Paragon Events Announces its International Expansion

New office location in Sydney, Australia set to open January 6, 2014

DELRAY BEACH, FL: Paragon Events is officially adding its first international office location, set to open its doors in Sydney, Australia on January 6th, 2014. 

The Sydney office will be led by Paragon staff member Kristen Antony, who is relocating to the area in late December.

“I am beyond excited about Paragon Events’ expansion and the opportunity for me to move to Australia to head the Sydney location,” says Antony. “The decision to open an office in Sydney was very strategic. Travel between Australia and the United States is booming, and Paragon Events wants to capture a piece of that market. We can offer our event management, destination management and incentive travel services to Australian corporations traveling to and planning events in the US, and vice-versa.”

Antony currently serves Paragon Events as a Meetings Manager. Her duties include sponsorship strategies, registration creation, and project management of small- to mid-size meetings and special events. Antony also holds the role of Chapter Administrator to the Pittsburgh chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), a global association of individuals in the meetings and events industry with hundreds of chapters worldwide. Paragon Events currently manages six MPI association chapters. 

Antony will continue to offer event management services to her American clients as well as continue to support MPI Pittsburgh, but the Sydney office location will allow Paragon Events to dive further into the growing destination management and incentive travel industries.

Currently, over 1.1 million Australians travel to the US annually, for both business and personal purposes. Australian travel expenditures in the US hit $5.4 billion in 2012, a 10% increase from 2011.

"We plan to expand our international client base with our new office in Sydney,” says Renee Radabaugh, President and Managing Director of Paragon Events. “We have had the opportunity to work with many international businesses as they plan large-scale corporate events and participate in incentive travel. Our Sydney location will allow us to offer even better service and continue to grow."

  

The Sydney office will be the seventh Paragon Events headquarters worldwide; office locations already exist in Delray Beach, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Pittsburgh, PA; Richmond, Virginia; and Washington, DC.

The Sydney-based office will also expand Paragon Events' already internationally recognized internship program, which boasts a 93% job placement rate. Paragon Events will begin employing Australian interns in late 2014, with plans to partner with Australian universities and offer internship programs in event management, destination management, marketing, accounting, and graphic design.

Paragon Events is an award-winning event planning firm specializing in meeting planning, corporate brand strategy, association management, high-end society events, destination management, corporate incentive travel and full-service marketing and advertising.

Paragon Events' Annual Holiday Charity Drive

Each year, Paragon Events hosts a Holiday Charity Drive in order to draw awareness to the nonprofit organizations that the Paragon Events' team cares about. 

For every vote received, Paragon Events will donate $1. The donation will go to the charity with the most votes on December 31. The donation will not exceed $1,000.

Choose a charity below, then click the red link above to vote! 

The winner will be announced via e-mail on January 8, 2014.

Thanksgiving Recipe: Chef Ron's Ultimate Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:

12 tbs unsalted butter, melted

2.5 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 3/4 cups sugar

Salt

2 lbs cream cheese (room temp)

1/4 cup sour cream

1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin

6 eggs, lightly beaten (room temp)

1 tbs vanilla extract

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cups sweetened whipped cream

1/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Recipe:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Brush a 10-inch springform pan with some of the butter. Stir the remaining butter with the crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, packing it tightly and evenly. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on a rack, then wrap the outside of the springform pan with foil and place in a roasting pan.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese with a mixer until smooth. Add the remaining 2 1/2 cups sugar and beat until just light, scraping down the sides of the bowl and beaters as needed. Beat in the sour cream, then add the pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, 1 teaspoon salt and the spices and beat until just combined. Pour into the cooled crust.

Gently place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out) and pour the boiling water into the roasting pan until it comes about halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake until the outside of the cheesecake sets but the center is still loose, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and open the door briefly to let out some heat. Leave the cheesecake in the oven for 1 more hour, then carefully remove from the roasting pan and cool on a rack. Run a knife around the edges, cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.

Bring the cheesecake to room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Unlock and remove the springform ring. To finish, place a dollop of the whipped cream on each slice and sprinkle with the toasted pecans.

Happy Veterans Day to Our Own Veteran, Jeffrey Clarke

Paragon Events salutes all who served, including our own web designer, Jeffrey Clarke.

Jeffrey Clarke is Paragon Events' lead web designer and newest addition to the team. Jeffrey enlisted in the California Air National Guard in March, 2002 and currently serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Jeffrey has been stationed in California, North Carolina, New York, Mississippi, Colombia and Afghanistan throughout his 11 years of service.

Thank you to all of our customers and colleagues who support veterans with programs like the Wounded Warrior Project (GOAMPI) and the Pet Partner Program.

 
Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?

•     To thank and honor living military personnel for their patriotism and willingness to serve and protect America.
•     To remember the close of World War I, which ended with the "Armistice with Germany" on November 11, 1918.

Thank you, veterans, for all you have done and continue to do for our country. 

Therigy 2013 Wraps Up at the Hyatt Regency Orlando

Paragon Events was on site as the 2nd Annual Therigy Specialty Pharmacy Leadership Congress wrapped up at the Hyatt Recency Orlando (formerly the Peabody Orlando). 

The Congress was a great success, with event attendee numbers increasing by 50% since 2012. Several knowledgeable industry leaders volunteered their time and insights in Keynote Panel Discussions throughout the 3-day Congress. 

Networking breaks, delicious meals and receptions provided ample opportunities to make connections and build partnerships. 

We look forward to the 2014 Therigy Specialty Pharmacy Leadership Congress!

When To Send E-Mail Blasts

Have you ever wondered when is the best time to send an e-blast from your business? Use this handy marketing email calendar to guide your marketing plan.

A targeted marketing e-mail can increase sales and improve your relationship with your customer, so get a plan in place and start e-mailing! Don't forget that Paragon Events specializes in e-mail marketing.

Paragon Events Does #OLA in San Diego, CA

We just wrapped another fantastic conference. The Online Lenders Alliance 2013 Fall Conference at the San Diego Marriott Marquis was a great success. The venue was a perfect spot with amazing views and great staff, and the conference went smoothly from registration to a tequila-tasting rooftop reception.

Enjoy the photos!

The Paragon Team is in San Diego!

The Paragon Team is in San Diego! 

We are kicking off yet another fantastic conference at the Marriott Marquis in San Diego, California. More surprises and photos to come! If you're in the area, come say hello.

Paragon Events Does MPI SEC 2013!

Paragon Events is the official meeting planner of MPI SEC!

We had such a great time planning and attending MPI SEC 2013 at the beautiful Omni Ameila Island Resort. We learned a lot, had fun, and became better planners and marketers because of it! The photos are still pouring in, so we thought we would share some of our favorites.

Photos courtesy of Christie's Photography, Media Stage Inc., and Paragon Events