Our Business
Global Marketing
This past month the Global Marketing team released a new edition of FIRST Takes, showcased our incredible work, celebrated some impressive award wins, and more!
- The latest edition of FIRST Takes was released, focusing on Tech Driving Innovation. In this series, five members of our global teams discuss the current climate of event technology, and how we can best utilize it to enhance brand and attendee experiences! Check out the full playlist.
- The Shopify Unite 2022 sizzle is now live! Check out this award-winning event on YouTube or Instagram!
- FIRST received several award wins, which can be seen on our socials, including winning Bronze at the Campaign Global Agency of the Year awards, along with impressive showings for Sibos and Shopify at the Eventex and Ex Awards!
- May was Mental Health Awareness month and some of our team members were featured on our social media channels.
Referrals Are Everyone's Business!
FIRST is always seeking referrals for new business. If you have suggestions for who the FIRST new biz acquisition team should be speaking with – whether it’s a friend, family member, former colleague, or anyone else in your network – you can email Neil Parkin (EMEA and APAC) or Jared Elish (AMRS) directly with your recommendations. Neil and Jared will then talk through the best outreach approach with you, when convenient.
Two team member referrals from Q1 have already resulted in pitches.... so please keep up the good work, and refer contacts to FIRST.
As a reminder, FIRST has a new client referral incentive! FIRST will reward you $1,000 for each qualified opportunity our team brings on as a client from connections shared.
Carbon Footprint
In an effort to measure the carbon impact of FIRST, we are beginning the process of gathering data about our energy, water and waste consumption.
Our goal is to have all team members participate in an upcoming carbon footprint assessment, so we can truly understand the impact of our team’s commuting, lunches and work from home habits.
Stay tuned for more information, as we work to measure our carbon footprint and make plans to reduce our impact on the planet.
FIRST Elevator Pitch Challenge: The Pursuit of New Business
As we continue to focus on clients and pursue new business for FIRST, it’s important that everyone can easily explain what we do and our service offering. After all, YOU are our best brand ambassadors!
We’re thrilled to announce the FIRST Elevator Pitch Challenge: “In Pursuit of New Business!” Video submissions will be voted on at the end of July, and the pitch with the most votes from each business division (Alphabet, Solutions, Agency, Shared Services) will win a prize!
Check your FIRST email inbox for the rules.
Remember, your 20-30 second video submissions are due to FIRST Communications by Friday, July 14.
Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!
June is internationally recognized as Pride Month, and the LGBTQIA+ Employee Interest Group (EIG) at FIRST invites you all to celebrate, commemorate and conserve LGBTQIA+ rights, in June and always!
Keep an eye on your email and the #EIG-LGBTQIA Slack Channel for chances to learn, share and get together throughout the month.
If you have any questions or suggestions, reach out to Tori Higgins (she/her), or the Diversity & Inclusion Council at FIRSTdiversity@firstagency.com.
What other EIGs can I join?
We encourage you to search Slack for the #eig-lgbtqia group or one of the other EIGs (Employee Interest Groups) that appeals to you:
#eig-bipoc #eig-jewishcommunity #eig-neurodiversity
What's coming from the D&I Council?
Click here to check out the list of events!
The D&I Council is also working on a mid-year update that will be shared with all, followed by a survey which will give you another opportunity to tell us what you need from the D&I Council.
Venue Sourcing: IMEX Frankfurt and UK Fam Trip
Venue Sourcing was in Germany for the IMEX Conference. They were greeted by an expansive conference center floor with extremely elaborate booths - some even two stories! From meeting with the Times Square Edition, and the Lotte NY Palace, to The Waldorf Astoria Versailles, every hotel is eager to tell you what’s new and exciting. There were several updates going on in London, including:
- The Savoy Hotel in London will begin a full guest room renovation in Jan 2024
- The Hilton London on Park Lane is midway through a multi-million dollar renovation
- Convene is set to open its new London Headquarters in 2024 at Sancroft, St. Paul’s/Paternoster Square, which will house London’s largest above-ground meeting space to accommodate 900
- Peninsula Hotels will open its new London hotel in the fall of 2023 in the Belgravia neighborhood
Before heading to IMEX Frankfurt this year, the team was invited by Hilton Luxury and Cashel Travel DMC for a familiarization (fam) trip to experience several destinations in London and Edinburgh.
In London, the team stayed at Conrad St. James London Hotel, a beautiful space in a great location. The team experienced dinner at The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel, the Coronation Throne at Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, a history tour of Fortnum & Mason (London’s oldest luxury shop), and an ABBA Voyage virtual AI inspired concert – showing them that London truly has something to appeal to any client.
In Edinburgh, Scotland the team was warmly greeted at the Waldorf Astoria ‘The Caledonian”. The historic property built in 1903 has expansive rooms and stunning views of Edinburgh Castle. Stops included Newhailes House, an 18th century estate, the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Johnnie Walker Experience.
Do not hesitate to reach out to Karyn Geoghan (Karyn.Geoghan@firstagency.com) if you have any questions about any of the venues.
The Venue Sourcing Newsletter The Venue Sourcing team has put together a newsletter showcasing new spaces and locations to host client events and experiences. This was the pilot newsletter and US focused, but the next iterations will include locations in EMEA and APAC, new and noteworthy hotels and locations, and linked photos to recent site visits the team has completed.
Experience Creators You Should Know: Rebecca Barna
Rebecca Barna, Team Operations Manager in Venue Sourcing at FIRST, has been highlighted as a part of Hopskip's Planner Spotlight Series! In her interview, she shares some great insights on the industry and how the pandemic affected venue sourcing. Read the article here and share it with your networks.
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