#EVENTSTRONG: Volume 1: No. 8

TEAM CERBELLI: WHY WE KNOW EVENTS WILL RETURN

There’s a reason actors, artists, athletes and celebrities are coming together to be a part of events like livestreams, relief benefits, virtual talk shows and donation challenges. Maybe, like all of us, they’re a little bored. Maybe, during a crisis, they’re feeling generous. But, here’s how we see it: 

There is a human desire to be together, to share moments, laughs, smiles and jokes. Without the expected annual events like The Met Gala, SXSW, Coachella, Comic-Con, The Masters and a million others, the face-to-face human interaction that is so vital to our lives is missing. 

There is a demand to connect. People have an innate desire to be together. Face to Face. Not through screens or livestreams. The world is lacking when events are not a part of it. 

 It’s become evident in this time without events that what we do is SO important to the human experience. There may be a hybrid transition – from virtual to in-person – slowly, over time, one step at a time. But events will return. Live. In-person. Face-to-face.

 We get off Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting, webinars & interviews, and hear the same thing over & over – “it’s refreshing to hear how optimistic you all are”. We are! 

We believe in what we do and why we work so hard for our clients. Cerbelli has been involved in events for four decades, one way or the other, and in one of the most stressful industries. We have gone through turbulent times including September 11, the market crash and now COVID-19. We have struggled but have also been resilient. 

Through each of these crises, this is evident: people need people.

 Unfortunately, our viral enemy will be with us for many months and that will change the way we produce and manage events for many years. Some of our businesses may not look the same after these turbulent times, but for those of us that have weathered storms before, we know there will be a return to events. We believe this because this is human nature. The joy of being together, celebrating life’s accomplishments and each other. 

Yes, we will have new guidelines and state laws to adhere to. We will learn to be strategic not only to protect our clients but our teams and vendors as well. But, that won’t stop people from returning to the “party”. Let’s partner together as an event community and support each other in any way that we can. 

We know events will return. With dancing and shared meals. With hugs and “kisses”.

Team Cerbelli

 Don’t stop believing!

WHAT #EVENTSTRONG MEANS TO ME

By David Lombardo, General Manager of Lombardo's

What would Cindy do? This is a phrase my family and friends have used for years. What would Cindy do? Cindy Lombardo Is my mom. She lost her battle with brain cancer 2 years ago and every day, with everything in my life, I wonder “What would Cindy Do?”

 With the recent pandemic that is happening to the world this question is more prevalent today and I would love to share with you what I think the answer is. 

 Cindy Lombardo was a ferocious volunteer and advocate for those in need. She dedicated her life to taking care of others. She was not an event professional by trade, but she could plan and throw a party better than most (better than me that is for sure!). She planned and executed Galas, raising millions of dollars for different non-profits ranging from cancer research and hospitals to homeless shelters. She rebuilt homes with EPTA (Event Professionals Take Action) and would always go above and beyond for the families they supported.

 Her heart was full of love and care, and she always put others before herself. So, what would Cindy do? She would first tell us to take a deep breath and that everything was going to be alright. She would then put on a mask and gloves to keep herself and her family safe because it was time to get to work. She would use her skills for good, ensuring that those in her community had food and necessities to survive. She would be in the kitchen with her kids, cooking and delivering meals to those in need. She would get on the phone with loved ones and friends, strengthening connections and making people feel good. She would tell us to follow our hearts and to trust in our teams and families. To listen and learn from their thoughts and opinions. She would be resilient, and she would fight for her dreams. She would adapt to challenges and would ask for help when she needed it. 

She would celebrate the little successes and appreciate the quiet moments. She would be scared, and she would cry, but only for a moment. She would fight for what she believed in. She would lift those around her. She would break the rules. She would Love. She would leave the world in a better place each day. She would be proud of her kids and family. 

 She would give us all strength and she would inspire us to act. That is what Cindy would do.#EventStrong

ABOUT THE LOMBARDO FAMILY

ROBIN HOOD'S 'RISE UP NEW YORK!' BENEFIT

"New York City is at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, this crisis has created a whole new set of challenges for the millions of New Yorkers who already struggled to make ends meet. This is a moment where we must all come together and rise up together as a community in support of our neighbors and in support of one another.” 

-Wes Moore?, Robin Hood CEO

 On Monday, May 11th at 7:00 PM EDT, Tina Fey will be hosting Robin Hood's 2020 benefit gala: 'Rise Up New York!'. For the first time ever, this annual event has gone completely virtual. The hour-long telethon will feature a mass amount of celebrities, most of them with lifelong ties to New York: Jimmy Fallon, Robert De Niro, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Lopez, Spike Lee, Eli Manning, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and Sting - just to name a few. All proceeds from the event will be donated to New Yorke?rs who have be?en financially impacted. 

TEAM CERBELLI ON THE AUX: VOLUME 3

This week, we've got our transplanted New Yorker - Project Manager, Meagan Shipley, CMP - bringing in a little midwestern charm.

Check out her Spotify playlist!

BE CREATIVE TOGETHER...

Our industry is best when we collaborate, build on one another’s strengths, brainstorm and dream big together. “Share the Wealth” is a motto Cerbelli Creative has stood by for 43-years. 

Event colleagues are having to make tough decisions on how to proceed with their work environment. Many will need to downsize. Many are challenged with high rent or long-term leases. Working from home can be isolating. Without an office space, there’s no ideal spot for client meetings and pitches. We’re offering an alternative: a REAL New York City location to call home; not a P.O. Box. You’re invited to join us at TwoFortyThirty. 

TwoFortyThirty: New York City’s First Event-Industry Creative Hub. 

It’s a brand. It’s an atmosphere of collaboration and relationships. It’s an environment that your clients will love stepping into. The building is a shared creative space, with an energy and a feel, a look and a heartbeat. You’ll feel energized just walking through the door. There are endless possibilities for teamwork, partnership and shared experiences when the most creative people share the same space every day. 

We invite you to be creative together. Join us.

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If you or anyone you know has a story to be told during this time, we would love to feature you in our weekly newsletter. Reach out to [email protected] - we look forward to hearing from you.