COSE Small Business Pitch – A Shark Tank Style Event

October 22, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

COSE Small Business Pitch Showcases Ohio Entrepreneurs

ABC’s Shark Tank started in 2009 with investors looking to find the next big thing. It has garnered a following of entrepreneurs, dreamers, doers, and people who truly believe in themselves and their product. Average people with an idea they brought to fruition come into The Tank and pitch their concept to a panel of businessmen and women who have proven success in their respective fields. Some times the Sharks believe in the entrepreneur’s dreams and invest, and often times they pass on the commodity of these business hopefuls.

Fast forward to 2014 and The Council of Smaller Enterprises, also known as COSE, can attest that people want to see business competition, and they are making it happen for the third year in a row. The setting may not be the glitz and the glam of TV network studio, but a safari themed oasis in Sandusky, Ohio known as Kalahari Resorts & Convention.

COSE brings their Small Business Convention to Kalahari every October and the COSE Business Pitch Competition is one of the highlights of the convention. After several months and a few rounds of competition, the finals are set in a similar style to SharkTank. The prizes vary from $5,000 for third and fourth place, $10,000 for second, and a grand prize of $20,000 to the first place winner.

Rock The House provides audio, lighting, video, and our social media wall known as SocialCast to the three-day convention. During this time we get to showcase what we do best while enjoying the stories of other small business in the Northeast Ohio area.

This year brought out four very diverse finalists – Brewnuts, Colby Featherbottom’s Custom Sound Machines, Consult Mango, and The Digital Mosaic.

Each of the company’s leaders is allowed 15 minutes to present their product to a panel of judges, answer questions from the judges, and field a Q&A with the audience. After that hour has passed, the judges gather to discuss to select a winner for the $20,000 prize.

The first pitch was from Eric Vennaro of Consult Mango. Eric and his company have a strong belief in the education for international students wanting to learn in America. Consult Mango is an advertising platform that helps colleges and universities post ads and create content on international social media.

The second pitch came from Shelley Fasulko of Brewnuts. Shelley began her company with fiancé John Pippin about a year ago. By combining two of America’s favorite things, beer and donuts, you can bet Brewnuts is one sweet deal. They are putting a whole new spin on bar food, and hope to open their permanent location in Ohio City next year.

Thirdly came Ryan Schoeneman of Colby Featherbottom’s Custom Sound Machines. Ryan believes in creating custom guitars at a lower cost and a quicker turn around time. His pitch fits perfectly with a city like Cleveland – the heart of Rock and Roll.

Finally came Natalie Bauman of The Digital Mosaic. Natalie is bringing her innovative approach of video storytelling to families, senior living facilities and senior communities. Her app will help catalog family stories, one moment at a time.

The judges came back from recess, and offered advice to each individual before selecting the winner.

Tied for third place and each taking home $5,000 were The Digital Mosiac and Consult Mango.

After a moment of suspense, Brewnuts was announced as the second place winner of $10,00 and Colby Featherbottom’s Custom Sound Machines became the COSE Small Business Pitch contest winner of $20,000.

Each leader was gleaming with joy for their prize while the handshakes and congratulations came bustling to each of the four contestants. The night is surely a memorable one for each company, and each business is sure to thrive in the coming year.

Team Member of the Month – Sean Tyrrell

October 1, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

A Helping Hand When You Need It the Most

Rock The House is a living, and breathing machine. The people within the company are always going to keep the heart beating and the joints moving. Every so often we bring on an employee who takes us from a jogging state to a full on sprint. That is exactly the bolt of energy that Sean Tyrrell has given to keep up our pace.

Sean has been with RTH for a little bit over a year now. He considers this a team and rarely calls his tasks ‘work’ since someone is always willing to help out. Holding a mantra of being friendly to everyone you meet while working has led him to some memorable events. Being a dancer and a production technician gives him an unique edge as an entertainer.

We asked him his favorite memory from working at Rock The House:

“I was working photo magic at a Mitzvah but it didn’t stop me from dancing with some of the kids at my booth. The other dancers started a dance circle to show the kids what they’ve got. The looks on all the kids’ faces were priceless. I was called out to the floor and I did a slow motion head-slide that slowly sped up with the song. The atmosphere of that party was unreal!”

It wasn’t until the begging of this summer that Sean really proved he had what it takes to be in the spotlight on the dance floor and behind the scenes. He stepped up to take the lead on show load-in/outs, danced on high profile events, and operated photo systems for high profile clients. Many people may not see the depth in those tasks, but Sean understood how it was a direct reflection of Rock The House and how people see us.

Our Creative and Talent Coordinator, Ryan Konikoff, added his impression of Sean:

“Sean is the kind of guy you want working next to you, he’s fun and upbeat, but understands the company and clients’ goals and works towards those while keeping a positive demeanor. With a higher than average amount of bookings over the last summer, he has made himself available to help the team either as an onsite tech or staying late in the warehouse to make sure the shows are prepped and ready to go.”

A year ago we could not see how lucky we were to have Sean on our team, but now that he is here, we can’t thank him enough. We are always looking for the next rising star and a year can tell a lot about the people you have working for you. Sean proved he has what it takes to be a high profile member of the Rock The House team.

Rock The House goes Over the Edge for Hattie Larlham

September 4, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Over the Top Production Team goes Over the Edge for Charity

At Rock The House we always take our production over the top, and thanks to the fundraising efforts of a local charity, we literally got to go over the top of a building! This past Saturday our marketing coordinator, Tim Long, participated in Over the Edge for Hattie Larlham. Over the Edge sends participants who have raised pledges rappelling down an office building in a signature event for non-profits. Hattie Larlham is a Northeast Ohio organization that provides assistance to children and adults with developmental diseases.

The event collected more than $140,000 at Hattie Larlham. As one of the sponsors, we were allowed to send one of our employees Over the Edge. When the office asked who want to repel down the 22-story PNC building in Akron, Tim shot his hand up with enthusiasm.

Tim showed his excitement on many levels for the event – “I love to participate in any type of urban adventure, and joining a cause that helps other people is truly what makes it special. Not only do I get to represent Rock The House by repelling down a building, but it fits with our values in helping others in the Cleveland plus region.”

RTH REPEL from RTH Multimedia on Vimeo.

One of the features that we provided was our latest product called SocialCast. SocialCast creates a feed of social media posts from event attendees using a specific hashtag. With customizable options and multiple social networks, users can become part of the visuals at an event.

You can learn more about Hattie Larlham and Over the Edge on their websites. To find out more about Rock The House and our services you can find us online or give us a call to see how we can help your event – 440.232.7625

What Is An Industry Leader?

August 19, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Challenge Accepted

When it comes to the definition of what it means to be an industry leader, it might not be what you think. Many people think that the term is designated for those who are the largest companies or have the most popular services. That’s not really what it takes to be an industry leader. Being an industry leader means you are committed to innovation, education, growing the industry as a whole and thinking about a larger picture bigger beyond just your company.

We’re proud of the impact of our team on the event industry as a whole. From local positions on the ISES Cleveland Board of Directors (including the Vice President of Membership and the Incoming President) to being asked to volunteer on International committees, we’ve created an environment where giving back is part of our culture. Rock The House team members have been asked to speak at events all over the country because of our willingness to elevate the industry to new levels of achievement. Volunteering doesn’t stop there, our Marketing Director, Nick Borelli, has been asked to take on the responsibilities of Marketing and Public Relations for The SEARCH Foundation which raises money for event professionals when they need it the most. These types of volunteer positions are often thankless and have little impact on revenue all while being some of the most rewarding experiences in the carriers of our team.

We at Rock The House believe that leadership is not a position, its a state of being and a commitment to evolving. When we say we are an industry leader, its not to boast but a point of distinction and pride in our ongoing efforts to better everyone we come in contact with. The better our industry gets the more clients lives we can positively impact, and that’s why we do what we do.

Pictures from this week’s ISES Live in Seattle:

: SEARCH Foundation Board Members and ISES President, Kevin White, CSEP

: Recognizing 2013 ISES Brand Champions

: ISES Live Conference Volunteers

: 2014/2015 ISES Brand Champions

On the Rise and Ready to Shine

August 7, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

The Cleveland Event World is About to Take Center Stage

This year Cleveland installed the world’s largest outdoor chandelier. Soon to be outdone the GOP announced Cleveland as their home for the 2016 Republican National Convention. Then the prodigal son of Akron decided he was also ‘Coming Home’. But before any Cavalier games or committee speeches begin, the City of Cleveland will welcome nearly 30,000 guests with very diverse backgrounds as The Gay Games 9 will begin with their opening ceremonies on August 9^th.

In preparation for Ohio’s biggest event this year, Positively Cleveland and The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio teamed up this past month to teach companies about accommodating individuals attending the Gay Games. Rock The House was among several companies on hand for the Gay Games LGBTQ Cultural Competency Training Program.

The Cleveland event and hospitality industries have been two of the more inclusive business practices with diverse backgrounds of LGBTQ individuals for several years. The class was a thought provoking discussion with exercises to understand the LGBTQ vernacular as well as helping to define many uncommon phrases used within the community.

The meeting was lead by Christen DuVernay of The Diversity Center of Northeastern Ohio. Among the topics discussed, she brought attention to the ways in which companies can promote inclusion and improve communication while discovering the necessary steps to value individuals.

The attendees also learned different tactics for addressing discriminatory behaviors outside and within their own organizations. The class then examined the difference between microinsulting (using derogatory words to describe a person) and microinvalidation (a form of microaggression that excludes or negates a person’s thoughts or feelings).

The class concluded with a group exercise that dealt with subconscious microinsults and how you would solve issues as an organizational leader.

To learn more about the The Diversity Center of Northeastern Ohio and their mission you can visit them here.

To learn all about The Gay Games and its positive impact on the city of Cleveland, visit GG9CLE.com

We Love This Testimonial!

July 25, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Turn Down Amore

This testimonial put a huge smile on our faces!

“Travis Rose is an incredibly talented event host who artistically drove the evening in exactly the direction we were hoping for. The progression from mellow wedding to dance club was subtle, yet impressive, making our event comfortable for all guests. Evolving from “That’s Amore” to “Turn Down for What” takes the steady hand of a gifted maestro.”

Knowing what makes our client’s events unique, understanding their tastes, and being committed to our craft is the reason for all our success. What works for one client will not work for another client! We have a diverse team of professionals who love what they do and our events speak for themselves.

Are you ready for #RockStarWeddings? Get in touch with us today.

Team Member of the Month: Mike Vartorella

July 16, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

A Passion for Events and Other’s Happiness

Rock The House always provides a strong sense of professionalism and dedication with our events. When it comes to producing an event, we always like to make sure our technicians can make your event run smoothly without being seen or heard. Mike Vartorella is one of our top technicians and embodies the spirit that is Rock The House.

Mike is a dedicated team player who makes sure the client, company, and his coworkers are the top priority of business. He joined the team a little over a year and a half ago and has consistently raised the bar on video production and other warehouse projects.

With a great sense of humor, Mike makes working seem like hanging out with your friends. We asked what this type of camaraderie with other team members means to him:

The people I work with are great! They are highly intelligent and make me better every day. I believe full heartedly you are a combined medium of the people you associate yourself with.

Production Manager Ben Allison added to the praises of Mike’s work: Mike has a great work ethic and positive attitude. He’s a rockstar! He is a level-headed thinker who takes great control to not let his emotions get in the way of completing his work.

Mike has made a tremendous impact within a fairly short period of time. COO / Creative & Talent Director Ryan Konikoff added: Slow and steady wins the race, but fast and steady is even more awesome. He works at a great pace but never compromises quality, and always makes sure our clients are being taken care of to the very best of his ability. Mike is a great guy to be around. He knows a ton but is always pushing to learn more. He has embraced the Rock The House culture and makes sure that we all hold ourselves accountable.

Mike has a true passion for events. No matter the event, big or small, Mike gets great satisfaction when he sees a client’s vision come to life.

Team Member Of The Month: Lizzie Holton

May 22, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

The Backbone of the Business

Bouncing between getting papers signed, packages mailed, and keeping the details of our office in order, Lizzie makes sure nothing slips through the cracks of our very busy company. Our continued growth while maintaining our award-winning customer service owes a lot of to our Event Consultant, Lizzie Holton.

Every week Lizzie goes through the details of each event to make sure they are getting the attention they need. Collecting the specific materials from each department and organizing paper work to make sure everyone is on the same page is only the beginning of how much Lizzie does for the office.

Lizzie has been with Rock The House for ten months. Even in that short of time she has no problem putting her foot down when needed. She is not afraid to send as many emails as it needs to get something perfect. We asked her what the best part of working with Rock The House was and here was her response:

Working cohesively is a difficult thing to do with so many strong personalities. However, as a team our varying opinions and ideas make for some innovative meetings, events, and training.

Creative and Talent Director, Ryan Konikoff added: Lizzie makes order from chaos by organizing the binders and materials for all RTH events, making sure event staff is confirmed and everyone is equipped for success. She is able to juggle many types of events at once while working with different sales people each who have their style and systems.

Lizzie has a passion for taking care of other people and incredible skills for making sure last minute details don’t get overlooked. She is a good sport when it comes to pranks – such as covering her entire desk in post-it notes. Lizzie is a true team player and a very important part of the Rock The House team.

Team Member of the Month: Alyssa Watson

May 5, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Alyssa’s True Passion: Loving What You Do

Every team needs a spark of energy once and awhile. For Rock The House, Alyssa is far more than a tiny spark. Climbing the ropes and being able to handle plenty of obstacles has made Alyssa an integral part of our team. Her infectious personality and winning smile can instantly brighten any room and motivate other employees and party guests.

Alyssa began her journey with us a little over three years ago as a party motivator. Her love of the job is what makes her Rock The House material. Rarely requesting off, dedication to her position, willingness to learn new tasks, and a passion for entertaining guests are just a few of the things that begin to describe Alyssa.

When asked what her favorite RTH memory was, Alyssa’s response was one of a true team player:

Every experience has been memorable. It’s almost impossible to choose one over another. It’s a great feeling to be at an event where all the guests are smiling and having a great time. Making their event one of the most memorable moments of their lives is what makes every moment memorable to me. Nothing is more important to me than the client’s happiness.

Our Creative and Talent Director, Ryan Konikoff stated a few notes as to why Alyssa was selected as employee of the month: Alyssa possess an attribute that we all value greatly: consistency. She is always bringing her all, and within the last year she has really stepped up her game, raising the quality of performance she brings to the dance floor and heightening our guest experience.

Loving what you do means not having to work a day in your life. With Alyssa, we see how much she loves it everyday, and we love having her on our team!

GO ROYALE

April 13, 2014/in All Posts /by mhadder4561

Some Nights You Go Big And Some Nights You #GOROYALE

Rock The House is always going big, and this time we were amongst kings and queens.

We teamed up with our friends from Hotcards at their new event space, dubbed the Red Space, to showcase the release of Labatt Blue Royale – a new Canadian-style light lager. Along with the new beer, we were able to feature one of our newest and most innovative technologies – SocialCast.

SocialCast is the best way to get people involved with your event and create an online buzz about what is happening. We set up projectors to display a waterfall-like feed of social media posts that constantly update and refresh, giving everyone a chance to be featured on the big screen. We pull updates from Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Vine (with the possibility of other networks) to display live content of your guests enjoying themselves at your event.

Along with the Cleveland royalty in the building, we were able to showcase our lighting features while DJ Donkis mixed the music for the party. The party may have ended at midnight, but the after party at Liquid on West 6^th kept everyone going all night.

This event featured the hashtag #GOROYALE – and that is how the people were treated.

Thanks again to Hotcards for having us over at the Red Space and allowing us to do what we do best. For more information on SocialCast or other Rock The House specialities, visit our website – RTHGroup.com