Sarah Fejfar 0:00
And one more thing about the whole outside business also shade also shade so important because I've seen influencers produce events outside and then have to move them in the middle inside because they didn't think about umbrellas or shade it nobody wants to sit in the hot sun like just beating on them them not moving for our two three long content delivery sessions. Nobody wants that. I mean, yes, people are afraid of getting burnt, but it's just uncomfortable. And it's also very distracting to the message that's being presented. So not only has a rain backup necessary, but shade is a must.
Sarah Fejfar 0:47
How are entrepreneurs like us daring bravely to build a stage? Ditch the sweat pants? And step up to the mic? How do we create our own transformative events? So we can get our message out into the world in a bigger way. It's not only profitable, but it's actually something we can be proud of.
Sarah Fejfar 1:08
That's the question. And the answers are inside this podcast. My name is Sarah Fejfar. Welcome to greenroom Central.
Sarah Fejfar 1:16
Raise your hand, if you've been in a hotel ballroom for an event. And you've sat there and thought to yourself, This isn't me. Well, we're going to have some fun today, because we're going to talk all about non traditional venue ideas. In fact, I've compiled more than 40 ideas, to help inspire you to find an event venue that really speaks to you and your brand. And it's just a right fit for you. So listen to hear a whole bunch of ideas that you may not have ever considered before. Let's have some fun. I have held events on boats, in community centers, on ranches, in rented homes, in hotel ballrooms all over the map.
Sarah Fejfar 2:13
And it is so fun to be able to work with the client to select a venue that may seem non traditional to many, but is a right fit for that brand. Remember how we always talk about how an event is a live embodiment of your brand, think about your favorite brick and mortar store that you love to shop at. It has a whole vibe, right? It smells a certain way, the music that's playing as a certain type of music, the aesthetic, like just the energy of the space, it just it feels a certain way and you love that. And that's what we're creating for your event, when a big piece of it is the venue.
Sarah Fejfar 3:08
And so if you've sat in a hotel ballroom and been inspired to host your own event, but definitely feel like a hotel event is just not for you. It's not for your brand, then listen up, because this is going to be so fun. i The the boat, I've rented many boats for events. And I've, I've rented like big paddle boats where you can just, you know, that are kind of old fashioned, but you can clear out all the furniture and bring in your own and you can even like produce, like present content on a boat. You can do it on bigger, larger sized yachts.
Sarah Fejfar 3:58
In fact, they'll have a deck that can be cleared. And you can set up chairs and a projection screen a TV, you know, a large size TV to show slides. It's super fun. And so I encourage encourage that community centers, it's kind of surprising how you can find one that is, I would say beautiful, more beautiful than you thought it would be. And because it's kind of off the beaten path. The price might be super, like budget friendly to.
Sarah Fejfar 4:40
My favorite probably is when we rented a ranch and surprised people for the day and had buses pull up to the front of the hotel conference area and just said we're not going to meet here in the ballroom today. We're getting outside and we just bust them all to a A private ranch. And it had a covered area where we could present content all afternoon. And then we just rolled right into evening events and a private rodeo on the property. And then while they were watching the rodeo turn the, the, the area where we had been presenting content into a dinner, a buffet and it was just such a change of pace, I think people, I think it's refreshing.
Sarah Fejfar 5:30
For your guests, when you choose something non traditional to write, I always like events to have a little bit of a vacation type vibe, where we're getting to do something that's out of the norm from our day to day. And that venue selection is a huge piece of that. So let's get into more of the why. So we talked about how it's a reflection of who you are. We talked a little bit about cost, it's likely you will save money by choosing a non traditional venue, you're gonna get some really cold photos are super unique to you and your event.
Sarah Fejfar 6:16
And they're not going to look like every other ballroom events, photos. So that's a perk. And then scheduling it might be easier, because let's say you're doing the you're going to rent a vineyards, wine tasting room in the offseason, well, probably going to have a whole lot more dates to choose from than if you were going to pick perhaps a popular Ballroom in town that has been booked out for a year. So that's something to consider too. If you've ever run up against a sticky situation where you have to have a certain date, it is a good idea to look in the non traditional venue space so that you can open up your possibilities for hosting it on that day.
Sarah Fejfar 7:12
Definitely. So the why is a reflection of who you are. It's scheduling its cost. It's cool photos. So let's move on to the second thing I want to talk about, which is caution. Because you're using a non traditional event venue, it may not be as a vet event ready as a hotel. So inside of livan Academy, I provide a whole checklist for you to help you uncover what's really needed. And I know we don't have time to go through the whole checklist right now. But at a high level, it's it's things like them, remembering or even knowing that it's a thing to refresh beverages at or audios trash at a break.
Sarah Fejfar 8:02
And maybe you're going to have to bring in some decor or some furniture, or some amenities, maybe maybe you're outside at a covered area at a park and you're going to need to bring in portable restrooms for the day. So there's all kinds of little things like that, that might be a factor of kind of an extra lift, if you will, for your team, when you're choosing a non traditional venue. Because like I said, it might not be as event ready as the hotel and that is a perk of using a hotel is that it just kind of this is what they do.
Sarah Fejfar 8:45
And they do it really well. And it's you don't have to think about as many things. So let's get into my ideas for you. And I'm just gonna kind of list them all off. I want to preface it by saying that any time I talk about a venue that's outside, anytime there are no exceptions. It must have a rain backup, you must have a second plan flushed out so that if the weather turns, you're able to pivot and make the change with ease. One time I was producing an event in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and we wanted to use a park. It was great. And that was the style. It's kind of the vibe that we were going for us lots of networking and keeping it casual.
Sarah Fejfar 9:56
But it had to happen. There was it was not like we could postpone it because people were traveling in for this event. And so knowing that it can rain in the summer in Minnesota hard. It's not like Portland, where it will just drizzle. And you could get through it. The rain in Minnesota will make your event happen on a different day. That's for sure. So we we planned out a completely different indoor event. In the event that it rained, I mean, we had, we had different, right, yeah, we had come up with a catering plan and entertainment plan, floor plan, make the resume like pay for the reservation, we had it all set up.
Sarah Fejfar 10:48
So that if something went awry with the weather, we could just easily pivot. And it was actually going to be we had selected something at the Mall of America, one of their cool event venues inside of the park, the museum Park area. But I tell you that because it felt so silly. We're putting so much for something that we didn't even know if it was going to happen or not. But the peace of mind that that gave us so that we knew the event could continue rain or shine was what we needed in order to proceed with confidence on this park concept that we didn't end up having to use the rain back up.
Sarah Fejfar 11:38
It was a picture perfect summer evening. But the secondary event would have been awesome, too. So that is my caution about being always having a rain backup. And there is no there's no exception to that rule. So ideas, you could rent out your favorite restaurant, the whole thing, or sometimes they just have a room. Those can be extremely budget friendly. Outside so many options outside you could be in someone's backyard, you could be in your backyard. You can you could be at a flower farm or at a barn.
Sarah Fejfar 12:23
And one more thing about the whole outside business also shade also shade so important. Because I've seen influencers produce events outside and then have to move them in the middle inside because they didn't think about umbrellas or shade it nobody wants to sit in the hot sun like just beating on them them not moving for our two three long content delivery sessions. Nobody wants that. I mean, yes, people are afraid of getting burnt, but it's just uncomfortable. And it's also very distracting to the message that's being presented.
Sarah Fejfar 13:04
So not only has a rain backup necessary, but shade is a must. So the next thing, another idea for you obviously Airbnbs are super popular VRB O's. I don't know if you've heard of peerspace and swimmingly, but both of those are also outstanding options for finding non traditional venues. I love peerspace because it'll also it'll give you stuff that's it's not all houses like VRBO and Airbnb, you'll get some office building type stuff you'll get, you'll get like videography studios are so cool with like maybe a white sidewall, you'd have a lot of fun with it in inside a pier space and, and then also swimming, this is kind of fun.
Sarah Fejfar 13:53
It's where you rent out a pool, somebody else's pool, and you'd be surprised what you can find in there. So those are all options for some online resources for finding venues. You can also pick any museum that you're a fan of, they will all either rent out their whole museum to you or their meeting space. Community Centers we've talked about that the library a new one might have a really nice meeting space that you never would have thought of would be that stunning in a public building, but it's available and it's probably super budget friendly. aquariums sometimes it's fun to rent those out so that your you can either eat or present under you know, like in those tunnels where they have all the the fish swimming over you. zoos, sports stadiums, yes.
Sarah Fejfar 14:53
You can rent out an entire baseball stadium football stadium. Soccer Stadium, you name it. It's a thing. Saying, think about how many games they have on their calendar for the year and they've got a lot of other days to, to fill to bring in revenue to pay for the place. So it's a thing that you can do, not only renting out the whole stadium, so you could be on the ground on the floor, like the field, but you could also be doing something in some of their you know, like boxes or event venue spaces. And it is really cool.
Sarah Fejfar 15:34
I've done that to rent out us rent the stadium, perhaps you get one of we've, I've rented one of their meeting spaces that overlooks the field and even on a non game day, it's it's fine. And then layer in is one of your activities during the day to just kind of get up and stretch your legs, a private, but backstage tour of the stadium, which you can totally buy as well. And it makes for a really fun, fun, unique experience that people couldn't otherwise buy for themselves. You could go to your your college or university in your town or where you went to school. Rent a vineyard. You could also do an indoor sports venue.
Sarah Fejfar 16:19
So stuff like bowling or Axe Throwing or golf, or soccer. All of those indoor sporting venues are great options. Theater, one of my favorite mentors Bo Eason always puts on his I think it's called personal story power inside of a theater in Southern California is it's beautiful. And it it dovetails really nicely with the topic of like, public speaking coaching and his brand. It's, it's great. So you could go to a theater that puts on plays or concerts. I know the School of Greatness also does this Lewis house. And it just it's fun to see photos taken at events, event venues that are just out of the box for normal conference. You know, movie theaters, yes, you can rent them out.
Sarah Fejfar 17:23
You can have your own private showing you can put your own stuff on the movie theater, screen. historical buildings, I rented one for my wedding, we rented one of the mansions on Summit Avenue, which is a popular street in St. Paul. And had our wedding and reception there. It was so fun. But you can also do that for your event. Boats. We talked about boats, you could rent a yacht or a houseboat or a paddle boat cruise ship. I know I was recently talking with a CEO who just loves hosting her events on cruise ships.
Sarah Fejfar 18:12
It's just her favorite thing because all the food and beverages taking care of people get a vacation, that kind of a captive audience. She can get meeting space, it's just kind of hotel rooms or it's all included and she loves it. Another idea for you is you could go to one of those art DIY places and rented out so place where they do the painting stuff or pottery or crafts. You could rent out your favorite store after hours. I know there's a lot of stores will offer private shopping events.
Sarah Fejfar 18:58
And you can bring in food you could deliver content in addition to having the option of shopping, private shopping self on Botanical Gardens, bookstores, obviously great for book launch type events. A yoga or pilates studio. Definitely have a nice open space there that can serve a couple purposes. So you do some sort of part. Part yoga and then part content delivery. roof tops are a great option. So always be looking up and thinking is there something that has a roof with the amazing view that I could rent, clubhouses so if anybody owns a condo or has an apartment that has a really beautiful clubhouse, so space that can be rented, chat with them and see if you could get that for your event.
Sarah Fejfar 20:06
I've seen people rent out car clubs or car motorcycle dealerships. So if you're a car or motorcycle fanatic, and I want to give that private experience to your guests while you host your event, I think that's fun, fun backup backdrop. You could a photo or a video studio, definitely look at that. peerspace for that, but you could also talk to your local photographer or videographer and whatever the area is that you're hosting your event for ideas there, because there's some really cool spaces that are typically for video or photo shoots that are really wide open.
Sarah Fejfar 20:48
Not really set up with a lot of services, food and beverage, you'd have to be bringing it in and probably even furniture, but now make for beautiful event venues. Do you go to a racetrack golf course an airplane hangar, a co working space, we'll have some meeting space for you to rent. You could rent a historic fire or police station. Law, lots of cities, state national parks have venues that you can rent. Breweries, of course is an option. Cider, beer. Your office don't discount what you already have. And even festival grounds, I once rented out a portion of Summerfest for that's a Milwaukee Music Festival venue for a virtual event.
Sarah Fejfar 21:47
In fact, it made for a really cool, unique backdrop. Okay, I think that was more than 40. I lost count. But I think that what I'm hoping is that, that gave you some new ideas did it and perhaps a fresh perspective to consider. And if so that's excellent. That was my goal for our conversation together today. I want you to embrace your uniqueness. I really encourage that because that's exactly why your community loves you. So put in the work to find a venue that matches you and your brand is a reflection of who you are what you stand for.
Sarah Fejfar 22:36
And, you know, you can put in the work once to find that gem and then use it over and over and over again. That is the beauty of finding a really awesome venue. All right, take care. Thank you so much for hanging out today questions, drop them into my DMs over on IG. Thank you for listening to the greenroom central podcast. If you love this episode, then please take a screenshot on your phone and post it to Instagram. And be sure to tag at Sarah Fejfar. And let me know why you liked it and what you'd like to hear or who you'd like to hear from in the future that will help me know what to create for you.
Sarah Fejfar 23:20
Also, if it's on your heart to host your first or next event this year, I need a jumpstart. Let's connect for a strategy session. Just go to green room central.com. In a two hour intensive, private session, I can help you pivot scale or start your event vision from scratch. Together. We will build an actionable plans that you feel competent and clear on your next steps. Go to green room central.com Right now, to sign up.
Sarah Fejfar 23:47
I appreciate your commitment to leveling up and learning the mindset and strategy of live events. Keep going, keep learning. If you want more, head over to greenroom central.com For show notes and all the links from today's episode.
