Virtual Events: A Whole New Experience

The new age of virtual events

Whether we planned for it or not, the future is most definitely here. Phones are the new wallet, Laptops are the new notebook, and our homes have become the new convention center. As the event business continues to adapt to the ever-changing world around us, we at Family Industries are working tirelessly to bring all the fun we miss having outside straight to your living room. Virtual Events have quickly become the way to host anything from music festivals to weddings, but how can we continue to enjoy all that these events have to offer without actually being there? Well that’s the exact problem we are here to solve.

How do you make your virtual event a success?

1. Find the best software to host your event

   Softwares like BigMarker, cvent, and Cadence make it possible for you to get the most from your events, they help you bring your vision to virtual life. These softwares assist with a reliable platform so that you can worry about the big stuff.

2. Promote, promote, promote!

   Whether you’re planning a work event or a fun dance party event, you need to have a plan in place. Just like with physical events, the fundamentals matter, and ensuring you have a clear marketing strategy is key. Promote your virtual event just like you would with a physical event. Check the 9 best planner apps for 2020.

3. Content

   Your content will be very important to engage your guests and keep them tuned in. Tailor your content to your audience, make sure it is entertaining and it includes an element of virtual interaction, Check out 10 Standout Virtual Event Ideas From Around the Industry.

4. Merch!

   This is where Family Industries comes in! Offer your guests the opportunity to custom design their own t-shirt, bandana, or tote bag. We will screen print your merchandise and ship it directly to your guests! this can give your event that extra edge to keep your guests excited about your brand and ensure they will come back next time.

The Future of virtual events

Many big entertainment companies are making the switch and virtual events are keeping them relevant during this time. Music streaming giant Spotify is developing a ‘virtual events’ feature that is said to debut this year, hosting the iHeartRadio Music Festival in September 2020. But will virtual events continue after covid-19? One thing is for sure, if you’re planning an event, Family Industries can help you elevate your brand with custom-designed t-shirts and other merch.

Family Industries - Supporting Los Angeles

We work with some incredible groups of people, many of whom have been directly affected by the current pandemic. Store fronts have closed and tours have been cancelled, but many of the people we work with are still selling their super awesome merch online!

As you spend your days held up inside, surfing the internet for new and exciting things; we thought we'd put a list together of our favorite merch from some of the members of our Extended Family. Just because you're cooped up inside doesn't mean you can't look fresh and feel comfortable!

MERCH FOR YOUR QUARANTINE

• Add some much needed color to your quarantine outfit w/ an eye-popping Amoeba Pride tee.

• Stay warm and cozy w/ one of Go Get 'Em Tiger's Character sweatshirts.

• Get in touch w/ your astrological sign by snagging one of these Y7 Astrology tops.

• Remind yourself to smile w/ a G.Love and Special Sauce "Juice" tee.

• Keep your noggin warm w/ a Highland Park Brewery skull cap beanie.

• Rep one of LA's amazing local bands, Automatic, w/ this rad graphic tee.

• Feel like going sleeveless today? These Leroy from the North tanks will have you howling.

• Glow in the dark w/ a Space Panda tee from Hideaway Melon.

Meet A Family Member - Nick Perry

Each month we bring you inside our warehouse to introduce you to a member of our Family.

Nick Perry

Shipping Manager

When most people hear the word “finishing”, they likely assume things have wrapped up. For our Shipping Manager Nick Perry, “Finishing” is where it all begins. Surrounded every single day by boxes, you’d think Nick would go a little crazy, but it’s actually quite the opposite. He handles his work with the type of calm you’d expect from someone who worked on a golf course, but in lieu of a quiet stretch of well manicured grass, Nick works in a bustling warehouse downtown Los Angeles.

Everything we do here at Family Industries starts in a box, and if even one of those boxes is missing it could mean the difference between a job getting done on time or a massive delay. While there’s nothing inherently sexy about handling the day-to-day logistics of shipping and receiving all of our materials, Nick does it all with the smoothness and ease of a well timed jazz solo. Nothing that comes in or goes out that isn’t within Nick’s purview. It’s because of his tireless work ethic and confidence in what he does that we never find ourselves hitting the panic button. There’s a lot of pressure that’s unavoidably placed on the Shipping and Receiving department, as much of our work is dependent on it, but Nick somehow remains cool, calm, and collected. It’s a gift really.

We couldn’t be more excited to finally introduce you to the man behind the boxes: Nick Perry…

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What do you do at Family Industries?

I'm the Shipping Manager. I oversee all incoming orders and then make sure they are correctly shipped to the customer. I have also been working to help expand our flatstock printing department to accommodate more fine art elements. Most importantly, I bring the donuts on Friday.

What piece of clothing that you own could you not live without?

Give me a super soft, raglan style sweatshirt and I'm happy.

At the moment, what are your top three songs?

1. “Blacknuss” - Rahsaan Roland Kirk

2. “Say Goodbye” - Tonio K.

3. “Of Men and Demons” - Quincy Jones

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“THE OVER-SHARE QUESTIONNAIRE”

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SHOW US YOUR WORK (OUTSIDE OF WORK)!

I'm always trying express a truth, either with straightforward representation or the silliness of the absurd, sometimes using both at the same time.

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AND FINALLY,

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE GIF…

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Meet A Family Member - Joe Herbick

Each month we bring you inside our warehouse to introduce you to a member of our Family.

Joe Herbick

Head of Print Making

When it comes to having a passion for your work, there are few as dedicated to their craft as Joe. Screen printing has been a part of Joe’s life since he first started screen printing at twelve years old. Most kids that age change passions as often as they change shoe sizes, but for Joe and screen printing, it was love at first sight. Those years of practice have given way to an artist who’s work is beyond compare. His eye for color, mood, texture, and tone is truly awe-inspiring. We often find ourselves staring at Joe while he prints thinking, “if we stand here long enough, maybe some of that talent will rub off on us.” Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, but that won’t stop us from staring… Sorry Joe.

Without further ado, we’d like to introduce you to Joe Herbick…

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What do you do at Family Industries?

I run the flatstock department. We print just about anything that’s flat, but mostly art prints and posters. I’ve worked on anything from fine art to concert posters, and everything in between.

What piece of clothing that you own could you not live without?

Pants. I always wear pants.

At the moment, what are your top three songs?

1. “Neat Neat Neat” - The Damned

2. “The Passenger” - Iggy Pop

3. “So Sorry” - Clarke and the Himselfs

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“THE OVER-SHARE QUESTIONNAIRE”

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SHOW US YOUR WORK (OUTSIDE OF WORK)!

This is the last print I completed of my own work. It’s a 6 color screen print with a split fountain on French paper. Size: 24”x36”.

This is an album cover/art project I worked on for desert/stoner rock legend Brant Bjork. This was for the 20 year anniversary reissue/remix of his first solo record, “Jalamanta”. We basically spent a weekend in the high desert near Joshua Tree reimagining the original album art from 20 years ago.

I actually made the skull while working at a bronze foundry back in Baltimore. The top of the skull is cast in dyed alabaster, and the bottom section is cast in solid bronze.

I’ve loved this record since the day I bought it two decades ago, and I am truly honored to have been part of this project.

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AND FINALLY,

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE GIF…

Joe isn’t one for gifs, so here’s a super cool gif we found instead…

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Live Screen Printing Tips & Tricks - Max Hellmann (CO-FOUNDER, Family Ind.)

Last month, our co-owner Max had the honor of being invited to Chicago to speak at this year’s Printavo PrintHustlers Conference. Max had the opportunity to share some tips and tricks on all things Live Screen Printing, and luckily Printavo taped the whole thing!

“After printing for Lollapalooza, Disney, Google, Facebook, Nike, Nintendo, Toyota, Levi's – and dozens more – Family Industries is a leader in the challenging live printing game. We were lucky enough to have Max join us all the way from LA at PrintHustlers Conf 2019 to share his insights from years of traveling, hustling, and pleasing people with fresh prints.”

- Printavo

CHECK OUT MAX’S PRESENTATION BELOW!

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Interested in a closer look at Max’s “Live Screen Printing Tips & Tricks” slide show? Click the button below and check it out!

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Meet A Family Member - Adam Calvary

Each month we bring you inside our warehouse to introduce you to a member of our Family.

Adam Calvary

Director of Family Industries Live

Client Relations

Don’t let the smoke clouds in the photo above scare you, Adam is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. Beneath that leather jacket is one of the most dedicated, hard working, and kindest individuals on planet earth. Adam’s work ethic can best be summed up in one gif:

Seriously, the man does not stop! We’re still not sure if he actually sleeps, or if he’s figured out a way to survive without it. Whatever his secret is, we love him for it. It’s his endless tenacity and willingness to experiment that’s helped our Live department grow in such an exciting direction. For Adam, there’s no challenge too big. When he wants something, he goes for it, and nine times out of ten he totally nails it.

We couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to the man behind the live event magic, Adam Calvary…

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What do you do at Family Industries?

I’m in the Event Director for Family. If you’re interested in an activation for your event, I’m your go to guy. My job can consist of anything from helping create ideas for activations that pair well with certain locations, themes, or demographics to bringing those ideas to life, and anything in between.

I spend most my day in email land, dialing in budgets or on the phone talking with clients and suppliers to help piece together a vision for an event and make sure it all lines up. When I have time, I love being able to seek out new and exciting things to add to our repertoire of Live Activations.

What piece of clothing that you own could you not live without?

Honestly, I think the world would be better off without clothing all together. Though working in the garment industry, I do see how stupid that is to say.

That being said, I love my hats and converse shoes!!!! Can’t pick one, cause it would be hard to survive without both.

At the moment, what are your top three songs?

1. “Tried and True” - Ween

2. “Peach Trees” - Rufus Wainwright

3. “A Man You’ve Never Known” - The Strange Boys

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“THE OVER-SHARE QUESTIONNAIRE”

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When he isn't working all through the night, Adam sometimes writes charmingly sad poems and turns them into lo-fi, poorly recorded songs.

CHECK OUT HIS WORK (with headphones):

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AND FINALLY,

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE GIF…

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