT) is fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many clients with a variety of needs. For some, that need is simply event design. For those of you that haven’t worked with us before on an event where event design is involved, we...
Anchorage Food Truck & Catering Favorites
When it comes to planning an event one of the key ingredients to success is undoubtedly the food. The vibrant food truck scene in Anchorage offers a multitude of delectable options that can elevate any gathering to new heights. As an event planning company...
Discovering the Best Venues to Host Hybrid Conferences in Anchorage
In the ever-evolving world of conferences, planners continue to adjust to a new normal of events, including the ongoing and prevalent use of hybrid technologies when producing events. Hybrid events have become the new norm, combining the best of in-person and...
ALASKA SUMMER EVENT ROUNDUP
With the days getting longer, and an abundance of activities to choose from, we have compiled a list of events around the state including some that are weekly favorites, and others that are annual traditions. Mark your calendars now, and make sure you don't...
Top 10 Uniquely Alaskan experiences
Alaska is a big and beautiful state. A place that conjures up incredible images of breathtaking scenery in people’s minds. Alaska is also a place whose vistas and peaks are unmistakable. Denali, for example, is easily recognized and is an iconic symbol of...
How To Travel Alaska Like A Pro
Alaska is a bucket-list destination for both leisure and business travelers. But with so many options for unique destinations, and unforgettable adventures, planning a trip can quickly become overwhelming. In order to help you plan for your Alaskan adventure...
Elevate Your Next Event with the Best Onsite Activations & Experiential Activities
When it comes to planning a remarkable event, engaging your attendees is key! Beyond what's expected by incorporating interactive installations you can take your event to new heights. These unexpected elements offer a unique opportunity to captivate and...
Our Guide to the Best Executive Retreats, Lodges and Locations
Alaska's rugged landscapes, untouched wilderness, and serene ambiance make it the ideal destination for executive retreats. By escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life, this state offers unique adventures that are unlike any other. Whether you are looking...
Why Local Insight is so valuable when planning events in Anchorage and throughout Alaska
Planning and hosting events in Anchorage and throughout Alaska can present a unique set of challenges that planners and hosts need to be aware of. For starters - the state is huge and things are really spread out. Because of the remote location of the state, as...
15 Essential Event KPI’s To Be Tracking
As an event attendee, the most common measure of success is - “OMG, that event was so fun!” And as an event planner, that is hands down the best response to ever receive from an attendee. But truth be told, there are dozens more details used to track success...
10 Wellness-Centric Ideas for your next Conference
In today's post-covid world, many people are more commonly seeking out healthy options and maintaining a work-life balance, while still pursuing their professional goals. This has led to a growing interest in wellness-centered events that focus on mindfulness,...
Doing a Summer Event Right! The Top 5 Summer Event Must-Haves
With Summer just around the corner, companies and organizations statewide are ready to capitalize on our limited window of beautiful weather. Summer is the perfect time for a company bbq, employee picnic, or community arts festival. And because everyone wants...
Our Top 5 Favorite Road Trips from Anchorage
Anchorage is not only an important center for tourism but also serves as the gateway to some of the most breathtaking scenic drives in the world. The city is tucked between the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm, which provides a perfect backdrop for exploring...
The 2023 Arctic Encounter Symposium – A Recap
Wow! What an incredible last few weeks it has been, with the Toast of the Town team producing an incredible stretch of events and conferences around town. But hands down one of the most exciting of them all has been the 2023 Arctic Encounter Symposium. This event...
The Real Value of Hybrid Conference Technology: Why Good Hybrid Events Cost Money
Hybrid conferences and events are now more normal than ever, and often an expected option for event attendees. But planners should make sure to not cut corners on hybrid or virtual event production, and make sure to properly invest in your AV tech to ensure a...
How to Plan for Impactful Conference Breakout Sessions
Conferences are incomplete without breakout sessions, and as a planner, it is crucial to make these sessions impactful for your attendees. Participation from attendees is imperative, and creating opportunities for them to share their experiences or ask...
The Official Guide to Summer in Alaska
While pretty much doing ANYTHING during the Summer months in Alaska is exceptional, there are still a few must do's that locals and visitors alike clamor for any time the sun comes out. Here are a few of our top picks: OUTDOORS Mountain Biking at Alyeska...
5 Exciting Opportunities for Corporate Event Planners in 2023
While the last few years have certainly been challenging in the world of live events, event planners and attendees have adapted and continued to flourish. The remarkable ingenuity and resilience of organizations and planners has proved significant results with...
Top 10 Event Food & Beverage Catering Trends for 2023
Whether you are looking for inspiration for your conference closing reception, or something unique and creative to impress your gala guests, food & beverage is an important part of the overall guest experience. Make sure your next event is memorable and...
Key Ways to Build Community & Engagement at your next Conference
Events and communities are a hot topic for 2023, and event attendees are putting a high value in face to face connection with a whole new set of expectations on accessibility. Quite possibly as a result of the pandemic, people have grown to expect digital...
The 2023 State of the Industry Annual Report
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Steal Worthy Event Decor for 2023
Grand Entrances Guests are enthusiastic to be returning to large in-person events, so make sure to greet and welcome them with that same energy, by designing grand, over-the-top entrance experiences. Color and light galore made possible with creative uses of many...
3 Must Haves for Conferences in 2023
Live events are surging back, experiencing fantastic and record registration numbers as people are eager to get back to shaking hands, socializing, and enjoying the interaction of an in-person event. As event planners, we have been experiencing this since...
The Official Anchorage Valentine’s Day Guide
Whether your love is fresh like a spring dew, fleeting like an allegro jazz piano, or mature like a fine wine, it is always worth celebrating. Nice romantic meals, an exciting performance, enlightening art displays, or whimsical outdoor fun make for great date...
How to do a Lunar New Year Event Like a Pro!
With Lunar New Year (LNY), otherwise known as Chinese New Year, coming up on January 22nd, we decided to put together a quick how-to for planning a fun LNY event. The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar and each year is represented by one of the 12...
2022 Letter From the President
2022, What a Year! 2022, what a year! Like many of you, I can hardly believe it’s come and gone and all that happened in between. This year was a whirlwind of returning events that came back bigger and better from their long slumber and flood of new events that...
Fun NYE Traditions From Around The World
Fun New Years’ Eve Trraditions from All Around the World Be more active. Eat less junk food. Spend more time reading books and less time on social media. These are some popular modern-day New Year resolutions, but where did the practice of making resolutions come...
Event Invitations: Best Practices for Success!
Event Invitations: Best Practices for Success! The first impression you can make on your attendees at any event is in your event invitation. Let’s talk about three basic considerations you will need to make before designing your invitations. This crucial element sets...
Conference Planning Timeline & How to Stay on Track
If you are considering hosting a conference, congratulations! As you are getting started, there are many factors to consider! All the different tasks you need to take care of can be overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to break them down into small steps so that...
Top 10 Holiday Party Themes for 2022
With the holidays just around the corner, and Covid restrictions getting longer in the rearview, companies, employees, friends and family are all excited to gather and celebrate this year. Some in fact have been planning and anticipating this moment since...
Gratitude: How to Show Appreciation to your Event Committees
Planning an event is a lot of work and for many of the events around town, they couldn’t be possible without their valued event committee members. Building and maintaining a highly productive and high-functioning event committee is not easy and takes time and...
The 7 Dos and Don’ts of Attending a Company Holiday Party
Many think fondly of their company's holiday parties as a great way to let their hair down and mix and mingle with their favorite co-workers. Don’t let the casual nature of this celebratory event fool you though, there are ways you can have a great time and...
What Top-Performing Conferences Are Doing and How to Follow Their Lead
#1 Stay Focused Probably the #1 thing to start from when jumping into conference planning is to identify the target audience and the event theme and the overarching message of the event. Who is this conference designed to speak to and attract? This will...
Day of the Dead, Ways to Decorate and Honor the Classic Traditions
Día de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, also commonly referred to as 'Mexican Halloween', is actually not like Halloween at all. Día de Los Muertos is a completely different holiday, full of its own vibrant history and traditions, and a few shared roots with...
What’s Trending in the World of Corporate Gift Giving
Curious what other companies are doing this year to stay ahead of the curve and make sure their employees know they are appreciated? ‘Tis the season to show your gratitude and create your corporate gift giving plan. Many of our clients, including ourselves, use...
Non-Profit Annual Appeal Tips & Timelines for Success
Fall is here! It’s time to plan your year-end fundraising campaign. 30% of annual giving occurs in December so you want to be sure you’re ready to take full advantage of the opportunity to connect when folks are feeling the most generous. The hard work begins...
Alaska Native Corporations Turn 50
For the last 50 years, the Big Twelve Alaska Native Corporations have been a significant driver of the State’s economy and equally impactful on their shareholders' lives. Both in terms of receiving annual dividends and the employment opportunities that they...
Winter is Here in Alaska! Time to plan out your winter fun!
So long Summer, it's been great having you around. It's safe to say the last few months have been incredible, and anyone who gets to experience Alaska during the Summer would agree. The long sunny days, the smell of the forest when it rains, and incredibly...
Inspired Ways to Capture Ideation at a Conference
Conferences can be an incredible place where new ideas can emerge and people come together to breathe life into them. As conference planners, we are constantly working to find new and creative ways to capture the ideation in a room. When doing this we always...
Fall Hygge “Let’s get Cozy”
It is no surprise that fall is one of the most beloved seasons of the year. It may be the anticipation of the holidays, or that feeling of being warm and snug with a hot beverage, your favorite throw blanket, and all while sitting in your favorite chair. Either...
How to Increase Fundraising Exponentially with Small Investments
Whether you’re looking to understand your current donors or prospects, expand your reach or build your pipeline of qualified prospects, you need a well thought and well-executed strategy. The most often overlooked tool in small fundraising departments might be...
Top 10 Day Trips from Anchorage, Alaska
Looking for a mini trip while you’re in Anchorage? Here are some great options to choose from. From sightseeing, small-town culture, to wildlife tours and gourmet food. You can truly do it all. Alyeska Resort / The City of Girdwood A quick (and gorgeous) hour...
3 Easy Alternatives to Pipe and Drape for a Stage Backdrop
We have seen it a million times and will see it a million more, with a little creativity though you can help your event stand apart from the rest. The traditional go-to for any stage backdrop because it’s easy, cheap, and accessible is pipe and drape. Good old...
Top 5 Ways to Maximize Revenue: Blend In-Person & Virtual Conference!
We love events of all kinds, but we can’t help but get excited about blended events because they are so dynamic, offering tons of variations and flexible options to create just the right mix of elements to best match any organization, any mission, any...
7 Simple ways board members can support every fundraising event
Fundraising is a team sport! Team members are very busy and need to work together to accomplish their fundraising goals. Working closely with your Board will help your organization meet its fundraising goals. In this piece we provide simple steps to getting...
Alaska Best Live Music Venues
While Alaska technically does experience all four seasons, any local will tell you that there are pretty much 6 months of winter. Although the Summer is short, Alaska makes up for it with the midnight sun and our locals soak up every minute of it. Concerts,...
Top 3 Event Design Trends for 2022
Live in-person events are back with a vengeance! And how is that translating to decor and design? In a word - “BAM”! Event designers are putting more effort and budget into large installations than ever before. Curious about what trends are really taking off as...
How to Recruit the Best Volunteers (And Keep Them Year over Year!)
A well-organized event will minimize stress on volunteers at events, ensuring that they have a positive experience. Establishing a thorough, comprehensive volunteer program and corresponding policies helps to ensure focused, productive, happy volunteers....
The 5 Do’s & Don’ts of Hybrid Events
Many of you have experienced the benefits that virtual events can bring, maybe it surprised you to see your attendance grow higher than ever, or that people were willing to engage in a virtual setting. As we are all able to start hosting events again in person...
Say Goodbye to Spike Seltzers – Say Hello to these 2022 Drink Trends
It's Summer - the weather is gorgeous, people are traveling again, events are happening again, and as people are rediscovering their social lives again, there is one common theme permeating the zeitgeist, as everyone is realizing - drinking is FUN again! No...
How Virtual or Hybrid Conferences Can Help Build Community
Our Toast of the Town event planners have been knee-deep in planning and orchestrating virtual events since early 2020, and suffice it to say - we are virtual event pros by this point. We see that virtual events, or blended hybrid style events, are going to be...
Toast of the Town Guide to Amazing Corporate & Team Retreats Part 2
In part 1 of this blog piece we began by offering some structure to help with the initial planning steps for corporate and team retreats. For part 2 we now dive into the fun parts and explore some of our favorite themes and concepts for gathering teams and...
Our Toast of the Town Guide to Amazing Corporate & Team Retreats
Just hearing the words 'corporate' and 'retreat' paired together can send chills up the spine of even the most composed. Nightmares of forced team-building activities, corny icebreakers, and boring brainstorm sessions, that lead to booze-soaked evenings, and...
Time to show employee appreciation? Plan Your Holiday Party Now!
Right now it’s hard to think of anything else but Summer time in Alaska and the land of the midnight sun but the holiday season will be here before we know it! This year, Alaskan companies are starting early and investing more energy into planning a larger...
A Long Weekend in Anchorage & Girdwood
If you are new to Alaska, your first impression may be just how vast the state is. Put frankly -- Alaska is huge, and things are really spread out. Alaskans love it this way, with lots of room to stretch out, and explore. But continue to read between the lines...
Expert tips for planning an outdoor event in Alaska
Having an outdoor event in Alaska, while wonderful, also means always planning to have either an indoor or at least, a covered, backup option. Even in Summer, the unpredictable nature of Alaskan weather can make planning an outdoor event quite challenging....
Cinco De Mayo: “Trendy New Cocktails & Ways to Decorate”
There are many ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Whether it's going to one of Anchorage’s local restaurants, planning something authentic at home, or biking along the coast and having a cerveza with a friend. If you are planning for the first or considering the...
How to Make Your Next Event a Green Event
We have all been to an event where as everyone is leaving you see all the trash and waste left behind. The scary thing is that event likely produced much more than what was visible to you as an attendee. Bringing people together is an amazing thing, but...
Why Hybrid Events Are Good For The Environment
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the events industry by and large pivoted to virtual events in response to governmental gathering restrictions. And while this pivot was at the time viewed as an interim solution until things got 'back to normal',...
Event Donor Appreciation: What to Know About Doing It Right
The event has wrapped up, the last guest has left, and while all you WANT to do is head home and go-to bed, you are instead thinking of all the post event to-do's on your list and which ones need to be checked off first. Event donor appreciation might be the...
Art Services North
Art Services North has contributed to the success of events in Alaska for 35 years. Working in the same industry for almost a decade, we have produced events alongside the Art Services North team and were sorry to see them go. The COVID-19 pandemic has been...
Speaker Checklist, How to Make Managing Them One Step Easier
For many event planners, speaker management alone can be a full time job, especially if they have 40 or more that they are juggling at one time. But this daunting task doesn’t have to be as time consuming as you might think. In this blog post we share our...
3 Amazing New Event Tech Experiences that Will Blow Attendees Minds!
Event technology has come so far, companies all over the globe are innovating their events through the use of new event tech. Some of which is nothing short of impressive. Here are three amazing new event tech experiences that will blow your attendees minds! Do...
Destination Management Welcome Packet
In our experience, a welcome packet and corresponding gift bag can make a big first impression of your guests’ expectations at your event. The welcome pack becomes a strategic tool to transmit brand, community and commitment image, but above all, it builds...
Cheers to Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!
With St. Patty's Day just around the corner, bars around Anchorage are stocking up on Guinness and Jameson, breaking out the green cups, food coloring, and Leprechaun-themed everything. But despite the pure fun of this celebratory holiday, there is actually a...
Destination Events: What You Need For Success In 2022
For everyone, the post-COVID-19 world looks a bit different, and the meetings and event industry is no exception. As organizations look to get back to in-person events again, Toast of the Town wanted to provide a snapshot of some key elements that will set your...
10 Easy Steps to Reduce COVID-19 Risk at Your Next Event
Many organizations are back to hosting in-person events and recognize the need of a mitigation plan for COVID-19. This guide will provide you 10 easy steps to reduce COVID-19 risk at your next event and help you take appropriate action based on the level of...
How to Leverage Speakers to Increase Ticket Sales & Sponsor Support
Many times when we think about speakers or conference presenters, we think about content and industry. If they are well known in their field then we consider them as possible keynotes. We negotiate a podium/honoraria, get their commitment to participate, communicate...
Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Galentine’s Day Special
If you’re wondering who Saint Galentine is, the simple and somewhat comedic response is that she doesn’t exist - but if she did it would be Leslie Knope from the TV show Parks and Recreation. In 2010 during Parks and Rec's second season, the episode...
Top 10 Event Trends for 2022
We love events because they are exciting, bring together community, and each one is unique in its own way. That being said, we’re feeling 22 and couldn’t help ourselves when it came to sharing the top 10 event trends to expect this year. #1 Virtual /...
How to Craft The Perfect Intimate Lunar New Year Party At Home
If you’ve experienced a rocky start to the new year, you may find yourself eager for a chance to restart and fully embrace 2022’s Lunar New Year. If you’re not sure where to begin, but you’re hungry to celebrate with close friends and family, then read on for a...
The 3 Biggest National Event Industry Trends of 2022
The last 2 years have been challenging for events industry professionals but there have been some incredible growth as well. And if the last couple of years has taught us anything, it's that while growth isn't always smooth IT IS always exciting. We have seen...
The Event Planner’s Survival Kit “What Should be in Yours”
Many of us have seen it in the movies - the magic bag that event planners pull out with seemingly the kitchen sink in it. The reality isn’t much different. As planners do, we all have a bag, box, or tote with a little bit of everything that we think we might...
5 Steps to Annual Fundraising Goal Planning
With January around the corner many of us have been in the process of finalizing our goals for the new year. If you are a nonprofit and want to ensure you have all your bases covered we just made your life a little easier with our 5 steps to annual fundraising...
15 of History’s Most Memorable New Year’s Eve Toasts
The tradition of the party host giving the perfect New Year’s Eve toast has been one that has carried on for hundreds of years. You may be considering what to say this upcoming holiday to all of your friends and family that gather to ring in the new year. To...
Consider a Horse Drawn Holiday
This season you may find yourself searching for a special way to treat your family, friends, employees, or guests to something timeless? Consider a horse-drawn holiday experience. We see it in all the classic Christmas movies we love, and the reality of doing...
Letter from President
2021 - What a Year! Here we are, feeling proud of another successful year! It has been one for the books, full of growth and development for the Toast of the Town (TOTT) team. After 6 years of vision and leadership, we supported our Co-Founder Carrie...
Blitzed on Blitzen: Holiday Event Ideas in Alaska
‘Tis the season to celebrate your favorite reindeer! We’ve compiled a great list of holiday event ideas unique to Alaska, for you to enjoy. As a fun option to accompany a holiday party consider Palmer, Alaska’s Reindeer Farm where you can create specialty...
Thanksgiving Planning Tips
Thanksgiving is here! It’s one of the best times of the year. A time to gather together with family and friends, be thankful for one another, and feast on delicious food. See some of our Thanksgiving planning tips below on how to be a great host and easily make...
Alyeska Holiday Ski Experience for Small Groups
Looking for a fun way to show appreciation to your team that feels special and unique to the traditional Holiday Party? For many Anchorage-based businesses the small trip to Girdwood, although only 45 minutes away, is somewhere close and accessible but feels...
What does a hybrid event in Alaska even look like?
The definition seems pretty straightforward: A hybrid event in Alaska is one that uses a combination of in-person and digital elements, tailored to each audience for optimal experiences. But the reality is a little more complex than that. A hybrid event is one...
Winter Festival on Ice
As many of you may be considering options of how to celebrate this upcoming holiday season we thought we might suggest one of our favorites! We are so lucky to live in Alaska and with that are able to take advantage of the amazing outdoor scenery that it...
Top 10 Features You Need in a Virtual Event or Conference Platform
The needs for any virtual event or conference will vary. After all, it’s natural for a small company’s virtual conferencing priorities to differ from those of a large corporate event. Despite that, certain features are essential for any virtual platform. ...
Gala Fundraising: How To Be Prepared
First things first, to ensure that nothing goes undone when planning a gala, you’ll need to create a schedule that delegates all of the necessary fundraising tasks by committee, subcommittee, and individuals. You will need everyone’s support to be successful!...
5 Major Benefits of Virtual Conferences
Zoom meetings, remote teams, and virtual events which all started as a temporary fix, have turned into an absolute necessity over the last year. Unexpectedly, this prolonged absence of in-person events has turned out to be an amazing opportunity for brands and...
Lights & Sights Private Holiday Tours
Food, Drink, Lights & Fun for the whole team! Nothing is more special than the holiday time in Alaska, and at the darkest time of the year, we wanted to help brighten up the festivities. Toast of the Town has been working to create special holiday gathering...
How to Produce a Creative & Captivating Annual Fundraising Campaign
The best year-end appeal letter in the world means nothing if it’s never opened! Many non-profit appeals are on the same timeline, with a big push at the end of the calendar year. This means there is a lot of competition for attention and donation requests in the...
Team Building Foodie Experiences That You Can Take Virtual
Over the last 18 months, off-site teams and remote work has skyrocketed and a question that comes up again and again is “How do you keep remote employees engaged so they don’t lose the sense of comradery?” According to a Gallup research poll conducted in early...
COVID, The Black Tie Virtual Event Experience
For many of us who love to attend our favorite annual black tie events each year, the last year and a half has been filled with longing. What we would do for a chance to get all dressed up, see our favorite people, and get treated to an amazing meal and...
Level Up Your Holiday (Virtual) Happy Hour
The seasons are quickly changing, and with the holidays approaching it is time to start thinking about fun and creative ways to host those long overdue festive gatherings to be enjoyed with your team, supporters, and clients. Everyone enjoys this most wonderful...
Hospitality Boxes
Hospitality Boxes are otherwise known as "Corporate Gift Boxes" have been becoming more and more popular over the last 2 years, and primarily as a result of the typical in-person corporate event switching over to a necessary virtual event style. Whether they are...