News from Lynnwood Convention Center

2nd Quarter Newsletter

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." I share that sentiment. Mothers are the foundations of the family. They are ... that safe place. As we approach this Mother's Day, I wanted to take a moment recognize the impact that mothers have in our lives. Having lost my mother last summer, I found myself struggling to find the right words. But this poem by David Young captures all that I wanted to say.

Mother's Day

"I see her doing something simple, paying bills, or leafing through a magazine or book, and wish that I could say, and she could hear, that now I start to understand her love for all of us, the fullness of it. It burns there in the past, beyond my reach, a modest lamp."

To my mother and all mothers... Happy Mother's Day!

Kelvin D. Moore, CMP
General Manager

Recipe by Chef Michael

Michael's Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus with Brie

Phyllo Dough, 5 or 6 sheets
Melted Butter, 1 cup
Parmesan, 1/4 cup grated
Brie, small wheel, 8 oz cut into 16 mini-wedges
Asparagus, 16 tips, blanched
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Make sure phyllo is completely defrosted. Once removed from package, you will need to cover phyllo with waxed paper and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out. Lay out sheet of dough, lightly butter with pastry brush.

Fold sheet in half, butter again. Keep re-buttering and folding in half (probably 3 "folds" total) until you have a rectangle with dimensions close to 4 by 4 inches. Cut into 3 sections. Sprinkle parmesan on each piece of dough. Crumble a bit of brie on each. Lay asparagus tip on top and roll dough around asparagus. The tip of the asparagus should show out of the end. Repeat to make 16 pieces. Lay all pieces out on a cookie sheet. Brush each piece with butter and bake in oven until golden brown. Serve warm.

We Have a New Look

Angie Mykel

Recently the Lynnwood Convention Center launched its newly designed website, www.lynnwoodcc.com. Our new site contains many wonderful new features, from interactive photo galleries to downloadable floor plans. In building our new site, we wanted to keep you, our guest, in mind. The pages in the site are informative and entertaining at the same time. With pictures on every page, you're likely to continue clicking through just to see what's next!

We've divided our site into Event Type to make information accessible and pertinent to each user. In each area you'll find photos, menus, floor plans and more that are specially suited to the event you're planning. The new www.lynnwoodcc.com offers you an opportunity to contact us on every page, and for those of you who prefer to email you'll enjoy our easy-to-use inquiry forms that have taken the guess work out of receiving an event proposal. The enhanced "About Us" section contains useful facility information and community information for those of you who may be looking for activities during your visit to our area.

Brides and Grooms, we didn't forget about you! In fact we've designed a site exclusive to weddings! www.lynnwoodweddings.com. There you will find tons of photos, catering options and full packages for your special day.

We're very proud of our new site and we invite you to explore, click through some photo galleries and read through our delectable offerings on our catering menus. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your visit!

Angie Mykel

Director of Sales and Marketing

Employee Spotlight

MarJae Toler, Corporate Sales Manager

Q: If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
A: Lisa Ling, I have followed her career for the last 10 years or so and found her to be very intriguing. Her tolerance I think is what intrigues me the most.

Q: Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
A: My Mother, she knows me probably the best so it would be interesting to see how she would interpret my life!

Q: What's your favorite place you've visited?
A: Jamaica, I just love the culture, food and of course the beautiful waters. It's a trip I would like to take each year.

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Sharing an office with my co-worker, Erin Mitchell! She's a lot of fun!.

Danielle's Party Planning Tips

While having a party for any occasion is great, it also presents a prime opportunity to help the community around you. More and more we see social, association and corporate events turning part of their annual dinner or summit meeting into a fundraising event.

Here are some easy ideas to consider:

If you are given free items to raffle off, have attendees purchase tickets where proceeds go to a group that your organization recognizes.

Sometimes these items increase over the years. Raffling may take too long, but you can develop a silent auction area and setup social time for attendees to view these items. A key piece to this is letting the group know about the items and creating some hype through announcements and signage before and during the event.

Simply have a "Fund the Need" time of open giving where people can be recognized for their contribution.

Not only accept checks or cash, but also be setup for credit cards.

Goods or food can also be raised versus money contributions. Notify attendees beforehand to bring items to the event. Have a small incentive and keep up the reminders.

Have the group that is receiving the donation be a face during the event. They can have an information booth, time to present in front of everyone and even have a demonstration (i.e. if it is for a children's group, have them come in for a small performance).

During the holidays we are bombarded with opportunities to give and while incorporating it into your holiday event is wonderful, remember meetings throughout the year is a chance to give back.

Danielle Guenther

Event Manager

May 2011